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Chapter 13
“What happened outside? You went out like you were flying, but coming back, your expression…”
Ares shook his head, using his face to convey what he didn’t say—that his expression had soured.
Herina brushed past him and sank into the soft sofa.
“Don’t start anything. I’m not in the mood right now.”
Only then, perhaps out of concern, Ares silently handed her a cup of tea.
Herina took the warm tea and studied Ares’s composed face.
“Is there something on my face?”
“No. It’s just… at times like this, you remind me of the Ares I know. Back when he was twenty-four, he didn’t talk much either, and if I acted mischievously, he’d hand me a cup of warm tea himself.”
Seventeen-year-old Ares responded casually, feeling somewhat embarrassed for some reason.
“I didn’t hand it to you myself, though.”
“I know, I know. You just placed it there, and I took it with my own hands. How much work did you get through?”
Ares pointed to the paperwork, now reduced by more than half.
“The completed items were set aside separately. The business plans were brought to the bedroom so they can be read when I return there.”
Impressed at the efficiency, Ares shrugged.
“I told you. Finding the direction is difficult, but I’ve done the rest many times. These are things I’ve trained at relentlessly for a short life. Still, it would’ve been tough without you. What I learned and the practical work are different.”
Herina acknowledged his praise silently and adjusted her posture.
“Do you know anything about Marquis Gale Erman? What was he like, back when you knew him?”
Herina asked, letting out a deep sigh. It was an unwelcome person appearing in an already complicated situation.
Ares thought the question was sudden but, seeing Herina’s serious expression, tried to recall his memories.
“The Gale I remember wasn’t a marquis yet, he was Erman’s eldest son. Until I entered the academy, we weren’t on bad terms. Our families had some dealings. But how could he inherit the marquis title? I remember there being an older brother.”
Herina had also seen him back when she was engaged.
In noble circles, the second-born rarely inherited the family title without special reason.
She remembered Gale suddenly inheriting the title and walking around confidently, puffed up with pride.
“Well, now he’s ruined all kinds of businesses and even got disciplined, losing all decision-making power…”
Gale’s sudden arrogance and long-standing jealousy toward the duke were understandable, but as his family’s influence shrank, his resentment toward Ares exploded.
“The eldest of the Erman marquis family died in an intercontinental war two years ago. Gale inherited the marquis title. Were you close with him? I never heard such stories from Ares.”
Before his discipline, at the parties they attended, Gale only sneered, and Ares consistently ignored him.
“That was when we were younger. After entering the academy, I don’t know why, but he ignored me. But why bring him up now?”
Hearing the name after a long time, Ares asked, and Herina let out a deep sigh.
“I don’t know exactly what you remember about Gale, but things are worse now. Even before marrying me, he spread rumors and tried to undermine the Havinant family.”
Ares’s face stiffened at the mention of their family.
“Was that necessary?”
“As I said, after Gale inherited the title, the marquis family suffered. He didn’t receive proper heir training, nor did he have advisors left. Looking back, I think it was a mix of admiration and jealousy… He copied many of the Havinant family’s business methods.”
Ares shook his head, thinking carefully.
“But each territory has its own characteristics. Even if he applied the same policies, it wouldn’t have been easy to handle. Also, we’re surrounded by land, but his territory has a port, right?”
Herina nodded in agreement.
“Yes. That’s why many of his businesses struggled. Nobles also criticized him, saying he was foolishly copying the Havinant family. That’s even how the nickname ‘Fake Ares’ came about.”
Since Gale imitated everything about Ares—appearance, food, clothing—the nickname made sense.
If he hadn’t been disciplined and exiled, he might have even tried to marry a woman resembling Herina. His persistent pursuit of her likely stemmed from that reason.
“Anyway, I heard Gale is returning to the capital. His discipline must be over.”
“Paying his dues, it was probably inevitable.”
Though meant to reassure her, Herina’s heart didn’t feel any lighter.
“Several months from now is the Emperor’s birthday. You know you absolutely cannot miss that party, right? Originally, I planned to go abroad for work or find an excuse to skip it… But if the pro-Emperor Havinant family skips it, the Erman marquis family won’t stand idly by.”
Ares frowned, contemplating the situation seriously.
“They might even question our loyalty.”
He rubbed his soft chin thoughtfully.
“It could even raise suspicion that something might happen to the Duke of Havinant.”
Herina nodded solemnly. Havinant family secrets must not be discovered by anyone, especially not by Marquis Erman, and she resolved to plan accordingly.
For the next couple of weeks, they stayed locked in the office, trying to catch up on work.
“Herina, about the bill you mentioned yesterday… I’m worried merchants will resist. They survive on the income from tourists visiting nearby attractions. Regulating it might be difficult.”
Herina brought materials related to complaints.
“But in the long term, it has to be done. Look, tourist numbers are declining. Most complaints say people won’t return due to high fees. The resort around Res Cliff and the waterfall is the largest attraction in our territory—if visitors stop coming, the local merchants will starve.”
Ares studied the documents and spoke.
“What if, instead of regulating arbitrarily, we reallocate the budget to make this place more attractive? Improve the roads and actively support tourism. Merchants would likely accept it.”
Herina smiled, impressed.
“You’re showing your ducal side after just a few days. We can pull the budget from local support projects. Remember the documents from yesterday?”
Ares nodded, taking out the documents.
Unconsciously, they made a surprisingly good team.
Tasks that would normally take one duke were completed faster with two.
“Something I’ve been thinking,” Herina said, rubbing her tired eyes and leaning against the sofa. Ares set down his tea and spoke.
“What is it?”
The sweet aroma of tea eased their fatigue.
“I’ve been thinking… I wish you weren’t a woman.”
Herina laughed lightly.
“Why? You think you’re too talented to be trapped in a woman’s body?”
Ares took a sip of tea and nodded.
