Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: There's No Need for You to Do That
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"Now that I think about it, it seems like it happened on the day I met you. And you were always there among the people in my dreams."
Helios, lost in thought with his gaze turned elsewhere, failed to notice Esther's face stiffening.
He let out a small chuckle, then hurriedly added,
"Ah, but that's not to say it was your fault. It was pure coincidence. I must have wanted to get that close to you."
"...What an honor."
Helios figured he could be satisfied with this distance for now. He couldn't even imagine what Esther, sitting across from him, might be thinking.
"There's no need for you to do this, Your Highness."
Esther spoke to Helios, who was following behind her as she rose to leave, insisting on seeing her off.
"I'm only doing this to maintain a good relationship with your merchant group. And if it means getting closer to you, that's even better."
Esther found Helios uncomfortable. Especially now that she realized she shouldn't spend any more time near this man.
But she had already spoken words that made it impossible to push him away right then.
Letting out a small sigh, Esther flung open the door to the Crown Prince's office and stepped out.
She tried her best to ignore Helios's gaze trailing right beside her, but it wasn't easy.
"I hope the trade ship returns safely. I'm confident those goods will bring in a hefty profit."
"I'm glad you think so."
As Esther quickened her pace, giving vague replies to Helios's persistent chatter, she suddenly halted at the foot that appeared before her.
"Greetings to the Empire's Little Sun, Crown Prince Your Highness."
"You never get tired of showing up, do you? I could almost believe this was Young-sik's home."
"It's about my marquisate succession, so I've had no choice but to bother His Majesty like this. But running into Your Highness like this makes it a fine day, doesn't it?"
Helios clicked his tongue lowly at Noel, who responded to his sarcasm with an unflappable smile.
Meanwhile, Esther was simply flustered to encounter Noel of all people on this day, out of so many.
"I didn't even get your name last time. I should have introduced myself first—my apologies. I am Noel de Micarus, heir to House of Marquis Micarus."
Noel swiftly introduced himself, as if determined not to let her slip away this time. He knew full well she couldn't ignore him now.
"Esther Elpis, head of the Elpis Merchant Group."
"Ah, Lady Elpis. To lead a merchant group at such a young age—truly impressive. You must be quite capable."
Esther firmly denied Noel's attempt to butter her up with flattery.
"No. I only inherited the position suddenly after my father passed. The Imperial Palace is honoring our existing contracts out of loyalty."
Noel, unaware of Esther's circumstances, bowed his head in flustered surprise at her unexpected response.
"I seem to commit one discourtesy after another. I had no idea and spoke carelessly."
"It's fine. How could you know after seeing each other just a few times?"
She might not see him much in the future either, but Esther gave a polite, vague reply with a small smile.
Now that she had seen through this fox of a man's true nature, she had no intention of letting him lead her around.
"Still, I want to make up for my rudeness somehow."
"There's no need for you to do that."
Noel's face briefly twisted in disbelief at her repeated polite refusals.
It was probably because things weren't going his way. He was the type who couldn't rest easy unless everything bent to his whims. But Esther had zero desire to play along.
"I'm just so sorry about it. Besides, a merchant group with goods of such high quality—we'd be quite interested ourselves."
Esther let out a tiny scoff she hoped wasn't noticeable at the competitive glint in Noel's eyes.
It was laughable, how blatantly he was cozying up to her just to find some weakness in Helios.
He was obviously following his father's orders to secure the marquisate by any means. The man despised the marquis yet groveled to him for that seat.
As Esther opened her mouth to refuse once more, Helios warned in a low voice.
"Young-sik, enough with the rudeness. Can't you see my guest is uncomfortable?"
His gritted tone, low and strained, revealed he was at his limit.
"In my palace, to my guest—what am I supposed to make of your behavior?"
"My apologies, Your Highness. And if I've made you uncomfortable, I apologize, my lady."
Recognizing the danger of stoking more hostility, Noel took a step back.
"I'll accept your apology, but please don't do this again."
"I was just so eager to get close to you. It's the first time I've seen eyes so like my late mother's. My deepest apologies."
"Ha."
A sigh-mingled laugh escaped Esther's lips. Even his excuse for closing the distance was exactly the same as always.
She recalled the words Noel had whispered in her ear at the banquet that day, as she wept.
Your eyes are just like my late mother's. Such beautiful eyes don't suit tears—you weeping like this, I couldn't just pass by. They're too lovely to hold anything but joy.
I hated how everyone stared at them every day, but hearing you say that makes me think my eyes are nice for the first time.
Yes, I like them. Those eyes. It must be fate that you and I met here like this.
He had sat beside her sobbing self for a long time, silently staying by her side no matter how long it took.
Don't doubt yourself, Esther.
Noel, how much of your words were true, and how much was lies? Were the ones that lifted me up sincere?
Then, from today, can we consider ourselves friends, Esther?
Did you ever truly think of me as a friend, even for a moment? But knowing wouldn't change a thing.
"It's fine. It's just that we have a lot of deals piled up this month. Any additional trades will take time."
"Then next time, perhaps..."
"I'm in a hurry right now, Young-sik. Mind if I get going? If you'd kindly step aside."
Helios finally cut off Noel, who was clinging to Esther till the end.
"My apologies, Your Highness. Then I wish you a day filled with fortune."
"See you later."
Helios passed by Noel, who reluctantly stepped aside slowly as if marking his territory, raising an eyebrow in clear displeasure.
Esther followed, passing Noel's side. She only hoped they'd never cross paths again.
Esther's room stayed lit deep into the night. Her past experiences let her handle work faster than before, but the volume was still enormous.
At least she wouldn't have to see Noel or Helios anymore—that was a relief.
Especially if Helios's memories had returned after meeting her, it was best to avoid him altogether.
"Guild Master, we have about a week until the delivery to the Imperial Palace."
"Has time passed that quickly?"
Carter knocked and entered, prompting Esther to glance at the calendar amid the cluttered desk. About two months remained until the ships arrived.
"If you're not feeling well, I can handle it alone this time. You always came back ill and exhausted. If nothing's changed much, I often went without the previous guild master anyway."
"...Then, could I ask you to do that, Carter?"
"Understood."
In the end, Carter handled the next delivery alone. Esther felt guilty but also a bit relieved.
It was better this way—no more faces to see. And...
"Guild Master!"
Esther snapped out of her reverie at the knock on her door.
"What is it?"
"Two letters have arrived for you, Guild Master."
"What?"
It was unusual. With the merchant group still preparing to set out, letters addressed to her rarely arrived here.
Esther took the letters from the guild member who entered and checked the senders. One from Helios, one from Noel.