Mildred knew why I couldn’t make a fuss. An administrative error occurred due to the exchange of status badges. However, there was a way to resolve it quickly.

“Even if my status badge has changed, the contract between the Morris Viscount and me as a servant hasn’t been terminated yet…”

So, I sought out Philip. But Ellen came with a magistrate. Unfortunately, the magistrate had no influence, and it felt like the investigation and assault were reserved for a week.

But there was no regret.

“If I had probed a bit more, I might have found out about the mastermind.”

It was only regrettable not to have uncovered the mastermind.

The next day, around sunrise, Mildred was released. I wondered if Philip had exerted his influence, even if he came later.

Anyway, he was out, and that was good. When I went outside, the sunlight was dazzling.

The sunlight, but more so Ellen in front of me.

“Mildred!”

Now that Ellen was alone, it was a joy to have her greet me.

I almost burst into a hearty laugh. However, Mildred quickly concealed the expression he was about to reveal.

Beside Ellen, Philip was slightly wrinkling his forehead.

“I never expected to be alone now.”

The joy was short-lived. A shadow crept into Mildred’s heart.

“I apologize for causing concern, my lord, my lady.”

Mildred bowed politely.

Seeing Mildred’s behavior, Philip regretted assisting Ellen.

“Ah, I should have said we’re going to the territory and left.”

Philip accurately read the emotions that briefly flashed in Mildred’s eyes.

It was a mix of affection for Ellen and animosity towards Mildred.

It had always been a bit unpleasant, but Philip could pretend not to care.

At least the atmosphere wasn’t like Ellen seeing Mildred as a man.

“Well, I’m still better.”

Encouraged by a slight sense of victory, Philip teased Mildred.

“You’ve done well. Let’s go back to the territory.”

We returned to the campsite in the bamboo forest by carriage.

There, Philip’s horse and Blank were waiting patiently for us.

Now, with Blank on the carriage, Philip was planning to ride his horse and return to the territory.

“Philip, there’s something I wanted to say.”

Seizing the opportunity while Mildred was examining his words, Ellen brought up the topic.

“Something you wanted to say?”

“We may have divorced, but it’s just a formality.”

Philip’s eyes focused on me widened. It seemed like he even doubted his ears.

“I have a business proposal I want to make.”

“…”

Philip remained silent. His response seemed disappointing, making Ellen cautious.

“Is it uncomfortable that I brought up business?”

“Ah, business, um…”

Philip mumbled to himself and nodded with a somewhat disappointed expression.

“No, it’s fine. Please go ahead.”

“…”

I scrutinized Philip’s mood a bit more and cautiously brought up the topic.

I asked him to allow the use of the bamboo in this forest as material for the business.

“Material for business?”
At that moment, Mildred informed us that the departure preparations were complete. Now, Philip would ride his horse, and I would ride with Blank in the carriage, each heading to our respective locations.

Given the circumstances, I swiftly proposed my intentions.

“Yes, if you are willing to consider, I’d like to explain the nature of the business and discuss the terms during our return journey. Would that be possible?”

“No.”

Philip, who had mounted the horse brought by Mildred, flatly refused.

“I don’t want to discuss such matters with you.”

“…”

He didn’t even want to discuss it.

Of course, I knew that the proposal could be rejected, but Philip’s firm expression left me feeling disheartened.

“Without even hearing what it’s about?”

“I don’t know what you have in mind, but there’s no need for discussions.”

Come on, Philip.

With the desire to persuade him, I forcibly suppressed the words that were about to come out on their own under my breath.

‘Why is he acting like this?’

Then, Philip spoke.

“I’ll grant you the rights, so feel free to use it.”

“What?”

“Literally, there’s no need for compensation. There’s an abundance of bamboo.”

Philip then pointed in the direction of the elephant habitat.

“Also, there’s a larger bamboo forest over there in the elephant habitat.”

He said that the bamboo forest over there was much larger than this one.

“His Majesty has given Morris Territory up to where the elephant’s foot touches, and that includes the bamboo forest within it. You are free to use it as much as you want.”

“What? His Majesty expanded Morris Territory?”

It seemed like an unexpected windfall to have more bamboo to use.

“He mentioned it was to enhance my honor. As a kind of compensation, you can take possession of the bamboo forest here and the rights His Majesty granted for the bamboo forest.”

“What do you mean?”

I was wide-eyed, wondering what he was talking about.

“A few small houses wouldn’t be too insignificant as a dowry for the Viscountess. I couldn’t give more due to my debts, but it worked out well.”

“Are you saying you’ll give me all the bamboo forest in Morris Territory?”