Lalisa's royal life eventually stabilized, and soon she sent invitations to several people as she promised at the wedding reception: Marchioness Marissa of the south, Countess Hwaaa of the capital city, Irene Ashmore of the Freegrand Kingdom, and so on. Lastly was Jaehyun, who was considered the successor for the Krauss family.
Irene's reply came back first. Perhaps there was an urgency because the Freegrand delegations all had to return home...or perhaps the ambassador had been keenly anticipating Lalisa's invitation.
'...What does she want to say to me?'
Lalisa had been curious ever since the ambassador said she would give her a personal gift of fabric. She found Irene strangely intriguing, particularly because the ambassador was the ideal woman Lalisa dreamed of. Even in a woman's body, Irene looked impressive in a smart uniform and a sword belted at her waist. This was not easily done in the Ruford Empire, where women still had a difficult time making their way through society.
'If it can't be me...then I want Roseanne to live freely.'
She wished Roseanne could fly as boundless as a bird without being held down by anything. To do that, she would give her full material and emotional support to her most precious sister. A faint smile spread on Lalisa's lips as she thought of Roseanne's bright face.
There was a knock on the door, and the nanny entered the room.
"Dame Ashmore is here, Your Highness."
"Very well. Let her in."
As soon as Lalisa's permission was given, Irene entered the parlor room and bowed deeply in greeting.
"Hail to the Crown Princess. Eternal Glory to the Ruford Empire."
Lalisa stood up from her seat and greeted her as well.
"Welcome. Have you been well?"
"Yes, I've been enjoying myself greatly in the Ruford Empire. Firstly, I'd like to present my gift you—"
Servants waiting outside the door brought in bolts of fabric. Lalisa's eyes widened as she saw the luxuriousness and quality of the material.
"I was expecting a gift, but...I didn't realize it would be so much."
"They are given with all my heart."
Irene smiled, revealing her white teeth. Her cheerful attitude pleased Lalisa. It wasn't just about the expensive gifts—the more she saw Irene's confident demeanor and polite mannerisms, the more satisfied she was.
"Thank you. Because of this, I can make a variety of dresses."
"It's an honor to add to the beauty to the Crown Princess."
Irene wasn't servile, but she was a good listener, and Lalisa suspected she was well-versed in business. Lalisa inspected the fabrics then ordered them to be taken to the dressing room. Soon after, she offered Irene to sit across from her.
"Have a seat."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
After the two settled down in their respective chairs, maidservants appeared to place refreshments and snacks in front of them. Lalisa gestured to one of the uniquely shaped sweets.
"This is one of the most popular delicacies in the Ruford Empire. Please try it."
"Thank you for your kind consideration, Your Highness."
"Have you eaten yet? Let's eat together before lunch."
"I wouldn't be so brazen to turn you down. Thank you for giving me the honor of dining with you."
So the two shared some everyday conversation. Lalisa already noticed that Irene had something to say to her, but waited for her to bring it up. When the ambassador finally thought the time was right, she spoke in a lowered voice.
"I have something important to tell you, Your Highness. Would you mind speaking alone?"
Lalisa pretended to be oblivious.
"Something to tell me?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Well, I wonder what it is."
At Lalisa's command, Taehee and the maids left the parlor room. When only the two of them remained, Irene's expression turned more serious.
"I have one thing to say. In the future, please secure a trade agreement with the Freegrand Kingdom and Ruford Empire with our leader."
Lalisa's eyes widened at the unexpected remark. But her surprise was brief, and a moment later, she regained her composure.
"Shouldn't you discuss this matter with the Emperor? I don't understand why you're telling me this."
"The Emperor and Empress have already refused, to put it bluntly. I cannot say for sure, but there are commercial powers already involved in the political struggles of the Ruford Empire. We cannot even gain a foothold here."
It was no exaggeration to say that business in the Ruford Empire was already dominated by the Krauss family. Nevertheless, the Emperor and Empress also held separate funds. It was difficult to create trade agreements without already having connections at the top.
"So you brought this to me, the wife of the soon-to-be-emperor?"
"Yes. If you allow us, we will also help the Crown Prince rise to the throne."
Lalisa was surprised once more. It seemed as if Irene understood the circumstances of the Imperial family. The Emperor and Empress fought secretly over who would succeed the throne, which would go to either Crown Prince Jungkook or Second Prince Mingyu. Of the two, Irene appeared to be betting on Jungkook.
"Then shouldn't this offer be made directly to the Crown Prince?"
"Oh, I don't think the Crown Prince likes our leader very much."
"Why?"
"I once ran into a combat unit led by the Crown Prince on the battlefield. We crossed the border without permission by mistake."
Jungkook didn't seem to recognize Irene's face at the wedding reception, but to her it was vivid as if it had taken place yesterday.
"He gave us our lives in exchange for handing over all the items we had. When I saw him, I knew he would be the emperor."
"And so you came to me in advance."
At Lalisa's observation, Irene smiled awkwardly and nodded.
"Yes, but it's not exactly the Crown Prince we chose. It's you, Your Highness. If you can give us trading rights after you become empress, we will move as your people."
Those were not bad terms for Lalisa. She needed a power to support her, not something that was part of Jungkook, or the Blaise family...but a secret force that was hers only.
