“Knowing an opponent’s weakness might prove useful someday.”

Nigel replied rather cheerfully and dismissed Count Owen. Buying Rosia Berthe with that money would be very easy. Since money was all Nigel had left anyway, it wasn’t much of a loss.

He would have to return to the kingdom soon to welcome the delegation. One might wonder why he was sent back so abruptly if this was the case, but Nigel already knew the reason. The Queen was conveying that she could dismiss him anytime if he didn’t follow orders.

To Queen Gragford, Nigel was no more than an object with remaining utility value, not a son.

But this time, he had come up with quite an enjoyable plan. A far better option than marrying an unseen princess from Egon already existed right before him.

Rosia Berthe. Since their relationship had already been highlighted, if he used that well, if he pretended to have truly fallen in love with her, he could sway the public and the church rather than the Queen. Queen Gragford valued the people’s respect and trust above all else. She wanted to erase the rumors that she had poisoned her husband to steal the throne. So this wasn’t entirely a meaningless plan.

Nigel gripped his pen tightly, ready to become the pitiful prince who must endure an arranged marriage while having a woman he loves.

＊＊＊

After hearing the news about the delegation’s visit, Rosia couldn’t even remember how she made it back to the mansion. She sat blankly on her bed after changing clothes, turning over Aiden’s words repeatedly in her mind.

Was the kingdom starting formal exchanges with Egon? If so, what would happen to her brothers held there? Would Her Majesty the Queen help them?

Even as she tried to think positively, anxiety kept surging up. What if Her Majesty had never considered the Berthe family? What if she simply ignored it as a matter for the family to resolve……

Perhaps this was the natural result. Until before the business started, several noble families had been enticed by the Berthe family’s venture and lined up to participate, but now they all pretended not to know and only demanded repayment of debts. While it would have been an achievement worthy of the Queen’s personal commendation if successful, now it was merely an individual matter since it had failed.

“Miss, shall I bring some warm tea?”

The nanny who had been watching worriedly spoke up suddenly. Rosia only then noticed her presence and smiled awkwardly.

“I’m sorry, nanny. I’d like to be alone today.”

“Yes, I understand. Please call if you need anything.”

Though the nanny still looked worried, she nodded and left the room. Rosia sat alone in the quiet room as the evening sun set, thinking for a long while. Actually, until returning to the mansion, she had planned to run straight to her father with this news. But she stopped, thinking he might already know. After all, her father must be more troubled than Rosia right now.

Rosia needed to do what she could from her position. Her father would never request any help from her. So she had to continue her work as a governess and save what little money she could to prove her worth. Not as someone who danced with men while dressed prettily and smiled like a flower, but as a member of the Berthe family.

I mustn’t waver. Rosia decided to wait until new information arrived. Nothing had happened yet. It wasn’t wise to stop what she was doing out of premature worry. Rosia steadied herself this way.

That’s when someone burst through the door.

“Did you hear Grand Duke Gragford went back? What have you been doing, unable to capture even one man?”

Baroness Luther plopped down unceremoniously in a chair while stamping her feet. Rosia was startled at first but quickly calmed down. It was common for the Baroness to visit without notice. Besides, this was expected since she heard from Aiden that the Grand Duke had gone back. The news must have already spread throughout society, so the already anxious Baroness would certainly know. Rosia silently watched the Baroness without even greeting her. The Baroness soon frowned and banged the table.

“There’s no help for it, Rosia. Now that it’s clear the Grand Duke has no feelings for you, we must find another match.”

Rosia’s head was already throbbing. Baron and Baroness Luther were far more persistent and tough than she had expected. She thought they would give up by now, but instead they became more energetic like grass after rain. Moreover, while they claimed to care about the Berthe family more than anyone, their actions showed they were just pitiful people trying to collect crumbs from successful matchmaking. Well, it’s easy to say.

“I hear there will be a grand banquet to celebrate the delegation’s visit, so prepare yourself. Are you listening, Rosia?”

As Rosia had expected, Baroness Luther seemed unconcerned about what happened to the Berthe sons. As if only the family’s survival mattered. Rosia felt nauseated. Until now, she had endured whatever the Baron and Baroness Luther said for her father’s sake. But she had no idea they would be this subhuman.

