All the palaces in the Wind Empire were named after legendary creatures or celebrated heroes from myths and lore. For example, the Iron Phoenix Palace symbolized the devoted wife of the unyielding Iron General, Cheol Yata, who was originally a lifeless stone statue until her unwavering care turned him into a real man. This palace was traditionally reserved for queens and princesses.

Of course, Jelliel cared little for such details. To her, this was simply a grandiose hall fit for hosting guests, filled with pomp and splendor.

“I am Harang Pung, the youngest of the Pung family,” Harang introduced himself with the formality befitting his status.

At first sight, Jelliel thought the boy resembled a rigid cube—hard-faced, his expression set, and even his muscles seemed carved from stone.

“Hmm! I’m...” 

“Shh, senior. Introductions later,” came a swift, breathy interruption from behind—a muscle-bound boy named Dok Cheol-gwang, who huffed like a restless bull. Jelliel's opinion shifted slightly upon seeing him.

*...His muscles look even harder.*

Jelliel, who prided herself on keeping just enough fitness to not faint during paperwork, found those who trained their bodies to such extremes foolish.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Jelliel of the Silvercloud Trading Company. Thank you for your hospitality; I’m truly humbled.”

Unlike her casual demeanor, when meeting higher-ups, Jelliel wore a mask of polite warmth, her voice smooth and honeyed.

Playing nice? Pretending to be courteous?

She had practiced it so much, it made her sick.

“We don’t extend such courtesies without reason. Please, have a seat, my lady.”

Following Harang’s gesture, Jelliel walked to the main seat in the spacious meeting room, which seemed designed for dignitaries. As she passed, her gaze swept over the students from Stella Academy.

*Mayuseong, Haewonryang... Flamme.*

She dismissed Dok Cheol-gwang as unimportant due to the absence of information about him in her data.

The remaining trio, however, were known figures with profiles she had studied.

*Mayuseong.* First in the entrance exam, his noble bearing was evident, though his exact lineage remained a mystery. There were rumors of special consideration during his admission to Stella.

*Haewonryang.* Heir to the Moonlit Tower, admitted as second in the exams. Known for catching up to Mayuseong’s impressive talent recently and excelling in multi-attribute magic.

*Flamme.* An orphan with unique mastery over light and plant elements usually wielded by non-human races. Her magical prowess was exceptional.

And then...

*The record noted she once had a romantic relationship with Baek Yu-seol.*

*Meeting her here is unexpected.*

Despite trying to avert her gaze, Jelliel’s eyes kept drifting back to Flamme.

*Is that psycho Jelliel?*

For Flamme, seeing Jelliel in person was a first. However, having suffered through the original romance novel, *Don’t Love the Tragic Princess*, Jelliel’s character was deeply ingrained in her mind—a cold-hearted tormentor who shattered others without hesitation.

Jelliel, the one who mercilessly tormented Eizel until the bitter end.

Seated with a radiant smile, Jelliel briefly met the eyes of Mayuseong, Haewonryang, and finally Flamme.

“You’ve brought your friends,” she remarked smoothly.

“I apologize for bringing guests unannounced. However, my friends are also Stella Academy’s S-Class students, and I am confident that this will be a fortuitous meeting.”

“You are correct.”

For Jelliel, Stella’s S-Class students were indeed worth familiarizing with, even from a trading standpoint. This meeting pleased her more than a little.

She had always been curious about Haewonryang and Mayuseong, and most notably, she was finally seeing Flamme—the girl who constantly pricked at her thoughts.

*Why is she staring at me?*

Jelliel’s subtle smile while scanning Flamme’s face unnerved her, prompting a frown.

Just the mere act of being watched by someone she had grown to loathe in the story made Flamme feel tense. Observing Flamme’s fluctuating expressions, Jelliel assessed her personality.

*Is that Baek Yu-seol’s type?*

Constantly changing expressions, unreserved, seemingly always on the brink of blurting out whatever was on her mind—everything about Flamme contrasted with Jelliel’s calculated composure.

Or perhaps more accurately, it was simply incomprehensible.

*Did Baek Yu-seol truly date someone like that?*

Short, with a child-like figure and cropped hair. What in the world did he see in her?

Compared to that, Jelliel considered her own tall, elegant appearance as a high elf...

*What am I thinking?*

These thoughts were far from mature.

With a deep breath to regain her composure, Jelliel extended a hand to Flamme.

“I’ve heard much about you. They say you carry the blood of angels.”

“Not true.”

