Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Inevitably, You Shake Me
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As Mail stepped aside, unbelievable sights once again filled Esther's view.
"No way, all these are...?"
Beyond the heavy door stretched a vast space filled with unfamiliar grains. But from Oilie's words and research notes alone, she knew exactly what they were.
"Yes, Dran."
"I heard Dran needs a different climate from the Empire's... How...?"
Esther caressed the stem of a plant in front of her as she asked Mail.
"The secret lies in the location."
"The location?"
Mail let out a small chuckle at Esther's visibly startled reaction and pointed upward at the ceiling with his finger.
"What's that?"
Esther tilted her head back to look at the small propellers and hoses attached to the ceiling.
"Did you look around the outside of this place?"
"No, I haven't had the time."
As Esther shook her head while pondering the purpose of the strange invention, Mail continued.
"This underground space is built almost up to the cliff at the edge of the forest, making it easy to catch sunlight. But for Dran, we have to be careful with temperature fluctuations. The summers here are much hotter, after all."
Mail pressed a red button on the basement wall. A small mechanical whir started up, and the propellers on the ceiling began to spin.
Then, when he pressed the blue button next to it, water sprayed out from the hoses.
"On hot days, we use the awnings built outside to reflect sunlight and circulate water and air like this to maintain temperature. The front glass can open for ventilation too."
"Did you come up with all this on your own?"
"No, I did it with Oilie. When he said he was stepping away from the research... you can imagine how disappointed I was. You understand, right?"
Esther nodded vigorously in agreement, and the corner of Mail's mouth twitched upward.
"But to suddenly decide to resume the research... I'm curious how the Guild Master convinced that guy."
As he muttered the last part, Mail pressed the buttons again, and the machines stopped.
"We've barely succeeded in cultivation, but I have no more funds to invest. However, if you promise investment and let me continue researching with Oilie, I'll go along with my friend's wishes."
"Really?"
It was a bit surprising how quickly Mail accepted the proposal, but it was great news for her.
Thinking this was the perfect moment before he changed his mind, Esther spoke up.
"Then, how about we discuss the contract in more detail?"
"Of course. Let's head upstairs first."
Esther fiddled with the contract she'd tucked into her coat pocket as she climbed the stairs. Hope was in sight—no need for risky trade ventures anymore.
With Mail's joining, the research progressed swiftly, and that day finally arrived.
"Dinner at last. We're serving food made with Dran at His Majesty's banquet, right?"
The Emperor's birthday feast was crucial for Esther too. It was the first time dishes using Dran oil would be presented before the nobles.
"Yes, and if we draw interest just right, its value will skyrocket overnight."
Esther nodded at Carter's words as he entered through the door. But her eyes were fixed on the document in her hand.
"It'll succeed for sure. Ete oversaw it right up to the end, didn't he? Plus, anything His Majesty endorses becomes the trend—everyone will scramble to follow."
Carter spoke while carefully gauging the diligent, silent Esther.
"Yeah, it will."
No sooner had Esther replied than someone knocked impatiently and burst through the door.
"Been well?"
Oilie strode in with a casual greeting. Esther finally set down the document she'd been holding.
"How'd you get back so soon?"
Esther beamed at Oilie's return, which she'd thought would take at least a month. Oilie plopped down on the edge of her desk with a sly grin.
"I brought fast horses and rode them hard. Cut the time even more that way."
Unaware of Esther frowning as she rummaged through her bag, Oilie pulled out a few sheets of paper and placed them before her.
"Here, this is what I went to fetch."
"What's this?"
"The oil container I designed. We didn't have enough for tests before, but..."
Esther caught his drift—now that the merchant group was stocked with Dran oil, they could test it plenty. She examined the documents he offered.
"If it works, it'll last at least three more months. Just test rancidity at rising temperatures—it's only a matter of time now."
Oilie's eyes brimmed with the thrill and confidence of resuming research.
Esther knew this experiment would succeed. Whenever Oilie achieved something, his eyes always sparkled like that.
"I've been exchanging letters with Mail and running tests too, so we'll have results within a month."
Oilie flashed a wide, confident smile, teeth gleaming.
"Just trust me! Anyway, researching with Mail—exciting stuff. Gotta head down and start now. I'll come right back with results, so wait up, Guild Master."
"I'm counting on you."
As Oilie rolled up the paper with the container design and dashed out, Carter smiled faintly.
"I felt it last time too, but he's brimming with confidence. Well, not baseless, at least."
"He is."
Esther turned to gaze out the darkening window and lifted her teacup for a sip of the now-cold tea.
The palace banquet was probably in full swing by now.
"They blather about worrying over the merchant group's position now that the goods have changed hands, but why not invite the Guild Master? Total contradiction."
Carter noticed Esther staring toward the palace and fumed as if it were his own grievance. But Esther just kept looking outside without responding.
"...Are you worried?"
At Carter's tentative question, Esther shook her head. No, this wasn't mere worry.
"No. If anything, it's excitement."
"Pardon?"
Yes, it was just beginning. Clutching her fist tight at the thought of revenge against those who'd stolen everything in her reclaimed life, Esther felt her pulse race.
A massive chandelier glittered in the center of the palace banquet hall, casting light everywhere. Amid the murmurs, chefs bustled about serving food.
"Dinner at the palace? These invitations are rare, aren't they?"
"Tell me about it. Usually it's just social mixers..."
The nobles, invitations in hand, openly expressed their bewilderment. The message promising a feast for the Emperor's birthday was controversy enough among them.
A servant shouted amid the buzz.
"His Majesty the Emperor and Crown Prince! All bow in respect."
The nobles lowered their heads. Helios and the Emperor ascended the high dais at the hall's center with stately strides and took their thrones.
Helios, knowing all the Emperor's schemes, had zero interest in such events.
Yet, the moment he sat, he instinctively scanned the surroundings. Anxiety surged at the thought that Esther might be here.
"I've served dishes I enjoy for you all. Please taste them and share your thoughts."
"..."
"Enjoy yourselves."
Helios grimaced out of sight as the Emperor smiled slyly. No one could relax with talk like that. And the Emperor knew it. The nobles before him surely sensed something off too.
Helios sneered down at the still-bowing nobles.
They were no doubt scheming selfishly in their heads.
Suddenly, he recalled Esther's pure, innocent smile from their childhood encounter. He missed her.
"Ugh!"
Imagining Esther, Helios groaned as a sudden headache struck.
The Emperor, quick to notice the faint sound, scowled and turned to him.
"If it's another one of your pathetic headaches, just leave quietly. I have no time to coddle you."
His icy warning held no paternal concern.
Helios staggered to his feet and headed for the passage behind his chair.
"Useless brat."
The Emperor's voice brushed past, but Helios had no leisure to hear it. The pain was worsening.
"Nngh!"
Helios barely made it to a deserted passage before stumbling.
"Happy birthday, Your Highness."
A familiar voice echoed in his mind. He felt his body tipping left.
And her figure sharpened into view.
Flushed cheeks, head slightly bowed, rose-gold hair cascading beside it. It was the woman he longed for most right now.
"Your Highness is so exalted... I've agonized over whether I even dare speak to you."
Esther, unable to meet his eyes, was endearingly precious. Just seeing her lips curve up made it so.
"I never thought I'd even face you in this lifetime, so I know how glorious this moment is. Still..."
Helios found her unbearably lovable. He knew how fortunate he was to have met her.
His precarious stance gave way with a thud against the floor.
Voices calling him frantically faded into the distance.
"Your Highness."
As consciousness slipped, the banquet hall he'd just left sharpened before the fallen Helios.
Another memory was coming for him.