Nadia had a mountain of tasks to deal with.
She needed to quickly push forward road construction to connect with other territories and begin developing a new mine.
On top of that, she couldn’t afford to stretch the budget too thin, as she also had to secure a stable supply of medicine for Madam Hess.
And she still had to investigate Rivenna’s death.
Even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough to handle it all.
In such a situation, she couldn’t allow that scoundrel to rob the naive Baron Hess of his money.
It was obvious what Baron Varden’s scheme would be.
Dressed up like some nouveau riche, he’d likely bring up a “promising business opportunity” and ask for investment.
“Father’s been trying hard to be helpful to me lately. If that man spins some ridiculous tale about huge returns and appeals to his emotions, Father might actually hand over the money.”
But if she were to kick Baron Varden out right away, it wouldn’t reflect well on their reputation, and it would hurt Baron Hess’s pride.
When Nadia had lived as Rivenna Priscillian, Count Priscillian used to look at her with scorn whenever she offered advice.
He’d throw things at her, raging as if she thought he were an idiot.
Unaware that it only made him look more like a brute.
Nadia, who remembered that clearly, didn’t want to repeat the same mistake.
She decided to observe the situation first.
As she handed the tea preparations to the maid, she added a subtle instruction.
“It’s a lovely day—leave the window open in the drawing room.”
After the maid left for the drawing room, Nadia returned to her room.
While she rummaged through a drawer, Vivian giggled with amusement.
“If you’re going to eavesdrop by clinging to the window, you’re going to need a rope.”
Nadia chuckled at her silly joke and held something out.
“Vivian, aren’t you a skilled assassin? You need a rope to climb a window?”
“Whaaat? Don’t tell me I’m going up there?”
“Of course.”
“But I’m wearing this cute little maid uniform! What if I get it all dirty climbing walls?”
Vivian pouted like she was sulking.
Nadia had never met such a playful maid in all her life—even including her time as Rivenna. It was bewildering, yet made her laugh.
Vivian took Nadia’s laughter as a sign that her cuteness had worked and grinned from ear to ear.
Nadia gently held Vivian’s hand, her smile soft.
“Just place this on the window frame.”
She handed her a tiny magical device—a listening tool Conrad had prepared when he gave her all sorts of useful gadgets.
“To make a well-timed entrance, I need to listen in on their conversation. So hurry.”
“Ugh, seriously, I’m going?”
Nadia narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“Conrad said there’s not a single mansion you couldn’t infiltrate. Are you scared? If that’s the case…”
“Scared?! Hmph! I was trying to live a normal, cute maid life for once!”
Vivian, offended, shuddered dramatically and with a whine, took the device—then vanished out the window in a blink.
Nadia leaned out quickly, but couldn’t even spot a strand of her hair.
Startled, she glanced around, then snorted quietly—before covering her mouth as laughter escaped her for longer.
“She gets all sulky over this, and yet wants to be a normal maid? So cute…”
Nadia closed the window and inserted the other half of the listening device into her ear.
Vivian’s skills were so amazing that she could already hear the conversation in the drawing room.
[Hahaha! You found mana stones by accident? That’s some luck!]
[Indeed, I think so too.]
[Isn’t the goddess of fortune fickle? Smiling on a man like you, who just coasts through life without care.]
The moment the voices came through, she heard rude comments pouring out.
But Baron Hess only chuckled awkwardly.
[Haha. A diligent man like you doesn’t need luck, I suppose. Me? I’m not exactly blessed with talent.]
Baron Hess had always been kind-hearted by nature and disliked conflict.
He would always step up to help when he could, and when angry, he would simply endure quietly. In the Hess territory, he was considered gentle and warm.
But in noble society, such traits were seen as foolish.
That reputation likely clung to him constantly, eroding his confidence and self-esteem over time.
Nadia sighed.
She wanted to barge in and throw that rude man out right then and there, but it wasn’t her place yet to interfere in adult matters.
So she leaned back into the listening device.
As expected, Baron Varden had begun rambling on about some grand but hollow business scheme.
[There’s land above the Baldwin Duchy, you see. A fruit grows there—it’s rare, delicious, and good for your health. If we bring it to the capital, it’ll sell for a fortune!]
[Hmm, is that so? But I heard it’s colder than most areas up there—no real seasons. That’s why no one’s claimed that land.]
[Exactly! That’s why such a rare fruit was hidden there!]
[You’re full of fascinating knowledge.]
[I paid a lot for this info, I’ll have you know. I’m planning a business around that fruit…]
The gist of Baron Varden’s pitch was this:
The fruit spoils quickly in warmer climates, so magical devices were needed to maintain temperature.
If Baron Hess helped pay for those magic tools, Varden promised to return the investment many times over.
Absolute nonsense.
He hadn’t even tasted the fruit himself but was making a fuss trying to sell it.
No matter how naive Baron Hess was, he wouldn’t fall for something so ridiculous.
He responded cautiously, but clearly refused.
[Well, you know I’m not very business-minded. I’ll pass. You should give this great opportunity to someone else.]
[Now, now! I’m not asking you to run the business. I’ll handle that. You just have to sit back and take a share!]
But Varden’s voice only grew louder.
To be honest, Nadia had expected Baron Hess to eventually hand over something out of pity.
After all, she had set aside a small sum for his personal expenses when distributing the money earned from the mana stones.
But to her surprise, Baron Hess didn’t give in—he simply laughed kindly and withheld any offer of funds.
“He’s not the type to be stingy with his dignity funds. Could it be…?”
“Is he trying to show he’s not someone to be underestimated anymore?”
Before she could finish her thoughts, she heard a loud bang through the device.
[My friend! Don’t kneel like that. Please, don’t.]
It seemed Baron Varden had finally fallen to his knees.
[Come now, Baron Hess. We’ve been friends a long time. Let me be honest. I’ve already invested a lot into that fruit. But the magical devices broke en route to the capital. If I bring the fruit in like this, it’ll all rot! I beg you. It’s not a bad investment. Just help me a little—I’ll repay you several times over!]
[My friend…]
[I’m sorry for putting up a front. But I’m being truthful now—really!]
His voice wavered with emotion.
At last, Baron Varden began appealing to sentiment.
Baron Hess, unlike earlier, now sounded flustered and distressed as he tried to comfort him.
Baron Varden responded with even louder wailing.
[Just a little help! I’ll never forget this favor!]
It seemed like it was about time for Nadia to make her entrance.
With a ruckus like this, it wouldn’t be odd for her to already know what was going on.
She stepped out of her room.
And just then—
[I’m sorry. It pains me that you’re struggling. I truly want to help—but I don’t think I can right now.]
—came unexpected words.
Baron Hess’s voice trembled. It was clear how much the situation troubled him.
He truly wanted to help his friend.
But he chose not to.
[W-what do you mean? I heard you made lots of money from the mana stones!]
Baron Varden, too, was clearly shocked.
[That money isn’t mine. My daughter found the mana stones. She protected them. And she gave the credit to everyone—so that money belongs to Hess territory.]
[But you’re Baron Hess! Isn’t Hess’s money your money?]
[No. It clearly belongs to the land. If I used Hess’s money to help you, it would only be a way for me to look like a good person. A pathetic show. I’ve had enough of that. From now on, I want to be a responsible man instead. That’s something I learned from my daughter.]
He spoke with finality.
[I may not be as strong and responsible as Nadia. But I want to start by only taking responsibility for the things I can handle. I’m sorry, my friend.]
