“I heard you got an investment request.”
Eden sat down and began to speak. Secretary Enon Carlton, who had taken Eden's coat and hung it on a hanger, returned and handed over an investment report as if he had been waiting for it.
The Grand Duke of Burnett’s wealth did not come simply from his lands or the royal blood he inherited. At the age of sixteen, Eden, who had been granted a title and left the palace as soon as he became an adult, made his fortune through business. He even set up an investment bank and made a fortune.
“It’s related to the redevelopment of a closed mine, and all the related documents are on the desk.”
“Why would you develop an abandoned mine again?”
Eden frowned and asked back. Since any abandoned mine has already lost its value, it would be better to tear it down. It would be better to build a building on the land and find another source of income.
“They said that the development was halted not because the mining volume had dropped, but because there were so many deaths. So many men in the village died that the business owner went bankrupt from paying the compensation costs, so they had to stop mining in tears...”
Eden raised his eyebrows and looked at the report in his hand.
“Dismissed.”
But he didn't read it for long and without thinking, he put it down. The light paper fluttered and landed on the table.
“With so many people dead, how many people do you think would want to work nearby?”
Enon struggled to answer Eden's question.
“It may be possible to recruit from outside...”
“It would be fortunate if the souls of those who died unjustly were not to suffer misfortune.”
Eden stared at Enon with a face of disinterest at the inadequate answer. Enon looked at Eden’s expression and realized that Eden had no intention of investing in the area.
“Didn’t you say that investing is about objectivity?”
However, the investment report was too good to just give up. Enon insisted on adding a word.
“Be objective enough. If there are that many deaths, doesn’t that mean there are no safety devices or countermeasures in place when problems arise? If that’s the case, then even if we fill in the staff with outside personnel, the same accidents can happen again and again.”
Of course, his master did not give in to Enon's persuasion.
“In the first place, it’s a border area, so it’s difficult to bring in people from outside. It could arouse unnecessary suspicion.”
Enon had to back down after hearing two more reasons why he couldn't persuade him.
“I advise you to give up cleanly and look for something else. It’s a border area, so development is dangerous.”
When things weren't bad with Benia, who bordered the country, it was okay, but when things got a little off track, they would often pick fights over small issues. What could they say about the problems inside the abandoned mines that they couldn't see? It wouldn't be good to cause unnecessary trouble.
Eventually, Enon, convinced by Eden's story, nodded and agreed to do so.
“But do you have any concerns?”
But even after hearing his simple answer, Eden had an uneasy look on his face. In the end, Enon, unable to overcome his curiosity, asked the question first.
“...What kind of person is Count Nova?”
“Huh? Why are you asking this all of a sudden, Count Nova?”
Enon tilted his head at the unexpected question and asked back.
“Do you have any questions about Her Highness the Grand Duchess’ family?”
It was a new thing. It was too late to ask such a question now, after all, they had been engaged for a long time. During that time, Eden had treated Cecilia as his intended partner and respected her, but he had not been curious beyond the line he had set.
He knew how to read Cecilia's tastes and moods, but he didn't seem to care where they came from. It was more like an empty affection, so to speak.
“...I think I need to try harder.”
Eden hesitated and answered briefly. His mind was thinking of a fragile woman who had wanted to be loved a while ago. She had bright blonde hair, jewel-like eyes, and a deep, hollow-shaped chin on her right cheek when she smiled.
"...Hmm."
In fact, it was easy to lie and say he loved her, but he didn't want to act so cowardly. After all, she was the only person who would be his companion in life, so he thought it was right to put in that much effort.
"Yes."
Enon answered in a somewhat trembling voice. Whatever it was, it wasn't such a bad thing that the relationship between the masters he served was getting better.
“First of all, what I know about Count Nova is that he is a loyal vassal of the Duke of Lane0. He has been serving him for four generations already.”
Even if they went out to investigate right away, it would take several days. Enon listed off the peculiarities of Count Nova that he remembered.
“And I heard that he was the one who introduced the Duke to the mother of the Grand Duchess. That’s why he and the Duke of Lane are still on good terms.”
