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Chapter 14
[So, so… you’re saying you can’t help me because you’re worried about your daughter? Even after earning so much money?]
[…]
Baron Hess’s voice was still sorrowful, as if he truly considered Baron Varden a friend.
Yet there was not the slightest sign that he would back down.
Baron Hess had changed.
He had overcome the period when his inherently kind and gentle nature was exploited, and had become someone capable of choosing what truly mattered.
Nadia, aware that he was older than her in experience, smiled faintly with a sense of pride.
However, unlike Nadia’s warm feelings, Baron Varden only became more desperate.
[That daughter isn’t even your biological child, is she?]
[What did you just say?]
[Ah, no, I mean… actually, I’ve found a very good marriage prospect for your daughter! If you help me, I’ll help you too. Once she’s married, you won’t need to worry about appearances anymore…]
[What nonsense are you talking about! Stop this. I do not wish to be angry with you.]
[It’s truly a good match! Just hear me out! It’s none other than Count Iris…]
Count Iris was quite famous in high society.
Even in the remote Hess territory, rumors had reached them.
A notorious womanizer with a polished tongue who could easily sway noble ladies.
It seemed he was targeting the small and weak Hess territory, thinking it would be easier to marry into than a powerful house.
[He’s a bit older, but his family is excellent! He has far more wealth than you, and his manners are impeccable.]
Nadia let out a hollow laugh.
Even in her life as Libenya, marriage had been nothing more than a shackle.
From Nadia’s current position, marriage was like a commodity being placed on display, waiting for the highest bidder.
By that logic, Count Iris was not necessarily a bad match.
After all, he would likely ignore a boring wife and spend his life wandering elsewhere.
Given that the Hess barony had little economic, political, or historical value, it was unlikely any better proposal would come than Count Iris’s.
Perhaps Baron Hess was even considering accepting it…
[His manners are impeccable, you say?!]
Just before Nadia’s thoughts could deepen, a deafening shout tore through the eavesdropping device.
Startled, she covered her right ear.
[Does anyone not know that man is a notorious womanizer?! Our daughter is only twenty, and he is in his mid-thirties! And he flits between women so shamelessly that it would not be strange if he already has over ten illegitimate children! And you dare suggest our smart, kind, precious daughter be given to such a filthy man?! Are you insulting me?!]
[B-But he is a count…]
[A count? Even if His Majesty the Emperor himself came, my daughter would still be too good for him! Now shut your mouth!]
Nadia’s eyes widened as she listened.
It was the first time she had ever heard Baron Hess swear.
Baron Varden, flustered, began stammering.
[Th-That’s too harsh! You’ve become arrogant just because you made some money! T-Telling me to shut up… how rude…]
[And you are not being rude while begging for help?! If one of us must be rude, it is more reasonable that it be me, not you!]
[W-What?! Begging?! Hah! I’ve seen you in a new light! I never thought you were this kind of person…]
[Thank you for noticing. I’ve been trying to look different lately. I’ve been living too carelessly, and my daughter has suffered because of it.]
Baron Hess then shouted for Baron Varden to be thrown out immediately.
And then, an unexpected voice came through the device.
[Yes, my lord! I will throw him out immediately!]
That cheerful voice belonged to Vivian.
With a lively “Yaaah!”, a scream from Baron Varden echoed through the device.
Nadia hurriedly looked out the window.
Vivian was carrying Baron Varden over her shoulder as she exited the manor.
Her strength was so extraordinary that she walked as if she were merely taking a stroll.
“Good heavens…”
Nadia covered her mouth, eyes blinking rapidly, then bit her lip tightly to stop herself from laughing.
Baron Hess stood still for a long time, catching his breath before finally grasping the doorknob to the reception room.
He had been so furious seeing Baron Varden insult Nadia that he could not hold himself back.
He did not regret throwing him out or speaking harshly—but his heart was still pounding.
You are the lord of this territory. It is good to be kind, but you must always maintain dignity.
Remembering Nadia’s advice, Baron Hess exhaled slowly.
He could not show an uncomposed state to the household staff.
After one final deep breath, he stepped outside the reception room.
