Chapter 60

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: An Invitation
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The next day, Diello reportedly summoned Rick to his office and gave him an order.

“Deal with every spy identified within the estate, without exception.”

Diello’s expression as he gave the order was said to be chilling.

A clear sign of how furious he was.

And so, for the first time since Diello became the Duke of Argenta, Rick’s punishment for traitors was ‘executed.’

The scale was entirely different from the last time, when only those directly involved in the poisoning incident were dealt with.

Over the next few days, a considerable number of servants were dragged away.

I knew Rick held the title of executioner, but hearing it again, the word felt chilling.

The servants trembled in fear at this new side of Diello Argenta, yet at the same time, they harbored a sense of anticipation.

“The master has finally resolved to be firm.”

Some even said as much.

“Perhaps he’s furious because the missus was in critical condition?”

This was mostly said by the servants from the third floor and below.

“It makes sense. They say the master is utterly smitten with the madam.”

“That’s right, if it weren’t for the madam that day…”

“Shh, quiet.”

Hearing their reactions, I came to a conclusion.

“They’re taking the bait nicely.”

At my words, Pielle, who had brought me the news, simply bowed her head slightly.

“Still, with some of the servants being taken away for a while, the atmosphere in the estate will be tense.”

“Yes.”

Pielle lowered her head.

“Make sure the ‘true’ Argenta people don’t grow anxious. Pay a little more attention to them than usual. We can’t have those who are truly loyal feeling uneasy.”

“As you command.”

Pielle gave a silent bow and added another farewell.

“For Argenta.”

* * *

“The madam was also proactive, you say?”

—*Crunch*.

Redius Argenta was in the knights’ quarters.

Strictly speaking, he didn’t hold any official rank within the knight order.

He was the commander of the 4th sector of the Infinite Sea, but that only referred to his area of responsibility; his actual position was more akin to that of a senior knight.

“Yes, that’s right!”

The knight who answered him respectfully while peeling and offering him an apple was Betty, the youngest knight in the order.

The estate, now stable for those who weren’t spies and even more tense for those with the slightest fault, had paradoxically become more peaceful than before.

‘So the madam was the one who orchestrated this atmosphere…’

It was almost unbelievable, considering she came from the Alloje family—a house that prioritized individual order fulfillment over internal unity and viewed servants and knights as disposable.

Wasn’t she adapting to the Argenta way of life far too well?

He found himself lavishing praise on the new lady of the house without even realizing it.

“So, about Jenny…”

The knight, Betty, stealthily began to tell her own story.

He was now counseling her on matters of the heart.

He looked at the youngest knight, who was agonizing over a budding romance.

“I think she likes another knight. But it’s like she doesn’t realize it herself? And that knight doesn’t know either. Should I… should I not get involved right now?”

Betty was facing the dilemma of a lifetime.

Redius said with a solemn face.

“A heart, unexpressed, remains unknown to all.”

Betty paused at his words.

“But when you taught us the art of war, you said we should never reveal our hearts—”

“Is love a war?”

Redius frowned. Then he paused.

It is a war, isn’t it.

Having gained a crucial insight, he deftly changed the subject.

“Love… is like a one-on-one duel on the battlefield.”

A one-on-one between commanders, a fierce battle! But a battle that cannot be concealed!

The outcome is always decided between them!

“Ooh…”

Impressed by the profound line, Betty nodded repeatedly.

“I think I understand now!”

…What did she understand?

But enlightenment was such that you could teach one thing and a hundred different realizations would be born from it. Redius decided this was not his domain to interfere with.

“Anyway, so the madam proactively ordered the weeding out of those scoundrels…”

The actual order may have come from the master, but they said the madam’s will was clearly a part of the process.

In essence, it meant the madam’s wishes had greatly influenced the master’s decision.

What on earth could they have talked about?

He had intended to visit her soon, but matters of the sea had gotten busy, and he still hadn’t been able to see her.

Redius regretted it.

In the meantime, it seemed the madam had deeply permeated the lives of the Argenta people.

But it wasn’t an unpleasant infiltration. Quite the opposite.

‘The servants’ opinions have changed a lot since the madam first arrived.’

‘She pays more attention to the Shadow Supplies than I expected. I didn’t think she would, being from the Alloje family.’

‘That’s right. One day, the supplies started including not just the basic necessities but also things we needed individually. Now I actually look forward to supply day.’

When Redius met with the families of Argenta’s fallen or retired members, they all spoke of the madam with a smile.

