“I must admit, I am quite thrilled. Well, more than just a bit, actually.”

As I donned my neatly placed hat and took his hand to disembark, I suddenly felt a piercing gaze.

Behind Edmond, a man with an odd expression stood. As our eyes met through the fluttering hat, the man with dark long hair and a mole under his eye bowed awkwardly.

‘Where have I seen that face before?’

Noting my puzzled look, he spoke up.

“I’m Tail, Rail’s twin brother.”

“Ah, Rail’s twin.”

“Older brother.”

“Right, the twin.”

“Older brother.”

He’s quite persistent.

“Alright, Rail’s older brother then.”

Satisfied, Tail retreated with a pleased smile.

As Tail moved away, Edmond, who had been watching disapprovingly, spoke.

“There’s something the Dowager Countess of Wickley wants to convey before we enter the villa.”

“What is it?”

“I won’t accompany you inside. You’ll go alone, and she wants you to wear a blindfold until you meet her. During the meeting, she prefers a curtain between you.”

Edmond sighed, looking slightly exasperated.

“It seems you had a hard time arranging this meeting.”

“She was demanding: no direct meetings, no telecommunication, communicate through servants, no light, no darkness. It’s the first time I’ve faced such incessant demands.”

Given the Duke’s territory and the conditions, it seemed he had no choice but to agree to a meal.

‘That’s understandable.’

Familiar with the Countess’s eccentricities from the original work, I could only smile.

Edmond frowned suspiciously at my reaction.

“I’m aware of the Countess’s reputation, but she seems different from the rumors. Is she really going to be helpful to both you and your sister?”

“Of course. And thank you for arranging the meeting.”

I smiled brightly. With her support, the Countess would be our strongest ally.

“I’ll inspect the estate in the meantime. There are more than a few neglected minor issues.”

Glancing somewhere, Edmond saw an elderly man with white hair standing by a carriage, a loyal servant of the Mipidian Ducal family.

‘A loyal vassal of the Mipidian family.’

I smiled, thinking it never hurts to make a good impression.

“See you later near the vineyard then.”

“Understood.”

I watched Edmond leave with Tail before being led into the villa by a servant.

Walking through the vineyard with his hands behind his back, Edmond was followed by Baron Montree, the Mipidian family’s loyal vassal, leaning on a cane.

“The people have been taxed excessively for nearly a decade. Reducing the tax rate could dispel negative perceptions and facilitate acceptance of the new lord.”

“Tsk, they’ve been too greedy.”

Montree chuckled, stroking his chin.

“Chasing out all your relatives without leaving them a single ograng and still not satisfied, it seems.”

Edmond stopped and looked at Montree with displeasure.

“Are you mocking me?”

“Of course not. I’m merely glad you’ve returned safely.”

Montree bowed respectfully.

“You’ve done well over these past ten years.”

His sincerity was evident. With the Duke and Duchess gone, he too had lost his masters. The boy, the future Duke, was slandered as a lunatic, and Montree, out of favor with the collateral family, was confined.

The domain’s mismanagement had angered the people and vassals, who could now finally feel some peace.

Edmond, looking at Montree with calm eyes, turned away. To him, Montree was a grateful presence, a mature adult, and one of the few trustworthy humans.
“I am grateful to Baron Montree for waiting for me all these years, but don’t think about resting just yet. I’ll leave all the estate affairs in your hands.”

It was clear that Edmond was implicitly expressing his trust in the Baron.

“Oh, you plan to work an old man to the bone.”

Montree, understanding the situation, smiled gently before his expression turned serious, probably recalling the lady he had just met. Etrisha Viel, a woman with impressive red hair that swirled in the breeze, consuming the greenery around her.

“Is there something going on between you and Countess Viel?”

Edmond nearly tripped over his feet. Catching himself on a nearby grapevine, he looked at Montree with a flustered expression.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Have you finally gone senile?”

Despite Edmond’s sharp tone, Montree didn’t seem to care and smiled profoundly.

“Isn’t it time you considered marriage? I plan to ask your sister about it soon.”

“Neither my sister nor I have the luxury to think about such things. Stop talking nonsense.”

“But you are sheltering Countess Viel at your estate.”

“She’s just a friend of my sister.”

Deciding there was no need to divulge uncertain details about Etrisha, Edmond replied gruffly.

Montree raised his eyebrows, readjusting his cane.

“Then find her another residence. So far you’ve been lucky with quietness, but scandals can erupt anytime.”

“I’ll handle it, so don’t worry.”

“How can I not be concerned? It’s a vassal’s duty to bring a suitable lady of the house for a Duke.”