Chapter 86

"Lady!"

Mari brought the news much faster than expected.

"I found out what the preparations are that Sir Demon's secretary is working on."

Sir Demon was a gentleman of advanced age who had managed the Vine family's assets since before I was born. Though he wasn't a particularly warm person, his secretary, who valued our long-standing relationship, seemed to care deeply about us, which is why Mari was able to hear important news in advance. Even when my parents passed away and the title went to my uncle, Sir Demon handled the affairs with a cold, clear head, but a few of his subordinates, including the secretary, felt sorry for my situation and offered their help. Although my uncle's sharp vigilance prevented us from receiving any substantial assistance, I still appreciated their kindness.

"Lord Vine is preparing to transfer land."

"Transfer land?"

"Yes. The land is being transferred by Lord Eylesford."

Judging from Mari's unusually dark expression, I could guess that this wasn't good news, but the story she told was even more surprising than I expected.

"Considering the documents Sir Demon has been reviewing over the past few days, it seems he's planning to transfer the orchard."

"Orchard... I know which land you're talking about."

If it was that kind of land, it could only be the orchard we received from the eastern noble in exchange for monster hunting. While some might think, "Just that?" about an orchard, this one was special. It produced precious fruits that were even presented to the emperor, making it as valuable as gold. It made sense that my uncle, who knew the situation, would drool over it and push for the deal.

'But...'

I was puzzled. When we first received the orchard, Altear generously offered to transfer the land to the Vine family. At that time, I had persuaded Altear not to give such a valuable asset to my uncle. Altear, respecting my wishes, had completely abandoned the plan. It didn't make sense for him to push the matter again without any discussion.

'Altear isn't the type to forget such things.'

"Seems like it's not a real transfer."

At my brief assessment, Mari, who had been stomping her feet in anger, widened her eyes.

"Then Lord Altear must have other intentions... Why didn't he tell you beforehand..."

I found that puzzling too. If it was something to be resolved with my uncle, it should have been my problem, and we should have discussed it beforehand.

'But what's even more puzzling is...'

The way things were progressing, considering Altear's involvement, seemed overly sloppy. If he had truly set his mind to it, I wouldn't have known anything about what was happening between my uncle and Altear. Instead, Altear chose to reveal things to me in a somewhat sloppy manner.

'As if he wants me to notice on purpose.'

Even now, he seems to be deliberately giving Mari and me time to talk. The moment I reached this conclusion, my mind felt enlightened. Could it be that Altear wants me to notice something on my own?

"...Mari. What time is the lawyer arriving at the mansion tomorrow?"

"He's scheduled to arrive around 8 PM."

Then I have plenty of time to investigate on my own.

'If it's a matter involving the family lawyer, and something Altear has to handle personally...'

The scope is not broad.

***

Lord Vine hummed a tune all morning, and those who served him closely, as well as the servants of the Vine family who worked from a distance, could easily tell that he was in a good mood. Melissa also knew that her father was in high spirits, but unlike the ordinary servants, she understood why he was so happy.

"Father, do we really need to take over this land?"

Sitting across from Lord Vine during lunch, Melissa put down her knife and asked with a disinterested look. Lord Vine raised an eyebrow as if to say, "What are you talking about?"

"Why question the need? If they're offering the land, we should take it."

"Eventually, all of Eylesford's assets will be ours. When I become the baroness."

"True, but there's a difference between land being 'Vine's' and 'Eylesford's.'"

"'Vine' is yours, and 'Eylesford' isn't, right?"

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Annoyed by her sarcastic tone, Lord Vine loudly put down his utensils and glared at her. Though he phrased it as a question, he had already seen through Melissa's intentions.

'Hmph. She's upset that I'm taking my share now that she thinks she'll soon be a baroness.'

Since Lord Vine mentioned that she would become a baroness, Melissa had been walking around with her chin held high, as if she already owned Eylesford. With a father who had swallowed the Vine family, which she thought she would never inherit, the position of a baroness in a rural noble family seemed easy to obtain. The fact that Nadia Vine, a foolish girl, was holding the position didn't even make her nervous. When she heard that Lord Eylesford was transferring valuable land to the Vines, she was initially delighted. But after some thought, she realized that while it might be good for her father, it could be a loss for her. Thinking that Eylesford would soon be in her hands, she started to feel greedy. Indeed, like father, like daughter. Despite sensing her father's warning, Melissa shrugged as if she knew nothing, a tactic she had learned from her father.

