Chapter 68
What does this mean?
I blinked slowly and looked at Yeloise.
“My mana acts like a neurotoxin to Kenich.”
In fact, it wasn’t just her—her grandfather, the former Duke Ferdinand, was the same, she said.
“It’s because of the aggressiveness of mana.”
Mostly, this applied to beast-type humanoids. Among them, it was said to be the most prominent trait of dragon-type humanoids.
“No matter our intentions, mana clashes and competes in strength.”
This competitive behavior intensified with opponents of similar power, eventually leading to the overheating of mana circuits.
“Kenich’s mana balance broke down this time because I was by his side, I guess.”
Yeloise said this calmly, as if talking about someone else. Yet her expression betrayed a profound sense of guilt.
“No! It’s not your fault….”
I hurriedly added, trying to reassure her.
Actually, it was my fault. I wanted to say it but stopped myself, biting my lip.
I wasn’t even sure if what was happening between Kenich and me counted as a “mana reversal.”
To be honest—
I didn’t have the courage to risk Yeloise hating me, especially since she had just started to open her heart to me.
“Thanks… for saying that, at least.”
Yeloise held my hand tightly, as if taking my words as comfort.
Her bitter smile reminded me of someone else.
Erzin Astrahan.
Just like Astrahan left his father’s side to protect him, I felt as if Kenich’s family had left Black Dragon Castle to protect him.
Of course, this was just speculation.
Anyway, I know Yeloise cares about Kenich too.
I thought as I watched Yeloise, whose eyes seemed to be slowly closing.
I prayed that these dragon siblings, who were very different on the outside than inside, would at least have one peaceful day.
I gently patted the back of Yeloise’s hand, keeping my eyes softly closed.
So I didn’t notice anything sparkling atop our overlapping hands.
The Next Morning
Chirp, chirp.
Yeloise woke up to the sound of birds singing.
It was a refreshing morning she hadn’t experienced in nearly ten years.
Through the fully drawn curtains, warm sunlight streamed in.
She stretched deeply for a moment, then abruptly turned her head to check the time.
It was already past a late breakfast and nearing noon.
“Huh?”
Yeloise couldn’t help but be shocked.
As the head of a large trade company, she would leave her bedroom before dawn even after working until late at night.
She suffered from severe insomnia, and the longer she stayed in bed, the more irritably restless she became.
She thought it better to work and earn money than waste time lying around.
She had always started her days early.
So what had changed?
The only difference…
Yeloise looked down at the squirrel curled up on her bed, now asleep.
For some reason, Cherry had returned to her squirrel form.
Can’t control the transformation?
The strong cherry scent that had lingered in the early morning was now only faintly detectable.
Yeloise pursed her lips in mild disappointment, then brought her nose to Cherry’s back.
It smelled of warm sunlight.
She thought it was nice in its own way and began enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on Yeloise’s door.
“Princess, it’s Gerard.”
“Speak.”
“Well… Cherry has disappeared. I wondered if she might be with you, Princess.”
Gerard spoke cautiously.
From the moment Yeloise had woken up, loud noises that seemed like furniture being overturned had echoed throughout Volken Manor.
Yeloise knew it was the search for Cherry, but she wanted to enjoy her pleasant morning a bit longer.
Bang, bang!
When there was no answer, a louder knock followed.
It had to be her younger brother.
“I’ll come in.”
The bedroom door swung open, revealing Kenich’s crumpled, yet arrogant face.
His gaze fell on the head of the bed, now directed at the squirrel with its fully white fur.
“Chuuung….”
With a strange murmur in his sleep, the little squirrel’s body puffed up and deflated. Kenich lifted his eyes and glared at his sister.
Even without words, it felt like he was saying every possible harsh thing.
Still, Yeloise merely shrugged.
“Well… who knows what happened.”
What had occurred the previous night would remain a secret between Cherry and me.
Perhaps sensing this, Kenich strode over and simply picked up Cherry.
“Chuut…?”
Just then, Cherry, still groggy, blinked awake.
The result was predictable.
“Cherry, another month in the pouch for you.”
“Chuu, chuuuutt…?!”
The Volken Manor echoed with the squirrel’s indignant cries.
That Afternoon
“I’ll make sure to repay you for lending us the carriage.”
“You flatter me. I was merely doing my duty.”
We rode Volken’s carriage toward Gelende.
Naturally, I ended up—
“Chuut!”
—trapped in that damned pouch again.
It was exactly the same design as the luxurious velvet pouch I used in the Princess’ Manor.
‘Gerard, why do you carry something like this around?!’
I scolded him with a glaring look, but Gerard pretended not to hear, looking away.
“Indeed, a noble’s carriage is on a whole different level.”
For the eldest son of a count’s family, it was a strange thing to say.
But Gerard genuinely admired the carriage.
“No bumps in the road make me hit my head, and the cushions! It feels like sitting on clouds!”
Though he didn’t explicitly compare, it was obvious he was thinking of the old carriage Yeloise had rented.
“Gerard, that carriage must have left quite an impression on you.”
“Yes, I don’t think I’ll ever forget it for a year.”
Gerard nodded slowly.
I looked at him with mild pity.
‘No sense in certain things, really… tsk tsk.’
As expected, Yeloise’s lips curled into a small smile.
“I see. Then we’ll have to give you a special experience when we return to Black Dragon Castle too.”
“I-I shouldn’t ride separately… that would be a waste… and also…”
Gerard rolled his eyes belatedly, but he seemed to have no other excuse.
The concept of “waste” likely didn’t exist for the money-soaked Kroitz siblings.
“Then shall we go together?”
“That’s even more…”
Gerard couldn’t bring himself to speak further, only shaking his head.
“Then zip your lips and come along.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
During the five-hour trip to Gelende Mines, Gerard didn’t utter a single word.
Gelende
“Chuut…!”
This is Gelende?
Getting off the carriage, I couldn’t close my mouth at the sight before me.
It’s just a barren wasteland…
Mountains and fields. A scenery unimaginable compared to the southern homeland or Grizzly Bear Mountain, where everything was lush and green.
“Chut, chut.”
A squirrel wouldn’t survive here.
Yet the space in front of me was crowded with as many people as pebbles.
Miners carrying pickaxes and men in suits.
They were undoubtedly representatives of nobles, here to inspect the auction.
Their eyes were fixed on the carts the miners were busily moving.
“Are all those iron ores?”
“It seems so. They said only low-purity ores had been mined in the trial runs…”
But the carts were piled high with ores that looked far from ordinary scrap.
Not just the cart that had passed by.
Ores could be seen scattered throughout the village.
Hematite and lapis lazuli stacked like display items, as if intentionally shown off.
But that wasn’t the only point of interest.
“Tsk, looks like someone tampered to attract more competitors.”
“Pointless mischief. They don’t even realize the owner of the mine is already decided.”
A man with a pipe grumbled, flicking ashes disapprovingly.
Even before the official auction had started, the mine’s owner had already been determined.
What in the world was that about?
