Amy carefully examined James Weaver, who was bowing politely. His neatly groomed black hair, pale but gentle expression, and intelligent sparkling green eyes felt very different from when she first saw him. It was as if a dusty jewel had been polished to shine.

‘I heard he’s quite popular among the maids.’

Apparently, he had unwillingly become Dwayne’s rival because of it. The maids were said to be very excited these days, divided between the two men with contrasting charms of physical and intellectual appeal.

“I heard you’re adapting well.”

As Amy opened the conversation, James showed a pleased expression.

“Yes. Everyone has been so kind, I’m receiving more than I deserve.”

“That’s good.”

It would have been embarrassing if he had been struggling, since she was the one who called him here.

There was no reason for the people of the Grand Duke’s castle to be hostile to others without cause, but it was true that she was particularly concerned about this mother and son. So Amy was glad to see his improved appearance compared to before.

“So, for what reason do you wish to see the Grand Duke?”

“Ah…”

When asked about his business, he blinked quickly as if slightly nervous and gave an ambiguous smile.

“Well, I’d like to introduce myself first. I think you’ll be less uncomfortable with what I have to say if you hear that first.”

“Go ahead.”

Amy wondered why the preamble was so grand for whatever he had to say. As she made herself comfortable to listen attentively, he swallowed dryly and began his story.

“Forgive my impertinence, but I grew up being called a genius. It’s not to brag, but to explain how I came to attend university.”

“You attended university?”

Amy leaned forward at the surprising statement.

‘No, he was a much higher-level talent than I thought?’

James rubbed the back of his neck shyly.

“From a young age, the priest of my parish who had been watching over me submitted a recommendation letter to the university… Although I couldn’t graduate, I studied there for a total of 4 semesters.”

The moment he mentioned graduation, his gaze flicked to his own body. At the same time, a faint regret appeared on his face. It seemed he had to abandon his studies midway due to health issues.

In any case, since he had managed to last 4 years at a university that others struggled just to enter, there seemed to be no doubt about his competence. Amy nodded to show she understood well.

“I was fortunate enough to leave a good impression on a university professor, and participated in a short-term research project led by him. It was work to review and evaluate the usefulness of new policies to be implemented in the Empire. Since the previous Emperor ordered that all laws and policies to be implemented in the Empire must go through review by universities and temples, such collaborations between the Empire and universities have been taking place from time to time.”

He took a breath and finally got to the main point.

“Although I quit my studies, I still occasionally receive news from my colleagues through the connections I made back then. And through that, I learned something. Is it correct that Baron Pearson’s estate, who allegedly poisoned the Grand Duke’s drink, is located along the Boeta Mountains in the western part of the Empire?”

“That’s what I heard.”

According to the information from the mercenary captain, that was correct. But how did James know about it?

“I remembered because Baron Pearson was a beneficiary of the policy I participated in reviewing. When I came to the North, I was shocked to find that he was included in the Crown Prince’s entourage. It seemed too suspicious to be a coincidence.”

Then he revealed in detail the information he had learned.

The contents of the newly implemented policy reviewed by the university were as follows:

Tax reduction for a certain period for estates that suffered significant damage from natural disasters.

As it is a policy for small estates, only those with a tax rate of 30% or less in the previous year are eligible.

Officials are directly dispatched to assess the damage caused by disasters and provide disaster relief funds differentially according to the degree.

This policy was implemented immediately after review, and the first beneficiary was Baron Pearson.

Amy recalled what the mercenary captain had said.

‘Didn’t he say there was a landslide recently?’

It seems he received tax reductions and support funds in recognition of that damage. Up to this point, there was nothing particularly strange.

Suddenly, James furrowed his brow.

“Do you know how tax rates are determined? The smaller the estate, that is, the smaller the fief and the less produce it yields, the lower the tax rate. According to that calculation, the tax rate imposed on Baron Pearson’s estate last year was 40%.”

“…Wait. That’s strange.”

Amy frowned in turn. Didn’t he just say that the condition for receiving the policy’s benefits was a tax rate of 30% or less?

“Yes. It’s strange, isn’t it? So before the banquet, I quickly contacted a colleague to request more detailed information. And according to the data that arrived today, Baron Pearson’s fief was reduced just before the policy was implemented. He transferred it to a neighboring estate.”

“What does that mean? Arbitrarily giving and receiving fiefs granted by His Majesty the Emperor would be against the law, wouldn’t it?”

It was an obvious point. If a powerful neighboring lord demanded it be handed over, a powerless nobleman would have no choice but to give it up.

