Chapter 10
When Nadia returned to the Hesse estate, she heard that Heinrich had been involved in resolving the matter neatly.
He had even sent a letter apologizing for the trouble she went through.
Apparently, he felt responsible, since the incident took place in his territory.
Nadia gently stroked the short letter Heinrich had sent, her face touched with emotion.
“The Duke of Baldwin is such a kind man, isn’t he?”
When Nadia asked in an uncharacteristically cheerful tone, Vivian’s expression stiffened.
“Kind? Who?”
“The Duke of Baldwin. Heinrich Baldwin.”
“You must not know this, but the Duke is famous for being a cold-blooded man. He probably wasn’t thinking of you—just furious that such a scandal occurred in Baldwin territory.”
“That’s fine too. It means he’s decisive.”
Nadia smiled and carefully placed the letter into her drawer.
Vivian circled around her like something was bothering her. Finally, when Nadia turned to look at her, she blurted out as if she’d been waiting for that moment.
“Miss… do you… perhaps like the Duke of Baldwin?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Huh?! Really? Seriously?!”
“He’s handsome, competent, has a nice voice, and he’s tall. What’s not to like?”
“Then… do you actually want to marry him—?”
“What?”
Nadia laughed and covered her mouth with one hand, clearly amused.
“Where did you get that idea? When I say I like him, I mean he seems impressive as a person. There’s no chance I’d marry someone like him.”
Still smiling, she shook her head and turned back to her desk, picking up an old history book again. One of those heavy, headache-inducing texts.
Vivian stared blankly at her and shrugged.
“I don’t think she likes him romantically either… But she sure seems interested.”
Well, being with Nadia always led to interesting things—so she didn’t mind either way.
After selling mana stones, Nadia purchased magical mining tools, discovered another vein, and sold that ore as well. With Conrad’s help, she also collected several large bounties.
And after receiving a massive settlement from Viscount Royce, Hesse estate’s pitiful finances grew at lightning speed.
Given how small their original assets had been, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they grew a hundredfold.
The Baron of Hesse, overwhelmed by such a large amount of money for the first time in his life, didn’t know what to do.
In contrast, Nadia—who once managed the vast Baldwin ducal estate—efficiently outlined what needed to be done.
“First, we need to build new roads. The current ones are too inconvenient, making it hard to interact with other territories. And let’s upgrade the miners’ equipment. If we install mana lamps in every mine, it’ll be much safer.”
“Y-yes, let’s do that!”
“Once we begin trading with other territories, appearances will matter more. We need new clothes, and the manor should be renovated. You and Mother should each have a servant too.”
“We don’t really need attendants…”
“Of course we do! Even if we’re just barons, no attendants will make us look like a joke. I’ll prepare some candidates—pick whoever suits you best. Got it?”
“A-alright…”
While Nadia efficiently took care of everything, the Baron awkwardly trailed behind, trying his best not to leave all the work to her.
Seeing him squint at paperwork like it was a puzzle made Nadia smile.
As she stretched and prepared to refocus, a maid peeked her head into the study.
“Um, Miss? You have a visitor…”
“You should knock first.”
“Ah, I’m sorry!”
The maid quickly covered her mouth in apology.
To improve the Hesse estate’s dignity, Nadia had been slowly shifting the overly casual atmosphere into something more proper.
She liked informality, but letting maids enter the baron’s study without knocking was too relaxed—especially now that guests might come frequently.
“No need to apologize. It’s hard to break habits all of a sudden. We’ll change things slowly. So… who’s the visitor?”
“It’s the Duke of Baldwin! He says he wishes to see you—what should I do?”
“…What?”
Nadia stood up in shock. The Baron of Hesse was so startled he knocked over his inkwell.
Nadia grabbed a handkerchief and approached her father to clean his ink-soaked sleeve, but he clutched her shoulders.
“Nadia, I’m worried. Let me go out instead.”
“Huh?”
“It was already strange when the Duke of Baldwin held a party for the first time in ten years and invited us. And now he’s come to our estate… What if he’s angry that we found mana stones?”
“Father, I don’t think that’s the reason. And even if it is, I’m the one who found the vein—it’s only right that I face him. Besides, we can’t just ignore such an esteemed guest.”
“But still…”
Nadia gently patted his hand.
“Please trust me. I don’t believe the Duke is someone who would dig up old matters just to harm people. Maybe… he’s here to propose a business deal?”
Her bright smile softened the Baron’s worried expression.
“Y-you think so? Well, you are very smart…”
“I’m your daughter, and the heir of House Hesse. I’ll meet with him, and if I need help, I’ll definitely ask you.”
After calming her father for a few more minutes, Nadia hurried to the reception room.
“It’s probably not a business deal… So why did he come?”
Nadia signaled to the anxious maid waiting outside the door, who quickly opened it.
Inside sat a nobleman who looked completely out of place amidst the old, faded furniture.
Heinrich, in his perfectly tailored formal attire, clashed starkly with the humble room.
Nadia curtsied in her modest dress.
“Nadia of House Hesse greets the Duke of Baldwin. I wasn’t expecting your visit, so I apologize if my attire is not in accordance with proper etiquette.”
Her dress might not have followed noble customs, but her every movement was graceful. Refined but not excessive—nothing about her looked like a commoner.
“It’s quite alright. I arrived unannounced, so if anyone should apologize, it’s me. Forgive me for startling you.”
“Not at all. The Duke may go wherever he wishes. I’m simply curious about what brings you to our humble estate.”
Nadia tried to get to the point, but Heinrich ignored it and gestured to the seat opposite him.
“Please, sit.”
“It’s an honor.”
Nadia sat down across from him. The maid brought out tea, but it was cheap and clearly not to the Duke’s refined taste.
Heinrich didn’t even bother smelling the tea before speaking.
“I heard things have improved for you.”
“Yes, though we’ve yet to improve the roads, so I prioritized my mother’s health and the residents’ stability over better tea leaves.”
“Difficult to understand.”
“Don’t you also worry day and night over your duchy?”
Nadia responded casually, but Heinrich smirked.
“No, I meant your surprisingly competent management. I have a capable secretary, and even he said this: Nadia Hesse, a girl with no memories before age ten, adopted by House Hesse, and never given any exceptional education.”
Nadia’s fingers trembled slightly.
Heinrich had investigated her—openly, without pretense or tact.
Feigning fear, Nadia shrank back.
“Your Grace… did you come because I discovered the mana vein? I thought you were already satisfied with my explanation…”
But Heinrich wasn’t so easily placated.
“You’re quite good at acting, Lady Nadia. You fooled my mother in her own garden. She pitied you, thinking a naïve girl nearly suffered something terrible.”
“…”
“Ah, and it was a mistake to reveal you knew about my walnut allergy. That wasn’t information you needed to share.”
Heinrich stared directly at her. His crimson eyes scrutinized her every detail, trying to read all her emotions.
But Nadia remained perfectly composed.
Heinrich scoffed and continued.
“There’s something else—The Emperor’s Bird.”