The Great Wish - Chapter 35: The Pathway to the Future (2)

“You’ve been through a lot,” Randell offered a polite response, carefully observing his friend’s expression. It seemed true that Jeffrey didn’t have the time to concern himself with the Rimone family.

‘That makes sense. He’s just returned to the capital. He wouldn’t have the capability to pull off something like that yet,’ Randell thought. If Jeffrey had been hiding some secret move, he would have already acted on it.

‘So that’s why Marquis Raad introduced Jeffrey that day…’ Randell had met Jeffrey at Whitestone Castle, arranged by Marquis Raad. At the time, Randell hadn’t come to a conclusion about the relationship between the two. It wasn’t due to a lack of information, but rather an overabundance of it.

During his years of distancing himself from the politics of the capital, Randell had focused on gathering information about the world outside the empire. There was likely no noble in the empire who knew more about the Raad family than he did.

Randell had long considered the Raad family, despite not holding any territory, to be a group to be wary of. Their wealth was beyond imagination.

However, the marquis’s actions had been puzzling. After receiving the unprecedented title of marquis, instead of expanding his political influence, he hadn’t done much. The scandal with Silver King only added to the confusion. What was that man aiming for?

So even though Randell had come across information linking Marquis Raad to the Iron King, he hadn’t immediately connected Jeffrey with the Iron King.

‘But the fact that the Iron King is Edith’s son… What a stunning twist.’

Was Marquis Raad trying to gain something from the Iron King once he became emperor?

‘And what about Silver King? Does she know about this? Surely, Her Highness isn’t being deceived by that man, is he?’

Despite his complex thoughts, Randell continued conversing with Jeffrey without showing any sign of inner turmoil.

“Once your connection with the Iron King is revealed, people will be scrambling to curry favor with you,” Randell said.

Jeffrey sneered.

“That’s why I need to weed out people now. To see who will stick around long-term and who’s just a starving dog chasing after immediate gains.”

“Doesn’t the Iron King already have Marquis Rad as a strong ally?”

Jeffrey frowned.

“That man won’t do.”

“Is there a problem with him?”

“He’s not someone who will bow his head and submit to the Iron King. And it’s troublesome if someone who isn’t an imperial citizen gains too much influence.”

Jeffrey was unaware that the alliance between Dian and Kuhn had already been broken. Dian had kept this to himself, quietly observing the shifting behavior of those around him, particularly figures like Count Miller. Jeffrey had no inkling that he, too, was being watched by Dian.

“You make a fair point. But hasn’t Marquis Raad already provided significant support to the Iron King? Do you think he’ll back down so easily?”

“The world isn’t that simple. Even if you sweat and work hard on a farm, there’s no guarantee of a good harvest.”

Randell hid his disapproval with a silent, bitter smile. His friend’s words, dismissing loyalty so easily, left him disappointed.

‘You’re underestimating Marquis Raad. He’s not someone who would allow himself to be betrayed by you.’

Randell refrained from offering any advice to his friend. He could see the excitement in Jeffrey’s expression, like someone lost in a sweet dream. Jeffrey was so swept up in his enthusiasm that he wouldn’t listen to any reason.

“I need your help,” Jeffrey said.

“Me?”

“Help the Iron King. Once he ascends to the throne, you could provide valuable advice to help him govern well.”

Randell laughed.

“I have little influence in the capital’s political scene. Do you think others would stand idly by if I suddenly became involved?”

“They’re all spineless, just following the tide. We just need to remove the Rimone family.”

“And how long will this mess at the Rimone Duchy last? I’m worried it might spill over into the Bless Duchy.”

Jeffrey furrowed his brow.

“Hmm. I don’t know. I’m planning to meet with His Majesty soon to ask about his intentions. It’s fine to shake up the Rimone family, but they shouldn’t be completely destroyed. After all, a broken weapon is useless.”

Jeffrey continued persistently trying to persuade Randell, extolling the Iron King’s virtues, explaining why he needed to become emperor, and painting a rosy picture of the empire under his rule.

Randell responded positively, encouraging Jeffrey’s excitement with phrases like, “As expected of the nephew of my late uncle.” Randell’s words were skillful—though he never explicitly promised to help the Iron King, Jeffrey took it that way.

Had it been anyone else, Jeffrey might have been more cautious. But he never imagined his friend would deceive him with vague language. As they finished their drinks, Jeffrey left looking highly satisfied.

“I won’t be able to visit often, but I’ll drop by when I feel like having a drink.”

Randell smiled and saw him off.

“There’s nothing better in life than enjoying a drink with an old friend.”

After Jeffrey left, Randell turned to the servant who had come in to clear the table.

“Leave it as it is.”

“Yes, master.”

Randell picked up his glass and moved an armchair toward the window.

“A broken weapon is useless…” he repeated, letting out a quiet sigh.

