TMOWM~36

Chapter 36

 Kiera walked with light steps. As expected, the air in the capital was quite different from that of the provinces.

As she glanced around the splendid interiors of the Marquisate of Aites, a bright smile spread across her face. When she left Kartieron, it had felt like hell, but now it was as though she were walking through a flower garden.

Although Herden had departed for the North, thankfully, he wasn’t going to die. Knights from the marquisate had joined him, and there was no need to put a sword back in Herden’s hands when he had long since put it down.

Tybern had gone missing, and they simply needed someone to take his place. All he had to do was sit safely within the ducal estate and issue commands.

“It feels like pulling out a rotten tooth! That old man was just too persistent.”

Kiera hummed to herself. He wouldn’t return alive. She’d heard that the werewolves—monstrous wolf-like beasts—slaughtered any living being they came across.

Even that mighty Tybern wouldn’t survive in such a hellish place.

She had pleaded with her father, and the Marquis of Aites had secured an imperial audience with the Emperor, through which Kiera was granted full proxy authority over the Duke’s household affairs.

Her feet felt like they were flying.

“This is what they mean by a blessing in disguise.”

Moreover, Karte had finally stabilized. The already sensitive child had been forced into a corner by Tybern, but now, with him gone, the boy had returned to normal.

With a pleased expression, Kiera stepped into the reception room. The guests awaiting her rose to greet her.

“Oh my, please, be seated.”

“Yes, Duchess. It’s been a while.”

They were the heads of families who managed the Kartieron Duchy’s business ventures. Kartieron owned mining companies, a merchant guild, and a small bank.

These were the sources of Kartieron’s accumulated wealth. Add to that the tax reduction benefits obtained through Tybern’s prestige.

And now, all that glory belonged to her. Kiera’s chest swelled with pride.

Though they couldn’t touch the assets in the war-torn North, the capital’s resources were another story.

“I’m truly grateful you came today. Given the current situation, I was worried important matters might face delays.”

The family heads exchanged glances and nodded. Until now, they had always carried out duties under the approval of Herden and Tybern.

Though Tybern had stepped back from his ducal duties, his influence had remained strong.

“I’m truly sorry about your father-in-law, but the living must go on, don’t you think?”

The phrase “the living” made the heads visibly uncomfortable, but Kiera neatly ignored their reaction.

If they didn’t act the way she wanted, she’d simply replace them all.

“From now on, my word takes precedence. First, Count Zech.”

He ran the small bank, but effectively managed all of Kartieron’s wealth. Most of the funds operated through the bank belonged to Kartieron anyway.

“Starting now, we’ll cut all financial support to the main family. Everyone’s struggling, so they need to tighten their belts too. Besides, it’s not like there are that many people. The estate is closed, so there’s no need for spending.”

A wide smile spread across Kiera’s face.

“Since no one is going out and spending money, cutting support should be fine.”

Count Zech hesitated but had no choice. No one could stop Kiera now.

“Yes, Duchess.”

“Oh, and secure some cash. I need a lump sum.”

Kiera pressed her index finger against her lower lip.

“My father’s thinking of starting a business. He wants to build tourist facilities and hotels in the East. He’s looking for investors.”

Everyone knew the Marquis of Aites had been holding on to that tourism project for years. It had been five years, and still not completed.

They had used imported lumber, but four years ago, tariffs went up, and funding ran short.

Investors believed the expensive buildings made from imported materials wouldn’t yield returns, so they withdrew their support.

“…Tariffs rose again two years ago, if I recall.”

“What’s the problem with that?”

Kiera frowned.

“I told you to get the money. Are you ignoring the acting Duchess’s command? How dare you?”

Count Zech clenched his jaw and shook his head. It was like pouring water into a bottomless jar, but he had no choice.

“No, ma’am. Who should I discuss the details with?”

“With me. Here’s the amount I need.”

She handed him a slip of paper with the amount written.

“Have it ready by the day after tomorrow, yes?”

Count Zech’s mouth opened slightly in disbelief. The sum was enough to support an entire estate for two years.

“And without collateral, of course.”

Is she insane? Count Zech barely swallowed the words that almost slipped out.

“Oh, and…”

Kiera blinked and turned her gaze to Viscount Nathan, who oversaw the mining operations. He gave an awkward smile.

“We’ll be presenting the Emerald Mine to His Majesty.”

“What?”

The Emerald Mine was recently acquired through auction.

They hadn’t even recovered a single coin from that investment, and now she wanted to hand it to the Emperor? Why would she do such a foolish thing?

“Just do as you’re told! Hmph, not a single one of you is to my liking.”

Kiera grumbled in frustration.

She had only received proxy authority in exchange for transferring the Emerald Mine to the royal family.

“And you all know my mother’s birthday is coming up, right? We’re throwing a grand party.”

A party? When the Kartieron estate in the North was in shambles?

“I’ll need the finest diamonds for her birthday jewelry set.”

“…All the diamonds currently in production are already reserved…”

“I said I’m in a hurry!”

When Herden or Tybern were around, she had never dared to make such unreasonable demands.

Now, Kiera was wrapped in an inexplicable sense of euphoria. By the time the three heads of families finally left her, the sun had already set.

They looked at each other and sighed deeply.

It was clear now… the Kartieron family was cursed. And even while funneling wealth into Aites, she remained shameless. Kiera was now using Kartieron as a personal asset for House Aites.

“…Lord Tybern must return safely, no matter what,” one muttered.

The heads of families shook their heads grimly.

At the same time—

Herden stared gloomily across the border. Fierce battles were raging without rest, day and night.

Herden remained safely inside the ducal stronghold, acting as the command center. With Tybern gone, Herden was now the only one capable of keeping order in the North.

Nothing could be more dangerous than losing him now.

“Have you found my father yet?”

“Not yet, sir.”

Herden continued to gaze beyond the border. The werewolves had clearly targeted Tybern, and eventually dragged him off after separating him from his allies.

He wasn’t someone who would die easily. He couldn’t die—not like that.

He hadn’t yet heard about Amy’s death, nor had he asked for forgiveness. Tybern didn’t even deserve the right to die yet.

It felt strange, seeing someone he had always thought of as strong disappear like this.

“He’s alive. He must be brought back.”

“Yes, sir. Also, the reinforcements sent to the South have arrived.”

“Sort out the ones with the least fatigue and rotate them into the battlefield. Confirm the number of wounded and report to me. Are we still receiving enough medical supplies?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Leave the command of the battlefront to the knight commander as before. And if there’s anything else I need to know, report it.”

For the first time, Herden was stepping out from his father’s shadow and fulfilling his own role. He truly felt like a duke now.