Gilta had a guilty look on his face. He hesitated to speak carelessly about something not written in the budget.

“I am the mistress of this castle. I need to know the exact situation to consider solutions.”

After a brief hesitation, Gilta let out a delayed sigh and finally confessed.

“Actually, the previous Duke used vast sums to rescue people of the duchy who were captured by Kursia.”

“People of the duchy captured by Kursia… Could it be the imperial citizens offered as slaves right after the Kursian Empire unified?”

“That’s correct.”

After unifying with the Ophil Kingdom, Kursia tried to check the Requies Empire, which had close ties with Ophil, by waging a massive war. However, due to weakened military strength from a plague at the time, they concluded the war by proposing several unreasonable conditions.

One of those was to offer young and healthy imperial citizens to Kursia.

Hundreds of commoners were suddenly taken away to a foreign country.

There was no way to bring them back.

“The Duke strove to at least bring back the people of the duchy who were born and raised in Blandiche, if not all imperial citizens.”

“So since he couldn’t reclaim the people of the duchy, he paid to smuggle them back?”

“That’s right.”

Of course, money could accomplish anything.

“How much does it cost to bring back one person from the duchy?”

“It’s 300 million gold per person. Since it’s not a legal method, the price is rising every year.”

For a moment, I felt dazed as if I’d been hit on the back of the head.

300 million?

It was an absurd amount.

“Th-then how many people from the duchy are left?”

“25 people.”

That meant 7.5 billion remained to be paid.

At the staggering amount, I almost blurted out asking if we should give up on the people of the duchy.

Of course, that was unacceptable.

It was the previous Duke’s will and also the mission Hertian had inherited.

If we abandoned the people of the duchy now, no one would recognize Hertian as a lord in the future.

‘But 7.5 billion is too much!’

I felt my blood boiling inside.

It was as if Hertian was cleaning up the mess the Emperor had made.

Thinking of the Emperor leisurely staying in the imperial palace, unaware of his son’s struggles, I felt irritated.

“So if we budget about 1.2 billion each year to reclaim people of the duchy, that’s 4 people per year. It will take at least 6 years for everyone to return?”

“Yes, my lady.”

That meant repairs to the ducal castle would only be possible after 6 years.

Rather than waiting until then, it would be better to wait for divorce. Though I’d probably freeze to death before waiting for divorce.

“We need to make money.”

This was the only way.

Earning money through direct effort. We need to earn money to reclaim the people of the duchy as soon as possible.

“But… as you can see, our domain is barren and lacks any notable specialties.”

“Even if there are no specialties, it’s fine because I’m here.”

“You, my lady?”

“I have a bit of precognitive ability.”

Gilta’s eyes widened.

“Don’t be too surprised. It’s not like I’ll become a prophet or anything that impressive. I just occasionally glimpse events of the near future.”

There’s no reason to discard information from the book just because I’ve strayed from the original story. I should use it as much as possible to earn money.

“First, please call a merchant and procure as many medicinal herbs as possible.”

“What kind of herbs do you mean?”

“I’ll write you a list. We need to get them as quickly as possible. Understand?”

Gilta was flustered by the sudden request.

“B-but my lady. We already have more than enough herbs growing in the ducal castle to treat the people of the domain, so why do we need to buy more herbs?”

“I plan to do business with the herbs.”

“But easily obtainable herbs won’t sell for high prices…”

“I have an idea.”

[This is the timeline separator]

As soon as I parted ways with Gilta, I went straight down to the basement of the ducal castle.

After briefly warming my body in the pleasant heat that always cheered me up, I hurriedly picked herbs and put them in the basket I had brought.

“My lady, what are you going to do with all of these? I heard you also ordered the merchant to procure many herbs.”

“I need these separately. Keep picking and putting them in.”

There were various herbs here, so it was possible to make medicines with different combinations.

After preparing and grinding all the herbs, I returned to my room and spread paper on the desk.

Treatment methods researched at the academy. And drawing on my experience of consuming countless herbs and medicines, I wrote down treatments for various symptoms.

Recalling memories and recording everything without omission, a whole book was soon completed.

“What are you writing so diligently?”

“Hertian?”

Night had fallen before I knew it.

I had lost track of time while writing the book. Belatedly checking the clock, I smiled sheepishly and closed the book.

Wearing only a robe as usual, Hertian entered the bedroom and approached me from behind as I sat at the table.

“Don’t mind me, please continue writing.”

“Is that alright?”

Hertian gladly gave permission.

As I resumed writing, he approached behind me again, holding something.

“May I brush your hair?”

What he held in his hand was none other than a comb.

The small wooden comb in his hands that had only ever held swords looked rather cute. I gladly offered my hair.

“Please brush gently.”

“Leave it to me.”

He brushed my hair with very careful strokes. The occasional touch on my nape created a rather peculiar feeling.

