Chapter 223
Cordeluc, which grew alongside the history of Lubarque, was both a gift the Founding King had given to his dearest friend and the most precious investment for the Empire’s future.
First of all, the academy seemed about four times bigger than I had imagined.
In truth, it was too large to take in with one glance, so I couldn’t even be sure.
Heirs of noble families gathered not only from the Empire but from every corner of the continent, commoners whose exceptional skills had been verified, and even the most precious bloodlines of royalty and the Imperial Family.
With all of them gathered in one place, the city surrounding the academy held countless layers of diversity, as if the entire continent had been compressed into a single space.
Signs written in multiple scripts, shops whose purpose I could not guess, narrow alleyway stalls branching out like spiderwebs from well-maintained roads passed by outside the window.
‘There won’t be enough time to see everything.’
Even if I spent an entire day walking, I doubted I could see half of it.
The carriage kept rolling along Cordeluc’s central road, which stretched straight from the city gates.
‘Where are we heading?’
The academy visible in the distance? Or an inn big enough to accommodate our doubled numbers after the second rendezvous point?
Right, it was definitely lodging.
A grand, luxurious hotel standing like a landmark in the center of the city was our destination.
“Welcome, Master.”
“……?”
Did the hotel’s general manager really just call Lionel ‘Master’…?
“As you instructed, we have vacated all the rooms.”
“Well done.”
Judging by how naturally he nodded, it was clearly true.
“What, this place is yours?”
Dantère sounded incredulous.
“No wonder they refused our reservation.”
“They simply enforce strict prohibition on bringing in banned substances. You were caught attempting to smuggle in illegal drugs three times.”
“Haha, was I? Let’s forget the past.”
So this hotel really was Lionel’s. After the jewelry shop, this was the second time I’d been shocked by his wealth.
“Why are you so surprised?”
Lionel looked genuinely puzzled.
“I told you before, didn’t I? There is no man in the Empire with more wealth than I have.”
“Well, yes, but still… owning a hotel is…”
As if finally understanding, he let out a soft ‘Ah…’ and explained.
“This city does not allow private residences to be built. However, lodging establishments are permitted. In a sense, it is a loophole.”
Ah, so that was it.
He needed a comfortable, safe place to stay, so instead of a house, he built a hotel…
‘Is this… really okay…?!’
Even as someone born and raised in a noble household, I struggled to keep up with this line of thought.
The knights of Luanax must have been used to it, because unlike me, who stood frozen in shock, they quickly went about their tasks.
Then Mary quietly approached me.
“My lady, if you wish, I can request both the official and unofficial financial records of the Duke of Luanax.”
Why say something like that when he was right there…?
“It’s fine, I’m not curious.”
When I declined while glancing at Lionel, for some reason his once-confident eyes drooped in a sulky way.
Even the faint smile at the corner of his lips dimmed slightly, as if…
As if he had hoped I would receive the information and say, ‘My goodness, my husband is this rich!’, and be delighted.
‘It feels like I’ve already moved past joy and amazement.’
At this point, it was closer to shock and disbelief.
Before Lionel could grow sulky, I hurried to change the subject.
“No, I mean, I am really curious, but… it’s more fun to discover it myself. Like today, for instance.”
As expected, Lionel’s expression brightened, just as I had anticipated.
When everything was over, I would travel across the entire continent with him and see every item on his list of assets with my own eyes. I would get to see that proud look on his face again and again.
We took the private elevator to the top floor and unpacked our luggage in our room.
‘Can I even call this a room?’
One of the two rooms on the top floor was already larger than an entire floor of the Luanax mansion in the capital.
Even though it was a hotel, it wasn’t a towering skyscraper like in my past life. Judging by the view, it didn’t seem to reach even ten stories.
Still, it was the perfect height to enjoy the peaceful scenery of the city as the sunset spread across the sky.
