Chapter 63

"Her Highness knows? How...?"

Surprised by the unexpected words, Liretren's eyes widened.

The Princess was indeed wise and intelligent, but she was not an expert in metallurgy.

How could someone who had never smelted metal know about an alloy that doesn't rust?

'No, if it's Her Highness...'

No one else but Aristane, Her Highness.

She must be certain of her knowledge to speak with such confidence.

In response to that trust, Aristane nodded with conviction.

"Yes, I really do know."

As she answered, Aristane let out a deep sigh of relief.

'Thank goodness. It's a familiar metal.'

If it weren't, the probability that she, who hadn't specialized in chemistry or engineering, would know would be very low.

She would have had to hope that she had seen it in a newspaper or something in her previous life.

But this was a metal that almost no one living on Earth, in Korea, would be unfamiliar with.

'Stainless steel!'

Commonly abbreviated as "stainless" or "stain."

It is used in a wide range of products, from everyday items like stainless steel pots, tumblers, and kettles to car parts, aircraft, and industrial equipment.

And most importantly—

'The surgical scalpels in my previous life were also made of stainless steel!'

If only she had paid more attention to the material earlier.

'A disposable scalpel that can be replaced, and stainless steel, which doesn't rust easily.'

Perfect.

It would be the ultimate scalpel, capable of completely revolutionizing the market.

However.

'Just knowing about stainless steel doesn't solve everything.'

Just before entering the forge, Aristane had thoroughly researched stainless steel through the Emperor's Eye.

If the Emperor's Eye didn't provide sensory information, even four days and nights of searching would have been insufficient.

Textbooks, crumpled stainless steel composition charts, newspapers, internet articles, and more.

Just from the textbooks, she learned that stainless steel is an alloy made by mixing iron with chromium and nickel.

"But what about the ratio?"

She scanned other scenes to find the ratio but couldn't get an exact answer.

Even when she found a scene with the ratio, the chromium and nickel content varied.

In the midst of this, she even saw a headline about a new stainless steel processing method.

This meant that there were various methods for processing the alloy.

Of course, in her previous life, she hadn't clicked on such articles.

She probably didn't even remember seeing such a headline.

'If I had known, I would have at least glanced at all kinds of articles in my previous life. I didn't even need to read them.'

It was too late to regret now.

The information she had seen in passing in her previous life, without a particular interest in stainless steel, was limited to that.

The only thing she had been interested in regarding stainless steel in her previous life was one thing.

Whether the ramen cooked in a stainless steel pot or a silver pot tasted better.

'She really loved food, even in her previous life. I thought I had always been a picky eater.'

In any case, her research on stainless steel had some results but ended with more questions.

'Of course, it makes sense.'

Graphite is processed to make pencils of various hardnesses, such as 4B, 2B, and HB.

Similarly, the properties of stainless steel can vary depending on how it is processed.

However, with the limited information from her previous life, she didn't know the ideal alloy ratio or the processing method for surgical scalpels.

'Fortunately, I have a very reliable assistant.'

Aristane smiled at Liretren.

"Liretren."

"Yes, Her Highness."

"Even though it might be a bit boring, frustrating, and difficult, would you like to help me create a new alloy?"

Liretren's face became incredibly serious at these words.

"Her Highness, I have experimented with countless alloys in my room, but I have never found the process boring."

"Have you ever been frustrated?"

Aristane asked playfully.

"Sometimes. When the results don't match my expectations."

Liretren smiled sheepishly.

"Then teach me. I will definitely meet Her Highness's expectations. I know it might be hard to trust someone like me, but please."

Liretren's olive-colored eyes shone straight and true.

They were the color of the fruit symbolizing victory and peace.

"Liretren."

Liretren involuntarily held his breath.

Aristane's face, looking at him, was like a smile bathed in sunlight.

"I trust you."

A simple but weighty statement.

Liretren felt the heavy weight of it, both pleasant and overwhelming.

He had disappointed his respected teacher and been ridiculed by his seniors, juniors, and peers.

Living like that for a long time, Liretren had no confidence in himself.

He could only continue to draw out the song of iron within him.

"I am a deficient person, known as the shame of Catala. Her Highness, someone worthy of such trust..."

"I decide who I trust."

Aristane cut him off. Then she frowned slightly.

"Didn't I say something similar before? Don't you remember?"

Of course.

Liretren knew when and in what situation Aristane had said those words.

He had never forgotten a single moment.

'I believe in my eyes.'

'...That's exactly what she said.'

Just thinking about it made a gentle smile appear on Liretren's lips.

"And you asked me to believe in you."

"Me?"

Liretren was startled and looked at Aristane.

Did he dare to say such nonsense to the Princess?

"Do you mean to say you want to meet my expectations?"

"Ah..."

Liretren sighed.

He felt embarrassed, as if his hidden thoughts had been exposed.

"Actually, you want me to believe in you, don't you?"

Liretren couldn't nod, feeling ashamed.

"If you can't believe in yourself, believe in me."

Aristane smiled at him.

"Trust my eyes, which found you among so many people."

Liretren took a deep breath. His fingertips felt hot.

He remembered Aristane's back, blocking the sunlight in front of him.

The moment she turned around and extended her hand to him was still vivid.

The sunlight seemed to spread like wings from her back, and her touch was gentle and kind.

A moment of salvation he would never forget.

Liretren couldn't believe in himself, but he could believe in his savior.

