The afternoon had been quieter than usual.
Esmeralda sat by the window of one of the receiving rooms, her chin resting lightly against her hand as she stared outside. The garden stretched just beyond the glass-calm, unmoving, almost tempting.
She had half a mind to disappear there again.
Unfortunately-
"Lady Esmeralda."
She straightened slightly.
"...Right."
Aziel stood across from her, composed as ever, a stack of documents neatly arranged in his hands.
"You were saying?" she prompted.
"The distribution has progressed faster than expected," Aziel continued. "The surrounding districts have begun adopting it as well. There's been... notable interest."
Esmeralda nodded slowly.
"That's good."
Aziel adjusted one of the papers before continuing.
"The demand among commoners has increased significantly. Particularly among messengers and small merchants. It has improved travel time between areas by a considerable margin."
Esmeralda allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.
"Then it's working."
"It is."
Aziel paused briefly.
"Though maintaining supply may become an issue if the demand continues at this rate."
"We'll figure that out when we get there," she replied casually.
Aziel studied her for a moment, as if measuring her response, before giving a slight nod.
"As you wish."
A brief silence followed.
Peaceful.
Productive.
Normal.
-Until the door opened.
"Your Highness, this way-"
Belle's voice trailed in as she stepped inside, only to freeze mid-step.
Esmeralda blinked.
Aziel looked up.
Rael stood at the doorway.
There was a short pause.
Then Belle visibly stiffened.
"...Ah."
Esmeralda already knew.
"You brought him here," she said flatly.
Belle lowered her head quickly.
"My apologies, my lady. I thought-"
"It's fine," Esmeralda cut in with a quiet sigh.
Rael stepped inside, his gaze briefly landing on Aziel before shifting to Esmeralda.
"I didn't realize you had company."
His tone was even.
Unbothered.
Which, for some reason, made it more obvious that he *was*.
Belle quickly stepped forward again.
"Your Highness, I can escort you to another room while you wait-"
"No need."
The answer came smoothly.
"I'll wait here."
Belle hesitated.
"...Are you sure, your Highness?"
"Yes."
That settled it.
Esmeralda closed her eyes briefly, exhaling.
Of course he would say that.
"...Sit wherever you want," she muttered.
Rael did exactly that.
He moved to the side, taking a seat as if he had every right to be there-which, technically, he did.
Still.
The room felt... different now.
Aziel, to his credit, didn't falter.
He simply continued.
"As I was saying, the demand is increasing. Some merchants have even begun requesting bulk orders."
Rael leaned back slightly, listening.
"...For what?" he asked.
Aziel glanced at him.
"The bicycles, Your Highness."
Rael's gaze sharpened just a fraction.
"...Those things people have been using around the capital lately?"
"Yes."
There was a brief pause.
Then-
"They're yours?" Rael asked, his eyes shifting to Esmeralda.
Esmeralda didn't even look at him.
"...Something like that."
Aziel answered more directly.
"Lady Esmeralda proposed the idea to the scholars. I simply handled the implementation."
Rael was quiet for a moment.
Then-
"...I see."
It explained a lot.
The sudden spread.
The efficiency.
The way it had quietly become part of daily life without much resistance.
His gaze flickered back to her.
She didn't react.
Of course she didn't.
Aziel continued, unfazed.
"We are currently managing distribution through selected workshops. However, if expansion continues at this rate, we may need to consider-"
"The royal workshops," Rael interjected.
Aziel looked at him.
"That would increase production," Rael added. "And control."
Aziel tilted his head slightly.
"Control?"
"The distribution," Rael corrected. "If it becomes too widespread without oversight, it could create imbalance in trade."
Aziel's expression remained neutral.
"That would depend on how it is managed."
"And who manages it."
A brief pause.
Ah.
There it was.
Esmeralda pressed her fingers lightly against her temple.
"...This is draining."
Neither of them raised their voices.
Neither of them said anything outright confrontational.
But the conversation had shifted.
Subtly.
