Chapter 5 – The Northern Speraum (Part 3)

Reubellina had been moving tirelessly since her arrival in the North. Though Tartenon worried about her and begged her to take a rest, she couldn’t.

“No, why is the budget like this!”

Simply put, the current state of the North was a mess. Taxes collected from each territory were not accurately accounted for, leading to a situation where taxes were roughly estimated and collected. If it weren’t for Tartenon and his knights, even that would have been difficult to manage.

Moreover, the money going out was substantial compared to what was coming in. The territories paying taxes to Speraum were making tremendous profits by providing Speraum with weapons, food, clothes, and other necessities. In short, Speraum was just a powerful but foolish entity.

‘Did they really do nothing while things got this bad?’

That couldn’t be. The Tartenon she had seen was not such a lacking person. Then there must have been a critical reason why he could not move.

Reubellina decided to find out the reason and stood up abruptly from her seat. Having grasped the situation through documents, it was time to take action.

“Are you going out, milady?”

“Yes. Help me prepare.”

Sandy, quick-witted as ever, approached her and assisted in preparing for the outing. Since there wasn’t a proper office yet, she sorted documents on a desk arranged in one corner of the bedroom.

‘I should set up my own office now.’

Not everything was settled just because the situation was understood. The decisive reason Reubellina wanted to move was that she received word that Musen Trading had completed preparations to establish a new branch in the Speraum territory.

Naturally, to do any work, she needs a base of support to back her up, and since she doesn’t have one up here in the North, she had no choice but to bring one in and establish it.

“Everything is ready, milady. Oh, am I to call you the ‘Grand Duchess’ now?”

“I haven’t even been married yet, well. Just call me ‘milady’.”

“Understood.”

Reubellina answered Sandy’s question nonchalantly. The title Sandy used for her wasn’t important. If the Northerners started calling her things like ‘Grand Duchess’, she would have shattered that notion.

‘Titles are best changed after marriage.’

That way, she could firmly establish her authority among her subordinates. If she, not yet the Grand Duchess, made a notable achievement, the people of Speraum territory would naturally think:

‘How much better will things get when she becomes the Grand Duchess?’

Reubellina liked dramatic effects. The more she showcased her abilities, the more her subordinates would think it better for her to take charge. She had already seen this method work effectively in the capital, so she had no doubt it would work here as well.

“Your Grace.”

“Paddington.”

However, many were already tacitly acknowledging her as the Grand Duchess even though the wedding hadn’t taken place. It was stranger to treat her as a regular noblewoman since she had officially entered Speraum Castle, taken the seat next to Tartenon, and taken charge of the internal affairs.

Critically, it was all over when Tartenon didn’t object to Heather calling her ‘Your Grace’.

“The Grand Duke has gone out to tour the borders of the territory.”

“The person I have business with is you, not Ren.”

“With me?”

“Yes.”

Reubellina gestured to Sandy. Sandy handed over the documents she was holding to Paddington.

“Take these and follow me.”

“Yes, understood.”

She walked to Tartenon’s office. The situation had already been thoroughly discussed with Tartenon. His departure under the pretext of inspecting the borders was all part of the plan. Heather had also followed behind her as a pretend escort, as she would play an important role in today’s undertakings.

Reubellina, sitting in the chair Tartenon used in his office, asked Paddington.

“What do you think of the future of Speraum House?”

“Pardon?”

Paddington couldn’t properly answer Reubellina’s sudden question.

‘What’s the intent behind this question?’

He had plenty of prepared responses for formal occasions. But he didn’t think the future Grand Duchess wanted such an answer from him. Therefore, he became more cautious. Having already seen Reubellina’s capability in dealing with Lady Phineus, he knew better than to underestimate her.

“What do you mean by that…”

“Do you think Speraum can develop the way it is now?”

“…It will be difficult.”

Paddington also had eyes to see and ears to hear. Speraum was a remarkable territory with great potential, but the way things were going, it would be difficult. There was almost no point in earning money. It’s all being taken away by other territories and trading companies.

“My Lady, the person in charge of Musen Trading, who established a branch in Speraum, wishes to meet you.”

“Show them in.”

Reubellina smiled brightly at Paddington. With her radiant smile, Paddington stepped aside. As a new guest had arrived, it was proper for him, as a butler, to withdraw. The door to the office opened, and a man entered.

“Nice to meet you. I am Armurr from Musen Trading.”

“Reubellina Assilius.”

“Pleased to meet you, Your Grace.”

Paddington, who had stepped aside, kept his head bowed and didn’t lift his face. Therefore, he didn’t notice the subtle exchange of glances between Armur and Reubellina.

“We wish to sell the popular clothing and food products from the capital here.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It would be great if we could trade with the furs and iron ore of the North.”

“The capital’s trading company trusted me and opened a branch here, so of course, that kind of trade should be permitted.”

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Grace.”

Even while reciting a well-rehearsed script, Reubellina’s face remained calm. This level of acting was necessary to change Paddington’s perception.

“I have to be the reason why a top trading company is in the North.’

She needed to be irreplaceable. While other nobles in the North might not stay idle and could try to bring in the Asillious trading company or others, the first step was always the most important.

Reubellina wanted to hold the title of the first noble to bring a capital trading company to the North. She also aimed to gain a reputation for her business acumen.

‘This will make it easier for me to act.’

She hadn’t come all the way to Speraum to leave empty-handed with only alimony. Reubellina was determined to establish trade between the North and the Musen trading company. She hoped the status of the Musen trading company would be even higher three years later.

Armur continued to explain the products the trading company would bring in. Although she knew all of it, she pretended to listen intently.

“Oh. This ruby is quite high-grade.”

“Your discerning eye is remarkable.”

As he continued to flatter her, Armur went on with his explanations. Paddington and Heather couldn’t hide their interest in the luxurious items Armur was presenting.

The North was not a place where there was much exchange with the capital, and the ruling class was mostly composed of knights, so they did not pay much attention to luxury goods. But seeing the luxuries, clothing, and necessities that Armur laid out made the two realize that the culture of the North would now change. The person to lead this trend would naturally be Reubellina, the Grand Duchess.

“What is the meaning of this!”

Armur would have continued his explanation had it not been for the commotion outside.

‘They’ve arrived.’

A slight smile curled at the corner of Reubellina’s lips, but only Armur, who was watching her closely, noticed the change.

“Sandy.”

“Yes, miss?”

“Go see what’s happening.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Sandy opened the door, someone barged in. Judging by their rather expensive attire, they appeared to be a noble from the North.

Although it was a face she hadn’t seen before, Reubellina immediately knew who the person was. They looked exactly like Emmern.

“The castle’s security is pathetic, isn’t it?”

Reubellina shot a sharp glance at Heather, who was standing behind her. Heather scratched her head awkwardly and spoke.

“Ah, well… ahem! There are many who owe favors to the Count of Phineus.”

“Go and bring them here immediately.”

“Understood.”

Afraid of any backlash, Heather quickly ran out of the office. She would undoubtedly round up everyone in the castle connected to Count Phineus. With Paddington also observing the situation with a serious eye, he would likely try to capture the Count’s lackeys among the servants.

‘For now, my job is to create a pretext.’

It was easy for a young lady making her first appearance in the North to end up looking foolish if she tried to do too much. Although she was being called ‘Your Grace’ in the castle, to the Northerners, Reubellina was merely a Duke’s daughter with no real support in this stronghold.