The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 64

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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 64
Enoch had also planted his own people within the delegation.
“You vetted them thoroughly, I trust?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. These are individuals whose backgrounds will pass any inquiry from the Foreign Ministry without a single flag. I’ve also arranged for the workers as you instructed.”
Enoch nodded.
Menial workers would lack access to sensitive intelligence, yet that very limitation worked to their advantage—they could move freely and gather rumors without drawing suspicion.
Zephyros Kingdom was insular and small enough that loose talk circulating through the streets might well yield information of genuine value.
Beyond this, various factions with interest in the matter had quietly moved to bribe delegation members with their own designs.
What entered the kingdom, then, was a motley assembly of spies, each harboring separate agendas.
Rhea suppressed her reluctant expression and sat across from Kasim, who had come to bid farewell before his departure.
“I’ll return once my duties here are complete. Though I confess, I cannot say when we shall meet again.”
Kasim had originally intended to remain in the Imperial Capital.
But Rhea had persuaded him otherwise. Among those traveling without her, he alone could serve as a steady anchor for the delegation.
They had decided to leave only two members of the original delegation behind in the Empire.
Those two would manage the house in District 5 that Rhea had arranged, their hands full creating a conduit through which Zephyros’s voice could be heard in distant halls.
“Safe travels.”
“It is a large company moving together. Surely there is little to fear.”
“What you must guard against most carefully is scrutiny from the Empire’s own delegation. Warn our people vigilantly. Imperial officials are far more skilled than ours—they’ll attempt to extract every scrap of intelligence about the kingdom during the journey.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Rhea pressed a sealed envelope into Kasim’s hands.
“Please deliver this to my brother. I’ve compiled a summary of recent matters. Should he require a full accounting, I’ll leave the details to you.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Do take care of yourself.”
“Don’t concern yourself with me. I shall do quite well.”
Watching the brightness in Rhea’s eyes, Kasim inclined his head.
Apart from his nameless worry, he could not imagine the princess struggling under any burden.
It seemed to him that no matter how towering a wave crashed down, she would never be swept away.
After seeing Kasim off, Rhea felt an unexpected hollowness settle over her.
‘I suppose I’ve relied on him more than I realized.’
Since her return, Rhea often forgot that she had only just passed twenty summers of age.
A young princess charging forward alone might have seemed reckless, yet the entire delegation had followed without hesitation.
Kasim must have orchestrated much of it quietly, smoothing the way she could not see.
‘A future I know nothing of.’
The choice to become a satellite state of the Empire was not the best path, merely the lesser evil.
It might take decades to determine whether it was truly the right choice at all.
“Do not seek to become a savior. You cannot be one. The kingdom must survive by its own hand. Your role is only to light the way.”
Rhea recalled Nella’s counsel and exhaled deeply.
A soft knock sounded from beyond the door, and Peni stepped inside.
For some reason, Peni’s expression was flushed with excitement.
“Your Highness. Come see. Do you remember that seamstress who visited the 4th Prince’s Residence before?”
“Of course I remember. Her name was Mariel.”
“Yes. She’s come. And she’s brought a gift.”
“A gift?”
Rhea had wondered all this time why the seamstress hadn’t visited again after her conversation with Barrel—it seemed odd.
Puzzled, Rhea descended the stairs with Peni to the first floor.
In the first-floor parlor, Barrel was conversing with Mariel when Rhea entered; she turned at the sound of footsteps.
Barrel smiled and spoke.
“Your Highness. This is the seamstress Mariel. I believe you’ve met before.”
“Yes, Madame Barrel. You aided me not long ago.”
Mariel bowed.
“I cannot accept such praise, Your Highness. I merely did what was required of me.”
As Mariel spoke with deliberate courtesy, she was silently catching her breath in relief.
Thank heavens she hadn’t carelessly assumed the princess was the 4th Prince’s mistress.
The 4th Prince’s betrothed—had she let slip even the slightest misstep that day, she would have faced absolute ruin.
“I’ve come today to complete what I left unfinished that day. Please examine everything at your leisure, and if you find any aspects lacking, I shall address them at once.”
Rhea turned to look at the boxes Mariel indicated, stacked in the corner of the parlor.
Several large wooden crates filled one corner of the reception room.
