In the empire, there was a legend that those bound by fate had a red thread tied around their left wrist.
The "Gift of Fate" was created based on this very myth.
Because of this, the left wrist was considered extremely significant in the giving of the Gift of Fate.
The guardian sending the gift had to provide a number of presents equal to the circumference of the recipient’s left wrist.
“The type, size, or value doesn’t matter.”
The only rule was that the quantity matched the left wrist’s measurement.
“I never actually measured mine when I was young.”
So, throughout the carriage ride to Barsa Street, Iris pondered the circumference of her left wrist.
5.6 Ninar?
No, it probably just barely exceeded 6.
But all of that was needless worry and a waste of time.
“From here to here. All of it.”
Iris had completely forgotten one crucial fact: this woman shared the same bloodline as Cedric.
“Don’t know if it’s 5.6 or 6? Well, can’t be helped. Convert it to Nars and buy about 140 pieces then.”
With words like that, Iris was horrified as Silvia swept through every shop, clearing out items without hesitation.
When Iris protested that she didn’t need so many, Silvia logically rebutted:
“As you know, I’m an investor in the shops along Barsa Street.”
“Because of that, besides recouping investments, they gave me coupons as a token of gratitude.”
“So whether you use the coupons or not doesn’t really affect my budget.”
“Now that you mention it... but—”
“Let’s talk more after we enter that shop. That bracelet over there would look perfect on your left arm.”
Of course, even inside the shop, Silvia ignored all of Iris’s objections.
Still, it was a relief — they nearly fulfilled the 140-piece quota for the gifts.
Since Silvia mentioned the coupons, Iris carefully counted as she selected only items that could perfectly match the number needed and things she could rationally use.
“I really want this.”
“Is that so? If my dear wishes to buy it, then buy it. Everything on this shelf.”
Silvia’s declaration prompted them to calculate all the accessories displayed on the shelf.
When Silvia urged her to pick more, Iris’s eyes caught on a bracelet.
It was crafted from black crystals, cut from multiple angles and individually set. Although black at its core, it reflected light in a spectrum of colors.
“So beautiful…”
It was a masterpiece worthy of admiration.
Iris glanced over at Silvia, who was also surveying the shop. Her wrist was bare, just like she’d said earlier, that the bracelets displayed would suit her well.
It would look perfect on her.
If the bracelet had an owner, it seemed it must be Silvia.
In truth, Iris wanted to give her a gift too.
Fate wasn’t created by one person alone.
Though not a wealthy magnate like Silvia, perhaps she could be the one to tie the small thread of fate between them.
She looked at the price tag.
“Hmm…”
The price made her sigh involuntarily, but it was understandable.
Black crystals were extremely rare, and only top-tier artisans could craft something with such delicate detail.
Considering labor and material costs, the price was reasonable.
I have enough savings left.
Iris carefully calculated her money, subtracting expenses one by one.
Additional support funds for the looming great plague, activity costs from banquets and other events...
“...Hmm?”
Had she miscalculated?
She retraced her thoughts.
Even after excluding all necessary expenses, and then excluding more,
This can’t be.
There was no money left.
Iris quietly slipped into panic.
What had happened?
She wasn’t a greedy person, and until now, her savings had never fallen short.
Pulling out her ledger in haste, she slumped her shoulders as she reviewed the records.
Ah... right. I made a new sponsorship recently.
She had thought she had enough savings left at the time.
But as a duchess, mismanaging her own funds was a clear blunder.
It would surely suit the Grand Madam perfectly.
If it didn’t fit her status, she would have to give up her greed, but she couldn’t bear to let go just yet.
“My lady?”
Silvia couldn’t have missed that Iris had been standing in one spot for quite some time.
She had been happily watching Iris carefully choose items from the shop.
She must like that bracelet.
It was certainly a collector’s piece, unlikely to ever be replicated.
So why not choose it?
Could it be because of the bracelet Silvia had liked earlier?
Iris was kind-hearted, so perhaps that was why.
“This would suit you well too, my lady. It’s a fine choice.”
Just before Silvia shouted, “Everything here, all of it!”
Iris mustered the faintest courage and spoke up.
“Um… actually, no.”
Her voice was barely audible, but Silvia definitely heard her.
“I wanted to give you a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yes, to the Grand Madam.”
Though the words were too late to change the course, Iris still wished to present a gift to Silvia.
Of course, it would be far too little compared to what she had received.
Just as Iris lifted her head to say this,
“I was trying to hold back, but I can’t.”
Silvia snapped her fingers.
The branch manager of the shop, waiting nearby, hurried over and bowed politely.
“Yes, do you need anything?”
“I heard there’s a discount benefit here.”
“Ah, yes. If the numbers on the receipt contain the building number 8 repeated four times consecutively, we offer a discount—”
Shops on this street each had their own discount system based on their building number.
In short, if the receipt’s numbers matched the shop’s number, a discount coupon would be issued.
“I see.”
Silvia’s violet eyes gleamed brightly.
“Then buy that much. Fill the basket with anything except that bracelet.”
