Chapter 14

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“Heh… my goodness.”

Steward Berthold stared down at the documents with a hollow expression.

It was the report Baron Conte had compiled.

“This is clearly my failure. Being overworked is not an excuse for this.”

Patrick had used his position as the mine supervisor to gorge himself thoroughly.

Embezzlement, falsified mining records, exploitation of workers, lack of safety management, even illicit transactions.

The report gathered in just a short time was already this bad. If they dug deeper the corruption would probably be endless. Berthold felt his vision darken.

“Good grief, why did he do such a thing…”

Patrick had been a loyal retainer who had served Lombard for many years, just like Berthold.

He had trusted him enough to recommend him for an important position, only to be repaid with this disastrous result. He felt he had no face left to show his lord.

Administrator Ramon, who was seated across from Berthold, spoke without lifting his eyes from the papers.

“This report is quite remarkable, is it not.”

“What do you mean.”

“Patrick manipulated numbers in clever seven month cycles to hide irregularities, and yet Madam saw through the pattern at a glance. Even knowing the trick my head still aches.”

“Hm.”

Normally mining ledgers were recorded quarterly or annually.

Organizing the numbers on regular cycles made it easy to track mining volume and market fluctuations by period.

Patrick had used seven month intervals to deliberately attack that blind spot.

“And the Baron Conte I know has no such insight.”

“What exactly are you trying to say.”

“In my opinion it seems Madam did not spend her years in the palace idly.”

The meaning behind the administrator’s words was obvious.

If the late crown prince had not died suddenly, Elicia, his only child, would have become the next emperor.

Teaching statecraft early to an imperial heir was only natural.

In that light, the duchess’s competence could be seen as a continuation of that training.

“Perhaps there was a reason the emperor always protected her even when she caused scandals.”

“It was probably just luck.”

“You really do not want to admit it, do you.”

Administrator Ramon chuckled, but Berthold understood the intentions hidden behind the laugh.

Is she not the very mistress we have been waiting for.

A capable woman who could stand firmly at our lord’s side and skillfully manage the affairs of the domain.

Berthold shook his head quietly.

“Yes, she may be competent. But her character…”

“Expecting exceptional virtue from noble ladies is asking for too much. Especially for someone meant to become the duchess. You know very well that a woman cannot be considered for such a position without extraordinary lineage. What virtue can we expect from someone raised so preciously, unless we resort to a misalliance.”

“A misalliance. Do not say something so dreadful.”

A misalliance, taking a lowborn woman as the mistress of the house, would severely damage the family’s reputation.

It would isolate them in noble society, erase all political opportunities, and cast doubt on the legitimacy of future heirs.

There was a reason imperial heirs were required to give up succession rights if they married beneath their station.

The mere thought made Berthold shudder.

“That is why I am saying Madam is actually quite decent. High status, capable, and judging by how she led the clinic, she seems adept at administration too…”

“Her reputation could not be worse though.”

“Are you not expecting too much.”

The administrator was right.

Elicia possessed the lineage and the ability to elevate Lombard’s prestige even further. Wanting her to have gentle character on top of that was too greedy.

If she simply maintained willingness to act as mistress of the house, everyone would benefit.

But—

“And what good would that do. None of us, not even our lord, can get anywhere near her.”

“Well, that is true.”

“Do not say it so lightly. That is the most important issue.”

The problem was not only Elicia’s reputation.

Her maid, Lady Olden, stood guard before the duchess’s chamber like an impenetrable wall. Without her permission, no one could meet Madam.

Lady Olden had served Elicia for many years and was the most trusted among her retainers. Her thoughts were essentially Madam’s thoughts.

In reality, Lady Olden handled much of the duchess’s authority on her behalf.

‘What a pity…’

If only they could replace even a portion of the capital-trained attendants surrounding Madam with retainers from Lombard.

Not even a full replacement. Even squeezing in one or two would be helpful.

But according to intelligence from the capital, Madam’s trust in her attendants was absolute. The administrator’s wish was nothing more than a distant dream.

Berthold clicked his tongue in deep disappointment.