When Flamme grasped her hand, the firm grip caught Jelliel off guard. Despite her lack of physical training, her elf heritage granted her greater natural strength than humans. However, Flamme’s strength was not to be underestimated. Known for defeating adult men in village arm-wrestling contests as a child, she wouldn’t lose in a contest of strength against anyone, especially not a dainty intellectual like Jelliel.

*Grip!*

Both girls’ hands strained as their muscles tensed and beads of sweat formed, just before Harang intervened.

“No matter how pleased you are, formal greetings in the Wind Empire are not conducted this way,” he said, separating their hands.

“Here, we strike our opposite shoulders three times with a fist and bow.”

Flamme disregarded the lesson and slumped into her chair while Jelliel followed the custom with a bright, if forced, smile.

“Quite the tension between ladies, huh?” 

Mayuseong and Haewonryang exchanged silent looks as Dok Cheol-gwang, oblivious, blurted out the observation. Harang’s stern glare silenced him.

“Well... it’s true, so why am I getting scolded?” 

Settling into the awkwardness, Haewonryang took the opportunity to speak.

“It is an honor to meet you. I’ve heard you have a request. As students of Stella and as peers, we are happy to assist in any way we can.”

“Is that so?”

Jelliel calmed her racing thoughts at Haewonryang’s composed response.

In truth, she had no real request prepared. She had come merely to catch a glimpse of Baek Yu-seol, only to be trapped by circumstance. But now, looking at them, she reconsidered.

“Actually, the favor I had in mind may seem minor. Would that be alright?”

“Of course.”

Haewonryang’s slight smile reassured her, and Jelliel spoke carefully.

“This semester, there’s an exchange student program between Silverflower Academy and Stella Academy.”

“I’m aware.”

Asking this in front of Flamme felt strange, but now was her only chance.

*According to my information, Mayuseong is close to Baek Yu-seol.*

The enigmatic boy, always smiling quietly and rarely seen forming true bonds, had a handful of exceptions. 

One of them was Baek Yu-seol.

“Could you perhaps persuade Baek Yu-seol to join the exchange program at Silverflower?”

At the sudden mention of Baek Yu-seol’s name, the three boys and one girl stared in shock.

“Ba-Baek Yu-seol?” 

Harang stammered, and Jelliel confirmed with a nod.

“Yes, him.”

“Why?”

“No particular reason... I just... want to see him at the academy.”

If anyone familiar with Jelliel had seen her now, they might have been astonished.

Blurting out her true thoughts and trailing off mid-sentence—these were behaviors she considered utterly foolish.

Haewonryang, noticing her discomfort, smoothly interjected.

“Indeed, Baek Yu-seol would be of interest even to the Silvercloud Company.”

“Y-Yes, exactly. From the company’s standpoint, that’s why.”

It was uncertain if she realized her own rambling, but the suddenness of her request left Jelliel flustered and unable to recover her poise.

*What’s with her?*

Flamme’s eyes narrowed as she watched Jelliel. Her looks matched the haughty character in the novel, yet her behavior was almost... different.

*Could she really be like that?*

Jelliel had tormented Eizel relentlessly in the original, wielding power without hesitation. Yet now she appeared almost like a typical... girl in love.

*Is that real? Really?*

She knew of a past encounter between Baek Yu-seol and Jelliel, but the atmosphere here was vastly different.

*What did he do to her?*

Everything had changed so much that even the personalities of the original characters were in question. Should she feel relieved, or was it unsettling?

*...It’s probably a good thing, right?*

Flamme couldn’t fathom how a commoner like Baek Yu-seol had even met the untouchable Jelliel, let alone influenced her.

But it couldn’t be bad.

While Jelliel was a powerful antagonist in the original, if she became an ally, she’d be an invaluable asset.

Still, something gnawed at her.

She should be happy, yet she felt only discomfort and apprehension

.

“That’s an easy request.”

The voice belonged to Mayuseong, who had remained silent until now.

“I’ve spoken to him before. He’s always been interested in the Silverflower exchange.”

“...Really?”

“What? Really?”

Jelliel and Flamme echoed, and Mayuseong pushed his chair back slightly, a shy smile on his lips.

“Yes. I’m not lying.”

Jelliel’s expression grew more complex, but she maintained her smile.

“That’s... a relief.”

“Relief? Why?”

“...Nothing.”

She had spoken out of turn again.

*Why am I like this today?* Jelliel felt frustration well up at her flustered state.

Cooling her flaring emotions, she turned to Haewonryang.

“And there’s one more request. It’s more of a commission, so I intend to reward you handsomely.”

“What is it?” 

The change in her tone prompted both Haewonryang and Harang to grow serious.

“I want to find someone. A very special person who cannot be found anywhere on this continent.”