Queen of Revenge - Chapter 63

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 63
Iolet cast a sidelong glance at Kairon as he stroked Bara’s head with gentle sweeps of his hand.
“You keep cracking jokes, so you must be perfectly fine. I take it that means you don’t want anything beyond kisses.”
“Don’t say that. Let’s add it to what I asked for last time.”
Kairon chuckled and pressed his lips to Iolet’s cheek once more before pulling away—this time on the opposite side from before.
“It’s convenient having a bathing chamber attached. May I use it?”
“This is your chamber now. You needn’t ask my permission.”
“Is that so? I’m beginning to think I’ve made an excellent marriage. There are so many perks to it.”
Kairon chuckled as he headed toward the bathing chamber.
Before even stepping inside, he’d already unfastened every button of his shirt. Iolet, flustered, spun around hastily, only to hear delighted laughter echoing from behind her.
“Will you be going to the village?”
“Today I’ll tour the fortress, and we’ll visit the village tomorrow. I need to wander through the fortress thoroughly so that Prince Dietrich at least has reason to suspect I’m keeping watch.”
“Then let’s go together today. We can play the part of a married couple while we’re at it.”
“Very well. Hurry and finish washing.”
“Shall we wash together?”
“Absolutely not!”
Iolet cried out sharply, and Kairon, laughing once more, closed the bathing chamber door. Soon, the faint sound of running water drifted from within.
“What on earth…”
A person ought to have some consistency, whether good or bad, yet he seemed like an entirely different man from the one who’d appeared emotionally drained moments ago. I couldn’t tell which was the real him.
Bara, clutching Iolet’s dress tightly, pressed her index finger to her temple and made circular motions.
“Bara, does he seem that way to you too?”
Iolet sighed and began preparing for their outing.
* * *
The day after thoroughly exploring every corner of the fortress with Kairon, Iolet arrived at Winterbark Village early in the morning.
The Information Guild, which she hadn’t visited in a month and a half, was transformed beyond recognition.
The fragrance of tea drifted across the table. Emeric, seated upon a blanket embroidered with ornate arabesque patterns, greeted her with a smooth smile.
“It’s wonderful to see you so often, Your Highness.”
Beside the teacup and teapot sat delicate pastries arranged on a ceramic tray—luxurious confections that were difficult to procure even at the border.
As Iolet lifted her cup, Emeric spoke warmly.
“I do hope we can meet like this frequently. It would strengthen the bonds between allies.”
“If crossing the border became unrestricted, it would be a serious problem.”
“What an unkind thing to say between neighbors in the same circumstances. We’re practically family.”
More than ten days had passed since news of the successful gold strike in the Unregistered Territory spread throughout Winterbark. Thanks to this, Emeric’s demeanor had become considerably warmer than before.
‘Of course. He’s confirmed that the map I provided was genuine.’
With the alliance solidified, Emeric would naturally be eager to advance to the next stage. He couldn’t allow Dietrich to monopolize the gold vein.
In stark contrast to his flamboyant appearance and carefree manner, Emeric was a shrewd strategist.
Without powerful relatives by marriage to support him, his source of strength to rival his brothers was information.
He’d seized control of the Information Guild, once confined to the capital, and expanded it throughout Kalande, then co-opted the Postal Master to establish a postal network connecting each guild.
Thus he could easily extract and gather raw, unrefined information, then move a step ahead of everyone else.
From the moment Emeric learned of the gold vein’s discovery, he’d already been in motion.
“Leave it to me from now on, Your Highness. Socially burying someone is my specialty, so you can trust me completely.”
Emeric lifted his chin with absolute confidence.
“When the time comes, just keep the fortress gates open.”
“Of course. I’ll learn a thing or two from this.”
Iolet savored the sharp jasmine tea.
‘Easy enough, thankfully.’
The peaceful late spring had passed, and now summer was in full swing.
* * *
“The gold mine is a lie! The Second Prince deceives the people with falsehoods and drives the workers to their deaths in cursed lands!”
A black stage had been erected in the Central Square of Winterbark Village.
As the villagers packed the small square, someone stood on a chair and shouted at the top of their lungs.
“The Fortress Army has been abandoned, the Commander has been driven out, and it is our sons and daughters of Winterbark who are dying in the harsh, monster-infested lands. We are not going to mine for gold—we are going to our deaths!”
