The baron’s grovel was palpable in every letter.

Anyway, the conclusion was easy. To correct the hype about my investment plan.

But it’s hard to tell from his words whether he’s really fulfilling his word. So I had to write a letter to Harmonia, too.

Harmonia replied that she would soon do so.

Next, I received a reply to a letter from Countess Erinnis. The same letter that Diocke was aiming for the second wife of the two greats, crown prince and marquis.

And she paid the right price for the interesting information I leaked.

It was a very satisfactory price.

Erinnis will take care of the rest of the work. I just have to wait for the scandal about Diocke to spread in society.

When Diocke, in a hurry comes running, she slowly coaxes her by shaking a carrot that looks good in front of her*.

*TN: baiting her like a predator with the illusion that she’s going to help with the rumors

There is no one better to use than a vain, stupid human being.

~~~~

“The Empire’s great little….”

“Alright, get up.”

As soon as I saw Helios, I took a courtesy, and immediately I got a gesture to omit it, as if he were annoyed.

Are you back to your usual character now? No wonder it’s nice to see you.

I stretched out with a light sigh, hmm. Thanks to the beautiful black-haired handsome man, the surroundings are very bright despite the gloomy weather.

Helios looked out of the window and asked grimly.

“If you’re coming through the heavy rain, you must have tremendous business.”

“Didn’t you tell me before that it is not for me to judge the importance of prophecy?”

“…I did.”

Helios gave a grim affirmation.

I smiled brightly and held out the envelope I had brought.

“Remembering that, I brought the prophecy like this. Your highness, please look carefully at the seriousness of the matter.”

“….”

The golden eyes that look at me sharply. He does know, right? I’m feeding him now.

“Hmm…”

While Helios was reading the prophecy, only the sound of rain pounding on the windows rang in the room.

“The Baron Potos’ merchant ship will sink soon.”

“Yes, your highness,”

He paced around the window with a letter.

“There must be a lot of aristocrats who invest in the baron.”

“Yes. I met him a few days ago and he said he was planning to attract more investors.”

Helios stopped pacing. The keen golden eyes shone as if they could pierce me.

“There will be a lot of damage.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“But why not stop the investment?”

A suspicious look on my face but the answer is already in place.

“In fact, I also thought at first that I would warn those who invested in Potos’ merchant ships of danger. But Kaelus stopped me.”

“Kael stopped you…?”

Eyes that were bounded in an instant.

I somehow became bitter. Because Helios still trusts his friend who broke up with him.

“Kael says, of course, you have to take risks with your investment. He’s right. Merchant ships always have the potential to sink. There’s no need to protect investments prepared for that.”

“But if the investment is large, it’s like losing the wealth of the entire empire.”

“Then we have to think on what pretext to stop aristocrats from investing. If you say so, who will listen to it right away?”

“Um….”

Helios frowned. He seems to be troubled by the difficult situation.

I said coldly.

“It’s impossible to stop all the damage. We can only try to minimize it.”

Helios, who nodded slightly, seems to have understood what I said to some extent.

To suggest a realistic plan, we have no choice but to meet investors and persuade them one by one while hiding the prophecy’s existence. The imperial family cannot officially ruin the baron’s business.

“I’ll try under the table for now. I’m going to encourage people I know not to invest in the merchant ships as much as possible.”

“Yes, that’s the only way to do it right now.”

This concludes the important business.

I asked one thing that I was curious about all along.

“Well, your highness the crown prince. This is a little bit of a different matter, but…”

“?”

A beautiful face looked at me in wonder.

I coughed with a gesture.

 “Well, I realized that when I visited the emperor before, you also hid the existence of the prophecies.”

“Oh, you mean that.”

Helios sighed bitterly.

“It’s not for a grand reason. However, it was difficult to convey hastily because one of your predictions was about the safety of the rich.”

“Aha….”

“It’s quite cruel to know in advance what your destiny will be like. I don’t want the emperor to lose hope.”

“….”

I sympathized with Helios’ true intentions.

Kaelus was born with the fate of a supporting role that was forced to be completely pushed back.

The original novel is only aimed at the happy ending of Diana and Helios, and is not very interested in the ending of the supporting role that made their love stand out. It might not be possible to tell more about the supporting character’s story, but the other story usually depicts the backstory of the main character’s story. Moreover, the novel does not even have an extra book.

After I was possessed as an extra in the novel, I sat on the sidelines of this world and never decided to let Kaelus know, ‘You’re destined to be abandoned anyway.’

