⋙“Stay close to the Imperial Consort and let me know if you see anyone who might know of her weaknesses, or anything unusual or suspicious.”⋘
The instructions Edith gave to Elizabeth, along with the contact informant specially managed by Lexion’s Intelligence Department, were simple.
『 I wondered what would happen if I were asked to do something unreasonable.』
Elizabeth thought Edith knew how to use spies quite well. She was at least wiser than Gilbert, who demanded her to deal with the Little Duke of Lexion without giving her a loyal and skilled informant.
『 Rather than taking extreme measures, I guess they intend to obtain information that can overturn the situation, even if it takes some time.』
Elizabeth was so worried that she might receive orders like poisoning the Imperial Consort’s meals.
“Elizabeth. How do you feel about serving our Imperial Consort?”
Countess Gerturk asked with all her pretense. Elizabeth responded with a formal smile.
“Honestly, I still can’t believe I became her lady-in-waiting. I can feel the way the maids in the palace look at me has changed.”
“That’s good. You need to quickly get rid of that husband’s killer image before you can pursue marriage with Gilbert…”
Countess Gerturk subtly brought up the topic of marriage. Elizabeth played along as if that was the only thing she desired, even though she no longer felt the slightest interest in the subject.
“Then both of you go home safely.”
Around the time the conversation sporadically came to an end, Elizabeth and Gilbert left the County.
As soon as the two disappeared, the Countess asked her husband.
“Will Elizabeth be good at being the Imperial Consort’s lady-in-waiting?”
“What else can she do? We’re raising Elise. So she has no choice but to do her best, even if it means thinking about money and reputation.”
The Count spoke with a snort.
The Countess agreed with her husband’s reaction, but her face showed a hint of concern.
“If she’s infatuated with Gilbert, she should naturally move quickly on her own… The Imperial Consort values abilities, you know.”
Count Gerturk understood the implicit meaning of his wife’s words without pretending not to know.
His sister, Patricia, prioritized abilities in everything. With outstanding abilities, she had risen from being the daughter of an ordinary count to becoming the Imperial Consort, giving birth to an Imperial descendant. And she expected the same level of competence from those around her.
In other words, it also meant that she does not keep incompetent people by her side.
Count Gerturk was well aware of his sister’s nature.
“We need to make it clear that we can be of definite assistance, so we can’t be wrong for nothing.”
“Is there something wrong with us? No one but us would know that a huge magicite mine was discovered in Baron Humphrey’s territory. Moreover, that filthy man glows only when he sees Elise. I feel sorry for that child, but…”
“Anyway, she might be of Gerturk’s bloodline. But her mother is an illegitimate child, and marrying into the Baron’s family would be a step up.”
Count Gerturk was adamant that he must not let personal feelings get in the way of his work.
The beginning of this long-term plan was the discovery of an enormous magicite mine hidden in a corner of Baron Humphrey’s territory.
Magicites were more expensive than diamonds because they embodied the powers of mages.
It was a dangerous object that could be turned into a bomb or a giant fireball if it contained magic, and by law, it had to be reported to the Emperor upon discovery.
『 No fool would report an expensive mineral to the government as soon as they discover it.』
Instead of reporting the discovery of magicite, everyone would sell them on the black market, to the point that it was even a saying that finding them was like winning the lottery.
Baron Humphrey, a country bumpkin noble who had just inherited a title, was at a loss as to what to do with his sudden good fortune. When he heard that the Imperial Consort was the most successful person in the Empire, he blindly went to Gerturk’s manor.
Baron Humphrey’s ignorance of the value of the magicite was a great fortune for the Gerturks.
“Who would know that even though magicites were discovered in that non-existent territory, it is being secretly processed without being reported?”
Count Gerturk stroked his beard with great satisfaction.
The Imperial Consort always admired the magical power that was passed down through the blood of high nobility. However, despite being a county house, the Gerturks lacked any special power in their bloodline.
It was certain that by utilizing the magicites to compress the magical power of the mages, it could bestow upon them a power that was as potent as the magic that flows through high nobility’s veins.
“Elise… sacrificing just that one child brings us so much gain, so we must proceed without delay.”
The Count, with a sly smile, downed the remaining wine. It seemed that the day would soon come when he would gain recognition from the Imperial Consort and receive a handsome income from the remaining magicites.
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“I hope you like the Lexion Territory. There are many good people, so I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
Lilliette, the Duke’s youngest daughter, spoke to Edith kindly.
She was currently traveling with Edith and Walter on a carriage heading to the Territory.