“An agreement was drawn up between the two estates a year ago, and recently received posthumous approval from His Majesty the Emperor. As a result, when the tax rate was recalculated, it came out to exactly 30%. Moreover, retroactive application was recognized, so he even received a refund of the 10% tax he had already paid.”

“They recognize private agreements? Is that even possible?”

“According to a law from the early days of the Empire that has now become obsolete, up to 1/5 of the entire estate could be transferred for a fair price to pardon the people fleeing to neighboring estates due to famine and disaster. They exploited that clause.”

“So…”

Amy felt her head throbbing. The late Baron Pearson was incredibly clever, anticipating the new policy in advance and colluding with the neighboring estate to reduce his own estate to make the previous year’s tax rate 30%.

As a result, he gained 10% tax refund and disaster compensation funds, and became exempt from paying taxes for a certain period?

“That’s an enormous benefit, isn’t it?”

“It is. But there’s another strange point.”

Another? Feeling like she was sinking deeper into a quagmire, Amy tensed slightly.

“Do you know who the lord of the neighboring estate that allegedly agreed with the Baron is?”

Amy tilted her head at James’s question.

“I’m not sure…”

“It’s Duke Valdern.”

An unexpected name came from James’s lips. Amy unconsciously crumpled the documents on her desk.

‘Duke Valdern is the Empress’s younger brother.’

Only then did she seem to understand how the situation was unfolding. Amy muttered dejectedly.

“So that’s how he connected to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

James nodded.

“That’s what I think too.”

Amy murmured, lost in thought.

“I heard he openly boasted that he would be promoted…”

James made a pitying expression at those words.

“Oh dear. Someone with a loose tongue isn’t a card that can be used for long.”

“That’s probably why he ended up like that.”

“He fell victim to his own scheme. I heard about Your Grace’s exploits at the banquet. It was truly amazing.”

His neat face was suffused with rapture. He seemed greatly impressed that the Grand Duke, even younger than himself, had subdued such notable figures at once. Amy felt pleased as if she herself had been praised.

“Indeed. To think he had been hiding such skills… It’s the greatest fortune for the North.”

“It certainly is.”

The two looked at each other, blinking, and smiled simultaneously. It was amusing how two outsiders were acting as if the North was their homeland when they hadn’t been here long. Still, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.

“I’ve heard your story well. I’ll report it to His Grace. As you surely know, you must not speak of this to anyone.”

“I understand.”

“And His Grace may seek you out, so don’t go far for the time being.”

“Yes. I stay within the castle anyway.”

James’s face looked slightly bitter as he answered. Amy glanced at him sideways, once again making up her mind to discuss his future position with Joseph. She had already been thinking of putting him to good use, but had been too preoccupied with the banquet to give any indication, so he probably thought he had been branded as incompetent.

“Do you know that even though the weather in the North has improved, reinforcing manpower is still a distant prospect?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying you should rest while you can.”

“…I understand.”

James withdrew without further words, his face brightened. Left alone in the office, Amy folded her arms and tapped her forearm with her fingers. She was mentally going over the information she had heard from James.

“…I should meet with Sally.”

After much deliberation, Amy made up her mind and got up to go outside. The moment she came down to the inner courtyard after leaving the outer castle, someone rushed up to her.

“Lady Chamberlain!”

“!”

She thought her heart would drop, but she managed not to show it. Amy frowned, pressing her hand to her pounding chest. The culprit was the middle-aged Baroness who was the Crown Prince’s new chamberlain.

“If you need anything, please speak to the head maid.”

She quickly drew the line, not particularly wanting to mingle words. But the Crown Prince’s chamberlain did not back down easily.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is desperately looking for the chamberlain. Let’s go together.”

“I heard there were no health issues. If he’s still unwell, I’ll send a physician right away.”

The Crown Prince’s chamberlain clutched her chest as if frustrated and glared at her.

“It’s not a physician he’s looking for, but Chamberlain Amelia. How can someone be so hard of hearing…”

“…”

Amy looked at the other chamberlain with an incredulous gaze.

‘Did they leave Amelia in charge?’

Who does she think she is to order me around? Amy brushed past her, pretending not to have heard. Flustered, the Crown Prince’s chamberlain hurriedly ran up and grabbed Amy’s arm. Amy gently shook off that hand and said softly.

“I need to go to my lord. You know that the orders of the one we serve take priority, don’t you?”

“…Knowing how dearly His Highness the Crown Prince cherishes you, do you have no compassion, Chamberlain?”

Having run out of words, the Crown Prince’s chamberlain started to force the issue. But she had picked the wrong opponent. Amy smiled brightly.

“No, I don’t.”

“…”