The reason was simple. Because, as Helios said, I did not want his glorious life to collapse all at once by telling him in advance of his irreplaceable fate.

But if Kaelus knew that he would not overcome despair and choose to die.

What choice would I make then?

Suddenly, a grave voice was heard.

“Hestia.”

“Yes, your highness.”

I quickly slipped out of my thoughts and came to my senses.

Helios asked in a rather feeble tone.

“Have you ever suffered because of the prophecy?”

I had a silly laugh. Why does he care about my feelings?

“Fortunately, I don’t know everything, so I’m not much different from ordinary people.”

The prophecies are a bitch. I’m just deceiving everyone with the future I remember before the return as if I were a prophet.

Helios breathed a long, stuffy sigh.

“Whoo….”

“….”

I looked at him in silence.

Helios must be having a hard time these days. His beloved wife is getting twisted, and his father is always in bed, and his only friend has declared their friendship off, and nothing is going to work out properly.

But there is still a long way to go. Helios needs to suffer a lot more than this so I can feel better.

You have to pay the price for bringing Kaelus to his death. It’s not something you can only pay back with this frustration.

Helios’s gaze turned to me again. I quickly fixed my face on his face.

“But I’d like to ask you something else.”

“?”

“What happened at Diana’s tea party before….”

“Oh….”

I let out a sigh without realizing it.

At that time, I flipped out in front of Diana, and then left, I briefly encountered Helios.

How can you not forget that time and bring it up like this? It’s a punishment.

I bowed my head first.

“On that day, I apologize for my insolence to the crown princess.”

“No, I don’t mean to blame you.”

Wow. What’s going on?

I was starting to get nervous. Something always happens when that guy does something he doesn’t do.

Surprisingly, there was no hostility in Helios’ face.

“Didn’t you get hurt that day?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

I remember being hit by the tea. As expected, Helios had a very good memory.

I smiled bitterly.

“Did the crown princess demand an apology? Well, I’m thinking of visiting her when her anger is relieved.”

“Actually, it’s a very shameful thing to tell you.”

Helios also stretched his lips bitterly.

“I haven’t been able to talk to Diana very well lately.”

“…”

It’s hard to keep a straight face. I’m in trouble because my cheekbones keep going up.

Helios, who doesn’t know my troubles, continued to talk.

“I was going to talk to Diana about the tea party, but she avoided the conversation. I had no choice but to hear the details from the servants.”

“Oh, my. What a pity.”

“But your remarks went quite far, too. It was like insulting Diana and me all at once.”

It’s not that he’s angry, it’s more of an objective way of speaking.

So I responded plainly.

“Yes, I know. So I’m willing to apologize. Although, Your Highness Dianna will not apologize for insulting my husband and I.”

“Whoa, that’s… Yeah, you’re right. I’ll apologize for her.” said Helios, shaking his head.

But I shook my head at once.

“I don’t want anyone apologizing for her. Now that I’ve said it, I’ll be honest with you.”

I strained my eyes and looked into Helios’ eyes.

“How long will your highness be cleaning up after Your Highness Diana? Even as a saintess, wasn’t she always satisfied with the cleaning up of your highness and Kaelus?”

“Hey, Hestia.”

As if it had hit the nail on the head, the gold eyes were sharply distorted.

The response is pleasant, but I don’t really want to fight now.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I ended up spitting out unfiltered words.”

“I’m telling you, you don’t know fear.”

However, his voice is not as angry as expected. an angry but helpless air of acceptance.

“…yes. All you want is an apology from Diana.”

Oh, that’s a pretty sharp insight.

Actually, that’s what I’m ultimately hoping for. More precisely, Diana apologizes to Kaelus.

I purposely hardened my voice.

“Your highness the crown prince, it may sound a bit harsh, but Her Highness Diana may have a cause, but she won’t be popular.”

“….”

“If the saintess does not change her attitude, it is all up to the crown prince. You have to convince the holy princess as soon as possible.”

Of course, I’m saying this knowing it’s impossible. The more he hears these words, the more likely Helios will be to burst into laughter.

He laughed bitterly again.

“You never speak in a roundabout way. You’re so straightforward that you’re annoying.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll take it as a compliment.”

At the end of his gaze toward me.

“…I envy you, Kael. Sincerely.”

An outburst of inner thoughts.

I answered back in a jest.

“Oh, is your highness, famous for his fiery love, jealous of a couple who are made of paper?”

“…”

Helios’ mouth was stretched again.

I thought he would say something back, but it’s still quiet. That’s a relief.

Anyway, I’m done with my business, so I should get going. Any later, Kaelus will be worried.

“Then I’ll leave now.”

“…Yes.”

The golden eyes suddenly sank into a murky state.

I don’t know why, but I decided to get off my nerves easily.

I backed out of his presence.

