It’s Sunny But I’m Depressed Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Hidden Villain is a Rabbit (7)

 

‘It seems the matter of handing over the mine has caused quite a bit of trouble.’

 

Ilena glanced skeptically at the bespectacled attendant who was trying hard to avoid her gaze. Then she turned her eyes to Andre, who was also watching her cautiously. More precisely, she focused on his attire, which had caught her eye since the first day they met.

 

The noble obligation running through the veins of a K-third generation chaebol surged within her. Throughout her life, she had only ever helped others; she had never caused harm.

 

‘And losing money? That’s unheard of.’

 

Such a ridiculous notion was foreign to her. Money was something she always earned, never lost.

 

“They say they want to raise the price of silk in the North?”

 

Ilena casually remarked. The men, who had been watching her cautiously, flinched simultaneously. They probably thought she was questioning them about their gossip.

 

“Well, you see…”

 

Even the Black King stammered awkwardly.

 

‘Is he not used to this kind of petty power struggle? Ah, perhaps. It’s possible.’

 

Ilena quickly understood, seeing his massive frame.

 

‘Even those with anger management issues would control their temper in front of those thick arms.’

 

“Si, Saintess. It’s not your fault! The Northerners are just greedy pigs by nature… Ah.”

 

Andre hurriedly closed his mouth, realizing Ilena was also from the North.

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

Whoosh─. An awkward breeze swept through the office once more.

 

“Your clothes.”

 

Ilena pointed to Andre’s outfit with a calm voice.

 

“Eh? Yes?”

 

Caught off guard, Andre fumbled with his clothes. It was a fabric he had never seen in the North. A thin, slightly see-through material. In Korean terms, it was known as ‘see-through’ fabric.

 

“That fabric. I haven’t seen it in the North. Is it a traditional fabric from the South?”

 

Ilena asked in a casual tone, causing the man known as Aute to look perplexed.

 

“Fabric? I’m not sure about that…”

 

“Oh, yes.”

 

Andre quickly responded.

 

“Your Highness or Aute probably wouldn’t know much about women’s clothing. I heard it’s a fabric produced by the Sru, a minority in the South. It’s starting to become popular among women who want to showcase their allure.”

 

‘So it’s recently become trendy in the South.’

 

Andre, with his keen interest in fashion, was probably akin to a ‘fashionista’ or ‘early adopter’ in Korean terms. Ilena nodded. If it wasn’t yet popular, all the better. The see-through fabric was beautiful in color, and the desire to appeal with allure was the same for women in both the South and the North.

 

The island’s weather was close to tropical, so people were open to exposure, and the material was cool, making it a win-win. It had great market potential. Her grandfather always said:

 

“There’s always a way to make money. Just keep your eyes open, and all you need is timing and the determination to push forward!”

 

She grew up with that kind of education. Even if a rich family goes bankrupt, they say it lasts three generations. True to her former status as a third-generation chaebol, she naturally saw business opportunities even in her lethargy.

 

Ilena spoke calmly.

 

“Brand that Sru fabric as a premium product… I mean.”

 

Ilena paused to find the right word.

 

“Market it as a luxury item for nobles and raise the price, then sell it at a high price in other regions. Keep the manufacturing method as secret as possible.”

 

“Oh, indeed. Certainly.”

 

Fortunately, the bespectacled attendant, though talkative, wasn’t stupid. He quickly caught on and murmured.

 

“Silk isn’t suitable for hot weather. It doesn’t breathe well, making it hot and unable to absorb sweat… If this fabric becomes a silk substitute, it could be worth a fortune.”

 

The bespectacled attendant, who had been embarrassed, now shouted excitedly. Ilena spoke calmly.

 

“You should be able to recover the cost of the small mine you paid for me.”

 

This was undoubtedly a viable business. Ilena was confident. Her experience leading a global fashion brand told her so. They had essentially been scammed in a second-hand transaction.

 

‘They bought a broken item at a high price, so this is the least I can do.’

 

“When did you come up with such an idea…?”

 

The Black King looked at her with rare surprise. Meanwhile, the bespectacled attendant, now with narrowed eyes, grumbled.

 

“Why are you telling us this? It doesn’t benefit the North at all!”

 

Perhaps feeling guilty about their gossip, he grumbled more. Ilena didn’t mind. She was a person of great character, well accustomed to both backtalk and direct confrontation. The reason was simple.

