Isabelle Stauffen
A very luxurious carriage came into view.
Its ivory color and distinctively smooth exterior immediately caught the eye.
The way it elegantly reflected the sunset’s glow—almost like a piece of art.
Glenn briefly adjusted the finely patterned door.
Familiar, or rather, a pattern he hadn’t seen in a while.
A carriage produced only once every few years by the Magical Kingdom—the ‘Phantom Royce.’
“To think I’d get to see something this expensive.”
Even by his past life’s standards, this was incredibly pricey.
Among the empire’s high-ranking nobles, owners of such carriages were rare…
It was probably worth at least half a year’s budget of the Lepent Principality.
“They’re waiting inside.”
The stern-faced driver urged him on.
Glenn, momentarily lost in memories, started to move forward again—
“Doryeon-nim.”
“Hm?”
“…Are you sure you want to go in alone?”
Nedian spoke with worried eyes.
He and the others had been engaged in a strange standoff with the princess’s knights since earlier.
Glenn chuckled softly at the scene.
“Why? Do you want to come along? It’s definitely a rare sight.”
“It’s not that…”
“Sorry to interrupt, but you really have to go in alone.”
“Is that so? That’s a shame.”
With a shrug at Nedian’s displeased expression, Glenn opened the carriage door.
Compared to its price, the carriage wasn’t very large.
In fact, aside from the entrance door itself, it was smaller than a regular carriage.
But size meant nothing for a magical carriage.
It was enchanted with spatial magic.
Saaa—
Stepping through the strange light patterns, a space the size of a small room opened up.
It was far too spacious to be considered just inside a carriage.
At the same time, a fragrant yet alluring scent filled the air.
“Welcome, sir.”
A refined gaze met Glenn’s, just as the scent did.
***
The entire room was decorated in calm black tones.
Luxurious silk curtains embroidered with fine patterns were visible.
Could it really be a product that included actual windows?
Through the curtains, the sunset’s light leaked in, so it must be real glass.
In the center of the room stood a table covered with an ivory-colored cloth that looked like it was made from finely ground gemstones.
The chairs were high-end as well—black with delicate carvings and patterns.
The room overall resembled a small reception hall in a noble household.
Opposite him, a woman smiled gently.
Regardless of intent, it was a smile that could easily mislead many men.
“Isabelle Stauffen”
Her voice was boldly sweet.
Glenn couldn’t help but think that.
“…Ron Glenn Lepent, honored to be graced by the kingdom’s flower.”
The flower of Arian—the title referred to Princess Isabelle.
It was no exaggeration.
Her long black hair with soft waves, red lips, the red eyeshadow, and snow-white skin.
At a glance, she was truly a beauty that could rival the kingdom.
Looking closely, she seemed somewhat young, but her attire and the fan she held gave off a noble aura.
The elegant dress embroidered with fine silk matched her well.
“Oh, I’m delighted. To be graced by a prince of such great reputation is an honor for me as well.”
She fluttered the fan in front of her mouth as she spoke.
Thanks to her dark eye makeup, her smiling eyes appeared even more refined.
Glenn knew the meaning behind that fan.
It was a form of fan language mainly used by noblewomen at social gatherings.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
That was the meaning Isabelle had just conveyed with her fan language.
Quite skilled, in more ways than one.
Glenn, slightly overwhelmed, returned a faint smile.
“Thank you for the invitation. It’s my first time riding in a magical carriage like this.”
He sat down naturally, pulling out the chair.
“Hmm—It’s not as surprising as I thought. Everyone else seemed shocked and flustered.”
“They’re certainly surprised.”
“Yet you seem rather familiar with it?”
“I’m just pretending.”
“How amusing.”
She smiled brightly.
Quite blatantly, in fact.
…Well, look at that.
She’s far too friendly.
At first, Glenn was unsure, but after a while, he started to get a feel for it.
Her intention—or rather, maybe she’s just that kind of character?
But there was something more important.
He briefly stared at Isabelle’s face.
“Is that so? If you admire me too much, I might get embarrassed…”
A strange feeling he had felt somewhere before.