Firmly.
Annoyingly.
"We can discuss logistics later," Esmeralda cut in. "Right now, we're just making sure people can actually use them."
Aziel inclined his head.
"As you wish."
Rael didn't argue.
But he didn't look convinced either.
Esmeralda exhaled.
"...Of course."
Her gaze drifted toward the window again and paused.
A familiar figure was passing by outside.
"...Marcus."
She straightened immediately, standing.
"I'll be back."
Neither Rael nor Aziel had time to respond before she was already moving toward the door.
---
"Marcus."
He stopped, turning slightly.
"Well, look at you." he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "You look busier than ever."
"I am," she replied bluntly. "What are you doing here?"
"Just.. visiting.. for now. I've spoken with the Duke-"
"Wait! Let's continue this somewhere else. Can you wait for me at the next guest room?"
He raised a brow.
"...Am I being summoned?"
"Yes."
"...How formal."
"Just go."
Marcus let out a quiet chuckle but didn't argue, stepping in the direction she indicated.
Esmeralda watched him for a second-
Then turned back.
---
"I have to escort you both out."
The statement was immediate.
Final.
Rael blinked once.
Aziel paused.
"...Now?" Aziel asked.
"Yes."
Neither of them argued.
Which somehow made it more suspicious.
Esmeralda didn't question it.
She simply led the way.
---
The walk was short.
Quiet.
Rael and Aziel walked on opposite sides, neither acknowledging the other.
Esmeralda stopped near the entrance.
"That's it."
Clear.
Simple.
Aziel gave a small nod.
"I'll send you the updated reports."
"Do that."
Rael looked at her for a moment.
"...I'll come by again."
"Do what you want."
A pause.
Then, without another word-
Esmeralda shut the door then turned back inside.
---
Marcus was already seated when she entered, looking entirely at ease.
"You dismissed them quickly," he noted.
"They were getting annoying."
"That bad?"
"Yes."
He chuckled softly.
"Fair enough."
Esmeralda didn't sit right away.
"...You mentioned that you spoke to my father."
Marcus's expression shifted slightly.
"Mm."
"And?"
There was a brief pause.
Then-
"I'll be staying."
Esmeralda blinked.
"...Really?"
"I've decided to involve myself with the Duchy again."
For a moment, she just stared at him.
Processing.
"You're serious."
"I am."
Marcus leaned back slightly.
"I spoke with your father again not long ago. When I arrived, I thought I'd receive an earful about it again but-"
His gaze drifted, just slightly.
"He just cried."
Esmeralda's eyes softened.
"...Oh."
"I didn't quite know what to do at first," Marcus admitted. "It wasn't what I expected for him to react."
A small pause.
"But he kept apologizing. Saying it's his fault for everything that has happened."
"For letting me go.."
"For not stopping me"..
"For everything."
"All this time, I thought he had resented me for coming into his world.." Marcus furrowed his brows, "but then again, I never got to talk at all. I should be the one feeling guilt. I assumed it was his doing that drove me to leave the family when, in fact, I just needed someone else to blame for my incompetence."
A pause.
Marcus let out a quiet breath.
"I think... it's about time I return. "
Silence filled the room.
Then-
Esmeralda smiled.
Bright.
Unrestrained.
"...That's good."
No-
That was more than good.
One of the biggest problems in the original story-
Gone.
Marcus wouldn't turn against them.
Wouldn't become the reason the duchy fell.
Because now-
He was part of it again.
Marcus glanced at her, amused.
"You look pleased."
"I am."
She didn't even try to hide it.
"...You have no idea how much trouble you just saved us from."
"Us?"
"...The duchy."
He hummed.
"I'll take your word for it."
"If you say so, U-N-C-L-E."
"Hey, I'm only a few years older than you," Marcus let out a short laugh, "you better not run around calling me uncle."
"Alright, Marcus." Esmeralda smiled.
"Marc will do."
Esmeralda let out a small breath, her smile lingering.
For once-
Something had gone right.