“Haha, isn’t that the same for you, My Lord?”

She flattered him skillfully with a touch of sincerity. Harzen smirked at the mercenary who never missed an opportunity, but he didn’t deny her words.

“Yes. In any case, I hope that ability will carry over to our work together.”

“I hope so too.”

Rizel smiled warmly.

* * *

Despite taking breaks along the way, they were able to arrive in the Darkus region by early evening the next day thanks to the magic carriage. Rizel surveyed her surroundings as she stepped out of the carriage with her employer’s escort.

The Darkus mansion was a grand, stately manor with massive, straight old trees growing nearby that added to its classical atmosphere.

Four people were waiting at the entrance. Judging by their attire, they appeared to be a knight, a head maid, a butler, and an aide—and based on the original story, she had a good idea who they were.

They bowed politely upon seeing Harzen and Rizel.

‘Did my employer give them advance notice? They don’t seem surprised at all.’

While Rizel was internally assessing the situation, one of the men stepped forward.

He had navy blue hair and eyes, wearing a white shirt and black pants, and exuded a cold, strict aura. He pushed up his glasses and began speaking.

“My lord, you’ve arrived exactly at the time you mentioned. Is this lady beside you the one who will become the madam?”

“Yes, Sir Sion.”

Harzen naturally wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Seeing this, curiosity and interest flickered in the eyes of those who had been maintaining respectful attitudes and professional smiles.

Rizel offered a gentle smile and greeted them first.

“Pleased to meet you all. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Yes, madam.”

Even though she and her employer weren’t actually married yet, they already addressed her as the mistress of the mansion and displayed a respectful attitude.

After acknowledging their greetings, Rizel naturally shifted her gaze to her employer. She smiled with her eyes and spoke in a soft voice.

“Harzen, please introduce everyone to me.”

“Of course. The person who spoke first is my aide, Sir Sion Zenders. And in order, the head maid Miria, the butler Kalid, and the knight commander Sir Roderick Mason.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

Confirming that her predictions were correct, Rizel glanced at them again, connecting each name with their face and committing them to memory. They quietly bowed their heads when their eyes met hers.

‘Their attitudes at first meeting aren’t bad. Is it because my employer is present? They were friendly to the female protagonist, but I don’t know how they’ll be with me, so I’ll have to see after spending more time here.’

While Rizel was making her internal assessment, she casually shifted her gaze to the knight commander. Despite his kindly smile, Roderick’s aura was formidable.

‘Wasn’t it mentioned that he could use aura?’

As a mercenary, she couldn’t help but notice someone with combat ability. She reflexively touched the spatial pouch containing her weapons and other supplies.

As subtle glances of mutual assessment passed between those with power, the head maid politely bowed and changed the subject.

“Marquis, shall we head inside now? The madam should also be shown to her room and rest. We need to assign personal maids to her as well.”

“Let’s do that.”

Harzen nodded indifferently.

They all entered the mansion together. In the hall, he looked at her with Sion, Roderick, and Kalid behind him.

“Rizel, go in and rest. I’ll see you again at dinner.”

“Sounds good.”

As Rizel responded with a smile, his voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

[Of course, if something urgent comes up before then, feel free to call me using spirit communication.]

[Yes.]

Rizel responded via spirit communication as well. After the four men walked down a different corridor, the head maid approached her with a kind smile.

“Madam, I’ll show you to the room where you’ll be staying.”

“Yes.”

“Please speak comfortably to the mansion’s staff. To the maids who will serve you as well.”

“Okay.”

Rizel immediately adapted to the feedback. Curious glances from nearby servants passed over her, but they weren’t blatant.

‘Did my employer prepare them in advance? Well, if it reduces things to worry about, that’s good.’

While following the head maid, Rizel habitually observed her surroundings. As they went deeper into the mansion, Miria stopped in front of a certain room and led her inside.

The interior was spacious and splendid. Elegant pearls and blue crystals were displayed throughout, and the furniture and bed were luxurious. The room had a cool atmosphere but also felt cozy.

As she carefully examined the room she’d been shown to, the head maid’s calm voice reached her ears.

“Madam, this is the Wave Room.”
“The name suits it. It seems like a nice room.”

