Chapter 32.1

The scales tipped further toward Arina disguising herself to work at Arad’s trading company.

“Oh, right! I’ve already told Sir Arad about it. I said I’d be sending him a new employee soon.”

“What?!”

Isabelle seized the moment to deliver the final blow.

“Don’t worry too much. I told him it would be someone who knows how to read, write, and do basic arithmetic, with a low-level magical ability at about 2-circle.”

“I also have 2-circle magic. Even if I disguise myself, someone will grow suspicious. There’s no way I can fully hide my mannerisms or speech.”

“My lady? I may look like this, but I am an Archwitch. Of course, I’ve thought of everything.”

With that, Isabelle produced a necklace.

“This isn’t just for changing your appearance. It also has mental magic enchantments.”

“Mental magic…?”

“If Sir Arad or anyone else begins to suspect your true identity, this necklace will activate a mental interference spell.”

She continued with a sly smile.

“No one below 6-circle will be able to see through it.”

“But Arad is an Ancient One. He might be a 6-circle mage or higher.”

“He isn’t. I’m certain Arad’s actual magical skill is not that advanced.”

“…!?”

The room held only the Grand Duchess and the Spring Archwitch, but their conversation remained in hushed tones as if wary of eavesdroppers.

“Anyway, officially, as a disguised employee, you’ll be assisting with clerical work at the trading company.”

While part of Isabelle’s plan was to monitor Arad and uncover his true identity and motives, she refrained from mentioning this outright. She knew Arina would handle it without needing to be told.

“And you’ll also assist Arad as he creates magitech tools.”

“Making magitech tools? Me?”

“You’ve read magic theory books for leisure, haven’t you? It won’t be too difficult for you.”

“I only read those to prepare for combat against mages!”

Arina protested against the witch’s reasoning.

“And all of that is just surface-level work. The real purpose is something else entirely.”

But Isabelle, now thoroughly immersed in her plans, ignored Arina’s protests and pressed on.

“The real purpose…?”

Half-resigned, Arina decided to listen for now.

“To win him over, of course! Sir Arad won’t confess to you again after being rejected once. It’s too daunting, especially since you’re not just any lady, but the Grand Duchess.”

“!!”

“That’s why you need to maintain contact with him under a different identity. Over time, he’ll open up again. And you’ll also be able to keep other women at bay.”

“Keep them at bay…!”

“When the moment is right, you’ll reveal your true identity. Show him: Look! Even without my title as Grand Duchess, I’m a woman worthy of your affection!”

“Ughhh…”

Arina swayed, her expression one of utter turmoil.

Having always built walls of steel around herself, she had no experience with romance, making this conversation incredibly overwhelming.

Isabelle ignored her flustered liege and continued.

“Besides, Arad’s trading company headquarters is here in the High Tower. It won’t disrupt your official duties or training much.”

“Arad is a merchant. He’ll frequently leave for trade expeditions. And I haven’t fully regained my strength yet.”

Arina made a final attempt at a counterargument.

“Don’t worry, my lady. You can accompany him on some of his expeditions. Just not all of them!”

“What…?”

“You’re going to conduct secret inspections anyway, aren’t you? This way, it’s far safer. As an official trading company, he’ll have senior knights and Frost Knights as escorts.”

“…”

Isabelle knew Arina all too well, and with this argument, she effortlessly dismantled every objection.

“For the record, only Haita, Sir Balzac, and I will know about your work at the trading company.”

As Arina hesitated one last time, Isabelle observed her closely and delivered her final blow.

“But if you truly dislike the idea, I can send one of the young witches from the Assembly instead. Though… if a man and woman work closely together every day, it’s only natural for feelings to develop, isn’t it?”

That sealed the deal.

“…!”

A moment of silence followed before Arina finally opened her mouth.

“…The transformation spell. It’s safe and undetectable, right?”

“Of course! I’ve even accounted for the bag you always carry.”

In the end, Arina had no choice but to accept.

“Then, I’ll take that as a yes! Oh, by the way, what alias will you use?”

“Mary. I’ll go by Mary.”

“That’s the nickname of the late Grand Duchess, isn’t it?”

“…Yes.”

Though her expression and tone were carefully managed, Arina’s inner thoughts were already blooming with anticipation and excitement

***

The Next Morning

At the Arad Trading Company headquarters, located in the middle-class district of the High Tower…

Knock, knock, knock, knock.

A soft yet persistent knocking sounded at the front door early in the morning.

‘Who could it be at this hour?’

I set down what I was working on and headed for the front door.

“Yes, who is it…?”

As the door creaked open, I found myself face-to-face with a woman I’d never seen before.

She had striking white hair and deep gray eyes that immediately caught my attention.

She was quite beautiful, and her attire was simple—a plain tunic common among women in the North.

At her waist, she carried a derivative of the bag I had made, its design subtly enhanced with leather accents.

‘White hair and gray eyes? Hmm…?’

For some reason, her hair and eyes nagged at my memory.

“…?”

“…!”

An awkward silence lingered between us for a moment.

“Um… Th-The Archwitch told me to come… as a new employee…”

Finally, the woman spoke, her husky voice trembling slightly.

“Ahh…!”

In that instant, I realized who she was.