“You don’t care at all about the people who will suffer, do you?”

Had his friend changed, or had revenge consumed him to the point of losing himself?

He raised his glass to the air.

“One drink for the memories we share. One for the late uncle. And one for the friend I’ve lost once again…”

***

Walter was greeted by an unexpected visitor.

“It’s been a while.”

Walter, who had been staring blankly at Sienna, quickly realized his rudeness and bowed his head.

“Ah, welcome. But I must inform you that the master is currently away…”

Walter’s nerves were on edge. Could it be that Silver King was unaware that Kuhn was on an extended journey? Internally, he screamed, ‘Kuhn, you didn’t leave without a word, did you?!’

“I know. Glyn… can you call for Levan? I have an important message for him.”

“Oh! Yes!”

Relieved, Walter responded loudly. Unsure where to guide Prince Eun, he decided to lead him to the sitting room next to Kuhn’s bedroom, as he always did. After excusing himself, Walter returned with tea.

“I’ve sent word, so if Levan is at the merchant guild, he should be here shortly. Otherwise, you may have to wait a bit…”

“I’m not in a rush.”

“Yes. If you need anything, please call.”

Left alone, Sienna looked around the room. It would have been quicker to go directly to the Rad Merchant Guild to meet Levan, but she had wanted to come here.

It had been over a month since she last visited the Ivy Mansion. That much time had passed since Kuhn left for the desert. She hadn’t received any news from him yet.

‘He may not have time to leisurely write letters, but at least a simple note saying he’s safe would be nice.’

She gazed down at the half-empty teacup. Around this time, he always opened the door and entered. But today, the door remained closed, and the tea slowly grew cold.

With a sigh, Sienna put the cup down and stood up. She hadn’t been waiting long, but for some reason, sitting idly made her feel restless. She began to pace slowly around the sofa. As she aimlessly looked around, her eyes fixed on a corner of the room.

‘That really looks like a wardrobe.’

Every time she waited in this room, the dark brown furniture caught her attention. A wardrobe in a sitting room seemed unnatural.

Sienna was someone who strictly adhered to etiquette. Rifling through personal belongings in a private space was impolite. She hadn’t been curious enough to ask Kuhn about it either.

But this time, she couldn’t just pass by. She walked over to the wardrobe, her hands reaching for the handles. After a quick glance at the closed door, she pulled the handles. Her heart raced as if she were doing something she shouldn’t.

Inside, there was a single outfit, almost displayed like an exhibit. A woman’s dress hung on an elegant, three-dimensional hanger, the kind used in upscale boutiques to prevent wrinkling.

‘Whose dress is this?’

It wasn’t a luxurious, ornate dress meant for a ball. A cloak was draped over the shoulders.

Sienna reached out and touched the fox fur trim on the cloak’s hem. The soft texture felt oddly familiar, as if she had touched it before.

“That cloak. It’s very expensive. Even if a commoner saved for a year without spending, they couldn’t afford it.”

‘Huh?’

Her hand froze.

“What?”

She gasped aloud, quickly pulling her hand away from the cloak. She took a closer look at the dress.

“My goodness…”

There was no doubt. It was the same dress she had worn on her first covert outing. She had tried to disguise herself but ended up getting scolded by him and changed into a different outfit. This was that very dress.

After changing into different clothes in a closed shop, she returned to the palace. She had briefly considered that she had left her original outfit at the shop, but she hadn’t paid much attention to it afterward.

Who would have thought the dress would end up here?

“That man, really.”

He had taken the dress and stored it near his bedroom. What a cheeky man. She couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it. Chuckling, she closed the wardrobe. When Kuhn returned, she planned to tease him thoroughly. He would have to pay for the crime of stealing a lady’s dress.

“What should I ask for in return?”

Sienna murmured playfully, her earlier resentment toward Kuhn for not sending any word melting away.

“Your Highness, it’s Levan.”

A knock came from outside the door. Sienna quickly returned to the sofa and wiped the smile off her face.

“Come in.

Levan entered the room and bowed respectfully. Sienna couldn’t help but feel strange seeing him.

In the future that Levan was unaware of, he had been a dead man. This time, he had narrowly escaped a fatal crisis. While another danger might come his way, Sienna felt that she had done everything in her power to help him.

‘Thank goodness it turned out well.’

“Come, sit.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I was planning to contact you within the next couple of days.”

Levan placed a leather pouch on the table in front of the sofa.

“This was sent by Kuhn through a courier.”

Sienna took the pouch in her hand, expecting a letter, but instead felt something hard inside. She cautiously tipped the contents into her palm, and out tumbled a red object about the size of a baby’s fist. Curious, she checked the pouch again, but that was all it contained.

“Do you know what this is?” she asked.

“Ah…” Levan’s expression stiffened for a moment before he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.