7MIP - Chapter 112



“Why is that, Ma’am?”

“For someone who enjoys hunting, he caught less game than I thought. Thank you for your hard work, Ethel. Would you like to call Jashar before you leave?”

“Yes. I will bring it right away.”

As Agatha was selecting the most ornate ornaments and tiger-skin cloak to display her majesty, a neat knocking sound was heard.

“Madam, this is Jashar.”

“Come in.”

By that time, Agatha had almost finished organizing her appearance.

Her golden hair was curled to one side, highlighting the princess-cut jewelry adorning her ears and neck.

It was a ruby ​​the size of a thumb, surrounded by dozens of diamonds the size of a fingernail.

The gold chain that secured the cloak and the brooch engraved with the Nobilis family crest created an intense sense of luxury.

The General Consul, Jashar, gave a brief exclamation of admiration.

“You are indeed the sole heir to the Nobilis family, my lady.”

“Even with such praise, this job will be yours, Jashar.”

“I see you have called me because you have something to do. What is it, Ma’am?”

Agatha, who had finished dressing up, moved to the sofa beyond the screen and sat down, gesturing with her hand. The Consul General, Jashar, quickly took his seat across from her.

“The Viscount of Aitier who came to see us today has enjoyed hunting twice a year in the spring, summer, and winter months for about seven years, but the number of prey he has caught is less than expected. We need to inspect the hunting grounds on-site.”

“Oh, that’s right. Since Your Grace is at the castle, I’ll go check out the hunting grounds this time. Should we start with the Florence hunting grounds?”

“Yes, please. Please take care of me, Jashar.”

This was a job well-suited to Jashar, who knew the territory well.

The First Assistant, First Administrative Officer, First Executive Officer, and First Secretary were all busy trying to figure out the situation in the territory they had been in for a long time.

“Madam, the Marquis has arrived.”

“Bring him in.”

It was just the right time. Agatha got up from her seat and smiled brightly as she greeted the man entering through the open door.

“Welcome, Enoch.”

“Am I not late?”

“I had just finished work, too.”

"Work...?"

The man's gaze slowly turned to the Grand Consul, Jashar Solka, standing behind him. Jashar immediately saluted.

“Meet the Marquis.”

“It’s been a while. What’s the matter, Jashar?”

“I called. Viscount Aitier rented the same hunting grounds twice a month, but he didn’t catch much game.”

Agatha called her maid and showed him the report that Ethel had just submitted.

“I think I’ll take this opportunity to check the hunting grounds.”

Enoch read the report.

Meanwhile, Agatha was checking the man's attire.

The uniform cut to a snug fit from the neck down, fell smoothly along firm, lean lines.

Covering his broad shoulders was a cloak covered with the skin of a white tiger.

A gold brooch engraved with the Aratus family crest secured the cloak.

Agatha suddenly reached out her hand, noticing the only open collar on his uniform that revealed his white skin.

The man's eyes, which had been focused on her for a moment, then turned to the road report.

“I guess I’ll have to check for sure.”

“Yes. Because someone might be poaching. Oh, that’s okay.”

Agatha, who had buttoned up her dress perfectly, smiled with satisfaction.

“Let’s go now.”

“I will set off for the Forest of Florence right away.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Jashar.”

The Consul General, Jashar, and his retinue departed for the Forest of Florence.

Finally, Agatha, who had finished checking her attire, crossed the castle corridors with Enoch.

Viscount Aitier was in the second parlor.

The lower the reception rooms, the closer they are to the first floor and the more luxurious and grandly decorated they tend to be.

This was often a device to discourage visitors who entered the castle and made them cautious about their actions if they were not qualified to do so.

Among them, the castle of Lord Nobilis, a great lord and noble family in the south, was decorated so extravagantly that it would overwhelm even those of a moderate social status.

The high ceilings were oppressive, and there was not a single sculpture, ornament, piece of furniture, or anything out of place.

The servant opened the second reception room with a raised voice.

“Her Grace Agatha Nobilis and Marquis Enoch Aratus are here.”

Agatha walked alone into the reception room, escorted by Enoch.

He was a man of ordinary appearance. Viscount Aitier, who had been standing on the sofa without even sitting down, immediately saluted.

“Your Grace the Marquis Aratus, meet the Marchioness Aratus.”

“Nice to meet you, Viscount. Please take a seat.”

Behind Agatha, who was sitting at the head of the table, was the First Vice-Captain, Leon Takran.

Enoch sat next to Agatha, and Viscount Aitier sat across from her.

