A Fine-Looking Dud…

Hailey Brooke, a maid in the Crown Prince’s Palace, was granted the title and estate of the Count of Vernette by the Emperor as a reward for her great service in quelling the rebellion instigated by the Duchy of Simodel.

“Lady of the Count of Vernette.”

Thanks to the Emperor’s generosity, Hailey had acquired noble status and thus the qualifications necessary to marry Crown Prince Kincaid. However, the Emperor did not immediately give his blessing to the marriage of the next heir to the throne.

“The remnants of the traitors have yet to be eradicated, so joyous events in the Imperial Palace will be postponed for now.”

Kincaid protested the decision, but Hailey actually felt relieved. She needed time to adapt to the sudden, drastic changes in her surroundings. After all, her prospective husband was none other than the heir to the Empire.

“It’s better to take my time and prepare carefully.”

However, there was one—seemingly small—problem that arose during her wedding preparations. Namely, the fact that the County of Vernette she had been granted was a bankrupt and extinct family.

A fine-looking dud. After reading the documents presented by a Treasury official, Hailey could only mutter those words to herself.

“There’s also an abandoned mine in the northern mountains, some warehouses, and a small boat, but I’ll have to dig deeper into the records before I can give you details.”

The official added this with a sheepish expression, but Hailey silently glared at the yellowed papers in front of her. The old, discolored pages listed the assets of the Vernette family. Brushing away the thick layer of dust, Hailey read them closely, and once again could not help but think to herself—

‘I could loot a random village storage and still find more than this. It’s a ruin, a total ruin.’

The assets of the Count’s household—which had been forced to return its title to the Crown because it could no longer bear its debts—were nothing short of wreckage. The territory was gone, the carriages had been pawned off, and every last thing had been sold to pay creditors.

‘At least the Empire’s law forgives all debts after a hundred years…’

If not for that, she would have to break open her own modest, fragile savings to host a debt-clearing feast. Still, just in case there was something salvageable, Hailey asked the official:

“Does the County of Vernette happen to own any other properties?”

The capital residence was already in ruins, but if there were even a small estate in the countryside, it could help immensely.

“Ah, there is a villa near the capital. It hasn’t been maintained for a long time, but with some repairs, it could be sold.”

Hailey brightened at his words.

“Really? Where is it located?”

“Do you happen to know of a village called Fugas, by the River Swin?”

At the official’s question, Hailey furrowed her brows slightly. Fugas… that name sounded familiar.

“It was once a famous resort spot. These days it’s just a humble rural village.”

Even with the official’s added explanation, Hailey remained deep in thought.

‘Still… Fugas Village… I’m sure I’ve heard that name somewhere before.’

“The scenery is lovely. The building’s frame is solid, so if you take this opportunity to renovate it entirely, someone will surely want to buy it.”

Yes, but where exactly would the repair funds come from? Looking down at the stack of documents proving the ruin of her new holdings, Hailey could only sigh. Wasn’t a future Crown Princess’s life supposed to be lined with roses? Why was hers still an endless pilgrimage of hardship?

“Oh—there’s something I forgot to mention. According to Imperial custom, a lady designated as the future Crown Princess is to receive a grant of money from His Majesty the Emperor.”

“!”

“It’s quite a large amount. Enough to repair the villa and still have plenty left for living expenses—”

“So how do I get it?”

Ignoring the refined speech expected of a noble lady, Hailey cut the official off mid-sentence. But to her disappointment, the man gave her an awkward look.

“Well, Lady Vernette… that grant is currently being managed by Her Highness, Princess Catherine.”

“Since Lady Vernette is still young and without a guardian, I will personally take care of her for a time.”

Princess Catherine’s words seemed considerate of Hailey’s situation, but everyone in the palace understood the truth behind them.

‘So she means to train the future Crown Princess to her liking.’

Naturally, Hailey wasn’t oblivious to the princess’s real motive.

‘Bleeding a flea dry, are we? How much could that grant be, that you’d try to take it for yourself?’

Setting down her cup, Hailey rose to her feet. Unfortunately for the princess, she had no intention of meekly accepting the situation.

“How honored I am that Her Highness would care for me so much. I must go to the main palace at once to offer my gratitude.”

Speaking now with the polished social tone she had become accustomed to, Hailey smiled sweetly.

***

“So? Did you settle things with the princess?”

Kincaid, lounging with a slouch at the far end of the long rectangular dining table, asked the question. Hailey simply shrugged.

“Unfortunately, I’ve visited the main palace several times, but she refuses to meet me.”

“And what excuses did she give?”

“Oh, a variety of reasons. Her schedule was packed, she wasn’t feeling well, and so on—she said she couldn’t receive visitors for one reason or another.”

At that, Kincaid gave a derisive snort.

“With the Empress Dowager in seclusion for her recovery, it seems Her Highness the Princess has grown quite overbearing.”

Empress Dowager Margarita, fearing that her near-betrayal in siding with the Duchy of Simodel during the recent rebellion might be exposed, had shut herself away. Princess Catherine had seized this opportunity to flaunt her authority.

Rumor had it that she was using every possible means to sway the Emperor, aiming to gain control over the Imperial Court’s internal affairs during this time.

‘When the tiger’s away, the fox plays king…’

Hailey found the princess’s blatant behavior more amusing than offensive.

“Don’t worry—I’ll recover every single coin of the Imperial grant. In times like these, when every penny counts, there’s no way I’ll let such a large sum be taken from me.”

Kincaid gave a faint chuckle at Hailey’s determined expression.

“Of course you will. You’re the kind of person who can endure injustice but not personal loss.”

Even when he brought up her days as a probationary maid—when she had stubbornly raided the storerooms after finishing her assignment at the Crown Prince’s Palace—Hailey remained unbothered.

“Naturally.”

She replied with confidence, then lifted the elegant card she had brought with her into the dining room.

“And on top of all this, the Duchess of Siela has sent me a most thoughtful letter.”

“What did she say?”

At the mention of the Emperor’s most beloved consort sending Hailey a letter, Kincaid slowly raised an eyebrow. Hailey, looking over the luxurious card sent from the Summer Palace, began to read its contents aloud.

“She congratulates me on being granted the title of Countess, and says she’s looking forward to the celebration to be held at the Vernette estate.”

Kincaid gave a cold smile at her report.

“How very like the Duchess.”

Given that Hailey had inherited a purely nominal countship—with neither a mansion nor any assets—it was only natural she had no means to host such a party. Sending a letter expressing anticipation for a celebration she knew could not realistically take place was nothing short of malicious.

“Seems you have as many enemies in the palace as I do.”

“It’s terribly unfair. I’ve only ever been a diligent, competent maid, after all.”

Hailey answered calmly, though inwardly she did feel a little aggrieved. She still wasn’t entirely sure how she’d ended up marked by this tyrant of a Crown Prince and roped into becoming his fiancée— and now, she had even earned the jealousy of the Emperor’s favorite consort. It was unfair beyond measure.

“I can’t help feeling I’m the one losing out the most in this marriage.”

Hailey stuck out her lower lip on purpose, grumbling in mock complaint, and Kincaid gave a deliberate snort.

“If you want to marry the Empire’s most handsome man—one with both power and wealth—you ought to be able to shoulder at least that much risk.”