Chapter 19

Unfortunately, it seemed he did not understand at all.

I stared off like a pigeon looking at distant hills, but the baron went on proudly, rambling about how Madam would use four thousand gold coins as if they were tissues for blowing her nose.

‘I even lick the lid of a yogurt cup. As if…’

I had assumed that when I became rich, at the very least I would stop licking the lids.

This was why habits born of poverty were so scary.

“Baron.”

“Yes, Madam, who bathes in water infused with gold coins instead of scented oil.”

“Be quiet.”

If I let him keep talking, my reputation would sink to the lowest depths.

I abandoned the plan to use the baron as my mouthpiece and decided to take the lead myself.

I sat in the seat of honor Berthold had yielded without hesitation.

“Viscount Clayton said no one ever questioned his conflict of interest. Is that true?”

“I have no excuse…”

“You should not.”

Truthfully, I understood Berthold’s situation.

The Dukes of Lombard often left the territory for long deployments defending the Northern Wall.

Because of that, the household affairs were traditionally managed by the duchess. But noblewomen capable of ruling a territory did not marry into other families. They inherited their own.

No noble in their right mind would send away such a rare talent.

For many reasons, the officials of the administrative building had gradually gained excessive power.

Just like mice swarm when the cat is gone, their corruption eventually ate into all of Lombard.

‘But I still do not understand. The Edwin I knew never abandoned the administration like this.’

In the past, Edwin worked tirelessly to repair the collapsed governance left behind by the former duke.

He appointed talented young officials regardless of status, led administrative reforms, and dispatched direct inspectors to curb corrupt bureaucrats and protect the people.

Though the administrative building fiercely resisted him, Edwin never gave up.

‘But the current duke…’

Had not touched anything at all.

Like the former duke, he acted as if the affairs of the territory did not matter.

So even Berthold and Ramon, who once would have led the reforms, could not accomplish anything now.

‘If watching this mess is going to make me explode, I might as well do it myself.’

If nothing else, I absolutely could not tolerate corrupt officials fattening themselves on the blood and sweat of the people.

I remembered every time I cried blood paying taxes.

“Put the merchant contract back up for public bidding. There is no time, so do it quickly.”

“You mean to void the contract with the Alnor Guild?”

Ramon’s voice carried unmistakable delight.

Berthold, on the other hand, spoke cautiously.

“My apologies, Madam, but there will be considerable backlash. Count Alnor will not simply accept this, and it could escalate to a legal dispute.”

“A legal dispute? Let him try. I wonder who the court will side with.”

I had already decided.

No, to be precise, the court’s decision might as well already be written.

It was something that once made me grind my teeth with frustration.

“As the only legitimized daughter of the former crown prince, the only niece of His Majesty the Emperor, and the niece of the King of Marcen as well, I wonder if any judge in this empire has the guts to rule against me.”

“M, Madam? Your eyes are frightening…”

Baron Conte stumbled back, intimidated by the gleam in my eyes.

I had always imagined this.

If only I had power. If only I had noble blood and authority sharp enough to silence opposition with one look.

‘I never thought it would actually happen.’

My father was the Crown Prince of Valdin. My mother was a princess of Marcen.

My maternal grandmother was a Valdin princess who married into Marcen and became its queen, which made her the aunt of both my father and the current Emperor of Valdin.

My official name was not Elicia Marcen Valdin La Lombard for nothing.

“Count Alnor has sense. He will not dare challenge me. Good. Then let us settle this matter here and…”

Ramon looked as if he were ready to throw a festival.

He seemed thrilled that Viscount Clayton had foolishly tried to offer Madam such petty money.

Seizing the moment, he boldly added another point.

“Madam, Lombard is vast and many territory residents starve during the winter off-season. Bringing in laborers from other lands would be an insult to Your Ladyship.”

“Exactly.”

This was what I had wanted to say, but he beat me to it.

I nodded immediately, but Berthold once again carefully intervened.

“Ramon is correct, but public works are not under our department…”

“Do not bother dividing jurisdictions. I am the law.”

“A most correct statement!”

So this was why people loved ruling with absolute power.

It was not as if my reputation could get any worse.

Thus, I decided to do everything I had always wanted to do with the authority of the duchess.

“We will not end this with simply voiding the contract. Discipline is built on clear rewards and punishments. Conduct a discreet, thorough investigation. All illegal profits Viscount Clayton gained through the private contract are to be fully confiscated.”

“But the officials will not take this quietly.”

“Then silence their mouths. We could, hm, smear honey on their lips and leave them by a beehive?”

“Unfortunately, Madam, bees are not active this season. May I suggest tying their limbs to wagon wheels and tossing them into the square. The rest can be left to the people… oof!”

Berthold elbowed Ramon hard in the ribs.

The steward’s elderly strength was no joke. Ramon twisted in pain.

If they were going to start cracking skulls, I needed to leave.

“Then decide the punishment between yourselves. For reference, I like Ramon’s idea.”

“I am honored.”

Barely recovering, Ramon bowed.

Lastly, I added the one thing that had been on my mind.

“I heard the former Viscount Clayton also came from the civil engineering inspection office.”

“That is correct, but why do you ask…”

“Inspect every construction site handled by the Clayton family. Every single one. Leave nothing out.”

“We shall obey.”

Sensing something ominous, the two officials lowered their heads.

Their eyes gleamed like those who had just discovered a mythical, invincible demon sword.

* * *

After Elicia left, the broken door was temporarily covered with planks.

Cold wind seeped into the office as Berthold and Ramon sat close, continuing their discussion.

“Think about it. This could be a perfect opportunity to begin real reform.”

“Hm…”

The truth was, both men had long grown sick of the rot spreading through the administrative building.

But they lacked both the power and authority to change anything.

Had Edwin stepped forward, everything might have been different. But he showed no desire to govern.

It was harsh to say, but he acted like a man who had given up on everything.

From a very young age…

“There is still the biggest problem. Even if Madam becomes interested in public affairs…”

Berthold paused, sighing wearily.

“We have as much influence as a rat’s whisker. I am not even sure we can call it influence.”

“Ah…”

Ramon, who had been impatiently urging action earlier, slumped at the blunt truth.

It was not that they had not tried.

They really had tried.

‘If you can count the number of comrades on one hand, can you even call it a faction…’

Ramon dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief before suddenly shouting:

“But we cannot give up!”

They had waited for change, bowing like reeds for so long.

Now, someone with both the power and the ability had finally appeared. How could they let this chance slip past.

…But neither knew how to inspire Madam’s interest in governance or gather allies to support her.

The two loyal men drooped their heads again.

Outside the window of the quiet office, a black cat trotted gracefully through the air.