Chapter 157

Thanks to the incredible success of my original and limited-edition marketing, my stationery stores were profiting every single day. Countless invitations flew to my mansion, but the one that truly caught my eye was from Prince Cassian.

The butler, looking flustered, entered my office and handed me a card with the indigo seal of the imperial palace. "This is a special invitation from His Highness Prince Cassian to you, Meldenik."

"Prince Cassian?" I asked, a little surprised.

"Yes. He said he knows you're busy, but he'd appreciate it if you could meet with him for a little while."

I replied without hesitation. "I'll set a date for a meeting right away."

As he handed me a knife to break the invitation's seal, the butler spoke in a worried tone. "Aren't you too busy with work? Perhaps you should take a break..."

It was unusual for him to say such a thing. While it was true I hadn't had a proper rest and was feeling a bit tired, this was different.

"Some things have to take priority," I said.

Cassian was one of my priorities. Our relationship was a bit ambiguous; we weren't what you'd call "very close," but meeting with him was always comfortable and enjoyable, and he was helpful to me.

"Cassian and I have something to discuss about opening an additional stationery store franchise in the Empire," I explained. I gave a quick reply to the butler, who still looked concerned. "Don't worry. Isaac helps me recover every day."

Isn't my boyfriend the best?

A sense of pride swelled in me. I picked up a quill to write my reply, then my hand froze. Oh no, I made a mistake. The butler is a confirmed bachelor in his fifties...

Sure enough, the butler's expression was a little pained.

"Please don't look at me that way. I'm fine," he insisted.

Oh no, he definitely does not look fine.

I coughed and lowered my head. I feel like a terrible person, but it was an honest mistake.

"By the way," he said, and I braced myself for a look of resentment.

However, his next words were unexpected. "I know this is rude, but why does His Highness Prince Cassian go out of his way for you, Meldenik?" He furrowed his brows as if he had been thinking about it for a long time.

His words hit me like a splash of cold water. The butler, however, continued to speak, like a runaway cart with a broken steering wheel.

"There are rumors among the socialites that the Prince has feelings for the Marquis of Kinnoa."

"Really?"

"Most people dismiss it as nonsense, but..."

This was a problem I had never considered. But when I thought about it, Cassian's special treatment of me could certainly be seen as strange. I had always vaguely felt it, but I just never dwelled on it.

"That's a good point. It does look strange." I rested my chin on my hand, thinking silently. The butler quickly changed his tone.

"Forgive my presumption."

"..."

"I'll try to organize a new schedule for you."

"Yes, that's all for now. You can leave."

Even after the butler left, I continued to work. But his words lingered in my mind like a phantom limb, his question about Cassian's feelings for me replaying over and over.

The meeting with Cassian was easy. He had adapted his schedule to mine, and we met alone in a small hall in the imperial palace. No one else was there—not Axion, not the empress, not the emperor. Just the two of us.

'This kind of meeting does feel a little awkward,' I thought to myself.

I relaxed by eating some simple snacks and drinking the herbal tea that Cassian said he'd prepared himself. Cassian also seemed to want a relaxed atmosphere between us.

"How have you been?" he asked.

I looked at him directly, a worried expression on his face.

"I'm doing very well. And you, Your Highness?"

"I'm at peace, too."

"I've had a lot of good things happen recently!" I said with a smile.

"Oh, yes, I heard about it from Zion... Congratulations on all your good fortune."

As I tried to remember what Zion had told him, a flash of realization came to me. Is he talking about Isaac and me dating? It seemed a little strange to be congratulating me on my love life.

Come to think of it, isn't it time for the Prince to get married, too?

Most of the noblewomen were particularly interested in the future of the prince, who didn't even have a fiancée, let alone a wife. An unmarried member of the imperial family was prime gossip material. I'd even heard rumors that the next Crown Princess would likely be a noble lady named Meli.

"If you're referring to Isaac, then yes, that's good news," I said.

"..."

"I've also heard that Your Highness is having marriage discussions." I took a quick glance at Cassian's face. He had an unusually stern expression.

"Not in the cards for the time being," he said in a voice that was uncharacteristically stiff.

Realizing I had brought up the wrong topic, I wisely changed the subject. "Yes, well, I hope you find a good partner." I even tried to sound loyal, but for some reason, he looked lonely.

Cassian muttered softly, as if searching for the right words. "There was something I wanted to ask you, Meldenik."

"Yes?"

"Are you happy with Isaac?"

"..."

"I've been curious... whether you and Isaac are happy."

It was a sudden and strange question, but the answer was easy.

"Yes," I replied firmly.

Cassian murmured quietly at my quick response. "That's all the answer I need."

Why on earth is he saying that? Could it be...? I shook my head, but stopped.

Is it possible that Cassian likes me? In the original story, he had feelings for Sheria, but not anymore. And instead of being Sheria's helper, he had chosen to be on my side. I'd always thought his feelings were just friendship—that he was helping me because we were friends. But now I wasn't so sure. It felt like his affections had turned toward me.

I bit my lip and stared at him. Cassian met my gaze with an awkward smile. His ears were burning red. He was acting as though my suspicions were correct.

Does he really like me? I closed my eyes, then opened them again. Even if he did, it couldn't be helped. I had already decided to be happy with Isaac. Cassian would simply have to wish us well.

I spoke, as if to drive a nail into the matter. "I'm very happy. And I think I'd be even happier if I could remain good friends with His Highness the Crown Prince." I've learned that when a relationship is ambiguous, it's better to make your intentions clear.

Cassian, however, remained silent. An affirmative response did not come easily to his lips. After a long pause, he raised his teacup to his mouth and said in a low voice, "Yes. I suppose we can."

Hearing that, I nodded quietly. "Now, let's get down to business." I hadn't come here just for a casual conversation. It was time for our official discussion. "I plan to create more stationery stores, with the cooperation of the imperial palace."

Cassian replied with a composed expression. "Cooperation... What are your plans?"

"I'd like to be involved in the urban development planning project currently underway at the Imperial Palace..."

"Are you talking about the new city development project?"

The Imperial Palace was planning to develop the new town of Solet, an undeveloped territory of the capital that was one of Prince Cassian's estates. Many top executives were already contacting him, hoping to secure a good location in the new city.

"Yes. I would like the imperial palace to give priority to the land of our Marquis of Kinnoa."

Cassian's eyes narrowed. I quickly explained, "We plan to establish our stationery store chain in that new city. It's time to expand our business beyond just the academy."

"That's good news for the Marquis of Kinnoa," Cassian said calmly. "So, what are the benefits for the imperial palace?"

"As a condition, a portion of the net profits from our stationery stores in Solet New Town will be reinvested into the community."

Most of the top-ranking officials probably hadn't thought of this. I'd heard some of them had even tried to bribe the upright Cassian.

He leaned in, looking serious. "You mean that you'll contribute to the flow of funds in the new city?" The prince understood that new businesses needed to support the local economy.

"Yes, exactly. I think it will be a great benefit for you, Your Highness, and for the new town of Solet."

"Let's talk more."

As we spoke, time flew by. I was so engrossed in the conversation that I didn't even notice the sun setting outside the window.

Oh no, I've just realized something important.

I told our cute little ones that I would be waiting for them at the Mage Tower today!