Chapter 58
After I Died, My Little Groom
The Hess territory was livelier than ever. Only the strong young men could handle pickaxes, but anyone could carry a magic detector and search for signals.
Among those who had once retired due to age or injury, there were many wise and eager people.
Now that they had all returned to work, the atmosphere had become so much brighter.
“Miss! How do I turn this sound off?”
“Lady Nadia! The magic device isn’t working! Is it broken?”
“Tsk! I told you to dig deeper! Do it that way and the whole wall will collapse…”
“Father! You’re not assigned to handle the magic devices here!”
Of course, there was still much to learn and get used to.
Even so, compared to the anxious faces and overexertion from before, everyone looked much better.
Nadia, wearing an old shirt and pants for the first time in a while, ran between the miners.
“See this little raised button here? Press it firmly to disconnect it from the magic stone.”
“Just holding the magic tool close to the ground doesn’t help you find minerals. You have to find the right height. For you, about eye level should be good.”
“Poe! If you’re here to distract your son, go back. You promised me you’d stick to your support duties.”
As she went around teaching one by one, Nadia often realized that the day would end without her ever using the magic device herself.
But after a few days, the townspeople became accustomed to the tool, and at last—they discovered a new mineral.
They hadn’t mined it yet, so no one had seen it with their own eyes, but judging from the signal, it seemed to be diamond.
Old Poe, who had lived in the Hess territory for over fifty years, burst into tears when he heard the news.
“Miss, I thought the Hess mines had run dry. I never said it aloud, but I was sure our generation would be the last to live here…”
Nadia gently patted his shoulder and smiled.
“The North is a land that always returns affection. It would never betray us.”
“Of course! You’re absolutely right, my lady!”
“Oh, Father, stop crying already. You’re embarrassing me.”
At that, Poe’s son, Caron, grumbled good-naturedly, and laughter broke out.
Even though everyone was tired, the air was light and full of hope.
Nadia, too, found renewed energy. In the morning, she went to the mines; around noon, she inspected the construction in the gardens; before sunset, she was back at the mines to check their progress.
When they first unearthed a diamond, everyone brought out whatever food they had and threw a spontaneous celebration. The gem’s color and clarity were poor, but that didn’t matter—it proved there were real diamonds here.
And then, just before autumn arrived—on a day blessed with a cool, refreshing wind—they finally discovered a beautiful pink diamond.
Even uncut, its vivid hue captivated everyone’s eyes.
Caron, as if it were obvious, handed the first pink diamond to Nadia.
“My lady, if there’s a man you like, give him this and ask him to marry you.”
“…What?”
Nadia looked stunned for a moment, then covered her mouth and laughed. But everyone else clearly agreed with Caron, joining in playfully.
“That’s right! We can’t live without our lady! Don’t get married off—just bring a man here instead!”
“He has to be strong and kind! And handsome, of course. Though since our lady’s so clever, maybe someone a little dim would be better suited!”
The villagers grew excited, even inventing an imaginary man for her.
Kathy, who was best at using the magic tools, raised her hand.
“But isn’t our lady already dating that Duke?”
“What—?”
Nadia raised her hand, ready to deny it, but the crowd was too worked up to calm down.
“Duke? What duke?”
“Oh, come on! You’re so behind on gossip. He came to our land once, didn’t he? Rode a pitch-black carriage, black hair, and those bright red eyes.”
“Ugh, I don’t like the sound of him. He must be gloomy.”
“What are you talking about? He’s handsome!”
“Gloomy and handsome!”
Nadia felt a headache coming on. These insolent people! But even as she pressed her forehead and sighed, a faint smile lingered on her lips.
Then Kathy, the one who had first mentioned Heinrich, spoke up again.
“Bet if you kissed him, his jaw would cut you!”
Kathy mimed kissing—touching her lips with two fingers before winking and blowing a kiss.
Everyone burst into laughter, except Nadia, who froze like a rock—unable to laugh or scold them.
Just hearing the word kiss made her remember the soft, warm touch that had brushed the back of her hand. Her spine tingled.
“Then, may fortune be with you.”
She remembered his long, elegant eyelashes, the faint click sound as their lips parted, and most of all—those red eyes gazing straight into hers.
“…It’s really hot today.”