Because she believed, he was not a shameful being but a proper blacksmith.

And one who would become the best blacksmith.

Liretren's eyes sparkled.

"Okay."

Aristane nodded and smiled.

"Let's give it a try."

Chapter 20. A Perverted Person with a Grudge

"Her Highness."

Umiru elegantly bowed to Aristane.

"Ah, come in. Umiru."

Umiru naturally extended her hand, and Aristane placed hers on top.

Umiru gently rubbed Aristane's hand and kissed the back of it.

"Such formalities can be skipped, right? They're a bit bothersome."

At this, Umiru jumped.

"Skip them? Absolutely not! Not at all bothersome!"

As she said this, she continued to stroke Aristane's hand.

"Umiru."

Tarkan called her in a low voice, with a warning tone.

"Ouch, scary."

Umiru exaggeratedly shrugged and released Aristane's hand.

"But what brings you here? We agreed to temporarily suspend the inspection and evaluation of the scalpel until the new one is ready."

Umiru's face turned gloomy at this.

"Her Highness, you're really too much."

"Huh?"

"I just sat down, and the tea hasn't even arrived, and you ask why I came first."

Do you dislike me that much?

Umiru's fiery eyes sparkled with a gloomy light.

Aristane quickly waved her hand.

"Ah, no, it's just... I was curious without realizing it."

With all her attention focused on business, she thought Umiru had something to say about the scalpel.

So she wanted to hear it quickly.

Umiru smiled.

"Of course, I have a matter to discuss, but first, I want to try the famous patissier's dessert."

The famous patissier.

As she said this, Umiru's eyes subtly turned toward Tarkan.

Tarkan frowned at Umiru's grin.

"Indeed, our patissier has become famous!"

In contrast, Aristane was delighted.

"After all, the warriors tasted the cake, and they were busy boasting about how delicious it was."

At this, Umiru's lips curled up.

Of course, the general-level warriors who tasted the cake were busy discussing the patissier.

'More than how delicious it was, they were busy debating why His Majesty Tarkan had hired the patissier.'

Umiru's gaze turned to Tarkan.

He glared at her with a sour expression.

'Hmm, I have an idea.'

Umiru smiled slyly.

Soon, tea and dessert arrived. It was a refreshing and sweet lemon charlotte.

Indeed, indeed.

Umiru nodded as she savored the lemon charlotte.

Although it was a bit strange that her gaze kept turning to Tarkan, Aristane watched her with satisfaction.

Of course, Aristane also enjoyed the dessert.

After finishing the last bite, Umiru finally brought up her matter.

"I received a message that it's impossible to supply more scalpels as I requested, as I'm focusing on developing a new one."

"Yes, I need to focus on developing the new scalpel."

"What kind of scalpel?"

Umiru's eyes sparkled.

She couldn't help but be curious.

The scalpel Aristane had designed was revolutionary in itself.

As someone who used scalpels in practice, she knew it well.

And now, it was being improved further?

"That's a secret."

Aristane put her index finger to her lips.

"Come on, just tell me a little."

"Since you'll be the first to use it after it's developed, let's save the excitement for then."

At this, Umiru pouted.

Aristane found her unique and intriguing.

"Is that why you came?"

It was a matter different from what she had expected.

It seemed like a matter important enough for a busy person to seek her out.

"I also wanted to see Her Highness again using that as an excuse."

"You're good with words."

"I'm being sincere."

Umiru winked at Aristane.

Tarkan's face immediately turned grim.

"Umiru, aren't you busy?"

His voice was laced with genuine irritation.

To avoid conflict, it was best to leave now.

"Always busy due to the great warriors. Her Highness, it's a shame, but I must go now."

"Sure, I'll contact you when the new scalpel is ready."

"Contact me before it's ready, too."

She felt a bit disappointed to leave.

Since she had to get up due to Tarkan, she had to say her final words.

"Really... Her Highness, you should take responsibility for me."

"Huh?"

Aristane tilted her head at the unexpected words.

Tarkan's eyes pierced Umiru.

"Using the scalpel Her Highness gave me, and then switching back to the original one, my delicate wrist is screaming in pain."

Aristane chuckled.

It meant the scalpel was that good, and she felt pleased.

"Ah, by the way."

Aristane gestured to the palace attendants.

"There should be a set of scalpels in this room. The first prototype I completed is stored as a keepsake."

The palace attendant, understanding Aristane's gesture, quickly approached the drawer where the scalpels were stored.

Umiru's eyes widened.

"Can you give that to me?"

"Isn't it better for someone who will use it to have it rather than me keeping it?"

Aristane's words left Umiru speechless.

Tarkan's lips curled up at this.

He was already annoyed that Liretren's gift was being kept in high regard.

'The jewels I gave are all just in the dressing room.'

The clothes, accessories, and jewelry in the dressing room were increasing, but Aristane seemed to pay no attention.

In any case, with Liretren's gift removed from Aristane's room, he felt relieved.

However.

"Her Highness."

The palace attendant, who had opened the drawer, called Aristane with a stiff face.

"There are no scalpels here... Did you take them out by any chance?"

"No? I haven't touched them. Wasn't it moved during cleaning?"

The palace attendant shook his head.

"The case where the scalpels were stored is still in the drawer."

"What?"

A crack appeared on Aristane's smooth forehead.

"Are you saying... only the scalpels are missing?"

Forget the husband, I'll just make money.