Barhan’s report continued from early morning.

As Ludmila had instructed, the business proceeded not only with Bill Edit willingly paying money, but also leaving a message looking forward to the next contract, and the story was that the other 4 trading partners proposed subsequently showed similar reactions.

The report continued that the business carried out daily according to Ludmila’s command had somewhat gotten on track.

When hearing that the first income was about 1/3 of Havertz’s annual budget and that the money to be earned in the future would be even more, one could recognize Ludmila’s remarkable ability.

Barhan observed Aden, who was staring intently at the desk with his chin resting on his hand.

As Aden showed no particular reaction even as the report continued, Barhan moistened his dry lips with his tongue and turned to the next page of the documents.

Even as the report continued uninterrupted from his mouth, Aden was staring fixedly at one spot like a stubborn tree.

Barhan felt uneasy as there was no reaction even though the report was almost over. Is there something you don’t like?

Just as Barhan was about to open his mouth cautiously, biting his parched lips.

“I shouldn’t have done that.”

A deep sigh escaped as Aden’s mouth opened.

Barhan, who flinched at the sight, carefully took a step back as he placed the documents he had brought on Aden’s desk.

“Um, Duke. Is there perhaps any problem with my report?”

“…What?”

The response to the question asked while observing the situation was a half-beat slow inquiry.

Realizing the situation from Barhan’s tense gaze on him, Aden let out a soft exclamation.

He immediately corrected his posture, pulled the report closer, flipped through it mechanically, and nodded.

“No. It’s fine. You’ve worked hard. You may go.”

Aden, seemingly flustered, threw out just a few very short words and flicked his hand. A startled Barhan bowed his head deeply and retreated.

As the door closed, Aden sighed in the room where silence had fallen.

The document in his hand fell limply onto the desk.

With a creaking sound, Aden pushed his body back, rose from the chair, and looked at the white plum tree just below the office window.

Aden, who had been staring intently at the golden glow under the sunlight, recalled Ludmila’s hand gently pushing his shoulder.

Next were the eyes wet with moisture.

‘I’m sorry, Aden.’

The image of Ludmila quietly apologizing to him and then turning away in the opposite direction and disappearing came to mind.

Aden could only follow her retreating back with his eyes, unable to stop her.

Aden, who had finely chewed his lips inward with his teeth, furrowed his brow.

“What on earth does she mean by being sorry.”

Aden could not understand the meaning of the apology she had given.

It was difficult to fully comprehend its meaning. Aden sighed as he rubbed his lips, which he had not even kissed, several times with his fingertips as if to soothe their emptiness.

“Benjamin would be too busy laughing if he knew.”

“What did you do to mention my name there again?”

It was then that a sarcastic voice was heard from behind. Aden, startled and turning his head, frowned upon discovering a man who had somehow entered the room without notice.

Benjamin, who had been tapping a rolled-up report on his shoulder, pulled up the corners of his mouth at Aden’s fresh reaction.

“What were you thinking about to not even notice me coming in? You, what did you do?”

Aden grimaced at the sharp gaze scanning him and the voice.

After breakfast with Beressa, Ludmila, who was spending time drinking simple tea, spotted Barhan just leaving the castle.

When she called his name, Barhan turned his head to look at Ludmila, then ran over with a face full of joy as if he had met a savior and bowed deeply at the waist.

“Were you here!? I went to greet you but you weren’t there, so I was about to leave.”

“I was having tea with Beressa for a moment. Oh, would you like a cup of tea?”

As Ludmila smiled and lightly offered, Barhan laughed heartily with an embarrassed face.

“Should I… Ah, no.”

He was about to casually take a seat while joking, but seeing something, he carefully got up from his seat.

Ludmila tilted her head in confusion and looked at Beressa, but she was just smiling slightly without any particular expression.

Turning her head back to look at Barhan, she saw that he had created a gap of about two steps and cleared his throat.

“Well… I’m a bit busy, so I’ll pass on the tea. Thank you for offering.”

“It’s nothing. More importantly, did you report well to Aden?”

Ludmila, feeling strange about the peculiar atmosphere, naturally changed the subject.

But this too seemed to be a minefield as Barhan shook his head with an awkward face.

As Ludmila opened her eyes wide, Barhan ran his hand through his hair as if embarrassed.

“I thought he would be satisfied to some extent, but he remained silent throughout the report, perhaps it wasn’t enough. He didn’t even say what the problem was, so I think I’ll have to report again next time.”

