Allen now fully savored the sense of victory. All continental dailies published articles about Terran’s massive defeat by Allen.

“Congratulations, sir. The railroad business rights in Bertan now belong to MacDowell Company.”

“The 50% increase is a bit concerning, but we can make up for it in other ways.”

Bertan was rich in resources and had many high-value cultural artifacts, so there was plenty to bring to Galdensia.

Now all that was left was to take away the silk and porcelain import rights that Terran was trying to monopolize.

‘You should know that all you’re good at is fighting. You brute who only knows how to use your body!’

He freely criticized Terran.

He probably thinks I’ve just been hanging around Lea since I was fifteen, only playing around.

Allen had absorbed all the information of the Hamilton trading company and studied management methods in his own way.

‘Is this effort finally paying off now?’

Allen laughed out loud while looking at the newspaper. Among them, he particularly liked the article that came out as an extra edition.

He was very curious about what expression Terran would be making right now.

“We should have a party today.”

Just as Allen’s mood reached its peak, a maid announced that a guest had arrived.

“Who is it?”

“She said her name was Emily Landt.”

Allen pondered the name for a moment, then seemed to recall who it was and gestured to the maid to bring her in quickly.

She was the woman who had secretly given him a love letter at the Bellis party. As he remembered, she was quite beautiful.

Shortly after, a woman appeared in Allen’s office, exuding a strong scent of perfume.

“Hello, President MacDowell.”

“Welcome, Miss Landt.”

Allen greeted her politely.

Indeed, his memory was correct. He had thought she was beautiful at the party, but up close, her figure was quite sensual as well.

“I came in person since there was no reply from you.”

“Ah! I see. I was busy with business, so I kept a lady waiting.”

“It’s alright. A wonderful man should be claimed before other women snatch him away.”

“Hahaha, you have quite a spirited personality.”

Allen liked Emily’s straightforward nature.

Women like that usually don’t cling when parting and are clean-cut. She was perfect as a mistress.

As it happened, with Sara disappearing from his sight, having a partner to fulfill each other’s desires wasn’t a bad idea. But there was one problem.

“Miss Landt, I heard rumors that you’re getting married to Count Armand?”

“Those are false rumors. The Count actively courted me, but I refused.”

“Why is that?”

“I tend to have high standards. Only someone like President MacDowell would satisfy me.”

Emily said only things Allen would like to hear.

In truth, Emily had intended to marry Count Armand and settle down. That is, before she knew his true nature.

‘My goodness, I can’t believe such a miser exists. His ex-wife must have been incredible.’

A man who gives a mere silver ring as a wedding ring.

And the food he served was no better. He was just a husk, all show and no substance. So she quickly said goodbye and left the Count’s house.

‘You can tell a lot from one thing, that fellow is hopeless.’

She didn’t want to associate with a penny-pincher who didn’t know how to spend money on women.

“Don’t misunderstand. You’re the only one I’ve given a love letter to, President MacDowell.”

“Is that so?”

The two pleasantly enjoyed complimenting each other.

* * *

As soon as Terran returned to the duke’s residence from the imperial palace, he prepared to leave, and Lea’s heart became anxious.

Moreover, Chainer’s predictions had been eerily accurate so far, making her whole body tremble.

“Terran, where are you going? No, what’s going on?”

Even after returning from the palace, he didn’t give Lea a satisfactory explanation. Only when Lea started to sob did he speak in a calm tone.

“Grace, do you remember? The incident with the bandits in Basel. That’s my territory. There’s been a problem there.”

“Has there been a rebellion?”

“The bandits’ forces have grown enormously and are now plundering the territory’s people.”

“So you’re going to subjugate the bandits?”

“Yes.”

Lea remembered clearly. At that time, Terran had fought them alone and even got shot. But the problem was that they weren’t just petty thieves.

Moreover, having hidden in the forest for a long time, they were adept at forest geography and excelled at surprise attacks.

Terran was donning his battle gear even as he spoke.

“Don’t worry. It won’t take long. I’ll wipe them out in a week.”

“A week?”

If taken literally, it wasn’t a long period.

The problem was the ominous feeling shaking her soul. Somehow, it felt like if she let him go now, she wouldn’t see him for a long time.

“My army has received the best training. They have a lot of war experience. So we can quickly eliminate mere bandits and return.”

Terran continuously tried to reassure her. Meanwhile, Terran put a small frame containing her photo in his chest.

