It’s Very Nice to Meet You (4)

Calian put down his teacup and responded with a smile on his face.

"It has been a while."

As their first meeting was nothing more than a passing whisper in his ear, Melfir leaned in even closer after hearing Calian's proper voice. Since Calian knew why Melfir was bowing so politely to her, she couldn't help but laugh silently.

Coincidentally, Pollun Merchantry has just started trading diamonds properly with Tensil. That made Melfir doubly worried about what Calian would ask of him to pay off the debt of his life that he owed her.

"I apologize for coming without calling first. It's because it would be problematic for me to show my face."

In reality, it didn't matter whether Calian came and met Melfir first or called him to the palace. Who would stand in the way of a prince meeting a baron?

The reason Calian came to meet Melfir privately, out of the public's eyes, was all because of Melfir. Calian never extended his hand to any other noble or house other than the Magical Union. Therefore, if it became known that Calian would personally meet with Melfir, the public would make a big fuss about it.

Melfir also knew this reason, so he responded respectfully.

"His presence is a great compliment to me."

Nodding his head in response, Calian pointed to the chair on the other side of the table and spoke.

"Please sit down. "I have some matters to discuss with you."

Melfir's expression became slightly tense as he carefully walked towards the seat and sat down silently, to which Calian opened his mouth after seeing him.

"I'm sure you must have had a lot of thoughts this whole time."

When Melfir gifted Raven's necklace to Calian to determine the prince's personality, Calian sent Melfir the cost of the necklace as if he knew exactly what was happening. There was no other contact from the prince after the event, so Melfir wasn't sure if Calian was angry or wanted something more valuable. He felt uncomfortable for a long time.

Listening to Calian, Melfir did not particularly deny that this was the case and responded to him.

"Yes, your Highness. As a merchant, it is in my nature that when I make transactions, it doesn't end with simply receiving payment. "That's why I've been worried for a long time."

Calian was very pleased that he gave an honest answer.

He smiled, took a sip of his tea, and then looked at Melfir for a moment. Just when Melfir was about to swallow his anxiety as he looked at Calian, Calian started to speak.

"What does Pollun trade in?"

Melfir's shoulders stiffened for a moment.

As soon as Melfir responds with 'Horse and Diamonds', he is sure that the young prince will immediately get up and return to the palace. Seeing his personality as well, he would even pay for the tea he drank before leaving. That way the prince wouldn't need to associate with Melfir at all in the future.

Melfir's head spun around trying to find the right answer.

Calian enjoyed the aroma of tea again. Just as she took another sip, Melfir responded in a careful tone.

"Actually, I'm not going to exchange anything yet, your highness."

Calian laughed lightly.

This meant that while the merchant Pollun traded horses and diamonds, Melfir Pollun himself did not actually cooperate with anyone else in particular.

It was the answer Calian was waiting for and the expression Calian expected him to make.

"Not yet, you say."

Clink.

Calian put down the teacup and looked at Melfir.

"Could I speak to Baron Pollun?"

He meant that he did not want to speak with the talented merchant Melfir Pollun, but with the capable Baron Melfir Pollun.

The reason Calian came to Melfir was not to acquire goods or merchandise. Since Bern was just a gentleman, he didn't know much about marketing anyway. He also didn't want to make money by anticipating frivolous events that would happen in the future. Therefore, he did not need to talk to the merchant Melfir.

Melfir once again swallowed his anxiety.

"Hmm…"

Melfir couldn't stop his habit of sighing heavily and looked at Calian without responding. Calian bowed his head slightly and took another sip of tea.

Clink.

The teacup made a small sound once more and Melfir's mouth fell open.

"I have been here from the beginning, your highness."

A satisfied expression appeared on Calian's face.

While thinking that it was good that he saved Melfir's life, Calian spoke slowly.

"It's a good thing I didn't have to wait for him."

Melfir adjusted his sitting position. Calian continued speaking. However, the content was not definitive, but rather a vaguer question.

"I was wondering if you, the baron, can manage more than just a merchant?"

With Allan, Calian did not hide his intentions when asking him for something, since Allan was always willing to cooperate with Calian, but since his relationship with Melfir did not reach that point, Calian first wanted to see how Melfir would react. at his request.

Melfir thought for a moment and then responded.

"If there are people besides money, then nothing is too difficult."

"There are people and also money."

After saying the words, Calian paused for a moment and then continued speaking.

"But the problem is that Brissen will be there too."

