CH 255

Orhan nodded instead of answering, revealing his will of positivity.

"Princess, shall I prepare a bath for you?"

"No, it's fine. I just want to rest today."

"I prepared the Princess' favorite beef stew for dinner! Tomatoes are in season right now, so they should taste great."

Elin said, smiling.

"Elin, I'm sorry, but could you bring it to my room?"

"Ah, yes. I'll do that. Princess."

Ayla, who got up from her seat, thanked her and exited the office with a slow pace.

Seeing that, Elin's cheeks swelled up and she grumbled at Orhan.

"Why hasn't His Highness come here for several days when the Princess is like that?"

"The King of the Stellen Kingdom is in critical condition. His Highness must not feel comfortable either."

"Ugh, I'm worried because she doesn't seem to have any appetite. She didn't even touch the food I brought to her room yesterday."

"She must be anxious… Let's wait a little longer."

"Ugh, I'm upset. Really."

Orhan patted Elin's shoulders as she grumbled in a low voice.

When they were moving busily and trying to take care of their daily work,

Ding-dong.

The eyes of the two people facing each other shook slightly at the clear bell sound coming from the entrance.

Turning to Elin, who hesitated, Orhan said, "Bring the princess.", and headed for the front door.

Trudge, trudge.

Based on his experience so far, those who visited at this time were more likely to be highly influential people in politics.

Those who could move only after the light had come down, and those who had many things to hide.

Orhan's steps toward the entrance gradually got faster.

"Hm. It's more reasonable than I thought."

Marquis Charne, who had come inside, stroked the tip of his chin as he looked around at the well-organized interior.

Orhan, who had found the Marquis, tidied his clothes and spoke with a formal smile.

"What brings you here?"

"I came here because the leader of the community was looking for me."

"Are you perhaps the one who entrusted the magic stone to us?"

Marquis Charne nodded instead of answering and gave a haughty smile.

As if he wanted Orhan to serve him.

"I failed to recognize you. My apologies. We have been waiting for you, Sir. Please follow me. I will take you to the guest room."

***

"Who did you say was here?"

"Marquis Charne has come."

"Right now, at this hour?"

At Orhan's formal voice, Ayla took a small deep breath.

Ayla headed in front of the mirror, trying to calm her pounding heart.

"Yes. He is waiting in the guest room. He complained about being bothered by a small community of merchants."

Orhan uttered the following words in a disgruntled voice.

Ayla, who was fiddling with the hair she had loosened and tidying her appearance, gently closed her eyes.

"Is that so? He's arrogant when he's here to sell something."

"…"

"Shall we go and meet that talkative guy?"

Orhan's eyes shook slightly at Ayla's instant transformation.

A dark red butterfly mask, the symbol of Helena, was placed over her face.

Turning her head slowly, the corners of Ayla's mouth rose with satisfaction as she scanned her reflection in the mirror.

"Guide me. Orhan."

Her formal tone of voice, eyes that turned arrogant, and even her slightly raised chin.

Her appearance was that of Helena, the leader of the Rumba Community of Merchants.

***

Tap, tap.

As the sound of sharp high heels echoed, Marquis Charne, who was tilting his teacup, turned his eyes to the door.

Immediately afterwards, the luxuriously decorated wooden door opened slowly.

Marquis Charne gulped at the unknown tension and waited for the other person to appear.

"Oh my, it seems like I have kept a precious guest waiting."

The corners of Helena's mouth rose strangely as she entered the guest room.

Even before exchanging greetings, Marquis Charne's brusque voice struck her ears.

"I was wondering who could be so picky like this. I see the leader of the community was a chick?"

That's right.

Marquis Charne snorted and swept away his well-groomed hair.

An ignorant gaze, a despising attitude, and a tone of voice that trampled on the other person.

The moment he confirmed that the leader of the community was a woman, Marquis Charne's attitude changed clearly.

Though Helena's eyes also sank coldly as she sensed the Marquis' change.

Helena raised one corner of her mouth and sat opposite the Marquis.

Slowly raising her lowered eyelashes, Helena's blue eyes stared at the Marquis through the mask.

"It looks like you're disappointed that I'm not a man."

"As long as you pay the price well, it won't matter. Isn't that right? Madam?"

Helena was ridiculed by Marquis Charne's rude words.

Watching the situation, Orhan lowered his body and quietly stared at Arthur.

He looked like he could rush towards Marquis Charne at any moment.

Helena kept a stiff expression and shook her head from side to side.

"Whoa, I see you've got a faithful dog. I'm so scared of this. Pff."

Helena frowned as Marquis Charne grabbed both his arms and made a motion of shaking his body.

‘He's trying to act superior.'