As expected, with just a single sentence, Seraphie understood many things. The way she nodded faintly and rolled her eyes showed that once she was told one thing, she could grasp twenty more. But what Orkis liked most was,
“Hmm, can I say something, and you tell me if I’m right or not?”
Seraphie’s caution. Orkis appreciated how she didn’t rush to conclusions until she was sure of what she had figured out.
Orkis responded with a slight nod. His usually indifferent violet eyes showed a rare glimmer of interest.
“If I’m right, then the Katio family must be the exact opposite of my empty honor right now,” Seraphie continued. “Even though I’m a countess with The Land Abandoned by God, my honor is still in shambles.”
Orkis pressed his lips together at her blunt words. Despite Seraphie’s gentle appearance, her choice of words was honest and rough.
“But the fact that the Katio family, despite being a baron, can get away with such rudeness means…”
There was only one answer. The Katio family’s honor, built on years of wealth from their rich resources, was the source of power that exceeded their title.
Seraphie muttered in frustration, “Looks like I’ve got more work to do.”
To return to the place she once called home, she needed to elevate her family’s honor and rebuild its public reputation. Just thinking about it gave her a headache. While the forced succession trial might have given her a chance to reevaluate her reputation, the honor of the Vallidus family was at rock bottom, thanks to her wretched father.
“To be a proper noble, honor is essential.”
At Seraphie’s gloomy muttering, Orkis nodded.
“Aah, I really hate this…” Seraphie whined.
“You must do it, even if you hate it.”
“That’s why I hate it.”
Before she could return to where she once lived, she might collapse from exhaustion and leave this world altogether.
As she leaned her head against the window and groaned in agony, Seraphie’s eyes rolled lightly from right to left and then back again. “…But, now that I think about it,” something unclear came to Seraphie’s mind, prompting her to ask her makeshift tutor another question. “The Katio family is quite prestigious, right?”
“No family can easily ignore them, that’s for sure.”
“Even in Felicia?”
“They’re respected in their own way.”
That made it even stranger.
Seraphie squinted one eye. Why would such a family be so insistent on marrying me? They accumulated wealth through a gold mine, and even though they’re only a baron family, they’re respected by everyone. So why desperate to marry her?
Seraphie didn’t think poorly of herself, but it seemed a bit excessive to consider her, someone who had self-declared herself a scoundrel, as a marriage prospect—especially in this conservative noble society. She had only briefly experienced how much these nobles valued pretense and reputation, so it was puzzling. Moreover, Orkis’s earlier reaction had been odd.
“Oh dear.”
He had shown a fleeting expression of pity upon hearing the name of the Katio family. What did that mean?
It wasn’t out of concern for me. As Seraphie pondered, a hypothesis formed in her mind. But it was too delicate to voice.
“Could it be…” She had to ask, though. “Is the Katio family’s gold mine drying up?”
Orkis’s lips curled into a soft smile.
* * *
Orkis wasn’t a talkative person. So much so that even his parents had checked his mouth several times when he was a child, asking if his lips were stuck together.
“The Katio family originally belonged to a clergy lineage that maintained neutrality.”
So, the fact that he was now explaining the Katio family to Seraphie was quite a rare sight. If the duke and duchess were to see this, even the sly Duke Felicia would be astonished.
Orkis himself was unaware that he was speaking more than usual. He simply thought he was showing the level of interest a teacher would naturally show a student eager to learn.
“They were so devout that they produced two high priests.”
“How did a clergy family come to own a gold mine?”
“It was discovered by an ancestor during missionary work, leading to rumors that they were blessed by the gods.”
This had all happened about a hundred years ago. Seraphie, who had been reacting to each new piece of information, suddenly paused and made a peculiar expression.
“…I see.”
Everything started to make sense.
“So, there was a reason they were so desperate to marry me.”
“What do you think it is?”
“Three things.”
Seraphie held up one finger. “First, the gold mine is drying up.”
This wasn’t confirmed, but considering Orkis’s reaction, the situation wasn’t good. There was clearly a problem with the gold mine. Seraphie resolved to remember this. Then she extended a second finger.
“Second, the old rumor about being blessed by the gods might play a role.”
If the gold mine were truly drying up, it would be a devastating blow to the Katio family—it would mean that the god’s blessing was fading. So, how tempting would someone like Seraphie, who owned The Land Abandoned by God, be to them?
“Even the emperor said it seemed like I was blessed by God, so they must be desperate.”
