Chapter 64
｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Bree ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
While waiting for the results, I diligently wrote my business plan.
I described in detail how I would not waste the business funds and specifically what I planned to do.
To ensure the Duke wouldn’t miss any details, I even enlarged the font size.
With experience from group presentations and internship presentations, I felt confident about presenting.
But then…
“What…what is this?”
I asked in disbelief.
“The Duke is providing these business funds to you, My Lady. If you think it’s insufficient, please let me know.”
“…”
“Also, the Duke has instructed that you may inspect the herb shop that was managed by Count Drave.”
“…”
“Additionally, the land that was to be handed over to the Count is now yours…”
Harlan continued to explain, but honestly, I didn’t hear much of it.
As I stood there dumbfounded, Harlan, thinking I was disappointed, asked cautiously.
“If it’s not enough…”
“No!”
I instinctively shouted quickly. Realizing that this wasn’t very Daphne-like, I cleared my throat.
“This is more than enough as initial capital. Thank you, Butler.”
“Of course, My Lady. If there’s anything else you need, please let me know.”
With that, Harlan left the room.
After the door closed…
“…!”
I let out a silent scream with my mouth closed.
I had never had such money or land before, and now I was receiving it all with just a word from the Duke.
It was like being a chaebol heir, being handed a portion of the business to start learning management!
Feeling a thrill throughout my body, I calmed myself down.
‘There’s no time to waste. I need to go inspect everything!’
Quickly preparing to leave, I headed out with Sukia.
The reason I remembered Regarta so clearly was simple.
After the war ended and the heroine Maria returned to the capital, an epidemic began spreading throughout the empire.
There was a male doctor from Regarta who helped Maria solve the epidemic.
‘People respected him even more because he came from a humble background.’
Because of this, Maria took an interest in Regarta and, learning that many people there were unwell, she came to help.
With the heroine coming down, the male leads naturally followed.
And where the protagonists gathered, people inevitably flocked.
Thanks to this, Regarta developed into a resort destination.
With the sea on one side and mountains on the other, the scenery was truly breathtaking.
What did this mean?
‘It means the land value will skyrocket!’
I took a deep breath. The smell of money…no, the refreshing breeze seemed to clear my mood.
‘There’s no better place to spend my remaining years than here.’
As I nodded to myself, I noticed Sukia looking particularly excited.
“Sukia, you look happy?”
“Oh…yes. Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since I last came here.”
Sukia blushed with embarrassment.
I had learned late that Sukia was also from Regarta.
‘Seeing how excited she is, it must have been a while since she returned home.’
In that case, I waved my fan and spoke.
“Shall we take a leisurely stroll around, then? It’s been a while since you’ve been back, right? Let’s enjoy the sights.”
Sukia’s face brightened even more, and she nodded eagerly.
“Yes, My Lady. Thank you!”
With that, we set out to explore the beautiful Regarta, ready to see the land and herb shop that were now under my care.
“If you have time, go visit your family.”
“What? But I have to stay by your side, My Lady…”
Seeing Sukia hesitate, I snapped my fan shut.
“Did you forget what I said before? I’ll punish you with desserts if you disobey.”
“Oh…!”
“So take these desserts home and ask your family how they taste. Give me detailed feedback on each one. If they like them, I’ll sell them in the salon. Understood?”
“Yes, My Lady…!”
Sukia shouted with a face full of gratitude, and I nodded in satisfaction.
“By the way, you mentioned you have a big family, right?”
“Oh, yes. My parents, my sister, my brother, and five younger siblings.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly at that.
Having a big family can be a good thing, but to someone from modern times like me, it felt like the reason Sukia, still so young, had to work as a maid.
Of course, it would be rude to show my thoughts, so I spoke as if it was nothing.
“I remember you talking about your sister before. Is she as reliable as you?”
“Of course. My sister is much smarter than me. She never forgets anything she reads. She’s also really good at studying.”
Sukia started proudly talking about her sister with an excited face.
Finding her enthusiasm endearing, I continued to listen to her.
“Well, I’m bored anyway. Keep talking. So, one of your family members is taking the entrance exam for the medical academy in Regarta, right?”
“Yes, that’s my sister!”
Sukia nodded happily.
Seeing her so joyful about her sister’s achievements, I couldn’t help but smile as well.
Then, through the window, I saw a tall building in the distance. I asked the carriage to stop.
“What is this building…?”
Getting out of the carriage, I looked up at the relatively new structure.
It was far from the herb fields, so it shouldn’t affect cultivation much.
But the tall, splendid building stood out in the otherwise empty area.
‘Who built such a large building here?’
While I was thinking, I noticed a few people nearby, panting heavily.
“The master is really too much…”
“How did we finish all this in such a short time…”
“At least we saved our lives…”
They were muttering something, but they were so out of breath that I couldn’t make out the words clearly.
The only commonality was that they were all wearing black robes.
“They must be having a hard time with a harsh boss…”
“Indeed…”
Sukia and I whispered softly.
Just then, a breeze came from somewhere, carrying a cool yet sweet scent.
I instinctively knew who the owner of that scent was. I turned around and there he was.
“Hello, My Lady.”
Luciel looked at me with an angelic smile.
His smile was still as fresh and beautiful as ever.
The only difference was that he wasn’t wearing the black robe he usually wore.
It seemed there were so few people around here that he didn’t feel the need to wear it.
“Gasp…!”
Sukia froze as soon as she saw Luciel.
Well, it made sense. If someone with such an unreal appearance suddenly appeared, anyone would be stunned.
But I wasn’t that surprised.
I had already heard directly from him that a branch of the Magic Tower was being built in Regarta.
“My Lady, I came to deliver the item you requested.”
A few days ago, I had secretly received the heated bed through his mages.
Seeing him here, I realized that the building must be the new branch of the Magic Tower he had mentioned.
No wonder. I had been wondering why there was a new building that didn’t seem to fit in this open, bright place…
‘Wait a minute.’
So, the harsh boss the mages were talking about…
I turned my gaze back to the mages who looked like they were about to collapse.
But now, they were all standing at attention, as if nothing had happened.
The hardship that had been evident on their faces moments ago was nowhere to be seen.
‘No, to be precise, they seem really tense…’
“My Lady.”
Luciel’s voice broke my thoughts. I looked at him again, almost in a trance.
“It’s really a coincidence to meet you here. I was just running some errands with Gael.”
He smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling in genuine delight.
Behind Luciel stood Gael, who I hadn’t noticed due to my focus on Luciel.
As our eyes met, Gael bowed slightly in greeting. It seemed he had come along.
‘Well, considering he even introduced Gael to a job, they must be quite close.’
Luciel spoke with a bright smile.
“What brings you here, My Lady?”
“I came to inspect the land and herb fields for the salon I mentioned. What about you, Your Highness?”
“I regularly inspect the branches of the Magic Tower. Today, I’m visiting the Regarta branch.”
Luciel continued to smile kindly as he spoke.
“But since you’re here, My Lady, I might come more often.”
At that moment, there was a sudden coughing sound.
The mages, who had been standing at attention, were now struggling to suppress their coughs, their faces pale.
“Resign…”
“Let’s resign…”
“We’re going to die at this rate…”
I could faintly hear such murmurs beyond their exhausted faces.
