NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10
Cornelia took a step back and said,
“Why does your proposal sound like a confession…?”
“Because it’s a confession.”
“Well, you’re definitely a weirdo, that’s for sure.”
“I’ll always pay you the highest price.”
Highest price!
“Just because you’re strange doesn’t mean you’re a bad business partner.”
Cornelia quickly changed her attitude.
‘Anyway, dealing with Ethan is convenient. I won’t have to go around selling things, and I can make a lot of money.’
She rationalized her choice.
“You’ve made a wise decision,”
Ethan whispered, as if sharing a secret just for her.
“If you keep trading with me, I might even arrange a deal with someone as high as His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Huh?!” Cornelia gasped.
The insane Emperor from the original story… Hayden Snow?!
Flustered, she blurted out without thinking,
“I… I’ll stay far away from His Majesty!”
Ethan’s expression shifted. Though he feigned surprise, his eyes turned cold as a blade. Cornelia flinched as he asked,
“Why? Because of the rumors? Do you believe all the bad things people say about His Majesty?”
Cornelia realized her mistake.
Even if he’s just a merchant, badmouthing the Emperor in front of him is dangerous. Who knows where this conversation could lead?
‘Besides, he just admitted he has connections to the Emperor!’
She bit her lip and shook her head.
“N-no! I know His Majesty isn’t the good-for-nothing people say he is.”
He’s even crazier than the rumors.
In the original story, this madman fell for Cornelia after a single impulsive encounter.
Shouldn’t a normal person confess properly and start a relationship? But what did this lunatic do instead?
She couldn’t even bring herself to say it.
And then he went ahead with all sorts of… inappropriate acts.
“If someone like me with a terrible reputation met His Majesty, it would only tarnish his name,” Cornelia said with exaggerated concern.
“So I’ll never, ever cross paths with His Majesty, not even in the shadows!”
Then, Ethan let out a soft chuckle.
“I had no idea you were such a loyal subject.”
Looking oddly pleased, he pulled out a check from his coat.
“What are we trading today? I’ll pay you ten times the usual price.”
✿
Ethan stared into the darkness where Cornelia had disappeared. Then, someone emerged from behind him.
“Did you instruct Fallon?” Ethan asked.
“Yes, I told him to quietly protect Lady Cornelia until she returns home.”
The man was Ethan’s subordinate.
Hesitating, the subordinate spoke up.
“Your Majesty—”
Ethan… no, Hayden Snow’s gaze turned icy.
“Outside, you call me ‘Lord Ethan.’”
“My apologies, I misspoke.”
“What did you want to say?”
“Why meet her yourself? She’s just some low-quality noblewoman.”
“I’m not exactly high-quality either,” Hayden muttered self-deprecatingly. Even in the dark, his handsome features gleamed under the moonlight.
“That’s all slander!”
“From what I saw, she seemed slandered too.”
“Huh?”
“Enough. Don’t bring it up again. I’ll handle Cornelia Iris myself.”
Hayden smirked and turned away.
It was time to return to the palace. Any later, and the Empress Dowager might catch him sneaking out.
Despite his impatience, his steps were light.
“I know His Majesty isn’t the good-for-nothing people say he is.”
‘What do you know about me?’
Yet, Hayden’s smile didn’t fade.
Cornelia Iris was more interesting the more he learned about her.
He’d assumed she was just another lovestruck fool, but she had a sharp eye for business.
And despite her own precarious position, she was worried about him, the so-called “mad Emperor.”
‘Has anyone besides my loyal subordinates ever done that?’
No. Cornelia Iris was the first.
Another of her words echoed in his mind:
“So I’ll never, ever cross paths with His Majesty, not even in the shadows!”
Such absolute conviction. It only made Hayden more determined.
“If she doesn’t want to meet me, then I’ll make sure we do.”
✿
A Few Weeks Later
“You bought something this valuable for just 5 loran?!”
Ethan… no, Hayden—held up a small stone tablet.
“Yes, no one else bid on it. But look.”
Cornelia pressed the engraved letters in a specific order. Transparent lines appeared above the tablet, forming a holographic image of its full ancient inscription.
“How did you—?!”
“I’ve been interested in ancient relics since I was young. So I bought anything that caught my eye.”
She added, “Of course, I ended up with some worthless junk too.”
That was intentional. If she only bought valuable relics, suspicions would arise.
“Excellent. Let’s trade this too.”
Hayden handed her another exorbitantly priced check. Cornelia struggled to keep her jaw from dropping.
“Then, let’s meet again next time.”
“No.”
Cornelia’s firm reply made Hayden raise an eyebrow.
“I’m done with auctions.”
“Why the sudden change?”
“I’ve lost interest. So this is our last deal.”
“Lost interest, huh…”
“And don’t you dare barge into the Iris estate demanding more trades!”
Hayden chuckled.
“I have manners. I wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“Good.”
Suddenly, Hayden stared at her intently.
Cornelia stiffened.
“W-why are you looking at me like that?”
“So this is the end of Ethan and Cornelia’s meetings.”
“Well, yes. I won’t change my mind.”
“Understood. Then, farewell.”
His easy acceptance surprised her. She expected him to cling.
“Y-yes! You too! Goodbye!”
Cornelia hurried into the shadows, eager to disappear before he reconsidered.
Strangely, the darkness felt safe. She’d never encountered thugs or drunks on these night walks. But her auction days were over.
‘I’ve earned enough.’
It was time for the next step.
‘With this money, I can buy that land and start farming.’
She could even build her own estate in the countryside.
‘Once I secure that land, I’ll have a lifelong source of income.’
Which meant no more dealings with Ethan.
‘It’s a shame I won’t see that handsome face anymore.’
‘But some ties must be cut cleanly.’
In her heart, she bid him farewell one last time. Unaware she’d see him again sooner than she thought.
✿
Elsewhere
“Ugh…”
A pained groan echoed… followed by ragged, labored breathing.
Vincent Black, the Duke, realized the sounds were his own.
Memories surfaced of his last fit before losing consciousness:
‘I drew my sword, ready to slash everything in sight before collapsing.’
If he hadn’t, his boiling blood would’ve killed him.
‘Another episode of madness.’
A sigh of self-loathing escaped him.
“Is he going to die like this?”
A servant’s voice reached his ears.
Thankfully, they hadn’t heard his sigh. Vincent pretended to still be unconscious, eavesdropping.
“You’re new, so you don’t know. He always wakes up like nothing happened.”
“Really? After all that?”
“But the madness always returns. He’s barely human.”
“A beast. It’d be better for everyone if he just— Agh!”
The gossiping servant froze. Vincent had silently risen, his sword at the man’s throat.