It seemed that Royce’s reserved demeanor couldn’t be dispelled. After a silent sigh in her heart, Finihiya’s curiosity turned to other questions.
“By the way, Mr. Royce, when did you find out?”
“Are you asking about…?”
“My name, and the fact that I live here.”
“Ah, haha.” Royce immediately let out a rather dry laugh, but then truthfully admitted, “Actually, it was by chance. People from our chamber of commerce first saw His Majesty, and after confirming that the Miss Sasha accompanying you was indeed His Majesty, of course, we also sought to verify your identity.”
“I see.” Having resolved her lingering doubts, Finihiya’s tone turned calm as she inquired about the main matter, “I suppose Mr. Royce didn’t come all the way out here just to expose us, did you?”
“…Indeed, there are other matters.”
Saying this, Royce picked up the deep brown suitcase that had been sitting by his feet and opened it.
He took out several exquisite little glass bottles and placed them one by one on the table.
Through the thick glass of the bottles, Finihiya could see that they were filled with a pale black liquid.
“What’s this?”
“This is the secret potion brewed according to the formula you gave me last time, Lady Finihiya.” As Royce spoke, he slid one of the small glass bottles towards Finihiya.
“Per your suggestion, I tried adding a stronger fragrance to it.”
Hearing this, Finihiya picked up a small glass bottle.
The moment she opened the cap, a rich lavender scent instantly wafted out from the mouth of the bottle.
The fragrance brought a look of mild surprise to Finihiya’s face.
Though she had also added rose, camellia, and other petals with fragrant scents when she’d made the original solution before, the natural scent of those ingredients had been too faint, only noticeable up close—not quite the effect she’d envisioned, where someone nearby after washing could notice the aroma.
So after signing the contract, she’d tried asking Mr. Royce to add a longer-lasting, diffusive fragrance to the potion.
“What do you think?”
Finihiya nodded lightly with a soft “Mhm,” a gentle smile gracing her delicate face.
“It’s very nice. As expected, Mr. Royce, you’re quite skilled.”
“No, no, it’s all thanks to your help and guidance, Lady Finihiya. Swapping in and adding a different fragrance is really nothing compared to you personally developing this potion.
What I did barely counts as anything.”
Royce’s words made her lift her brows ever so slightly. After gazing at him quietly for a moment, she lowered her eyes and continued to study the little glass bottle in her hand.
“If Lady Finihiya has no objections, I intend to instruct our people to begin promoting and selling it in the next couple of days.”
“Alright. Then I’ll leave the rest in your hands, Mr. Royce.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Finihiya bowed politely to Royce in gratitude.
“It’s my duty.” Seeing Finihiya’s bow, Royce hurriedly bent in return with a respectful gesture. “It’s our Belgrade Association that should be grateful to Lady Finihiya for giving us this opportunity.”
With this exchange, the slightly formal atmosphere between them gradually dissipated, and Royce smoothly shifted the topic.
“This tea really has a fine flavor.”
Upon hearing this, Finihiya answered with a faint smile, “Black tea from the Northern Lis Principality is especially popular among the nobility.”
“No wonder.”
As if suddenly remembering something, Finihiya slowly stood up.
When she noticed Mr. Royce startle and try to stand with her, she offered a gentle, reassuring smile.
“Please, Mr. Royce, stay seated a while longer. I’ll go fetch something.”
“…Alright, Lady Finihiya.”
Finihiya took small, quick steps as she left the pavilion and entered the mansion.
Soon, she returned holding a modest yet elegant crimson box, which she placed on the stone table in the pavilion.
Sitting back in her original seat, Finihiya gently pushed the small deep red box toward Royce.
“These are Silvermoon tea leaves from the Holy Margaret Theocracy. I hope Mr. Royce will accept them.”
“L-Lady Finihiya?”
Perhaps Finihiya’s gesture was a little sudden, for a look of astonishment flickered across Royce’s face.
“I’m truly sorry about how you were tricked by those human merchants who came here earlier. I hope you won’t let that incident sour your view of humans. Most of them really are friendly and kind.”
“…Not at all.” Royce recovered from his brief surprise and responded with a smile, “To judge all people for the actions of a few—that would be an arrogant way of thinking.”
“Thank you.”
With that, Finihiya bowed to Royce once again.
“Come to think of it, I’ve never actually visited a country inhabited by humans. I wonder what it’s like there.”
“It’s a beautiful place, just like here. If you ever have the chance, Mr. Royce, you should visit and see for yourself.”
“I surely will.”
***
A breeze flowed in through the open window.
The sheets of paper on the desk rustled as their corners curled upward with a soft “swish.”
Summer sunlight, refracted by the red tea that Elus had just brought in, cast a dancing amber glow across the wall.
“Mmm—”
A soft sigh sounded in the room, filled with quiet and tranquility, as Darlian lifted her slender hand and gently massaged her temples with pale fingers.
Then, gripping her quill, she continued to look over the towering stack of official documents before her.
Creak—
Just as she lowered her head, ready to tackle all those papers in one go, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open.
She raised her eyes slightly and looked over.
When she saw another stack of paperwork in Elus’s arms, the motivation she’d just managed to muster nearly vanished in an instant.
“Why is there still more…”
“You’re working hard.” Elus’s tone was gentle as she walked in with the stack and placed it on the desk. “Once this pile is done, that’s all of it.”
“Why has the paperwork suddenly increased these past two days? Didn’t I already delegate most of it to the Cabinet Council?”
“These are more important documents. They require you to review them personally, Lady Darlian.”
“Should we consider further delegating some authority…”
Darlian picked up the cup of black tea that Elus had just filled, steam curling from its surface, and took a delicate sip.
The mellow flavor and heat stimulated her taste buds and mouth, soothing her slightly weary mind.
Leaning back in her chair, Darlian tilted her head and looked through the window at the branches of the trees not far away.
Two silver-white birds nestled sweetly together on the bough.
Seeming to recall something, she drew back her gaze and looked at Elus standing at her side.