Melvin, having listened attentively to Rita’s words, groaned as he stood up. Rita asked in bewilderment.

“Where are you going?”

“……”

He closed his mouth and looked around. As Rita had said, the impeccably tidy interior came into view. The broken bricks, cracked window frames, and crumbling stairs had all been neatly repaired.

He hadn’t stayed here because he liked it. He merely remained because his salary was higher than that of other servants. Come to think of it, the reason his family, who were mere commoners rather than nobles, could serve as butlers here for three generations was thanks to the indifference and insensitivity of the previous Grand Dukes.

Occasionally, when the previous Melvin, or the current Melvin, felt the desire to change something for the better, it only lingered in their minds before disappearing. It was because they lacked both the grounds and the confidence to persuade the previous Grand Dukes.

Thus, the previous Melvin could only pass down emasculated courage and a sense of helplessness to the next generation of Melvin.

But…

Melvin spoke in a low voice.

“Shouldn’t I at least show some sincerity to the master?”

Then he turned and left the inner room. Surely, he was going to discuss with the staff how to decorate the Grand Duke’s castle before the carpenter arrived.

“……”

Rita, who had been watching his retreating figure with her mouth agape, unconsciously clenched her fist. She turned her flushed face to look at the newly fitted, gleaming glass window. Beyond it, bare branches swayed in the cold wind.

Though it was the height of winter, in her heart, it was already spring.

In the evening, Amy lowered the letter she had finished reading onto her lap and pressed between her eyes with her hand.

‘It’s fortunate that the Grand Duke’s butler is so efficient.’

Wanting to finish the repairs and decorations before Noah arrived if possible, she had forcefully pushed the work along with Joseph, but things had progressed smoothly thanks to good coordination with the other side. She had thought it would be good if even half the work got done, as it would be futile if the other side didn’t cooperate no matter how much effort they put in, so this was fortunate indeed.

Amy rotated her stiff shoulders.

‘Not much left until we reach the North, so I must keep going.’

Once again, she buried her nose in the documents Joseph had painstakingly prepared. It was a report on land reclamation and reconstruction of the shopping street in the town just below the Grand Duke’s castle.

She had sought information on metalworkers skilled in gold, silver, brass, and bronze, as well as tanners and skilled blacksmiths through mercenaries, and then invited them to come to the North.

It was an exceptional offer, providing funds and shops necessary for relocation, and lowering tax rates until they settled in. While some refused, most agreed, and shops and houses to stay in were being built with the cooperation of the Grand Duke’s butler and influential villagers.

‘The extreme cold can probably be resolved if we do well.’

Amy put down her quill and fell into thought. The Grand Duchy was a land of opportunity hidden beneath ice. It wasn’t for nothing that she was trying to put down roots there by sweet-talking the Second Prince. As she drew grand plans in her mind, the Black Mountains located at the northernmost part of the Grand Duchy came to mind.

‘How ironic that it’s called the Black Mountains of all things. It’s quite a coincidence.’

Since it’s covered in ice and snow all year round, wouldn’t White Mountains suit it better? Why was it given such a name? Perhaps they knew of its existence in the past?

‘Maybe there are records in history books. I should look it up when I get to the Grand Duke’s castle.’

In truth, the chances of any records remaining were almost nil. If anyone had known, the North would have become one of the wealthiest places on the continent by now.

Lost in thought, she suddenly looked up. The crackling sound of burning logs in the fireplace was comforting. It was fortunate that they could rest here, as it had suddenly become extremely cold as soon as they entered the North.

Just then, a maid knocked on the door and entered.

“Lady Chamberlain. It’s time for dinner.”

“Alright.”

She organized the documents and stood up. It was time to meet the owner of this mansion.

“……”

Amy unknowingly furrowed her brow. The owner of the mansion was not present in the dining hall.

‘What’s this about?’

When they first arrived as guests at this lord’s castle upon entering the North, Count Coleman, the owner of the mansion, had not shown his face to Noah. Only the butler had come out to receive them with great hospitality.

The butler had been very apologetic, saying that the master couldn’t come out due to circumstances, but until then, Amy hadn’t thought much of it. She had assumed he was briefly away. But not showing up for dinner either…

‘I heard there were forces in the North opposing Noah’s ascension as Grand Duke. Is Coleman one of them?’

Amy glanced at Noah standing beside her. Seeing him calm and unperturbed despite the slight from a vassal family, she felt slightly pleased.

Just then, Noah calmly asked the elderly butler.

“Is this Count Coleman’s choice?”

“……”

Amy changed her mind. It seemed he was displeased after all.

“W-what outrageous words are these! Your Grace, the Grand Duke!”