After the refreshments were served, she spoke first.

“I wonder what brings you to the castle today, Viscount.”

“That’s why I was wondering if I could rent the hunting grounds today.”

As she had expected, Agatha nodded and picked up her teacup.

“I see. I’ve heard that you’ve been hunting in the Forest of Florence more than twice a month. May I ask you a few questions?”

“...What do you mean?”

The Viscount asked defensively for a moment. His voice was small and he was visibly tense.

Agatha blinked for a moment and smiled softly.

“It’s nothing. The number of prey caught is not that much compared to the days when you enjoyed hunting. Is there a problem with the hunting grounds?”

“Oh, that’s absolutely not true. I just adjusted it within my limits so that I wouldn’t harm the hunting grounds instead of hunting twice a month without fail. There’s no problem with the hunting grounds.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Frequent visits to the hunting ground while the owner is away did not seem very common sense.

She thought it was because he loved hunting so much, so she thought he would understand. The Viscount immediately bowed his head.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, Madame Marchioness.”

Agatha's face became a little more friendly.

“Have you come to rent a hunting ground today too?”

“Yes. I would like to go hunting in the Florence hunting grounds.”

For a moment, it occurred to her that this day was different from the days he went hunting.

Agatha agreed. He likes hunting, so that makes sense.

“But I think you’ll have to go to a different hunting ground today. We’re checking the Florence Forest just in case, so it’ll be difficult to hunt there.”

“Yes? Are you saying that you are currently inspecting the Florence hunting grounds?”

In an instant, the Viscount shouted with a pale face. The leisurely and polite appearance from a moment ago had completely disappeared.

Agatha instinctively tried to cover her ears.

This is a surprise inspection right now though.

A light inspection of the hunting grounds was an annual event.

“Are you okay, Ma’am?”

Enoch covered Agatha's ear with a stern expression. First Vice-Captain Leon Takran had already stepped forward from behind the sofa.

“It’s okay. I was just a little surprised.”

“I’m sorry, Madame Marchioness. I was so surprised.”

“The hunting grounds inspection is an annual event, so I wonder if there is any need to be so surprised.”

“Well, I thought I’d have the whole hunting grounds to myself today. Since I like hunting alone...”

The Viscount was talking nonsense without even knowing what he was talking about.

Agatha waved her hand with a cold look in her eyes.

“Enough with your excuses, Viscount. It will be difficult to rent hunting grounds for the time being. Please take your leave now.”

“I apologize for the inconvenience, Marquis and Marchioness. I will see you later.”

The Viscount carefully bowed and hurried out of the drawing room.

Was inspecting the hunting grounds really something that would cause such a big reaction?

Agatha, who had been thinking carefully about the situation that had just occurred, tilted her head slightly.

"Jessie."

“Yes, ma’am.”

Jessie, the maid who was standing on one side of the reception room, nodded.

“Contact the captain and tell him to strengthen security around the Florence hunting grounds.”

"All right."

Jessie left the reception room right away. Then, after thinking for a moment, Agatha looked back at Enoch.

“Enoch. Could you send a knight squad to Jashar? I’m not sure, but I’d like to ask.”

“Columns will do.”

“Yes, please.”

Enoch immediately summoned the Second Vice-Captain, Hubert Carwen.

Even if it wasn't, there was nothing to lose.

Soon, the Second Vice-Captain, Hubert Carwen, entered the Second Reception Room.

“Did you call, my lord?”

“Send ten knights, including two senior knights, to the Florence Forest. Escort Lord Jashaar Solka until the hunting grounds are inspected.”

“I obey your orders.”

Only then did Agatha leave the second reception room with a relieved expression. She leaned lightly against his strong arms as she climbed the castle stairs.

“Shall we go back to the bedroom? I’m tired after getting dressed up and welcoming guests for the first time in a while.”

A soft kiss immediately landed on her hair.

“That won’t do. Let’s go take a warm bath and go to bed. I’ll put you to bed.”

A slow afternoon.

Only a few hours after Agatha went into her bedroom, the Consul General, Jashar, returned.

The place Jashar headed straight to was where the sole heir to the Nobilis family was.

Knock knock.

“Madam, this is Jashar. I have something important to report to you.”

A moment later, the bedroom door opened. Slightly sleepy purple eyes looked up at Jashar.

“...”

Agatha's expression became sharp as she saw his messy appearance.

Jashar's hair was disheveled and he was wearing a cloak covered in dirt.

“What’s going on, Jashar?”

“We caught an illegal slave trader in the Forest of Florence.”


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