“What is all this?”
“The items you commissioned.”
“What did I commission?”
“His Highness the 4th Prince mentioned that Your Highness would have need of certain things and asked me to prepare them. Do examine them, if you please.”
“How considerate of you, thinking of your betrothed. How affectionate.”
Hearing Barrel’s interjection from beside her, Rhea felt both flustered and her heart quicken.
“Let’s see. Mariel’s craftsmanship is certainly beyond reproach.”
“Oh my, thank you.”
The maids opened the lid of the box and lifted out the dress, folded neatly and wrapped inside.
“This is a dress for attending light social gatherings. I used a lightweight fabric for ease of movement, and gathered it to create an elegant silhouette with every step. I took care to ensure the waistline sits naturally without constraint.”
Barrel chimed in from beside her.
“That matters quite a bit. At tea parties, one tends to reach for refreshments far too often, you see. A tight waist becomes truly troublesome.”
“Of course. I know that difficulty well myself.”
“The apricot shade will suit the Princess beautifully. And there are shoes and slippers to match—are they bespoke?”
“Yes, madam.”
“A hat might be needed as well, I think.”
“The hat is in another box, I’m afraid.”
“Well, you would have thought of everything.”
Mariel continued opening boxes, presenting new garments and accessories.
As Mariel and Barrel exchanged remarks back and forth, Rhea simply watched, mesmerized.
When it came to the final box, Mariel left it sealed and spoke.
“Please open this one alone. These are not items to be displayed so openly.”
Before Rhea could even nod, Barrel instructed the maids.
“Take this box to the Princess’s bedchamber.”
“Yes, madam.”
“I did my best, though I confess I was ambitious, which took some time. I apologize for the delay.”
“Not at all. I had no inkling of this at all—truly, I’m quite taken aback. When did His Highness order these things? I’ve heard nothing of it.”
Mariel smiled brightly.
“A gift should come as a surprise to be truly enjoyed, shouldn’t it? I received the commission when I saw the Princess at the residence that day. As for the remaining items, I shall hurry to deliver them as well.”
“There are more?”
“Indeed. I’ve only brought half so far.”
‘How much could all this possibly cost?’
Rhea swallowed the question unspoken. A lady of refinement does not inquire after the price of a gift.
She returned to her bedchamber and opened the box the maids had left.
Inside were undergarments and nightwear, filling the entire space.
Articles of this quality, made from fine fabric, cost as much as a respectable dress and could not be procured from just any outfitter.
‘Why such an excessive gift?’
Rhea felt bewildered.
He did not seem the sort to bestow such presents lightly upon anyone.
Moreover, the timing seemed strange.
If Mariel spoke truthfully, he had placed the order when he first arrived in the Capital—before the betrothal was even mentioned.
It was too costly to be merely a gesture of goodwill.
Ordinarily, incomprehensible gifts should be returned, but publicly they were already promised to each other, and marriage had been discussed between them, so she had no grounds to refuse.
Besides, the gifts he sent were precisely what Rhea needed.
‘He could at least show his face.’
Rhea pouted slightly.
He had spoken of climbing walls, knocking on doors, and left behind cryptic words, but since moving to Barrel Estate he had not called once.
Rhea had not yet mastered all the everyday customs of Imperial society.
She did not know that Carrion could not visit without an invitation from the master of the house.
‘At least the Spirit hasn’t caused trouble, so that’s a relief. But if that’s not the problem, does he have no need to see me?’
Rhea huffed inwardly, feeling oddly slighted.
“Your Highness.”
“Come in.”
Rhea covered the box and stood as the maid entered.
Peni stepped inside and spoke.
“Someone has come from the Imperial Palace. They’re asking for you.”
“I see.”
Rhea smiled at Peni, who was eyeing the box curiously.
“Would you help me organize what’s inside later?”
“Of course. …What is it?”
“Undergarments and… you’ll see when you look.”
“Undergarments? When you’re still only a promised bride? In the Kingdom, Father would have received a challenge to duel.”
“He didn’t send them directly, so it’s fine.”
“But Your Highness, His Majesty will be disappointed when he hears about the betrothal. He’s only being notified of a decision already made.”
“Ah…….”
Rhea hadn’t considered that possibility.

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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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