Karel emerged in a dark alleyway in Weissdel next, still giddy about the success. Once he arrived at the mansion, he greeted the other servants before entering the master’s study.

  Kani shot up from his seat once the familiar figure entered, rounded the table and smiled widely. The blond embraced him instead, flustering the master.

  Stuttering, he asked, “Karel? What happened?”

  A wide grin painted his lips as they parted and Kani swallowed, shaken by the intensity of the smile directed at him.

  “You’re practically shining at the moment.”

  Karel ughed and handed him the papers.

  “I have the papers processed and Elder Orazio agreed to help us. He will send a bor force to work on the estate first for us to relocate as soon as possible. The pier would be done simultaneously with it, then the town.”

  Amber eyes widened as he saw the familiar signature and seal by the end of the page. “He did?”

  “Of course! He can’t say no to his apprentices.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Great as it may be, we need a gateway to transfer the materials from Ramaya. Do you consent?”

  Kani swallowed the lump in his throat and held onto Karel’s arm next. “Would it be permanent?”

  “Unfortunately so. We need to trade with the empire.”

  Kani frowned.

  “If you’re worried about them going here, then don’t.” He let his knuckle hover his cheekbone before carding through his hair. “The magical cylinders may be under development but I promise to finish them as soon as I can. I will have the finished product to barricade the vicinity of the portal.”

  “Can it filter…”

  “Trust me on this. I may not be the best artificer of the empire but I’ve done my research and experiments. The cylinders I used in Stavros before had been better than the prototype but still cking. I improved it over the years.”

  Kani nodded and closed his eyes. “That will do then. Thank you again, Karel.”

  Those crimson eyes softened at the gesture and let his thumb finally caress his face. “Of course, Master. I will also closely monitor it. Don’t worry.”

  “Thank you, Karel.” He looked at him, smiling too. “It really means a lot.”

  He parted from the intimacy then a velvet box sat on his hand. “This is the gift made for you by Balen. He hoped you would like it.”

  Slim fingers touched the box and brushed against his. His soft voice asked, “Balen? The chief bcksmith?”

  “I was supposed to give it to you during my return that night but…”

  Kani wearily smiled. “I see.”

  Once he opened the box, a golden tiara inid with small gems sat on the bck velvet.

  He ran his fingers on it. “Can you put it on me?”

  “Sure.”

  Karel arranged his hair with practiced ease. The tter reminded him of being a former Ryhtier of the crown princess. It might be a mundane task but equally important as well.

  The long, soft tresses cascaded down next and Karel expertly weaved it through them then settled the tiara against his forehead st, the small gems on it gleamed as light reflected on them.

  His figure moved away, humming in content once evenly put.

  Kani chuckled. “This is a fine craft. Balen is truly a talented dwarf.”

  “Perfect. It suits you.” He hummed. “He’s not the chief bcksmith for nothing.”

  Balen excelled in weaponry and metalworking but oftenly indulged himself in making jewelry. His works were known in Pals before extending outside due to the economic treaties. Thanks to it, the dwarven city became busier than ever due to the demand from all over Trojka.

  “Can we ask him to do some… trinkets for us then?”

  Karel ughed. “Oh, he would be so delighted.”

  “It’s good to see you, child,” greeted Elder Orazio once he saw Kani walking up to him in excitement.

  Kani saluted. “Thank you so much, Elder Orazio.”

  He nodded. “Trade with Kuju, yes?”

  Kani chuckled. “Of course, Elder. My isnd will be your trading hub in the south, I promise you that.”

  They looked at the borers and materials before them as Kuju prepared for the isnd’s development pn.

  “Is Karel not with you?”

  “He dropped me off here and visited Maya. Should he be here?”

  Elder Orazio studied Kani’s face then shook his head. “Not really. It’s just… you two are inseparable.”

  Kani chuckled. “We’re not.”

  “If you say so.” He mused, knowing what the retionship the two had. Elder Orazio didn’t pry further as he remarked, “I saw the pn you had for Mapiya Isnd. Your father must have been proud of you.”

  He smiled wearily. “We both know that it isn’t my efforts alone, Elder. Karel definitely contributed more than me.”

  “That child loves building anything, apparently,” and he ughed.

  “Was he always like that?”

  “He was definitely worse before. Did you know he almost blew up the Institute?”

  Kani ughed. “That’s so like him.”

  “Thankfully, he noticed it earlier or we could have suffered more losses than gains.”

  “I’ll tell him to be careful from now on.”

  “Oh, tell him! He’s doing things out of the line again. I heard he shook the Imperial Court with this project and nearly fought with Marquis Law.”

  “He fought for…” Kani’s mind reeled.

  What do you mean he shook the court? The Imperial Court even?

  The Elder shook his head. “While he has no right to interfere in the proceedings of the court as a prince, he still has the authority to use the empire’s assets to an extent. He fought for Mapiya Isnd to be part of the empire, for us to extend southwards.

  “The Imperial Princess approved it because, while we have connections with the Southern Isnds, it is still cking compared to Astadvran and Stavros. With Mapiya already a part of the empire, expanding southwards now would be easy.”

