Chapter 2209 – 2209. Dark Moon
Yujin used a moment of time as he took out the gift he had prepared.
[Using a Moment. Remaining stacks: 11]
He needed time to think.
Today’s banquet was attended at the invitation of Princess Elsa. When he received the invitation, he was more excited than worried. Princess Elsa, the first in line to the throne and the crown princess, was an undeniable key figure of power in Neo London.
‘I never thought I’d meet Yuria here, though.’
The Maid Academy was stricter than the military. Students within the academy couldn’t freely make phone calls. At best, they could exchange letters regularly, but the intervals were quite long. There were limits to checking on each other’s well-being through letters.
‘Is this the field training she mentioned last time? To think she’d be doing her field training under Princess Elsa. Is the royal family paying attention to Yuria after all?’
Yujin suppressed his urge to greet Yuria, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. Now wasn’t the time.
‘Princess Elsa mentioned the title of Count. My title upgrade is a given, but for her to reveal a fact that the royal family hasn’t announced yet…’
It couldn’t be without political meaning. But the other party was Princess Elsa. Someone whose every action was bound to be politically relevant.
Was it discussed with the royal family? Or was it a personal decision to announce the news of the title upgrade?
‘…I don’t know. She’s practically a representative of the royal family, so she wouldn’t be hostile to them. Is it just a gesture of goodwill?’
In fact, the title upgrade itself was something everyone had expected. Superconductors had that much impact.
Princess Elsa in front of him was smiling softly. He had no idea what she was thinking. He decided to move on for now.
The moment was released. Yujin presented a luxurious and ornate metal box he had taken out of his pocket. He slowly opened the box. Then, with a cheerful melody, a metal ballerina doll inside the box floated into the air and began to dance.
The onlookers were slightly disappointed.
“A levitating music box? A bit disappointing. Such toys are just expensive, aren’t they?”
“…That one is probably more expensive. Don’t you know yet? There’s no magic involved at all. It’s a self-levitating music box made purely with scientific technology.”
“Self-levitation with technology alone, without magic? …Is it a superconductor? I heard that a kilogram of superconductor costs over 10 million credits…”
“The important thing isn’t just the monetary value. The companies that supply them are busy researching superconductors. They don’t have the luxury of making toys like music boxes with superconductors. In other words, this is the first superconductor music box ever made. Except for the ancient nations, that is. It has plenty of historical value.”
Yujin smiled inwardly as he heard the murmuring conversations around him. As expected of nobles, they recognized the value.
The music box finished. Princess Elsa, with a slightly surprised expression, carefully accepted his gift.
“Thank you so much, Baron Meyer. I’ll probably never forget today’s gift. Did you make this music box yourself, Baron?”
“No, I’m a magician, not an engineer, so I’m ignorant of technology. The company that made the music box is Acrotex.”
“Indeed, it’s very precise, as expected of a music box with Acrotex’s technology. To the naked eye, it looks like a single sculpture… but there must be hundreds of mechanical parts inside. Baron Meyer, please enjoy the banquet. Today’s banquet is to celebrate the development of Neo London… in a way, you could be the main character.”
“It’s absurd to call me the main character.”
“There’s no need to be so humble.”
Yujin finished his greetings and distanced himself from Princess Elsa. Countless gazes followed him. Yujin wanted to talk to Yuria, but… the timing wasn’t right. He had to look for another opportunity.
“Baron Meyer. No, since your title upgrade is promised, I should call you Count. May I have a word with you? I’m personally interested in LK Corporation. I promise to invest.”
“I heard the Baron is still unmarried. Are you perhaps interested in marriage? My cousin is looking for a partner…”
Yujin calmly talked to them.
• • •
10 PM. The banquet was still bustling. Yuria stood behind Princess Elsa, quietly observing the banquet. Her gaze was fixed on Yujin.
Then it happened. A maid approached with a stiff expression and whispered something to Princess Elsa. Princess Elsa’s eyes seemed to flash coldly for a moment, but she soon covered her mouth with a fan and smiled.
‘She gave some instructions to the maid.’
Agnes, who was standing next to Princess Elsa, created an invisible wall to block the sound. Yuria couldn’t even see their lip movements from where she was, so she had no idea what they were talking about.
‘It doesn’t seem like an urgent matter.’
The maid soon left.
And about three minutes later. The butler at the entrance of the banquet hall began to shout loudly.
“His Royal Highness Prince William Snowden is entering!!”
