Chapter Summaries

Claire welcomed Princess Irene to Nafu City and guided her there on the Wolf King while trying to shape her first impression of the city. Irene arrived to an enthusiastic reception, where Melly gave her flowers on Claire’s behalf.

• Claire greeted Irene without kneeling, and Hayden criticized her before Irene intervened and invited Claire to call her by name.
• Irene asked to ride the wolves, and Claire took her to Nafu City on the Wolf King despite Hayden’s warning.
• Claire told Irene about Nafu City and joked that Sophia owed her tens of millions of Gold Coins.
• Irene entered Nafu City to cheers and remarked on how happy its residents seemed.
• Melly gave Irene a large bouquet and said Claire had told her to do it, surprising Claire.

Claire showed Irene Nafu City's sights and specialties, then used a story about the city's past hunger to persuade her to try dried shredded squid. Irene rebuked Hayden for interfering and threatened to remove him from her side during the trip.

• Claire brought Irene to see Nafu City's mermaid statue, while residents greeted her enthusiastically.
• Claire introduced Irene to Iodized Salt and began offering her dried shredded squid, but Hayden slapped the food from his hand.
• Claire ate the squid after it fell, then told Irene how Nafu City's residents had once suffered from hunger and how he had vowed to feed them.
• Irene asked Claire for some squid, but Hayden objected, so Irene told him to be quiet and defended her choice to stay close to the people.
• Claire withdrew the squid and looked fearful of Hayden, prompting Irene to threaten that Hayden would not remain by her side if he continued interfering.

Claire took Irene around Nafu City and brought her to the school, where Irene read a story to the children. The children’s lesson from Snow White surprised Irene when they concluded they should never eat food from strangers.

• Irene enjoyed dried shredded squid, and Claire gave her the rest of the packet while provoking Hayden.
• Claire took Irene through the flower-lined Residential Area, which made Irene say she was beginning to like Nafu City.
• At the school, Claire persuaded Irene to let Hayden wait outside while the maids accompanied her.
• The children greeted Claire enthusiastically, and Irene agreed to tell them a story from Claire’s book.
• Irene read Snow White to the students, who said its lesson was not to eat food given by strangers.

Claire questioned Irene’s admiration of Snow White, prompting Irene to reconsider what the tale praised. Claire then took Irene to Nafu City’s market, where Irene eagerly bought ingredients at extravagant prices, and they set off to make lunch.

• Claire asked Irene what Snow White’s story taught, then challenged the idea that beauty alone deserved praise.
• Irene accepted Claire’s point and playfully bristled when Claire teased her about being a princess.
• Hayden met Irene and Claire outside the school, and Claire suggested they get lunch.
• Claire took Irene to the market, where Irene happily paid far above the asking prices for ingredients.
• Irene carried her purchases to the Wolf King, and Claire said they would make a local pork-knuckle dish for lunch.

Claire brought Irene to the kitchen and taught her to help make egg fried rice. Irene struggled to crack the eggs but helped prepare them, then tasted the finished dish and praised it as delicious.

• Claire took Irene to the kitchen and invited her to learn how to cook.
• Yuna greeted Irene and washed the vegetables Claire had brought.
• Claire taught Irene to crack and beat eggs, and Irene struggled through the steps.
• Claire cast a protective spell on Irene, then cooked the eggs and rice herself.
• Irene tasted the egg fried rice and said it was delicious.
• Yuna returned with the washed ingredients, and Claire began preparing them while Yuna watched.

Claire cooked Dongpo Pork Knuckle and several other dishes for Irene, who was impressed by the food and learned more about Claire from Yuna. After lunch, Claire arranged for Irene to rest before their afternoon sightseeing trip to the shore where mermaids appeared.

• Claire cooked a meal for Irene while Yuna told Irene about Claire's deeds in Nafu City.
• Irene realized the citizens' affection was really for Claire and grew impressed by him.
• Claire served Irene Dongpo Pork Knuckle, Twice-Cooked Pork, Sichuan Boiled Fish, and egg fried rice, and Irene praised the food.
• Claire told Irene that a princess should learn to love and benefit the people, making Irene happy.
• Claire invited Irene to rest before visiting the shore, and Yuna led her to her prepared room.

Claire modified Isaac’s airship and took Irene aboard to see the mermaid, while hiding the trip’s true purpose from her. The airship flew over Nafu City, where Irene admired the view and asked Claire whether his streetlights made money.

• Claire had Regan summon Rona and bring Eve back after Irene left, then worked with Isaac on modifying the airship.
• Irene found Claire and Isaac at the Academy of Sciences and stayed to watch them work.
• After the airship was finished, Claire kept Hayden from boarding by claiming it could carry only two people, and Irene agreed to go with him.
• Claire guided the airship toward the coast as Irene enjoyed the flight and looked down at Nafu City’s lights.
• Irene asked whether Claire’s streetlights made money, and Claire told her they did not.