If it was the vassal who introduced him to his wife, then the relationship would have been strong. After the death of the Duchess who had kept the family close together, it was a relationship that would have been somewhat regrettable.
But it was a long time since the Duchess had died, so it was a little strange to feel that regret now.
“The Duke of Lane is entrusted with the affairs of the territory and continues to reside in the capital’s mansion, so their relationship must be very trustworthy.”
“What are the odds that Cecilia has no intentions of recommending that the Duke have a Duchess as soon as I marry her?”
At Eden's question, Enon let out a small "hmm" sound with a troubled look on his face.
“I guess most people would think it’s loyalty.”
The answer that came back was simple.
“Now that she has become the Grand Duchess, there is no need for her to become the head of the family. If she does that, the next head of the Duke Lane family will disappear.”
“But what if the person he is recommending as the Duchess has a close relationship with him?”
Enon frowned slightly as he thought back on Eden's words.
“That might seem like a slightly different intention.”
Wyatt did not prevent a woman from inheriting the title. Of course, a son would have priority. But if he was an only daughter, he would have priority.
This was because the direct blood relative, the daughter, and the children she bore, could continue the family line. So there was no reason why Cecilia could not succeed the Duke of Lane.
“Anyway, when the new Duchess gives birth to a child, priority will go to him.”
Of course, the unmarried children had priority in the role of the head of the household. So if Curtis Lane were to marry and have a new wife, and if she were to have a child, regardless of the child's gender, the new Duchess's blood-born child would be first in line for succession.
“Just watch for now.”
“I will do so.”
Enon answered obediently.
“And as you said, I made a list of things I could prepare as gifts.”
“Send it to the townhouse.”
“Do you plan to leave the choice up to Her Highness?”
Eden lowered his gaze halfway as if he was thinking for a moment.
“We need to think about it together.”
“...”
“Now that we’re a couple.”
Couple. Eden rolled the word over and over in his mouth. Like the existence of Cecilia, who had become his wife in an instant, it was a word that was still unfamiliar, yet not unpleasant.
***
Abby, who had received Cecilia's order, looked around. She was now near the Morak Pawn Shop building located in a back alley. She had done many things that Cecilia had told her to do, but since this was her first time visiting a pawn shop, she kept looking around.
“If you have anything to sell, please show it to me.”
A man appeared through the glass window. He waved his hand in the air dryly and urged Abby on. Abby placed the letter Cecilia had given her on his palm with a displeased look on her face.
“This isn’t an object?”
“The noble one told me to convey this message.”
The man's face contorted in disgust as he accepted what was not his. “I'd like him to look good,” Abby said, frowning as she explained the letter she'd brought with her.
The man chuckled. Her face looked like that of a servant of a noblewoman who couldn't give up her last bit of pride.
However, the man's face became expressionless as he roughly opened the envelope and checked the sender and contents. At the same time, the door of the building where Abby was standing slammed shut. Abby looked back with surprised eyes. Two burly men were blocking the door.
“What, what...”
She didn't think Cecilia would do something dangerous to herself. But it was hard to make rational decisions at the moment when the door closed as if it was blocking her escape route. Abby couldn't continue her words properly and stammered.
“Is this the only letter your master asked you to deliver?”
It was a cold attitude that was hard to find in a man who had been teasing Abby until just now. Abby nodded with a puzzled look on her face.
"Ha."
The man let out a hollow laugh, brushing back his bangs dryly.
<James Morak. I know you are Diego Lawson, the master of the Maxtra. I request that you visit the Grand Duke's residence. Otherwise, there will be an unwanted disturbance.>
It was absurd that the person who sent such a note was the Grand Duchess Burnett, and that she knew his real identity, which no one else knew.
Where on earth did the information leak out? Diego was curious, but the young girl in front of him couldn't solve that curiosity. That must have been what Grand Duchess Burnett was after.
If you're curious about how I know your identity and don't want to be noisy, come to me.
“Go to your master and tell her that the lowest man in the world has come to see her.”
He was curious about how much the arrogant Grand Duchess knew about him. Diego Lawson, a man who could not resist curiosity, took the bait.
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