The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 52

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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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Episode 52
Carrion followed the Corridor Master into the chamber.
A spacious reception room adjoining the bedchamber was furnished with period pieces and adorned with artwork—paintings and sculptures alike.
It was the finest room in the Yingbin Corridor.
“Summon a physician and have him stand by. Tell him to wait until I call for him.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Only after the Corridor Master and the attendants had withdrawn did Carrion set her down.
“Are you hurt?”
He bent at once to examine her ankle.
When she’d stumbled earlier, he’d worried she might have twisted it.
Rhea started violently and stepped back.
“I’m not injured.”
Her response was somewhat defensive, and Carrion straightened, looking almost embarrassed.
“Are you well? The First Prince—”
“I’m fine. Nothing happened.”
He had arrived at precisely the right moment, before anything could have occurred.
Rhea gazed up at his face, studying it carefully.
When he’d burst in, his expression had looked wild as an angry ruffian’s.
Now he was exactly as she knew him to be.
Sharp brows arching in clean lines, silver-gray eyes holding a slight coldness, and below them lips pressed stubbornly firm.
She realized only then that she’d been admiring his face, and spoke hurriedly.
“Why did you do that?”
Carrion answered with a slightly sheepish expression.
“To keep the First Prince from thinking too clearly. He’s a man who calculates. When such men act on impulse without a plan, they can’t adapt. It won’t work often—he’ll learn—but the first time is quite effective.”
Rhea’s eyes widened, and she burst into laughter she could not contain.
She hadn’t expected him to discern someone’s nature so acutely and turn it against them.
Remembering how distorted Enoch’s expression had become—like a man who’d been outwitted—her heart felt lighter.
Her laughter continued for some time, unabating.
Watching her laugh, Carrion’s expression softened.
When Rhea looked at him, she forgot whatever she had meant to say.
“How did you know to come?”
“I heard the negotiations had concluded. I went to the Yingbin Corridor and encountered Kasim. He mentioned that the honored guest had taken a separate route.”
Carrion recalled Kasim’s gaze, scanning him up and down.
For some reason, it had felt less unpleasant than strange—as though the man were weighing and assessing him.
“There is only one path to the Yingbin Corridor.”
Rhea let out a hollow laugh.
From that moment on, the First Prince had already been maneuvering—directing her toward another route.
“Cedric made considerable effort to locate you.”
Cedric had risen from the ranks of minor officials in the Imperial Palace and maintained connections with those of similar standing.
He knew no great secrets, but he kept track of the small currents—who passed through which doors, when and where people moved.
Such information was sometimes more useful than classified secrets.
“I should thank the Young Lord later.”
Rhea brought together only the tips of her fingers and bent her knees halfway in greeting, then rose.
It was the Kingdom Traditional Greeting.
“And I thank you, Your Highness.”
Rhea’s anger had flared the moment Enoch started talking about whips and such.
How dare he speak such crude nonsense to Penny!
So furious she could not contain herself, she had provoked him by way of insult.
Without Carrion’s arrival, there was no knowing what indignity she might have suffered.
“But I don’t know why the First Prince did it. Your Highness arrived before I could hear.”
“He likely said something predictable.”
“What sort of predictable thing?”
“He probably tried to extract information about how I came to bring the Zephyros Delegation. Or perhaps he argued that aligning with him rather than me would be more advantageous.”
“You know the First Prince well?”
“Not particularly interested. I consider him a man whose exterior masks his true nature.”
“What if he’s far more cunning than you believe?”
Unable to grasp her intent, Carrion simply regarded her in silence.
“You’ve already clashed with the First Prince in Hecatia. If today’s incident is added to it, the divide between him and you may become irreparable.”
Carrion gave a short laugh.
“Are you reproaching me for acting without thinking of the consequences, or commending me for thinking of them?”
“That’s not what I meant…….”
Rhea trailed off, unable to find the words.
Was she worried about the situation unfolding, or about the man himself?
“From the start, I had nothing to do with the First Prince…….”
Carrion stopped mid-sentence and turned his head away.