While steering the airship, Claire and Irene talked about Claire’s reasons for helping Nafu’s residents and played a question game to get to know each other. After Claire teased Irene about romance, Irene asked whether Claire currently liked someone.

• Claire explained to Irene that she valued the residents’ smiles more than profit and that their happiness made her happy too.
• Irene realized she knew little about Claire, so she suggested they ask each other questions and promised not to lie.
• Claire said she had last cried months earlier after her father died, then described her ideal love as quiet and full of everyday warmth.
• Claire joked that the most romantic thing would be taking an airship with a princess to see mermaids, making Irene blush.
• Irene calmed down and asked Claire whether she had someone she liked now.

Claire took Irene to see Eve on the reef, and their conversation left Irene confessing her feelings for him. Irene asked Claire to watch the sunrise with her as she leaned against his shoulder, while Eve finished her appearance and swam away.

• Claire brought Irene to the coast and waited with her for Eve to appear on the reef.
• Claire described the sights Irene could see beyond palace life, and Irene shared stories from her childhood as they talked.
• Claire pointed out Eve when she appeared, and Irene admired the mermaid while asking whether she was waiting for a prince.
• Irene worried that she might end up like the mermaid, kissed Claire's cheek, and asked him to watch the sunrise with her.
• Eve left the reef and swam toward the predetermined direction.

After Irene left Nafu City, Claire considered upgrading his trade panel to reach better traders. He spent one last Trade Point on food from a culinary plane, then used ten more to begin the upgrade, which left him waiting as the trade plane changed.

• Irene spent the dawn watching the sunrise with Claire, then returned to her usual behavior after they got off the airship.
• Claire showed Irene around Nafu City and its new amusement park over the next few days.
• Irene departed, told Claire she would visit again, and proudly showed him that his pink crystal gift worked.
• Claire weighed the benefits of upgrading his trade panel against keeping his current rate of earning Trade Points.
• Claire traded one Trade Point for a huge pumpkin that granted night vision and then spent ten Trade Points to upgrade the trade plane.
• Claire watched the plane become shrouded in mist for nearly half an hour, then fell asleep without seeing further changes.

Claire used the upgraded trading panel to match with Hong Qi, a gravely wounded cultivator who needed a life-prolonging treasure. She discovered the panel could identify his wares, and Hong Qi withheld his cultivation techniques until Claire agreed to find what he needed.

• Claire spent her restored Trade Point to start a trade and matched with the dying cultivator Hong Qi.
• Hong Qi asked Claire for something to prolong his life, explaining that he had exhausted his life force while escaping.
• Claire claimed she could obtain a suitable treasure and asked Hong Qi what he could offer in exchange.
• Hong Qi showed Claire his pills, magical artifacts, and cultivation techniques, while the upgraded panel displayed information about each item.
• Hong Qi noticed Claire wanted the cultivation techniques and put them away, insisting she trade him the life-prolonging item first.

Claire and Hong Qi negotiated over Hong Qi’s cultivation methods, with Hong Qi seeking a way to restore his lost life force. They traded two Trade Points and an Advanced Healing Potion, leaving Hong Qi with temporary relief and Claire owing him a life-restoring potion within two months.

• Hong Qi showed Claire his cultivation methods, and Claire said she wanted the Crimson Firmament Scripture and Frost Ghost Technique.
• Claire explained that she needed two months to recover enough Trade Points, so Hong Qi offered two of his own to speed up their trade.
• Claire accepted the Trade Points and gave Hong Qi an Advanced Healing Potion, which eased his injuries and gave him hope she could find a life-restoring potion.
• Hong Qi sent Claire a friend request, and Claire accepted, spending one Trade Point.
• Claire messaged Hong Qi that the potion was meant for external use, and Hong Qi applied the remaining half to his wounds after drinking the rest.

Claire received Sophia in Nafu City and learned that the King had sent her to discuss Claire’s relationship with Irene. Sophia explained that the King wanted Claire to avoid hurting Irene and to let their relationship develop naturally, leaving Claire with some freedom as long as he meant her no harm.

• Regan told Claire that a beautiful woman had come to see him, and Claire guessed she was Sophia before learning she had gone sightseeing in Nafu City.
• Sophia arrived at Claire’s reception room with gifts from local men, praised the city, and said she had investments there.
• Sophia revealed that the King knew Irene had kissed Claire and spent the night holding his arm, as witnessed by the two Archmages.
• Claire nervously asked what the King intended and promised to do whatever was required to protect himself.
• Sophia explained that the King neither wanted Claire to reject Irene nor gave permission for them to be together; he wanted Claire to let things develop naturally and harbor no ill intentions toward Irene.

Claire asked Sophia where to find something that could replenish life force for an experiment, and learned that a life-extending potion would be auctioned in the Royal Capital. Sophia gave her an invitation, leaving Claire to prepare to bid against the nobles.

