The Grand Duke’s Fox Princess

Episode 61: A Ghostly Reunion (I)

*******

The soul of the princess harbored a grudge and wandered as a ghost.

The ripple effect of that rumor could never be small.

Especially those who were involved with the princess. Many of them were trembling in fear.

The things that had been done because of the princess’s death were starting to come out, one by one.

Some of them even went to Heinricion to complain.

From asking if he had heard anything from the princess to protesting with the excuse that it was unfair.

He was the most powerful wizard after the princess, so they wanted him to help out somehow.

Just having to deal with them made Heinricion return tired after half a day.

“Did you expect this?”

Heinricion asked inwardly.

“Well, it wasn’t that specific.”

Still, it would probably flow in this direction. Eristella was expecting that.

There were some things she had grasped while encountering various situations, including several banquets.

There weren’t just a few people who didn’t look good in her eyes.

When rumors of Eristella’s ghost spread, some people would be terrified.

And among them, there must be those who wished Princess Eristella would never return.

Therefore, the emperor’s symptoms were likely related to the time of her disappearance.

Eristella opened her mouth, muttering as she recalled the state of the emperor.

“His Majesty’s condition is rapidly deteriorating. If it was to this extent, I wouldn’t have noticed it before.”

Until six months ago, when Eristella was alive and well, there was no strange signs from the emperor.

It was only after they were convinced of Eristella’s death that they began to influence the emperor in earnest.

Since… they didn’t need to watch out for Eristella anymore.

“So, they must have been concerned about my existence.”

However, the thing that worried her was that there was no reaction from the Imperial Palace regarding the ghost commotion.

As if they didn’t even care about rumors that the princess’s ghost was floating around.

Regardless, for the first time, she had no choice but to catch the tail from those who showed a reaction.

She should never cut off the tail, but instead climb the torso to bite the head.

It was when Eristella was engrossed in her thoughts.

“…….”

When she turned her head towards the gaze she sensed, she found Heinricion staring at her.

“Why?”

“Sometimes, when I look at you… You seem very logical.”

The corners of Eristella’s lips rose proudly.

“Just so you know, I have everything in mind.”

“…I think you just got lucky.”

Heinricion shook his head. When he looked at Eristella’s twitching lips, he was convinced that she would continue to ignore the risks.

“Nope. This is all perfectly designed by me from start to finish…”

“Really?”

“Really. So from now on, you have to be with me.”

Anyway, Eristella was determined to actively take advantage of this situation.

“If a person who feels guilty sees me properly… Wouldn’t they react right away?”

A devious expression bloomed on Eristella’s face, and villainous laughter flowed out.

“It will definitely give people anxiety.”

Eristella was speaking cheerfully, but in fact, there was a fatal problem with her plan.

‘Don’t tell me you don’t know that.’

With a hardened face, Heinricion’s lips parted, bringing it up.

“If that happens, your reputation will become strange again. Doesn’t that matter?”

If her already bad image was accompanied by rumors of a scary ghost, her reputation would again go down.

Eristella rolled her eyes and tilted her head.

“Why?”

A face that didn’t know what the problem was.

The ‘why’ was such a pure question, as if she had nothing to do with it.

Having considered the many criticisms as natural, she never had to worry about her reputation getting worse.

“It’s more important to get what we can from it.”

Eristella’s attention was focused solely on the outcome.

*******

There was a basis for Eristella’s confidence.

Since the last donation event, Charlotte had been drawing closer to the auctions of the goods of the princess.

And finally, she came with excitement.

“I was introduced. It seems there will be an auction soon. I decided I’ll attend it.”

“That’s great.”

It was the news she had been waiting for.

Eristella spoke when she felt Heinricion’s gaze, which asked as to when she had prepared this.

“After going to a few banquets, something strange caught my eye. You’re not interested in this, so I asked Charlotte instead.”

The corners of Eristella’s lips were proudly lifted.

