The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 40
Lea caught her breath in surprise.
Nela spoke lightly: “Why don’t you visit him yourself?”
‘If he remembers the old days, he’ll give you some money. Whether it helps you much, I can’t say.’
‘Your Highness. It’s not just “some” money.’
Lea’s true purpose had always been money.
She’d expected that even a trifling debt would be generously honored if the debtor was the Chief of Droen House.
But if the Chief was willing to say such a thing, it would be wasteful to accept mere money.
Not that she’d ever dream of asking for the trading company itself.
Even if she received it, she had no confidence she could run it properly.
“Chief, I’m pleased to confirm that you’re a man of honor. The Blank Promissory Note you recognize—its original owner has entrusted its use to me. Would that still be acceptable?”
Something flickered in Morga’s eyes.
‘The young lady has a talent for composure.’
Morga found Lea’s response intriguing.
She not only recovered swiftly from her surprise, but she betrayed no greed either.
“If you hadn’t heard it from him, you’d have no way of knowing about that day—known only to him and me. I acknowledge you as his representative. All authority rests with you.”
“I wish to use the Blank Promissory Note to purchase information.”
“What sort of information?”
“It might be finding a person, or it might be records I need, or an investigation I wish to commission. I’m asking for your ongoing assistance.”
Droen House bought and sold many things.
Information among them.
But there was no official information exchange operating under Droen.
The information Droen handled was mostly used for the House’s benefit, and only rarely sold to special clients.
Morga smiled.
If the representative had wanted only wealth, he would have been disappointed.
Information was the invoice that truly befitted a Blank Promissory Note.
“From today onward, I’ll arrange for my staff at any Droen House shop or the Vault House to serve you with utmost dedication whenever you visit.”
Morga extended a ring from his finger.
“Show them this.”
Lea accepted it without hesitation.
The heavy, crude ring bore the Seal of Droen House engraved on its face.
“Marius. Bring that.”
“Yes, Chief.”
Marius produced an envelope from his breast and placed it on the sofa table.
Lea recognized the envelope at once.
It was unmistakably the one she’d given to the manager earlier.
“I kept the letter. Rather than return an empty envelope—which would be impolite—I’ve enclosed a reply. Please check it when you have the chance.”
Lea nodded and placed the envelope in her bag.
“I have other places to visit with my companions, so I should take my leave.”
“Yes. If you need anything, please come anytime. I’ll be waiting.”
Morga saw Lea out of the guest room.
Marius, who followed her out, returned a moment later.
“Chief, there’s something I forgot to mention.”
“What is it?”
“Among the lady’s companions was the young master.”
“…That boy?”
Marius spoke carefully.
“Should we look into who he is?”
“No. He’s not the type to chase after the wrong person. We’ll know soon enough.”
“Yes, Chief.”
“Make sure everyone knows: whoever carries my Seal is to be treated as I would treat them myself. They are my lifelong benefactor.”
“Yes, Chief.”
Morga sank into thought.
‘Orbin was with her? Then she must have connections to the Fourth Prince….’
The Fourth Prince Carrion was that man’s son.
Which is why he’d allowed his heir, his own son, to serve under Carrion without interference.
Orbin probably thought he’d managed a clever escape, but Morga had simply let him go.
The boy had no idea how terrifying his mother truly was.
Had Morga so wished, he could have spirited Orbin away without a soul knowing and broken his legs to keep him locked away.
‘Ungrateful brat. This is why children think they’ve raised themselves alone.’
Coming to the Capital after so long, and you don’t even pay your respects.
I’ll have to reach for the whip of love soon enough.
Morga’s shoulders shook with laughter—a rare sound these days.
* * *
Lea’s steps were light.
The Treasure Map that Nela had given her proved remarkably fruitful from the start.
‘The Droen House Chief is quite a remarkable person. He never once asked who I was.’
No matter how great a debt one owed in the past, human hearts were fickle—different when borrowing than when repaying.
She marveled at his audacity in offering to hand over an entire trading house.
A man like that could only have risen to become Droen House Chief.
‘If he’d asked, I would have told him.’
In any case, the Droen House Chief would learn her true identity soon enough.