Even if the vassals went with them, Edith and Walter would both be unfamiliar with the territory, so Lilliette, who knew the territory and its people well, intended to accompany them to help them settle in.
“Thank you, Lady Lilliette.”
Edith was truly grateful for Lilliette’s kindness in accompanying them on the long journey.
Although Edith had learned about the territory of Lexion before leaving, watching the actual scenery unfold outside the small window provided much richer information as she listened to Lilliette’s explanations.
“Just beyond that hill is the manor. And now that we’ve fed our stomachs and since you must be tired from the journey, let’s go in and rest when we get there.”
“That’s a shame. It was fun hearing about the territory.”
Lilliette had a small smile on her face as she looked at Edith. Because it reminded her of a similar conversation she had with her eldest sister, Leah, a long time ago.
“When I heard Leah Unnie’s story, I also felt like the road to the territory was short. Now, it seems that I have acquired the ability to speak like her to a considerable extent.”
“Now that I think about it, I think the house that Mrs. Leah referred to as ‘countryside house’ is the Lexion Territory. She mentioned that during winter, the vast rob-berry hills spread out before one.”
An innocent smile appeared on Lilliette’s face when she started talking about her favorite fruit, the rob-berry.
“My Unnie always called the territory a countryside house. Rob-berry is the pride of the surrounding territories. Every year, a joint festival and fair are held to determine which territory’s crops are the best.”
『 It’s a festival and fair that the surrounding territories participate in.』
Edith admired the vast rob-berries fields outside the window and recalled the geography of the Lexion territory in her head.
『 Baron Humphrey’s territory is right next door.』
It was a bit awkward discussing Lexion, the best in the empire, and Humphrey’s small, poor territory altogether.
However, for Edith, who was trying to figure out what Humphrey had to offer in the deal with Count Gerturk, the proximity of the territories was welcomed.
“Do Baron Humphrey’s people also participate in the fair?”
“Yes. It’s a bit of a shame, but Humphrey’s rob-berry has outstanding sweetness and size. Even if they don’t know about other things, the fact that their rob-berry can defeat Lexion’s is the pride of the Humphrey lords and residents. So, they always participate.”
If the lord participated in the fair, there was a high probability that his people in charge of important matters for the family and territory would also attend.
『 Once I get the chance to talk to one of them, there might be an opportunity to get at least a little information about the mysterious mine.』
Edith read all five years of Humphrey’s territory’s local newspapers, but there was no mention of the mine at all. Concealing the discovery of a natural resource to this extent was undoubtedly suspicious. It was worth investigating what their plans were.
Edith said with a smile as if she had no other intentions.
“It sounds so wonderful. I’d like to attend the fair too. It would be nice if I could just hide my pregnancy.”
Lilliette gave her a quick tip on how she could attend the fair while hiding the fact that she was carrying the child of the Little Duke of Lexion.
“Just disguise yourself and say you’re a friend of a vassal from Lexion. There aren’t many people here who know your face yet, and there are not many influential individuals who would turn away someone with a connection to Lexion.”
“That’s a good idea. Since I am already at the territory, I should attend.”
“Of course, but you’ll need permission from your sentry over there.”
Lilliette pointed with her chin at Walter, who was sitting side by side with the coachman with his sword sheathed and wary of the surroundings.
『 Even with so many security personnel following us, should I still be worried?』
With the thought of having a child, Walter’s concerns multiplied, and he was quite overreacting to Edith’s safety.
If Edith wanted to attend the fair, he would follow her like a shadow, either disguised as an escort knight or a coachman.
『 It seems a bit excessive, but… it’s for the best.』
Lilliette smiled happily as the carriage was getting closer to the manor.
──────────✿◦•
“You’ve endured a long journey by carriage. I am Iris, the head butler of the manor. His Grace has sent word for the three of you to be comfortably accommodated.”
“Father sent word?”
“Yes, M’lady.”
“That’s odd. He’s not the type of person who pays attention to such details.”
Lilliette received the greeting from the head butler, realizing how much her father cared for Walter and Edith.
After Iris introduced himself to Edith and Walter, the manor’s servants, standing in line, followed suit and bowed when Iris bowed his head.
『 … I think Mrs. Leah said that the territory manor was rather modest.』
Edith looked around the place, which was as luxurious as the Lexion Manor in the capital. It was a feast of silk and gold that did not fit the word simple at all.
Iris, the head butler, explained the general structure of the manor in a voice full of pride.
Lilliette, who had been walking along with the group and listening to the explanations she already knew, spoke up as if something had occurred to her.
“Now that I think about it, didn’t Leah Unnie organize the things she used when she was alive somewhere in this manor?”
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