~~~~

The carriage drove through the heavy rain again.

As soon as I landed safely on the porch of the mansion, I asked Clarice, who had come to meet me.

“Is everything all right with Kaelus?”

“Yes, but he’s been checking out the window, so you’d better hurry up and go.”

“Ha ha… Okay.”

Leaving behind the smiling Clarice, I went straight to Kaelus’ room without having time to change my outdoor clothes.

  There was always one person left all the time in the space where Kaelus was still. It was because he was still anxious to be alone.

I made a sign at the door. Soon the servant inside came out, checked me, and let me in right away.

“Kaelus.”

A picturesque sight.

A slender shadow with long hair was standing by the window where the rain splashed.

I feel emotional for some reason. I guess I got sentimental because I could hear the sound of rain in the dark room.

The unrealistically beautiful portrait moved gently.

“Did you just come back?”

I grinned at the dry yet soft voice of Kaelus.

“Yes, it’s not too late, is it?”

“I see.”

Kaelus approached, dragging his slippers. I also sat down on a nearby sofa.

As usual, he stuck out a warm tea in front of me. I was very glad to be warm when I ran in the cold rain.

“I told the crown prince one more piece of prophecy. It’s about Baron Potos’ merchant ship.”

“Wow. Did you tell him in the end? It’s much earlier than I thought.”

An unexpected tone. I’m embarrassed for some reason.

“Well, I didn’t mean to keep my mouth shut forever…….”

“I thought you’d let him know after the ship set sail.”

He chuckled. I smiled, too.

“Then there’s no point in predicting.”

The conversation was interrupted for a moment because I was drinking tea. Still, I feel comfortable that it is not awkward.

I opened my mouth as if it were a passing remark.

“The crown prince says he envies you.”

“Heli…”

Kaelus also asked dry as if it were no big deal.

“Yes, I can’t talk to the crown prince these days.”

“…” 

“Actually, it was a little unexpected. Conflict within the imperial family is a very sensitive issue. He must be very wary of me, but he can’t say that.”

Then Kaelus snorted softly.

“Helios must be determined to trust you. Anyway, we’ve decided to be friendly.”

“Hmm…”

That was a pretty sincere feeling. He’d rather confess than calculate rationally.

However, there is no need to report his psychological state in front of Kaelus. He could no longer handle the emotional trash, so he declared his friendship with him over.

Therefore, it is sufficient to convey the proper dynamics of Helios.

I asked jokingly.

“It’s gloomy because it’s raining today. Do you want me to hold your hand when you’re sleeping?”

“Ha….”

Kaelus smiled absurdly.

“You’re having fun treating me like a kid, aren’t you?””

“Ha ha, it was a joke.”

I evaded it with a moderate laugh. I’m thankful that we can exchange jokes like this without any burden.

The purple gaze slipped away from me.

“If it doesn’t clear up after dinner, do it.”

“Oh, shall we?”

I asked back on purpose, glumly. On the other hand, Kael only nodded silently.

