Episode 38

After wrapping up our conversation in the reception room, we headed to Madam Claire’s office on the second floor of the mansion. The office was decorated in a calm white color, making it feel more like an ordinary room rather than an office.

The desk was piled high with ledgers and documents, presumably prepared by her in advance.

As she rambled on, I let my eyes wander over the documents in front of me. The sheer volume of them was overwhelming.

Madam Claire flipped through a few pages of the documents and began to speak.

“These are the documents I’ve been handling. They contain detailed records of the past two years of work, so refer to them when you need to.”

“…Yes.”

At her gesture, the attendants came in to take the documents away. It seemed they were planning to load them onto the carriage I had arrived in. The sight of the departing attendants’ backs was almost poignant.

“Ah, it would be a good idea to host a social gathering at the Pontus Mansion soon. After all, there is a new member in the family.”

“…Yes, that’s true.”

That was how the nobility operated. They threw parties frequently to showcase their wealth and expand their networks.

But I had only been a noble for a few months! The only parties I had attended were a few friends’ birthday parties.

While it was common for noblewomen in this world to host banquets and tea parties, such experiences were entirely foreign to someone who had lived in a different world.

Imagining myself dressed up and laughing among people at a party… it was an impossible vision.

Madam Claire went on to explain about the families closely connected with Theabrite, and the regular social gatherings, before finally falling silent.

“It would be too lengthy to explain everything today. Let’s stop here and continue next time.”

“Yes.”

Though I responded calmly, I felt completely drained.

Was this really a handover? The amount of work I had to take over was enormous, and yet there was still more to come?

Seeing my pale face, Madam Claire spoke in a reassuring tone.

“I’ve heard you are very intelligent, so I’m sure you’ll manage just fine.”

Her sweet smile looked incredibly insincere.

Whoever said you can’t spit on a smiling face? At this moment, I felt like I could spit on her face a hundred times.

I answered her smile with one of my own, quickly changing the subject.

“By the way, I haven’t had the chance to greet the young master yet.”

Her face hardened at the mention of the young master. Though she quickly recovered her composure, I had caught the fleeting emotion on her face.

“You mean… our Mateo.”

I smiled lightly and said,

“Yes. I realized I haven’t properly greeted Mateo yet. There’s been so much going on that I’m late, but… if he’s available, I’d like to greet him now.”

Please?

Raising my eyebrows in a worried expression, Madam Claire spoke with a regretful look.

“Well, as you know, Mateo’s health is quite fragile… It might be difficult to see him in person.”

“Oh my, is his illness that severe?”

So he really is suffering from the curse’s price.

“It’s not that severe, but he struggles to leave his room even for a short time…”

“How terrible…”

I exaggerated my shock, covering my mouth with both hands. Even before the original story began, it seemed Mateo’s condition was quite serious.

“I’m sorry. I was thoughtless. I just really wanted to greet him…”

“No need to apologize. It’s only natural to want to greet a new family member. If his condition improves, I’ll make sure you meet him. Mateo will understand.”

“Yes, Mother.”

I probably wouldn’t see Mateo. His condition wouldn’t improve.

He was destined to suffer for a few more years before dying due to his mother’s sins.

Today’s goal was to check Mateo’s condition with my own eyes. But it seemed he was too unwell to meet anyone.

Pushing further might make Madam Claire suspicious. Despite her gentle exterior, she hid her claws well.

I had no choice but to retreat and wait for another opportunity.

 

＊＊＊

 

I slumped back into the carriage seat, glancing at the stack of documents that now occupied one side. The sight of them made me frown.

Unlike the stark interior of the carriage, the scenery outside was lively. The carriage seemed to be passing through an affluent district near the bustling market.

“I wish I could play too…”

Watching the children running around on the streets, I couldn’t help but let out my thoughts. I used to be so lively like that too…

“You’ve had plenty of rest. It’s time to get to work. Besides, you have a deep knowledge of this field, so it’s a relief. You’ve always been interested in these things.”