  “We became a turning point.”

  “Yes, that’s right.” He nodded. “Karel knew this and also built a home for you.”

  “A home…” Amber eyes widened. “For me?”

  “Isn’t that isnd originally yours?”

  “Yes. It was bestowed to me legally during my coming-of-age.”

  “Karel became a co-owner to protect it. With him as your backing, you won’t worry about others trying to stake cims on it.”

  “That’s why, he…”

  Elder Orazio furrowed his eyebrows. “He didn’t tell you?”

  “He only said to leave it to him. To trust him.”

  I trust him wholeheartedly, he didn’t add but the Elder understood the underlying context.

  The elder sighed, shaking his head. “That child.”

  “Please don’t be hard on him. I’ve already burdened him enough, just let him be.”

  “Kani, you’re too softhearted.”

  Chuckling, “He always said that.”

  “You shouldn’t worry that much, I can assure you that. If anyone knows how to run an empire aside from the Emperor, it’s Karel. He’s not just a former Ryhtier but also my apprentice. I’m proud of having him in my tutege, so is you.”

  He smiled at him as he saluted. “Thank you, Elder Orazio. We won’t disappoint you.”

  Kani stayed for a few days in Mapiya to go over the needed papers and tasks before promptly returning to Weissdel and leaving the isnd’s matters to Karel’s capable hands.

  Karel squeezed his shoulder. “I will visit you whenever I can. Take care of yourself and don’t overwork, yes?”

  Kani nodded and embraced him, much to his surprise. “Take care, Karel.”

  Karel returned it tightly, closing his eyes to savor the intimacy. “Yes. You too, Master.”

  In the fifth month since the construction started, Karel returned to Weissdel. The master was asleep then and Hendrika informed him about what happened in his absence.

  The head maid had always been wary about people going to their temporary mansion ever since they moved in and declined impromptu visits by the other merchants. Hendrika also took care of some household matters much to Kani’s delight since he really couldn’t do everything on his own.

  “Anything suspicious?” Karel asked while shrugging his coat off.

  “There were a lot of suspicious men around the vicinity but they actually never entered the mansion forcefully.”

  He furrowed his eyebrows in concern. “They hover… and observe?”

  “Yes, somewhat.” Hendrika nodded. “As of now… they haven’t made a move.”

  “Is there some incident a little while ago then? Anything amiss?”

  “Well…” Hendrika cleared her throat. “Someone attempted to enter and one of those hovering men dragged the intruder away… forcefully even. After that, no one disturbed us.”

  Karel hummed thoughtfully. “Still, be cautious.”

  “We will.”

  “Goodnight, Hendrika. Let me take it from here.”

  Hendrika bowed. “Yes, Karel. Goodnight.”

  Karel entered the master’s bedroom quietly and saw Kani sleeping soundly. He hovered his hand, trying to trace the smooth skin of his face. The blond ended up brushing those brunet locks away and smiled to himself.

  For now, he’d leave for Maya City and return in the morning to greet him.

  “Master, I’m here.”

  “Karel!” Kani called and left his seat. He rounded up his desk and embraced the blond, much to the tter’s surprise. Karel returned the embrace, closing his eyes and tightened his hold.

  The brunet parted from the embrace and held his shoulders, their faces still close. “How’s the isnd?”

  “The mansion is nearly done. They’re already on the st furnishings, after that, they will be arranging the furniture and some other things. Hopefully, within this month, we can all move in.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Karel presented him with the newer documents and the upcoming pns. Both men discussed side by side when they sat together.

  “Since the port and the mansion are simultaneously being built, with the port having more manpower, when we move in, we can use the sea routes to Deorya, Astadvran and the City of Migina in the south.”

  He nodded while looking intently at the rge map before them.

  “This isnd is under my aunt’s jurisdiction now and she also helped us with the trading routes.”

  “Is it fine?” he asked nervously.

  Based on Karel’s stories, Imperial Princess Belle was one stickler for ws and had always kept everyone in check. One wrong move spelled disaster on the perpetrator at her command alone.

  “My aunt said she owed you that much.”

  Her Imperial Highness opened the sea routes for them and approved Mapiya Isnd as one of the empire’s territories before the missive was submitted to the Emperor. Aside from the fact that the isnd would become a trading hub in the south for the empire, she didn’t eborate about why she did such a thing. Once she saw the proposal, she only scanned the paper and signed it immediately, much to Lady Kaho’s amusement.

  When he heard of the story, Kani assumed it was because of Karel.

  “And I don’t remember her owing me something.”

  “Sometimes, aunt is like that. Maybe because she saw someone in you. She tends to be sentimental at times.”

  “I hope she isn’t whimsical then.”

  He huffed. “Not really. She always keeps her promises.”

  Kani smiled to himself, muttering, “Thank you, Karel.”

  Karel returned the look, reflecting the smile on his face. “You’re welcome, master.”

