Free Web NovelChapter 51: Chapter 51: Impossible to Ignore
Chapter 51: Impossible to Ignore
—ARIA—
The more I walked around the eastern district, the more obsessed I became with the empty property.
It genuinely refused to leave my mind.
Even while Ren and I wandered through nearby establishments asking about construction materials, labor costs, and magical utilities, my thoughts continuously circled back toward that abandoned lot hidden between thriving businesses like some forgotten secret waiting patiently to be noticed.
And honestly?
The more suspicious it became, the more I wanted it.
Which probably said concerning things about my personality.
"My lady," Ren said carefully while following beside me through another crowded street, "most people would become discouraged after discovering a property may have hidden issues."
I glanced at him.
"Yes, but most people are not me."
"That is not the reassuring statement you believe it is."
I ignored him.
Instead, my gaze wandered across the district again, excitement quietly growing inside me despite the unanswered questions surrounding the property.
Because every store we visited only strengthened my determination further.
Fabric merchants displayed imported silks in colors I had never seen before. Jewelers sold enchanted accessories that changed shades depending on surrounding light. One apothecary even demonstrated scented oils infused with calming magic.
This world truly had ridiculous potential.
And if I combined all of that with ideas from my old world...
Oh.
Oh, I could absolutely become famous here.
"My lady."
Ren’s voice interrupted my thoughts gently.
I blinked and realized I had accidentally stopped walking again while staring into space.
"...Sorry," I admitted. "My imagination was going wild."
"I assumed as much."
We continued through the district afterward, asking quietly about the vacant property whenever opportunities arose.
At first, people simply looked uncomfortable.
Then evasive.
Then strangely sympathetic.
Which honestly only made me more determined.
A middle-aged merchant finally sighed after I questioned him near a furniture workshop.
"That land is unfortunate," he admitted quietly.
I immediately leaned closer.
"Unfortunate how?" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
The merchant hesitated briefly before lowering his voice.
"It belonged to a noble family years ago. Their daughter lived there before..." He stopped awkwardly.
"Before?" I pressed carefully.
"...Before she passed away."
Oh.
My excitement dimmed slightly.
The merchant glanced toward the property in the distance before continuing.
"Afterward, her older brother purchased the land entirely and refused redevelopment. The old house was eventually demolished, but the property itself remained untouched."
I frowned.
"Then why place a sale sign there?"
"That?" The merchant laughed awkwardly. "Nobody knows. The sign appeared years ago, but every offer was rejected."
That made absolutely no sense.
I exchanged a glance with Ren.
"...That is suspicious," he muttered quietly.
"Exactly," I agreed immediately.
Then paused.
"...Wait."
I slowly looked back toward the merchant.
"Who owns the property?"
The merchant visibly stiffened.
Then, almost cautiously, the merchant answered,
"Sir Matthias Sinclair."
I immediately flinched at hearing the name.
I recognized that name.
Oh wow.
That complicated things significantly.
I slowly rubbed my forehead while staring blankly into space for several seconds.
Of course fate would do this to me.
Why could I never simply want normal property owned by normal strangers?
Why was it always emotionally unavailable men with tragic backstories and dangerous social status?
"My lady," Ren said carefully beside me, "perhaps we should reconsider."
"No," I answered firmly without hesitation.
Because unfortunately...
I really wanted that lot.
No.
Actually, "wanted" was no longer accurate.
I had already mentally designed an entire building there.
At this point, emotional attachment had formed.
"But my lady," Ren continued patiently, "Sir Matthias Sinclair is the Royal Knight Commander. You can barely find opportunities to meet him. He is an extremely busy man." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Ah.
Right.
That was the concern.
Not the tragic emotional history attached to the property.
Not the possibility of rejection.
Not even the danger of interacting with another male lead.
No.
The problem was apparently scheduling.
I looked at Ren slowly.
"...You say that like you expect me to calmly surrender."
Ren’s silence answered everything.
I gasped softly.
"You truly underestimate how stubborn I can become once emotionally attached to something."
"My lady became attached after staring at the property for less than five minutes."
"That is enough time for destiny."
"Your words concerns me every time."
I ignored him immediately and turned back toward the property again.
The empty lot stood quietly between the surrounding establishments, almost hidden beneath the afternoon light. The crooked sale sign swayed gently near the entrance while climbing vines curled lazily around the old stone fence.
Honestly...
It looked less like abandoned land and more like a sleeping possibility.
And now that I knew its history, the feeling only deepened.
I could almost picture it.
A small home once standing there.
A younger sister laughing somewhere near the garden.
A brother unable to erase the final place connected to her memory.
Ah.
My chest tightened slightly.
That kind of grief was difficult to argue against.
Still...
I folded my arms stubbornly.
"I want to speak with him anyway."
Ren looked visibly troubled.
"My lady, Sir Matthias is not known for being approachable."
"That is fine. I am also not approachable."
"..."
The merchant standing nearby still looked nervous, likely terrified he had somehow become involved in noble affairs beyond his pay grade.
He lowered his voice carefully afterward.
"My lady... Sir Matthias rarely refuses audiences requested through official channels, but..."
"But?" I pressed.
The merchant hesitated.
"...Most people leave those meetings frightened."
Ren sighed immediately like that statement alone confirmed his concerns.
Meanwhile, I simply blinked.
"That is all?"
Both men stared at me.
"What?"
"My lady," Ren said slowly, "I heard Sir Matthias once made an experienced military officer cry during a disciplinary hearing."
"...Was the officer incompetent?"
"That is not the point."
I considered this seriously.
Then nodded once.
"Alright. So he values discipline."
Ren looked exhausted already.
"That is somehow the wrong conclusion."
I continued thinking aloud anyway.
"If he is difficult, then I simply need to negotiate properly."
"My lady," Ren interrupted carefully, "this is not bargaining with a fabric merchant."
"I know."
"Sir Matthias is one of the most influential men in the kingdom."
"I know."
"He is feared by most nobles."
"I know."
"He has direct authority over royal knights."
"I know."
"He reportedly once threatened a corrupt official so calmly that the man confessed before interrogation even began."
I paused.
"...Okay that one is slightly attractive."
"My lady!"
"What? I respect his efficiency."
Ren rubbed his forehead immediately while the merchant awkwardly pretended not to hear me.
Honestly, everyone around me had become so judgmental lately.
I looked back toward the empty lot again and exhaled slowly.
The more I stared at it, the more certain I became.
I turned back toward Ren and grinned.
"How does one request an audience with the Royal Knight Commander?"
Ren blinked.
"My lady is serious?"
"Extremely."
He looked deeply conflicted for several long seconds before finally sighing in defeat.
"...Official requests can be sent through the knight headquarters."
"Perfect."
"But," he added immediately, "that does not guarantee he will agree to meet."
I smiled slowly.
"Then I will simply become impossible to ignore."
I placed a hand dramatically against my chest.
"Ren. Please believe in my aspirations."
"I do believe in them," he answered honestly.
Then he looked toward the property.
"I simply fear whatever chaos follows afterward." he muttered awkwardly.
