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Chapter 28
The Reckoning
The mana crystal mines, the orphanage project, the local guild operations.
With one hand, they supported the territory. With the other, they clung to power.
But then, a single unexpected letter threatened to strip all of that away.
Even upon arriving at the drawing room, their angry breaths had not yet calmed.
“This is outrageous! After a lifetime of service to Luciano, we’re being cast aside like this?”
“She’s barely become the Grand Duchess! What would she know about managing enterprises?”
“Could this be… some kind of ploy? A scheme to plant Sertia’s influence here?”
“Unbelievable! Such monstrous tactics!”
One man jumped to his feet, his face turning red, then pale. He had managed the mana crystal mines for over two decades, and his bulging stomach hinted at years of easy indulgence.
The other nobles looked equally uneasy. They were all here after receiving the sudden notice that their business rights were being revoked.
“Where is His Grace at such a critical time…!”
One of them lamented in disbelief.
The moment they had arrived, they demanded to know Grand Duke Denok’s whereabouts from the chief butler.
The answer they received was cold and final:
“His Grace departed early this morning.”
Which meant—they would have to face the woman from House Sertia on their own.
Their ragged breaths filled the space as they each tried to hide their growing unease.
‘Does she know something? No, what could a pampered noblewoman possibly understand?’
‘The Duke of Sertia isn’t someone to take lightly… is he backing her from behind?’
‘Damn it. No matter what, we must persuade her to give those rights back.’
Misguided confidence and rising anxiety weighed heavily on the drawing room like a storm about to break.
Then—
“You’ve all been waiting long.”
With a polite voice, Vernon entered. He gave a small bow before stepping aside and guiding in the day’s true guest.
“Presenting Her Grace, the Grand Duchess of Luciano.”
Edith entered with slow, unshaken steps, her serene face betraying no emotion as she stood before the gathered nobles. Her half-lidded blue eyes regarded them coldly, her fiery red hair cascading around her, matching the crimson dress that wrapped her like a living flame.
Everything about her presence screamed nobility—bloodline, strength, and unwavering resolve. The nobles could only swallow nervously.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I am Edith Luciano.”
She strode confidently across the room and took the seat of honor without hesitation.
“Bring tea,” she ordered calmly.
Melissa, who had accompanied her, hurried forward with a tray. But the trembling of her hand caused the teacup to rattle against the saucer.
“Tsk. Still not properly trained…”
“I-I’m so sorry, milady!”
“Enough. Wait outside. You’ll be disciplined later.”
The nobles said nothing, watching the servant’s obvious fear with stiff lips.
Just from the maid’s reaction, they could tell what kind of woman Edith was.
‘So the rumors were true.’
‘Someone should speak first…’
‘You go ahead, brother!’
Tension passed across the long table like sparks between flint. Everyone was waiting for someone else to speak to Edith, who sipped her tea in silence.
Finally, Edith spoke.
“I assume you all know why you’re here.”
That prompted a wave of awkward glances. Eventually, the loudest man among them stepped forward.
“Ahem. With all due respect, Your Grace, we truly don’t understand. Our business rights have been revoked without any prior consultation. May I ask what justification exists for such a decision?”
He was the noble overseeing the mana crystal mine.
“Perhaps Your Grace is unaware, but businesses can’t simply be pulled overnight. If we proceed like this, it may severely damage the Luciano estate—”
“Ahaha. Damage, you say?”
Edith let out a soft, amused laugh as she gently set her teacup down. As if she had just heard the most ridiculous thing.
A vein bulged on the noble’s forehead.
“What does that laugh mean, Your Grace? We’ve dedicated our lives to this territory. Your attitude can only be interpreted as contempt!”
He crossed his arms and even closed his eyes in protest.
“Summon the Grand Duke at once. This matter is beyond the Duchess’s authority. His Grace knows how loyal House Rahim has been through the years.”
“Yes, us as well!”
“And us too!”
Edith calmly scanned their faces.
Firm lips, creased brows, and eyes filled with resentment.
They all wore the same expression.
‘How laughable,’ Edith thought.
She raised a hand slightly, summoning Vernon. As he leaned down, she whispered a few words in his ear. He nodded and quickly left the room.
The nobles assumed he had gone to fetch the Grand Duke, and some sighed in relief.
While they waited, Edith quietly sipped her tea again. Meanwhile, Gerald, who had entered as her guard, watched the nobles with icy eyes.
Soon, Vernon returned—carrying a stack of documents.
He laid the papers out neatly on the table.
The nobles began flipping through the pages with confused expressions. One by one, their faces turned pale.
“Th-this can’t be…”
“Y-your Grace, I don’t understand—”
The very man who had just demanded to see the Grand Duke was now trembling, clutching the documents with his chubby fingers.
Edith took a breath and lifted her chin.
Then, with a calm smile:
“You certainly helped yourselves over the years, didn’t you?”
“Your Grace!”
One noble cried out, but Edith silenced him with a sharp gaze.
“You dare skim off my family’s wealth and still look me in the eye? If anyone here is being disrespected—it’s me.”
Even the formal politeness in her speech vanished.
Her voice, though low, carried a chilling authority.
“You had the gall to rob me.”
Edith was furious to her core.
Last night, she had quickly gathered the necessary records—and the scale of it was astounding.
At first, it seemed they had embezzled in small, discreet amounts. But as time passed and no one stopped them, they no longer even bothered hiding it.
‘To think they used the tragedy of the duchy for their own gain.’
The only reason the collateral lines of the family survived at all was because Denok had lived through that tragedy.
Had he died, all of Luciano’s wealth would have reverted to the Crown.
‘Even while suffering nightly fits, Denok never neglected his duties.’
Though young and inexperienced, he had done his best for the estate. Be it business, relief work, or subjugating magical beasts—he had never turned his back on his people.
Edith couldn’t forgive those who had spat on that devotion.
Meanwhile, the nobles could do nothing under her icy stare. Eventually, one by one, they fell to their knees before her.
Their hands trembled as they reached out, desperate to win her mercy.
“P-please, Your Grace, hear us out… There are circumstances—”
“Y-yes! If you wish, we’ll return every coin we earned. Just give us one more chance!”
“Stand back.”
Gerald moved then—coldly smacking away their reaching hands with the hilt of his sword.
Then he bared his teeth in a smile that held no warmth.
“His Grace has ordered me to protect the Grand Duchess. Touch her, and you’ll be harmed.”
“Eek—!”
The threat in Gerald’s voice made the nobles retreat in terror.
Edith looked down on the scene with disinterest. Then, finally, she rose from her seat.
Her crimson gown spread wide as she moved, flooding the room with the scent of roses.
“No more pitiful excuses. If you have something to say, save it for the noble court.”