He had expected the maids to be waiting in groups—but only Nadia was there.
Nadia smiled warmly upon seeing him.
“Father, are you alright?”
“Ah, haha… I am fine, I am fine. Did you hear the commotion your father caused? I’m sorry. You told me to maintain dignity…”
“Please don’t say that. The one who caused the commotion was Baron Varden.”
Nadia gently took his hand.
Baron Hess was trying to act calm, but his hands were trembling.
His face was bright red as he flustered.
“I raised my voice when I shouldn’t have, and now my hands won’t stop shaking. How embarrassing… I really have lived in vain all these years.”
Nadia quietly studied him.
They shared no blood, yet there was not a single resemblance between them.
And yet Baron Hess truly treated her as his own daughter.
A man who trembled just from raising his voice… who blushed, who shook—
And yet had gone so far for her.
It warmed her heart and also made it ache.
Libenya had had three parents, yet she had never received such warmth from any of them.
Baron Hess had given it so freely.
“Nadia… a-are you crying? Are you upset because your father looked so pathetic? I’m sorry…”
Ah. She had been crying?
She hadn’t even realized it.
Nadia lowered her gaze, then stepped into his arms.
“It’s not something to apologize for. I’m just grateful.”
Nadia was usually a quiet girl, difficult to read.
But seeing her like this, Baron Hess sniffled, tears welling up.
“Grateful… for what…”
“No, really. I’m truly grateful. I’m so glad you’re my father.”
A person who tried to learn from even those beneath him.
A person who apologized without hesitation.
A person who changed for the sake of those he loved.
A person who shared his emotions honestly with family.
Nadia liked that Baron Hess was such a person.
“You didn’t even get to properly enjoy the expensive tea, did you? Shall we go drink it with Mother?”
“Yes, let’s.”
“I’ll tell her how amazing you were today, Father.”
“Th-That’s embarrassing…”
They spoke as if sharing something precious.
As they walked toward Baron Hess’s wife’s room, Baron Hess suddenly asked,
“By the way… your maid Vivian. She is quite strong. She might even be as strong as our miners, don’t you think?”
“Seems like it.”
Nadia nodded lightly and smiled.
She’s probably even stronger than them.
But if she said that, he would surely faint from shock, so she kept it to herself.
As long as Vivian’s identity as an assassin didn’t get exposed… it should be fine.
Probably.
A study room for Nadia was created in the Hess manor.
It was a significant change for her, who previously had to work in her bedroom or Baron Hess’s office.
At first, it contained only a desk, chair, and bookshelf—but soon carpenters from the territory arrived.
“If it’s an office, it must have a sofa!”
“It has to look stylish!”
They worked together and built a spacious sofa large enough for two or three people. Although they could not afford fine leather, the material they carefully prepared themselves was still soft and beautiful.
Nadia liked it so much that she often rested there.
“Conrad, you should sit too. The quality is really good.”
“……Yes.”
Of course, Conrad—who came and went through the window—did not approve of the sofa.
His master deserved something far better.
But seeing Nadia so pleased, he said nothing.
He sat down and straightened his posture.
“I will report. Since Lady Nadia expanded the influence of the Duke of Baldwin’s estate, many people have been eyeing the position of duchess consort. However, as you suspected, only Count Crimson is reckless enough to resort to assassination.”
Nadia nodded.
“After Libenya Baldwin’s death, Count Crimson made several marriage proposals to Baldwin, all of which were rejected. After that, he established an extravagant townhouse in the capital.”
“Planning to expand his influence in the capital?”
“Yes. He began manipulating public opinion, spreading rumors that the Baldwin Duchy mistreats its vassals and acts coldly.”
Nadia’s expression darkened.
“Pushing a marriage proposal repeatedly and then calling it cold when rejected? There are limits to cowardice…”
Nadia tended to become emotional when it came to Heinrich.
Just as her voice slightly rose—
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the study door.
Before Nadia could even signal Conrad to hide, he quickly slipped under the sofa.
Nadia had to suppress her laughter at the sight of the tall man curled up.
She cleared her throat.
“…Who is it?”
