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Chapter 6
“You confirmed all the terms before purchasing, Miss Dia.”
“I didn’t…! I mean, yes, I am Dia, but I didn’t do it. Like, I’m Dia and Dia is me, but I didn’t buy the building—”
Vendia’s tongue was all tangled. She had no idea what she was even saying anymore.
“Oh, and for your reference, this mansion has—”
“Oh ho. So you’ve finally shown up?”
A sharp voice cut through the air before the broker could finish his sentence.
Vendia turned her head to find a man with blazing red hair storming toward her, his eyes just as fiery as his hair.
The man’s face was something else. He was as handsome as Denros—maybe even more so.
With strong, well-defined features, sharp eyes slanting upward, a high nose that looked like it could cut, and lips that looked ready to break into a wide grin—it was the kind of face you’d never forget.
Unlike Denros, who gave off an elegant and gentle yet strong impression, this man radiated overwhelming presence from his towering height and massive build.
He was handsome, but his vibe was…
“A second male lead?”
“Hey. You scammer.”
“…Scammer? Me?”
Vendia, who had been admiring his face and jumping to conclusions, pointed at herself.
Looking around, she realized the man’s sharp gaze was directed solely at her.
“Then who else would it be? Who else here is a scammer? When are you gonna fix the fireplace? I can’t sleep, it’s freezing!”
“A fireplace in this weather? Also—do I know you? What’s with this guy?!”
His outrageous attitude made Vendia scowl as she looked to the broker for explanation.
“As I was saying, this mansion has a tenant. And this man is that tenant.”
It was enough to drive her mad—he said something so important with such a calm face and only now.
“When did I ever agree to having a tenant?!”
“You signed a contract through a representative three days ago.”
“I did?!”
“Yes. Miss Dia.”
Argh! I swear I’ll kill that ex-husband bastard!
Why would he buy a dump like this—complete with an unruly tenant?!
“And this is the rent the tenant paid for this month. I held onto it in the meantime, but now that you’re here, I’ll pass it on.”
The broker pulled a white envelope from his jacket’s inner pocket and handed it over.
The envelope was thick. Heavier than expected.
Vendia hurriedly opened it to check how much was inside.
…13,000 Crang?
Her eyes went wide.
2,000 Crang was enough for three meals at a fancy restaurant. That was roughly 600,000 won in her original world. So 13,000 Crang meant—
“Four million won…”
“The third-floor tenant is scheduled to move in as planned on the fifth of next month.”
With that rent included, the monthly rental income would be 8 million won.
“If that fireplace isn’t fixed by tomorrow, I swear you’ll regret it.”
“Haha! Hahaha!”
“What’s wrong with you? Say something!”
Whatever the redhead said, Vendia couldn’t stop the laughter bubbling out.
Not a money pit—but a goldmine!
Yes! This was it! This was the real thing!
Everything up till now was just build-up for this very moment!
“Your Grace.”
“Enter.”
At the command, a man in a black uniform opened the door and stepped into the office.
He walked forward with impeccable posture and knelt before his master.
“She passed through the Rims checkpoint an hour ago and completed registration.”
At his report, the blue eyes fixed on a stack of documents slowly lifted.
“She’s not alone. A maid accompanied her.”
“Go.”
Dismissed, the man bowed and exited the office.
Now alone again, Denros returned to reviewing his documents as if nothing had happened.
The morning newspaper, precariously perched on the edge of the desk, slid to the floor.
The obituary of Marquis Domingo Sachsen was printed across it.
“Here’s your coffee.”
Shasha placed a steaming cup on the table.
The scent of freshly brewed morning coffee filled the room.
Vendia, seated by the window, basked in the warm sunlight and fresh morning breeze as she elegantly lifted the cup.
“Mmm~ perfect.”
She gently closed her eyes, enjoying the aroma tickling her nose. After a refined sip, she set the cup down.
“Shasha, where’s the finance section?”
“There isn’t one. But… do you even read the financial paper?”
“How about a vault full of gold bars?”
“Excuse me? Like that would exist.”
“My peaceful life supported by endless rental income?”
“Miss Dia… did you have a dream or something? You didn’t forget the mansion repair estimate we got today, did you?”
