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Chapter 34
Meanwhile, Duke Adelheit laughed loudly when his aide told him that the Joan Vineyard had finally been sold.
“Hahaha, well done!”
He was thrilled to have gotten rid of that troublesome place.
Joan Vineyard.
Two years ago, when he first bought it, it was one of the best 5-star vineyards. He thought he had struck gold.
But now, the land had been completely ruined after a worker used the wrong fertilizer.
“I told that stubborn woman to move the farm, but she never listened.”
The Duke insulted Joan directly, scoffing. At least now, he wouldn’t have to see her annoying face anymore.
“How much did we sell it for?”
“10,000 gold.”
The Duke’s eyes widened at the amount.
He had expected to sell the useless farm at a loss, but somehow it went for 10,000 gold. He clicked his tongue and sneered.
“Whoever bought that wreck must be a complete fool!”
Still, thanks to that idiot, he got rid of a headache. He didn’t even bother asking who bought the vineyard—he simply didn’t care.
But the good mood didn’t last long.
“What’s the status of the Rohat branch’s sales?”
It was time for the sales report.
The aide hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.
“Well… it’s still declining.”
“What?!”
The Duke’s mood dropped instantly.
“What about that girl? Her shop must be doing terribly too, right?”
Everyone knew who that girl was—Edith Diel, the owner of Gold Coffee House.
The aide let out a nervous sigh.
‘Actually, Gold House’s sales started recovering last week…’
But telling the truth would mean facing the Duke’s wrath. He still remembered being slapped around the last time the Duke found out Edith was behind the shop.
So, without thinking, he lied.
“Yes, it’s also in decline.”
The Duke smirked.
“Of course it is. If Rohat is suffering, there’s no way she’s doing any better.”
He seemed genuinely relieved—as if he had been afraid Edith’s business might actually be succeeding.
The aide also breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
‘I’ll just tell him later when it’s safer.’
A Little Later…
Edith had just secured exclusive buying rights to Joan Vineyard and informed Joan. Not long after, Daisy brought a letter.
It was from Joan.
After reading it, Edith turned to Daisy.
“Can we clear my schedule this afternoon?”
“If we move the meeting with the Gold House manager to tomorrow, yes.”
“Let’s postpone the meeting, then.”
“What was in the letter?”
“Joan wants to meet in person.”
“Should we invite her here?”
“No, I’ll go to her.”
“Why? Is it that important?”
Usually, the farm owner would come to Edith since she held the purchase rights.
“I also want to check out the vineyard.”
Daisy groaned.
“Ugh… I still can’t believe you paid 10,000 gold for a piece of dead land.”
That amount could’ve bought prime real estate in her previous life. Edith just smiled.
“Aren’t you curious how bad it is?”
“Not even a little!”
‘It’s fine. Soon that land will be worth 100,000 gold—or more.’
Edith grinned with confidence, while Daisy whispered a prayer like:
“Oh Lord, please stop our lady before she does something reckless again…”
But in the end, Daisy joined her in the carriage to the vineyard.
“You didn’t have to come with me.”
“You expect me to let you travel that far alone?!”
“You’ll just be more upset when you see it.”
“Then why pay 10,000 gold?!”
Edith hummed and looked out the window, thinking about Joan.
Joan Miranda—the farm owner.
Before the land was downgraded, she was known for her farming skills and sharp instincts.
Even when Duke Adelheit told her to move, she stayed, determined to restore her vineyard.
‘That kind of stubbornness takes deep love and pride in one’s land.’
Joan had probably suffered a lot under the Duke’s control.
‘He probably paid a fortune to buy the land, only for it to become worthless. No way he didn’t explode at her.’
Now, Joan likely wanted nothing to do with the Adelheit family.
So, Edith showing up as the new owner wouldn’t be welcome. Even though Edith wasn’t really the Duke’s daughter, Joan would see her the same way.
‘If I don’t earn her trust now…’
Once the vineyard recovered and became 5-star again, Joan might demand to cancel the contract—and even sue.
Back then, she was trapped under the Duke’s power, but…
‘Joan used to be wealthy. She invested everything into researching fertilizers to save her land.’
A 1-star vineyard wouldn’t attract buyers, but if it became a 5-star?
‘Nobles will swarm her like vultures, just like they did to me.’
Edith frowned at the memory of investors who turned their backs on her after she lost in court.
At Joan Vineyard
When Edith arrived, Joan looked surprised.
“I didn’t think you’d come all the way here yourself.”
Unlike older farmers, Joan was quite young. She had a healthy tan and muscular frame—someone you’d expect to be working the fields, not locked in a lab researching fertilizer.
“I came to see both the farm and you.”
They toured the vineyard. The land was barren—not even weeds grew. Daisy sighed deeply.
Joan brought them into her home and served cocoa in three mugs.
“I only have cocoa. Is that okay?”
“It’s perfect.”
Perhaps because Edith came personally, Joan’s attitude was softer than expected.
“How long did it take to get here from the capital?”
“We left around noon.”
Now, the sunset cast a warm glow over the ruined land. Daisy couldn’t hold back anymore.
“What happened to this place?”
“…It’s a common story.”
Joan’s face was calm.
“One of the workers was bribed by another vineyard. He sabotaged the land on purpose.”
Betrayed by someone she trusted.
She spoke without bitterness, but that calm tone revealed deeper pain.
‘She must have endured everything alone for the past two years.’
Edith felt a strong sense of connection to her.
Their situations were different, but the malice and destruction they’d both faced were the same.
“You’ve been through so much… sniff.”
Daisy was crying again. Just earlier, she’d called it a useless farm.
“My lady went through something similar…”
Joan looked at Edith with surprise. Edith shrugged.
“She means the recent trial I won.”
“…That must’ve been tough.”
The way Joan said “tough” didn’t just refer to the trial. It felt like she was acknowledging Edith’s whole life.
It was the first time a total stranger had looked at her like that.
Before she knew it, Edith found herself being honest.
“That’s why I came. You understand, don’t you?”
Joan frowned slightly, not following.
Her innocent face softened the atmosphere.
“Wasn’t it hard being under the Duke?”
“…I can’t say it wasn’t.”
“I heard you’re still trying to restore this vineyard. I want to support that fully.”
Joan’s lips parted in surprise.
Her eyes drifted to the fields outside, but her expression showed she couldn’t keep up with what was happening.
Then finally, she asked:
“Can I ask one thing?”
“Why my vineyard?”