“Of course, as it’s meant for the mistress of the mansion. It’s also the closest to the Marquis’s room.”

Miria’s voice was slightly excited. Based on her reaction, the head maid seemed completely unaware of the contract between her and her employer.

‘I wonder how many people in this mansion know the true nature of my relationship with my employer? Probably just his closest confidants who helped with this arrangement.’

Rizel pushed her small doubt to the back of her mind and deliberately put on a smile full of excitement. Her previously impassive face brightened, and her cheeks took on a faint rosy hue.

“I like it.”

“It was the Marquis’s instruction, so I’m glad you’re satisfied. Now I’ll bring the personal maids who will attend to you. Please wait a moment.”

The head maid bowed respectfully before leaving. Rizel sat down on the plush sofa and became lost in thought. She had prepared herself for territorial behavior, but the situation was unfolding more smoothly than expected.

‘Hmm, it seems my employer has done a good job. It’s too early to judge by first impressions, but the staff seems well-disciplined.’

Suddenly, she recalled her participation in the territorial war in the west. The nobles there had chaotic household situations in many ways. Her client there had been somewhat better since his competitors had all unexpectedly collapsed.

Shortly after, the head maid returned to the room with two maids. She presented the young-faced maids and explained in a gentle voice:

“Madam, these two will be your personal maids from now on.”

“I see.”

As Rizel nodded, the two maids introduced themselves with slightly nervous expressions and bowed politely.

“I’m Eina.”

“I’m Moka.”

Eina had braided reddish-orange hair and chestnut-colored eyes, while Moka had chestnut-colored hair tied up and matching eyes. They all had gentle-looking expressions.

“Good, I look forward to working with all of you.”

“Yes!”

The personal maids responded energetically. The head maid quietly withdrew, leaving the three of them. Rizel soothed the still-stiff personal maids and helped ease the atmosphere.

As the mood became more relaxed, Rizel examined the faces of the two smiling maids and casually tested them.

“I’m curious about something. May I ask?”

“Yes, of course!”

The maids nodded eagerly in response. Rizel slowly opened her mouth.

“I’m curious about the atmosphere of the mansion and the rumors about me. And what is Harzen like in the mansion?”

* * *

Meanwhile, Harzen entered the lord’s office with the others and sat on the sofa. Seated opposite his retainers, he looked first at Sion.

“Sir Sion, there won’t be any issues with the wedding preparations, correct?”

“No, of course not.”

Sion answered in a businesslike tone while pushing up his glasses. He already had documents in his hand. Harzen nodded and scanned the group.

“That’s good. So, is anyone perplexed about my bringing her here?”

“No. I’m simply pleased that the mansion now has a mistress.”

Kalid, the butler with ash-gray hair, smiled contentedly. Sion, scribbling on documents that could have been handled with a simple signature, added:

“I have no complaints either. I trust my lord’s judgment, which has developed this territory.”

“That’s surprising. I thought Sir Sion would complain about wasting the budget.”

“Me? When you need a wife for public appearances, I have no reason to nitpick.”

Sion responded indifferently with a shrug. The middle-aged knight commander cut in with a sly smile.

“Well, it’s surprising that she’s the famous Black Sword Master from the west. Even at a glance, she looks formidable. I’m glad that our lord has finally found someone who can handle him.”

“Sir Roderick, you seem to have high expectations for what is merely a contract marriage.”

“That’s fine. Many relationships start that way and develop into something deeper. What was it—even the Duke and Duchess of Harrington in the eastern region developed from an arranged marriage, I hear.”

Roderick playfully countered. Harzen gave a hollow laugh.

“Somehow you seem more excited than I am, the person actually involved.”

“Of course. I thought my lord would live as a bachelor forever with only spirits by his side. Even if it’s a contract, experiencing a marital relationship based on affection with someone will be a good experience.”

“…”

“Well, perhaps that relationship might develop into something genuine.”

Roderick’s voice was deep. He hoped for his lord’s relationship circle to expand—beyond family, retainers, people connected by mutual interests, and spirits.

Harzen’s eyes darkened. He stated coldly:

“That probably won’t happen.”