A while ago, in the Palace—
Rael did not believe in coincidences.
Not in politics.
Not in power.
And certainly not in Esmeralda.
"...Say that again."
The knight standing before him stiffened. "The Duke's branch family proposed the same maritime investment to the royal treasury, Your Highness. However..."
"However?"
Rael's tone was calm. Too calm.
"...we declined. The numbers were... excessive. The returns unrealistic."
Rael leaned back slightly, fingers tapping against the armrest.
*Too good to be true.*
He had seen countless proposals like it—glossed in gold, lined with promises, and empty at the core.
"That alone wouldn't be unusual," he said slowly. "So why bring it to me?"
The knight hesitated. "...Because the Duke's daughter intervened before the agreement could be finalized."
Silence.
Then—
"...Esmeralda," Rael muttered.
His gaze darkened slightly.
"Explain."
"She publicly called the investment a scam during a family meeting," the knight said. "Provided inconsistencies. The proposal was halted immediately."
Rael stilled.
"...She what?"
"That is all we've confirmed so far, Your Highness."
A pause.
Then Rael stood.
"...Prepare a report. Full details. Every name involved."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The knight bowed and left.
And Rael was left alone with his thoughts.
---
*She called it a scam.*
Not suspected.
Not questioned.
Called it.
With certainty.
Before anything had even happened.
Rael walked toward the window, his reflection staring back at him—sharp, composed... but thoughtful.
*How did you know?*
Esmeralda had always been many things—persistent, dramatic, irritating—
But never... *this.*
Never precise.
Never calculated.
Never ahead.
And yet lately—
She had been exactly that.
---
"Your Highness."
Another voice interrupted his thoughts.
A guard entered swiftly, kneeling. "We've apprehended the individual responsible for the investment proposal."
Rael turned. "...Already?"
"He attempted to flee the capital this morning."
Of course he did.
Rael's expression didn't change—but something in his eyes sharpened.
"...Bring him in."
---
The man looked far less confident now.
Gone was the polished demeanor of a noble merchant.
In its place—sweat, fear, and desperation.
"Y-Your Highness!" he stammered. "There must be some misunderstanding—"
"Is there?" Rael interrupted calmly.
The room fell silent.
Rael stepped closer, gaze cold.
"You approached the royal treasury with a proposal," he said. "A generous one."
"Yes! Yes, Your Highness! A mutually beneficial—"
"Based on nonexistent ships."
The man froze.
"Unverified ports."
Silence.
"And investors that do not exist."
The man's face went pale.
"I—!"
"You were planning to disappear," Rael finished, voice quiet but absolute.
A long pause.
Then the man collapsed to his knees.
"I—I was desperate!" he cried. "It was only meant to be temporary—"
Rael didn't respond immediately.
Instead—
He studied him.
Measured him.
Then spoke.
"...Take him away."
The guards moved instantly.
"No—wait—Your Highness—!"
The doors closed.
Silence returned.
---
Rael exhaled slowly.
So the scam was real.
Confirmed.
Handled.
Contained.
But that wasn't the part that bothered him.
Not even close.
---
"...Esmeralda."
Her name lingered in the empty room.
Because now—
There was no doubt.
She hadn't guessed.
She hadn't suspected.
She had known.
Esmeralda had changed and that was a fact he could no longer deny. But at such a short amount of time? Can a person really change that quickly? Or is this something else entirely?
---
Rael leaned back against his desk, arms crossed.
"...Interesting."
A slow smile formed.
Not warm.
Not amused.
But intrigued.
Dangerously so.
"You're hiding something," he murmured.
And for the first time—
This wasn't about politics.
This wasn't about alliances.
This was something else entirely.
A puzzle.
And Rael—
Had every intention of solving it.
---
"Prepare my carriage," he said suddenly.
A servant nearby startled. "Your Highness?"
"I'm paying the Duke's estate a visit."
A pause.
Then—
"Yes, Your Highness."
---
Far away, in the quiet gardens of the duchy—
Esmeralda stretched lazily under the sun, completely unaware.
"...I should nap again," she murmured.
Because somewhere—
A storm was already on its way.