“A letter from Sir Vane has arrived, Little Duke.”
Cassius presented a letter to Walter with friendly gestures that contrasted with his polite voice.
Walter quickly scanned the letter from its envelope to its contents. The person who wrote the letter was Vane. The main content was about Elizabeth, who had become Edith’s spy, sending updates.
“It seems Elizabeth is more earnest about her work than we thought, considering she’s reporting on what the Imperial Consort Patricia said.”
Cassius was somewhat surprised by Walter’s words.
“Does it contain information related to Patricia?”
“It’s not just related; it provides quite useful information. It is said that the Imperial Consort is sending someone from her side to Baron Humphrey’s to investigate the mysterious state of the mine.”
“…!”
“Suddenly sending someone to the Barony will arouse the suspicion of those watching, so it seems like they are sending them just in time for the Rob-berry Fair.”
“It looks like she’s planning to send her loyal subjects disguised as farmers or merchants who are interested in crops to deceive people.”
Walter lightly agreed with Cassius’s reasoning.
“Once the identities of those sent by the Imperial Consort are confirmed upon their arrival, Baron Humphrey himself will guide them to the hidden mine. We just need to seize that opportunity when it arises.”
Even before coming down to the Lexion territory, Walter had been trying to find out what kind of mine the Baron owned and what kind of mine he was trying to trade with Patricia.
However, it was strangely difficult to find information or opportunities to obtain information, so his patience was slowly reaching its limit.
But the spy planted by Edith delivered such good news.
“We can see that Lady Edith has done a good job persuading Elizabeth.”
It was no exaggeration to say that this was harvesting the fruit of the seed Edith had planted.
Using a lady-in-waiting who had gained the trust of Patricia as a spy was undoubtedly a challenging task even for the Duke of Lexion.
Walter went straight to Edith’s room and relayed to her the news Elizabeth had delivered.
“It’s fortunate that she’s actively involved, especially since it directly relates to her daughter.”
Edith also knew how useful Elizabeth’s information was in the current situation.
But her outward reaction was so light that it made Walter chuckle without realizing it.
“I think Vane must have felt defeated when he heard that. Using Patricia’s lady-in-waiting as a spy isn’t easy.”
“The situation fits perfectly. And if the Gerturks hadn’t used and deceived Elizabeth, how could an ordinary person like me spy on them?”
“Isn’t your evaluation of yourself too low? If you set your mind to it, it seems you could command both the business and the knights.”
Edith smiled coyly for a moment, not sure what to make of Walter’s words.
“By the way, I’m glad we came in time for the Rob-berry fair. This year’s fair is held at Humphrey’s Estate. Just you going there will put considerable pressure on the Baron.”
Since many farmers from the Lexion Territory will also participate in the fair, an invitation to the fair was sent to the Little Duke who had just come down to the territory.
The person who sent the invitation probably didn’t think that someone as young as the next head of House Lexion would attend the event where they could compete to see which Rob-berry was better.
However, as Edith said, Walter planned to go directly to Baron Humphrey’s territory and check on the situation.
“I hear that Baron Humphrey’s maid knows a lot. I’ll see if I can get a chance to talk to her.”
“…”
Walter said nothing for a moment. Of course, he knew Edith wasn’t going into the shipping area to find the best rob-berry, but there was more than one thing that caught him off guard.
Walter slowly walked over and hugged Edith from behind.
His nerves were on edge as he became aware of the warmth of her body and the roundness of her belly.
“Instead, you should never do anything dangerous. Promise me that you’ll be with people all the time, Edith.”
As his low voice tickled her ears, Edith bit her lips.
These days, Walter was paying attention to every detail related to her, as if he were trying to protect a small child who had been exposed to the world.
Although he was quite a gentleman and kind in his words and actions, his body did not show the same.
“I don’t know who the Imperial Consort’s people are, but you should be careful; they’ll recognize you at a glance.”
Edith mentioned that with a wig, her hair color changes, and her appearance becomes different, making her unrecognizable at once.
But Walter wasn’t convinced. Nothing could hide the sweet scent of Edith’s skin or the clarity of her eyes, no matter what she did.
“If the Imperial Consort sent men, they won’t fail to recognize you just because your hair color changed.”
Walter carefully traced Edith’s neckline with his hand and pressed her shoulders to close his chest as she shrank in response.
The one thing he’s never said out loud for fear of being judged. These days, whenever Walter makes eye contact with Edith, his first thought is that he doesn’t want to let her outside.
