The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 44

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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 44
He couldn’t make sense of it.
It wasn’t as though he’d only just met her today.
When he’d first seen her at Poema Garrison, his emotional state had hovered somewhere between wariness and irritation.
He’d seen her nearly every day during the ten-day journey to the Capital.
So what, exactly, had changed?
‘……Something had, though.’
She was beautiful.
So beautiful that he found himself wondering whether a woman like that could truly exist in this world.
He tapped his forehead against the door frame, once, twice.
Regardless of what she wore, she was a beauty—an objective fact, undeniable.
If a simple change of clothes could transform her into something grander, that would be sorcery.
Though he didn’t make a habit of seeking out galas, his status as a prince meant he was often obligated to attend.
He’d witnessed countless beauties there, each adorned with elaborate care, each possessing their own allure.
Not once had his gaze lingered or his heart wavered.
Yet she was shaking him.
When he thought about it, it would have been stranger if she hadn’t.
She was his lifesaver. Without her, he couldn’t escape the torment of the Curse.
Was this, then, simply gratitude? A natural response?
He tapped his forehead against the door frame again, harder this time.
A knock—two sharp raps—startled him backward a step.
“Your Highness. It’s Sedrick.”
Carrion, who had been holding his breath, turned and answered.
“Come in.”
Sedrick opened the door and entered at once, then faltered when he caught sight of his lord’s back so close at hand.
‘Was he about to leave?’
Once Carrion had settled himself at the desk, Sedrick delivered his report.
“I’ve confirmed it. He was spotted heading toward Chammogyeon, nothing more.”
During the early years of Carrion’s tours through the Northeast, there had been numerous attempts to steal or burn the Confidential Documents from Black Castle.
Because of this, those entrusted with guarding Black Castle during the master’s absence were no ordinary soldiers.
They were carefully selected for keen eyes and quick reflexes, trained specially to detect suspicious movements in the vicinity with speed.
And yet, within mere days of establishing Black Castle within the Imperial Palace, suspicious figures had begun to linger about it.
In the Northeast, such movements might have gone unnoticed, but within the Palace, the crown prince’s personal guard could not operate freely.
So they had tracked the suspect covertly, merely discerning his general destination.
Carrion let out a soft laugh.
‘So the culprit was the First Prince.’
So he had called Chammogyeon, feigned a warm welcome, and all the while waited for an opportunity to slip into Black Castle undetected.
It wasn’t particularly surprising.
The suspicion he’d already felt only deepened—a simple confirmation of what he’d suspected all along.
One thing was now certain: he could not afford to drop his guard while in the Capital.
“Sedrick.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“The Northeast was more comfortable for you, wasn’t it?”
Sedrick lowered his gaze instead of answering.
He was a graduate of the Central Administration Academy, where he had served as top student, where the empire’s administrative officials were trained.
Yet no matter how exceptional his abilities, the highest position granted to men like him was entry-level bureaucratic work.
Most graduates of the Central Administration Academy were commoners or fallen nobility—limitations of birth that could not be overcome.
Among those graduates, Sedrick had become something of a legend.
A commoner-born junior clerk had somehow ascended to the position of senior aide to the commander of the Northeast.
Many harbored resentment toward his meteoric rise.
Until six years ago, when he’d left the Capital, Sedrick had endured their envious stares.
“It seems I’ll be coming and going from the Capital frequently for a while. His Majesty has indicated he intends to convene the Grand Assembly soon.”
Sedrick grasped the Emperor’s intention at once.
“He wishes for a performance featuring the Zephyros Kingdom delegation to take place during the Grand Assembly, Your Highness.”
“It wasn’t my intention that started this matter, but it’s become my responsibility. I must ensure that the delegation from the kingdom is treated fairly.”
“A wise course of action, Your Highness.”
“If I gain recognition for my efforts in this affair, I won’t be able to live as quietly as before. You especially will suffer for it.”
Among Carrion’s close retainers, Sedrick bore the vulnerability of his lowborn status—making him the easiest target.
The corners of Sedrick’s mouth lifted slightly.
He regarded his meeting with Carrion as the greatest stroke of fortune in his entire life.
I can serve under a lord who recognizes my abilities and treats me with respect.
