“It seems that supporting the Count Weinstein House was indeed the right choice.”
HA HA HA!
With a hearty laugh, the Duke said this.
However, Rudell couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
His opponent was none other than Duke Dasus El Lagrind.
Although he had no significant role in the original story, he had the charisma and ability to serve as a representative of the Royalist faction aristocrats.
In simple terms, he was not someone to take lightly.
“You can be proud, Count Weinstein. There are not many people who receive such praise from me.”
“It’s an honor, Your Grace.”
“How is your father doing?”
“Yes, thanks to your grace’s blessings, he is well.”
Due to the increased workload from the elevation of their territory to a count’s domain, Carlos’s condition was deteriorating day by day, but there was no need to say that outright.
“That’s a relief.”
At his answer, the Duke spoke with a satisfied expression.
“Do you know why I invited you?”
“To confirm what kind of person I am… perhaps?”
“That is one reason, but there are two additional reasons.”
“Two additional reasons?”
At that, Rudell couldn’t help but let out a low groan.
He had a vague idea about one of the reasons.
It was undoubtedly related to the tyranny of the large trading guilds.
Rudell was well aware that the Duke was not naive enough to be unaware of the situation occurring in the count’s domain.
“Hm…”
But he couldn’t grasp the other reason at all.
It was understandable since this was his first direct encounter with the Duke.
Unless he were a mind reader, it would be virtually impossible to read the Duke’s thoughts.
‘What could the other reason be…’
After deep consideration, Rudell ultimately shook his head.
“I’m sorry. I can guess one reason, but I cannot dare to speculate on the other.”
“Then let’s discuss that one first.”
“I believe it relates to the… tyranny of the large trading guilds in our territory.”
“Correct. You are much smarter than I expected.”
With that answer, the Duke spoke with a faint smile.
‘As expected…’
Thus, it was clear that the Duke had a grasp of most of what was happening in the count’s domain.
‘He seems to be testing the count’s house…’
Simultaneously, Rudell let out a low groan.
It was already well-known that many nobles were struggling to join the Duke’s faction.
Thus, the Duke had no reason to unnecessarily reach out to the Count’s House.
So, there was only one conclusion.
It was evident that the Duke intended to assess whether the Count’s House had enough meaningful value to yield returns for him based on this investment.
“Do not misunderstand; the tyranny of the large trading guilds is merely their unilateral decision and has nothing to do with my will.”
“I thought so.”
As evidenced by the Bering incident, merchants would be quick to pounce on any sign of weakness.
With four large trading guilds that could easily crush even a small territory like a count’s domain, it was clear they calculated they could challenge even the Duke’s house.
“Then why didn’t you request assistance from Leje? If you had told her, I could have resolved it right away.”
“…”
At that, Rudell looked silently at the Duke.
Depending on how he answered, the course of the conversation could change.
After organizing his thoughts for a few seconds, Rudell spoke to the Duke.
“While I could indeed talk to Leje…”
“And yet?”
“After all, she is my friend, not a resolver for problems.”
“Hm…”
At his answer, the Duke let out a low groan with a pleased smile.
“I understand why my daughter talks about you so much.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
The Duke’s casual remark that Leje had spoken about him left Rudell speechless.
Why on earth?
“Forget what I just said.”
Witnessing Rudell’s reaction, the Duke cleared his throat lightly and continued…
“Getting back to the main point, does that mean I can take it that you can handle the situation on your own?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Preparations were already complete.
All that remained was for the trading guilds to waddle their heavy behinds over to the count’s domain.
“Excellent. I’m growing fonder of you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
As Rudell bowed his head at the Duke’s words, just as he was about to continue speaking…
“That’s all I have for today. As for the remaining reason… It seems it’s not the right time to discuss it, so let’s save it for later.”
“Understood. Then I shall take my leave.”
With a faint smile, the Duke stated this while gazing at the door, leading Rudell to feel puzzled and rise from his seat.
Bowling towards the Duke, Rudell headed towards the exit…
“Leje?”
As he opened the door, he locked eyes with Leje, who was standing next to the wall.
“Eh? Uhm!?”
Startled by his sudden appearance, she let out an inexplicable groan.
“What are you doing here?”
“Ah, n-no… I was just… eavesdropping, but it’s not what it looks like…”
HAH…
Seeing her soaked in cold sweat trying to think of an excuse, Rudell let out a short sigh.
Goodness, what a handful…
If he takes his eyes off her even for a moment, this is what he gets…
As he thought this, he gently placed his hand on her head.
“Uwah?”
“It’s late. Go to sleep.”
“U-uh, okay…”
With a gentle smile, Leje nodded in response…
“Are you scared to go alone? Should I walk you back?”
“N-no!!”
Shouting loudly in response to his question, Leje dashed down the dark hallway.
*
Leje’s room.
Moonlight filtered in through the window, casting a bluish hue across the room as Leje stood in front of her bed.
HAH…
With a short sigh, she collapsed onto the bed.
In the silence, only the ticking of the clock echoed as she lay motionless for a moment…
“Such a fool I am…”
Raising her head, she mumbled in a grumbling voice.
Whether it was a comment for herself or someone else, even she couldn’t tell.
[After all, she is my friend and not a resolver for problems.]
When she heard those words, the emotion she felt was joy.
Rudell.
Her one and only friend thought of her as a true friend.
However, at the same time, she felt a bit irked.
Because he saw her merely as a friend.
She was well aware that it didn’t make sense.
Yet, despite knowing it didn’t make sense, she felt that way.
“Waaaaaaaah!!”
While thinking about it, she felt an indescribable emotion and hugged her pillow.
The pillow could no longer withstand her immense strength and popped, the feathers inside spilling out.
It was something she would never have imagined on any other day, but she was so overwhelmed with her emotions at that moment.
“Calm down, Leje… calm down…”
Why am I feeling this way?
Slowly regaining her composure, she cautiously exhaled.
This was a meditation technique she had once heard from Rudell, but…
“It’s not working!!”
Perhaps due to his image popping into her head, she felt her heart racing again and threw the burst pillow onto the floor.
POOF! With that sound, the completely popped pillow released feathers in a cloud as she sighed sharply and threw herself onto the bed.
“It’s all because of that guy! What the heck!?”
Why on earth was she feeling so agitated because of him?
Honestly, for a woman of her caliber, he should have shown interest first, right?
Power, fame, wealth, ability, looks.
She had everything going for her, yet strangely, Rudell had never shown her any romantic interest.
Then, at that moment.
A story that had briefly flashed through her mind came back to her.
“Could it be… that’s not possible.”
Sometimes.
Very rarely, there are people who are more interested in the same sex than the opposite sex.
“No way… that can’t be true…”
The only person she’d seen him talk to privately was that mysterious armored girl in the same class.
Besides that, she had never seen Rudell converse privately with anyone else.
As she delved into her thoughts, looking serious…
“…Wait, why am I thinking about this?”
With a voice that seemed to have realized something, she let out a low groan.
Of course, that didn’t mean anyone would answer her…
“Waaaah! I don’t know! I don’t want to know!!”
Feeling her head spinning in a jumble, Leje dropped down flat on the bed.
And… she fell asleep around the time the sun began to rise over the walls of Lagrandria.
