"What is the mission, Father? I will carry it out sessfully." Renata said.


    "Renata, I heard Sofina somehow became a partner of the Eden Group," Armin said, voice steady but loaded with implication. "Do you know anything about it?"


    "Of course," Renata replied casually, still eating. "We talk all the time. She''s my best friend."


    "Good." Armin set his fork down and leaned in, his eyes sharpening like a de. "I''m giving you a mission. And listen carefully-this isn''t small. Our entire duchy may depend on you."


    Renata stopped eating.


    Armin continued. "The Eden Group... it carries a power strong enough to make every duke uneasy. Yet not a single duke-nor even the king-has ever admitted the group belongs to them."


    "I believe someone is behind the Eden Group''s rise," Armin said, voice steady but heavy. "Nopany grows that fast in just two years without a giant pushing from the shadows. A duke at the very least. Maybe even the king himself."


    His eyes locked onto Renata, sharp and unblinking.


    "But they''ve hidden their hand too well. No traces. No openings." He leaned closer. "I want the truth, Renata. I want to know who truly stands behind the Eden Group... and what their intention is in building it."


    "I will do it Father."


    "Renata, this mission is dangerous," Armin warned, his tone heavy. "I''ve heard rumors they''re tied to the underground world."


    "Father, I''ve survived assassins, pce scandals, and Sofina''s shopping trips," Renata replied. "I''ll be fine."


    Armin raised an eyebrow. "I''m talking about infiltrating the Eden Group, not... retail chaos."


    Renata straightened, face serious. "Exactly. Only one of those involves real mortal danger."


    Armin paused. "The Eden Group?"


    "No," Renata groaned. "Sofina. She once dragged me through seven boutiques in thirty minutes to haggle with every single vendor. I''d rather duel the king than do that again."


    That night, Sofina practically flew onto the bed,nding beside Alex with frantic excitement.


    "Alex! Do you know Renata-my best friend?" she burst out.


    "No, I don''t," Alex said tly. "All I know is you keep calling her to talk about pointless things."


    "Oh,e on! There''s no such thing as pointless things between best friends," Sofina argued, offended in that dramatic way only she could manage.


    Alex sighed. "Fine. What''s this about?"


    Sofina leaned closer, eyes shining. "Renata ising to Winchester to work here!"


    Alex''s brows pulled together. "Didn''t you tell me she''s a duke''s daughter? Why would she work here instead of for her family?"


    "I don''t know," Sofina admitted with a shrug. "She said she misses me. And she wants to see if she can learn something from me and from the Eden Group."


    She pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "She also said this ce is where the Eden Group first started before they expanded across all of Prussia. So she wants to study it-hoping she can be sessful too."


    Alex''s expression tightened.


    He knew the truth-the Eden Group didn''t rise through clean, polished deals.


    It was built from Winchester''s undergroundwork-rising fast and violently, wiping out every hidden syndicate in its path throughout Prussia, then growing from their ruins. In just two years, the Eden Group spread across the entire nation on the ashes of the old underworld.


    No one should ever know that.


    Especially not a duke''s daughter.


    He had to keep Renata far away from the truth.


    While Alex was lost in thought, Sofina suddenly pped her own forehead. "Oh- right! Alex, I have a meeting tomorrow with the vige head, the outsourcingpany''s director, and the Eden Group''s field reps to check the mineral quality. I don''t think I can make it to the airport."


    She sped his arm. "Could you pick up Renata for me? Get her settled somewhere, maybe take her to lunch too?"


    Alex nodded once. "Alright. I''ll take care of everything tomorrow."


    "Good. And find her a nice ce to stay-don''t hold back on expenses. Here, I''ll transfer you the money." Sofina touched her bracelet, the transfer interface lighting up.


    Alex lifted his hand fast. "No need. I''ve got it. A friend of mine runs a great restaurant, and Renata can stay in our penthouse since we''re not using it. Let me handle everything."


    "You''re sure?" Sofina asked again, uncertainty in her eyes.


    "Come on," Alex replied. "You just started this coboration. Saving here and there can make a huge difference."


    "Thank you, Alex," she whispered.


    She knew better than anyone-Wolfbanes Barony needed repairs everywhere, and every coin mattered for their future.


    The next morning, Sofina left early for her meetings. Meanwhile, Alex grabbed a flying taxi to the airport.


    The Winter Duchy was far from Winchester, so Renata would arrive on one of therger long-range airships specially designed for long-distance travel.


    Alex stepped out of the taxi and headed toward the arrival hall-when a flying car stopped in front of him.


    Conrad, Beatrix''s husband, leaned out of the window with a scowl. "Why the hell are you here?"


    "I''m picking up Sofina''s friend," Alex answered, frowning when he recognized the people inside.


    Conrad, Beatrix, Annabe, and a new face he didn''t know.


    Beatrix smirked with her usual venom. "You mean Miss Winter? We''re here to wee her. You''re unnecessary. Get lost."


    Alex let out a cold snort. "No-you get lost. Sofina gave me this job. None of this concerns you."


    Without another nce, he walked straight into the arrival hall.


    The new man turned to Beatrix. "Who was that?"


    "Gerhard," Beatrix said sharply. "You just came back from the frontlines, so you haven''t met him. Alex-the walking disaster, the vige-grade mistake. Our cousin Sofina married that loser."


    "But I thought our cousin Sofina married Heinrich?" the man named Gerhard Wolfsbane asked, confused.


    He was Beatrix''s older brother-the oldest grandson of Baroness Wolfsbane.


    Fresh out of his two-year military draft, he''d climbed to the rare rank of Captain.


    A hundred soldiers under hismand. His name had once filled every local newspaper: brilliant, fearless, the youngest rising star of the Prussian military.


    Gerhard Wolfbane-young, sharp-eyed, and dangerous.


    Beatrix sneered, her voice dripping with venom. That woman is nothing but a horny bitch, brainless mess who''ll marry any lowborn creature that breathes Big brother can you please get someone to beat that man up? I can''t stand looking at him."


    Gerhard shrugged casually. "Why not?"


    Annabe''s hand shot out, grabbing his arm. "Brother Gerhard, no. Miss Winter with be here any minute. Grandmother told you-leave a good impression. If you can win her heart, your position in the family wit be unmatched. She''s a duke''s daughter. We may never get another chance like this."


    Beatrix blinked, surprised. Then eagerly nodded. “Yes-forget that useless loser. Focus on Renata Winter."


    Gerhard smirked. "Rx. Do you even know who your brother is?" His confidence oozed like heat off steel.


    Annabe smiled brightly. "You''re the most handsome prince of Winchester. The youngest captain. The smartest man in the city. Of course Miss Renata will fall for you."


    Gerhard''s grin widened.


    This was exactly why he rushed home early from the military draft.


    To stand here at this airport.


    To meet Renata Winter first.


    To charm her.


    To conquer her heart.


    The Winter family was one of only eight ducal households in all of I he


    Prussia. If he could marry a


    daughter of that rank, his status


    would skyrocket and the


    .Wolfsbane family''s reputation would rise along with him.


    Gerhard straightened his uniform, eyes gleaming.


    He wasn''t here for politeness.


    He was here to hunt.