Shasha gave her a deadpan look, sharp enough to cut.
“What’s your problem?”
“I get it. Fine.”
Vendia dropped the pretense of elegance.
It was already too hot, and the steaming coffee annoyed her. She shoved the cup aside.
The play was over.
She’d tried to indulge in her little fantasy for a moment, but thanks to Shasha bursting her bubble every time, reality was hitting harder than ever.
“Ten thousand Crang just for mansion repairs…”
“Wasn’t it 2,000 Crang just for the front yard?”
Vendia nodded at Shasha’s remark.
The contractor had visited earlier that morning.
After inspecting the front yard and exterior, he’d estimated the repair cost at 10,000 Crang.
It was her fifth day here.
‘No one’s lived in this building for years. I didn’t even know it existed. Of course all the rooms were vacant. Honestly, the fact that the 2nd and 3rd floors have tenants is a miracle.’
That’s what the broker had said when she asked if she could rent out the 1st floor instead of living there herself.
‘Rather than looking for another place, it might be better if you just lived on the 1st floor, Miss Dia.’
Just in case, she’d asked him to put the 1st floor up for rent. Until it was taken, she’d live there herself.
Despite its collapsing exterior, the inside of the mansion was the epitome of luxury.
Each floor housed only one unit, making it an ultra-luxurious, three-unit building.
But still, who would pay 13,000 Crang (4 million won) a month to live in a rural, isolated mansion?
Only someone in hiding, like herself.
“Even using magic tools doesn’t lower the cost…”
In the Zantime Empire, many magical tools were commercialized.
Mass-produced by the Mage Tower, these items made everyday life easier.
For instance, a “Freezer” made with cooling magic kept food fresh—basically, a fridge.
There were also tools to heat water without fire and assist with manual labor.
They were reasonably priced, so nobles and commoners alike used them.
She’d asked if using magic tools would reduce labor costs for the repairs, only to get scolded.
Even with magical tools, human hands were still required.
She had no rebuttal and just told the contractor she’d be in touch later.
“Sigh…”
She collapsed into the chair like a wet rag.
If she had to keep this mansion for three years without selling it, she’d squeeze it for every coin—but already there was trouble.
On top of that, there was a law requiring a 20% tax on rental income in the empire.
After paying Shasha’s salary, living expenses, utilities, and other fees, she wouldn’t be in the red—but she’d hardly break even either.
“The jewels are my last resort…”
The stolen gems were to be used only in dire circumstances.
Most were engraved with the countess’s initials, making them easy to trace.
“Isn’t there anyone who’ll fix this place for free?”
“Excuse me? Who in their right mind would do that?”
“Damn it. I know, Shasha.”
Shasha had been throwing jabs like that more often lately. Living together must’ve made her too comfortable.
“You used to be such a kind soul sharing bread… what happened to you?”
“If you’re going to keep this up, I’ll just go back to the count’s estate!”
“Really? You’d be okay leaving me here?”
Shasha grinned cheekily.
Vendia couldn’t even joke that she’d be fine. She’d be the only one losing out.
“You little fox…”
“Hehe. Anyway, I’ll go start lunch. I’m making stew with the leftover chicken. You love chicken, don’t you?”
“I love you. You’re the best.”
“I know I am.”
Shasha confidently nodded and walked off.
She had a knack for giving both the stick and the carrot, and Vendia was already trained.
Still, she couldn’t dislike her. Shasha was competent.
She really did do the laundry and cooking well. Shasha handled all her meals, and her cooking was amazing.
Vendia often found herself licking her plate clean.
What would she have done without her?
“By the way! Don’t forget, you’ve got an interview with the estate manager this afternoon!”
Shasha called out as she crossed the bedroom.
“Of course.”
Finally. After four days of posting the job, they had their first applicant for mansion caretaker and security.
With just the two of them, it had been overwhelming.
They needed help. It was a big mansion, and with only two women, there were security concerns too.
“If only someone would just fall from the sky to work for me…”
“Um, hello. I heard you’re looking to hire a caretaker…”
The front yard gate creaked open and a man stepped in.
Vendia’s jaw dropped. She’d been sunbathing after lunch—and now…