  While Kani and his servants continued their work in Weissdel, Karel returned to Mapiya to put things in order. Sighing, he signed the st paperwork for the day. This time, he’s the victim of his own making. After all, he’s the one who suggested developing the isnd.

  The registration of the isnd, the construction and legal paperwork, criteria for settlement and residency, even the business and establishment permits—there really were too many to focus on.

  On the other hand, Karel trusted the Imperial Princess especially regarding her job in controlling forces, economically or otherwise. On Kani’s side, with those mysterious men—questionable as they were—hovering around their mansion in Weissdel, he’d not worry that much for him.

  He needed to focus on his current task, wishing the end of the month would come quicker for him to see Kani again.

  By the end of the same month, the mansion was finished and the pier to be finished within the following months. They could settle in the upcoming week and Karel was comforted by the idea that Kani would be by his side again.

  From Weissdel, Kani’s group traveled by ship to Deorya and teleported through the Gateway to Mapiya Isnd.

  Karel waited for their little company in the central pza where the Gateway stood and he smiled brightly seeing them arrive. Bowing to Kani, he then announced, “Welcome to Mapiya Isnd, master.”

  The servants looked around in awe. While most of the buildings were still undergoing construction, anyone could tell just by a look how massive this town would be ter on.

  They walked further into the estate and Hendrika gasped seeing the extravagant mansion standing before them.

  Hendrika’s eyes widened and turned to Kani. “Master… This is…”

  “This will be the mansion we will be staying in from now on,” Kani said and looked back at everyone behind them. “This will be our new home, everyone. I hope you like it.”

  The port eventually finished and news about Mapiya Isnd’s establishment reached the other nations. Even the head of the merchant alliance in the Southern Isnds became intrigued about the newest addition to the mercantile business.

  The first year passed without any hitch and Karel proudly presented the development in the Imperial Court. Even the ever finicky Marquis Law couldn’t help but accept the imperial prince’s contributions. After Karel gained the court’s approval, the Imperial Princess transferred the jurisdiction of the isnd to him in exchange for handling Stavros’s treaties.

  Another year passed and the isnd flourished under the two men’s lead, much to their delight. With the progression, however, their work doubled.

  As the new direct trading hub of the empire among the Southern Isnds, Mapiya Isnd also began exporting cashew and guava, both fruits native to the said isnd. Due to the demands, they created and tilled the fields extending to the side of the mountains and built terraces.

  Due to the ck of manpower, Karel asked the Imperial Princess to employ people for their isnd. With their alliance with Astadvran and Stavros, they garnered willing workers despite the dispcement. Once they were taught about the bor, they expanded the fields a bit more to the west, still avoiding to deforest the thickets of the mountain ridge.

  With the increasing popution and continuous development of the isnd, they needed more people to handle matters. In the end, Kani had to task their own servants to oversee some matters in their stead.

  Only the chefs and Hendrika remained in the mansion most of the time. Even their mealtimes didn’t match up because of their own work.

  “We’ve been too busy,” Kani remarked as he unceremoniously put down his utensils and gulped down the water.

  “I know. Finish eating and rest.”

  “But—”

  “You should rest too, Kani. Leave this to me.”

  “Are you sure? Can I really rest now?”

  He hummed, shooing him away.

  Once in the kitchen, Karel helped the chef despite the tter’s protests.

  “You’re also tired.”

  “This is my job. If you lot don’t eat—”

  “I understand, but you’re also tired just from the look on your face. Just go and rest.”

  “Karel,” the chef groaned, touched by his words.

  “Yes, yes. It’s difficult for us now but I promise to find more people to work for us. For now, go rest. You’ll be up early again tomorrow.”

  The chef wiped the sweat off his forehead and nodded vigorously to keep himself awake. “Alright. Thank you.”

  Karel piled and washed the remaining cutlery and ptes they used for dinner. After tidying the kitchen, he inspected some more work before sleeping, taking note to set out soon and find some helpers.

  “Will you be fine here?” Karel asked while he put on his robes.

  Kani stood behind him, looking at his physique. “I’m fine.”

  “I taught you some self-defense so use it when there’s an intruder. Remember to have a presence of mind and don’t panic.”

  There was a snort. “It sounds easy.”

  Karel chuckled and wore his gloves, testing the fit before grabbing the cloak hanging on the stand.

  He walked towards Kani and held onto his shoulder. “I’m going, Kani.”

  He nodded. “Yes. Take care, Karel.”

  Karel boasted about bringing people back to help Kani but he really didn’t know where to start. Once in Deorya, he asked the imperial official to send a letter addressed to the Ramayan Emperor directly. Knowing he’s a retive of the said imperial, the officials immediately sent his letter.

  While the progress would be known through the official channels of the Emperor, he’d always like it if he also knew Karel’s personal input. He made it a habit throughout the years as an avid supporter of the Chen Regime.

  “If there’s a reply ter on. Keep it safe and I will return ter.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “Now, be sure to work well.”

  They saluted him as he left.

  Karel stretched his arms and looked at the bustling city, murmuring to himself, “Now, where shall we go?”