Episode 11
The marchioness, Laysina, was reading a book while a maid tended to her nails.
Knock, knock—someone tapped on the door. Without taking her eyes off the page, Laysina said:
“Come in, Betty.”
The one who had knocked was indeed Betty, the person Laysina had summoned.
Betty stepped in carefully, her face showing a mix of joy and anxiety at having been called.
“You called for me, madam.”
“Yes. Come here.”
Laysina’s voice was warm, and she generously offered Betty a seat. As soon as Betty sat, Laysina flipped a page and said:
“Ten days ago.”
“Yes, madam.”
“I heard Latia met the head of the Gruan Trading Company.”
Betty opened her mouth slightly, then closed it again.
“Yes, that’s right. At the central gate, Miss Latia brought the Gruan merchant lord—who was being pushed around by the knights—into her room.”
“So, you knew. And yet…”
Laysina’s eyes, which had been lowered to her book, shifted to the now-frozen Betty. *Hic!* Betty swallowed her breath, her shoulders going rigid.
“Why didn’t you report it to me?”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m quite certain,”
Laysina said, blowing lightly on her freshly manicured nails,
“That I told you to report Latia’s every move. Am I wrong?”
“N-no, you’re not wrong.”
“Then?”
“I just thought…”
Betty stammered, her face pale as paper.
“I thought it was too trivial, that it wasn’t something madam needed to know. I mean… Miss Latia has no power, and the Gruan Trading Company is basically collapsing, so I thought it wasn’t anything important.”
“Not necessary to know…?”
“…”
“And *who*…”
“…Yes?”
“Who decided that?”
As another maid took over the other hand, Laysina asked the question. Betty’s lips trembled uselessly, and Laysina continued:
“Betty. That was your thought. Your judgment, wasn’t it?”
“Yes… that’s right.”
“How strange. I don’t recall ever asking for *your* thoughts or *your* judgment.”
The rebuke—accusing her of acting on her own—made Betty bow her head heavily.
“How is it that *I*, the second mistress of this manor, went ten whole days without knowing an internal matter like this?”
“No, madam… I’m sorry…”
*Clench.* Betty bit her molars as she apologized. Laysina’s eyes briefly cooled, then softened again.
“All right, as long as you understand. You may go. I’ll overlook today’s incident, but don’t make this mistake again.”
This mercy, she implied, would be the last. Betty rose, bowed deeply, and left the room almost in a rush.
Her defeated footsteps slowly gained force. The expression rising on Betty’s face was far from remorse.
“Ha. What a joke.”
She let out a bitter laugh.
*Second mistress? You didn’t even know Miss Latia had been meeting the Gruan merchant lord for ten days! And you dare pretend you know more than me? What a clown.*
Betty cursed Laysina viciously in her mind as she walked.
*Let’s see how long you can stay the ‘second mistress.’*
Her angry steps finally stopped—right before the study of the marquis, Albus.
Meanwhile, the maid finishing Laysina’s nails spoke hesitantly.
“Will you really let her go like that, madam?”
“What do you mean?”
When Laysina looked innocent, the maid hesitated, then said:
“I mean Betty.”
“What could *she* possibly do?”
“But still…”
“Enough.”
At Laysina’s sharp tone, the maid fell silent. After a moment, Laysina spoke again more softly.
“Betty is just a maid. The rumor about her having an affair with the marquis is just that—a rumor. Even if it were true, it wouldn’t matter. She’s of low birth.”
“…”
“She could never be my opponent. Why would the marquis choose someone like Betty when he has me?”
The maid only bowed her head quietly. She finished the nails, and Laysina returned to her book. She looked confident, but the maid seemed to think differently.
*You say it’s just a rumor, yet the moment it began circulating, you demoted Betty to serve Miss Latia…*
But the maid valued her life too much to say it aloud.
—
The next day, I checked the letter paper Karsian had given me. Thankfully, it wasn’t wrinkled and had dried perfectly. When held under sunlight, it shimmered like sand mixed with gold dust—proof the magic was intact.
But one problem remained.
“How can I sneak into Father’s study without being caught?”
The potion that lets a siren deliver a letter is kept in Father’s study.
Susan hugged a pile of bedding to her chest, looking grave.
“No matter how you sneak in, you’ll be found out. I heard there’s a spell that tracks the footsteps of intruders.”
