Money vs. Magic

Matias shot Jinny a deathly glare. She trembled in fear. The other servants had warned her—Emperor Matias was just as terrifying as the former emperor. They always told her to be careful when he was around or she would end up in big trouble.

This was her first time meeting him, and now she knew they were right.

"Do you have any idea how much that vase you broke cost?" the emperor asked, his voice cold and unforgiving.

"P-Please forgive me, Your Majesty!" Jinny stammered, bowing so low that her forehead touched the floor. "I believe everything you own is worth more than my life. Please, have mercy on me!"

Matias had no interest in wasting his time on a mere servant. But that didn't mean he would let her mistake go unpunished.

"As a punishment, you will work in the stables," he declared. "Assist the stable hands in taking care of the horses. I trust you will learn from this mistake."

Jinny's breath hitched. The stables? That place… Could she even sleep there? But she had no choice. It was better than being executed.

"I... I will, Your Majesty! Th-Thank you for your mercy!" she said, quickly bowing once more before hurrying out of the room.

The moment the door shut behind her, Jinny leaned against it, clutching her chest. Her heart pounded so fast it felt as though it might burst.

"He's terrifying," she whispered to herself before sighing in relief.

Her legs still trembled as she forced herself to walk. Along the way, she passed by a large window overlooking the training grounds. The knights were practicing their swordsmanship, their movements precise and powerful.

Jinny's eyes were drawn to one knight in particular—Sir Yehuda.

A smile crept onto her lips.

He was so handsome.

"I think... I'm falling in love with him," she whispered, then giggled to herself.

"You what?"

Jinny nearly jumped out of her skin.

She spun around to find Nene standing behind her, grinning mischievously.

"S-Since when have you been here?" Jinny stammered, her face turning as red as a tomato.

"Hehe, I heard everything! You're in love with one of the knights, aren't you? Who is it? Tell me!" Nene pressed excitedly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"You heard wrong! I—I don't even know them!" Jinny denied, waving her hands frantically.

Nene smirked. "You can't fool me. My ears are sharp." She tapped her chin, pretending to think. "Hmm… let me guess. Is it Sir Yehuda?"

Jinny's eyes widened in panic. "N-No! It's not him!"

"Hah! I knew it!" Nene laughed. "When I said his name, your eyes lit up like a lantern!"

"N-No, you've got it all wrong!" Jinny insisted.

But Nene wasn't done yet. With a mischievous grin, she suddenly turned toward the window and shouted, "Sir Yehuda!!!"

The training knights immediately stopped what they were doing and glanced in their direction.

Jinny's eyes went wide in horror.

Panicking, she clamped a hand over Nene's mouth and dragged her away from the window.

"What do you think you're doing?!" she hissed.

Nene pulled her hand away, giggling. "Hehe, I'm just helping you get noticed!"

Jinny sank to the floor, leaning against the wall with a sigh. "There's no way he would ever like someone like me."

Nene frowned. "Why not?"

"He's a high-ranking knight. I'm just a lowly servant with no background. We're not compatible," Jinny admitted, lowering her gaze.

Nene chuckled. "Oh, come on. Sir Yehuda is a kind man. Who knows? Maybe he already likes you."

Jinny let out a small, wistful smile. "I hope so…"

Meanwhile, outside, Sir Yehuda cast a glance toward the window where Jinny had been standing moments ago. A faint smile crossed his lips before he shook his head and returned to training.

.

.

.

....

Hajee stared at the woman standing before him.

She looked familiar—too familiar. But he couldn't quite place where he'd seen her before.

His gaze flickered to the robed figures behind her. They looked strong. Meanwhile, he was still weak, having just awakened from an unknown, long slumber.

Fighting wasn't his strong suit. Back in his original world, he had never cared for combat. His focus had always been on one thing: making money.

To Hajee, the world was nothing more than a series of calculations.

He had helped his father and uncle run their business, handling negotiations, securing deals, and managing finances. If someone dared to steal even a single cent from their accounts, he would notice it instantly. He was the one they trusted to make business agreements—both legal and illegal. Wherever he went, he was always accompanied by a team of elite bodyguards, ensuring his safety.

His financial expertise was unparalleled, and his reputation as a money-making genius made him a highly sought-after asset.

In his world, money was power. With enough of it, people would do anything—even kill—just for a price.

His authority extended over his family's finances as well, especially when it came to managing his siblings' reckless spending. He was so strict that even his own brothers dared not complain when he blocked their cards for overspending.

But now, he was in unfamiliar world.

And here, things were different.

Would his skills still be of use in this place?

"We found you outside my tower, unconscious," the woman said, her voice sharp and demanding. "You don't look familiar. Did the enemy send you to spy on my domain?"

Her eyes burned with suspicion.

"Enemy?" Hajee frowned. "I don't even know who you are. Besides, I have no idea how I ended up in this place."

"Ha! Don't try to fool me," the woman snapped. "That excuse won't work on me."

Hajee sighed, trying to remain calm. "Whether you believe me or not, that's your problem, not mine, Miss."

The woman gritted her teeth.

Arrogant.

How dare this man talk back to her so casually? Did he have no idea who she was?

Hajee pulled off the blanket covering him and swung his legs over the bed, preparing to stand.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"I'm leaving." He stood up. "I don't know this place, and I have no reason to trust you. Who knows what you people might do to me?"

"You think you can just walk out of here?" Her voice rose in anger as flames flickered to life in her palm.

He was surprised when he saw the flames dancing in her hand. Magic?

Was this some sort of fantasy world where the people could wield such power?

He forced himself to remain calm, pretending not to be surprised. "Oh, so now you're going to hurt me? I was right. This place is dangerous."

He turned and started walking toward the door.

"Stop!" she shouted. "How dare you be so rude in front of a princess?"

Hajee froze.

A princess?

The first thought that crossed his mind was money.

If she was royalty, she must have wealth and influence. If he could get on her good side, he could gain access to resources, privileges, and—most importantly—money.

With enough wealth, he could find a way to return to his own world.

Beatrice took a step back, her expression shifting from anger to wariness as a dark aura seemed to swirl around the young man.

"Money..." Hajee whispered under his breath.

Then, he turned to face her, smirking.

"You said you're a princess?"

Beatrice quickly composed herself, crossing her arms as she raised an eyebrow. "Of course. I am Princess Beatrice Grimaldi, and I am the master of this magic tower."

Hajee's smirk deepened.

If these people could wield magic, then they might hold the key to sending him back home.

"Alright then," he said. "Since you're a princess, I won't leave."

Beatrice blinked. "What?"

"You're the one who brought me here. I have nowhere else to go. I don't even know where I am. So, logically, I'm your responsibility now."

He walked back to the bed, sat down, and crossed his arms.

Beatrice's jaw dropped.

"What did you just say? Are you ordering me?" Her voice was filled with disbelief and outrage.

"What? A princess doesn't know how to take responsibility?" Hajee leaned back. "If people find out that you kidnapped a helpless young man, what will they think?"

Beatrice clenched her fists.

"Listen, you—our empire is under attack. I don't have time to play games with you. So—"

Hajee cut her off.

"I can help you with your problem."

Beatrice hesitated.

Was this man from a royal family? A high-ranking noble from another kingdom?

She narrowed her eyes. "How, exactly, do you plan to help me?"

Hajee smirked.

"I have skills."

Yes, that was the answer.

He would use his abilities—the very ones that had made him powerful in his own world. The only way to make the princess indebted to him was to secure strong alliances with other nations.

Once she owed him, he would demand repayment.

And in return, he would make her create a magic powerful enough to send him back home.