Nadia turned around and fanned herself awkwardly. Her face felt burning red, and she didn’t dare look the villagers in the eye.
“Where on earth did he learn to do that?!”
She sighed deeply.
“No… he’s always been like that since he was born.”
Heinrich had, since childhood, said the most dangerously charming things without even thinking—words people called guilty remarks.
Things like, I’ll make you happy, or I’m only fulfilling a husband’s duty, or A wife’s joy is my own joy…
Whenever she’d heard him say such things, Rivenia had always felt a surge of deep affection from within.
Whenever Heinrich gave her one thing, she’d want to give him ten back.
That had certainly been love—but not romantic love.
“So it shouldn’t be that kind now, either.”
Suddenly, Nadia realized that this was a game that could only end badly for her.
Heinrich wasn’t a child anymore. Physically, he was even older than she was. With his impossibly beautiful face, broad shoulders, and impeccable manners, he was the kind of man who could make anyone fall for him just by standing close.
Anyone who stayed near him too long would eventually love him.
“Before that happens, I need to finish what I started.”
Nadia made up her mind and called an end to the day’s work.
Since they had just mined their first pink diamond, tonight’s festival would be grander than ever.
As they all walked back toward the village, Caron spoke excitedly.
“My lady, how much do you think this diamond will be worth? It’s got such a pretty color—it must be expensive, right?”
“I’m sure it will be. We’ll need to cut and grade it first, but even by sight, its hue is deep—so it should fetch quite a price.”
“Wow! Will it be as valuable as a magic stone?”
“Sorry, not quite that much. But there’s plenty in the ground. If we work hard, we might even earn more overall.”
“Yes, my lady!”
The villagers beamed with hope.
Diamonds were state-managed minerals, meaning they’d have to pay tribute to the Imperial Palace—but for today, Nadia wanted to celebrate purely.
“My lady, we’re roasting a giant boar for the festival tonight! You must come, all right?”
“Tina’s going to play the flute too! She’s been practicing a lot!”
They were so cute, trying every excuse to make sure their lady would come.
“Alright, I’ll definitely be there.”
Nadia smiled and nodded—she truly enjoyed spending time with her people.
When she finally returned to the baron’s manor, exhausted, a young maid hurried over with a letter in hand.
“My lady! I think an important letter has arrived!”
The little maid’s face was flushed red.
Wondering who it could be from, Nadia glanced down—and saw Heinrich’s name written on it.
“The letter I was waiting for. Thank you.”
She smiled as she accepted it.
He had said he would ask the Magic Tower to conduct an on-site investigation. It seemed the results were finally in.
It was news she’d been waiting for—but more than that, it was simply the fact that it was his letter that made her heart lift.
Nadia quickly wiped her hands and broke the seal.
To Lady Nadia Hess,
The Magic Tower has completed its field investigation. There are no traces of magic having been used at the site.
The primary suspect, Count Crimson, is deceased, and since black magic has been ruled out, we must consider the possibility that it was a simple accident.
You have worked hard.
Nadia read to the end, but the words didn’t register.
It was a straightforward message, yet no matter how many times she read it, it only felt like a farewell.
She and Heinrich had joined hands temporarily to investigate Rivenia Baldwin’s death. If there were no special findings, their alliance should naturally dissolve.
But still…
“He said he’d find me a magic teacher. He told me not to use magic until then.”
Hadn’t he promised they’d meet again?
“Did I do something wrong?”
As she thought it over, countless reasons came to mind. She had meddled in his affairs when she had no right to, tried to help when he hadn’t asked for it.
Maybe Heinrich had only tolerated her until she was no longer useful—and now, he was relieved to let her go.
Nadia sat blankly, the letter trembling in her hand. Vivian, who had been watching curiously, spoke softly.
“My lady, isn’t that the news you were waiting for?”
The question brought Nadia back to herself. She forced a smile and folded the letter.
“Yes, it is. I’ll wash up and change now. I promised everyone I’d attend the festival tonight.”
She stood, slipped the letter deep into her drawer, and closed it.
If Heinrich truly believed it had been a mere accident—that was fine.
After all, all she had ever wished for… was his peace.
Anything else she had begun to hope for afterward—didn’t matter anymore.
