The man, taken aback by the sudden question from the Duke, unfolded a map. The salt mine was enormous. Over half of the Bialytskal region was a salt mine.

The architect, Saturn, began sketching on the map with a pen, starting to answer the Duke’s unexpected question.

“Yes, it seems possible. Since the mine is already collapsing, we won’t need to sell the land when the hot spring erupts. We wouldn’t have needed to make a conduit to bring up hot spring water either. It saves both time and cost!”

Lea clapped his hands at that statement.

“That’s perfect! Think about it. The hot springs in the existing Empire, they’re all just rigid rectangular buildings, right? But Bialytskal’s salt hot springs will be different. It will be a special hot spring in harmony with nature!”

The view from the mine was indeed quite spectacular. Enjoying a hot spring bath to relieve the body’s fatigue there sounded wonderful.

Even though he had only heard words, a picturesque scene of landscapes naturally painted itself in his mind. Akiya nodded in agreement with Lea’s opinion.

“Alright. Saturn, then redo the new design centered around the salt mine.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Saturn, excited at the prospect of working on a task he had never tried before, responded with an enthusiastic voice.

“I’ll be going now. From now on, there will be a lot to do.”

“Yeah. Prepare everything for construction in advance. So, we can start as soon as the design is complete.”

“Yes! Then, I’ll…”

As Saturn left the office, Akiya looked at Lea.

“Thanks. Thanks to you, a big problem has been solved.”

“Oh, no. I just gave my opinion.”

Akiya, appreciating her, ruffled Lea’s hair, who blushed shyly. Seeing Lea’s bashful attitude made Akiya find her cute, and he tousled her hair.

“More importantly, what brings you here? Coming all the way here. The old man wouldn’t have easily given his permission.”

“The old man? Duke, even if you hold the same title, you should respect your elders!”

“Huh.”

Akiya, who had already treated Belarus Duke disrespectfully many times in front of Lea, clicked his tongue.

He suddenly sided with Belarus Duke. Akiya’s gaze at Lea became more scrutinizing.

“It seems there’s something going on with Belarus Duke.”

“Um.”

Reading her reaction, the Duke, now certain, whispered.

“It seems Belarus Duke has become part of the family.”

“W-What…!”

In shock, Lea asked with an astonished expression.

“Did you know, Duke?! My mother-in-law is a lady from Belarus who died!”

“Faintly.”

“No! If you knew, why didn’t you tell me?!”

“I wasn’t sure. I thought it might be disappointing to give you incorrect information.”

“Ah…”

Akiya, too, was deeply troubled by this issue.

Although he had instructed her to investigate and find out separately, Belarus Duke seemed to have been a step ahead.

“So, how does it feel to find family?”

“Just… it’s a bit overwhelming. It feels like I’m still dreaming.”
Watching Lea fiddling with her fingers, Akiya gently grasped her hand.

“In times like this, just say you’re happy.”

“…Happy?”

A warm sensation spread slowly over their hands. The first real family Lea had found – her grandfather.

“Happy…”

As if enchanted by something, Lea whispered quietly.

“Yes, I think I’m truly happy now.”

After saying that, she wore a brighter smile than ever, as if cherishing the present happiness.

And a few months later, the awaited spring arrived in Bialytskal.

Viscount Leorode stared at Rodrigo, who had come since the morning.

Even before Rodrigo could find him, he received a report from his subordinate who had been dispatched to Bialytskal. They had successfully halted all rock transactions through the Parshia headquarters.

‘Hmm, after blocking the sale of mezujade, they intend to use the mine itself.’

It was indeed a bold idea. The Duke, who had been considered frail, turned out to be unexpectedly clever.

Viscount Rodrigo’s mouth became dry. Seeing the Duke’s calm demeanor, it seemed like Gerald might go even crazier.

Every morning, the praise for Akiya, who plastered newspapers, and the discussion about the hot spring project continued, causing the low pressure of Ilay to persist.

Being concerned about this, he sought out Duke Leorode.

“Duke, the completion date of the Bialytskal hot spring is imminent. Won’t the hot spring be open successfully at this rate?”

“…”

“His Majesty is also worried.”

Viscount Leorode, as Rodrigo continued speaking, slowly picked up a teacup with a casual hand. After a brief moment of tension, he looked at Rodrigo with a smirk close to scorn.

“So, did His Majesty send you? So early in the morning.”

“…”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be challenging to successfully finish the hot spring project.”

Leorode sipped his tea and, lowering the cup to the table with a delicate touch, responded.

“Do you have any other plans?”

Instead of answering Rodrigo’s cautious question, the Viscount pointed to the scattered pile of documents on the table.

“I should warn you.”

“Warning? What…?”

The Viscount absentmindedly sifted through the documents before taking out a sheet of paper and offering it to Gerald as if throwing it.

“It seems Duke Heydern values that woman quite a bit.”

As Rodrigo’s eyes scrolled down the document, for a brief moment, his pupils shook.

‘Apothecary Lea.’

The apothecary was the only person that Duke Heydern had brought from the territory when he ascended.

After Rodrigo took his eyes off the document, the Viscount, lifting his head, stared into the air.

“When someone is dying, can anything be more unfortunate than that? Especially right before the completion ceremony.”

As if contemplating the upcoming future, the Viscount flashed a heated smile.