Chapter 8
“Zephyion… you’re still the same.”
Zephyion von Tennev—the heir of the Tennev family, long-time retainers of the Astria dukes.
From childhood, he had been Estelle’s closest attendant, her most loyal officer, and her steadfast guardian.
He was the only one who knew of Estelle’s secret organization, yet she had not even informed him of her escape plan. Everything had to be perfect for a flawless departure.
Still, Zephyion was a sharp strategist. If there was a single person in this world capable of noticing and tracing Estelle’s moves, there was no doubt it would be him.
Estelle’s eyes fell on the bouquet in Zephyion’s hands.
‘Of course… he knew everything.’
Blue delphiniums—her favorite flowers.
‘Are you here to bring me back to the Empire, or will you follow a master who has already abandoned you once?’
Estelle’s mind grew tangled.
He had been a reliable subordinate, true, but he was still a Tennev. Just as his ancestors had pledged loyalty to the Astrias, it was possible that, during Estelle’s absence, Zephyion had become the Duke’s man.
She maintained an unshaken posture and walked into the center of the reception room as if nothing had changed.
Zephyion rose from his seat and approached her. As always, he bowed respectfully, stopping a few steps away.
“Pleased to meet you, Lady of the Erme Guild. I am the master of the Rodalan Guild, Zeon.”
The greeting was flawless, without a single slip. And “Lady”? Far too noble a title for a mere commoner guild leader.
‘Is he testing my intentions?’
Recognizing the subtlety of his gesture, Estelle inclined her head and spoke.
“Please, spare me the formalities. I am accustomed to dealing with nobles, but having a lifetime as a commoner leaves me embarrassed to receive such courtesy from a lady.”
Zephyion slowly straightened and faced her in silence. Estelle’s eyes, blackened by the disguise mana stone, met Zephyion’s teal gaze in the air between them.
They studied each other intently in silence; neither flinched.
Moments stretched like years, and finally, Zephyion’s teal eyes softened once more.
“You deserve the praise. In under four years, you’ve not only dominated the southern regions, but also gained recognition from the proud people of Deutsche. Are you not the guildmaster responsible?”
‘The success of the trade with Deutsche has yet to be announced publicly.’
Still, his intelligence-gathering was undeniable.
Though she might have been taken aback, Estelle concealed her thoughts perfectly and continued the conversation.
“Then please, call me simply ‘Guildmaster.’”
“Very well. Guildmaster, call me Zeon.”
“Zeon” had been the nickname she used for Zephyion back when she was a princess of Astria—a name that evoked the past.
‘What does he want? Is he trying to force me to reveal my identity? But he seems to follow willingly…’
Estelle could not read his intentions, even as he cheerfully requested the name.
“Good to see you, Zeon.”
Yet, speaking the name after decades brought back childhood memories—days of innocence spent dreaming of assisting the Duke, imagining a future serving Kaian.
But it was futile. All that mattered now was protecting Ae’r; there was no time to linger on past dreams.
‘Right. What matters now is bringing Zephyion on board to develop the antidote.’
And Ae’r must not be discovered. The child resembled Kaian so closely, aside from his blue eyes. If anyone suspected Libeta Marian or the guildmistress’ true identity and learned of Ae’r, the consequences could be disastrous.
‘Perhaps I should have changed Ae’r’s hair with mana stone as well.’
The mana stone was known to be safe for pregnant women, but prolonged use on a young child could not be guaranteed. For now, the blond hair and deep blue eyes, reminiscent of the Astria dukes, remained.
‘Focus. Just as I know Zephyion, he will read me too. I must not give any indication until I’m certain of his intentions.’
“Thank you for coming on such short notice. Please, have a seat, and we shall talk.”
They sat, and a maid from the guild brought over a tray of refreshments at just the right moment.
After waiting until the servants had left, Estelle began explaining the purpose of seeking out the Rodalan Guild.
“Aren has developed more than I expected… I barely recognize it.”
Kaian, mounted on a noble white horse, entered the Aren Forest and spoke slowly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I was also surprised. Compared to your inspection tour five years ago, right after your ascension, the village is completely transformed.”
Following him was Cedric. They were heading toward the small cabin where the markings matching the late Empress Serena’s safe had been discovered.
Even while pursuing his mother’s traces, Kaian could not shake the memory of Aren’s townscape on the way here.
It was so different from the dilapidated image he remembered.
Aren was the region closest to Deutsche Island in the Rekanto Empire—one of the most heavily damaged areas during the Rekanto-Deutsche War thirty years prior.
Postwar reconstruction had taken far longer than other regions, and the destitute had naturally been concentrated there.
‘Even my father, who poured effort into reviving the long-stagnant region, could not succeed fully. The Baron of Vernes had nearly gone bankrupt. Rumors circulated openly.’
Five years ago, that had been the reality.
Yet now, the infrastructure had developed surprisingly; the town appeared clean and orderly.
‘Reports mentioned some recovery, but I didn’t expect this. All in just five years?’
The vagrants who once littered the streets were gone, and the rundown buildings had been replaced by a bustling array of new shops.
“Word is that the newly founded Erme Guild, which began operating around four years ago, played a major role.”
“Erme?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Every enterprise the guildmistress touched flourished, and a portion of the profits were used for town development and welfare programs.”
“Any information about the guildmistress?”
“Because she always wears a mask, nothing is known besides her being a woman. Yet her influence is so great that even Baron Vernes treats her with utmost respect.”
Hearing Cedric’s report, Kaian’s curiosity about the Erme Guild and its mistress deepened naturally.
“I’d like to meet this guildmistress—discreetly, of course.”
“I will make the arrangements, Your Majesty.”
By the time their discussion ended, Kaian’s steps had brought him to a modest cabin by a small pond.
“This is the cabin?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The secluded forest was peaceful. Though it was early February, the southernmost village on the continent had the warmth of early spring. Buds were already sprouting on trees, and small birds chirped here and there.
The cold, calculating atmosphere of the palace was nowhere to be found.
Creak.
Kaian opened the cabin door. The old wooden hinges groaned sharply, echoing his tense state.
Inside, the cabin was simple. The first floor contained a modest kitchen-living area with worn wooden tables and chairs. A staircase in the corner led to the second-floor bedroom.
Though long untouched, the sunlight streaming through the windows gave the space a cozy warmth.
“Your Majesty, please be careful.”
Kaian ascended the stairs with Cedric guiding him. The steps creaked beneath his weight, echoing his nervous anticipation.
What connection did this place have to his mother?
During his years investigating her safe, Kaian had no choice but to admit how little he knew about her.
She had been a dancer at a palace ball, captured the heart of his father, and had become Empress—yet nothing else of her past was known.
‘Before entering the palace, no ties, no origins, not even her family name… it’s as if someone deliberately erased everything.’
Even her belongings had vanished due to her execution as a traitor. So his obsession with the safe, the only remaining relic of his mother, was not surprising.