The White-Bearded Elder tore a large notice in half. It was the mining worker recruitment notice that had been posted on the square’s wall until that morning.
“Will you sell your life and your family’s lives for a pittance of coin?”
“Well spoken!”
“Hear, hear!”
The people thrust their fists into the air, echoing the elder’s cry.
Unsettling rumors had spread through the village, and protests had begun under someone’s direction—it had already been more than a week. The number of villagers joining the cause grew steadily, until now the square was packed and the movement spilled into the alleys.
Most of the residents living near the border were natives of the land.
These people, who had struggled to build their lives in a barren wasteland that no one wished to inhabit, understood the danger of the Demon Tribe well.
The conscription refusal movement spread like wildfire across all of Winterbark.
“Rather than be dragged to the Unregistered Territory, I’d sooner die here!”
“The Capital Guard must not drag innocent civilians into this!”
It did not take long for word to reach the fortress.
* * *
On the table in the Commander’s Office lay chunks of rock that had been mined the previous week. There were three of them.
The Appraiser, having examined the stones, delivered his conclusion.
“They are diamonds. Once cut, they will be exquisite. This is far better progress than before, Your Highness.”
“…Yes, not bad.”
Jewels to adorn the shells of nobles. Merely not bad.
Though it was fortunate that something usable had emerged compared to last month, Dietrich could scarcely be satisfied.
Still no gold appeared, and time slipped away mercilessly. I was certain I was moving forward step by step, yet I still felt as though I were wandering through a labyrinth.
That feeling intensified whenever I saw the Princess.
The Princess, sitting on the sofa and eating frozen grapes, offered a comment.
“It seems there’s still no progress. How strange.”
The Princess often visited the Commander’s Office when Kairon was away.
‘Isn’t this also my husband’s office?’ At that question, I found myself at a loss for words.
If I said no, then Kairon would have nothing but a nameplate as Commander and no proper office to his name, but if I agreed, then I myself, sitting here in the Commander’s Office, would be the intruder.
Fortunately, the Princess seemed to have no interest in quibbling over who truly owned the Commander’s Office.
“Don’t mind me—please continue your meeting. Once Kairon finishes his preparations for departure, I’ll return to my quarters.”
“…As you wish.”
The Princess, who had popped three grapes into her mouth, began reading the book she’d brought.
Dietrich withdrew his attention from her and lowered his voice.
“Is this truly all the labor we can hire? Even offering triple wages, no one is willing?”
“That’s… it seems unfavorable rumors are circulating in the village. I only learned of it this morning myself.”
“Unfavorable rumors?”
The Aide hesitated before explaining.
“Word is spreading that Demons will soon overrun the region. Because of this, many are reluctant to venture into the Unregistered Territory. It appears the recruitment notice has somehow been distorted into talk of forced conscription.”
“Is that all?”
“And… somehow, rumors have spread that there is no gold in the Unregistered Territory.”
“What?”
The Aide glanced nervously at Dietrich.
“I sent people to suppress the rumors, but word travels so quickly that public opinion refuses to settle.”
“Damn!”
Dietrich was sensitive to rumors. Among Kalande’s three princes, he was undoubtedly the one with the worst reputation.
It was difficult to maintain good standing when one controlled the military forces and opposed one’s brothers through force, but the true reason lay elsewhere—Emeric.
Emeric’s scheming and incitement spared not even the First Prince, born of the Queen. Dietrich was beyond such mercy.
Whenever he elevated his reputation through good deeds, damning rumors about him would mysteriously surface, one after another.
Could this be his doing again?
“Where is Emeric now? What is he doing? Do we have his location?”
“That is, Prince Emeric is currently staying at the Royal Villa near Capital, it is said.”
“What? Didn’t you say his last known location was near the Northern Trade Route?”
“Yes. It appears he turned back from that area and traveled to the Capital. He was definitely in the Capital until a week ago, but after that, his whereabouts became unclear.”
“He went to the Capital of his own accord in times like these?”
While the First Prince was wielding his authority, what business could he possibly have at the Royal Palace?
The only person Emeric would meet was their father, the aging King of Kalande.
‘I thought he’d be nearby, but he went to Mother to obtain something?’
Dietrich’s brow furrowed.
If Emeric was beginning to make his moves, countermeasures had to be prepared.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————