Click, click.
Fingers adorned with a large sapphire ring were tapping rhythmically on the table.
“So, what you're saying is...”
The Marchioness Ambrose dropped everything and rushed straight to the Duchy of Blair as soon as she received my call.
As the tension in the atmosphere increased, the corners of her lips curved downward.
“…Do you suspect that my youngest daughter-in-law’s condition may not be asthma or a bronchial disease, but something related to her ribs?”
“Yes. But an accurate diagnosis by a doctor will be necessary to confirm.”
“Do you know of any treatment options, ma’am?”
The fact that I reached out to her first meant that I already had a lead that would lead me to a potential solution.
She didn't say it outright, but her question suggested that she had already guessed it.
Once the most likely cause is identified, the solution is simple.
“If she receives treatment from a high-ranking priest skilled in divine power – after making a large donation to the temple, of course – there should be a noticeable improvement.”
“But James...”
“Yes, he wouldn't have that kind of money.”
Did you get my hint?
The Marchioness Ambrose's eyes sparkled for a brief moment.
But just as quickly, she erased any trace of emotion and shifted in her seat.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Okay...”
“I want to make you as indebted to me as possible, of course.”
Naturally, I couldn't say it out loud.
I could not admit that I pitied the miserable future that awaited both the Marchioness Ambrose and Baroness Bavron.
Instead, I took a sip of my tea, gently wet my lips, and answered calmly.
“Because I have great appreciation for Baroness Bavron’s talents.”
"Talents? Does that girl have anything noteworthy?"
The cold skepticism in her voice was evident in how she treated those around her.
The report also revealed that although she undoubtedly cared for her son, she did not know much about her daughter-in-law.
Now, it's my turn to convince her.
“If Baroness Bavron recovers, I would like to offer her a job as a comic book writer.”
“…Does she have the talent for it?”
At that moment, I noticed the slightest change in the Marchioness's facial expression.
"I realized this after having a long conversation with her. She has an innate talent for creating new stories through imaginative thinking."
And that was not all.
"She also has the ability to analyze people from different perspectives while maintaining a positive outlook. I need someone like that."
The Marchioness Ambrose remained silent, and drank the tea slowly until only half of it remained in her cup.
Then, finally—
“…In that case,” she said in a firm voice, as if she had made up her mind.
“I would invest in her talents as well, trusting the ‘sharp eye’ she claims to have.”
"…pardon?"
I won't help her just because she's my daughter-in-law or because I feel sorry for James. I will do this because I recognize its potential and consider it a valuable investment.
So, she wasn't ready to give up her pride yet.
You will regret it.
But if that was the way the Marchioness Ambrose settled matters, I had no reason to object.
I couldn't tell her how to deal with her own struggles.
I left the matter to those directly concerned, and nodded slightly.
“I'm grateful you see it that way.”
After the conversation came to an end, I proceeded to wrap things up.
“I will trust that Ambrose House will find a skilled doctor and a high-ranking priest who will be able to diagnose and treat Baroness Bavron’s condition.”
I'll ensure they're worthy of my family name, so if you're worried—
“That won't be necessary.”
When her eyes sparkled with a strange sparkle, she simply smiled.
I felt…refreshed.
And it wasn't just because I was able to increase her debt to me.
* * *
Kayan wasn't the type to pay much attention to what was happening outside.
But today was different.
After a particularly long meeting, which he spent hours confined to a stuffy room, he walked impulsively to the window.
And then—
“…hmmm.”
He narrowed his eyes when he saw the scene outside the ducal palace.
April was wandering near the palace, engaged in a lively conversation with a young painter.
Whatever the topic of their discussion, they seemed to be enjoying themselves too much for him.
Then April said something that made the painter jump back in surprise.
But as soon as she turned her head in another direction, the man immediately approached her again.
“…Huh.”
Kaien sneered, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
“This is annoying.”
"…Excuse me?"
The sudden change in the atmosphere caused his assistants to retreat in confusion and bewilderment.
As they stared at him like terrified meerkats, Kaiyan finally regained consciousness from his daze and shook his head.
"…nothing."
However, he couldn't completely hide the coldness in his expression.
Naturally, the temperature in the office began to drop.
His assistants exchanged hesitant glances before resorting to quiet scribbles and whispered conversations.
But Kayan…
Kayan sat completely motionless, his face unreadable, lost in thought about something completely unrelated to his work.
Even now, the memory still repeats clearly in his mind.
— “So, A and B can actually get along, but there's a misunderstanding that keeps them apart. I feel like I can help clear things up...”
“Wait. Are people A and B related to the princess? Are they a man and a woman?”
- "Yes, this is correct."
If his pride hadn't stopped him at the time, he might have said it.
“Princess... are you starting to have feelings for a guy you met through work?”
The idea of associating himself with April in this way was ridiculous.
However, that was not an unreasonable assumption.
After all, April, who usually preferred to stay indoors, was leaving the property frequently due to her increasing workload.
And although he hated to admit it, April – as long as she wasn't showing one of her usual weird expressions – was very pretty.
Even within the ducal palace, she was very popular.
Frankly, who I met was none of his business.
Here, she was not just a princess, but a “free person.”
So he had no right to complain.
...So why did it bother him so much?
His facial features changed to a gloomy colour.
The truth was that whenever he accompanied her as a part-time bodyguard, he would often notice the men's lingering glances directed at her.
everywhere.
Among painters. In the Bolita Leather Workshop. In the curtain factory. In the Pascal Trade Guild. Even among the wizards who frequent the tower.
Of course, this had nothing to do with it.
Even if April ended up dating that painter, it would be none of his business.
but!
Still!
He could not sit idly by and watch an ordinary employee harbor inappropriate thoughts toward his employer.
“It would be a betrayal of professional integrity.”
"Sorry?!"
His words sent shockwaves through the silent office.
Ignoring his terrified-looking assistants, Kayan suddenly stood up from his seat.
“I can't overlook this.”
With this ominous announcement, he stormed out of the office angrily, leaving a frozen atmosphere behind him.
“…At this rate, we will all die from stress.”
After being left in the icy office, his assistants couldn't help but let out a miserable, pathetic moan.