Chapter 62
After I Died, My Little Groom
After Vivian’s declaration of “My lady, that’s exactly your problem,” things became awkward between the young lady and her maid.
Vivian didn’t neglect her duties—she still woke up earliest every morning to assist Nadia and continued to receive and deliver Conrad’s messages faithfully.
But where she would have once chattered endlessly, she now kept her lips sealed and simply stood quietly.
“Vivian, what do you think if I go out dressed like this today?”
Nadia deliberately held a dull navy dress against her body.
Normally, Vivian would’ve flapped her hands in panic and begged her not to wear such a thing.
“Yes, my lady. I’ll prepare it right away.”
But today, Vivian answered calmly and simply helped her get dressed.
Her hands were as meticulous as ever, but gone were her usual exaggerated compliments—no talk about how Nadia looked like she had wings instead of a dress, or how even an angel would propose to her today.
Nadia had laughed those off as flattery before, but now that the familiar chatter was gone, the silence felt hollow.
She was sure this awkward atmosphere would last for quite some time.
The only problem was—she still didn’t know why.
Unlike in her past life, Nadia had learned to accept people’s kindness easily. She knew that someone could genuinely like her, even cherish her. Much of that growth came from the deep affection Baron and Baroness Hess had shown her.
Because their love was pure, Nadia never doubted it. That trust had allowed her to grow close with the people of the territory as well.
She also knew how much Vivian cared for her—and Nadia cared just as deeply in return. She didn’t want to make her maid uncomfortable. Even if the person delivering messages to her was Conrad, Nadia truly didn’t mind.
Then why did she get upset? That’s literally part of her job.
Nadia sat with a faint pout, stealing glances at Vivian.
Vivian was tidying the wardrobe and finishing the preparations for her lady’s outing.
When Nadia stood up, Vivian silently brought over a short summer cape.
It was so thin and sheer that it didn’t feel heavy even in warm weather, and the white color softened the gloom of the navy dress, making Nadia look more delicate.
Nadia obediently let Vivian dress her. After tying a neat ribbon at Nadia’s chest, Vivian bowed and stepped back.
Nadia touched the little bow a few times, a small smile appearing on her lips.
Even when she’s mad, she still can’t stand me walking around looking dreary.
“…Thank you.”
Nadia murmured her thanks softly. She still didn’t know exactly why Vivian was angry, but she had a vague sense of it. Once she figured it out properly, she planned to open up and apologize.
The carriage carrying Nadia rolled away toward today’s party—but instead of heading toward the imperial palace as usual, it veered toward the outskirts of the capital.
The party was hosted by Viscount Maren, who wanted to proudly celebrate the first birthday of his granddaughter.
It was mostly a gathering of the Viscount’s close acquaintances, but he had also sent invitations to anyone who had sent gifts or congratulations at the baby’s birth.
Back then, the Hess family hadn’t been in a position to send extravagant presents—they’d only sent a letter and a few herbs good for new mothers—but Viscount Maren had sent a warm invitation nonetheless.
Nadia had assumed the Viscount’s intentions were financial—perhaps he saw the growing prosperity of the Hess territory—but according to Conrad’s investigation, he was simply an overly doting grandfather desperate to show off his granddaughter to the world.
Viscount Maren was carrying little Aisha in his arms, dressed in a fine baby gown, proudly greeting everyone.
Every time the baby babbled, the nobles laughed with delight.
Most had come thinking of the Viscount’s massive vineyards, but the child’s cuteness alone was enough to make anyone smile.
And since talking about how adorable the baby was made for easy conversation, the atmosphere was more lively than any party that year.
Nadia exchanged polite greetings here and there before approaching the Viscount when the crowd around him thinned.
“Viscount Maren, thank you for inviting me. I’m Nadia Hess, daughter of Baron Hess.”
“Oh! The young lady of the Hess family! The Baron and I were friends in our younger days. It’s been some time since we last spoke, so I was very grateful for your family’s blessings for my granddaughter.”
The Viscount greeted her warmly, his expression kind.
Nadia smiled as she peeked at little Aisha.
“She’s so adorable and clever-looking. She’ll grow into a beauty remembered in history.”
At Nadia’s compliment, the Viscount chuckled and stroked Aisha’s cheek.
“Hoho! If that really happens, I’ll be in trouble! She’s in my arms now, but someday she’ll try to outsmart her grandfather—what shall I do then?”
He pretended to grumble, but his pride was obvious. The sight was so endearing that Nadia wrinkled her nose with a laugh.
“She’s like a little angel. Even if she could beat you, I’m sure she’d let you win. So don’t worry too much. By the way… she really seems to love her doll. I should’ve brought one as a gift too.”
In Aisha’s tiny hand was a teddy bear, just big enough to fit an adult’s palm. Its soft fur was perfectly stitched, so neatly that the seams were almost invisible.
Anyone could tell it was a luxury item at a glance. But what made it truly special was the pair of small diamonds set into its eyes.
Apparently, lower nobles were starting to use diamonds more often these days—enough to decorate a baby’s toy.
“Ah, that doll? I had it custom-made through the Desmond Marquisate. I know it’s a bit much, but I can’t help it—call me a foolishly doting grandfather, haha!”
Nadia smiled and shook her head.
“Not at all. Who could blame you for wanting the best for someone you love? Besides, it’s admirable to show affection openly these days. You might even be setting a new trend, my lord.”
Her smooth compliments made the Viscount’s shoulders lift proudly.
“In that case, may I brag a little more? Those diamonds on the bear’s eyes—apparently they were candidates for a royal order! They were almost supplied to the Imperial Family.”
“Then they must be of the highest quality. The Desmond Marquisate must’ve given you something very fine indeed.”
“Exactly! I’ve been sending them fine wine every year, and I suppose I’m finally seeing the reward.”
Nadia nodded in admiration—but inwardly, she felt a pang of pity.
If those diamonds really came from the Desmond mines, they were unlikely to be of high grade.
Conrad’s reports showed that the last time high-quality diamonds were mined there was five years ago.
Since then, they’d only been reselling old stock to the Imperial Family—there was no way they’d waste top-tier stones on a few bottles of wine.
After exchanging pleasantries, Nadia mingled among other guests to see if any of them also owned Desmond diamonds. Once satisfied, she quietly left the venue.
As she approached her carriage, a “servant” opened the door for her—Conrad, in disguise.
Nadia was about to step inside when she looked him up and down and burst into laughter.
“Don’t you think that outfit doesn’t suit you at all?”
A tall, handsome man like Conrad looked completely out of place in shabby servant’s clothes—and with an eyepatch over one eye, he gave off a dangerously mysterious aura that drew attention rather than avoided it.
Looking embarrassed, Conrad lowered his head.
“I thought you might be uncomfortable with people staring, my lady.”
“Thank you. We have much to discuss—get in quickly.”
Once Nadia took her seat, both Conrad and Vivian climbed in after her.
Nadia glanced at Vivian, who was pressing her lips together to keep from laughing—apparently, she also found Conrad’s disguise ridiculous.
Nadia hid her smile and turned to Conrad.
“This will be simpler than I thought. The Desmond Marquisate is already as good as ruined.”
“Is it that bad?”
“Yes. But if left alone, it might take years—maybe even a decade—to collapse. Since they were trying to find a solution in the meantime, all we have to do is speed things up.”
For Nadia, toppling a noble house was hardly a challenge.
She leaned back in her seat with a confident smile.