All right. I’ll have to hold a rain ritual to pour out the storm.

~~~~

Sadly, the rain that had been falling all day stopped just in time for the evening.

“Yes.”

Kaelus returned to his room with a somewhat teasing look.

I pulled only my innocent handkerchief out of desperation. Should I have held the rain ritual more sincerely?

But it wasn’t good enough to stick to the iron plate on my face, so I had to come back to my room alone.

“…”

I saw a pile of work on the desk.

Yes, this is the god of the world telling me to stop being a fan and do my job well.

I changed my mind and sat down at the desk. Then J began to review various reports from the Illion estate one by one.

Public health was the most important thing I put my heart and soul into dealing with the territorial affairs instead of Kaelus. It was because the habit of living in a neat modern Korea remained even after I was possessed.

By supplying soap, personal hygiene has been solved to some extent. However, in most cases, the decision of permanent residence is necessary for public health.

So after the embankment repair was completed, I steadily ordered sewage maintenance through the management of the estate.

“At least Illion needs to make the street smell gone.”

I read the document carefully, chewing the tip of the pen.

The issue of sanitation in the estate was also very closely related to my ground objectives. The cleaner commoners’ daily life are, the less they will be sick. Then soon, the visits to the temple will be less frequent.

And this was already showing up as figures. When Illion people’s use of soap became a habit, it was showing its effectiveness, though not rapidly.

“Okay, budget approval…!”

After reviewing all the carefully arranged items, I melted the wax and pressed the marquis’s seal ring onto it.

“Whoa… Let’s get some fresh air….”

I opened the terrace door wide to cool my hot head. A cool night breeze blew in. The clean air after the rain stopped was pleasant.

I glimpsed the other side of the building.

“Hahaha….”

Laughing softly enough to be heard only by me.

There was also Kaelus on the other side of the terrace. It was a dark night when the rain had just stopped, so I couldn’t see his face well, but it was clear that he was facing me.

“….”

“…”

Me too, we just looked at each other like that.

We’re going to play the timing game. I might be standing like this all night before someone goes in first.

“Hehe. I can’t do it.”

You can’t keep your best friend on the terrace, who’s not feeling well.

I waved to him gently.

Good night. Sweet dreams.

Greeting inwardly, I left his sight.

~~~~

The bad days went on for days. It’s about time; I missed the sunny weather.

At last she came to the marquis.

“Madam, Baron Potos’ young lady is asking to see you.”

“Oh, is Diocke here?”

The butler’s words made me giggle. I’ve been waiting so long to see why she was not coming.

I relaxed down to the drawing room. Thinking about Diocke who must be nervous, I think I’m going to hum.

As soon as I entered the room with my neck straightened, the guest jumped to her feet.

“Lady Hestia, marchioness…!”

Diocke stooped to me with an air of helplessness – maybe a high-level performance.

I deliberately pretended not to know and answered in a bright voice.

“Oh, my God, Diocke. You’re here in spite of all this wretched weather. You must have something important to say?”

Isn’t it scarier to ask with a smile? Diocke replied with an even more restless look.

“I seem to have caused the marchioness a great misunderstanding, so… I’m here because I wanted you to relieve your anger.”

“Hmm? What do you mean misunderstanding? What do you mean I’m wrong?”

“Lady Marquis…!”

Diocke’s face grew redder and redder.

It’s only fun when you play a joke moderately. I had a flash of laughter.

“Diocke.”

“Yes, marchioness….”

She also noticed the change in the atmosphere and shrugged.

“As you know, I was a commoner and became an adopted daughter of an aristocrat. And I came up to the position of the marquis’ wife.”

I leaned forward in Diocke.

“A woman who was under your feet came up here, and you didn’t feel anything? That’s disappointing.”

“….”

She was sweating profusely.

I fiddled with my finger, gazing ecstatically at the seal ring.

“You took me for granted, Diocke.”

“No, marchioness! I’m…”

“Shut up. Don’t open your mouth any time.”

Elegantly smiling and yelling is the best effect on making the other person emotionally uncomfortable.

If you had a scintillator to stand up to me, you’d cut me in here once, right?

And fortunately, Diocke had such a strong heart.

“Sorry, marchioness! But please listen to my excuse first…!”

Wow, it’s pretty good. If I’m is prepared to use abusive language like that, I won’t be scared even in front of Princess Diana.

I raised my chin and listened to her in silence.

“My behavior must have been deeply disconcerting to the marchioness. Please forgive me. I’ll be careful from now on.”

“….”

“But I swear I didn’t mean to flirt with the marquis. If you were displeased with my conduct at the dinner, I will beg for your pardon.”

Her oath is very light. I snorted.

“Hmm…”

Nevertheless, Diocke did not stop.

“And to the crown prince… Oh, marchioness! Seriously, I didn’t have such an indecent mind. I was very embarrassed by the rumor that I had committed an offence to the marchioness…”

Oh, my.

She seems to think that rumors were misinformed when she hinted to Erinnis that she was deliberately “trying to get the crown prince’s wife.”

However, Diocke’s ambition may already be growing inside, but it has not been revealed yet.

The baron family, including her, are destined to run away at night soon, so we will let them enjoy it moderately.

“All right, Diocke.”

I straightened my shoulders to the fullest.

“But I don’t usually believe in verbal apologies.”

“Then…?”

Diocke rolled his eyes nervously and looked at me.

I smiled a smile.

“How is your father’s business going these days?”

Without questioning the sudden questioning of the business, Diocke’s face turned almost still.

