# 46
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Although she was about the same age as me, the countess's overwhelming appearance made her appear at least ten, no, twenty years older.
After clearing my throat, I sat down in the seat that had been prepared.
“Well, Countess Olsen, thank you for responding so quickly to my unexpected letter.”
“Of course, it was a message from Her Highness the Duchess. What brings you here?”
She replied, showing the bare minimum of courtesy before moving straight to the point.
Her expression was indifferent, as if everything was an inconvenience to her.
It seems that after the Count's death, Countess Olsen was immersed in a deep feeling of helplessness and weariness.
The poorly maintained palace was proof of this.
"In a way, it's better. I don't have to ramble on, and we can get to the point quickly."
Without any further introduction, I got straight to the point.
“I read in Arya’s newsletter that you have been at an impasse with Marquis Merry for over a year now?”
The Countess's previously empty eyes hardened instantly, and her dim dark green eyes turned sharp in an instant.
“If you are here to discuss this matter, I don’t think there is anything else to say. Please leave.”
Her reaction was more intense than I expected.
'Are you firing me just for bringing this up?'
I was a little surprised by her lack of nominal courtesy, but I didn't let that distract me from the topic. I narrowed my eyes.
"You can't kick me out like that. I'm here to help you."
"… What?"
The countess who had been staring at me moments ago frowned in confusion. I smiled at her.
“You're not after this mine out of greed, are you?”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“The big Japanese pine tree on the hill where the mine starts. You're trying to protect that tree because it will be cut down if the mine is developed, right?”
Although everyone misunderstood it, the Countess's true goal was not to monopolize the mine and accumulate wealth.
She actually wanted to prevent anyone from developing the mine.
According to a brief mention in the original novel, the tree on the hill near the mine was a place of great importance to the Countess, a place she would protect at all costs, even if it meant ling everything she owned.
'Because she first met Count Olsen under that tree.'
While I was speaking, the Countess trembled, clasping her hands together in astonishment.
“How do you know...?”
“Well, does it really matter how you know?”
Sorry, I read the original story. I would prefer you not to ask.
As I answered indifferently, the Countess's eyes, which had been rolling in confusion, suddenly narrowed as she bit her lips.
“…I don’t know how you found out, but if that’s the case, Your Highness should understand it better. I have no intention of abandoning this mine. If you’re here to tell me to abandon the mine to protect my reputation...”
"What did you think I just said? I told you I was here to help."
Listen to what people say.
The Countess finally hesitated.
“…What exactly do you mean by ‘help’?”
I gave her a bright smile.
“I'll make sure mine is yours. Sure.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“What are you talking about...?”
Countess Olsen was a strict and principled person. She was also serious and reserved, which meant that she was often misunderstood because she wouldn't say what needed to be said unless she was dealing with someone she trusted. This case was no different.
“If you keep your mouth shut and say, ‘This mine is mine,’ who will understand?”
I looked at her and asked her.
“Let me ask you something. Do you really think you can protect the mine and the land by doing what you are doing now?”
“No one can defeat someone who is determined to stand his ground.”
“Half of the mine belongs to the Olsen family. If I don’t surrender, there is nothing the Marquis can do, no matter how hard they try.”
“Ah…”
At this point, her stubbornness was more like that of a bull than a bamboo stick.
I swallowed a sigh.
Whether she understood my frustration or not, the countess continued, her expression resolute.
“His Majesty has even ordered that a portion of the minerals extracted from the mine be allocated to our property. If I hold out a little longer, I may be able to cancel the entire agreement...”
“No, you will lose her.”
"Sorry?"
“You'll lose it,” she interrupted with a sharp smile.
The Countess looked at me in amazement.
'Is she naive, or does she have no sense of reality?'
Of course, I had read the original story countless times, but even someone who had not read it could tell that this battle was extremely unfavorable to the Countess.
She's really the only one who doesn't know.
They say that what is most frightening is the person who clings to his beliefs in this way.
I shook my head and leaned forward toward the Countess.
“Do people often tell you that you are naive?”
“...What? No, not really.”
You don't have any friends around, do you? Just like me.
“Think about it. Marquis Merry has a clear reason to develop the mine by opening its entrance. But what reason do you have?”
"this…."
"If it were in your hands, the mine wouldn't be developed anyway. You're just holding on stubbornly without any real reason, insisting that it can't be done, and that you won't give up."
“So, who will side with you? Do you really think you can win in this situation?”
Are you really that stupid?
I knew from the expression on her face that the Countess understood what I meant and kept her lips tightly closed. Of course, unless she was completely stupid, she wouldn't have anything to say.
In fact, when the hype surrounding this issue continued, the Emperor, who was tired of the power struggle, would naturally side with Marquis Merry. The Countess, who stubbornly sticks to her guns, ends up losing the mine and is forced to helplessly watch the Japanese pine tree being cut down.
'When Diana returned to the country, she brought up the topic to console the Countess, only to lose further support.'
I am convinced that this was the main reason for Diana's failure in the first negotiations.
I clenched my fist softly.
'I can't let this happen.'
Countess Olsen closed her eyes, then let out a heavy sigh.
“So, what are my options? As you indicated, Your Highness, I am not trying to develop the mine, nor do I intend to trade in minerals like Marquis Merry.”
She spoke as if there was no alternative but stubborn resistance.
'Certainly, from an outsider's perspective, it might seem that way.'
At this point in time, the Countess, still grieving the loss of her husband, was neglecting her mine.
She had no idea that after a few years, she would become incredibly wealthy because of it.
“Hmm.”
Pretending to think about something, I rolled my eyes before smiling.
“You may not realize it, but you have a talent for business. From what I can see, you are destined to amass a huge fortune within three years.”
“...What? What are you talking about?”
The countess looked at me as if I was talking nonsense.
‘No matter how distant my words are, does she really have to look me up and down like this…’
I felt like there was a slight wound to my pride, but I continued without showing any concern.
“In that sense, let me ask you something. What is the most profitable thing that you think can be sold?”
The Countess answered, closing her eyes quickly in a daze.
“…Isn’t it ling the land?”
Could this be true?
I shook my head and smiled wickedly.
“No, it's ling feelings.”