Novel Full Chapter 88
Chapter 88
* * *
I got off the carriage and looked up at the majestic Archduchy of Marquis.
“…This house is the same as ever.”
It was very black from top to bottom; the last time I saw it, it looked like a seaweed factory……
Today it was like a coal factory.
“Hello, crow?”
I also greeted the crow, the symbol of the family.
The three-headed crow in front of the mansion did not feel friendly even when I saw it for the second time.
‘It’s said that God is looking down on humans from above the clouds.’
Did they say that human beings could not escape from these six eyes?
‘The eyes of the judge that look down upon men……’
Looking back, it was a symbolic animal that went well with the faithful Johann.
I looked into the obsidian eyes of the crows, which were particularly dazzling, and said to the servants who had come with me to the archduke’s residence.
“You wait here, I’ll meet the Archduke alone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
When one of the nominally brought escorts announced that I had arrived, an elderly butler came out.
It was the grandfather butler from last time. I was looking forward to what kind of subtle unkindness he would show this time.
“Is the Archduke inside?”
“…He has been waiting for a long time.”
“I came as soon as I contacted him, but you said he waited a long time?”
“…….”
The butler, whose expression I could not read, smiled strangely without answering.
“…Anyway, I contacted and came too suddenly.”
“Yes. You came all of a sudden.”
“……?”
‘……Thank you very much. You have met my expectations 100 percent……?’
I had anticipated and prepared, but I couldn’t help but be embarrassed by his candid way of speaking.
‘The back of my neck is burning from embarrassment.’
Normally, you would say ‘it’s okay’ because you would be afraid of embarrassing the other person, but it seemed he didn’t learn the words ‘it’s okay’ while attending the academy……?
As I was staring at the butler with such suspicion, he bowed fervently.
“It is an honor to have the Queen again. Then, please come inside.”
He was weirdly honest and unkind, but the butler, who was impeccably polite, guided me inside.
‘No, even after the second time, I can’t get used to it. This grandfather.’
‘Was he kind, or unkind…?’
Dubiously looking at the back of his head, I entered the archduke’s mansion.
Even so, the familiar scent that I had smelled once permeated my lungs pleasantly.
Although it looked like a coal factory from the outside, it was still luxurious inside.
Upon reaching the drawing room, the elongated silhouette that sat in a chair and was reading a book got up.
“Your Majesty, long time no see.”
His gentle eyes smiled softly.
His black hair looked more brown today, and his eyes gleamed like obsidian. Like a human crow.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s been a long time since we often share stories, Archduke.”
“Indeed so.”
I glanced at the book he was reading.
He asked playfully.
“Don’t you think I look intellectual holding a book like this?”
“You look vulgar.”
“Yes? Hahaha.”
He opened his mouth wide and laughed brightly.
It was a look I couldn’t have imagined.
Was it because we talked openly and comfortably with each other in the last meeting?
Or perhaps it was because we know that our cultural and artistic codes fit each other well.
‘Or maybe he feels comfortable knowing that I am favorable to Rixus.’
Anyway, the atmosphere was relaxed enough to joke around with each other.
‘Okay. Great.’
If Johann and I became close, it would be beneficial to Rixus and I in many ways, but he was not an easy person.
Still maintaining a smile on his face, he said,
“You must have been quite impressed with the present I sent you last time. What do you mean by ‘vulgar’?”
“Spinel is a conservative country, Archduke.”
‘To give me something like that?!’ I believed I had expressed that in a very noble and dignified manner.
“But what can I do?”
“……What?”
“I don’t think I’d be persuaded today. I was just reading about ‘Conquest Theory’.”
He seemed to be reading related books as if he was a panelist preparing for a 100-minute discussion.
Even now, he was meticulous and upright, but he wanted to be even more proper.
But today I had a different purpose.
“I am not here to convince the Archduke today.”
Johann narrowed his eyes at me.
He was trying to read between the lines.
“Then what did you come here for?”
I didn’t beat around the bush, I proudly declared.
“Archduke, I’m here because I want something.”
“….…”
“This time, I came bare-handed, not bringing a bribe.”
