Chapter 56
Meanwhile, as the number of outsiders increased, it became easier for those seeking to keep the North in check to infiltrate.
But for the sake of the North’s self-reliance, they had to accept that level of risk.
Crencia Castle, which handled the most critical information, was still staffed exclusively with Northerners.
Even if information leaked, they could immediately identify who had spread it.
In fact, they sometimes deliberately leaked false information to sow confusion among their adversaries.
As the final day of the market arrived, Kaiden invited the merchant guild leaders to the castle.
He needed to impress upon them preparations for the impending 100-year demonic cycle.
Once the 100-year cycle began, the population of monsters would surge, meaning only a select few guilds would be permitted entry over the next decade.
Thus, the purpose of this banquet was to identify the most trustworthy guilds.
Crencia Castle, hosting guests for the first time in ages, buzzed with activity from early morning.
The first guild to arrive was the Hook Guild.
Guild leader Alfredo whispered to Arteon.
“The atmosphere inside the castle seems to have changed quite a bit.”
“How was it before?”
“Well, it was so quiet, as if everyone muffled even their footsteps. They all seemed preoccupied with their own tasks….”
Alfredo’s gaze drifted to a maid arranging floral decorations.
“Those flowers— I heard the madam selected them herself? How on earth did she choose ones so adorably petite, just like her?”
The flower the maid held was a purple-tinged geranium.
Its vivid hue made the small blossoms clustered along the stem appear all the more resplendent.
The maid beside her flashed what seemed like a mischievous smile before murmuring under her breath.
“But somehow, doesn’t this flower resemble the Duke?”
“Oh, you noticed it too? Actually, I’ve been thinking how similar it is to the Duke’s eye color….”
“For me, watching the Duke and his wife these days is more entertaining than any romance novel. Last time, you see….”
The maids’ faces flushed deeper than usual as their voices gradually dropped to a whisper.
Compared to the past, when they wouldn’t utter a single word about their masters, the atmosphere had softened considerably.
“It appears the shift in mood is due to the new Duchess.”
“Yeah. She seems more beloved than I’d imagined.”
Arteon felt a wave of relief wash over him at the castle’s not-unpleasant vibe.
Even if tensions ran high between the imperial family and the North, at least the couple’s relationship didn’t appear strained.
‘What should I do now?’
His original plan had been to reveal that his brother’s death felt suspicious.
Perhaps even hinting that the imperial family might be involved behind the scenes.
Yet Jeffrey’s sister already seemed to have moved on, living contentedly without him.
Moreover, this was a marriage arranged at the emperor’s recommendation, so he hesitated to judge whether sharing such information rashly was wise.
He couldn’t rule out the possibility that the emperor had sent her to the North under secret orders.
And even if that weren’t the case, it might prove an uncomfortable topic for a woman happily living in her husband’s affections.
It was around this time, as the luncheon unfolded and the atmosphere warmed around the Crencia ducal couple, that things took an unexpected turn.
Surprisingly, it was Reina who approached Arteon first.
The moment happened to coincide with the guild leaders and the Duke stepping away from their seats.
“Hello, Sir Arteon. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
“Ah, please just call me Arteon. As you can see, I’m here as an attendant.”
“Ah, that’s right, isn’t it?”
Reina offered a faint smile, drawing out the moment.
She clearly had something on her mind.
Arteon spoke up.
“Do you perhaps have something you’d like to say to me?”
“Ah, well….”
Reina hesitated, not diving straight into her purpose.
Only when Arteon encouraged her to speak freely did she finally open up.
“Actually, there’s a matter I’d like to entrust to the Hook Guild.”
At the word “entrust,” Arteon responded with gravity.
“Given that you’re speaking to me privately like this, it must be a personal affair.”
Reina nodded and continued.
“Truth is, there’s someone I’d like you to find for me.”
“…A person.”
“Yes, someone who went missing three years ago— do you think it’s possible?”
Her cautious question carried a fragile thread of hope.
Arteon had no trouble guessing that the person she sought was Jeffrey.
He hadn’t anticipated Reina bringing up his brother first, so a sudden wariness prickled at him. Arteon asked pointedly.
“Are you referring to His Highness Prince Jeffrey Eve Mernie, who vanished without a trace?”
“!”
Reina was astonished to learn that Arteon knew her brother.
She had never expected to hear that name, forgotten by everyone else, from another’s lips.
“…Yes, that’s right. Actually, I’ve wanted to commission this for a long time, but only now am I able to do so.”
She had just begun to think that the conversation might go smoothly.
“If he’s been missing for three years, he’s likely long dead by now.”
Arteon’s pessimistic words shattered Reina’s sense of relief.
Clasping her trembling hands together, Reina retorted.
“His body hasn’t been found yet.”
“It’s been more than enough time for a corpse to decompose.”
“Even so, I want to find out what happened to my brother.”
“Even if it’s nothing but a meaningless waste of effort?”
Reina’s feelings were hurt by his repeated negative responses.
It felt as though he were trampling on her hopes.
Beyond the rudeness, it prodded at her most vulnerable spot, leaving her defenseless and overwhelmed.
When it came to matters involving her brother, emotion always overrode reason for her.
No longer wishing to continue the conversation with Arteon, Reina hastily wrapped it up.
“I must have been mistaken. Let’s pretend this talk never happened….”
As she turned to leave him behind, he uttered a meaningful remark.
“Are you really going to dig into this matter when you’re shaken by just a few words?”
Reina, who had been walking away, turned back to face Arteon once more.
“What do you mean?”
“I thought Your Highness had forgotten about your brother and was getting on well without him.”
“I’ve never forgotten my brother, not for a single moment. So please stop insulting me and my brother, Arteon.”
Before she knew it, tears had welled up in Reina’s eyes. Her fragile appearance contrasted sharply with her pointed words.
Moved by her genuine demeanor, he softened the sharp expression he had worn until then.
At least it didn’t seem like she was probing him on the emperor’s orders.
Arteon bowed deeply, as if apologizing for his earlier rudeness.
“If that’s how you felt, I am truly sorry. I only provoked Your Highness to confirm a few things; I meant no harm. That said, I would like to take on this commission myself.”
“No, that’s alright.”
When Reina refused outright, Arteon found himself in a bind.
It appeared he had offended the princess more than intended.
To her, who showed no sign of relenting, Arteon clasped his hands together pleadingly and said.
“Won’t you reconsider? From the start, no one is more suited to handle this request than I am.”
Reina regarded Arteon’s sudden change in attitude with a gaze full of suspicion.
“That sounds an awful lot like you know something about my brother.”
“You’re correct. No one in this empire knows as much about that incident as I do. I’ve been searching for that guy like a madman for the past three years.”
“Why on earth would you be looking for our brother….”
“Because Prince Jeffrey was my irreplaceable best friend before he was ever Your Highness’s brother.”
Reina faltered at the word ‘best friend.’
Noticing her wavering, Arteon drew something from his breast pocket.
“Actually, I came to the North to deliver this to Your Highness.”
“This is….”
