Chapter 25

***

Ulysses asked in a very joyful voice.

“Do you want a divorce?”

The question wasn’t, though. Eliana pouted and burst out laughing, and continued to reply quickly.

“No, not at the moment. I don’t want to be kicked out. Because my poor family is receiving financial assistance.”

“What do you want then?”

“Is that the third question?”

“Eh, no. Let’s pretend I didn’t ask this one.”

“Fine. It’s my turn, right?”

“Yes. Ah~. I have to get my act together. You really are no ordinary woman.”

Ulysses said, patting his arm. Eliana asked, looking at a book called “The History of the Country of Conter”.

“Who did you come here to join hands with in the country of Contino?”

“Jerik Hunter, Jedia Teneb, Ruth Wynne, and Gillian Hutt. And.”

“And?”

Ulysses said, pointing at Eliana with his finger.

“Eliana Rose.”

Eliana burst out laughing. She wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth.

The three men were all in the same boat: Jerik Hunter, the founder of the kingdom; Jedia Teneb, who was mentioned as the next prime minister; and Gillian Hutt, the next headmaster of the Hutt family, who controlled the seas. These three were also the ones Eliana was after.

Moreover, if he was to join hands with Ruth Wynne, the most powerful and royal knight in the capital, it would be as good as having ties with all the families that form the foundation of the Contino nation.

But that was not the case for Eliana. She was simply the eldest daughter of a poor family. She might soon be kicked out from the Hunter family, and she was rumored to be a toxic stepmother. Where did the Prince see her potential? 

Eliana was curious, but decided not to question him about it.

It was not possible to hear the answer all at once, it was something to know in the future. Ulysses chuckled and spoke again.

“You can ask the last question first. Because I kept asking first.”

“Okay. What do you think the odds are that you will be king?”

“There are variables in probability. I don’t like them. Now that I have started, I will certainly rise to the occasion.”

“That’s a good attitude. So what is Oliver’s last question?”

“Will Eliana Rose be with me?”

Ulysses asked aggressively. As if to spit out the plan right now. Eliana wondered about this man who seemed to see everything inside and nothing outside. Then she felt a strange attraction. But it was too early to make all the decisions based on this alone.

“There are variables and you don’t like probabilities. But there’s a chance. A chance that Eliana Rose will join you. Turning probability into action would be a possibility I could show you.”

“What possibilities do you want to show me?”

“That has exceeded the number of questions. Find out for yourself. You have been helpful. Then I’ll leave now.”

“Oh, isn’t that too harsh? The merchants of Contino will give you extras when you buy their goods, and they often give you a discount.”

Ulysses sulked as if he was about to stomp his feet. Eliana, who was about to leave, stopped for a moment and looked at Ulysses.

The last time she saw him, he was wearing only a bulky tunic. This time, however, he was wearing a shirt that came up to his neck. No matter how much the wind blew, the pattern on the back of his neck would not be visible. He did as Eliana had advised.

“It looks good on you. That shirt.”

“The clothes at Contino are cheap and of good quality. Everything is beautiful, so I chose for a while and then bought a safe one. Oh, that’s right.”

Ulysses fumbled in his pocket and took out a hairpin. It was a hairpin in the shape of a red rose. He tried to finely express the vine of the rose, but it looked a little ridiculous, perhaps because he was not good enough at casting. However, Eliana could clearly see the effort he made to apply the color in detail as well.

“I know it doesn’t look good on you, gorgeous as you are. Still, when I saw the roses, I couldn’t resist buying them.”

“Thank you. It’s beautiful enough.”

Eliana took down her scarf and pinned it in her hair. It was a position that neatly arranged her slightly long bangs. Ulysses stared at Eliana and the well-fitting hairpin for a moment.

“You look beautiful.”

“Compliments always please a lady.”

“I like you in your flashy appearance, but I also like you now. In fact, if I had to choose the more beautiful one, it would be you right now.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

Eliana said as she wrapped her scarf around her head and looked at Ulysses.

