Chapter 495: Chapter 495: Meeting Margaretta for the First Time (2)

"What do you think of the Marquis Rochefort family, young Lady Margaretta?" Cedric asked casually.

"The Marquis Rochefort family? They’re quite powerful. But as far as I know, they’re still neutral and don’t want to rush into any decisions. If you can win their favor, it would definitely work to your advantage," Margaretta replied.

"I see..." Cedric rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

"In that case, could you arrange a meeting with the head of the family? I’d like to pay a visit within the next few days," he requested.

Margaretta didn’t hesitate. "Of course. Leave it to me."

The two continued their conversation until a voice suddenly cut across the room.

"Yo, you guys seem pretty excited. Am I interrupting?"

Cedric and Margaretta turned in surprise toward the voice—it was Nolan.

"Nolan?" Cedric froze but quickly regained his composure, staring at him coldly. "What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the northern region?"

Margaretta looked at Nolan with curiosity. She had heard of Elina’s twin brother—Prince Nolan.

It would be dishonest to say she didn’t want to meet him and catch a glimpse of his future through her powers.

But she hadn’t expected the meeting to happen so suddenly.

"You’re clever, yet why are you acting so foolish now?" Nolan rolled his eyes. "Since I’m here, that means I’ve returned. Where’s your common sense?"

Cedric choked on Nolan’s words. They were true—but it stung all the more coming from someone he had always looked down on.

Adjusting his emotions, Cedric asked heavily, "So... did you manage to settle the negotiations?"

Earlier, he had asked his uncle about Nolan’s other goals in going to the Kingdom of Kaldarion with Sharon, Cassiopeia, and Draco, aside from killing the white dragon.

His uncle had explained that their journey was meant to gain several advantages from the Kingdom of Kaldarion, the most important being the Netherium mine.

The first time Cedric heard this, he was honestly stunned.

Netherium mines were incredibly rare—even in this empire, only a handful existed, mostly in the western region.

Most were controlled by the Blue Moon Trading House, which somehow always knew the locations of these mines.

Nolan folded his arms casually across his chest. "Everything’s settled. Not just the Netherium mine—I also secured some very lucrative contracts for this empire."

A thin, proud smile curved his lips.

Cedric frowned, wanting desperately to believe Nolan was lying. After all, it seemed impossible for the Kingdom of Kaldarion to give up the Netherium mine.

Yet Nolan’s expression seemed genuine.

"By the way, Cedric," Nolan said, turning his gaze to Margaretta, "who is this young lady? Don’t tell me she’s your new fiancée."

He glanced at Cedric with a teasing look.

"Fiancée?" Cedric blinked, then shook his head. "No, we’re not engaged. She’s Margaretta, daughter of the Ashvale family."

"Margaretta?" Nolan’s eyebrows lifted in mild surprise.

Now he understood why the woman’s face seemed unfamiliar.

She was the illegitimate daughter of the Ashvale family, whose biography Nolan had read several years ago.

Since he had never met her in person, it made sense that he didn’t recognize her.

"Hello, Young Lady Margaretta. I am Nolan Lorian. I’m sure you already know of me, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you," he said politely, extending his right hand.

Margaretta glanced at his hand but didn’t refuse.

"Nice to meet you too, Prince Nolan."

They shook hands briefly before pulling back.

"All right, Cedric and young lady Margaretta. I’ll be going now. Goodbye."

Nolan turned to leave, waving casually over his shoulder.

Cedric stared after him with a cold gaze. He still couldn’t believe Nolan had successfully completed the mission their father had given him.

This was dangerous. After all, Nolan was Elina’s twin brother, and his actions could shape how their father viewed her.

Meanwhile, Margaretta lowered her gaze, staring at her right hand that had just shaken Nolan’s.

She had tried to see his future—but strangely, all she saw was complete darkness, as if a hand were blocking her vision.

’Did I misread him? Or could Prince Nolan be hiding something important from everyone?’ she wondered cautiously.

Between the two possibilities, she leaned toward the first. She didn’t sense any mana or similar power within Nolan.

"Young Lady Margaretta, why are you daydreaming?" Cedric’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She took a deep breath and shook her head slowly.

"It’s nothing. Anyway, let’s have lunch. It’s very cold outside, and I’m a little hungry."

Cedric nodded, and shortly after, he and Margaretta returned inside the palace.

...

Nolan walked leisurely, thinking about Margaretta.

"She’s not an ordinary woman, unlike what the information suggested," he whispered softly.

When they had shaken hands earlier, he had felt eyes on him from all directions, as if someone were examining his entire body.

Of course, those gazes couldn’t penetrate his defenses. Even so, it was impressive—it showed that Margaretta was no ordinary person.

"Well, actually, that’s only natural. Taking control of the Ashvale family in just a few years shows skills that cannot be underestimated," he chuckled softly.

Without realizing it, he had arrived at the grounds where his mother lived.

Maya and Miya stood guard at the gate, their expressions serious.

When they saw him, they were momentarily surprised, then their faces lit up with joy.

"Welcome, Prince Nolan," they greeted respectfully.

Nolan smiled and nodded slightly.

"Thank you. Is my mother inside?"

They straightened and replied in unison, "She is."

"In that case, I will go in to see her."

Without a word, they opened the gate for him.

Nolan stepped inside, one hand tucked into his trouser pocket.

He looked around his mother’s yard. Nothing seemed different—except that the flowers had changed to winter blooms.

"Ugh! I’m so confused, Mother."

"Don’t worry. Let’s try again. This one is read as Giri, and this one is Turi."

"Giri and Turi?"

"Very good! Now, let’s move on to the next letter. This one is—"

The voices of an adult woman and a little girl drifted faintly through the air.

Nolan knew who they were—his mother and Eliza.

He continued walking, stopping about ten meters away, his gaze fixed on the pavilion where his mother was teaching Eliza.

’Sure enough... giving Eliza’s custody to Mother was the right choice,’ he muttered softly.

With the Kleith family, Eliza had always been directly intimidated.

And Cedric’s mother, Cassandra, didn’t like her much either, making things even harder for the girl.

At that time, the old man had been too busy with work and had assumed Eliza was fine.

If it weren’t for Nolan’s request, nothing might have ever changed.

The two continued their study session, unaware of his presence.

Suddenly, Isabella stopped speaking, looked up, and froze.

"Nolan?"