“A message has arrived from Lord Vane, my lord.”

Cassius handed a letter to Viscount Baelter with a cordial gesture contrasting his brisk voice.

Baelter quickly scanned the envelope and its contents. The sender of the letter was Vane. The main content was that Elizabeth, who had become Edith’s spy, had sent news.

“Seeing Elizabeth passing on information from Lady Huangbi to our side, it seems she is more committed to her work than I thought.”

Cassius was also surprised by Baelter’s words.

“Does it contain information related to Patricia Huangbi?”

“It’s not just related; she provided quite useful information. Huangbi intends to send her own people to Lord Humphrey’s territory to confirm the status of an undisclosed mine.”

“…!”

“Suddenly sending people to Lord Humphrey will arouse suspicion from those watching. It seems they plan to send them during the Rob Berry Evaluation, timed to blend in with peasants or traders who are interested in farming.”

“They might disguise loyalists as peasants or traders for deception.”

Baelter lightly agreed with Cassius’s deduction.

“Once the identities sent by Huangbi are confirmed upon arrival, Lord Humphrey will likely guide them to the hidden mine. We just have to wait for that moment.”

Since before coming to Lexion’s territory, Baelter had been trying to find out what mine the Marquis was holding and trading with Huangbi.

However, it was a frustrating task, as it was difficult to capture information and opportunities to obtain it were scarce to the point of testing his patience.

But now, the seed Edith had sown brought such delightful news.

“We are benefiting from what the Lady has done for Elizabeth.”

As Cassius said, it was no exaggeration to say that this was harvesting the fruit of the seed Edith had planted.

Using a maid who had gained Patricia Huangbi’s trust as a spy was undoubtedly a challenging task, even for the Duke of Lexion.

Baelter went straight to Edith’s room and relayed the news that Elizabeth had brought.

“It’s fortunate that she is actively involved, probably because it’s a matter directly related to our daughter.”

Edith knew how useful the information Elizabeth had brought could be in the current situation.

However, her outward reaction was modest, and Baelter unknowingly chuckled.

“If Vane heard this, he would probably feel a sense of defeat. Using Huangbi’s maid as a spy is not an easy task.”

“The situation fits. The members of Gotherc who used Elizabeth and were not deceived probably thought, ‘If an ordinary person like me can handle a spy, why not?'”

“Aren’t you too harsh on yourself? If you set your mind to it, it seems you could command both the upper and lower ranks, including the knights.”

Baelter spoke so confidently, but Edith, who was in no mood to argue, briefly showed a serene smile.
“By the way, it’s fortunate that you’re coming in time for the Rob Berry Evaluation. This year’s evaluation is happening in the Humphrey Territory. Just your presence there would exert considerable pressure from the Marquis’s perspective.”

The peasants of Lexion’s territory also received an invitation to the evaluation after several of them decided to participate. No one would have thought that someone of the caliber of the next Lord of Lexion would attend an event comparing the quality of Rob Berries. But, as Edith suggested, Baelter planned to go to the Humphrey Marquis’s territory himself.

“I heard that the steward of Marquis Humphrey knows a lot. I’ll take the opportunity to talk with him.”

“…….”

Baelter remained silent for a moment. Of course, Edith knew that Baelter’s recent visits to the shipping yard were not to find the best Rob Berries but rather to find more than a couple of things.

Baelter discreetly moved, pulling Edith into his arms from behind.

When he felt her warm body and noticed the slightly swollen belly, his nerves became sensitive.

“However, you must not involve yourself in dangerous situations. Promise me you’ll stay with people all the time, Edith.”

The low voice tickled her earlobe, and Edith rolled her lips before asking.

Lately, Baelter had been paying attention to even the smallest details related to protecting the child he had put out into the world.

Despite the refined and affectionate words and actions, his body couldn’t hide the tension.

“I don’t know who Huangbi’s people are, but you must be cautious since you’ll recognize them at a glance.”

Edith mentioned that if she changed her hair color with a wig, it wouldn’t be immediately recognizable. However, Baelter couldn’t accept that reasoning. The sweet scent emanating from Edith’s skin and her clear and bright eyes would not be concealed, no matter what she did.

“If Huangbi sent men, I wouldn’t recognize you just because your hair color changed.”

Baelter traced Edith’s neckline with his hand and, in response to her reaction, pressed her shoulders, now slumping against his chest.