Chapter 5

Duke Dietrich’s Monday began with a report on the major performance of investment companies.

In fact, Andert had been diversifying his investments in various stocks in addition to the investments made public under the name Dietrich. Of course, Andert’s personal identity as an investor was rarely exposed to the public.

“The operation of large cruise ships for tourism purposes will begin in earnest within the next year. The return on investment in this sector over the past five years will also rise sharply from then on.”

After finishing the report, the employee gauged Duke Dietrich’s mood. Andert was known for his sharp, uncompromising attitude when it came to numbers. He was also notorious for skillfully pointing out loopholes that the person in charge had missed.

“Let’s end it here for today.”

At Andert’s brief response, the employees stood up as if they had been waiting and rose in unison. A sense of relief permeated the air from their backs as they rushed to open the door and disappear.

Daniel, who was looking at them with envious eyes, cleared his throat. He still had a report to make to the Duke about a separate matter.

“This is a list of stocks, real estate, and bonds owned by Lady Fabiana Dietrich, the Grand Dame. There is no significant difference from last year. There are no particular changes in the status of the assets that Patrick received in advance. However, I have confirmed that an investment company was recently established under Patrick’s name.”

“An investment company?”

Deep distrust was embedded in his voice as he asked back. An investment company run by a cousin who couldn’t even manage his own affairs properly? It was laughable.

“Yes. The inflow of funds is gradually increasing. It seems to be in its early stages, currently raising investment funds targeting nobles.”

So this was the reason why Patrick had been frequenting social gatherings lately.

He sneered, understanding the approximate situation. Fabiana had always been involved in Patrick’s actions and judgments. This time would be no different. After all, Fabiana wouldn’t give up so easily.

Andert gave an order with cold eyes.

“Keep an eye on this movement. And secure the scale of funds they are attracting and the list of investors.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I will do so.”

Daniel bowed his head after confirming the name that the Duke’s finger pointed to: Patrick. It wasn’t a particularly surprising situation. It was not uncommon for fights over inheritance rights to be accompanied by bloody power struggles.

Moreover, Patrick was the Duke’s cousin, but he was adopted into the Dietrich family. If anything were to happen to Andert now, he would be the first to claim the right of succession.

That fact alone was enough reason for the Duke to be wary of Patrick. Daniel had no objections to that.

***

The train departed from Bergen and ran without stopping. Chloe stared blankly out the window, lit only by a small starlight. The brief moment of leisure was interrupted by Harper, who started talking to her again.

“Miss Chloe, you must know a lot about the capital, right? Actually, this is my second time in the capital. Even then, the first time was only for about a week, so I barely know anything about it.”

“Ah, yes.”

“I heard that Tickelon’s accommodation is near the Royal Library. Then where is the office we’ll be working at? I received the address, but I have no idea just by looking at it.”

Harper, who spread out the map of the capital and bombarded her with questions, was full of excitement. Considering the symbolism of the capital, it was understandable.

Chloe calmly pointed to a spot on the map.

“The office and our accommodation are around here. The capital is divided into north and south by the Deve River, and we are in the north. The Royal Library is here, and the exhibition hall and major cultural facilities are also near here.”

“Wow, you really know a lot. I don’t know how relieved I am to have you by my side, Miss Chloe.”

Her curious colleague’s face seemed to hold no malice. Harper, who expressed pure admiration, drew a circle on the map. It was the location Chloe had just pointed to.

Harper, who was about to make a fresh start, talked for a long time like that. Even after returning to their beds, her small questions were endless.

“I heard there’s a big festival in the capital starting next week. To think we get to see a grand event as soon as we arrive. Don’t you think it’s a good start?”

“Yes. There are many things to see in the capital, so you’ll be able to see a lot.”

Chloe couldn’t be as happy as her colleague, but she tried to match the mood appropriately.

Meanwhile, Harper’s voice, which had been gradually fading, disappeared. The two-person room they shared began to be filled with the sound of her colleague’s steady breathing as she fell asleep. Only then did Chloe turn around and lean against the wall. She hadn’t drawn the curtains, so the night sky outside the window was visible as it was.

It’s okay, I can do well.

This was a silent pledge she had been repeating to herself countless times lately. Unlike her life in Bergen, she had to meet many people directly in the capital. Especially considering that the main customers of artwork were nobles, the probability of running into familiar faces was high.

Of course, there was someone she wanted to meet first. It was the Countess of Declen. Aside from the letter Aaron had given her, Chloe also wanted to update the Countess on her current situation.

Andert’s face suddenly came to mind, but they were no longer in a relationship where they had to meet separately. Besides, there were many watchful eyes all over the capital.

Chloe closed her eyes tightly, trying to erase the thought. But the chain of thought led to another place. It was the bond he had given her, calling it alimony. But she had been so busy that she had forgotten about it and couldn’t even remember the exact name of the bond company.

As Chloe vaguely recalled the name, her eyes slowly began to close. Her exhausted body, weary from finishing her work in Bergen without any setbacks, quickly fell into a deep sleep. The train, with all its passengers lying in bed, sped along, leaving a long trail behind.

Straight towards the capital, the last stop.

***

From early morning, the capital was crowded with people who had gathered from all over Artion.

Hotels and accommodations in the downtown area were packed with people who came to enjoy the festival. The chaos was extreme, with all sorts of colorful signposts lining the streets and endless performances.

Johannes was a king who had ascended to the throne but omitted even a grand coronation ceremony. The temporary holiday, designated for a week to commemorate the National Foundation Day, had caused a stir throughout Artion.

The carriage Andert was riding in couldn’t pick up speed due to the increased traffic. This was because people flocked to see the events and performances held all over the city.

A strategy to win the hearts of the people.

Andert admired the driving force of Johannes, who had planned all of this.

It was before the agenda to suspend the loan to Daloa was brought up from the royal palace. It wasn’t a bad strategy to win the people’s favor like this beforehand. It was true that he had also begun phased consultations with Count Declen, who controlled the parliament. So, as someone who supported the plan, a few days of commotion was enough to endure.

However, when the wait exceeded two hours, he couldn’t help but click his tongue in annoyance. Moreover, the conference room he had finally arrived at was empty.

It seems that even those who promised to meet are stuck on the road.

Suppressing his faint irritation, he turned around without delay. He refused to wait mindlessly in an empty conference room.

Andert, leaving Daniel behind, headed straight for the Royal Library, which shared a wall with the parliament building. He was thinking of completing the guest book signing that he had been asked to do several times already.

There was a matter that had been persistently requested by the royal palace and parliament for a month now.

It was a request to leave a congratulatory message in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the library’s establishment. It was not a strange request, as Dietrich had been a patron since the establishment of the library. But it was difficult to make time for it separately, so this was a good opportunity.

“Thank you for coming. Duke Dietrich, are you planning to look around the library? It has undergone many renovations over the years, so the interior is quite different from before. If you need, I can guide you.”

The director of the library hurriedly followed the Duke, who had finished signing the guest book in elegant handwriting. But he was soon stopped by a smooth refusal.

“No, it’s fine. Please go ahead.”

“Yes. Then, please take a look around. Thank you for your precious time today, Your Grace.”