The banquet hall doors opened, and a group led by a blond man in uniform entered. Leading three butlers and two maids, he scanned the banquet hall with confident eyes.
Then, he slowly approached Princess Elsa, the host of the banquet.
“Elsa, my dear sister. It’s been a while.”
“…Prince William. You’ve come to a place where you weren’t invited. Please show some courtesy, as this is an official event.”
“Haha. Understood. Your Highness.”
Duke William Snowden. Princess Elsa’s younger brother. The second in line to the throne.
As long as Elsa was there, he couldn’t ascend to the throne. Conversely, if Elsa wasn’t there, he could inherit the throne.
The noisy banquet had become quiet. The guests watched the princess and the prince with great interest.
“Prince, what brings you here?”
“I found a beautiful flower on my way. I came to give it to you, Your Highness, since you’re here.”
William’s butler handed a bouquet of flowers to Agnes.
“How are the flowers?”
“They are beautiful.”
“Since you seem to be having a banquet… may I join the banquet as well?”
William asked with a smile. Princess Elsa couldn’t refuse. William was her younger brother, though he was a political rival. They were family belonging to the same royal family. She couldn’t treat him coldly in front of everyone.
“How can I mistreat a brother who came to give me flowers? William, enjoy the banquet.”
“As expected of Your Highness. You take care of your younger brother. By the way… is that maid behind you Yuria Grace?”
William’s eyes shone like a snake as he looked at Yuria. Prince William was also very greedy for talent. Since he had less influence than Princess Elsa, he needed talent even more.
Just as Yuria was about to greet him, Elsa stepped forward.
“Prince William. Don’t harass my staff.”
“Harass? I was just going to greet her. I didn’t expect to see the genius of the Maid Academy here.”
The genius of the Maid Academy. It was enough to attract the attention of those around them. The guests murmured. William smiled kindly and said to Yuria.
“Miss Grace. Can we talk separately later? It’s definitely not something that will harm you. I promise.”
“Your Highness. I am currently working under Her Highness Princess Elsa. I cannot act on my own without Her Highness’s permission.”
William’s gaze turned to Elsa.
“Your Highness. Please allow it. It won’t take long. 10 minutes will be enough.”
Elsa thought. No matter what sweet bait William dangled, it didn’t seem like Yuria would fall for it.
“If it’s 10 minutes… you can talk in the room next door right now. Miss Yuria, how about it?”
“…Yes. I will talk to His Highness.”
“Prince William. It’s only 10 minutes. I can’t allow any more than that.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Yuria moved to the next room with William’s group.
As soon as William entered the room, he sat on the sofa and crossed his legs. Next to him was a sharp-looking red-haired butler, and behind William, the servants stood quietly.
Yuria calmly endured the pressure they exuded.
“Miss Yuria Grace. I’ll get straight to the point. After graduating from the Maid Academy, would you like to work under me? I promise you the best treatment in the industry.”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I want to focus on my studies right now.”
“Have you already decided to work under Her Highness the Princess? Or is it directly under the royal family?”
“I cannot say.”
She couldn’t say that she already had a master. William’s reputation was more suspicious than Elsa’s. If she mentioned Yujin’s name, Yujin could be harmed. Above all, she felt uneasy about the butler and the maids.
“I guess my first impression wasn’t good. I’m an uninvited guest who came to the banquet without an invitation, so it’s understandable. But I couldn’t help it. The relationship between the Princess and I isn’t very good.”
“……”
“Don’t you want to get stronger quickly? Isaac, the head butler next to me, broke through the wall of a superhuman by contracting with me. Those behind me also gained power by contracting with me.”
“You mean you’ve raised your rank through artificial means other than training. Is that even possible?”
“It is possible. Don’t you want to get stronger quickly? With Miss Grace’s talent, you could reach level 7 within a year. I promise you.”
“I tend to be careful with contracts. It’s too risky to make a contract to gain power that I don’t understand.”
“There’s always a price to pay for gaining power. I’ll give you power in exchange for working under me for 10 years. Isn’t it tempting?”
It was good to have power. Most power made things easier. But Yuria had no intention of betraying her master to gain power.
“I refuse.”
“You’re firm. I understand. It’s too short of a meeting to trust each other. Isaac. Show Miss Grace some of your power.”
“Yes, Master.”
Isaac, the red-haired butler with golden eyes, stepped forward with a sinister smile.
Yuria quietly tensed. The banquet hall was right next door. The possibility of a battle was infinitely small, but it wasn’t 0%.
“Watch carefully. I’ll show you some of the power I’ve gained.”