When Lea entered the reception room, Kasim’s expression—which had held a trace of concern—softened immediately.
“I apologize for keeping everyone waiting.”
Kasim replied with courtesy.
“Not at all, miss. Did your business conclude well?”
“Very well indeed.”
Lea turned toward Orbin.
“Lord Roden.”
“Yes?”
“The information fee you promised me—can I receive it now as a Blank Promissory Note issued by the Droen Vault House?”
“Yes, that’s possible.”
“I intend to purchase a house with that money. Could you find me a suitable one? In District 5.”
“District 5, you say?”
“I plan to use only about half of my information fee. With that amount, District 5 should give me the best options available. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes. Very likely so.”
‘I thought this was her first visit to the Capital.’
Orbin was puzzled that Lea knew the property values across different districts of the Capital.
‘The forest path information, and now this….’
He mentally upgraded his assessment of Zephyros Kingdom’s intelligence capabilities to the highest level.
It never occurred to him that this might be the Princess’s personal ability.
Lea turned back to Kasim and spoke.
“Lord Kasim, go with Lord Roden and select a house to purchase. Our party will be living there. Don’t be too particular—I’d prefer something we can buy quickly, even if it’s a bit worn, as long as it’s spacious.”
Orbin asked gently.
“Is there some discomfort with your current accommodations?”
“No, but we cannot continue imposing on your hospitality indefinitely. We may have more people arriving, and we’ll need a place where everyone can stay.”
“Ah…. I understand.”
“Then both of you, thank you for your trouble today.”
“We’ll see you back to the residence first, then begin our search.”
“I have somewhere else to go. It’s within District 3, so don’t worry.”
Orbin and Kasim saw Lea and Peni off in their carriage as it departed the Vault House.
Orbin gazed up at the Vault House building.
Part of him wanted to seek out Director Marius and ask what he and the Princess had discussed.
Though the Director would certainly tell him nothing.
‘The people of Her Majesty are frightening indeed.’
Orbin turned to Kasim and spoke.
“Shall we go? We can walk to District 5 and observe the surroundings as we go.”
“Let’s do that. Perhaps you could share some information about what District 5 is like—property values and such—as we walk?”
“Of course. Ask me anything. I’ll tell you whatever I know.”
The two men walked toward District 5, conversing in low voices.
* * *
The Emperor, waking late, heard that Luke had gone out for the night and let out a hollow laugh.
He recalled how pleased he’d been, pinning the Badge on the youngest knight.
He had never doubted that this promising young knight would grow by leaps and bounds, becoming the greatest knight to stand at his side.
But Luke was an untamed stallion.
The Emperor’s affection for the young man’s remarkable talent was as genuine as his desire to possess him.
So when Luke had asked to go to the Northeast with Carrion, the Emperor had let him depart without resistance.
‘Time itself cannot tame that one.’
Seeing the boy act willfully the moment he returned, the Emperor’s regret evaporated completely.
A dog that refuses to obey its master can never become a fine hound, no matter how talented it might be.
The Emperor’s decision to release Luke stemmed not from magnanimity, but from arrogance.
“The Fourth Prince went out at night with an escort?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What did the two of them do while they were out?”
“There is a report that Luke Astel was seen at the Night Market.”
The Emperor let out a soft chuckle.
“Come to think of it, the Fourth Prince requested a private audience. Tell him to come this afternoon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In the afternoon, the Emperor lay face-down on a long sofa, receiving a full-body massage from his attendants.
The sweetish scent of fragrant oil hung in the air of the terrace.
The Chief Attendant approached and announced himself.
“Your Majesty. The Fourth Prince requests an audience.”
“Granted.”
The Chief Attendant withdrew, stepping backward, and moments later Carrion entered the terrace.
Upon seeing the Emperor lying face-down, he knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
“I pay my respects to Your Imperial Majesty.”
The Emperor, eyes still closed, did not look up as he replied.
“Rise.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
“What have you come to tell me?”
The Emperor kept his eyes closed.
He made a low sound of approval—mm—as if pleased by the attendants’ massage work.
It seemed he was saying that the requests of a prince who had asked for a private audience were of no real importance.

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