‘Alright, I’ve made up my mind!’
Arundel’s determined will was evident in her tightly clenched fists.
After confirming Bianca’s sincerity yesterday, Arundel decided to help her verify her magical talent.
She had even fought a 2-on-1 battle for her yesterday. If she continued to pretend not to know, she felt she wouldn’t be able to face Bianca due to guilt as an angel.
‘But I’m a bit worried…’
Although she had definitely decided to help Bianca, she had not yet decided on the method to assist her.
There were two options at the moment.
First, ask Zion to verify Bianca’s magical talent.
Second, ask Hills to verify Bianca’s magical talent.
‘Zion mentioned that he doesn’t get along with Bianca’s father, Duke Hellen…’
The reason why there was a tearful scene at the library yesterday was because she was misunderstood and disliked by Zion.
If she asked Zion for a favor for Bianca, the chances of him agreeing were low, and even if Zion agreed, Bianca might feel uncomfortable.
Hmm… then the only remaining option was one.
She had to ask Hills.
‘The problem is, I don’t know what this guy will demand.’
Arundel’s brow furrowed as she thought.
In fact, a demon never grants a favor without a price.
The price could be as trivial as dust, or it could take something significant like a soul or a life.
Of course, since the favor she was asking Hills was not a significant or tremendous task, she didn’t expect him to demand something grand.
But the opponent is ‘top-tier demon’ Hills. Hills, famous for making good deals in the demon world, had many followers.
‘I don’t know. I’ll have to meet Hills first.’
There was no best option in the current situation. She had to choose the lesser of two evils.
If he demands too much… Well, I’ll think about it then. Arundel was ready to face it head-on.
Having finished her thoughts, Arundel got up.
‘But I haven’t seen this guy lately.’
Arundel wondered where she could find Hills. Hills, who hadn’t shown his nose for several days, seemed really busy.
Perhaps Zion was doing something behind the scenes to get rid of Hills, who he didn’t like to see.
Arundel, who thought it would take a while to find Hills in this large palace, called Belle.
Then Belle quietly entered the bedroom.
“Did you call, Your Majesty?”
“Yeah! I have a question.”
Belle was so quick to hear about the palace that she knew almost nothing about it.
The stories of the palace that she told while serving meals were tantalizing to Arundel’s ears.
Then maybe she knows about Hills’ recent whereabouts.
“Do you know that the crown prince of the Shalbon Kingdom visited as an envoy?”
“Of course!! There were a lot of talks about the real person of the Crown Prince! With white skin, delicate features, and red lips, they say he’s prettier than most women!”
Is that so…?
Arundel, who did not feel that much excitement, was somewhat embarrassed by Belle’s enthusiastic attitude, but spoke calmly.
“…He was pretty. Anyway, that’s not the important thing.”
“Yes!”
“Do you know what the Crown Prince’s daily schedule is like?”
If it’s knowing the foreign envoy’s schedule, Bell’s news source must be really recognized.
Belle, who was stroking her chin and thinking, slowly opened her mouth.
“Hmm… I think I heard it.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. Jenny… Ah, Jenny is my friend. She’s a maid working in the main palace.”
“Yeah, yeah!”
“Jenny said she often sees Crown Prince Rik in the Prime Minister’s office.”
“The Prime Minister’s office…?”
“Yes! It must be right. The one who talked about the real person of the Crown Prince was also Jenny.”
At Belle’s fairly specific testimony, Arundel left a word of thanks and headed for the Prime Minister’s office.
“I’ve never seen the Prime Minister before…”
According to a recent book she read, the Prime Minister was a very high-ranking position.
It was probably the second highest position in the Croyden Empire after Zion.
‘When I think about it, I’m nervous…’
She had been studying etiquette hard recently, but she was worried that she might make a mistake.
Because if they notice that she is not the Empress, this mission is over.
Arundel, who was thinking about this and that, had already arrived at the Prime Minister’s office.
“Who is it?”
The guard blocking the Prime Minister’s office stopped Arundel.
As expected, the guard, who did not recognize her, blocked her. She wondered how to explain and then opened her mouth.
“…I am the Empress. Please tell the Prime Minister.”
At Arundel’s answer, the guard seemed surprised, but looked at Arundel with a suspicious look to see if she was lying.
And a few seconds after he went inside and reported the situation, the Prime Minister appeared.
“What brings the Empress here!”
A middle-aged man with white hair appeared. It was the Prime Minister, ‘Duke Richard’. The Duke was a tall, upright, and handsome middle-aged man.
‘Hmm…? The face looks familiar?’
Arundel saw someone overlapping in the appearance of the Prime Minister, but she had to respond to him who was greeting her warmly.
“Hello. I thought the person I was looking for might be here.”
“The person you’re looking for is…?”
“The Crown Prince who visited from the Shalbon Kingdom.”
Duke Richard looked a little surprised, but soon led Arundel into the office.
Then a familiar but unfamiliar person…no, a demon appeared.
“Arun… no, Your Majesty the Empress!”
Hills greeted Arundel as if he was a child waiting for his mother at home.
As Belle said, Hills was in the office of Duke Richard, the Prime Minister.
“There are already guests, but please sit down first.”
