~Chapter 42~
‘What is this?’
I got nervous too, but luckily, nothing happened.
The Duke stared at Ramon for a moment, then smiled at me and turned his gaze back to the Count.
He must have really good hearing…
That smile was clearly a warning: “I hear everything.”
While I waited for the Duke to solve things, I started to get restless.
The Count needs to say something if we want to make progress, but he just keeps his mouth shut. At this rate, we’ll never finish today.
So frustrating.
I wanted to just step in and settle things myself.
But if I solved the problem, my plan to step away from estate work because of “reflection” would be ruined.
Hold back, just be patient… ah, whatever!
But for some reason, the Count and his men kept looking at me with sad, pleading eyes.
Seeing that across the table made me feel sick, like the dinner I’d eaten might come back up.
If I really did gag now, people might start rumors—like I was pregnant or something.
Covering my mouth with a handkerchief, I muttered,
“Since there’s no progress in your talks, I’d like to suggest a new compromise.”
I said it without thinking.
Suddenly, everyone—including the Alnor Count’s group and even the Duke’s aides—stared at me.
Come on, I’m the Lady! Isn’t it normal for me to say something if things are stuck…?
But getting everyone’s attention at once was really uncomfortable.
The Lombard officials looked especially sharp. I could almost hear their silent complaints.
Their eyes say: “Don’t make trouble, just keep quiet.”
But I didn’t care.
“I don’t like long speeches, so I’ll be direct.”
I smiled and continued.
“Count, my basic position is the same as the Duke’s. The real reason the contract was broken is because of Alnor.”
“But a contract is a contract! My Lady, you can’t just end it by tearing up some paper. The damage we suffered this time is—”
“I’m not finished yet.”
When I showed my annoyance, the Count’s advisor shut his mouth, but he still looked ready to argue.
“Still, I know how to show mercy. It’s hard for me to ignore Alnor’s troubles.”
Ramon, the administrator, tilted his head at “mercy,” but I kept going.
“From what I hear, Alnor’s finances aren’t in good shape. That’s probably why you’re demanding compensation. But what if I helped you in a different way?”
“How do you mean?”
“If you give up some border land next to Lombard, I’ll pay you generously for it.”
I wrote a number on the corner of the parchment and slid it forward.
Everyone stared at it.
The Count and his advisor’s eyes went wide. The Lombard aides started protesting loudly.
“This makes no sense!”
“That’s more than five times what Alnor asked for in compensation! Absolutely not!”
“You can’t buy border wasteland at such a ridiculous price! My Lady, even if you have estate authority, this is overstepping!”
“We can’t use Lombard’s money for this. As finance minister, I refuse!”
The reactions couldn’t be more different.
Alnor’s group looked amazed but suspicious, like they couldn’t believe anyone would pay so much for worthless land.
Lombard’s side looked ready to eat me alive.
But the Duke…
I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
In the middle of the commotion, he alone just looked at me calmly.
Like he was saying, “Do whatever you want.”
Do as you wish.
But, Edwin…
I made you the person in charge. So do whatever you want. Leave the rest to me.
It felt like a distant dream.
The second year after I entered the castle, I was put in charge of road toll collection for the first time.
I had to manage tolls at the main gates, handle records, and balance the accounts.
It didn’t seem like a big job, but all the castle officials protested Edwin’s decision.
Usually, whoever did this job moved up to customs work on the border later—a step up.
In short, it was a place for learning before moving to a bigger stage.
Someone like me, a commoner, wasn’t supposed to get that job.
But I was sick of only getting the chores.
I believed if I was judged fairly, I could overcome my status.
So I changed the toll law.
I removed the free pass that nobles and vassals always took for granted.
I thought this would fix the constant deficit at the gates.
Of course, I expected criticism—but I wasn’t afraid.
I was sure the common people, who would benefit most, would support me.
Sadly, reality was different.
‘I’m sorry, Edwin. I failed. You trusted me, but…’
‘My choice wasn’t wrong.’
‘No, it was wrong this time.’
Everyone attacked me.
They brought up my miserable childhood, pointed fingers, dug up my late parents’ past, and even talked about estranged relatives.
The only reason I didn’t break down was Edwin.
‘Remember? You said you wanted to help me change Lombard from the ground up.’
‘…’
‘You said you wanted to see the people of this land truly smile. I believe it—this law you made will be the foundation for Lombard’s change.’
He was the only one who said I was right.
Even when everyone attacked me, he quietly supported me.
He sent me far away to Baron Comte’s place to shield me from criticism.
Why is he looking at me with those same eyes now?
The Duke’s gaze made my heart drop.
A feeling I hadn’t felt in years tightened around my throat.
Embarrassed, I looked away from him.
Even as I did, the Lombard officials kept protesting loudly.
“We absolutely cannot accept this kind of one-sided decision!”
“Even as the Lady, you can’t move estate funds on your own! Your decision ignores the entire council!”
“Withdraw this at once!”
Finally, it feels real.
My mood cooled. I just stared at them until they stopped.
“Are you all finished?”
“…”
Honestly, I had a lot to say.
This all started when Viscount Clayton used Lombard’s money for himself.
He handed over a contract worth 20,000 gold coins to his cousin, the Count, without any checks.
They said nothing back then—now they complain?
I twisted my lips in a slight smile.
“If you’re worried about the money, relax. I don’t plan to use a single coin from Lombard’s funds for this.”
“My Lady, then…?”
The nervous advisor from Alnor’s side spoke up.
Instead of answering, I rang the bell on the table.
The meeting room door flew open, and Berry walked in, carrying a big chest.
It was definitely full of gold coins, but she acted like it was a box of cookies.
No one guessed what was inside.
So I explained,
“There are forty thousand gold coins inside.”
“Gold coins? Not four balls of cotton?”
Everyone was confused—even me a little—but I ignored it and continued.
“The land on Alnor’s border will belong to me, since I’m buying it.”
“…”
“So I don’t need your permission. Isn’t that right?”
“Th-that is—”
Just moments before, the officials had been openly criticizing me.
Now, they didn’t know what to say.
I laughed quietly at their dumbfounded faces.
How did Count Alnor get a new surname and become Marquis Taobald?
It was because he gave the Emperor half the mining rights from a gold mine found on his land.
And it was a massive, high-profit gold mine.