“I know.”
That’s exactly the problem. Father stores everyone’s weaknesses in that study. Naturally, security is tight.
“I really don’t think sneaking into the marquis’s study is a good idea, miss.”
“You think so too?”
I pouted, curling up on the sofa and hugging my knees. Chin resting on them, I stared into space as if a brilliant idea would fall out of the sky. But nothing came—just sore eyes.
Just as I blinked my dry eyes shut with a small sigh—
“Miss, you have a visitor.”
Susan, now carrying fresh linens, said brightly. I looked toward the door she stood beside—behind her was Seltron, smiling radiantly.
“Lord Seltron?”
What could bring him here after only a day?
I stood to greet him, and Seltron rushed over at once.
“Miss!”
Then he dropped to one knee before me.
“Oh—my.”
I covered my mouth, eyes wide with surprise. Seltron looked completely different from yesterday. The gloom and exhaustion were gone—he was practically bursting with life.
He said,
“You were right, miss!”
“What? …Don’t tell me—”
Before he could answer, I spoke first.
“You revived the Silky Herb!”
“Yes! In just one day!”
“Wow! Really?”
“Yes! All of it! Every single stalk! It’s all thanks to you. You’re the one who told me I might have druid abilities. I—I…”
Seeing the wilted herbs revived in just one day must have made him realize it himself: with his druidic powers, he could rebuild the Gruan Trading Company.
Smiling harmlessly, I guided him to the seat across from me.
“Susan, bring tea.”
“Yes, miss.”
Susan, too, seemed buoyed by Seltron’s cheer, preparing tea with a gentle smile.
Seltron, shyly, added:
“I didn’t come only to tell you this. I wanted to properly thank you.”
“There’s no need. You did it yourself. And I’m already grateful you hired me at your company.”
“But if it weren’t for you, I never would’ve realized my ability. I wouldn’t even have thought to test it.”
Seltron bowed deeply again in gratitude.
Mm… I don’t think I did anything worth such a dramatic thank-you…
As I gave him a bashful smile, he continued:
“I didn’t want to come empty-handed, but I still don’t know what you might need, miss…”
*You seem to know exactly what I need, but I don’t… how embarrassing,* his expression seemed to say as he glanced down. But soon his eyes brightened again.
“So if you ever need anything—anything at all—please feel free to tell me!”
“Anything?”
“Yes! Haha, that is…”
Scratching the back of his head, he said shyly:
“This morning, I signed an official contract with the Eriel General Trading Company!”
“With the Eriel Trading Company?!”
My eyes widened at the familiar name.
Eriel General Trading Company was the empire’s largest merchant group, dealing in everything—from legal goods to… less legal ones. If asked, there was nothing they couldn’t obtain.
In the original story, its master was described as a “sly fox” with an uncanny nose for profit.
And that Eriel company partnered with Gruan?!
“But how? The Gruan Trading Company is only just recovering!”
Unable to contain my shock, I asked honestly. Seltron rubbed the back of his head again, embarrassed.
“Well, actually…”
Early in the morning, he had screamed in joy when he saw the revived herbs. By coincidence, someone from Eriel was passing by and asked what was going on.
Seltron excitedly explained—only to find out the person was the master of Eriel General Trading Company himself. The man immediately revealed his identity and declared he was certain Seltron was a descendant of druids.
“The deal with the Eriel company is thanks to you as well, miss.”
Seltron looked at me with infinite trust.
“He said that when forming a partnership, to show goodwill, they offer free access to their entire trade network.”
Eriel was shady in some ways, so building trust early would be important.
With a face that seemed to say *It’s not a gift from me personally, but still…* Seltron added:
“I want to give that free access to you, miss.”
“…Pardon? To me?”
“Yes. Because I was only able to form this contract thanks to you.”
He watched me nervously. I blinked, then grinned.
“Okay!”
I accepted right away.
People talk about the virtue of humility, sure, but right now?
I needed to grab every opportunity that came my way.
This was no time to act refined.
Seltron sighed in relief.
“Then if you ever need anything, just send me a letter.”
He said he would personally make the request to Eriel.
But really, why bother sending a letter?
I already knew my answer.
My eyes met Susan’s—she smiled, and so did I.
I said,
“Lord Seltron, actually, this is perfect timing. There *is* something I need.”