‘I was so surprised and grateful when the madam appeared on the battlefield that time. Being an Alloje, she must be averse to fire…’

‘Especially when she stopped the master’s rampage… it was truly…’

Since then, the Argenta’s devotion had grown even deeper; some had even pooled their resources to gift her the swimming pool built in her honor.

‘My mother has been so happy since the madam took over the Shadow Supplies. She says she’s rediscovered a dream she’d forgotten from her childhood.’

‘You too? My younger sister is also thrilled to have found a new hobby.’

Even among the estate’s servants, those with family members who had fallen in battle or retired were quick to notice the changes in the Shadow Supplies.

They noticed how a small touch of care had been added to the once bleak deliveries, which used to consist of only essential goods.

While it might have been a hassle from a management perspective, Croire had meticulously studied the characteristics of the supply recipients since taking charge.

And she would add one or two extra items, calling them surprise gifts.

They weren’t expensive things. Magic paints designed for easy use, cross-stitching supplies, and the like.

‘The madam picked these out and sent them herself?’

Croire had said it was merely a gesture of gratitude for those who had dedicated their lives to Argenta, but it meant something different to them.

They clearly felt that the madam was someone who cared for each and every member of the Argenta family.

And the people of Argenta were not ones to forget even the smallest kindness.

Thus, the Argenta and their madam were growing closer, faster and more deeply than Redius had imagined.

“As for the master…”

Redius muttered.

“Yes?”

Betty’s ears perked up. She was clearly expecting another brilliant line regarding her love life.

Of course, there was no such thing, so Redius waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s nothing.”

Then he continued the thought he had swallowed.

The master already seems completely taken with the madam.

More so than I thought.

Redius let out a low groan. He knew how dangerous love could be.

For it is love that brings down the cold-hearted and blinds the sharp-witted.

The madam must be a good person, like the one I saw on the battlefield.

She must be a strong person.

But if she isn’t…

“It seems the time has come to pay her a proper visit.”

To Diello Argenta, who had hardened his heart in fear of people leaving his side, Croire was a double-edged sword.

She could wound him, or she could save him.

And as it happened, there was some time before things at sea got busy again.

The time had come to meet her, face to face.

* * *

I received Redius Argenta’s formal request for a visit on a relatively quiet afternoon.

But the one who brought the news wasn’t a manservant, a maid, or a knight—it was Diello.

“If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll tell him to withdraw the request.”

I doubt Redius asked Diello to deliver the message himself.

Was he concerned because the request was for me?

“I’ve heard there’s nothing more uncomfortable than a husband’s family.”

But the words that followed from his lips were truly unexpected.

“What?”

Don’t tell me he came all this way just to ask me that?

I let out a small laugh.

“No, I’m not uncomfortable.”

Especially if that’s what you’re worried about.

I don’t know where he heard about things like overbearing in-laws, but I appreciated the consideration.

But Redius Argenta didn’t seem like the type to torment the new lady of the house.

Besides, there was no reason to alienate someone who was a great asset to the Argenta family.

“How could I turn down a greeting meant for the lady of the house?”

Even if I plan on leaving someday, I have to do my job properly while I’m here.

“You either do it, or you don’t. That’s the Argenta way. If I’m going to play the part of the madam, I have to do it right.”

Diello, who had tilted his head slightly at my words, smiled brightly.

“You truly are a precious person, Croire.”

“?”

Whether he saw me blink or not, Diello gestured to a maid.

“…”

The maid bowed and withdrew without a word. She was likely going to relay the message that I had accepted the visit.

Watching her go, I felt a slight, renewed sense of anxiety.

Redius Argenta.

Diello’s mentor and uncle, an advisor who served as a family elder, and the only remaining blood relative of the main Argenta line.

His request to meet wasn’t a bad sign. No, if anything, it was a good sign.

But this development hadn’t been in the original novel at all, which made me just a little anxious.

If I was just going to follow the original plot and die, I shouldn’t have entered into a contract marriage in the first place. Why am I so nervous?

I rubbed the back of my cold hand.

“Are you cold?”

Diello gently took my hand in his.

The familiar sense of stability, somewhere between warmth and heat, enveloped me.

A gently smiling face, a radiant smile.

“…”

It was a smile I’d grown accustomed to. So much so that my heart would ache a little if that smile were to disappear from his face.

When did I get so used to it?

I shook my head.

He had looks that could bewitch anyone, but it wouldn’t do for me to be bewitched.

And so, a tea time was scheduled for the next day.