Chapter 45: Victory Tastes Like Hard Cash

A few days after the incident at Belfort University, Lydia finally managed to strike back against House Fielyn, thanks to the footage and evidence Ephraim had provided.

With the records and video proving Emily’s aggression, the Imperial Authority had enough grounds to settle the dispute between the two noble Houses.

The recent incident in Belfort University also gave some extra opening for Lydia to push the charges further.

Since both House Fielyn and House Valendorf had pressed charges against each other, the Imperial Authority reviewed the evidence, the offenses committed by both sides, and the damages caused.

In the end, both Houses had to pay compensation based on their offenses, and the dispute was officially settled.

For Lydia, the result was nothing short of delightful.

"Victory sure tastes amazing in hard cash."

Lydia smirked at the notification confirming that the compensation had been deposited into her account.

Ephraim merely watched his fiancée with a flat look. "You might erase Baron Fielyn out of his existence with your greed alone, Lydia."

"He should raise his daughter better then. At least the damage settlement from them was enough to cover my needs for about a whole year. Emily should know better than to pick a fight with a ducal House! Hahahaha!"

Lydia couldn’t help laughing at her good fortune. Twelve months’ worth of allowance covered by a single settlement? What a wonderful return for all the trouble Emily had caused her!

If the girl had simply minded her own business, none of this would have happened.

"Congratulations. You have become a full-fledged villainess, my fiancée. Especially with that kind of laugh."

Lydia glanced at the gifts Ephraim had brought and grinned at him. "You’re my accomplice, Ephraim. That makes you a villain as well."

"If you say so."

His indifferent response did nothing to dampen her mood. If anything, Lydia was beginning to appreciate how Ephraim has started to change for the better.

Unlike in her previous life, the new Ephraim was more caring and warmer toward Lydia. Much to her delight.

Erin poured them another cup of tea brewed from the exotic leaves Ephraim had brought back from his travels.

After serving them, the maid quietly withdrew from the mansion’s greenhouse, leaving the two of them some privacy.

Lydia turned her attention to the tea. Instead of the familiar brown color she expected, the fragrant liquid was a distinct blue that reminded her of her own eyes.

A gentle sweetness reached her nose, carrying hints of honey, flowers, and vanilla.

"This is my very first time enjoying Altena tea. So unique."

Ephraim watched her examine the cup with quiet amusement.

"Then, let me show you the true wonder of it, my fiancee."

He added a cube of sugar to her tea and stirred it once. Lydia’s eyes sparkled as the sugar dissolved, sending golden swirls through the blue liquid.

It was like watching a galaxy amidst the sea.

She leaned closer to admire the effect, waiting until the cube had completely disappeared. The tea had transformed into an ocean blue freckled with a few tiny golden stars.

"I never saw a tea this beautiful. It’s almost like magic brought to life."

"This tea is my favorite."

"Why is that so? I thought you were more of a coffee person, Ephraim."

"I wonder." Ephraim only smiled as he watched Lydia.

She was far too busy admiring the tea to notice how long he had been watching her.

For once, the greenhouse was peaceful, and Ephraim seemed content to let the quiet moment last.

Lydia eventually glanced at him and casually scanned his Resonance Stress.

It was a little habit she had developed out of concern for him, one she always did almost without thinking. Even Ephraim had grown accustomed to her doing it.

[Resonance Stress: 32%]

Lydia’s smile faded slightly as she recalled their last meeting.

"It was 6% the last time we met. Why do you always manage to raise it so much when you are away?"

"Works, I guess."

You’re expecting me to buy your lame reasons?

Lydia narrowed her eyes at him. That answer was hardly reassuring, especially when his stress had climbed so much in just a few days.

She was about to question Ephraim further when a new bruise on his arm caught her attention.

It hadn’t been there when they were at Belfort University.

"Being a Commander must be tough. Not to mention that you are always doing your best to maintain your grades in junior."

Lydia paused, thinking about how Ephraim always ranked first among the junior students—even with his position in Imperial Elite Sentinel—while she usually ranked among the top three among the sophomores.

Not to mention that he was always busy with his duty as a Crown Prince. He must have had it rough.

No matter how much Ephraim always tried to brush it off, Lydia knew that he was always exhausted from all of the pressure on his shoulders.

"You should learn to take it easy sometimes. How to put it in words," Lydia stirred her blue tea again, "it’s okay not to be okay, Ephraim."

Ephraim watched her with an unreadable expression. For a moment, Lydia wondered whether she had said something wrong.

Then he reached over and patted her head.

"As always, you’re the only one saying that to me, Lydia. You sure make it harder for me to—"

SLAM!

The greenhouse doors flew open, destroying the peaceful atmosphere in an instant.

"DEERLING! At last, I have found you. Look what I’ve got for you today!"

Zachary barged in with a huge golden box in his hand, his voice echoing across the greenhouse as though he had just arrived to announce a national celebration.

The sudden interruption made Lydia jolt, and she hurriedly steadied her teacup before its contents could spill.

"Oho~ Fancy meeting you here, Golden boy. Having a tryst with my beloved Guide?"

Lydia nearly choked on her lemon cake at Senior Zachary’s words.

Ephraim greeted the intruder with a polite smile while letting his Resonance pressure do all the threatening for him.

"Good afternoon, Senior."