However, there was no reason yet that it should be Irene's leader, someone from the Freegrand Kingdom. Lalisa needed to be careful about this part. After a moment to ruminate over it, she spoke again.
"What's the name of your leader?"
"Ah, our leader's name is Seokjin..."
Lalisa nearly dropped the teacup in her hand.
Hot liquid spilled over her fingers, but Lalisa's surprise did not abate.
Seokjin. That was the name of Freegrand's top delegate in the future. Moreover, he was famous for his trustworthiness, and business with them was always efficient and reliable. Lalisa, having lived in the future, was more knowledgeable of it than anyone else.
"Y-Your Highness, are you alright?"
Irene looked on in surprised concern, but Lalisa took no notice of the mild burn. She had fallen on incredible luck.
'If it's Seokjin, then I don't have to hesitate.'
Lalisa had wanted to hang onto the issue first, until Irene's suggestion. She already amassed many jewels from Jungkook's return gift that she intended to invest in the future. Irene's proposal in many ways was beneficial to her situation now.
Without further hesitation, Lalisa nodded.
"Very well. If I become empress, I'll give Seojin exclusive trade rights. In the meanwhile, help me until Crown Prince Jungkook takes the throne."
Irene looked surprised at Lalisa's sudden agreement, but she nodded as well.
"Yes. Thank you."
"You have a contract with you, don't you? I'll place the crown princess' office seal on it."
"...Your Highness."
Irene looked moved, and Lalisa continued.
"There's another thing. I'd like to make some investments, and I'd hope you can hide my name."
"Ah, what are you going to invest?"
"Firstly..."
She told Irene about her investment plans, who listened with intensely shining eyes. Their conversation was much longer than expected.
Jimin had sent Jungkook a message requesting help to leave Blaise's mansion, and an answer soon returned.
Jimim crumpled the letter in his hand.
[Prince Jungkook considers you to be on vacation, and orders you to stay with Lady Roseanne until she returns to the south. – Taehyung]
Jimin and Taehyung avoided seeing each other's faces when they could. It was no different this time, but what was written on the letter still frustrated Jimin.
'...Vacation.'
Jimin had never taken a break since he joined Jungkook, except when he was forced to rest for injuries. That was the way he wanted it. He did not know how to spend time without a mission, and he felt useless when he was sitting still.
'General, why...?'
Until now, Jungkook knew Jimin's ethic and made it possible for him to return to work quickly. For him, a bloody battlefield was the only thing that made him feel alive.
Jimin recalled something Jungkook had said to him after he escaped from the Empress' palace.
— Force yourself to rest sometimes. Don't overwork yourself to death.
At that time, Jimin thought it was just a casual remark born out of worry. But was it true? This time Jimim felt driven into an environment where he had to rest, whether he wanted to or not.
He looked around the empty bedroom, frowning. Woobin had left for the Imperial Palace, and their once shared quarters was now quieter.
This oppressive silence... Jimin hated it. If he didn't get a chance to move his body, he was a good as dead.
'What the hell is one supposed to do in a place like this?'
He could disappear like a shadow from Blaise mansion, but now he was bound by his promise with Lalisa and orders from Jungkook.
A headache pulsed in Jimin's head, and he grabbed his forehead with one hand.
— You useless bastard! Go and die!
Somehow, old memories floated to the surface on his mind. Though the event took place long ago, the voice sounded clear in his ears. His heart clenched.
It was then.
There was the sound of soft footsteps, and then a few taps on the door. There were not many who would knock carefully when visiting a servant. Jimin looked towards the entrance, and a clear, familiar voice spoke.
"Jimin, are you in there?"
It was Roseanne. She burdened him with kindness before, and now she was speaking to Jimin, who was trying to avoid the gaze of others.
Jimin still did not understand. Why did she go so far to take care of him?
'When did it start?'
Was it when he saved Roseanne? Or was it when she saved his wounded self at the palace? In retrospect, all of their meetings took place in unexpected circumstances. It was the first time in his life that so many accidents coincided. Whether or not it was destiny, he had never experienced such a thing before.
After a moment, the door groaned noisily as it swung inwards. Roseanne looked sunny as always. Jimin didn't realize it, but the unpleasant memories that came to his mind were swiftly fading from his head.
"Oh? I thought you weren't here because you didn't answer."
Usually, one would have shouted at Jimin for not answering, but Roseanne did not treat him differently despite his status.
"I didn't hear you call because I was thinking of something else, Young Lady."
Despite the obvious lie, Roseanne believed his words without a doubt. Lying like this was new and a little uncomfortable, especially when he lied so easily and she trusted him so fully.
Roseanne stared at Jimin with a warm gaze and asked him innocently,
"Would you like to go on the picnic that I told you about?"
Her question gave the implication that he could reject her offer. But could a servant of Blaise mansion refuse?
Jimin gave himself a self-mocking smile. No matter that he worked under Jungkook, memories of his past slave self always haunted him. He couldn't forget his position even when he was disguised as a servant. Jimin, who had lived as a slave since he was a child, knew better than anyone else.
He dismissed Roseanne's offer of a choice and chose the answer he thought had already been decided.
"Yes, Young Lady."