Duke Richard guided Arundel, who was standing blankly, to a cozy chair.
He was a very elegant and cool person, fitting for the position of Prime Minister.
Every gesture was smooth and full of courtesy.
‘I keep thinking of someone…’
As Arundel was recalling who it was, Duke Richard spoke to her.
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty the Empress. Have you been well?”
“Ahaha, I’ve been fine. How have you been, Prime Minister?”
Arundel was a bit flustered by the mention of ‘it’s been a while’, but she responded quite adeptly.
“I am… ha…I’ve been okay too.”
Duke Richard spoke with an expression that didn’t look okay at all.
Arundel saw it.
He had glanced at Hills when Duke Richard sighed ‘ha…’
“I see. I’m worried I might be stealing your time unnecessarily.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve been wanting to see you recently.”
“Me…?”
“Yes, I’ve been very curious about Your Majesty the Empress because of the Emperor, who seems to be in a good mood these days, and my son.”
At Duke Richard’s words, Arundel tilted his head.
“My son…?”
“Yes? Don’t you know? My son ‘Royden’.”
Duke Richard spoke as if it was surprising that Arundel didn’t remember.
‘Oh?! That someone I kept on thinking…!’
Arundel was shocked.
The world is small, and it seemed even smaller in the palace. Now the overlapping person became clear.
Arundel first calmed her surprised heart and spoke calmly.
“Ah… right! I’ve been staying in the Empress’s Palace for a long time, so I’ve forgotten a lot.”
“That can happen.”
Duke Richard spoke with a polite smile, making Arundel feel at ease.
And as soon as the Duke’s words ended, Hills cut in.
“Are you done talking?”
Hills, who had been looking burdensome from a while ago, finally opened his mouth.
“What brings you here, Your Majesty the Empress. Surely you’re not here to see me?”
If Hills had a tail, it would have been shaking enough to fall off.
His eyes were sparkling as if something was bursting out.
Arundel looked at Hills’ burdensome eyes reluctantly and spoke.
“That’s right. I have something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
At Hills’ question, Arundel glanced at Duke Richard.
The quick-witted Duke showed the palms of his hands and smiled gentlemanly.
“If it’s uncomfortable, I’ll step out for a moment.”
“No! We’ll leave. You’re a busy person.”
At Arundel’s words, Duke Richard’s eyes sparkled.
“Do you see the documents piled up on the desk?”
“Yes…?”
There were stacks of documents where Duke Richard pointed.
“That’s the amount I have to process by today.”
He spoke calmly, but Duke Richard’s eyes were crying silently.
“All thanks to His Majesty the Emperor. I had to spend time with His Highness the Crown Prince for several days.”
“I see…”
Arundel was able to accurately grasp the situation.
Zion had sent Hills to Duke Richard, the Prime Minister. As a result, it seemed that Duke Richard had not been able to properly do his work for several days.
“Then we should disappear quickly…!”
“I’m sorry. Instead, I’ll treat you to a nice meal next time, so please visit our mansion with Your Majesty.”
Duke Richard politely asked for understanding.
With Arundel’s agreement, she took Hills and left the office.
As soon as they left the office, Hills shouted loudly looking at the sky.
“Wow! I can’t believe I finally got out of here!”
Hills looked at Arundel.
“Thank you, Arundel. My angel.”
At Hills’ words, Arundel got goosebumps. She was an angel, but it was strange that a demon would say such a thing so casually.
“Let’s go somewhere where there are no people.”
“Huh? Really?”
“I have something to talk about quietly.”
At Arundel’s words to go somewhere where there were no people, Hills obediently followed.
“By the way, what have you been doing in the Prime Minister’s office all this time?”
“I didn’t do much. But if I said I wanted to leave, he wouldn’t let go of my trouser legs? A tenacious old man. I’ve been rolling around in the office for days.”
So Zion had sent Hills to Duke Richard’s office.
“So I missed you so much, Arundel!”
Hills’ eyes sparkled again.
He was like a puppy seeing its owner after a long time. For now, Hills’ attitude was advantageous since she had a favor to ask today.
“Hills. I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
Hills’ purple eyes were filled with anticipation.
‘Why is he so expectant!’
Arundel felt rather burdened and awkward by this attitude. After all, she had to ask a favor of this demon whom she had been scolding all this while.
“…That is.”
“Yeah!”
“There’s someone I’d like you to check if they have magical talent…?”
“Magic power test? That’s not difficult.”
“Really? Then that’s a relief.”
“Is that your favor?”
Hills spoke as if it was not a big deal, and Arundel felt a bit inflated with hope.
Maybe! Just! A sliver of hope, but he might grant the favor without any price.
But that hope soon fell to the ground.
It was because of Hills, who was speaking with a changed face.
Hills, who had a puppy-like face, was nowhere to be seen, and was replaced with a Hills, wearing a dangerous smile.
“Arundel, you’re an angel, so you know about demons, right?”
“…”
“You know that if you want to ask a favor from a demon, there has to be a price.”
“…I know.”
Arundel slowly swallowed her saliva.
What conditions would Hills, who is rumored to be the best dealer in the demon world, propose?
“…What do you want?”
“What I want is.”
Hills’ face came close to Arundel’s eyes.
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