The agreement between Acid Merchant and Viscount Arlen was official.
Viscount Arlen put his stamp on the contract with a very satisfied smile.
“I was looking forward to doing business with you.” The viscount had a wide smile as they shook hands.
“If there are any problems with the trade, please contact me,” Aden said.
“I don’t contact her directly?” Viscount Arlen bowed slightly as he gestured to the black-veiled lady.
The lady who was watching them from afar did not react.
The viscount hesitated and then asked:
“What’s your name, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Ilyin momentarily hesitated at his question.
Since there was no interjection from Aden, she figured that as long as she didn't give her real name, there would be no problem.
“El.” Ilyin gave the first name she could think of.
She was worried that if she spoke for too long, the viscount might recognize her voice.
Her voice, fortunately or unfortunately, came out a little hoarse, as she hadn't spoken in a long time.
The viscount didn't seem to have any suspicions.
"I see.
I'll contact El directly."
And so, the contract was concluded.
***
Aden, who was the Duke of Winter, had never left the Winter Region, so he didn't know what to expect would happen to the Winter Region when he returned to Biflten.
Everyone said the same thing, nothing would happen to the winter region.
Idith said the same, but still, he couldn't stay away for long and so the group quickly prepared for his return once the deal was made.
“The snow here melts so fast!”
"Really!"
The maids played among themselves, Ilyin watched the chatty maids from afar.
She felt it before, but Delrose's maids were very different from the maids in the hot region.
She didn't know about the maids in the other three houses, but at least Delrose's were.
Growing up with maids who were very strict about hierarchy, she felt friendlier with the Delrose maids.
Of course, the maids and she maintained appropriate boundaries when necessary so that there wouldn't be any problems, but every now and then Ilyin couldn't help but find the maids very cute, especially when they were in the hot region.
One of the maids looked around and quickly Ilyin hid behind a building so as not to be seen.
After waiting for a while, she poked her head out and saw the maids who were poking at the snow with their bare feet.
“Wow, you try it!” The excited voice echoed.
If it was the winter region, this would not be possible.
Ilyin couldn't help but laugh.
“What amuses you so much?” A blue cloth was placed around Ilyin's neck.
The heat she felt was familiar.
“Den,” she smiled.
"Yes." Aden hugged her from behind and watched the maids.
“They are relaxing.” Aden pretended to be angry.
Instead of taking care of Ilyin, they were playing with each other, they had no excuse not to be punished.
"It's okay.
Everyone seems to be amazed by the warm region." Ilyin smiled fondly at them.
She observed the maids and slowly reached out to a pile of snow.
Her thin wrist felt like it would quickly freeze if it touched the snow, and Aden instinctively reached out to stop her.
Then he stopped.
The pile of snow collapsed at his small touch.
‘Was the pile of snow in the warm region really that weak?’ The snow in Ilyin’s hand began to melt quickly, sunlight shining on the snow.
The part of the snow that was melted reflected the light making it sparkle, but it was the tip of Ilyin's hand that caught Aden's attention.
Aden looked at Ilyin's glowing hand and then slowly raised his gaze.
The morning sun covered her and her bright hair shone in the sunlight.
There was also bright light in the Biflten mansion.
When he was young, he saw a bright light in Elo's territory.
He was told that the light was an imitation of the sun of the hot region.
He understood now.
Aden brushed Ilyin's hair unconsciously.
He touched it lightly and the hair sparkled in the light.
Aden couldn't help but close his eyes at the glow in front of him.
"Home?"