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Chapter 43
Among the people rejoicing, Count Zek felt somewhat bitter. In fact, in a twisted way, he almost envied Viscount Aros, who had found a way to escape the grasp of Duchess Kiera.
As the treasurer of Katieron, Count Zek felt he was of no real use anymore.
He had become nothing more than a wallet that opened whenever Kiera desired money. And this situation would repeat endlessly.
Whenever Aites ran low on funds, she would undoubtedly dip into Katieron’s resources. The thought alone made him feel as though everything inside him was churning.
Could he protect this fortune until Taibern returned? Taibern’s disappearance was nothing short of a disaster.
He hadn’t come here today entirely without hope. But Hider was younger than he had expected.
“…He’s thirteen, wasn’t he?”
A thirteen-year-old trying to understand the entirety of Katieron’s business, carrying that burden, and standing against Duchess Kiera—it was too much.
Still, seeing how the boy was already trying to survive and prepare so skillfully, a sliver of hope began to grow in him.
“Well, there’s nothing to lose. There’s no harm in bringing it up.”
Count Zek made up his mind.
“Um, Master Hider.”
Hider turned his gaze toward Count Zek. The moment their eyes met—those red eyes—Zek swallowed hard.
Now he understood why people said Hider resembled Taibern. Though still immature, the same force Taibern had resided within him.
It felt as though Taibern himself was standing before him.
“I have something to discuss with you. Right now, the only direct heir of Katieron I can meet with is you, Master Hider. So, I’m here to ask for your help.”
Count Zek let out a long sigh.
“The Duchess is currently managing Katieron’s wealth as if it were Aites’s. She has withdrawn large sums without any collateral or repayment dates. The real issue is that this keeps happening. Not only the bank, but the mines are facing major problems too.”
He poured out everything that had happened, as if venting his grievances. Once he started talking, the words came easily.
“The mine we recently won in the bidding had to be handed over to the Imperial Family before we even started mining. That too was at the Duchess’s request. I later found out it was the price she paid to gain the authority to act as Katieron’s proxy! Why should we be the ones paying that price? And the gems were supposedly entrusted—yet she completely bypassed the proper reservation procedures.”
Count Zek clenched his rising anger.
Thankfully, Hider’s expression remained calm and steady.
“She’s now even telling us what mines to buy and not to buy. One of them, by the way, was a mine Aites had won before it was nearly abandoned! Does this make any sense?!”
Count Zek finished with a face full of despair. The Viscount Nathan might be leading the mining operations, but it was Count Zek who had to fund them.
“It doesn’t make sense at all.”
Hider responded firmly.
“Katieron isn’t Aites’s wallet, so there’s no need to comply.”
“But her position as acting authority…”
“You don’t have to report everything.”
Hider spoke without blinking. There was one important thing he had learned from Lani—as long as no one finds out, it’s like it never happened.
Things that never happened could become real, and real events could be erased as if they had never occurred.
“The Duchess isn’t a detail-oriented person. She’s probably never even looked at the ledgers.”
Hider knew that better than anyone, having spent so much time with her. That was why even the former head maid and butler had been able to embezzle funds without her noticing.
Hider had overheard their conversations in the kitchen while sneaking food.
“That… is true.”
“Then don’t say anything, Count Zek.”
“Don’t say anything…?”
“She won’t find out.”
Count Zek’s eyes widened at Hider’s words.
“If she tells you to buy a worthless mine, just say there’s no money. Fake the ledgers and divert the funds elsewhere.”
That was the same method the old head butler and head maid had used. If they could do it, why couldn’t the bank manager?
“Or say you’ve used all the discretionary funds and need your grandfather’s seal to access more.”
“Are you… telling me to keep double books?”
Hider rolled the term around on his tongue.
“Double books. I like that. There’s no need to show everything transparently to the Duchess. She’s not going to go digging around to stir up trouble.”
Count Zek licked his dry lips.
“And with the diverted funds, buy a good mine instead of a worthless one. Something even better than the Emerald Mine.”
“If we win the bid, we have to report it for tax purposes. His Majesty will find out. And with the Empress and the Duchess being in cahoots, it could be dangerous.”
“Then hide it.”
Hider said casually, as if it weren’t a problem at all.
“Hide it…?”
“If you keep double books, don’t you avoid taxes too? Or use a frontman.”
This too was something he had learned from the Duchess—she often committed all sorts of wicked acts through proxies.
David, the deputy chamberlain, had been one such figure.
Count Zek inhaled sharply. His gaze wavered.
“This is a crime…!”
But it was a very tempting proposal.
“If the Imperial Family finds out, it’ll be a disaster.”
“If Grandfather comes back, His Majesty will be the one in trouble. He made a promise to Grandfather, and now look what’s happening.”
Hider wasn’t wrong. Taibern had a fiery temper and wouldn’t hold back, even before the Emperor.
In truth, Sword Masters like Taibern were worth their weight in gold. There had been many offers from foreign countries for him to immigrate.
He had rejected them all, choosing instead to stay.
In exchange, the Emperor had made several promises. One of them being: “I will never interfere in Katieron’s succession.”
But now, just because Taibern had gone missing, the Emperor had broken that promise, meddling in Katieron’s succession and its wealth.
“But…”
Count Zek trailed off.
“This is the first time Lord Taibern has ever been gone this long. Actually, this is the first time he’s ever gone missing.”
His voice was drained of energy. Though he didn’t finish the sentence, it was clear he doubted Taibern would ever return.
Hider turned his gaze to Lani. She was listening with a surprised expression, then tilted her head.
“Grandfather will come back. Right, Lani?”
“Y-yes! He definitely will. He’s alive… I mean, he must be alive!”
Lani replied boldly.
Hider turned back to Count Zek.
“She says he’ll be back.”
Count Zek looked dumbfounded.
But Hider trusted Lani’s words. She often reassured him not to worry about Taibern with a face full of confidence.
Sometimes, it even seemed like she was checking something in the air—as if using fairy magic to look after Taibern.
In any case, Lani’s words could be trusted.
At Hider’s unwavering demeanor, Count Zek swallowed dryly. Maybe Viscount Aros had been right. Perhaps Katieron’s future did lie with Hider.
With a tense expression, Count Zek said:
“…May I continue to meet with you from time to time? Just to discuss Katieron’s affairs. Until Lord Taibern—or at least Lord Herdern—returns.”
Once again, Hider looked to Lani. She nodded confidently.
“Yes! As long as we don’t get caught. I’m really good at not getting caught!”
Seeing the strangely similar pair, Count Zek and Viscount Aros both let out quiet chuckles.
It was a rather curious master-servant relationship.
