KDPCD 15

“L-Lord William?”

“Hahaha!”

The large elderly man standing before me laughed heartily at the sound of his name and approached Robert. Before Robert could say anything, the man slapped him on the back with a hand as big as a pot lid.

“Why so stiff, young man? Aren’t you happy to see me?!”

“Ugh! Are you really Lord William? How are you here in Lady Bellady’s office?”

“I dropped by at her invitation!”

“That was even possible?!”

Watching Robert’s dumbfounded face, I set down the document I’d been reading and gestured to the two of them.

“Don’t just stand at the door. Come in, both of you.”

Robert hurried over to the desk.

William chuckled again as he saw him.

“Still scampering around like a squirrel!”

“Lord William! I’m over thirty now—calling me a squirrel?!”

“You still look like a kid to me.”

Thanks to William’s massive build, Robert certainly looked small in comparison.

As I watched the reunion, I slowly opened my mouth.

“So, what’s your reason for barging in uninvited?”

Robert quickly gathered himself.

“I have something to say regarding the shooting range construction.”

“Ah, that.”

I casually tossed him the expense ledger I’d written up earlier. Robert, catching it on instinct, widened his eyes in shock.

“Good heavens! You’re planning to dig a pond next to the shooting range?!”

“I’m using my own allowance. Is there a problem?”

“Of course there’s a problem! Spending this much at once will ruin the household finances!”

Before he could say more, William burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! Robert, you still get scared over nothing!”

“W-what?”

“I’ve seen the budget Lady Bellady allocated for this project. It’s nowhere near enough to damage the estate’s finances.”

William shook his head.

“In fact, the amount she’s received all this time has been far too small. Who would believe that was a noble lady’s personal allowance? Meanwhile, Lord Meldor’s was excessively high.”

He clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“And Charles was the one who decided this? Tsk, tsk. He’s greatly at fault.”

Robert snapped with wide eyes.

“My father only followed the Duchess’s wishes! You don’t know anything, Lord William!”

“Oho? That’s not very nice. I used to be the head steward of this capital estate, you know. I know the household inside and out.”

As he said, William had once been the head steward of this very estate. He’d retired shortly after I was born.

‘Wasn’t it to care for his ailing wife?’

In any case, my mother had filled the gap by bringing Charles from the northern castle, where he had been the steward.

Normally, the capital estate’s steward outranks the one from the northern castle. So Charles had been promoted only because of William’s absence.

Naturally, Robert wouldn’t be too fond of William’s return.

‘And he’s completely lost the upper hand in this conversation.’

As their bickering continued—with Robert constantly being outdone—I waved a document to shift the atmosphere.

“This was much easier to read thanks to you. Good work, William.”

“You’re too kind, Lady Bellady.”

I subtly adjusted the angle so Robert could see the document too.

His expression twisted in horror.

“Wait, is that the report I submitted?”

As soon as he asked the question he’d been dreading, William gave me a small signal and spoke.

“Well, since it came up—Robert, come over here a moment.”

As promised, he led Robert to the sofa in the corner of the office where I’d pre-arranged some documents.

“There’s something odd in your report. Here in the northern vassal list—why is it written like this?”

“Huh?”

Robert took the report and hesitantly replied.

“Ah, I based it on my father’s report from two years ago—”

“Tsk, tsk. So you didn’t verify the details and just copied Charles’s old report? This baron died last year of old age. His son has since succeeded him.”

William proceeded to point out several more errors.

Robert’s face flushed red in embarrassment.

Amused, I turned to William.

“William, have you considered working for our house again?”

“Hahaha! Would Robert be okay with that?”

“Why wouldn’t he be? He cares so much about the estate’s future that he even tries to manage my allowance.”

My barbed remark made Robert flinch.

“So I’m sure he’d appreciate having a more experienced steward around.”

“Th-that’s not true!”

Robert suddenly stood up, scowling.

“I’m the current head steward of this estate, and I don’t like others interfering in my duties!”

The moment he said that, I tapped my desk twice.

Tap, tap—

At the agreed signal, William bowed to me and left the office.

Startled, Robert called out.

“W-wait, Lord William?”

“Come here, Robert.”

Robert hesitated but slowly approached as the office door shut behind us.