A gaze had caught him—sharp enough to sting.
Rhea turned as well.
Penny, her clasped hands bright with wonder, her eyes gleaming as she watched them both, hurriedly looked away.
The air turned awkward.
“Should I summon a physician?”
“No, there’s nothing injured.”
“If you need anything, call for the Corridor Master you saw earlier. I’ll take my leave.”
He turned to go, then paused.
“I’ll return once dawn breaks tomorrow.”
“Yes…….”
After Carrion left, Rhea’s fingers began to fidget.
She felt embarrassed to look at Penny.
For those brief moments, she’d completely forgotten Penny existed.
Rhea sat down on the sofa as if nothing had happened, and Penny immediately nestled close beside her.
“You can’t do this, Your Highness. How could you deceive me so completely? When did this start?”
Penny giggled as she pressed, eyes bright with mischief.
“Well, it just……happened that way.”
“I noticed it from the beginning. When you started going in and out of the carriage so often, I knew something wasn’t right.”
Rhea let her gaze drift away.
“I approve, Your Highness.”
Rhea was startled to hear such words from Penny.
In her past life, Penny had appointed herself Rhea’s guardian.
Especially whenever a man tried to approach, she’d act like a rabid dog.
Rhea had never had time for romantic dalliance, but Penny’s relentless wall of defense around her had played no small part in that.
“When that Prince appeared just then, it was like a hero’s entrance from a legend.”
Watching Penny’s dreamy expression, Rhea couldn’t help but smile.
“All things considered, he’s not bad at all. His station, his appearance—both are respectable. After seeing that rude royal, I understand now how fine the Fourth Prince truly is.”
Penny planted her hands firmly on her hips.
“Of course, I don’t mean he’s perfect. No one would be good enough for you, Your Highness.”
Rhea smiled softly.
“Penny. This isn’t the Kingdom. Never step forward like that again. You’ll be in danger.”
“I don’t mind.”
“I do.”
Rhea took Penny’s hand.
“If you’re hurt because of me, I truly couldn’t bear it. Whatever happens from now on, stay behind me. Understood?”
Penny knew she would act the same way if the moment came again.
When your body moves on its own, what can you do about it?
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yet Penny answered with a broad smile.
* * *
Attendants brought fresh clothes to change into.
A plain indoor dress, crafted from unadorned, subdued fabric.
It didn’t fit Rhea perfectly, but that made it all the more comfortable.
After that, she finished a generous evening meal in the receiving room.
Before preparing for bed, she summoned Kasim.
Kasim had already heard the broad strokes from Penny.
His expression grew grave.
“I should not have left your side earlier, Your Highness. I let my guard down, thinking the Empire’s attitude wasn’t hostile, forgetting where we truly are.”
“The First Prince arranged it so he could see me alone. It wasn’t your fault. Nothing happened, so please don’t blame yourself.”
“If the Fourth Prince hadn’t been there, what would have become of us?”
Penny interjected eagerly.
Kasim let out an uncomfortable cough and spoke.
“I’m grateful for his assistance.”
Rhea glanced sideways at Penny.
She wanted to keep today’s incident quiet, to spare them needless worry.
“Your Highness, I know I can’t speak for everyone, but I truly believe Kasim must be told. He’s your escort and the eldest among us, after all. Let me go and give him the facts, nothing more.”
Rhea found Penny’s reasoning sound, so she agreed.
Yet it seemed Penny harbored other motives beneath the surface.
Rhea had never expected the Penny who’d worn such a sullen expression every time she visited Carrion to shift so completely overnight.
Rhea turned to Kasim with a question.
“Are your quarters comfortable for the night?”
“Quite so, Your Highness. Though my room was changed partway through.”
“Changed?”
“We were initially assigned a shared room for two. But just now, the attendants arrived and said the room wasn’t fully prepared yet, so they moved us to different quarters as a temporary arrangement.”
“A different room altogether?”
“Yes. The others were shown to a suite with four bedchambers adjoining a common sitting area—one bedroom per person. I’ve been given a private room with a small sitting room attached.”

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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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