Furthermore, discovering Ilyin's whereabouts gave him the opportunity to begin exchanging goods with families in the north, using the advantage of being a carrot producer.
Then, when Acid's monopoly ended, the Viscount could trade directly with the northern families, which meant half the shipping fee.
Even better if Ilyin had married one of them, using the guise of being a father-in-law, he could expand his connection with other families.
Even so, the profit was infinite.
He went to bed with such a sweet plan, but was woken up by a commotion happening in front of the mansion.
He thought it was just a dream.
‘Dream, stupid dream!’
For 20 years he was tired of the word dream.
At no point did he obtain good results with events that involved the word dream.
Regardless of whether it was a good dream or a bad one, he couldn't help but react especially sensitively whenever someone had a dream.
"What is that?"
In front of Viscount Arlen was Ilyin.
The viscount was convinced that he was still half asleep, but no matter how stupid he was, he was not someone who fully believed in his imagination.
The Ilyin who was in front of him wore clothes that he had never seen before.
It wasn't an unfamiliar outfit, it just looked strange as it was on her.
It was something a very noble young woman would wear, so it looked very strange on Ilyin.
The clothes that Ilyin wore in the house were only those permitted and approved by Viscount Arlen.
Although all the clothes were custom made to fit the Arlen family image, it was never anything so sophisticated.
Not once did he let Ilyin wear something so decorative that it seemed frivolous.
“What are these clothes?”
Ilyin took a deep breath when she looked at him.
It was just for a brief moment, she looked at the full moon outside the window and spoke as if she had just made up her mind.
“I came to see mother,” said Ilyin, blatantly ignoring Viscount Arlen's question about his clothes.
The viscount's face stiffened, but he found that he was unable to say anything.
The presence of a man standing behind Ilyin confused him.
Was she seeing Den?
The Acid Merchant people he met a few hours ago?
“What’s all the fuss you’re making at this hour?” he said, making the anger evident in his tone when he saw Den.
That was to be expected, Viscount Arlen thought.
Arriving at a nobleman's mansion at this time without an appointment was very rude.
At that moment, in his conniving head, the deal he had made with the Acid Merchant flashed.
Maybe he could get a better deal using that as an excuse?
It was a hassle to visit people in the early hours of the morning, so he would still try to make the most of it.
“I will ensure that the Acid Merchant pays a reward for this disturbance,” he said sternly, but the joy in his eyes was undeniable.
Upon hearing the Viscount's words that Aden was about to say it didn't matter, Ilyin intervened.
She said the words she had in mind since climbing the stairs of the mansion until she stood in front of the Viscount.
“I came here as a daughter to my mother.”
‘No matter who I married and whose family I joined, the fact that I am the Viscountess’ daughter doesn’t change.’
This also meant that the Acid Merchant didn't have to be responsible for them coming here at such a strange time.
Her father had already recognized Den as an employee of the Acid Merchant and now that Ilyin came with him, she couldn't deny her relationship with the Acid Merchant, so this was the only way.
“Like the daughter?”
Viscount Arlen turned his head towards the end of the corridor his back was on when he heard a loud noise.
His expression was strange as if someone had placed a handful of sand in his mouth.
Aden turned his attention to where the loud noise was coming from.
The sound was coming from the viscountess's room, which was right around the corner, if he remembered correctly.
The mansion was already in a chaotic state even before the group arrived.
There was almost no reason for a noble's mansion to be so noisy at this time.
‘It’s already started.’ He was sure after hearing the commotion coming from the end of the hall.
“Did you come… after seeing something?” said the Viscount, shuddering as he struggled to get the words out.
Aden's eyes narrowed in displeasure.
The viscount didn't even bother trying to hide his disapproval of Ilyin's foresight.
Ilyin did not avoid Viscount Arlen's gaze.
"Yes.
That's why I came."
"Teacher!" At that moment, a maid came running from the corner of the corridor.
“Are you-” she interrupted when she saw Ilyin.
She gasped, forgetting to even report to her master, she saw someone she thought she would never see again.
She certainly remembered Ilyin, she was in charge of cleaning when Ilyin stayed at the mansion.
That wasn't all, she used to watch over Ilyin, so she knew her well and upon observing closely, she saw that Ilyin was no longer the same.
Ilyin's eyes held a look as if someone else's.
They were the eyes of someone who was steady.
They were not the eyes of someone who just agreed with the people around them and accepted everything.
Part of this could be attributed to the fact that she was wearing much more ornate clothing than before.
Her silver hair and the ornaments on her were shining brightly, she definitely looked like a different person.
“Mom called me.”
Ilyin would go to his mother, even if the viscount stopped her.
His violet eyes shone with willpower.
What was it that made someone so powerless hold such ferocity in his eyes?
The maid couldn't believe that it was Ilyin who was standing in front of her.
Aden, who was behind Ilyin, placed his hands on her shoulders.
His gaze went to the end of the hall where the maid came from.
“It’s already noisy,” he paused for a moment before continuing, “as you saw, it looks like it’s coming.”
‘How do you know?’ Ilyin remembered the question he wanted to ask, but stopped before coming here.
‘How did Aden know about the prediction when I hadn’t told him?’