"Transferring land involves a lot of procedures."

"The lawyer will handle everything, so what's there to worry about?"

"That lawyer is a problem. I find him very uncomfortable."

"Well... he's not exactly a pleasant person, but..."

Melissa, who was used to the servants bowing to her, had always found the stiff Demon uncomfortable, but Lord Vine liked him. The family lawyer, Demon, was a thorough legalist. Even when the previous lord was alive, he tried to win him over to his side, but the stubborn legalist remained rigid. To him, only the law, documents, and contracts mattered.

'In other words...'

As long as it didn't violate the law and the documents were solid, he wouldn't question other aspects.

'Fortunately, he's not the type to be swayed by personal feelings.'

If Demon had been the type to be swayed by personal feelings, he wouldn't have been able to so perfectly remove Nadia and take over the Vine family. It was fortunate that he had cut off the roots of those who tried to help Nadia when he noticed them.

"This is already decided, so don't add your two cents, Melissa. I promised to give you something big, so consider this land as a fee."

"Tch. What kind of fee is there between parents and children?"

"If I were the type to be swayed by family ties, would you and I be in this position?"

With that firm statement, Melissa couldn't voice her complaints and pouted.

"Then when will I get the 'big thing'? Not this 'small thing.'"

"It needs to be resolved before Nadia leaves the capital. I'm waiting for the right moment, so be patient. Don't cause any trouble."

"What kind of trouble could I cause?"

"The baron isn't an easy man. He won't be swayed by your beauty, so don't try to dazzle him. It will only make him more suspicious."

"But... Nadia and the baron are openly sharing a room and showing off their affection! What if their relationship deepens while I wait?"

Lord Vine clicked his tongue at his daughter's whining.

"Ultimately, the baron is a nobleman. No one would understand if a wife with a flaw deceived him into marriage. So be patient. Be patient!"

"Ugh. Lectures... I get it!"

Lord Vine sighed at Melissa's childish behavior, wondering if she had really understood.

"Anyway, the lawyer is coming this afternoon, so bring the seal."

Lord Vine extended his hand toward Melissa. She took off a small necklace she wore around her neck and handed it to him. As soon as it touched his hand, the small key-shaped pendant grew into a large key. It was the key to the safe where the family seal was kept. The seal was the most important item representing the lord's will. When nobles inherited their titles, the first thing they did was decide where to hide the seal. No matter who stamped it, a document with the seal was considered the lord's will, carrying more weight than a signature. Therefore, nobles always kept their seals hidden and only used them for important matters. Today, for a land transfer contract, a seal was needed instead of a signature, as it had to be approved by the emperor.

'No one would have guessed that such an important key was hidden in a noisy daughter's necklace.'

Lord Vine admired his own cleverness and quickly hid the key in his pocket before heading to the empty room of the lady of the house. The safe was connected to his room through a small door, making it easy to move without being noticed by the servants. He entered his room and went through the small door to the lady's room. The safe was revealed by moving a painting on the wall. Humming a tune, Lord Vine opened the safe, took out the seal, and carefully placed it in his pocket. While most people might think of a large stamp when they hear "seal," that was something only the emperor used. The Vine family's seal was about the size of an adult's thumb, but the intricate and complex design made it difficult to forge.

'My wealth will grow again today.'

Lord Vine smiled proudly, put the safe and the painting back in place, and left. He didn't notice the strange shadow that lingered in the room after he left.

***

The appointed time was approaching. Altear, who had been quietly reading a book in his room, calmly stood up as the time neared 8 PM. It seemed he was heading to the place he had agreed to meet with my uncle. I naturally followed him.

"Let's go together."

"Do you know where I'm going?"

"Yes, and I know what you're planning to do."

"Good work."

With a slight smile, Altear extended his hand, offering to escort me.

He didn't ask why I was taking the initiative, nor was he surprised that I wanted to follow.

'See? You planned this from the start.'

Thinking how truly incorrigible he was, I took Altear's hand.