The Duke's Unwanted Wife

0The lake disappeared like it was never there. They wore their clothes and had to find a way back out of the Ancestral grounds. Taking the same path they came through, the door opened easily for them but the situation outside wasn’t so easy.    

    

“I should've known it was you, Marvis.”    

    

Marvis felt a shock go through his body when he saw the Crown Prince face to face again after such a long time.    

    

“Y-Your Imperial Highness!”    

    

“Why did you leave me, Marvis? Why did you leave when I needed you the most? You said you were never going to abandon me and yet you did. What about our promise?” The crown prince asked in a small, sad voice. It made Marvis pause. It made it seem like they were the only two standing there, even though the Crown Prince had several armed guards around him and more taking care of the dragon.    

    

“You……you’ve always lied to me, haven’t you? You were never going to do anything you promised. You deceived all of us so you could gain the power to be the crown prince. Now, you want us to become disposable soldiers. I feel disgusted whenever I think I used to trust you, used to care for you!”    

    

“Marvis, what are you talking about? You must’ve been deceived by that werephoenix beside you. I didn’t do anything like that. How do you know it was me? Marvis, I’ve been looking all over for you for so many months. You belong at my side. Please, come back and I will forget this ever happened.”    

    

“W-What?”    

    

Feeling annoyed, Amaika stomped on Marvis’s foot. Marvis cried out in indignation, glaring at Amaika.    

    

“You idiot, he’s stalking for time. We have to go back now! Hold on, stupid!”    

    

The werephoenix snatched him up into the skies before anyone could react. They were faster than they had ever been, reaching the dragon. Swiping a wing through the dragon like it was illusory, it turned into a pendant once more. Marvis felt like something dangerous would happen so he closed his eyes.    

    

When he opened it, he saw he was heading for a cloud. He screamed, even as Amaika maneuvered around it.    

    

(Oh, don’t be a coward!)    

    

“How did you escape?!”    

    

(I used magic)    

    

“Huh?”    

    

(I have the ability to travel through time. It has a long complicated explanation but think of it like me combing through various possibilities of timelines to find the best escape route. Let’s say I wanted to reach a point in front. I am able to find a timeline where that cloud is not there and travel through it, avoiding the cloud and coming back to the present)    

    

“If you had such an amazing ability, then why did we go through all that trouble?”    

    

(Because like many amazing abilities, it has a certain requirement and time limit. I don’t have endless mana reserves and magic is harder for werephoenixes)    

    

“I see. But, are we going to keep flying like this?”    

    

“Until we leave the Empire, unfortunately. Make yourself comfortable. We’re going to be here for a while.”    

    

After the ball, the fame of Northern Polivia began to spread to both continents. So, when Countess Quartz directed a letter to the president of the Merchant Association, she got a reply quicker than she anticipated. Soon, the meeting place was arranged and Natalia was meeting the President of the Merchant Association in the Traisen Branch.    

    

The woman seated in front of her was not who she expected. The Merchant Association had existed for a long time so no one could guess the President’s identity as it often changed where no one could see. There was, however, one way to identify the President. They had the mark of a key on both wrists. Those keys were the keys to the secret vaults of the Merchant Association.    

    

“Natalia Adamantine. I have heard so much about you but I never would’ve imagined meeting you like this. You have grown up to be a splendid person.”    

    

“Thank you for your compliment, Dame Violet.”    

    

Dame Violet, the matriarch of the Hazel Marquis Family, and Natalia’s Maternal Grandmother who also happened to be the current President of the Merchant Association. Natalia only knew her grandmother after several years because she came for her daughter’s body. Natalia thought the Hazel family didn’t care about her mother but she was more than wrong because she saw the most heartbroken expression in her eyes that day.    

    

“Why don’t you call me Grandmother?”    

    

“I thought you didn’t want me to?”    