Selena said as she tidied up some of the scattered documents. I wanted to refute her, but since the original Petunia had shown such interest, there wasn’t much I could say.

Thinking back, the reason Sonode could rise to the position of the hidden villain in the original story was likely thanks to Petunia. The schemes Sonode orchestrated couldn’t have come from his own dull mind.

The book had mentioned several times that Sonode received Petunia’s advice. It seemed her interest in politics had manifested in that direction.

“Yes, I was interested. But not anymore.”

I replied to Selena in a resigned tone.

“Interest comes and goes, doesn’t it?”

“…Yes.”

“My interests are quite volatile.”

“Ah… that’s how it is for most people…”

Selena nodded reluctantly, still looking a bit puzzled.

“Ugh, I really want to get some fresh air.”

“Shall I open the window for you?”

“No, it’s fine. You went to all that trouble organizing the papers, and the wind will just mess them up again.”

I said, glancing at the neatly stacked documents Selena had arranged.

The sheer amount of paperwork made me sigh deeply. If there was so much paper, they could at least have tied them up with some string.

While some documents were bound like books with string, most were haphazardly held together with small clips. Every time the carriage jolted, papers would slip out of the clips and scatter on the floor.

The carriage was of high quality and didn’t jolt too much, but passing through the crowded market meant frequent stops, causing the papers to flutter and fall to the floor.

Picking them up each time was a chore. Selena diligently gathered the fallen papers, arranging them back in order. Seeing her do that, I couldn’t bring myself to open the window and let in the breeze.

“I’m fine with it.”

“No, I’m not.”

I almost said, “It’s frustrating to watch,” but held my tongue. As annoying as it was, this was their job.

“It would be nice to have some string or a paperweight…”

Selena murmured, looking wistfully at the stacks of papers she had organized. Her words made me suddenly realize a simple solution.

Why hadn’t I thought of this sooner?

“Selena, let’s get off here.”

“Pardon? All of a sudden?”

“We can buy the string and weights nearby!”

I said with a beaming smile.

 

＊＊＊

 

The need for string or weights was really just an excuse. I simply wanted to breathe the fresh air outside.

Excited at the thought of exploring the bustling streets, I moved with an uncharacteristic quickness, stepping down from the carriage. Along with Selena, Creedman, and one of the bodyguards, I headed towards the shops.

In other novels, protagonists might order their knights to hide and guard them from a distance, but I wasn’t like that. I was incredibly cautious.

Safety first, second, and always. They say even rolling in a field of dung is better than dying, and I didn’t want to lose my precious life needlessly.

I ordered Creedman to guard Selena and me carefully, then started exploring the bustling streets.

As we entered the heart of the market, a vibrant array of shops lined the streets. From street vendors selling paintings on the ground to restaurant employees calling out to customers, and couples walking arm in arm.

While the Pontus Mansion was beautiful, it always felt somewhat lonely. On quiet, windless days, it could even feel a bit eerie.

Coming to such a lively marketplace after being in such a place made me feel giddy like a child. Thinking back, this was the first bustling place I had visited since arriving in this world.

Most of my time was spent within the Count’s estate, and any outings were limited to quiet boutiques or cafes frequented by nobles.

I sparkled with excitement, watching the people who brought life to the street.

“Wow, it smells like people.”

“People smell?”

Selena, perplexed by my comment, stuck her face out and sniffed the air. Her adorable reaction made me laugh.

“I can’t tell what kind of smell it is. I smell dirt and fruit skewers…”

Selena said, tilting her head in confusion.

“There’s a certain scent to it.”

Instead of explaining the smell, I grabbed Selena’s arm and led her forward.

It was my first outing since coming to the Grand Duchy. Creedman led the way, guiding us through the unfamiliar streets.

We were currently in Sete Street, one of the most bustling areas in the territory, according to Creedman.

Sete Street was described in the original novel as the heart of the Theabrite territory.

It was the most vibrant place in the territory and was lined with shops selling affordable, high-quality goods, making it popular among the economically less fortunate.