Chapter 63

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 63

Chapter Title: The Marchioness's Investment

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Tap, tap.

A finger adorned with a large sapphire ring drummed rhythmically on the table.

"So."

Marchioness Ambrose, who had dropped everything and rushed to the Brail Duchy at my summons.

In the tense atmosphere, the corners of her lips drooped downward.

"You're saying my youngest daughter-in-law... might have an issue related to her ribs, not asthma or some bronchial condition?"

"Yes, though an exact diagnosis from a physician would be needed."

"Do you know of any treatments, Lady?"

By reaching out to her first, it was as good as saying I already had some leads.

Her question carried the assumption that she already knew as much, even if unspoken.

With a likely cause identified, the solution was straightforward.

"Make a massive donation to the temple... and have her treated by a priest skilled enough to wield holy power with precision. There should be improvement."

"But James doesn't have..."

"Yes, that kind of money."

Did she catch my drift?

Marchioness Ambrose's eyes sparkled for a moment.

But she quickly smoothed away the telltale glint, shifted in her seat, and asked again.

"Why tell me this?"

"Well..."

('Because I want you in my debt as much as possible?')

I could never say that, not even if my lips split open.

Nor could I admit pitying the grim futures awaiting her and Baron Pavron.

I lightly moistened my lips with tea and answered quietly.

"I hold Baroness Pavron's talents in high regard."

"Does that girl have anything worthwhile?"

Her icy skepticism revealed her usual demeanor toward those around her.

And it stemmed from loving her son dearly while knowing little of his wife.

Now it was time to demonstrate conviction.

"Once Baroness Pavron recovers, I plan to offer her a position as a story writer for comic books."

"...Did she show talent?"

In that instant, I clearly saw the marchioness's expression shift oddly.

"I realized it after properly speaking with her this time. She has an innate gift for crafting new tales through creative thinking."

That wasn't her only strength.

"She analyzes people from every angle yet never loses her warm perspective. That's the kind of person I need."

Marchioness Ambrose said nothing until she'd drained half her tea.

"...In that case."

When she spoke again, her voice rang clear, as if she'd found her path.

"I'll trust that 'eye' of yours and invest in the girl's abilities."

"Pardon?"

"Not out of pity for my son or because she's his wife—I'll do it because I value her talent."

Was it not yet time to swallow her pride?

('You'll regret that someday.')

But if that was Marchioness Ambrose's way, I had no more to say.

I couldn't meddle in every detail of how she worked through her conflicts.

Better to leave those matters to the parties involved.

"I'm grateful you see it that way."

With the conclusion reached, I wrapped up the conversation.

"I'll take it that the Ambrose Marquisate will procure an excellent physician to diagnose Baroness Pavron's rib condition and a high priest."

"We'll select only those worthy of our family name, so if you're concerned..."

"Not at all."

I met the marchioness's subtly gleaming eyes and flashed a bright smile.

My mood felt wonderfully refreshed, but the lightness in my heart wasn't solely from saddling her with more debt.

Kaian had never been one to pay much attention to the world outside.

But today was different. After an interminably long meeting in a stuffy room, he found himself drawn impulsively to the window.

And there...

"Hmm..."

His eyes narrowed at the sight of April strolling near the duke's residence with a young male painter.

Whatever they were discussing, they looked far too chummy for his liking.

And when April said something that made the painter jolt in surprise and step back a pace...

It didn't end there. As she turned her head elsewhere, the man edged right back toward her.

"Huh?"

Kaian curled his lip and muttered under his breath without thinking.

"Annoying."

"Pardon?"

The aides, shrinking under the abruptly hostile air, ventured the question.

Meeting the eyes of the middle-aged men staring at him like startled meerkats, Kaian belatedly shook his head.

"...Nothing."

But he couldn't hide the feral scowl. Naturally, the office atmosphere began to freeze over.

In the suddenly silent room, the aides exchanged glances before resorting to scribbled notes.

Yet Kaian merely sat there, face twisted in a menace his aides couldn't begin to fathom.

Normally, he'd have keenly spotted their suspicious behavior, but lately—right now, even—his mind was elsewhere entirely.

A recent encounter replayed vividly in his head.

"So, A and B could get close, but there's a misunderstanding keeping them apart right now. If I just nudge things a bit..."

"And these A and B are connected to the princess? A is a man, B a woman?"

"Yes, exactly."

If his pride hadn't gotten in the way, he surely would have asked just that.

('Has the princess gotten involved with some young man she met on the job?')

Such self-inserting conjecture was ridiculous, yet hardly a stretch.

After all, April—who preferred holing up indoors—was constantly out and about these days due to overflowing work.

He hated to admit it, but without her odd expressions, she was quite the beauty... and popular even within the duke's residence.

Strictly speaking, whoever she met was her choice. Here, she wasn't the princess but a 'free woman,' leaving no real grounds for objection.

...So why did it grate so much?

His expression grew even chillier amid his reverie.

In truth, whenever he'd part-time escorted her, Kaian had sensed men's lingering gazes upon her.

They were everywhere: among the painters, at the Poretta leather workshop, the curtain factory, Pascal's merchant house—even the occasional Magic Tower mages.

Of course, it was 'utterly' unrelated to him. Even if she started dating that painter right now, it wouldn't be his business.

But!

Even so!

He couldn't just stand by while a painter harbored illicit intentions toward his employer in the sacred duke's residence.

"It's a betrayal of one's duty as an employee."

"Y-yes?!"

The quiet words slipped out amid the hush, rippling with massive impact.

Ignoring the aides—who now looked outright terrified—he shot to his feet.

"I can't just let it slide."

With those ominous parting words, the frost incarnate known as Kaian stormed out of the office.

"A-at this rate, we'll die of dismissal."

In the frozen office lingered only the piteous grumbles of aides sensing mortal peril.