Just as Allan predicted, Calian was thinking about creating a school of magic. Of course, creating the magic school is not as dangerous an undertaking as creating the magic division as Allan is currently doing. However, arriving at the magic school may mean that the Brissens may be involved and things may get complicated.

Hearing about Brissen, Melfir closed his mouth firmly for a moment and then decided to speak.

"Doesn't that mean you are involved too, your highness?"

Calian responded with a small laugh.

"It seems like I asked a stupid question. That's how it is. "I will be involved too."

"If there are people, money and yourself in front of the Brissens, then it will not be difficult for me to manage."

Calian nodded, feeling like she no longer needed to dodge and dance around the truth. This time, she asked the question she wanted to ask. "I was wondering if we should establish a magic school in Kailis. We should?"

The amount it would cost to build a gifted school was nothing compared to the money Calian had in his coffers. The people who would teach, there were many whom he could use, there were many… Allan and the Union mages were one. However, school management would pose a major problem. Wizards were notoriously known for their relaxed and carefree disposition. The uncertainty of properly running and managing a school certainly posed a risk for Calian.

He remembered the talented merchant from his memory and how Melfir owed him his life. It was the reason Calian came to see Melfir.

After realizing Calian's request to manage the proposed magic school, Melfir lowered his head and pondered his own thoughts. It wasn't simply about running the magic school… once he became the headmaster of the school, he, Baron Melfir Pollun, would publicly ally himself with the third prince. Anything related to the third prince would lead to him.

Calian knew that Melfir had a lot to think about. She waited calmly without a trace of impatience.

Melfi raised her head and pursed her lips. He had made the decision for him. However, instead of responding to Calian's suggestion, he brought up another topic.

"Is this payment for saving my life?" -Melfir asked.

He wanted to know if this was his payment. Therefore, he needed to know the limits of what Calian wanted him to do and how far he was willing to go.

A smile formed on Calian's lips.

"I already received your payment."

Clink!

Calian responded, emptied the last of the tea from the cup and put it on the table.

Melfir's gaze fell on the empty teacup for a moment. Soon after, a refreshing and hearty laugh echoed in the reception room. He felt relieved. All the worries that were drowning every corner of his mind disappeared after three months of rot.

"I will," said Melfir.

Melifir bowed.

***

Two days later.

Early in the morning, inside the Chermil Palace restaurant there was a red-colored baked bread, a cake overflowing with cherries, and various red-colored fruits and vegetables in preparation.

The passage surrounding the Chermil Palace had been decorated entirely with red threads. Around the artificial pond, numerous red Rafflenia flowers were meticulously planted. The petals that danced around the pond had been blown away by the gentle, windy wind.

The people of Kailis did not separate the celebration of the birth of man and the death of man. Just as red flowers were poured on the graves of the deceased, red flowers were thrown on those celebrating their birth.

For them, red symbolized mortality and creation.

Giving red color to both the dead and the living… Calian thought it was a mediocre tradition.

It doesn't matter. He couldn't change the kingdom's tradition simply because he didn't like him. Therefore, Calian woke up in the morning and immediately drank a pomegranate juice and took fifteen Rafflenia flowers that Marilyn handed to him.

He smiled and thanked her.

Today was Calian's birthday.

Today, Calian the Third Prince had become an adult.

"Congratulations, Your Highness."

He heard the same phrases too many times to count since early in the morning. Receiving gifts and greetings from the aristocrats gathered at the Ceignes Pavilion had taken more than two hours of her time.

Then he walked alongside a group that would have lunch with Roselita. They had a brief celebration of greetings and toasts. It took her a while to finish the food and tea.

Without any pauses in between, Calian quickly changed into a formal suit suitable for dinner and headed towards the Siegfried Building.

Calian's black cloak trimmed with red threads accentuated her charm. He was sure Marilyn had chosen the color on purpose. The black jacket and pants had no fancy embellishments, but the black cape was striking enough to overlook the simplicity of her outfit.

The only problem he had with his body was his emaciated thinness, but it wasn't a big problem. Since then she had gained some weight. Calian found it amusing that the nobles did a double take, verifying his legitimacy as the third prince. Before he knew it, he became the main focus of the show.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Calian greeted.

The nobles frowned in deep confusion. Calian gave them a warm welcome despite it being his first meeting with the prince. It was strange… but they soon realized that it was their custom to say hello.

While receiving praise and admiration from the nobility, Calian walked elegantly towards the seat, his aura befitting his stature and title.

Step…step…step…

Then, for a split second, he stopped dead.

In the banquet hall was Franz, who had not shown his face for three months.