“Does the Baron and Baroness even care what happens to my brothers?”

“What are you saying, Rosia? This is all for your brothers.”

The Baroness replied while avoiding eye contact. It was a behavior that showed she knew she wasn’t being honest. Rosia bit her lip in disgust. Numerous thoughts swirled in her mind but wouldn’t organize themselves. She was already dizzy from the news about the delegation’s visit, and now the Baroness appeared as if on cue to upset her further. To the Baron and Baroness of Luther, Rosia was just an object to be dressed up and sold.

“Well, I’ll visit again soon. In the meantime, lose some weight and take care of your skin.”

The Baroness left the room hurriedly before Rosia could say anything. Her steps were so quick it almost looked like she was running away. Only after her thin shoulders disappeared did Rosia let out a sigh.

＊＊＊

“Princess Phoebe Egon of the Egon Kingdom will accompany this delegation. And the itinerary includes visiting the island to tour the principality. Naturally, Your Highness must accompany them.”

Nigel was listening to Count Owen’s report with a bored expression. Though various contents were included, to him they were all tedious and irritating news. Nigel raised his hand to interrupt Count Owen.

“Did you find out what relationship he has with Aiden Hess?”

Though Count Owen looked somewhat flustered by the sudden personal question during an important report, perhaps due to his long experience working with Nigel, he soon answered calmly.

“Yes, Your Highness. Lady Berthe is working as a governess for the Hess family.”

“A governess?”

“Yes.”

Nigel was dumbfounded. After being so proud, she ended up as just a governess for a count’s family. Was she trying to pay back the debt somehow? How long would it take to pay back the debt with such small money? Nigel leaned deep into his chair’s backrest and asked again.

“She’s not teaching Aiden Hess, but his brother?”

“According to information from the count’s servants, that’s correct. It’s a child named Rey Hess, and for some reason, the Count ordered him to stay only in the mansion. He even lives alone without any servants.”

Count Owen, who had been rattling off the information he brought, lowered his voice slightly.

“But there’s something strange.”

“What is it?”

“All the governesses who worked for the Hess family have either been seriously injured in accidents or died. The longest-serving governess lasted only 3 months.”

It was an unsettling story by anyone’s standards. Even with a string of bad luck, it was strange for several people to have accidents. Nigel frowned and waited for Count Owen to continue.

“I heard many servants fear Rey Hess, saying there’s a demon in his body.”

“A demon.”

Nigel sneered. It was amusing that there were still fools who believed in demons in this day and age. This wasn’t ancient times. Nigel was only interested in the relationship between Aiden Hess and Rosia Berthe, so rumors circulating in that family weren’t important. It oddly bothered him that Rosia was working as a governess for the Hess family. After pondering for a while, Nigel suddenly spoke.

“Bring me information about Aiden Hess for the time being.”

Count Owen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What are you thinking, Your Highness?”

“That’s not something the Count needs to know.”

Though Count Owen quietly closed his mouth, his doubts didn’t disappear. He couldn’t easily leave his seat, worried about what their great Grand Duke might do next. However, as Nigel gave him looks to leave quickly, he had no choice but to turn around. After taking a couple of steps, he suddenly realized the most important news remained and looked back.

“Ah, and Lady Berthe recently caught a severe cold and was ill for several days.”

Nigel’s hand stopped flipping through documents. Was it because of what happened at Lake Park? She’s so weak anyway.

“Send her tea that’s good for colds. Under your name,  Count Owen.”

If it was said Nigel sent it, that woman would probably give it away again, so the meaning was to send it anonymously. Count Owen answered that he understood and left the office. Nigel put down his pen and turned his chair to look out the window. The red sun was slowly sinking over the not-too-distant sea.

He recalled the image of Rosia Berthe collapsed in the rain. It was fortunate he had followed her, annoyed by how stubbornly she was acting — who knows what might have happened if Nigel hadn’t been there. He had willingly gotten covered in muddy water to save that woman. The reason was simple. He couldn’t leave a collapsed person alone.