I soon finished the book, but I closed my eyes, enjoying his gentle hair brushing.

“Will you tie my hair?”

I made that request, wishing he would touch me a little longer. He silently brought a long ribbon and gathered my hair. The sensation was so pleasant that my eyes closed drowsily.

“You looked beautiful with your hair tied up as well.”

Those words hazily echoed in my ears before fading away.

[This is the timeline separator]

It was a room full of vibrant roses that were difficult to obtain in the north.

Lily was changing into her afternoon dress while inhaling the deep rose fragrance wafting through the air.

“Where’s my new sister-in-law?”

It was a question Lily had been asking habitually these days.

Lily’s dedicated maid approached discreetly as if she had been waiting and whispered.

“She’s trying to bring back people the empire abandoned?”

“I heard she even called for several merchants from the empire.”

Lily clicked her tongue.

“I don’t understand why Uncle, and now her, are wasting money trying to bring those people back. My new sister-in-law isn’t even from this domain, so why is she so fixated on something Hertian didn’t even ask for?”

She couldn’t comprehend it.

What was the point of trying to bring back people who had already settled in Kursia, now an enemy country?

Moreover, it wasn’t free – it cost enough to buy hundreds of high-end dresses.

“Could it be because of you, young lady?”

“Because of me? Why?”

“Didn’t you scold that woman who brought a Kursian child last time? Maybe the Duchess is trying to check you, the real power in this castle, by ostentatiously bringing in people from the enemy country.”

No matter that she was the Duchess, to the maid who had worked in the ducal castle for a long time, Lily was the only mistress.

Lily’s declining position meant her own position would decline as well.

If left alone, it was obvious that Anette’s dedicated maids would take over all their positions.

“You’re right.”

And Lily believed those words at face value. Though she didn’t show it, Lily was also bothered by Anette taking over the household management.

“I really need to drive out the fake sister-in-law before the real one comes.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Sightseeing the vast and famously barren ducal domain was quite enjoyable.

Throughout the carriage ride out of the castle, trees covered in fine snow were visible.

“Aside from the cold, seeing this scenery every day would be pleasant.”

When I lived in the capital, I used to wait for snowy days with Rian. One reason I liked spirea was because I wanted to see this pure white snow.

Snow held special meaning for me, as I remembered my father preventing me from going outside whenever it snowed. Just one snowflake landing on my palm made me smile involuntarily.

“My lady, perhaps we should return to the castle now? If the master finds out, I’ll be dead.”

“I already told His Highness I’d be touring the domain, so it’s fine. As long as Gilta doesn’t say anything…”

I stared at him pointedly.

Unable to withstand my gaze, Gilta went ahead.

“But only for one hour.”

“I promise. Let’s go, Bonisa.”

I headed towards the border with Bonisa, who was stronger than the other maids.

On the snowy plain was a small village, with long fences stretching between.

Beyond the fences were several tents made of thick canvas.

I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, taking a deep breath.

Removing the cumbersome dress and wearing commoner clothes made me feel completely better.

“Bonisa. Don’t call me ‘young lady’ or ‘my lady.’ Understand?”

“…Can I call you ‘elder sister’?”

“Yes, that’s good.”

The reason for the tents right next to the village on the border was simple.

To guard against sudden attacks from Requies, the enemy country. Plus, being next to the village made it easy to obtain supplies, so this area was suitable for both surveillance and living.

But from the village’s perspective, they weren’t entirely unwelcome.

“Two orcs are coming down!”

“Don’t report every little thing, just handle it and come back.”

When monsters or wild beasts came down from the mountains, the Kursian knights would take care of them.

‘It’s a symbiotic relationship.’

Several knights who had rushed out of the tents returned covered in orc blood.

It must not have been an easy opponent, as one soldier who had gone with them came back limping.

Then they naturally crossed over the fence and looked for familiar faces.

“Auntie, do you have a clean towel? Can I borrow one if you do?”

The villagers didn’t show much aversion to the Kursian knights who crossed the border.

“I’ll bring it to you, so don’t move and stay there.”

I took the towel the woman was about to bring and headed towards the tents. Even as we crossed the fence, the knights didn’t even glance at us.

Entering the small tent at the very edge, I saw three low-ranking soldiers in addition to the soldier who had asked for the towel earlier.

“This auntie sent someone else again because it’s bothersome. I told her to just give it to me.”

I approached that soldier and held out the towel. The soldier snatched the towel roughly and wiped his face vigorously.

“Tell her we’ll wash and return it since orc blood is toxic.”

“Okay.”

“Aren’t you leaving?”

Noticing something odd as I stood there blankly, the soldier got up from his seat. Then he pushed back the robe covering my face. Bonisa behind me was startled and grabbed me, stepping back.

“You…”

It wasn’t just Bonisa who was surprised. The soldier who pushed back my robe also widened his eyes upon seeing my face.

‘Could he have recognized that I’m the Duchess?’