Baden (6)

“How did you…?”

It was possible Harry, who was on the same floor, had overheard part of the conversation.

But Reichardt, who had been at the entrance on another floor, shouldn’t have been able to hear a thing.

The butler standing beside the man wore his usual expression—he appeared completely unaware of what had occurred in the private meeting.

“I heard it.”

Alicia looked up at Reichardt with a face full of suspicion.

“That’s… That’s impossible…”

The amber eyes that had been looking ahead now turned to her.

Reichardt’s expression shifted slightly as he spoke again.

“I heard it.”

Alicia grew increasingly confused.

It shouldn’t have been possible.

It was impossible.

And yet, she herself had already experienced the impossible.

“…Your Grace, what are you?”

Alicia looked at Reichardt as if he were something strange.

He responded with a faint smile.

“Let’s go. The Marquess’s estate is large, and the gate is far.”

Even as he spoke, Alicia continued to stare up at his face.

No matter when she looked at it, his appearance always seemed otherworldly.

And now, for him to have such an absurdly sharp sense of hearing—he was simply unfathomable.

“How much did you hear?”

Alicia muttered vaguely like she used to in the past.

She was so flustered, the words barely came out.

“Stop looking.”

Reichardt replied without answering.

Alicia nodded but didn’t avert her gaze.

She couldn’t look away from the platinum-blond hair shining in the backlight.

His amber eyes, as if they saw through everything, were mesmerizing.

“Why do they call Your Grace ‘Demon with the Axe’?”

Suddenly, Alicia recalled the most destructive of the many titles he was known by.

She unintentionally spoke her honest question.

She really didn’t understand.

Reichardt didn’t answer, only muttering, “You sure know a lot,” as he strode ahead.

Alicia felt relieved that she hadn’t said the full nickname—“the giant, red-skinned Demon wielding an axe”—and followed him.

Outside the Marquess’s estate gates stood Roderick and the knights.

Upon seeing the Grand Duke, the knights changed formation, preparing to depart.

Despite having asked Alicia to see him off, Reichardt opened the gate himself.

Rather than using the grand central gate, he took the practical, smaller side gate.

As he stepped out, he looked back toward the manor.

“Alicia.”

It was a sudden call.

“Yes?”

Alicia reflexively replied, surprised that Reichardt knew her name.

More precisely, she was surprised that he used just her name.

It made sense he’d know it—he had recited her full title when they first met.

She understood that logically, but never truly internalized it.

Now, hearing her name aloud made it real.

“There’s no particular meaning behind this. I’m only saying it so you’ll be aware. Even without requesting it from the Imperial Family, you may use Luderne Castle at any time, should the need arise.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

Alicia responded with a bewildered expression.

“It’s getting cold. Go inside. Thank you for seeing me off.”

Putting on his gloves, Reichardt headed toward the horse Roderick had prepared.

Once he mounted, he disappeared from view in an instant.

Alicia stood for a long time, watching his back.

That was when she realized he had heard everything.

And she realized something else, too.

She didn’t know what meaning lay behind the words he said were meaningless.

But to Alicia, what he claimed was meaningless held deep meaning.

Only later did she begin to wonder why Reichardt had come today—but that could wait.

What mattered now was acting on what she had just realized.

Alicia’s face was calm when she returned to the mansion.

As she stepped through the entrance, Daisy came to greet her.

“My lady. You’re back.”

“Daisy, pack my things. As soon as preparations are done, we’ll go to Luderne.”

She spoke in a flat voice, her expression quiet.

What Alicia possessed now gave her the power to declare farewells.

And the ones she’d be parting from were her family.

It was an unexpected turn, but it was time to say goodbye.

To Alicia, though, it wasn’t a farewell—it was a moment of independence.

Luderne had received a new mistress.

Until now, it had been managed by people from Viscount Caruso’s household, under imperial command.

The new mistress didn’t strip them of their duties or drive them out.

Nor did they immediately become servants of the soon-to-be countess.

Instead, she requested a meeting with Viscount Caruso and worked to coordinate opinions.

The imperial order to Caruso had not yet been rescinded.

Alicia politely asked the Viscount to continue fulfilling that command.

The Viscount had no real choice—he didn’t want to displease Luderne’s new mistress and behaved courteously.

Alicia asked him to come directly to her if the imperial orders ever changed.

She also said, gently, that if he agreed, she would prefer for him to continue managing Luderne with his own people.

To him, it was a good offer.

The Viscount had been receiving a considerable silver stipend from the imperial family in exchange for managing Luderne.

Alicia’s comment that he should inform her of any changes to imperial orders was her way of saying she would pay him directly and entrust him with the work.

Viscount Caruso bowed just as he had when receiving the imperial decree.

Alicia spent quite a while having tea with him.

She asked about the political climate in the capital, his personal interests, and even about his family relationships.