    

“Yes, you’re right. I don’t deserve to be called your Grandmother. I abandoned my children for a foolish alliance. I have regretted that decision for the past 18 years. I cannot apologize for what I’ve done but as your grandmother, I can say yes to every wish you have.”    

    

Just like her and her mother, Dame Violet had glistening ebony skin and red hair. There was no need to look further for proof that they were family. If it was in the past, she would’ve refused her Grandmother’s offer and acted stubbornly. But Dame Violet did extend her support during the war despite the fact that they were on opposing sides but she still rejected her help.    

    

“My mother……can now move around and she smiles a lot. She likes to braid my hair and she loves her daughter-in-law. She loves telling stories about her childhood even though she cannot remember the details. You don’t have to keep in your guilt. You can just apologize to her.”    

    

“…yes, you’re right. I can just apologize to her.”    

    

“And if you can, we would like to import agricultural produce directly from your territory. I know it’s a large distance but I have a simple solution for that. It’s also a solution that would make it possible for you to see your daughter whenever you like.”    

    

“You’re…just as kind and thoughtful as your mother. There’s no need to negotiate. Just ask me for whatever and you have it.”    

    

Natalia smiled, finally achieving her objective. If there’s one thing she had learned, Patience and calmness always paid off. She didn’t know her grandmother was the President of the Merchant Association in her last life or things would’ve gone smoothly for her.    

    

She returned home after her meeting with a new trade agreement. With it in hand, she went over to see Sebastian.    

    

“Grandmother? Really?”    

    

“Yes. I was also surprised.”    

    

“Natalia, you have never met our Grandmother. How did you know it was her?”    

    

“I’ve seen a portrait of her and I know who Dame Violet Hazel is. You ask too many questions like I’m your enemy. Where are the tarts?”    

    

“Is the palace somewhere you can stroll in to eat brunch?”    

    

“I came to discuss this with you but you don’t want to hear it. I can leave.”    

    

“I didn’t ask you to leave. You were the one who said I was eating too much!”    

    

“Oh, that was a joke. By the way, what about the device I asked you to make to keep the homes heated?”    

    

“They are still making those. We can do the testing next month.”    

    

“But I won’t be here next month!”    

    

“And I will take care of it, just like I promised to take care of the town’s construction. Just come back to me safely, alright?”    

    

“That’s going to be a little hard especially since I’m facing my ex-husband.”    

    

“That’s why I said I should go instead.”    

    

“You get to stay here and make a child with your wife. Ouuu, these tarts taste like heaven. You have to bring these often!”    

    

Sebastian rolled his eyes and looked at the trade agreement. With Natalia making a teleportation portal that led directly to the North, it meant that transportation costs could be forfeited. The trade agreement could also generate a lot of income especially since food was scarce in the North. After the income had been used to purchase food, the money left over would leave quite a lot in Natalia’s treasury. This could help supplement the money she was using to purchase the Mythril ores to maintain the monopoly she currently held.    

0

    

Natalia suddenly dropped her tart and ran outside the palace. Confused, Sebastian ran after her. He saw her standing in the courtyard, looking up.    

    

“What are you waiting for?”    

    

“He’s here.”    

    

“Who’s here?”    

    

Sebastian felt a great wind sweep in from nowhere, pushing against him violently. He wanted to help Natalia but she was like a mountain in the midst of the wind, still looking up with a smile on her face. It was when he saw the flash of green that he understood.    

    

“Those bastards!” he swore under his breath. Amaika landed right beside her, Marvis jumping off their back, running to her to embrace her. They held an embrace for the longest time like lovers who had been separated for far too long. Amaika watched, feeling neglected even though it was two people who made the journey to the Empire. They finally separated with smiles on their faces, annoying the other two.    

    

“I’m back.”    

    

“Hmm. Welcome back.”    

    

“Ahem!” Amaika cut in, drawing their attention.    

    

“Welcome back too, Amaika. Thank you for fulfilling your promise.”    

    

“Of course, master,” they bowed.