Now alone, he grew visibly tense.

Raising one eyebrow, I asked:

“Do you think you have the right to say that?”

He stiffened.

“W-well…”

“You interfered in your master’s finances and barged in here because you didn’t like it?”

He lowered his head.

“If I offended you, I apologize. I just thought it was unfair that you ignored me and went ahead with the construction…”

He cautiously glanced at me. I gestured for him to continue.

Gaining a bit of courage, he blurted out:

“My father always said that stewards are irreplaceable and valuable personnel. That we deserve to be treated accordingly and shouldn’t tolerate injustice!”

At that, I burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! That’s hilarious. So noble of you.”

Robert flinched.

I stared at him intently.

“Fine. Let’s say you’re a valuable asset and shouldn’t tolerate unfairness. But what now, when someone better has shown up?”

“……”

“Why should I keep you around when there’s someone more capable?”

I slowly tore up the expense report right in front of him.

“You call this help? All you did was overstep your authority arrogantly.”

Robert’s face turned pale—like the shredded paper in my hands.

“So you wouldn’t object if I fired you and hired William instead, right?”

In this society, there were no employment contracts or labor laws protecting stewards.

There was an ethical responsibility between nobles, but—

‘If I wanted to, I could fire Robert.’

Of course, it would be a hassle. I’d need Father’s permission, which was a whole challenge in itself.

‘Still, you need this level of bluffing to bait the fish.’

Robert, already under psychological pressure, wouldn’t think that far. Sure enough, he said nothing—just clamped his mouth shut.

‘Wait…’

I noticed his eyes brimming with tears.

I sighed inwardly.

‘He really is a crybaby.’

As much as I didn’t like him, he was someone I could still make use of.

So I decided to end his scolding here.

“This is what you call unfairness, Robert.”

His head shot up, his eyes wide as if a light had just gone on in his brain.

“Everything you’ve said until now has just been arrogance.”

“Hrk…”

Robert sniffled and wiped his tears with a handkerchief.

It hit me—he really was raised like a pampered noble boy.

‘That he grew up never even understanding what “injustice” truly means is proof enough.’

I clicked my tongue and asked:

“Is that all your father told you? That stewards deserve respect?”

Robert looked like he was thinking hard.

“Ah…!”

He looked at me with moist eyes.

“He also said that we must always remain loyal to House Alton. That’s what he emphasized most.”

“Right. Then do I also need to explain what that loyalty means?”

“N-no, my lady.”

Robert shook his head.

I glanced at the documents he submitted a few days ago.

“These papers don’t differ much from Charles’s, aside from the date.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Bellady.”

“It’s not necessarily a mistake. Serving the same estate, for the same master—it’s natural for the work to overlap. Just be more careful with minor errors.”

He looked visibly relieved at that.

Lowering the documents, I met his gaze.

“But if you want to be your father’s carbon copy, then act like him completely. Don’t half-ass it like you’re doing now.”

I chose my words carefully—to provoke him.

A “carbon copy of his father.”

Ever since becoming head steward, Robert had constantly been compared to Charles. I was certain that it weighed heavily on him.

Sure enough, his hands clenched into tight fists.

Feigning ignorance, I continued.

“I’ll give you another chance. Do better. William was here at my request, so keep that to yourself.”

“Yes, Lady Bellady.”

“You may leave now.”

“Thank you very much.”

As he turned to leave, Robert paused… and returned to me with a solemn expression.

“Lady Bellady, I’ve always lived in my father’s shadow. I thought that if I became head steward, I’d finally catch up to him.”

He took a breath before continuing.

“But now that I’m in this position, his back still feels so far away. That distance makes me impatient. I think that impatience led to my rash actions this time. I sincerely apologize.”

He bowed deeply.

I looked at the crown of his head.

“You came back just to say that?”

He shot upright, eyes desperate.

“Wise Lady Bellady… is there any path for me other than being a mere copy of my father?”

‘There we go.’

Robert, so easy to handle. Just as planned.

Hiding my satisfaction, I responded coolly.

“That’s something you’ll have to find on your own.”

He gave a helpless laugh.

“Of course… Thank you for your time.”

Robert gave a deep bow, turned to the door—

And as his hand reached for the doorknob…