She, along with Edith and Valter, was traveling together in a carriage bound for the Lexion Duchy.

Even though the two lords accompanied them, both of them would find the estate unfamiliar. Thus, she, who knew the estate and its people well, was there to help them adapt.

“Thank you, Lady Liriette.”

Edith sincerely appreciated Liriette’s kindness in embarking on a long journey for both her and Valter.

Although she had familiarized herself with information about the Lexion Duchy before departure, hearing Liriette’s explanations while looking at the actual scenery outside the small window provided much richer information.

“Just beyond that hill, there’s the mansion. Now that the carriage is tired, let’s go in and rest.”

“Too bad. It was enjoyable to hear about the estate.”
Liriette looked at Edith with a small smile. It reminded her of the time she had a similar conversation with her eldest sister, Leia, a long time ago.

“When I used to listen to Sister Leia’s stories, the journey to the estate felt short. Now it seems I can mimic my sister’s way of speaking fairly well.”

“Come to think of it, Lady Leia used to refer to the place as a ‘country house,’ and it seems to be the Lexion estate. In winter, she mentioned vast Rob Berry hills spreading out.”

As the conversation turned to her favorite fruit, Rob Berries, a pure smile appeared on Liriette’s face.

“Sister always called the estate a country house. Rob Berries are the pride of the surrounding estates. Every year, a joint festival and critique are held to determine which estate has the best crops.”

‘Surrounding estates and a joint festival and critique.’

Edith admired the expansive Rob Berry fields outside the window, recalling the geography of the Lexion estate in her mind.

‘Humphrey’s estate is right next door.’

Discussing the largest Lexion estate with the small and modest Humphrey estate in the empire felt a bit awkward.

However, for Edith, who was trying to find out what Humphrey had offered in the trade with Viscount Goturk, the proximity of the estates was a welcome point.

“Do people from Viscount Humphrey’s estate also participate in the critique?”

“Yeah. It’s a bit of a rivalry, but Humphrey’s Rob Berries excel in sweetness and size. Even if they don’t know anything else, the pride of Lord Humphrey and the residents of his estate is that they can beat Lexion with Rob Berries, so make sure to participate.”

If the lord participated in the critique, there was a high chance that the deputies responsible for important matters of the family and the estate would also attend.

‘Once we start a conversation, there might be a chance to get some small information about the veiled mine.’

Edith had read all five years’ worth of local newspapers from Humphrey’s estate, but there was no mention of the mine. Concealing the discovery of a natural resource to this extent was undoubtedly suspicious. She was curious about their plans.

Edith smiled as if she had no ulterior motives.

“That’s so impressive. I’d like to attend the critique as well. If only I could hide my pregnancy.”

Liriette, while concealing the fact that she was pregnant with the heir of the Lexion Viscount, casually explained a simple way to attend the critique.

“Just disguise yourself and say you’re a friend of someone from Lexion. Since not many people here know your face yet, and there are not many who would turn away someone with ties to Lexion.”

“It’s a good idea. Since I’m already at the estate, I should give it a try.”

“Of course, you’ll need permission from those guards over there.”

Liriette nodded towards Valter, who was armed, sitting beside them and guarding the surroundings.

‘Even with so many security personnel, is there still a reason to worry?’
Balter, considering Edith’s pregnancy, was overly sensitive to her safety. If Edith wanted to attend the critique, whether by disguising herself with guards or servants, he was ready to follow her like a shadow, feeling somewhat excessive but thinking it was a good time.

Liriette chuckled with a content smile. The carriage was getting closer to the mansion of the Lexion estate.

“Thank you for enduring the long journey by carriage. I am Iris, the housekeeper of the estate mansion. The Duke has sent word for you three to be comfortably accommodated.”

“Separate word from my father?”

“Yes, miss.”

“Interesting. He’s not someone who pays attention to small details.”

Liriette received the housekeeper’s greeting, feeling the depth of her father’s affection for Balter and Edith.

After Iris introduced herself to Edith and Balter, and they nodded in return, the estate’s employees, who were standing in line, also followed suit.

‘…Lady Leia mentioned that the estate mansion is modest, but it seems quite luxurious here.’

Edith observed the surroundings of the Lexion estate mansion, which was as extravagant as the capital’s Lexion mansion. It was a spectacle of silk and gold that didn’t match the word “modest” at all.

Housekeeper Iris explained the approximate structure of the mansion with pride as they walked along. Liriette, who had heard the explanation before and walked along with the group, suddenly spoke as if she had remembered something.

“Come to think of it, didn’t Sister Leia arrange the things she used during her lifetime somewhere in this mansion?”