He made a slightly surprised expression when I spoke directly, then slowly folded his arms.
“Hmm…” He hummed and looked at me.
‘He crossed his arms. That’s what one does when they’re defensive.’
Did I go too far?
“I’ll hear it out. But I’d like to have a meal before that.”
“I’ve already eaten, Grand Duke.”
Actually, it was bullshit. I had been hungry since morning.
However, today I came to talk about business, not to eat.
And time was running out.
“For your reference, Queen, I tend to get nervous and picky when I’m hungry. I won’t do what I’m asked to do.”
“Let’s eat.”
“….…”
“Which way is the dining hall?”
After a while.
I was sitting at the table with the most delicious smoked roast in the world. I told myself I couldn’t eat, but the smell……
‘Oh, it smells absolutely heavenly.’
My stomach, which had not felt hunger since morning even if I hadn’t eaten, suddenly seemed to stick to my back.
In addition, the seasonal fruits seemed fresh just by looking at them, and there was normal wine instead of a strange and dirty wine.
‘Is this a cheese restaurant?’
‘Why is the cheese so delicious?’
When I ate the smoked meat full of juices and cheese, the flavor lingered in my mouth. A lot of saliva came out.
“Didn’t you say you had a meal?”
“In some distant countries, it is believed that talking too much during a meal will bring you out of luck.”
Johann smiled and uttered, “Oh no.”
After a couple more bites, I wiped my mouth with a napkin and pulled out the materials.
“I forgot to give this to you in advance.”
Johann, who was putting cheese on bread, looked suspiciously at the data.
“What is this?”
“This is the research data that Spinel’s researchers have updated in the meantime.”
Exasperation flashed across his face.
“Hey… you said you didn’t come to persuade me today.”
“It’s just light material.”
No, it was as heavy as a fat king boar.
It was packed with terrifying data, and it would take two days and nights to review it.
“Read it with a light heart, Archduke.”
“…Hmm.”
Johann nodded and shook the material as if it would be worth knowing.
‘I just came here.’
Both to beg and to persuade. I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
Every time I saw his face, every time we talked, I would persuade him.
Even if it was a light jab, if I hit multiple times, the accumulated damage would be surprisingly large.
Then, knock down.
“The food is delicious.”
“I’m glad you liked it. I always wanted to serve you a meal.”
“For what purpose?”
Normally, I would not have been able to ask such a question to another person.
I couldn’t believe I was openly asking another person’s intentions like this.
However, the other party saw the ‘bribe’ and said ‘bribe’ very directly.
Talking openly to each other was now natural.
“The purpose… it’s just like that.”
He laughed as he cut the meat with a sharp knife.
“Last time, didn’t I unintentionally make you embarrassed?”
“Yes, you gave me shame.”
Johann laughed quietly.
“You’re following my butler.”
“Bingo.”
We chatted about this and that, we joked about useless things,
We talked about Spinel and about paintings.
Johann said he had never been to Spinel.
So I told him about Spinel, which he enjoyed very much.
After delicious food and pleasant conversation, the meal was finally over.
As the empty plates were cleared and dessert was served, I asked,
“Are your nerves softened and you’re more generous now?”
“…Hmm.”
“Any request that I make, are you willing to make it happen?”
Johann wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at me.
“I’ll hear you out first.”
What I wanted was an item that would keep me safe in ‘Yggdrasil,’ where once you enter, you would come out as half-corpse and half-fool.
It was also an item worth making a deal with the head of the Dark Guild Calypso.
And that…
‘Only Johann, only he has it.’
it was absolutely necessary
“What I want is one of the items in the Archduke’s Temple.”
“….…”
Johann slowly crossed his arms in his seat.
It was a very bad sign.
The silent gaze in his eyes was never easy.
Tension began to rise in those eyes.
I must get it, but this man was formidable.
‘If I can’t get it here… Perhaps I won’t be able to help it but suffer under Deborah and Yuria.’
That, perhaps, meant death.
“….…”
I shut my eyes for a brief moment, opened it, and finally parted my lips.