He was certain he had come across her recently.
Even though the eye makeup had changed, the feeling itself hadn’t disappeared.
Where was it… Ah.
“The Fountain.”
The woman he had sensed oddly near the guard post earlier today.
It was probably near the fountain.
“Hm?”
“That must have been her.”
Glenn nodded with half certainty.
Her eyes curved again.
“You have quite the keen eye, don’t you?”
Ha, not denying it.
Is she brazen, or is she doing it on purpose?
“Was that woman the princess?”
“What do you mean?”
“The guards and others who strangely provoked us today… was that the princess’s doing?”
“Quite an unusual way of speaking.”
That was a mild rebuke.
She wasn’t unaware of what she was saying.
So—she was the one behind all this. But why? What was her intent?
Glenn slightly lowered his head, thinking.
There was no use forcing a character like this.
“I’ll accept that answer. Please excuse my rudeness.”
“…That’s a bit boring.”
“Don’t worry. There’s still plenty of time.”
“Then… you’re definitely someone quite different than I expected?”
“Surprisingly, I hear that a lot these days.”
“How shameless.”
Who was she calling that?
A small smile escaped Glenn.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“…Hmm, well—fine. Sasha?”
Ding-dong.
Glenn rang the small bell on the table, and the servant standing in the corner approached.
…When did she get here?
Called Sasha, the woman was fully covered in attire, barely revealing her eyes.
From her build and hands, she appeared to be a dark-skinned woman.
Quite a unique servant.
“What would you like to drink? By the way, we have pretty much everything you can imagine.”
Everything?
Glenn, briefly lost in thought, muttered the name of a drink he had enjoyed in his past life.
“Alexandre Hennessy. Do you have that?”
“Hennessy… Could it be that you intended to order that?”
“Yeah, it’s something I used to enjoy once upon a time.”
“Hmm—used to enjoy, huh…”
Isabelle leaned back, crossing one leg elegantly.
As the dress’s slit rose slightly, her smooth leg was revealed.
Glenn’s gaze flickered there for a moment, and Isabelle’s lips curled subtly upward.
“Hennessy is quite strong. Like—”
“Like the first night.”
“The first night, you say?”
Their exchange overlapped, and Isabelle offered a provocative smile.
The first night, a strong cognac.
The nickname given to Alexandre Hennessy.
In his past life, Ricklang, who controlled the empire’s underworld, often enjoyed this drink.
Though it might come across as a seductive nuance, that wasn’t the intent.
She simply wanted Hennessy.
“Sounds good. Sasha—two glasses of Hennessy.”
“That’s quite expensive.”
Surprisingly, they actually had some.
That was the meaning behind her question.
“Well, it’s expensive for some, but not for others. Isn’t that right?”
True, riding in a Phantom Royce wasn’t something just anyone could afford.
Two glasses were quickly prepared and placed before them.
“To the kingdom’s flower.”
“…How poetic.”
Clinking the glasses lightly, Glenn took a slow sip.
As expected, it was a strong flavor. Yet somehow nostalgic.
“You even drink this precious stuff. Then—shall we get to the main topic? Why did you seek me out?”
“You’re quite impatient. Is that typical of the principality?”
Her lips curled again.
She also raised her glass.
Glenn shrugged as he confirmed the glass being lowered.
“This much should be enough for greetings, right? We’re both busy.”
“Oh my—already enough greetings? I find that a bit disappointing.”
Her fan opened and closed gracefully.
“You’re too harsh.”
“First meetings should have a slight air of regret.”
“Well, if you say so.”
Isabelle’s posture shifted back.
Thankfully, that awkward standoff earlier wasn’t really his style.
“I heard an ambassador from Lepent would come… but I didn’t expect the heir himself.”
“It’s that important a matter.”
“It should be, right? But unfortunately, the timing isn’t very good.”
“Because of the grain price issue?”
“I can’t say it’s not.”
Her fan gently covered her mouth.
Instead of a sigh, Glenn let out a small cough.
“…Seems difficult to talk about.”
The folded fan rose slightly to the right side of her face.
