Disguised as a Male Servant in the Duke's House (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 171

Alejandro, who had been spreading out documents at the opposite table, wore a worried expression.

“Do you truly intend to push forward with the duchy’s independence in this situation?”

At his question, Klaus, who had been seated at his desk skimming through a stack of papers, lifted his gaze.

Alejandro stared at him intently, clearly genuinely concerned.

The study was cluttered with documents—not only those requiring approval for the duchy’s independence and evidence necessary to persuade foreign leaders, but also paperwork related to the halted trade route project, the stalled school construction, and more.

It was as if the room had been hit by a bomb.

Just managing the ongoing projects was already overwhelming—let alone pursuing ducal independence. No wonder Alejandro was anxious.

Yet Klaus met his gaze with unwavering resolve and spoke without hesitation.

“The tunnel construction and the school project, both currently facing obstacles, will be resolved once the duchy gains independence. Geographically, the tunnel will fall under the duchy’s jurisdiction, and since the village of Algrisha will also be incorporated into ducal territory, Lugbeljet will have no authority over the school’s construction.”

At Klaus’s calm explanation, Alejandro looked down at the documents with a somber expression.

“But precisely for that reason, the Empire will be even less willing to let us go.”

If the duchy became a sovereign principality, many assets formerly belonging to the Empire within the ducal lands would transfer to the new principality.

Klaus knew this well—that was why he had pushed negotiations with the Crown Prince to what even he considered unreasonable lengths.

Yet now, after even that effort had been flatly rejected, the path ahead truly seemed dark.

Klaus set down the documents he’d been holding and stared out the window.

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