“I know, that’s why I hide it. True beauty is only shown to those who want to see it.”

Ulysses burst out laughing at Eliana’s calm voice. She was a woman who could never be won over by words. However, she was also a person who became more interesting the more she talked. Ulysses continued, turning his head slightly.

“Then, since I have already seen this figure, there is a good chance that I will be that person of Eliana’s in the future. It’s probable.”

Ulysses said picking up Eliana’s words methodically. Eliana said, not tuning in to Ulysses’ wordplay.

“That’s how you always seduce women, isn’t it?”

“If I could get a beautiful woman, I could at least say these words a hundred times over.”

“That’s why I thought your skills were extraordinary.”

“I don’t do this to anyone.”

“Well, you never know.”

Eliana moved slightly away from Ulysses as if she was about to disappear shortly. Her scarf swayed lightly with her movement. Eliana stood in a place where she could hide herself among the bookshelves. Then she asked a question.

“Are you coming to this party? Oliver.”

“I have to go. It’s Eliana Rose’s social debut. We have to celebrate, don’t we?”

“I knew it. I hope you accomplish what you set out to do that day. I do, and so do you.”

“Please don’t look at me too politically. You are really the decisive reason why I decided to go to the party. I just think you are too beautiful to be found.”

“In that case, look for this.”

Eliana tapped the hairpin. Ulysses sat up, looking flustered, “You’re going to wear that thing I gave you? Oh, it’s just a cheap thing I bought in town.”

Ulysses feared that the dress and jewelry Eliana had prepared would be toned down. Social parties were very important events for aristocratic women. They would prepare everything from dresses to shoes and jewelry months in advance. Ulysses had seen them every year at the royal ball and knew better than anyone the secret battles that took place there.

But Eliana laughed as if nothing bothered her.

“Do you know what, Oliver? If the heart of the giver is high quality, then the goods will be high quality, too.”

“…….”

“I don’t think you gave me something cheap.”

Eliana’s eyes looked straight at Ulysses. Everything about her was mesmerizing, from her words to her actions to her expression. Ulysses stopped for a moment, unable to say anything.

Eliana bent her knees slightly in greeting and then turned herself around. Ulysses took a step late and continued speaking to catch Eliana.

“Uh, um! Eliana!”

“Do you have more to say?”

“Are you going to leave like this?”

“Because we’re done talking.”

Ulysses laughed dismissively. The woman who had shaken him whole was about to fly away with ease. Even though she was still shaking him. Ulysses said as if to return Eliana’s words.

“Do you always seduce men like this?”

“The flowers don’t bloom to seduce bees. At least the roses in the Rose family don’t.” 

Eliana answered shortly and walked away. There was no further greeting. Ulysses laughed emptily as he listened to the sound of footsteps in the distance without hesitation. He felt as if he had lost his mind. The woman was beautiful, wise, humorous, and ambitious at the same time.

There was no sign of the evil woman she was rumored to be. Above all, she made Ulysses very interested. She was so interesting that he didn’t want to be away from her for even a moment. They could talk all night and would never get bored.

He had never met such an intelligent and attractive woman. Ulysses thought it might be natural that his heart should be pounding.

‘Karman Hunter is no different from a blind man. I can’t believe he can’t see such an attractive woman.’

Ulysses clicked his tongue heartily. Eliana seemed to think that she would be kicked out of the Hunter household at any moment. Ulysses couldn’t wait for that day. The day when Eliana would be completely free of the Hunter family and he would have his chance.

Ulysses tossed his hat up, received it with one hand, and left the library. So the purpose of his visit to the library had been accomplished beyond his expectations.

He played his lute as he walked down the street outside the library. He hummed and gazed at the Hunter family mansion in the distance. She drew him to her, and in the direction she drew him there was a goal.

“Charming and wonderful.”

Ulysses could not hide his smile. His steps remained even lighter. He moved forward, singing a song. The children, who had been playing in triplicate in the square, gathered around when he was humming. A lute-playing minstrel accompanied by the children crossed the square. No one blocked his path.