Her pointed finger indicated the black crystal bracelet in front of Iris.
The branch manager took a deep breath to calm himself and asked politely once more,
“Just one thing—the receipt numbers are random—”
“I know that. Didn’t I say I’d buy that much?”
Everyone in the store realized from her nonchalant tone that Silvia was serious.
‘She intends to keep purchasing until she hits the winning number?’
And all this was so Iris could get a discount on her purchases.
It was an extravagant display of wealth.
Now understanding the situation, the branch manager bowed again and began gathering items from the shop.
Grasping Iris’s trembling hands firmly, Silvia said,
“My dear, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get that discount.”
Her eyes shone with pride in Iris and fierce determination to secure the discount.
Iris gave up trying to think clearly.
When Ludwig was young, he often hit people.
Not much had changed even now, but these days he only did so for a reason.
Back then, it was different.
“Prince, I’m sorry.”
He hit simply because the servant was there. It annoyed and frustrated him.
So he hit repeatedly.
Later, he realized it was a habit that came out unconsciously when he desperately wanted something.
“But what was it?”
What did he want?
Unfortunately, Ludwig was not very skilled at controlling his emotions, so he never knew.
His greedy mother gripped his shoulder and whispered,
“Luti, my masterpiece.”
“You want everything.”
“When you become emperor, everyone, every beast, every object in this empire will be yours.”
“When that time comes, you will be completely satisfied.”
That was true.
He was the last person who could challenge the throne. When he killed his own mother and sat on the throne,
He no longer hit people without reason.
Until just a few days ago, that was the case.
Ludwig, seated on the golden throne, listened coldly to the palace steward.
“—These are the families that have expressed interest in participating in the selection.”
“So?”
“...Yes?”
“Do I have to say it twice? You know that’s not what I’m curious about.”
Ludwig’s low voice made the steward swallow hard.
He knew what the emperor was searching for recently, but—
“Among them... there is no young lady with light purple hair. Your Majesty—cough!”
Before the steward could finish, Ludwig grabbed his neck with one hand and squeezed.
The steward couldn’t speak, gasping for air.
But Ludwig’s expression remained unchanged.
“I told you that’s not what I want to know. This is the third time I’m saying it.”
“Cough, gasp! Th-that lady—”
“Yes. Who is she?”
“Ah—still investigating, ahk!”
Ludwig released his grip with a bored look.
As the force lifted in the air vanished, the steward collapsed to the floor.
“Stand up.”
The steward obeyed the emotionless command.
Those who didn’t were already dismissed. Several had been cut down by Ludwig.
Not the profession, but the neck.
A series of dull thuds echoed continuously.
Ludwig wiped the blood dripping from his fists without care and once again settled onto the throne.
He didn’t stop the steward who was trying to flee on his knees, wary of further trouble.
“That woman.”
His Majesty had even torn his own robe’s hem to offer her a chance for an audience, as a gesture befitting a noble of the great Felsis Empire.
“But still…”
She had yet to arrive. Still absent.
He had granted her this opportunity.
His crimson eyes, flickering with irritation, fixated on the tattered cloth the steward held—his own torn garment, neither discarded nor mended.
With rising displeasure, Ludwig strode over and roughly tossed the rag aside.
“Remove it.”
But then that woman came to mind again.
A curse slipped through his clenched teeth.
Why was he acting so emotionally?
All he felt was annoyance.
“If it were to be done, I should have just killed her.”
If he’d done it at their first meeting, he wouldn’t be plagued by this foul feeling.
“…No, leave it for today only.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Again, again.
The steward’s life was miserable, having been thrown to the floor dozens of times daily, yet the torn garment was carefully preserved once more.
There remained a matter to convey, so another steward approached trembling.
“And Your Majesty… what shall we do about Silent Summer?”
“Oh, that.”
He had planned to proceed leisurely, but too many irritants marred his patience.
He didn’t know what Cedric hoped to gain from the Selection War, but the audacity to set foot in the capital without his permission was vexing.
He didn’t know who that woman was, nor could he find her—and that too grated on his nerves.
Ludwig’s lips curled into a smirk.
“Well, it’s about time we begin.”
That was essentially a command to start.
‘If this spreads before the Selection War...’
Countless souls would perish.
Yet the steward was powerless.
To defy the stern sovereign here meant certain death.
Still, that didn’t mean the steward was unjust.
“Yes, understood. Then what of the remedy?”
Thus, he asked about the cure.
Ludwig’s cold crimson gaze fixed on the steward.
After a long moment, he scoffed.
“A remedy? Hmph, they’ll manage somehow. Should I bother myself with that?”
“…Yes, I will relay your words.”
That was his limit.
As the steward withdrew, Ludwig’s voice cut coldly after him.
“Find that woman. This time, do not fail.”
The steward nodded solemnly at the warning of no second chances and left.
Alone, with all others dismissed, Ludwig’s smile deepened.
“A remedy, huh.”
In those crimson eyes contrasting sharply with his radiant blond hair, no emotion stirred.
“There’s no way such a thing exists.”
Chapter 100