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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: 대공가 시집살이 너무 쉬운데요 (26)화
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Disappearing Delus Flowers
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A short while after the spirits vanished, a knight came rushing up and reported that the Delus flowers—which had blanketed the mine entrance—had disappeared without a trace.
Another knight, who had gone to check the entrance belatedly, repeated the same story upon his return.
"The Delus flowers at the entrance have truly all vanished."
"They're really gone?"
Akid asked in disbelief, his face a mask of bewilderment. Just moments ago, he'd been told the entrance was overflowing with Delus flowers, and now they were gone again.
But the knight wasn't lying. When Roena and Akid arrived at the entrance, the flowers were indeed nowhere to be seen.
Roena remained calm, knowing full well it was the spirits' doing, but Akid grew quite serious.
"Just to be sure, I'll check once more."
With that, Akid left Roena at the entrance and began scouting the area. The terrain was open and flat, so she could easily track his movements from afar.
Her gaze followed him closely, much like the spirits trailing in his wake.
The spirits found Akid amusing and flocked after him in a swarm. Having released their manifestations, they appeared to him as invisible butterflies fluttering about.
A moment later, Akid returned to her and extended his hand.
"We should head to a safer spot first. Who knows when more Delus flowers might bloom again."
He seemed to judge that flowers appearing and vanishing unpredictably posed the greater danger.
"Yes. Let's do that."
Roena feigned nonchalance and quietly followed behind him.
She paid no mind to the spirits flapping their wings and trailing after her.
After the bizarre events at the mine, Akid and Roena decided to stay put for a while.
They needed to observe a bit longer before deciding whether to approve the wormhole.
Akid suggested she return to the castle first for her safety, but she refused.
Especially since she knew no real danger would arise.
While Akid scouted the surroundings, Roena stayed at the lodging and read Elena's letter with a satisfied smile.
More precisely, she was mulling over Elena's comments about the Evis Mine.
[The Evis Mine? If it's that place, the magic stone yield has dropped sharply since the year before last.
Its output was already lower than other mines, so the Grand Duke was debating whether to sell it to me or not.
Since hot springs were discovered nearby, I was even thinking of trying my hand at a hot spring business.]
"Just as I thought."
This was definitely the jackpot mine from the novel that Elena struck gold with. To confirm, Roena had sent Elena a probing letter, and as expected, it matched perfectly.
A site where yields had fallen, leading to plans for a hot spring pivot—until a massive magic stone deposit was uncovered, skyrocketing revenues.
Later, it was revealed to be land blessed by spirits, turning it into a veritable goldmine that nearly gave the Grand Duke a stomachache from envy.
'With spirits already roaming freely, it won't be long before it's exposed.'
The wormhole discovery was already in play. No one yet knew it stemmed from proximity to a spirit habitat.
Even Roena had only learned about the "Delphina" energy or whatever from the spirits themselves.
With no one able to hear spirits' voices, few understood their habitat traits.
'No, that person might know.'
Roena nodded to herself, recalling a character from the novel.
The revelation of the spirit-blessed land came from that person's discovery of spirit traces.
The so-called spirit otaku.
Among readers, they were known more as the "spirit fanatic" than by name.
Having devoured every scrap of lore on spirits, no one was more knowledgeable.
Fanatics get it. The sheer devotion required—the passion, focus, persistence, and obsession.
Fandom takes energy. Immense love and tenacity, all mobilized.
That person would soon visit, spot the traces, certify it as a goldmine, and claim a reward.
Roena tapped Elena's letter thoughtfully, lost in contemplation.
[While you're there, check thoroughly for any embezzlement traces or managerial oversights.
If you find something, I can snag the mine from the Grand Duke on the cheap—and I'll reward you handsomely for it.]
It reeked of opportunity. The scent of incoming money.
Elena was prickly and demanding, but never one for empty promises. She rewarded help generously.
Conveniently, Roena owed Elena a debt.
In the original story, Elena dealt with Baron Lorque, receiving the Evis Mine from Demian as payment.
But Roena's interference left it still in Demian's hands.
What if she helped Elena acquire it now?
Elena hits her jackpot, and Roena gets a fat reward to bulk up her fandom budget.
This was a race against time. With the mine in disarray from odd phenomena and the spirit otaku yet to arrive, now was the moment to play her hand.
Roena steeled her resolve and picked up her pen.
"Returning it to the rightful owner is only proper."
Sorry to the Grand Duke, but padding her fandom funds came first.
In a hotel near the Frozen Mountains, Elena read Roena's letter with a lazy smile.
As always, it opened with utmost deference and lavish praise for Akid.
When had they grown so close?
The main content finally began after pages of effusive acclaim for Akid.
[A massive wormhole appeared at the Evis Mine, and a huge magic stone deposit was found inside.
Only a few managers, myself, and Sir Akid know about it so far.
Strange things have been happening around the mine, so everyone's on edge.]
Just when she thought yields had dwindled, they'd concentrated elsewhere.
As she suspected managerial embezzlement from the delayed wormhole discovery, the next lines made Elena's eyes widen.
[I believe this is the spirits' doing.]
Spirits.
Intrigued by the unexpected mention, Elena read on intently.
The more she read, the more her amused expression hardened into the sharp gaze of a businesswoman scenting profit.
Roena laid out logical evidence backing her claim convincingly.
She seemed well-studied on spirits. Even to Elena, it rang plausible— all the more tantalizing.
In truth, it was stitched from direct spirit chatter and novel knowledge, but Elena had no way of knowing.
'Didn't know she was into spirits.'
One business success, and Roena seemed hooked on moneymaking. Her proposals were solid and impressive.
As future Grand Duchess, Elena approved of this mindset.
Knowing how to earn was far better for the family than just spending.
Elena reread the letter several times, pondering deeply. Spirits, no less—beings said to bless the land with fertility just by passing through.
'If it's true, that's prime real estate.'
How to wrest it from Demian?
As Elena racked her brain for leverage, a knock sounded. Demian entered the hotel room.
"What brings you here today?"
Elena folded the letter into her reticule, crossed her legs elegantly, and asked coolly. Demian answered from the doorway.
"They say we can depart for the castle tomorrow. It'll take time clearing snow en route, but we can't delay further."
"Finally escaping house arrest. Understood. I'll prepare."
That seemed to cover his business, yet oddly, Demian lingered like a statue.
"Anything else?"
"I heard you got a letter."
Elena tensed at the mention.
Had he sniffed out that Roena was feeding her good intel?
No signs of tampering. Delivered via her own people, sender unknown to him.
But if the Grand Duke set his mind to spying, it was possible. Elena gripped her hands tightly.
He never meddled in her correspondence before. Why the sudden interest?
Demian hardened at her evident tension.
His faint hope dashed— so it was another man after all.
Lately, Elena had flashed unfamiliar smiles.
Knowing they weren't for him twisted his gut.
Of course, he knew he had no right to feel slighted.
Even if it was for her sake, Elena—oblivious—had no reason to understand.
Not seeking understanding, his unilateral decision should have ended there.
But Demian couldn't hold back, blurting his nagging question curtly.
"You seem to exchange them frequently. Dare I ask if you've taken a lover?"
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