CH 17.1

I looked at Zoe with determined eyes.

She sighed and opened the jewelry box on my table, and took out the ring.

“I’m taking the deposit.”

Now I knew she would get my request done.

“Yes, I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

“I know, but don’t put your expectations too high. Are you going to participate in the auction? It’s going to cost you a lot of money.”

I wanted to buy the mansion before the auction began since there were variables in the auction.

Still, if I had to, I would participate.

“If it’s about money, it will be a piece of cake.”

I smiled and looked at Zoe.

She shook her head and disappeared in an instant. I looked at where Zoe disappeared off to and focused on the documents again.

There was one specific word that kept catching my eyes.

“Phoenix Bank.”

The name of the bank seizing the twilight mansion was familiar.

Let’s start from here.

***

Meanwhile, Julia was also enjoying the same sunset on the other side of the Capital.

The balcony of the queen’s palace, which was surrounded by the most beautiful garden of the royal palace, was Julia’s favorite place.

“Your Majesty the Queen, Count Corcos is here.”

Julia’s expression cracked as she felt disturbed from her sweet resting time.

Julia’s maid, Rena, bowed her back. Then a teacup flew over her head.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I will tell him to go back right away.”

Julia, who was easily irritated, hated being disturbed during her break.

Even though she knew it well, Rena had no choice but to relay the arrival of Count Corcos. It was because a few days ago, Julia ordered Count Corcos to come and told him to come early.

However, even though Julia did say that, her reaction obviously wouldn’t be different.

Instead, Rena would be scolded more for talking back.

Rena bowed so deeply that her forehead touched her thigh till it couldn’t reach any further.

“Tell him to wait in the drawing-room.”

Julia said with a gentle face as if she had never thrown a teacup on her maid.

Rena kept her bowing posture even deeper.

Then, Julia lifted herself slowly.

As soon as she flicked her hand, the maids who were sticking to the wall like cicadas attached to the old tree flocked around her.

“Let’s get ready to welcome my guests.”

Dozens of hands moved in unison.

Julia’s decoration took a long time even though a large number of people were mobilized.

Julia wore and removed dozens of earrings repeatedly because she didn’t want to wear a single small accessory in vain.

Julia, ready and dressed up, left the dressing room two hours after Rena reported the Count’s arrival.

“Your Majesty, you’re beautiful today as well.”

When Julia appeared in the drawing-room, Count Corcos rubbed his hands together and flattered her.

“Did you wait for a long time?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

Count Corcos could only laugh after waiting for two hours.

Julia’s staff and secretary Anderson smirked.

Julia began the conversation with a fake smile.

“Long time no see, Count Corcos. I thought you had forgotten me by stopping coming to the royal palace for a while.”

Count Corcos, who had been visiting the royal palace for customary greetings for the last few days.

He then bowed his head deeply.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. My housework has been a little  twisted lately.”

She had a feeling that the Count was going to ask for help behind his suspiciously subtle tone. Julia’s cheeks were twitching.

Count Corcos was very nervous and swallowed his saliva.

“Is there any problem with the Irenberg family? Oh, Lord… It would be devastating to hear bad news about the Irenberg family, the foundation of the kingdom. What’s going on, Count Corcos?”

When the Queen asked affectionately, Count Corcos was relieved and conveyed a series of things that he had come across.

“The designation of legal proxy has been delayed.”

Tch, Julia clicked her tongue and stopped her hand that was about to take the teacup.

At that moment, the surrounding air froze coldly. Count Corcos, who lived long enough, was terrified of Julia, who was ten years younger.

When she looked at him with a hard look, he could imagine himself being stabbed by a blade.

When Julia saw Count Corcos’ weak appearance, she was deeply annoyed.

‘The Irenberg family is revolting to the end.’

Julia has tried to have the Irenberg family under her control for a long time. However, it was not easy.

Their previous Head of Irenberg family was so upright that he didn’t become Julia’s person even though she sent him gifts or threats.

Julia would have ignored them if it was a poor family or another family to replace them; however, Irenberg was a family that could never be overlooked even by Julia, the Queen.

If only Irenberg were on her side, she could achieve her purpose much easier.

Having the Irenberg family in her hand meant that Dyson could inherit a stable and solid throne.

However, Irenberg remained upright.

Inevitably, Julia kept Count Corcos close by, who was foolish and greedy as he had blood relation to the Irenberg family.

When I wondered if the predecessor of Irenber died and now I have the Irenberg family, Count Corcos’s work is not so good.

She did wonder if he could take over the Irenberg family after the head of the family died, but the Count’s capability was indeed unreliable.

What’s so hard about buttering up a little nephew?

Julia’s eyebrows eased up, and Count Corcos took a breath of relief.