• Sophia teased Claire about winning Irene's affection, and Claire joked with her about borrowing money.
• Claire asked Sophia about treasures or potions rich in life force, and Sophia explained that such potions were scarce and cost around five million Gold Coins.
• Sophia told Claire that a life-extending potion would be auctioned in a few days at a duke's auction house.
• Claire decided to attend the auction and bid, and Sophia offered her an invitation instead of lending her money.
• Sophia asked to ride Claire's airship, but Claire claimed it was being repaired, so Sophia left disappointed.

Claire brought Heart-shaped Crystals to Shane and planned a wedding-centered campaign to sell them as symbols of love. He received Sophia’s auction invitation and borrowed three million from Shane to prepare for a purchase.

• Claire arrived in the royal capital and showed Shane the new Heart-shaped Crystals for the Tulip Shop.
• Claire suggested that Shane promote the crystals through Wendy’s performance and Irene’s endorsement.
• Claire proposed giving a crystal to Duke Charlie’s wife at their wedding and using newspapers to market it as an essential wedding gift.
• Shane called Claire the biggest bastard for devising a scheme that pressured husbands to buy the crystals.
• Claire accepted Sophia’s auction invitation and borrowed three million from Shane for the auction.

Claire discussed the upcoming auction with Shane, learning that Count Hawk planned to bid for the Life Potion but could probably spend only five or six million Gold Coins. Shane also told Claire that Sirian had been punished after sneaking out to see him, and Claire planned to visit him at Knight Academy in about two weeks.

• Shane asked Claire why she needed to borrow money, and Claire said she wanted funds for experimental materials.
• Shane told Claire that Count Hawk intended to buy the Life Potion and had asked others not to compete with him.
• Shane estimated Count Hawk could spend five or six million Gold Coins, and Claire believed his own funds would be enough to contend with him.
• Shane told Claire that Sirian had climbed out of Knight Academy to see him and had been hung up and beaten by the dean.
• Claire said he would visit Sirian in about two weeks, and Shane offered to use his family's connections to arrange the visit.

Claire and Shane attended the Royal Capital auction, where Claire reviewed the items and focused on a potion that could restore vitality for Hong Qi. The auction began and bidding grew increasingly intense, while the potion remained among the later lots.

• Claire spent her days copying magic notes, while Shane arranged for Wendy to adapt Claire's new story and prepared to promote Tulip Shop's pink crystals.
• Claire and Shane entered the auction using Claire's invitation and settled into Lady Sophia's private box.
• Shane gave Claire the booklet listing the auction items, and she studied several magical treasures before reading the details of the Vitality Replenishing Potion.
• Claire decided the potion might suit Hong Qi because it replenished vitality gently, even for someone who was not a mage or knight.
• The auction began, and bidders competed over increasingly expensive lots as the venue grew louder and more excited.

Claire competed with Count Hawk to buy the Life Potion, pushing the bidding to eight million Gold Coins despite lacking enough funds on hand. Count Hawk challenged her ability to pay and demanded that the auction house verify her funds.

• Claire waited for the auction's finale, the Life Potion, after other rare treasures sold, including Sword Saint Willie's sword for over five million.
• The auctioneer introduced the Vitality Replenishing Potion, and Count Hawk opened the bidding at five million Gold Coins.
• Claire and Count Hawk raised their bids against each other until Hawk offered seven million five hundred thousand Gold Coins.
• After learning Shane could not lend her money, Claire bid eight million and said she could mortgage Nafu City's three Iron Ore mines to the Lixis Merchant Guild.
• Count Hawk accused Claire of disrupting the auction and demanded that the auction house verify her funds.

Claire outbid Count Hawk for the Life Potion, but a royal capital noble offered fifteen million Gold Coins just as the auction was ending. Unwilling to lose the potion, Claire offered the auction house a treasure to appraise.

• The auction house declined to verify Claire's funds after learning she carried Lady Sophia's invitation, and the auctioneer confirmed she had sufficient funds.
• Claire and Count Hawk kept raising their bids until Claire offered ten million one hundred thousand Gold Coins and Hawk gave up.
• A bidder from the private room that had bought Willie Sword Saint's Sword offered fifteen million Gold Coins for the Life Potion.
• Claire admitted she could not match the bid, but stopped the auction and offered a treasure for appraisal.

Claire paused the auction to have a rare fruit appraised so she could raise money to bid on the Life Potion. After confirming its effects and pricing the four fruits, Ron left Claire with enough funds to compete in the auction.

• Claire called for the auction to pause and asked auctioneer Ron to appraise a fruit.
• Claire showed Ron a large fruit that could advance an Intermediate Mage to a High Mage, and Ron verified its effect by tasting a small piece.
• Ron valued the large fruit at five million Gold Coins, while Shane warned that Claire would still be tied with the opposing bidder.
• Claire revealed three smaller fruits that could advance Elementary Mages to Intermediate Mages, and Ron offered one million Gold Coins for each.