CH 28.1

“What a waste, you should have given me if you were going to rip it!”

After returning to the red brick house, Rumdrax kept repeating his frustration.

“Come to think of it, it’s mine!”

“Did you accept my offer? I said I’d give it to you when you accepted the job.”

“I’ll do it, I said I’ll do it!

“I apologize for that, but what can I do now? The Pledge is gone. I’ll give you another one later.”

Rumdrax accused me of being impulsive. It was a bit unfair.

I was angry at the bank staff who were treating Fiona unfairly. It was also true that I wanted to show examples to those who did not help others after seeing that.

However, I did not act simply by emotion.

‘There will be an article about today.’

I was sure there would be news since I created a fuss.

‘If the King knows about what I did today, won’t he reconsider the special grant process?’

Even at this moment, unfair discrimination like Fiona received must be happening frequently.

I wanted to fix the system right away if I had the power. But unfortunately, I was only a kid. And I haven’t even been acknowledged as the head of the family.

‘I have to participate in the aristocratic parliament to raise the issue.’

All I could do was to create a scene and bring this issue to the surface.

“It’s a waste of the Dragon’s Pledge.”

As I was imagining what would happen tomorrow, Rundrax’s cane tapped my foot. When I raised my head, his eyes deepened and said.

“You don’t have to give me anything else.”

“What? You’re not working for me?”

Did I go out too recklessly?

I should have told Rumdrax my plan.

“Wait, listen to me before you decide.”

Rundrax shook his head.

“I don’t have to listen.”

“Rumdrax!”

He smiled suddenly and his old man mask got wrinkled.

“I’ll do it! I told you I’m going to do it. I’ll give you half the price because I like you.”

I finally got my hands on Rumdrax. What a lucky day.

***

Rumdrax was working on acquiring Phoenix Bank. In the meantime, the news broke out and public opinion toward Phoenix Bank turned completely around. It was good news for me.

But when good things were happening, bad things were bound to follow.

“The pathway is closed.”

The pathway to and from the 3rd Prince’s Palace was blocked.

“It’s Julia.”

Julia didn’t want Cassion and me to meet. She wanted to stop it somehow, but since I didn’t officially request a visit, she couldn’t stop me using documents or procedures. Thus she ended up searching the palace thoroughly.

“What should we do now?”

Janice asked as she loaded the basket of food she had unloaded to give to Cassion back into the carriage.

Nothing serious would happen to Cassion if I didn’t come for a few days.

In preparation for times like this, I moved medicine and food little by little to Cassion’s palace and piled it up in a hole.

‘But what if Julia searches through the palace?’

I had a bad premonition, but I shook my head off.

Julia wouldn’t openly bother Cassion because she minded her reputation.

It would take a lot of people to search through the 3rd Prince’s Palace. If many people came and created a scene in the 3rd Prince’s Palace, people would pay attention.

‘I shouldn’t do anything that stands out. At least until they aren’t blocking the path anymore.’

“Let’s go back.”

I walked past Janice who was hesitating and followed me into the carriage. She kept trying to keep her eyes on her back, but she held it in firmly.

‘She wants to play it dirty, right?’

There was resentment and anger against Julia building inside Diana.

‘His Highness must be waiting for me.’

What if Cassion got disappointed while waiting?

‘I hope he is aware of the hole.’

I should’ve told Cassion how I got in and out. I kept teasing him saying it was a secret.

A clever Cassion would find it strange that I didn’t come for long and would check the path.

‘I knew it, couples shouldn’t keep a secret.’

My conclusion was strange because I let my thoughts flow.

I was surprised myself.

I saw ourselves as a couple already.

“Miss, are you feeling hot? I’ll open the window.”

Janice pointed out my red face.

Let’s just pretend you didn’t see this, please.

I fanned my face to the window to get a better feel of the wind.

And I erased all the thoughts in my head.

Soon after, the carriage arrived at the mansion.

Matthew looked surprised at me coming back unexpectedly quick. He added hastily, saying he was glad I came back fast.

“The meeting has been arranged, Miss.”

Right, I shouldn’t think today as a bad day just because my plan didn’t go well.

It was finally here.

I received the letter from Matthew.

The name on the envelope was familiar. It was the representative of the Irenberg’s vassals, Junas.

Count Junas was the man who took charge of the widest and most abundant territory of Irenberg.

‘Whose side was he again?’

Although there was no point in dividing sides, it was necessary to examine whether he had received favors from Count Corcos.

No matter how hard I tried, I had no memory of Count Junas.

‘You’ll be in trouble if you don’t remember, Diana.’

I remembered everything about Count Corcos, so blood boiled every time I dealt with him.

I had to control that anger, so sometimes I thought to myself not to be reminded of him.