The Viscount answered sincerely.

He admitted, somewhat embarrassed, that he had long been interested in searching for treasure islands and sunken treasure ships, ever since reading about them as a child.

Normally, this kind of talk from an aging nobleman would draw scornful laughter.

But perhaps because Luderne’s lady was still young, she showed keen interest instead.

The Viscount excitedly shared stories—secret ones that no one else cared about.

Alicia encouraged him, saying the places he spoke of really did sound like they might hide treasure.

The Viscount, who would have normally hesitated, confessed that due to financial hardship he was thinking of giving up on his wild venture.

Then, to his disbelief, Alicia offered to become an investor.

While drinking tea and nibbling cookies, they negotiated the contract kindly and thoughtfully.

Even as he signed the investment contract, the Viscount couldn’t believe it.

It was a venture everyone had mocked.

Now, someone with a bright future and royal ties had become his backer.

Though there would be no immediate return on the investment, the Viscount begged to do something in return for Alicia.

Alicia asked only that his eldest daughter visit once every seven days to advise her on outfits.

It was a condition far too modest compared to the investment.

The Viscount had been courteous upon arriving at Luderne, but when he left, he was more humble than ever.

He couldn’t hide the joy and excitement on his face.

He was finally able to pursue the dream of a lifetime.

“Viscount, is something the matter?”

Sven, a footman working at Luderne, spoke to him.

“What do you think of the new mistress of Luderne? She’s a noble daughter of the Rain family, so I suppose she must be generous?”

“Don’t tell me…”

Sven looked at the Viscount in shock.

“What is it?”

“Did Her Ladyship invest in your treasure hunt?”

Even Sven didn’t quite believe what he was saying.

“…H-How did you know…?”

The Viscount was just as surprised.

Everything since his arrival at Luderne had gone so well, it felt almost unreal.

Surely this couldn’t be his life.

He looked at Sven as if bracing for a twist of fate.

“Seems like Her Ladyship really means to find that treasure.”

Sven looked at him wide-eyed with amazement.

“What are you talking about?”

The Viscount blinked in confusion.

“I’ve run a few errands for her already. She’s been looking into or purchasing things no one else cares about. Among the things I delivered, some still haven’t changed, and some succeeded—but nothing has failed. So I figure your treasure hunt will work out too. Don’t give up, sir.”

Sven lowered his voice as he opened the carriage door.

With wide, round eyes, the Viscount stared at Sven as he climbed into the carriage.

The door shut, and the swift carriage raced toward the gate.

Alicia’s stay at Luderne drew only mild curiosity.

It wasn’t much of a topic.

The tentative consensus was that since she was to marry into the Imperial Family, the move must have been ordered by the royals.

Compared to the public’s quiet reaction, the imperial court and the Marquess of Rain paid close attention to Alicia’s residence at Luderne.

The most surprised of all was Reichardt.

“My lady.”

Though Reichardt had told Alicia she could use Luderne, he hadn’t expected her to take up residence there.

The Emperor, other royals, and even the Marquess of Rain probed him for clues about her strange behavior.

Reichardt didn’t speak carelessly about his betrothed.

He was surprised by Alicia’s unexpected decisiveness and didn’t rush to see her right away.

Only after finishing his duties and when he had business with her did he arrange a meeting.

“Come in.”

After confirming the voice from inside, Daisy opened the door and ushered him in.

“Please enter.”

Reichardt waited until Daisy had fully opened the door before stepping inside.

Several tables were arranged in the spacious room.

Sheets of folded paper sat atop the tables.

Reichardt scanned the writing on them as he walked in.

“Your Grace.”

“Dispense with the formalities. How have you been? Clear the room.”

Reichardt removed his leather gloves as he approached Alicia.

He spoke in passing to Daisy, who stood near the door.

Without insisting on any etiquette, she quietly closed the door and withdrew.

“I’ve been well—quite busy, in fact.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. Very busy, it seems. I came to inform you of something. The table placements for the Great Hall on the day of the title conferment have finally been finalized.”

The royal man—clearly weary of all things royal—moved about the room.

Reichardt stepped between the tables, rearranging the papers.

It was a layout that satisfied both Emperor and Empress, as well as the attending nobles, their spouses, and retainers.

Even just for a brief seating arrangement, tensions had run high in the palace for days.

During meals, the Emperor and Empress exchanged scathing notes via attendants, written in elegantly phrased insults.

Despite their reputation for harmony, they had slept in separate rooms for five nights due to disputes over this seating plan.

“I’ll memorize it.”

Alicia looked over the finalized layout but couldn’t tell who had won the nerve-wracking battle.

“How is life at Luderne?”

“Busy, but fulfilling.”

Having finished arranging the seating charts, Reichardt moved toward the door.

Alicia followed him.

When he opened the door, they found the hallway beyond packed with Luderne’s maids and attendants.