If they could secure a marriage, they could reclaim their wealth and honor.
“And the last?” Orkis asked, noting that even the first two assumptions were enough to explain the Katio family’s rude behavior.
“The last is…” Seraphie extended her third finger. The three outstretched fingers had an unusually serious air about them. “They think I’m insignificant.”
Orkis’s lips twitched. “How am I supposed to interpret that?”
“It’s exactly as it sounds.” Seraphie shrugged, relaxing her shoulders. “I haven’t accomplished anything.”
All she had gained from the trial was the title of countess and proof of her existence. The trial itself wasn’t much of a victory since her opponent was so pathetic that winning didn’t feel like winning. In other words, Seraphie hadn’t shown the world anything of significance.
“Welcome to the battlefield.”
The emperor had mentioned a ‘battlefield’ to Seraphie after she won her case.
It was true—noble society was a battlefield. Here, where titles served as conditions for participation, one had to constantly compete with others using wealth and honor as weapons. Winning meant receiving the respect one deserved, but even a slight lapse could lead to being disregarded and ultimately disappearing from this cruel place.
“To begin with, it would be difficult for me to win the trial without the help of Felicia family.”
If Duke Felicia hadn’t proven that she owned The Land Abandoned by God, Seraphie might have really lost the case.
And I’m still relying on their help. Though they called it a partnership, the truth was that Seraphie lacked the knowledge and courage to run the business on her own. Without the shield of Felicia, she could have easily gotten tangled up with worse individuals.
The greedy and seasoned nobles had noticed that. They realized the new head of the Vallidus family still couldn’t accomplish anything alone.
Seraphie had once asked Peonia how famous and important she had become. And Peonia had said,
“You’ll soon realize it to the point of being overwhelmed.”
Seraphie finally understood what that meant. A powerless noble with only money. She, who hadn’t yet demonstrated any ability or position, was no different from a pushover.
I need to show them.
She needed to show, as soon as possible, that the new Vallidus was not someone to be underestimated. Seraphie now had one more thing to accomplish.
“…I really might die from overwork.” Seraphie laughed bitterly.
“Only your bones might.” Orkis, who had been watching her laugh helplessly, finally spoke. “I’ll piece them together for you.”
He wondered what she would accomplish to surprise him next.
* * *
The carriage carrying Seraphie and Orkis arrived at a wasteland on the outskirts of the capital. While it was technically on the outskirts, the round trip took nearly two hours by carriage.
“So, we’ll keep this clause as is…”
“But the sixth one needs to be revised. Why is the ratio set like this?”
“It’s based on the mining industry. After all, this is still an excavation.”
“You’re speaking blasphemy. How can you compare The Land Abandoned by God to the mining industry?”
The two of them exchanged opinions while reviewing a provisional contract until the carriage arrived at the wasteland.
“You’re no less than the Katio family, Countess.”
“Did you just call me trash?”
Their conversation, where they carefully and thoroughly considered every detail, was surprisingly intellectual and mature.
The carriage stopped.
“Your hand.” Orkis, who had alighted first, extended his hand to Seraphie.
“…”
Seraphie pouted, recalling how he had earlier insulted her by comparing her to the Katio family.
“Shall I carry you down?”
“How kind of you.” With a sigh, Seraphie took his hand and stepped down.
“It’s as desolate as ever.”
Seraphie squinted her eyes. The sunlight was harsh. This was her second time visiting the wasteland, but the feeling of alienation was still something she couldn’t get used to.
The scenery outside the carriage was a snapshot of late spring. The trees were lush, and the fields were full of wildflowers. But the vibrant scene abruptly ended in front of the wasteland, as if another world had unfolded.
“How are you feeling?” Orkis asked as he placed a wide-brimmed hat on Seraphie’s head.
“What’s this?” Seraphie asked, fiddling with the hat now perched on her head. Thanks to the wide brim, the sunlight was blocked, making it easier for her eyes.
“It’s a hat.”
“That’s not what I’m asking.” She wanted to know why it had suddenly appeared in his hands.
Seraphie took off the hat and inspected it closely. The hat, made of light straw, was very lightweight. It had a light blue ribbon around the brim and was adorned with a white orchid.
“You often stumble, don’t you?” Orkis replied, placing the hat back on her head. Despite his arrogant tone, his hands were surprisingly gentle as he adjusted the hat.
“That’s not—!” Seraphie was about to protest but then hesitated.
Happy New Year everyone!ヾ(´︶`♡)ﾉ
