She looked like a pregnant woman right now, and Edit, who was a member of Lexion that had come to enjoy the festival, and those who revealed their faces at the shipping yard, all knew that she would be called Joengi at today’s review event.

If one of those rascals who came to the capital on Huangbi’s orders recognizes Edit, it’s obvious they’ll target her, especially since she looks pregnant.

Looking at him tapping his knees without him realizing, Cassius spoke playfully.

“Don’t worry, Duke. If anyone looks at the lady with suspicious eyes, even if I have to pretend to be her lover, I’ll stop them.”

“…….”

For a moment, Balter’s face darkened at Cassius’s joke. Edit and the other guards, who had become nobles, burst into small laughter at the sight.

The fresh and sweet fragrance carried by the wind indicated that they had arrived at the square where the Lop Berry review was taking place.
The people filling the square came to a halt as they spotted a large carriage.

“Is it true that Duke Lexion came to an event like a crop review?”

Balter, as if answering a spilled question, descended from the carriage. On the other side, escorted by a blue-haired knight, several women set foot on the ground.

It was natural for people in the Humphrey Marquisate to show interest in the rare procession of nobles.

“It seems the Duke is really overseeing the affairs of the territory personally.”

“Our Duke is busy with state affairs as a major figure in the country, so it’s appropriate for the heir to take care of the territory.”

The voices of Lexion’s territory residents revealed pride. Although Franz Lexion was not neglectful of managing the territory, having the recognized heir personally oversee the territory was a different story altogether.

Those who knew that the Marquisate people, who considered him useless, knowing he would demand genuine products and spend money, felt a sense of dubious defeat.

“You’re engaged, why did you come alone? Where’s your fiancée?”

“If the Duke personally cherishes his fiancée, it’s something everyone in our territory knows. He may not go out much, but he always brings back gifts.”

“……. ”

Once again, the people of the Humphrey territory began to check if Lop Berry was really fresh, feeling a sense of defeat.

The feeling of defeat intensified when Marquis Humphrey would reveal himself soon to meet Duke Lexion.

“Oh! Duke Lexion, it’s an honor to see you in a place like this. I am Marquis Humphrey.”

“Nice to meet you, Marquis.”

As befitting the heir of Lexion, who had a tall frame and a handsome face, Duke Lexion attracted the most attention in the middle of the square.

On the other hand, recently, Humphrey Marquis, who had fallen behind in territorial affairs and shamelessly stamped his face only in the capital, looked ridiculous, wearing an ill-fitting fur.

‘Fighting against Duke Lexion, is that what you’re trying to do?’

‘Tsk. If you manage the territory well, our lord might consider giving you a favor…’

As the two sat side by side to observe the review event, the contrast became even more vivid.

However, Marquis Humphrey was not interested in the thick and fresh Lop Berry, which was the pride of the territory residents.

“Actually, upon hearing that Duke Lexion would attend this event, I don’t know how relieved we were.”

“Saying that, are you hiding something unbearable?”

When Balter pretended not to know in order to investigate the mysterious mine, the Marquis’s heart raced madly.

‘Ah, no. If he knows about the magic stone mine, I can’t be this relaxed.’

The Marquis barely calmed his startled heart and recalled the conversation he had with Gilbert.

“Recently, there has been an abundance of wild animals in the northeast of the territory, so I thought the young ones should go hunting. If it’s alright with you, Duke, it would be great if you could show your skills as well.”
“I heard that I’m allowed to enter the Marquis’s territory armed.”

“……!”

Balter, playing with what he held in his palm, was anything but relaxed. Even conversing with the man in front of him brought an indescribable sense of defeat.

The Marquis stammered for a while before finally speaking up.

“I-It’s not like that… We’re short of knights on our territory, and we’re seeking assistance due to the abundance of wild animals.”

“…….”

“It would be a great help if those who know the art of knighthood could lend a hand.”

Marquis Humphrey spoke as if everything was aimed at protecting the territory residents from wild animals.

Balter leaned back in his chair, chin in hand, staring at the Marquis as if piercing through his eyes.

Meanwhile, Edith was conversing with the escorts disguised as nobles in a large coffee house set up on one side of the square.

‘They must have rented the coffee house in the name of the Marquis to warmly welcome the esteemed guests….’

Sure enough, inside, the Marquis’s employees were bustling around, carrying trays and attending to people.

Edith quickly grasped which people the maids carrying teapots and trays were keeping an eye on.

‘There she is.’

Her gaze caught a middle-aged woman with a somewhat cantankerous impression. She was dressed similarly to the maids but had an expensive-looking headpiece.

After confirming that the maids referred to her as ‘Betty,’ Edith, pretending to make a mistake, overturned the tea she was holding onto her skirt.

“Oh… I’m sorry. Could someone please call for help?”

It was to meet the knowledgeable maid who had been working for Marquis Humphrey for several generations from the inside.