“By the way, it seems that Lady Greta is distributing your stuff.”

“I knew it.”

“Since when have you been expecting it?”

As for Greta Latern, Eristella once shared her suspicions to Charlotte.

Every time Eristella was right, Charlotte couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Just a guess. It’s because she’s changed the most since I disappeared, almost like she’s finally able to spread her wings and fly.”

“Then, Lady Greta…”

Charlotte was asking about the possibility that Greta was involved in black magic.

“Well. I don’t know about that. Maybe she just happened to take good care of her own interests in this situation.”

Or maybe someone was taking advantage of her.

“Is the auction going as planned?”

“Yes. I was worried that the organizers would be intimidated by the rumors, but rather, it’s exactly the opposite, as you said.”

Charlotte spoke with admiration, as if amazed.

“Also… after the rumors of the princess spread, it seems that interest has exploded even more.”

It was just as Eristella had predicted. Which was why she had told Charlotte to show her interest more explicitly.

“Right! Word has it that this round’s auction will hit an all-time high bid!”

‘If so, shall I show off my appearance again at the auction house?’

With an expectant face, Eristella’s lips curved upwards wickedly.

Heinricion was slowly looking away when Eristella grabbed his shoulder.

—Hey, where are you going?

He could almost hear her saying that, it pretty much resounded in his ears.

Hiding his embarrassment and turning towards Charlotte as if running away from Eristella, he changed the subject.

“Don’t worry about money. I will support you.”

“Oh. Did you think I offered to help because I was hoping for this kind of support?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes and pretended to slap him with her hand.

“I will do this with my own money. I have a lot of talent.”

Raising the tip of her chin, Charlotte showed her well-founded confidence. She really did make a lot of money with her singing ability. Enough to not feel like it was a waste to use it in this way.

“But if you need any help, please let me know.”

“Does that include my personal request?”

Every time Heinricion did something like this, he realized that, yes, Charlotte and Eristella shared the same blood.

He simply smiled and said,

“Sure. Any request is valid as long as the lady is the fox’s friend.”

“I can’t believe Grand Duke Adelasia made such an offer. It’s already reassuring. I’m not going to decline.”

Charlotte snapped up the favor. Of course, both Eristella and Heinricion knew that she would.

“Then once I know the auction location and the exact time, I’ll come to let you know. I have to go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow.”

“You had a hard time, coming here so late.”

“That’s right. I sleep well at night so that I don’t get wrinkles and my voice comes out well the next day. That’s who I am.”

Charlotte glanced at Eristella for no reason, giving her a condescending look.

“I’ll send you some good food for your throat.”

Eristella said with a light smile.

“Of course. Only to the very highest quality should be sent.”

With great satisfaction and a bright smile, Charlotte went back, waving her hand gently.

Once they were alone, Eristella’s gaze turned to Heinricion.

She had a very sinister face…

“Now, let’s have a deep conversation about our future plans.”

“…Do I have to?”

Heinricion tried to escape, but it was a fruitless struggle.

“Yes. Absolutely. You have to.”

It wasn’t just other people who fell for Eristella’s scheme. Heinricion was completely caught up in Eristella’s rhythm.

“Rejection is not an option. Please take good care of me?”

“…….”

In the end, regardless of his will, Heinricion joined in Eristella’s absurd plan.

*******

‘They’re not going to kill the emperor right away, since they managed to brainwash him using such painstaking efforts.’

‘Instead, they will make him dead but alive. They will use him like that, dry him out completely before killing him.’

Additionally, on the night of the donation event, Eristella’s rising anger blinded her from a thought that came to mind late.

This war was caused by manipulating a brainwashed emperor.

The emperor’s forced battle at the border.

It was the will of the black wizards, not the will of the emperor.

It was not yet known how the battle at the border would benefit them.

However, it was clear that the black wizards would be by the emperor’s side.

‘I must doubt everyone I’ve ever trusted. Among them, there’s surely someone harming the emperor.’