The experienced butler, understanding Noah’s words, was aghast. He quickly gestured to drive the servants out of the dining hall. Then he personally locked the door and approached Noah, kneeling on the cold floor.

“I will speak frankly. Count Coleman is currently hovering between life and death.”

“!”

Noah and Amy’s mouths fell open. Amy quickly checked once more with her eyes to see if the door was properly locked.

“Then what about the heir?”

“Pardon?”

At Amy’s question, the butler briefly looked blank before his face quickly turned troubled.

“Well, that…”

Amy swiftly searched through the information in her head about the Count Coleman family.

‘Count Coleman’s territory is about 1/6 of the Grand Duchy and located on the way to the Empire, has the mildest weather in the North, and the main source of income is selling sturdy black wood from lush forests. The current Count is elderly and has no children.’

“Oh my…”

Since the Empire and the Duchy have been separated, the new Count Coleman would have to be appointed by Noah. But if Count Coleman was truly part of the anti-Grand Duke faction…

‘Of all times, us coming now could lead to troublesome rumors.’

Rumors like the Second Prince killed the elderly count to reclaim the title from the opposition faction. The public doesn’t care whether rumors are true or not. They’re only interested if it’s sensational and entertaining.

‘The opposition will eagerly add fuel to such rumors.’

It was giving her a headache. As if there wasn’t already a mountain of work to do, why did everything have to be so complicated? As Amy was inwardly cursing, Noah spoke.

“Where is Viscount Burton?”

“!”

At those words, the butler’s face turned as pale as a dead man’s. Amy furrowed her brow and once again quickly searched her memory.

‘Burton is one of the titles held by Count Coleman, but… who holds that title when there’s no heir?’

The butler, as if resigned, slumped his shoulders and answered honestly.

“Viscount Burton is… currently on a trip… no, he has run away.”

“……”

Amy rubbed her forehead again. She had stopped avoiding nobles after entering the North, fearing it might be troublesome like with the Fallen Baron family. She had wanted to have a cordial first meeting with them since they would have to interact with them from now on, whether they liked it or not…

‘Why is the road to the Grand Duke’s castle so treacherous…’

It sent a chill down her spine, as if it were foreshadowing that such pitfalls were thickly laid out in her future.

“Anyway, Count Coleman is still alive for now, right?”

At Noah’s words, the butler wiped his sweat and nodded.

“Yes, that’s correct. Although it seems he won’t last long…”

“We’ll be leaving at dawn tomorrow, so keep that in mind. No need to see us off.”

Noah said decisively and then seated Amy in a chair. Amy, who was half out of it, sat down reflexively before standing up in surprise.

‘No, I should be the one attending to His Highness!’

But Noah had already taken the seat of honor. Amy reluctantly sat down again. At Noah’s signal, the butler reopened the door and the servants brought in the food.

After dinner, Amy and Noah held an emergency meeting. Amy asked about what she was most curious about first.

“How did you know about Viscount Burton?”

“I overheard the Chancellor talking about it when I was in the Imperial Palace.”

Amy frowned.

“Count Coleman definitely has no children. So who could be Viscount Burton?”

“I heard he’s an illegitimate child.”

Ah, so that was it. The Chancellor knew, but since it wasn’t officially approved, it wasn’t recorded in official documents. That was why Amy didn’t know about it.

“So it’s not an official title, but they’re just calling him Viscount Burton in the North for convenience? I guess the previous Grand Duke didn’t approve it.”

“That’s not the only thing that guy didn’t do. He told me to brace myself.”

“Who did? The Chancellor?”

“Yeah.”

Amy inwardly pouted. The Chancellor, who looked like a pot-bellied weasel turned human, was the Empress’s man. He must have sneered at Noah, giving what he called advice before Noah left the Imperial Palace.

“Ignore such things.”

Seemingly aware of Amy’s indignation, Noah smiled softly. He nodded with a slightly shy expression.

“Yes, I have Amy with me after all.”

“Well… that’s right.”

Amy cleared her throat with an “ahem” and returned to the main topic.

“Of the Grand Duchy’s total territory, about 1/3 will be directly ruled by you, Your Grace, as your domain, and the rest of the land is the fief of Northern vassal nobles like Count Coleman. Therefore, cooperation with them is essential.”

“Meaning it’ll be a headache if they cause trouble.”

“That’s right.”

Noah looked at Amy and said.

“And they’re probably prepared to hinder me at someone’s instigation.”

“……”

Unable to lie and say it wasn’t so, Amy kept her mouth shut. Noah seemed to have expected this as he quietly lowered his eyes. Silence hung between the master and servant for a while.

How much time had passed?

“Amy.”

Noah raised his head and called her.

“Yes, Your Grace. Please speak.”

Noah swallowed dryly and carefully opened his mouth.

“What should I do?”