CHAPTER 66………………………………………..
After returning and submitting the final report confirming the mine’s stability, there was no further mention of the mine. Instead, in academic circles, suspicions arose that Jacques Setorin had fabricated an improper assessment to seize the mine, and a petition for mediation had been submitted to the Ministry of Justice.
According to Rosalyn, it wouldn’t take long before Count Bekintor would have to explain this matter, and if an explanation was unavoidable, the ruling would likely require him to compensate the Astria guild for all material and psychological damages suffered.
It wasn’t that I expected money, but I liked the idea of that man being punished. I just wished that the punishment would be effective—like imprisonment—rather than a paltry fine for a noble, but under the old laws, confining a noble was almost impossible.
Regardless, I wondered how much work would have piled up when I returned after the matter was resolved—but I was able to appreciate Ardina’s excellence.
“You’re here?”
I greeted Ardina with a smile, returning her cheerful greeting, and looked around the office. The mountain of paperwork that had once seemed so high was gone. Only the most important documents that needed checking were neatly placed on the desk; everything else had been handled. Did she throw it all away? I sat at my desk, unable to hide my surprise, when Ardina brought over a document.
“What’s this?”
“I’ve summarized the matters I handled over the past week. If there’s anything inappropriate in the report or in my judgment, you can reconsider it, so please feel free to review it.”
I was surprised at her thoroughness, and when I opened the papers, I was even more amazed. Despite the expected enormous volume of documents, she had distilled it into only four pages. It was a perfect report, categorizing the key points and their details.
It was so concise that I felt like I could turn this report into a textbook and distribute it as a template for basic tasks. I held the pages, mouth agape, before looking up.
I carefully asked Ardina, who met my gaze with an innocent smile:
“Did you learn this somewhere?”
“No. I just organized it as it came to mind… Is it strange, sir?”
“Not strange. On the contrary, it’s so perfect that…”
“Hoho, isn’t it thanks to you teaching me in a way that’s easy to understand?”
She handled social situations well, too. There was a certain… smell, a masterful aura.
A kind smile and beautiful appearance. Gentle demeanor, words that lift others. And not only that, she possessed real ability, tempered with restraint and humility.
I began to understand why the Crown Prince loved her in the original story. If I were him, I’d want her by my side too. It made me feel a bit guilty for having interfered between the two.
“Oh, speaking of which, we had a visitor at the office recently.”
“A visitor?”
“Yes. Someone came with the royal seal. A man with long blond hair came, touched your desk a few times without a word, and left. He didn’t say anything else, so I wondered who he was…”
Blond and long-haired?
“Wasn’t he incredibly handsome?”
“He was.”
“And he had blue eyes, right?”
“Oh my, yes. I’d never seen such vivid blue eyes before.”
Half-blood. He came to the office while I wasn’t there? Did he want to see me? Thinking of his face made me smile, and then I looked at Ardina in front of me.
‘Wait a minute…’
Ardina and Half-blood. Was this the first meeting of the original male and female leads? They were said to be instinctively drawn to each other… Could it be?
“Did you talk?”
“We only exchanged greetings. He left immediately, so there was nothing to ask. Should I have received a message?”
“No….”
Good, no conversation happened. I comforted myself, suppressing jealousy and anxiety, and smiled slightly. I set down the documents, saying it was fine. Ardina turned to return to her desk. As I watched her back, I noticed something odd.
“What about Elian?”
“Elian?”
“I mentioned I have a business partner, didn’t I? Didn’t you see him? Was he not at work today?”
“Oh, now that you mention it, there was such a person!”
What’s that tone? Like she only just remembered. Narrowing my brows, Ardina looked embarrassed.
“Actually… I’ve never met him, so I forgot. I’m sorry.”
“No, there’s nothing to apologize for. But you’ve never met Elian? He didn’t come to work today?”
“Not today—since you left until now, aside from the man I mentioned and those delivering documents, no one else has entered the office.”
No one? Is he still enjoying vacation? I let out an incredulous laugh, and Ardina carefully observed me.
