“It’s nothing major, but there’s the matter of the mines and minerals that the Count managed during his lifetime.”
“Yes, though they aren’t very large in scale.”
How modest.
The Olsen family’s reputation for its mines and minerals is well-known throughout the entire empire.
‘Even with the Countess almost neglecting them, they’ve been running smoothly all year long.’
That’s a sign of a well-established system.
And where there’s a well-established system, good minerals are bound to be found.
“I’d like you to sell the minerals produced in the Olsen territory to the Duchy at half price.”
“…The minerals from our estate?”
“Yes.”
At my easygoing response, the Countess Olsen’s expression turned puzzled.
It was only natural since direct deals like this were usually the domain of large-scale merchants.
The Duchy, after all, had no involvement in any mineral-related businesses.
“That wouldn’t be difficult… but are you sure you’re satisfied with just that?”
“Of course, it’s more than enough.”
I’m sorry, but I’m looking three years into the future, Countess.
The newly discovered minerals will greatly benefit Diana’s shoe business.
There was a reason I avoided using my own name and instead attached the Duchy’s name to this.
The one who would actually be dealing with the Olsen family would be Diana, not me!
By then, I’d probably be living peacefully in some serene place, bought with the settlement money I squeezed out of Ian.
‘Just thinking about it makes me happy.’
Suppressing the giggles that threatened to escape, I cleared my throat.
“Ahem, anyway, it seems that your image in high society has improved quite a bit due to this incident. So how about you start coming out of the Count’s estate more often?”
“Are you suggesting I return to society?”
“Yes, it would be good to secure your place quickly while the opinion of the nobility is favorable.”
At my words, she nodded slightly.
“Yes, I will consider it….”
Just then, the Countess’s butler quietly approached and whispered something in her ear.
“…What? They’ve already arrived? I thought they were coming in the evening….”
She looked at me in confusion.
Understanding the situation easily, I spoke.
“It seems you have other guests.”
The Countess Olsen looked troubled.
“My apologies, Your Grace. It’s my cousin, who is like a brother to me. It seems he was unaware of my prior engagement with you.”
It was a significant breach of etiquette to entertain unexpected guests while hosting a distinguished guest.
The Countess seemed worried that the Duchess, with whom she had just formed a cordial relationship, might take offense.
But I had no intention of blaming her.
For someone who had been in seclusion to receive guests, it was a good sign.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s understandable. It’s not often you get visitors, is it? I was about to leave anyway.”
“But…”
As the Countess struggled with her dilemma, she seemed to suddenly remember something and let out a soft exclamation.
“If it’s alright, may I introduce him? I believe my cousin met Your Grace once before….”
“…Me?”
Was it someone I met during the season’s parties?
When I responded with curiosity, she looked at me, seeking permission.
“Well, if it’s just an introduction, that’s fine.”
At my easygoing approval, the Countess expressed her gratitude and instructed the butler to bring him over.
The butler briefly stepped away and soon returned to the garden with a man.
Upon seeing the man’s face, I widened my eyes in surprise.
It was a very familiar face.
As he reached the tea table, the man placed a hand over his chest and bowed formally.
“It’s an honor to meet you again, Your Grace. To think we’d meet once more like this.”
“What, it’s you…”
Golden-brown hair with a slight wave, nearly glowing in the sunlight, and those deep green eyes. That friendly smile.
It was a face I knew all too well.
“So your cousin is Duke Roger?”
This must be what they mean when they say the world is small.
Unlike me, who was quite taken aback, Hayden Roger, the Duke, seemed more pleased than surprised.
“Forgive my intrusion. When I heard that Your Grace was at the Count’s residence, I hurried over a bit.”
“Because of me?”
I was puzzled.
Hadn’t we only crossed paths in the Fourth Garden of the Imperial Palace?
As if understanding my reaction, he smiled slightly.
“It seems I was too abrupt. I heard that Your Grace has been a great help to Herais—no, to Countess Olsen. As her family, I wanted to personally express my gratitude.”
“Ah.”
I let out a small exclamation of realization.
I looked back and forth between Duke Hayden Roger and Countess Olsen.
Now that I thought about it, they both had those rare, dark green eyes.
Their hair colors were slightly different—Countess Olsen’s was a bit darker—but both had shades somewhere between honey, gold, and brown.
‘Though their facial features are so different, I didn’t notice the resemblance.’
I fixed my gaze on Countess Olsen and asked,
“So, you must have mentioned me to the Duke?”
Although my tone wasn’t accusatory, Countess Olsen seemed flustered, perhaps thinking I was questioning her.
“Your Grace, that’s not….”
“Please don’t misunderstand. I simply found the timing too perfect for it to have been the work of a mere servant, so I persistently questioned the Countess. If there was someone who had helped, I thought it proper to offer my thanks.”
Duke Hayden Roger calmly explained on her behalf.
I shook my head.
“No, I wasn’t intending to blame the Countess.”
The Duke smiled in relief.
“The Countess and I are very close, like siblings, so we share various stories. I even told her about our encounter in the Imperial City last time.”
“So that’s why the Countess knew we had met.”
“I’m glad she has someone she can rely on.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Grace.”
The Countess bowed her head in gratitude.
As he watched the two of us, Duke Hayden Roger added,
“To prevent any trouble for Your Grace, I have also secured a former servant of the Count’s household. If things go awry, it will be revealed that the servant was responsible for the posters.”
I blinked quickly in surprise.
“…I hadn’t thought of that.”
Despite his gentle appearance, it seemed the Duke was quite sharp.
I gave the Countess a look.
“You have a dependable family member.”
“You flatter me.”
The Duke smiled warmly and offered a slight bow.
“Once again, thank you for Your Grace’s kindness. If it isn’t too much trouble, I would like to invite you to a meal sometime. Would that be alright?”
“Duke Roger, you?”
“Yes. As I mentioned, the Countess and I are like close siblings. Please allow me to show my gratitude.”
I hesitated at the Duke’s request.
‘I didn’t help her out of mere kindness.’
I only helped because Countess Olsen could be useful to Diana, and I had already planned how to collect my share later.
Seeing the two of them interpreting my calculated actions as pure kindness made my conscience prick.
“…Well, if you insist.”
But rejecting his offer seemed too difficult, given the imposing presence of the man in front of me.
How could anyone be cold-hearted in the face of that warm, sunny smile?
‘Is this what they mean when they say that looks are a weapon…?’
His gentle demeanor was completely different from Ian’s robotic, repetitive responses.
After admiring his face for a moment, I stood up, not wanting to draw any strange looks.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. It seems you two have more to discuss.”
“I’ll escort you to your carriage, Your Grace,”
Duke Roger said quickly, almost urgently.
♧♧♧
If you want to support the translation and the translator, please buy a coffee 🐳