He muttered in a slightly drunken voice, inhaling the sweet scent emanating from her beautiful blonde hair.
“Edith. Even if you use a fake identity at the fair, I’ll still be keeping an eye on you.”
“…”
“If you put yourself in a dangerous situation or make eye contact with someone who looks dangerous, I’m going to run towards you. Then, rumors will spread, and people will say that my reputation has become trash for stubbornly looking after an outsider woman.”
Edith got nervous. At times, even when he playfully teased her by calling her ‘M’lady, M’lady,’ it felt endearing to resort to an empty threat under the guise of his title ‘Little Duke,’ despite it being unconvincing.
“I’ll be cautious for the sake of your reputation, Walter.”
As she let out a light laugh, his body tightened against hers. Edith didn’t shy away from his heated body pressing closer and closer to hers.
──────────✿◦•
On the morning of the Rob-berry fair, Baron Humphrey turned his back and looked at the central square of the territory, which was clearly visible from his office.
Since the fair was one of the biggest festivals in the small territory, the residents of the territory couldn’t hide their excitement and were going crazy decorating the streets.
Everyone’s expressions brightened as if they had forgotten for a moment the chill of winter and the fact that they lived in an ordinary territory with nothing to boast about.
Baron Humphrey spoke to himself as if he were addressing an imaginary crowd.
“I am very happy that I was able to discover a rich magicite mine in my territory, which will soon bring joy to my people.”
If one were to judge solely by his benevolent gaze and voice, one could have mistakenly thought that Baron Humphrey was a lord who only cared about his territory.
However, the head maid, Betty, who was standing outside the door, snorted when she heard that. Having served on the Barony’s estate for three generations, she knew his nasty and filthy temperament better than anyone.
『 He’s just a scumbag who brightens up talking about young girls, pretending to care only about his territory.』
Moreover, the Baron had kept the discovery of a tremendous magicite mine on the territory a secret for a very long time.
If he planned to use those resources beneficially for the rightful cause, there wouldn’t be a need to try so hard to keep it a secret.
Betty didn’t feel the need to respond to what she was saying to herself, so she knocked again.
“There is a guest from the capital, M’lord.”
“Thank you, Betty.”
The Baron thanked her with his practiced aristocratic accent that she had never heard before.
As Betty clicked her tongue to herself and stepped back, he was met by several people dressed like neat merchants.
Baron Humphrey clearly remembered the name of the one in the middle. It was the younger brother of Imperial Consort Patricia, who gave birth to an imperial descendant.
He knew that once the Imperial Consort became regent, it was only natural for her to favor his family first, so he thought there was no harm in looking good for them.
“Oh my, Mr. Gilbert! Thank you for walking all the way to this shabby territory. I’m afraid these cheap clothes must be uncomfortable…”
“No, it’s fine.”
Baron Humphrey’s overly condescending attitude made Gilbert begin to mistakenly believe that he was treated as someone important.
In fact, he chose the inconvenience of traveling a long way in person, despite his lack of ability, just to stay in Patricia’s good graces and remain in her favor.
『 I’m sure Noonim would appreciate the effort, wouldn’t she?』
Gilbert knew little about other matters, but he had to make sure that the magicite mine was completely Gerturk’s.
If nothing else, the magicite mine had to be entirely under Gerturk’s control.
That way, the Gerturks would have a fighting chance against the Lexions, who had been producing great mages for generations.
『 Only I can do this.』
Gilbert sat on the sofa, showing off his excessive ego. Then Baron Humphrey ordered tea to be served and explained his recent situation without being asked.
“Well, I heard that the Little Duke of Lexion is attending the Rob-berry fair. I think he intends to gain public support and keep our family in check while staying in the territory…”
“Now that I’m here, that won’t happen. Don’t worry too much, Baron.”
Gilbert, who had been bluffing without realizing it, paused for a moment as if he had found a good opportunity. This was because he had had a conversation with Count Gerturk and the Countess.
⋙“If we had dealt with the Little Duke properly, the Imperial Consort would not have tried to test our abilities.”⋘
⋙“It’s already too late. But what if an unfortunate accident happens to the Little Duke…?”⋘
The moment they said that, the Count and the Countess clearly looked eager, wishing for an accident.
『 But the Little Duke is attending the fair?』
Moreover, the Baron in front of him was dull, stupid, and greedy for power, so he seemed willing to get his hands dirty instead.
“Baron Humphrey. The reason I came in person is because I wanted to confirm your sincerity.”
As Gilbert said that, his eyes gleamed with a chilling light, akin to that of a venomous snake.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