A sign of agreement.
“Then—any other business?”
There had to be.
He wouldn’t have come all this way just to discuss such trivial matters.
Isabelle smiled slightly.
Still elegant but her words were sharp.
“How is Viscount Panario? Well?”
“How is he…? I doubt very well.”
Glenn clicked his tongue unconsciously.
“…Tsk.”
“You don’t intend to retaliate, I suppose?”
“You already know everything.”
Isabelle lightly touched the tip of her glass with a graceful hand.
Her amused smile remained.
Despite the sensitive subject, she seemed unconcerned.
Moreover, what did it mean that she brought this up first?
“And… you don’t seem to think I’d suddenly lose control.”
“Hmm. According to the servants, the viscount was attacked last night.”
Glenn’s expression darkened at the reply.
He had expected something, but this was beyond a bad dream.
“…How exactly?”
More precisely, how does she already know?
It happened just under half a month ago, in a remote area.
“Secret. That’s not the important part, though.”
The folded fan brushed lightly against her nose.
“Keep talking.”
Glenn didn’t touch the innocent servants involved in the viscount’s case.
There was no need to.
“It’s simple. As I mentioned, I was attacked, which caused a commotion. In the process, the viscount died.”
“An ambassador coming here saying the principality’s noble was killed… I wonder if your father would be pleased?”
Was she testing him?
But Glenn was already quite inquisitive.
“No. He would thank me instead. The viscount was a leading royal opposition figure.”
“What do you mean?”
“Should I explain more? Stauffen is currently rallying the opposition factions, isn’t that right?”
Isabelle’s expression briefly darkened.
Glenn didn’t take that lightly.
“You guessed right. Even the permission to use the square was for this purpose.”
He wasn’t sure of the exact reason.
But Stauffen was deliberately provoking and uniting the royal opposition.
Why?
“Planning a coup?”
“Hm, quite the forethought.”
More than expected, a slight murmur followed.
“Well, anyway. I don’t intend to mention the viscount matter today. I simply wanted to know who you really are.”
Good. That wasn’t bad.
Besides, it somewhat confirmed his guesses about the internal situation of the Arian Kingdom.
That alone was a considerable gain.
Glenn felt a slight greed well up.
“So when will you be heading to the palace—”
Before he could finish, the fan pointed at him to stop.
“That will be next time. You have to give me time to think as well, right?”
“…There will be a next time?”
“Why? I quite liked this meeting.”
“Not that—I’m just a bit busy.”
Glenn fidgeted with his eyebrow.
Even though she understood everything, her response was quite troublesome.
“Don’t be too impatient. It’s a pity if the investigation ends in just one sitting.”
“Not my intention at all.”
“Haha.”
Isabelle pushed the glass slightly forward.
It meant the conversation was over.
Glenn, still pondering, downed the rest of his drink.
Getting impatient wouldn’t improve the situation.
Besides, it wasn’t like he was leaving empty-handed.
“Thank you for the drink.”
“Shall I give you a hint??”
As he stood, Isabelle called him back.
“I’ll listen gratefully.”
“Perhaps the one under investigation isn’t you, but me.”
“…That’s less a hint and more a riddle.”
Isabelle shrugged.
Mimicking his earlier action, as if telling him to figure it out himself.
Glenn stood without hesitation.
“Oh, and be careful of Priest Francis.”
“Francis?”
“A high-ranking priest of the empire.”
“Are there others?”
Her smile broadened as if amused by his impatient expression.
“Haha, I almost said too much. That’s all for now.”
“Then, it was a pleasant meeting. Until next time.”
“Likewise. Nialla Senuba.”
Was that the steward’s language? What did it mean?
Ah, right.
“To the wise, gold follows.”
Basically, act wisely.
Glenn recalled more of his past life’s memories and bowed slightly before heading out the door.
“Vonne Kaso—Devria.”
Luck doesn’t follow the fool.
***
A day passed since the meeting with Princess Isabelle.
A luxurious invitation letter arrived for him.
“To Ron Glenn Lepent, from Priest Francis of the Wise Tree Order.”