What does external pressure matter then?
“I will serve with all my heart.”
Carrion smiled lightly.
“You have nothing to worry about. Someone will arrive from the Imperial Palace soon. Prepare so we can enter the palace whenever needed, timed for the Grand Assembly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Send Orbin in.”
After Sedrick left, Orbin entered.
Orbin reported on calling the tailor and today’s outing.
“Right now… no, never mind.”
Carrion had been about to summon Rhea but rose instead.
Since he’d been rude earlier, it seemed proper to go find her himself.
* * *
Rhea sat at a small table in her bedroom, drafting an expense plan.
‘If I buy a house, I’ll need furnishings and servants too. Our party will be staying in the Capital for a while. I should get new clothes for everyone. If I’m attending various gatherings, I’ll need formal wear.’
“Princess.”
Penny entered the bedroom, her expression unusually animated.
“The Prince wishes to see you, Your Highness.”
“Is that so? All right.”
Rhea naturally assumed Sedrick had come as a messenger to fetch her.
Would they meet in the study this time, or at the Black Castle?
“He’s here. He’s waiting outside.”
“Outside?”
Rhea, rising from her seat, hesitated.
“…Outside?”
“Yes. He hasn’t entered the parlor yet. He’s in the corridor.”
“Oh… show him in.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After Rhea went to the parlor and settled on the sofa, Penny opened the parlor door.
Carrion walked in a few steps, then stopped with an awkward expression.
“Please, sit.”
Rhea gestured to a seat.
He bowed his head slightly before sitting across from her.
Neither could look directly at the other; they both cast their eyes elsewhere.
Having only ever seen each other in the enclosed Black Castle, sitting face to face in this open, spacious room felt strangely more uncomfortable.
Watching them, Penny’s feelings grew complicated.
She’d disapproved of him summoning the princess into the Black Castle every evening…
But seeing these two act so stiffly toward each other, she found her suspicious thoughts melting away.
Yet that realization didn’t feel particularly reassuring either.
‘How does that make sense? What could our lovely princess have been doing alone with him every evening?’
“Princess, I’ll bring tea.”
“Yes, please.”
Penny left the parlor to brew the tea.
She thought nothing of leaving an unmarried princess alone with a male guest.
In a kingdom, such a thing would be unthinkable, but having witnessed them entering the Black Castle together alone every day on the journey here, she’d somehow forgotten how scandalous it truly was.
Carrion swallowed hard.
‘Why?’
Her clothes had changed from before—her usual attire.
Yet she was still beautiful.
“I have met with His Majesty and conveyed the will of the Zephyros Kingdom.”
Rhea’s expression shifted immediately.
“What did he say?”
‘Ah.’
He sighed inwardly.
Her green eyes, fixed on him with such directness, gleamed like jewels.
She was someone he’d seen yesterday, yet suddenly she appeared different.
He couldn’t understand this strange phenomenon occurring within him.
He was grateful for a practical topic of conversation.
Without it, he’d have been lost for words.
“His Majesty appeared quite satisfied. And he requested proof that the Zephyros Kingdom’s intentions are genuine.”
“What proof would that be? Should I crawl on my knees and lick your boots?”
Carrion’s expression shifted.
“I would not ask for such barbaric submission.”
Rhea felt a twinge of regret.
She’d drawn too extreme an example from her past life’s memories.
“I meant no insult to you. I was simply…….”
“I understand. I took it to mean you’re prepared to that degree. His Majesty will soon announce the convening of the Grand Assembly.”
Carrion explained the Grand Assembly to her briefly.
“So in essence, it’s a gathering of everyone who moves the empire.”
“Nearly so. But there are many official conferences where opinions are exchanged even without the Grand Assembly.”
The Grand Assembly was a means for the Emperor to display his power.
Though called a meeting, the venue was not a conference room but the Hall of Judgment.
In the Hall of Judgment, only the Emperor sat alone upon a high dais, looking down at those who stood below.
“Ah, I see now. I must show everyone there how the Zephyros Kingdom willingly kneels before His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Precisely. Are you prepared for this?”
She would have to play the fool before countless eyes.
Whatever the reason for becoming a tributary nation of the empire, a kingdom’s princess could not find peace in her heart.

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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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