A photo frame of them together and each other’s images. Seeing this, Lea’s expression became even more rigid.

‘Why are you acting like someone who will never return?’

Lea could hardly breathe. All she could do was pray for his safe return.

“I have to go, Grace.”

“Already? It’s raining heavily outside.”

“Weather isn’t important to a soldier. Time is the greatest strategy.”

Terran left the room fully armed, and Luke was also ready in the corridor. As the two were about to leave the duke’s residence, all the employees came out to see them off.

“James, don’t spread anxiety. It’s just going to catch some small fry.”

“I apologize, Your Grace. It’s just that this is your first expedition since the war.”

Even James, who had been relaxed until now, had a flushed face.

Just then, the sound of someone running down the stairs drew everyone’s attention.

It was Chainer, running down with candy in one hand.

“Uncle, elder brother Luke! If it gets dangerous, go beyond the northern mountain. Okay?”

Neither of the two men paid attention to Chainer’s words, her mouth smeared with candy. So Lea repeated Chainer’s words instead.

“Terran, she says the northern mountain. Don’t forget.”

“Why are you acting like this too, Grace? What do you take me for?”

Her ears didn’t hear his reproach.

“You must come back to me. Only then will I sign the last grape.”

“Ha! I’ll have to finish early and return for the sake of completing the grape bunch.”

Lea and Terran kissed goodbye without anyone initiating it.

She had tried to see him off bravely without crying, but it didn’t go as planned.

‘It’ll be alright. Terran is Rubec’s best soldier.’

There was no way he would fall to mere bandits.

Lea firmly decided to believe that Terran would return to her after just a week.

* * *

Lea would go to the lobby in the evening, waiting for Terran to return. It had already been well over a week since she started this behavior.

‘He said he’d be back in a week.’

The duke’s residence without Terran and Luke was no different from usual.

The employees diligently carried out their respective duties, Sonya was busy making dresses, and Chainer and Pauline went to the workshop every day to work.

The person who stayed by Lea’s side as she worried was Madame Marie Armand.

“Marie, we shouldn’t just sit here waiting, right?”

“I know. It’s been a week and now it’s almost two weeks…”

“This won’t do. I need to meet His Majesty. I want to at least ask him to send reinforcements to Basel.”

As Lea entered the main building to change clothes, James blocked her path.

“Miss, please don’t go.”

“Why not? It’s almost been two weeks with no news. I need to ask His Majesty to send reinforcements.”

“Reinforcements have already been sent.”

“What did you say?”

That meant Terran’s army had been overwhelmed.

Lea grabbed James and questioned him thoroughly. As if she had been the only one unaware until now, James knew a great deal.

“That’s the nature of those bandits. They don’t hesitate to do all sorts of vile things. They set traps in the forest to attack horses, burn poisonous herbs to incapacitate soldiers with smoke, and then launch surprise attacks.”

“What about Terran? What happened to him?”

“There’s still no news.”

At James’s mournful voice, Lea felt all strength leave her body and her vision went white.

She heard Marie and James calling her name as if from a distance, and then she promptly lost consciousness. But this situation felt very familiar.

When she had died falling from the carriage, her soul had wandered endlessly in pitch-black emptiness. Was she about to leave Grace’s body like this?

As Lea trembled in fear, she faintly heard a woman’s voice from afar.

‘Lea Hamilton, please save Terran.’

The voice becoming increasingly clear sounded familiar. However, no matter how much she looked around, there was only darkness and no visible form.

‘Who are you?’

‘I am Grace Bizac.’

‘Grace!’

Lea thought that finally the owner of the body had appeared. To think she had to return the body at a time like this. But Grace pleaded to Lea in a sorrowful tone.

‘Terran is in danger. Only you can save him.’

Lea was confused. It was unclear whether Grace’s words were her own concern or actually Grace’s request.

‘It’s shameless of me, but please rush to Terran.’

‘Grace, don’t you resent me? I’m occupying your body, after all.’

She wanted to leave immediately to find Terran. But the body housing her soul rightfully belonged to Grace.

‘I’m grateful. Lea’s strong soul is keeping my weak body going.’

‘I like your fiancé. Aren’t you upset about that?’

Lea had always been curious.

If she could talk to Grace’s soul, she wanted to ask. Could she forgive someone who recklessly took over another’s body and lived their life instead?