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Chapter 13
Nadia had a lot of things she needed to do immediately.
She had to quickly push forward road construction to facilitate trade with other territories, and also begin development of a new mine.
On top of that, she couldn’t afford to be too strict with funds, since she needed to secure a stable supply of medicine for Baron Hess’s wife.
And she also had to investigate Libenya’s death. There simply weren’t enough hours in the day.
In such a situation, she couldn’t ignore some reckless fool draining the naive Baron Hess’s pockets.
It was obvious what kind of trick Baron Varden would use.
Dressed like a nouveau riche, he would no doubt claim he had a great business opportunity and ask for investment.
Father is trying hard to be helpful to me lately. If he hears promises of multiplying his money several times over, and emotional pleas disguised as logic, he might actually give in.
But if she kicked Baron Varden out right now, it would damage the household’s reputation, and it would also hurt Baron Hess’s pride.
Back when she lived as Libenya Pshilin, Count Pshilin had always looked at her with contempt whenever she offered advice.
He would throw objects in rage, accusing her of treating him like a fool.
All the while unaware that it only made him look more like a beast.
Nadia, carrying those memories, did not want to repeat the same mistake.
So she decided to observe for now.
She instructed the maid while serving tea.
“Since the weather is nice today, leave the windows of the reception room open.”
After the maid went to the reception room, Nadia returned to her room.
As she rummaged through a drawer, Vivian giggled as if she found it amusing.
“If you’re going to hang outside the window to eavesdrop, you should be looking for a rope.”
At Vivian’s silly joke, Nadia chuckled softly and pulled something out.
“Vivian, as a competent assassin, do you really need a rope to hang from a window?”
“W-What? I’m the one doing it?”
“Of course.”
“But I’m wearing such a cute uniform! What if I get it dirty climbing walls?”
Vivian complained dramatically.
Nadia had never seen such a clingy maid, even in all her life as Libenya. It was both bewildering and amusing.
Thinking her cuteness had worked, Vivian beamed brightly.
Nadia gently took Vivian’s hand and smiled with her eyes.
“You just need to place this on the window frame.”
In Vivian’s hand was a very small magical device.
It was a listening device that Conrad had prepared along with various useful tools.
“You’ll need to eavesdrop on the conversation to time your entry properly, so hurry.”
“Ugh, do I really have to go?”
At Vivian’s whining, Nadia narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“Conrad said there isn’t a single mansion you can’t infiltrate. Are you scared? If so…”
“I’m not scared at all! I was just trying to live a normal, cute maid life!”
Vivian puffed up in pride and immediately dashed out the window with the device.
Nadia quickly looked outside, but not even a strand of Vivian’s hair was visible.
For once, Nadia was genuinely surprised as she looked around, then let out a small laugh behind her hand.
“She gets offended over something like this, yet still calls herself a normal maid? How cute…”
Nadia closed the window and placed one half of the eavesdropping device in her ear.
Vivian’s skills were so good that voices from the reception room were already clearly audible.
[Hahaha! You mean you found mana stones by chance? What incredible luck!]
[That’s what I think too.]
[The goddess of fortune is so fickle, isn’t she? She smiles upon people like you who live carelessly and take things as they come.]
As soon as the conversation began, rude remarks poured out.
Even so, Baron Hess only laughed softly.
[Hohoho. A diligent man like you doesn’t need luck, I suppose. I’m simply not talented.]
Baron Hess was naturally kind and disliked conflict.
He helped whenever he could and endured anger in silence. In Hess territory, he was considered a benevolent lord.
But in noble society, that was likely seen as foolish.
That judgment must have followed him everywhere, slowly eroding his confidence and self-worth.
Nadia sighed.
She wanted to step in immediately and throw that rude man out, but it was not yet her place to interfere in adult matters.
She listened again.
As expected, Baron Varden was unfolding an elaborate but hollow business scheme.
[There’s land above the Duke of Baldwin’s territory. There’s a fruit that only grows there—it’s said to be delicious and incredibly beneficial. If we bring it to the capital and sell it, it’ll be priceless!]
[Hmm, is that so? But I heard that region is already quite cold, and the area above it has no seasons at all. That’s why no one claims it…]
[Exactly! That’s why such a rare fruit was hidden there!]
[You seem to know quite a lot.]
[I paid a high price for this information. I’m planning to start a business with this fruit…]
The point was simple.
The fruit spoiled immediately if it was taken to even slightly warm environments.
So many magical devices were needed to maintain its temperature.
If Baron Hess funded them, the profits would supposedly be multiplied several times over.
It was absurd.
Baron Varden was trying to sell a product he had never even seen.
No matter how naive Baron Hess was, this was too ridiculous to fall for.
Still, he politely refused.
[Hmm… As you know, I have no talent for business. Please give this opportunity to someone else.]
[Come now! I never said you had to run the business! I’ll handle that—you just provide the initial support!]
But Baron Varden only raised his voice further.
Honestly, Nadia thought Baron Hess would eventually give in and offer at least a small amount.
After all, she had allocated him a modest allowance for dignity and personal expenses.
But Baron Hess only laughed gently and did not offer any money.
“Father isn’t the type to be stingy with dignity funds… don’t tell me…”
Has he decided not to be seen as easy anymore?
Before she could finish her thought, a loud thud! echoed through the device.
[Why are you kneeling like that? Please, stop this.]
It seemed Baron Varden had actually knelt.
[Baron Hess! We’re old friends, are we not? So I’ll speak honestly. I’ve already invested heavily in this fruit. But on the way to the Empire, some of my magical devices broke! If I bring the fruit like this, it will all rot before I arrive! Please, just help me a little! I’ll repay you many times over!]
[You…]
[I’m sorry for being prideful! But everything I said is true! I swear it!]
Baron Varden’s voice became tearful.
He had begun appealing to emotion.
Baron Hess’s voice, unlike earlier, trembled with confusion as he tried to calm him.
In response, Baron Varden cried even louder.
[Just a little! Please help me just a little! I will never forget this kindness!]
It seemed it was time for Nadia to intervene.
With such commotion, it would not be strange for her to already understand the situation.
The moment she opened her bedroom door—
[I’m sorry. Hearing that you’re struggling pains me. I truly want to help, but I’m not in a position to do so right now.]
An unexpected voice came through.
Baron Hess’s voice trembled heavily. It was clear he was in a difficult position.
He genuinely wanted to help Baron Varden.
But he had decided not to.
[W-What do you mean? You said you made a lot of money from the mana stones!]
Baron Varden sounded shocked.
[That is not my money. The money from the mana stones belongs to my daughter. She found them, and she protected them. And she shared the credit with everyone, so that money belongs to Hess territory.]
[But you are Baron Hess, so what belongs to the territory belongs to you…]
[No. It belongs to Hess territory. If I take that money to help you, it would only be me pretending to be generous. I no longer wish to act on such vanity. I want to become someone responsible instead. I learned this from my daughter.]
Baron Hess declared firmly.
[I may never become as responsible as Nadia, but I will start by only taking responsibility for what I can truly handle. I’m sorry, my friend.]