 

‘Andre has taken good care of me.’

 

Such attention was something she had never experienced before. Having someone ask what she ate, if she slept well, how she felt today… it was like being wrapped in a cozy blanket.

 

‘It felt like I had truly become Ilena from <The Happy Island of Ilena>.’

 

After looking at Andre for a moment, Ilena casually said,

 

“I just picked up on Andre’s thoughts. He was a great help.”

 

She spoke as if she had casually picked up a chocolate, despite proposing a national-level business idea.

 

“Si, Saintess…”

 

Andre was on the verge of tears, deeply moved. Andre wasn’t the only one looking at her with a new perspective.

 

‘Saintess… I thought she was extraordinary, but not to this extent.’

 

The Black King gazed down at her with a complex expression.

 

‘I’m tired.’

 

But Ilena, already mentally exhausted, didn’t notice his gaze. Although her depression seemed to have improved slightly, recovering quickly without medication was impossible. She had suffered from severe depression for two years.

 

Her mind still felt foggy, as if underwater.

 

“If today’s harassment is over, may I return to my room?”

 

“…Very well.”

 

As soon as the Black King gave his permission, she turned and left the office without hesitation.

 

***

 

“The cookies… she said they were delicious.”

 

It was only after the guests had left that Iago bit into the remaining strawberry jam cookies on the table. He had baked them diligently the previous night. Baking cookies helped clear his mind and brought him peace. It was even better when someone enjoyed them.

 

Just now. Thinking of those small lips munching on the cookies made him feel happy. How strange. Lately, whenever he thought of that fluttering sky-blue hair or those unreadable lemon-honey eyes, his heart felt restless.

 

“Thinking of something pretty makes you feel good, I guess.”

 

Iago mumbled as he nibbled on the cookies. It was true that the Saintess was an exceptional beauty. Her insight was remarkable. Fabric, of all things. Due to its abundant minerals, the Kingdom of Lihu had little interest in other businesses.

 

They were too busy fending off intruders targeting their mines and never lacked money or wealth. Even the meticulous Aute had reluctantly admitted, “She’s quite something.”

 

“Amazing… I’m envious.”

 

A tiger recognizes another tiger. With his innate keen eye and sensitive perception, he sensed it. That seemingly delicate and beautiful Saintess was actually a tiger hiding its claws. He didn’t know why she was hiding those claws in such a lethargic manner.

 

An unwavering calmness in any situation. The boldness to pinpoint the core of a problem and propose a solution. The charisma to naturally lead people.

 

“…Like Father.”

 

Iago whispered softly. The great former king of Lihu. His father had been just like that. As he muttered, a puppy that had been dozing under the desk approached and licked his face. He had saved it on a particularly hot day when he couldn’t ignore its panting on the street.

 

He had brought it secretly, worried that saving a puppy wouldn’t suit the ‘Black King of the Desert.’

 

“Hehe. It tickles when you lick like that… Are you comforting me?”

 

He whispered softly. His tone was surprisingly gentle. Iago buried his face in the puppy’s neck. A person who naturally leads others, someone born to be a master. His father and his brother, the crown prince, had been such people.

 

The Saintess was undoubtedly one of them. She must be feigning lethargy to control the weather while staying in the enemy territory of the South.

 

“Ah. It’s warm…”

 

Iago held the large puppy close and stroked its soft fur. Then he whispered quietly. The puppy couldn’t understand human words anyway. It wouldn’t blab to others that the Black King had spoken such weak words.

 

“Victor… Today was hard for me too.”

 

Remembering the slap from earlier, tears welled up uncontrollably.

 

‘It must have hurt a lot. I hit so hard. I was careful not to leave a scar, though.’

 

Sensing his mood, the sensitive puppy whimpered anxiously. Iago patted its neck and leaned his face against it.

 

“It’s okay… Victor. I’m okay. I’m the Black King of this kingdom.”

 

So he couldn’t cry. Being emotional was a weakness. And weakness was bad.

 

***

 

“Si, Saintess. Earlier, you spoke that way for my sake, didn’t you?”

 

As soon as they returned to the room, Andre looked at her with teary eyes that didn’t match his large frame. Ah, dear. She had naturally made him her ally. Ilena lowered her gaze, feeling a bit awkward.