ITPMHFN 27

Chapter 27

The Villain’s Role

When I raised an eyebrow, Vernon responded with a hesitant expression.

“Yes, most of the funds are currently being invested in welfare projects within the estate and businesses run by the vassal families…”

I tilted my head.

Now that I thought about it, something didn’t add up.

When I first arrived and toured the mansion, I had assumed the estate’s finances were tight—understandable, given how many residents had left. I imagined the remaining people must be struggling too.

But what I saw during the festival contradicted all that.

The territory was well-maintained, the plaza was clean, and the people’s expressions were relaxed. Not a single person wore shabby clothes.

And yet, the budget was this high?

Just how much money was being funneled into this estate?

“Investments in business usually mean an increase in budget,” Vernon added awkwardly.

Ah. So this was under the Duke’s authority.

I finally closed the file and said, “Then I’ll ask His Grace directly.”

That evening, I heard Denok had returned.

I went straight to his quarters. After I knocked, a low voice answered. When I opened the door, I saw his back as he removed his outerwear—he had just come back from outside.

The shirt clung tightly to his broad back, and only after he hung up his coat did he turn around to face me.

I stood there, dazed for a moment, before quickly collecting myself.

“Do you have a moment?”

“I do.”

Soon, we were seated on the sofa in the drawing room with two warm cups of tea before us.

Only after the maid left did I exhale quietly.

How should I bring this up?

From one perspective, I might look like an outsider meddling in internal affairs—it made me hesitate.

As I traced the rim of my cup in silence, he gently spoke up.

“Is something troubling you?”

I looked up at the soft tone.

His face was as serious as ever, but his gaze—unlike before—was no longer cold.

I carefully opened my mouth.

“Today I reviewed the mansion’s budget documents, and… a few things seemed off.”

I shared everything that had happened with Vernon earlier—every detail that had struck me as suspicious.

Denok listened with quiet seriousness, and then stood up.

He walked over to his desk, unlocked a drawer with a key, and pulled out a stack of papers.

“This is the official budget plan for all current estate projects.”

I froze.

I had expected a verbal explanation—not for him to hand over the actual documents.

I was going to leave this place eventually… was it really okay for him to trust me this much?

A strange feeling settled in as I began flipping through the files.

And then—my pace quickened.

The more pages I turned, the darker my expression grew.

By the time I reached the final document, I knew my instincts had been right.

“These projects must all be halted immediately. Call in every person responsible.”

“What exactly is the issue?”

Denok asked calmly, with no sign of emotion.

I bit my lip and stood up, grabbing a quill.

One by one, I marked the pages—circles here, X’s there, and underlines on others.

Then I handed it all back to him.

“There are clear signs of forgery on these documents.”

Denok’s face hardened noticeably.

I pointed to the report on the magic stone mine.

“This one, for example. The stated output is absurdly low. The mine is far from being exhausted. There’s no reason the yield should be this poor unless…”

“They’re skimming off the top,” he murmured.

I turned to another document and tapped it.

“This one’s even worse. The orphanage program is bleeding money. Supposedly, the number of orphans has continued to increase—but that doesn’t make sense when so many people have left the estate.”

His expression darkened.

Betrayed—by the vassals he trusted.

Wanting to ease the blow, I said, “Still, I haven’t seen any signs that the people themselves are suffering. If we replace the current managers with trustworthy individuals, we can recover.”

Denok silently lifted the documents again, his eyes sinking deep with reflection.

“I must’ve let too much slip by while I was looking the other way,” he murmured.

“It’s not—”

I looked up, wanting to say it wasn’t his fault. But I couldn’t.

Because, in the end, this had happened under his watch.

‘The burden on his advisors must have been immense.’

The previous advisor, who had served the former duke and duchess, died in the fire.

Back then, Denok had been only ten years old.

At such a young age, he inherited the duchy—and along with it, the madness in his bloodline.

He never had the time to develop the wisdom needed to judge people, to decide who could be trusted.

Even with training, no one becomes a seasoned ruler overnight.

‘Honestly, it’s a miracle he’s held on this long.’

But instead of helping him, they had used him. That was unforgivable.

I bit my lip.

“Edith,” he suddenly said.

For the first time, Denok spoke my name with perfect clarity.

“If you’re willing… would you guide me?”

“I’ve missed many things due to my inexperience. And the people of this estate have paid the price for it.”

His voice was calm, his eyes clear.

“I want to correct what’s been done wrong. And I want you by my side.”

I held my breath.

‘Can I really trust this?’

This was just a one-year contract. After that, I’d be gone.

And yet… he spoke as if—

“I’m sorry. I know it’s a heavy request.”

Denok bowed slightly, his gaze lowered.

His trust hit me like a weight.

“You’re the only one I can rely on right now.”

His words soaked into me like raindrops.

And they reached the guilt buried deep inside me.

‘Right. I always wanted him to be happy.’

Even if I disappeared, I didn’t want him to crumble.

If that was the case, this estate needed to become stronger.

I lowered my gaze and nodded quietly.

In that moment, his eyes gleamed ever so slightly.

“Then… how should we handle this situation?”

He asked softly.

I fell into thought.

How could we turn this around and corner the vassals in one blow?

Then a memory surfaced—something from the original story.

I remembered the scene where Edith snorted at the minor nobles and dismissed them coldly.

That version of Edith had seized control of the ducal finances like they were her own, cutting off all business support. And when the nobles swarmed her, she had sneered.

“How dare you pathetic country lords throw a tantrum.”

No one had dared talk back.

Backed by the power of House Sertia, she was untouchable.

A faint smile touched my lips.

“…I’ll take the role of the villain.”

“Villain?”

Denok raised an eyebrow.

I smiled calmly.

“Your Grace may already be seen as weak by them. If we want to crush them, we need to strike hard.”

And for that…

“It has to be someone like me—a highborn lady of House Sertia.”

It was time to bring out the real Edith Sertia again.

The next morning.

A group of nobles gathered at the gates of the ducal estate.

Though dressed in proper formalwear, their faces were flushed with anger.

“Open the gates!”

They were all vassal lords who had long handled business within Luciano territory.

And now, they had come to fight for what they thought was theirs.