“Is that so? That’s unexpected. I thought Aden would be satisfied with that much.”

Beressa, who had been staring at Ludmila from behind as she rolled her eyes with her chin resting on her hand, grasped her teacup.

Beressa, with her eyes narrowed like a crescent moon, recalled Aden, who had not attended breakfast this morning, and observed Ludmila’s back.

‘There’s something.’

Ludmila was not much different from usual, but Aden was not.

It was understandable that he didn’t come to eat because he was busy, but it was a different story to show such a lack of focus even in a situation where he was receiving an important business report.

“Ah, I almost forgot. Come to think of it, there was something I wanted to tell Lady Ludmila.”

“To me?”

Watching her head tilt sideways, Barhan reached into his chest and pulled out a letter.

The name written at the top of the letter was the name of the representative of an investment destination that Ludmila had introduced recently.

She had introduced good businesses and investment destinations so that the money earned would not just be well accumulated, but reinvested to gain additional profits.

One of them was the oil business operated by Ojenil.

Ludmila received the opened letter and skimmed its contents.

As she approached the end, her brow furrowed, and finally, when she reached the last part, a sigh burst from her lips.

“I knew he was a cautious man, but I never imagined he would come out like this.”

Who would have thought he’d say he wanted to hear the investment plan in person?

Most businessmen tended to welcome investments.

It was also the best means to expand business, and the more diverse the investment destinations, the more stable the finances.

Ojenil was also a businessman, and when she had met him in person and talked before, he had made several proposals hoping that the Erdi Marquis family would invest in his business.

In fact, it was a promising business, and many among the great nobles, including Kedilen, had shown interest in the oil business.

It’s just that everyone was hesitating because there were no clear results yet, but they were ready to put out money at any time.

That’s why she chose Ojenil. She thought he would gladly accept if money was invested.

“What do you think we should do?”

Barhan bit his lip and asked for her thoughts.

The investment plan was already well specified in the proposal.

Yet, wanting to meet in person probably meant he wanted a more intensive and core conversation.

Ludmila, who had intended to send Barhan or a trade representative to handle the matter, felt at a loss.

There was no guarantee that they would successfully conclude the conversation with Ojenil even if she educated them now.

And it didn’t make sense to send Aden, who was busy with imperial matters.

This meant that, in the end, the only person who could go was herself.

The location wasn’t a problem as they could meet somewhere away from the capital, but meeting Ojenil in person was the issue.

Even if she covered her face with a mask, she couldn’t hide her voice.

Ludmila, who let out a small sigh, handed back the letter and raised her head.

“For now, please set the meeting place and time. The time should be a week from now. I’ll think about the rest gradually.”

“Understood.”

As Barhan, who had nodded briefly, retreated, Ludmila let out a small sigh.

Beressa, who had been watching all this from the side, carefully leaned forward.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“…No, it’s fine.”

Ludmila shook her head as she got up from her seat with a sigh.

For now, she needed time to prepare for the meeting scheduled for next week. She needed a plausible substitute.

Someone with knowledge in this field and also with some status…

“Lady Ludmila.”

It was then that a voice calling her was heard.

Ludmila turned her head and saw Benjamin walking over from the opposite side, her eyes widening.

“Deputy Minister of Finance. When did you…”

Surprised, Ludmila approached him.

Benjamin, with a refreshing smile, gave a light bow to Beressa before fixing his gaze on Ludmila.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes. I’ve been fine. But when did you arrive?”

“Just a little while ago. To see Aden’s face and also because I have things to deliver.”

Benjamin, who had been staring intently at Ludmila as she nodded briefly, let out a chuckle.

Ludmila opened her eyes wide at his sudden laughter.

“Is there something on my face?”

At the sudden laughter, Ludmila rubbed her cheek with her fingertips with an awkward expression. Benjamin shook his head slightly.

“No. It’s not that. I just remembered the face of someone who can’t manage their expressions.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. Ah, more importantly, I have something to tell Lady Ludmila.”

Just as Barhan had done earlier, Benjamin did the same.

He slowly closed the gap with Ludmila, then bent down to bring his lips to her ear. And he whispered softly.

At that moment, Ludmila’s smiling lips and face stiffened.

After delivering a short message, Benjamin stepped back, gave a neat bow, and turned around.

Ludmila, watching his retreating back, recalled his voice that still lingered in her ear.

‘The Crown Prince is blatantly investigating the Marchioness’s whereabouts.’

It was a sign of despair.