“Shall we go find out, sir?”
“…No.”
It wasn’t Ardina’s place to do so.
“I’ll go on a short business trip.”
This was my matter to handle.
I actually wanted to see Half-blood today, but because of his status, I couldn’t just show up. Elian, however, was different. I could visit the Pelliotten family in the capital and see him anytime.
So here I was, at the front gate of the Pelliotten estate. I got out of the carriage with only a bodyguard, and the guards hesitated upon seeing me. Approaching them, one slightly older guard cautiously spoke:
“Um… who are you…?”
Since I rarely came to the Pelliotten estate, it made sense that they didn’t recognize me. Smiling, I replied:
“I’m Ludia Mertens. Elian is inside, right?”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No. Elian and I don’t need one.”
“But…”
The hesitant guard glanced between me and my knight. The knight, looking embarrassed, signaled to the other guard, who hurriedly opened the gate. The knight smiled, opening the gate and guiding us along the path to the garden.
“Shall we go inside first? I will guide you.”
The Pelliotten family seemed to train for perfect etiquette—even for trivial matters. One of the great noble families, I suppose. Though the title was only count, the family wielded influence comparable to a marquis. Their garden was large even for the capital.
Crossing the garden, the guard’s face relaxed as he saw a uniformed man approaching from the opposite side. The knight turned to me and bowed.
“From here, the butler will guide you. I hope you have a pleasant meeting, Lady Ludia Mertens.”
I smiled lightly at the departing knight, then faced the butler who had hurried up. He was young for a butler, wiping sweat and straightening his attire, offering a polite noble greeting.
“Welcome, Lady Mertens. It’s been a while.”
“Sorry for dropping by suddenly. I came because I’m worried—Elian hasn’t been at work for days.”
“Ah…”
The butler’s sluggish, sighing demeanor was odd. Normally he’d immediately guide me to Elian, but he seemed hesitant.
“Elian isn’t here?”
Tilting my head, I asked, and he answered quietly with a sigh:
“He is here… but… haah.”
The butler hesitated, shaking his head, frowning. What’s going on? Is he joking with me? Before I could ask, one of my knights spoke up.
“Sir, Lady Ludia is asking. You should answer or explain why you cannot. And will you leave her standing here?”
The butler, flustered, glanced at the impatient knight and spoke.
“What’s the matter?”
“…It’s a somewhat delicate matter, so I think you should hear it directly.”
Something must have happened. I stared silently, and he continued:
“I will guide you to Elian.”
The butler led me across the garden. What’s going on?
He slowly explained as we walked:
“Count and Countess are away on urgent business in the Pelliotten territory.”
“Is this urgent matter related to Elian?”
“Not directly, but it seems Elian is quite concerned about it.”
“So that’s why he hasn’t come to work?”
“…Only Elian knows.”
We entered the mansion, and the butler guided us to Elian’s room, bowing.
“No one else is allowed here, so this is as far as I can go. Your knights will be guided to the lounge. Please have a comfortable conversation, Lady Mertens.”
I watched him leave with my knights, then approached the firmly closed door and slowly pushed it open.
The room was dim despite the daylight, making it hard to see. As my eyes adjusted, a sharp voice spoke:
“I told you not to let anyone in, butler.”
Elian’s voice. Usually bright and high, like a cheerful chirp, but now it had a thorny quality.
“Elian?”
“…Ludia?”
The voice had calmed slightly. I closed the door and approached the faint silhouette of Elian sitting against the wall on the bed. She moved slightly.
“Ah?!”
“Ludia…!”
Startled by her sudden embrace, I froze, feeling her trembling through my fingertips. …What’s happening?
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt? What happened?”
Elian had always prioritized herself. Beautiful, radiant, aware of her charm. Her looks were an advantage in work, captivating men, aiding contracts. Seeing her like this on the bed was unbelievable.
I forced away dark thoughts and asked, but she only bit her lip, giving no answer.
“Elian…! Say something. What’s going on?”
