Chapter 26

‘Well, she’s going to be his wife, so of course he has to take her side.’

As he watched Massera speak affectionately to Cynthia, Captain Declan grumbled inwardly.

After all, openly insulting his future wife would be like spitting on his own face.

To soldiers, a wife was someone who acted as an ally in public and reigned as the highest superior at home. This was a phenomenon that came to be because most officers married above their station.

The captain glanced at the other officers to gauge their reactions.

One officer quietly tasted the ratatou, then looked at Cynthia with a serious expression.

He was a major general, a rank higher than brigadier general, and Massera’s superior.

“It tastes different from ordinary ratatou.”

Major General Ewan Izak was a man known for being strict, stern, and sharp-tongued.

Those who invited him to dinner banquets hoping to climb the ladder of success served all sorts of delicacies, but he had never once given a favorable review.

‘To a commander who couldn’t care less about sentiment, the meaning behind a dish is useless. He’ll definitely criticize it for being unfit for a dinner banquet.’

Captain Declan set down his fork, expecting the harsh critique that was sure to follow.

The general spoke with his characteristic sharp expression.

“It tastes like what my father made for me when I was young. He was from Francia.”

General Izak closed his eyes, still holding his fork. As if savoring the taste, he let out a long sigh and then opened his eyes again.

“It’s been a while since I thought of the old days. Did you make this yourself, Your Highness? I’d be grateful if you could share the recipe.”

It was an incredible compliment from someone who had always been critical.

The servant who had been standing nearby frowned slightly as they looked at Cynthia.

They had expected her to claim she made the dish herself, but Cynthia firmly shook her head.

“The chef of the residence made it. As expected of someone from Francia, his skills are excellent. I’ll get the recipe for you later.”

Everyone knew the chef prepared the dinner, but most ladies of the house would act as if they had overseen everything.

Hearing this unexpected answer, the general wiped his mouth with a napkin and said—

“No, that won't be necessary. Being able to eat food prepared by a chef from Francia is already nice in itself. Would you mind inviting me to a meal from time to time?”

“Of course. You could even live here if you like. I’ll take you on a world tour with the cooking.”

At Cynthia’s unexpected reply, the lips of the general—who seemed incapable of smiling—curved slightly.

Captain Declan felt a sense of danger.

‘Did she even investigate that the general’s father was from Francia? She’s no ordinary person. My mistake was underestimating her because of that innocent face.’

In truth, it was just a coincidence. It was as if the heavens were strangely always on Cynthia’s side.

Meanwhile, Massera, who had been delighted at finding a way to trouble Cynthia, was staring grimly at his plate.

“Oh, only the brigadier general has different plating. It’s shaped like a heart.”

Massera firmly shook his head.

“It just happened by coincidence as I was eating.”

“What do you mean?”

Massera’s gaze, bypassing the flustered officer, landed on Cynthia.

“Oh, look at how shy you are. I specially made your dish in a heart shape!”

Meeting his gaze, Cynthia gave him a bright smile and made a finger heart toward him and Massera quickly turned his head away.

‘Was this her plan from the start?’

She was not sunlight but rather a powerful ultraviolet ray.

Feeling thoroughly defeated, Massera gulped down some water.

“Ahaha, it already feels like you two are newlyweds. How nice to see.”

“To marry someone so bright and lovely, I’m envious. It looks like you’ll be smiling every day.”

The officers, thinking their relationship was good, began to offer words of blessing.

They simply thought Massera turned his head because he was embarrassed.

‘Just as planned.’

Seeing Massera’s pained expression, Cynthia gave a dark, satisfied smile.

In any case, she’d shown they had a good relationship, gained favor from Massera’s superior, and the food was delicious—it was a successful dinner.

On top of that, she had gotten revenge on Massera, who kept deliberately calling her “Your Highness.”

‘Like the rat that was finally recognized as a chef, there will come a day when their hatred and prejudices disappear.’

She had once been scorned and called an “unlucky white rat” because of her appearance.

But now, wasn’t it being used as evidence that she was a descendant of the “Great Frost Queen”?

Cynthia smiled as she watched the soft snow fall outside the window.

***

After the meal ended, only the officers involved in the business remained at the table.

The officers, satisfied with the meal, were in a very good mood.

This was precisely why meals were arranged when important matters were to be discussed.

Brigadier General Steve looked at Cynthia and asked her—

“We’re about to start discussing business—are you sure you’re all right with that? It might be boring for a lady unfamiliar with these matters.”

His tone was subtly dismissive and implied that she didn’t belong at such a meeting, so she should excuse herself.

“I’m fine. Shouldn’t I at least know what’s going on?”

At Cynthia’s words, Captain Declan visibly showed his discomfort.

“She’s not even the lady of the house yet, so should she really be hearing matters that should remain confidential? It worries me as an investor.”

Since they weren’t married yet, it wasn’t an unreasonable point.

“Haha, that’s true. Even if you’ve set a wedding date, you never really know until you enter the wedding hall.”

Brigadier General Steve made a joke that, on reflection, could leave a lasting bad taste.

‘It’d be ridiculous to say something like, ‘We’re going to get married even if it kills us,’ in this situation. So, for Massera’s sake, I should retreat for now.’

Just as Cynthia was about to leave, Massera spoke up.

“Unless one of us disappears, we’ll be getting married. So there’s no need to worry.”

Did he have to put it so harshly?

Cynthia widened her eyes. In truth, it wasn’t so different from her own thought of saying, ‘We’re going to get married even if it kills us.’

“To be blunt, isn’t she someone with no authority?”

At Captain Declan’s sharp words, Massera slowly shook his head.

“You’re mistaken. ‘Her Highness’ has authority in this business as well.”

‘Thanks for taking my side, but please stop calling me that.’

At the odd way he emphasized the title, Cynthia slightly hunched her shoulders and shot him a sharp glare.

Paying no attention to her, Massera continued speaking.

“So, I intend to start with the mountain range exploration according to Her Highness’s suggestion.”

In a displeased tone, Brigadier General Steve asked—

“What do you mean by that? If Her Highness meddles without proper qualification like this, I’ll withdraw my investment. Unless, of course, she shows some proof of trustworthiness.”

His greedy gaze clearly showed he was expecting some material display of goodwill.

At his words, the officers aligned with Brigadier General Steve exchanged glances and also threatened to withdraw their investments.

However, Massera didn’t even bat an eye.

“She is more than qualified. The Nox region was recently registered under both ‘Princess’ Cynthia’s name and mine. Without her permission, we can’t even begin.”

At the revelation that Cynthia held the reins of the business, all eyes turned toward her.

It seemed that due to recent troubles, Count Queensguard had transferred the rights to her before the wedding.

‘But Massera registered Nox jointly with me? Why?’

Cynthia blinked in surprise.

She felt as if she were being tested.

A test of her luck, and perhaps a doubt as to whether she was truly on his side.

It seemed he would show trust first to see if she’d do the same.

“I accept all declarations of intent to withdraw investment thus far.”

Massera’s lowered voice rang out.

“What does it matter whether it belongs to Her Highness or not? I will not withdraw. It holds unprecedented potential.”

These were the words of Major General Izak, the highest-ranking officer present.

The officers who had opposed it but never truly intended to leave the project looked quite flustered.