“Ah… but the marchioness is very angry with my father…….”

“You know very well. It’s not something that can be solved by yourself today.”

“Then my mom and I will come back and see the marchioness!”

“No, you don’t have to. I just told you. I don’t like verbal apologies.”

I beckoned her close.

“So tell me first. How’s the money coming in?”

“Ah… It’s…”

Diocke hesitated whether to really answer or not.

It seems that the work will continue smoothly only when the atmosphere is warmed up a little.

“Then shall I tell you what I think first? I don’t think you’re getting the funds as fast as you expected yet. I immediately denied what Baron Potos had said.”

“…”

“So I felt a little sorry. Your family’s business has been disrupted, and your reputation has spread.”

“Lady Marquis…”

Diocke looked at me with tears in her eyes. If this is acting, there will be no problem passing the audition.

But there’s no reason for me to concede that she’s crying.

“There’s a way to prove that your father and daughter are truly apologizing and to solve the lack of funds at the same time, do you want to hear that?”

“At once…solve…?”

Diocke’s eyes were suspicious for a moment, but soon they were clear.

“How can we not listen to the wise marquis’ wife? Please give me your opinion.”

She quickly changed her attitude to flattery mode. I guess you learned this as a world-wise art. It’s too bad.

That’s true, it’s a mistake that anyone who has just become an adult and steps into society makes at least once. To think that you’ve overcome the crisis by saying “yes, yes” only on the surface.

Even though she is thin enough to notice at once unless she is seriously dark around him, she is mistaken that she has lived a great social life.

I spoke in a casual tone.

“Make the crown princess invest in the merchant ship of your family.”

“!”

Diocke failed to manage his facial expression nicely.

There’s no socialite who doesn’t know what I’m on with Diana. The recent bitter quarrel between the two at Diana’s private meeting has already spread widely.

And the most important thing. Diana doesn’t spend money like hell.

“If you persuade the crown princess, I will also accept the baron and your sincerity.”

“Oh….”

Diocke could not easily give a positive answer, with his mouth open.

They seem to be realizing how difficult this mission is. However, it is a position that cannot but be accepted.

If she turned down my request. Confidence in the merchant ship business will continue to fall, and Diocke’s reputation will get worse and worse.

I added in a grumpy voice.

“By the way, I want you to keep it secret that I asked for it. If you talk about it, it’ll only get in the way of persuading the crown princess, right?”

“….”

Diocke clenched his lips.

She’s probably tapping the calculator hard in her head right now. What are the chances of making Diana invest.

At the same time, she’ll be trying to figure out why I want Diana’s investment.

“Well, Lady Marquis. With all due respect, may I ask why you want it?”

As expected, the question came up.

I smirked.

“I told you earlier. I’m feeling a little sorry for your father. If the merchant ship’s funding is insufficient because of my willingness to invest, I think I can offset it to some extent with the investment of the crown princess.”

“….”

Dioke, who has closed her mouth again, seems to have a complicated mind.

The justification is perfect, but it seems to feel strangely reluctant. I’m sure you can’t find anything to refute.

It’s all on your own. Who told you to mess with me?

“Well, it’s a difficult task, so you don’t have to take it. If I refuse to apologize to you and your father, that’s all.”

“No, Lady Marquis. I’ll do as you say.”

Diocke raised his head with a stiff look. There is a determined determination that there is nothing she can’t do. Oh, my.

I purposely laughed brightly.

“Hahaha, you are strong-minded. My eyes are not wrong.”

“Lady Marquis…”

After raising Dioke to my heart’s content, I kept my smile on my face and lowered it seriously.

“I’ll see what you and the baron can do. I’ll bury my unpleasant experiences and prove to you that I’m good enough to ride with you.”

“……Of course. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”

Diocke said in a cracked voice.

Still, Baroness Potos and her daughter will face Diana more easily. Because I’ve laid out the board well in advance by delivering the prophecy through Helios.

Which way will Diana lean, between my prediction of the “sinking of a merchant ship” through Helios and the persuasion of Baron Potos and his passionate daughter?

Frankly, the answer is obvious.

I slowly rose from my seat.

“Next time I see you again, please bring the news I’m looking forward to.”

It was a sign of the end of the conversation. Diocke also followed me up, and then politely saluted.

“I won’t let you down on what you’re looking forward to. Please trust me and my father’s sincerity.”

I nodded quietly at her.

Then she showed her back to me and walked out of the drawing-room.