🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 40
The Count placed a straw into Ariletti’s wide-open mouth.
“Now you belong to Hezeight. Hezeight always takes care of those tied to the family. That means you’ll live at least until you reach my age, little one.”
Apparently, Dr. Sergio hadn’t been very optimistic about Ariletti’s remaining lifespan.
Needing mandrake continuously meant her own recovery was no longer sufficient.
Looking at the rabbit doll sitting beside her, a voice echoed in her mind as if it had been waiting:
-
“This is your life’s energy—drink it up, Arile. Ah, refreshing! That’s it, keep going! Well done!”
‘…Anyway, the Third Prince will need mandrake eventually.’
If I die, I’ll make sure the mandrake sells for a high price. The money lost now is just the initial investment for the mandrake business.
“And little one, it wasn’t as serious a hemorrhage as you might think. Want to look at the accounts?”
Advisor Maiya brought a large chest and placed it on the table.
Inside were thick files packed with documents—the monthly sales statements sent by Ismail Trading.
Ariletti opened one and her eyes nearly popped out.
“Debit is income, credit is expenses…”
Total income: 107,854 gold.
“…Huh?”
She rubbed her eyes and double-checked the accounts. The numbers matched.
Looking at the items sold and their quantities, she was dumbfounded:
230 Frozen Wolf hides, 323 White Goblin hearts and lungs, 129 bottles of Snow Fairy breath…
How many monsters were hunted while I was asleep?
“While waiting for you, I thought about what we could do. You may not know how to spend money, but you’re good at earning it. This ledger is a gift for you.”
“Ah…?”
“You can do whatever you want, Ariletti.”
She couldn’t believe the Count was giving her all his wealth.
Ariletti’s stunned expression gradually twisted into confusion.
What kind of joke is this? How could he just hand over his fortune?
‘Stop giving it all away!’
Was this generosity even hereditary?
Unable to argue the Count out of giving the ledger, Ariletti decided to go shopping.
“A mahogany desk, matching bookshelves and shelves, curtains with the Hezeight emblem, velvet chairs with artisan carvings… anything else you want?”
“Marble floor tiles.”
Sitting on the Count’s lap, she quickly listed the items needed. This was the purchase list for Ismail.
Even if she collected the sales money from him, she would still need to go to the city to buy the materials herself.
To make things easier, she decided Ismail would buy the materials and send both the remaining funds and goods to the Hezeight estate in one shipment.
“Even if we can’t rebuild everything immediately, at least the library needs a full makeover.”
“Yes, yes. Do whatever you want, little one.”
Over several weeks, the library filled with shiny new furniture.
Old walls and floors were repainted, decorations added, giving the office a dignified and luxurious feel. Now it truly looked like a noble’s study.
“Change the rusty castle gates too. Have the finest artisans carve the ice dragon from the snowy mountains.”
“I’ll have Ismail gather the sculptors.”
“Paint murals around the square showing Hezeight’s history. Long murals. When people think of Hezeight, the murals should come to mind first!”
“Yes, yes. We’ll call the painters. You can even put your face in one.”
“I want a golden statue of the first head of the family in the center of the square… oh?”
The Count stroked his long beard and nodded.
“Next to it, we can place a monument honoring your accomplishments, Aril.”
“Ah…?”
“Anything else? Say it aloud. This old man will make sure the money never runs dry!”
She thought he was joking about the monsters from the Colden Mountains.
She tilted her head and continued listing requests:
“Also, I want to build modern inns for visitors to stay in. And we can charge lodging fees!”
Decorating the estate was fun.
So passed the first summer of her third life, and soon it was September.
Over three months, the Hezeight estate slowly but surely transformed.
Construction noise never stopped in the central square. Five painters and three sculptors from Kaspel worked on statues and murals.
Cities wanting to trade with Hezeight weren’t limited to Kaspel.
Even tourists came after hearing that dragons appeared in the Colden Mountains. The new inns accommodated the visitors perfectly.
‘I think the estate is finally taking shape.’
The name of the Hezeight family probably spread through Kaspel and other big cities.
A territory protected by a dragon!
Ariletti couldn’t hide her smug smile.
Anyone who dared to underestimate or cheat the Hezeights was doomed.
But fate is two-sided.
For every sweet moment comes bitterness. Every situation has two sides.
Would the imperial court sit idly by as Hezeight’s influence grew?
‘Year 1357. Nine years and six months from now, there will be another attack. The timing may change, but the First Prince’s side will continue monitoring Hezeight.’
Thanks to the dragon, no one could openly interfere, but the First Prince’s side—especially Empress Lorelline—was skilled at falsely accusing the innocent.
Since awakening the snowy mountain dragon, the future had changed completely, and Ariletti had nearly exhausted all her powers.
There was no turning back now. Every step had to be taken carefully.
“Speaking of which, Glen should be back soon.”
It had been a full month since Glen left to bring Ariletti’s friend, without ever saying where.
Hopefully, the Empress hadn’t acted already.
By now, in Ariletti’s memory, “that person” should appear in Kaspel—a useful person she had planned to recruit early.
‘We weren’t very close, and I almost died a few times because of him, but…’
His skills were unmatched. She had secretly hoped he’d get involved when starting the cold-element materials business.
Unlike Ismail, he was unpredictable, a ticking time bomb. One wrong move could cause serious problems.
Thinking of the past six times she nearly died and had to repeat her life made her stomach turn even in sleep.
If only she could hit him a few times, sign a contract, and make him a partner—like with Uncle Nemar.
His abilities would save a fortune in construction labor…
‘But now I can’t afford even a single mistake. No more resets.’
Not being able to use her powers felt hopeless.
Ariletti held her pen and sank into thought.
‘It would be great to know exactly when he’ll appear in Kaspel…’
Unexpectedly, her problem was solved in a way she didn’t anticipate.
