[So, you’re saying you can’t help me because you’re worried about your daughter? Even after earning all that money?]
[……You must think I’m heartless. I understand.]
Baron Hess still seemed to consider Baron Barden a friend, as his voice was tinged with sorrow.
But that didn’t mean he was backing down in the slightest.
Baron Hess had grown.
He had overcome the days when his kind and innocent nature—something he was born with—was exploited, and he had become someone who could now choose what truly mattered.
Even though she knew the man was older than her, Nadia smiled faintly with pride.
But while Nadia was feeling warm admiration, Baron Barden only grew more desperate.
[That girl isn’t even your real daughter, is she?]
[What did you just say?]
[N-no, I mean… Actually, I found her a good match! I wanted to help you and have you help me too. If she gets married, you won’t have to worry about her anymore—]
[What nonsense are you spouting? That’s enough. I don’t want to get angry at you.]
[It’s a really good match! Just hear me out! It’s none other than Count Iris—]
Count Iris was a well-known figure in high society.
Even the remote Hess territory had heard of him.
Though not particularly handsome, his smooth talk had reportedly stolen the hearts of many ladies—a notorious womanizer.
Apparently, he was interested in the small and powerless Hess family because marrying into a powerful one would make his affairs more difficult.
[He may be a bit older, but isn’t his family respectable? He’s wealthier than you and known for his impeccable manners.]
Nadia let out a short laugh.
Whether it was in her past life as Revenia or now, marriage had always felt like a shackle.
Given her position, she was no different from a product displayed for sale, just waiting for someone to pay the right price.
From that perspective, marrying Count Iris didn’t seem like the worst option.
He likely wouldn’t pay attention to his wife anyway and would spend his life chasing other women.
Given the limited appeal of the Hess family—economically, politically, or historically—better proposals weren’t likely to come.
Perhaps Baron Hess had even considered the Count’s proposal…
[Manners, my foot!]
Just before Nadia could sink further into thought, Baron Hess’s voice boomed through the eavesdropper device, so loud it nearly burst her eardrum.
Startled, she clutched her right ear.
[Everyone knows that man is a shameless womanizer! My daughter is only twenty years old, and that scoundrel is already in his mid-thirties! He’s known for fooling around with woman after woman—he probably has a dozen illegitimate children! And you dare suggest I marry off my sweet, smart, and beautiful daughter to that filthy scoundrel? Are you insulting me right now?!]
[But still, he’s a Count—]
[I wouldn’t marry her off to him even if His Majesty the Emperor came to ask! So shut your mouth!]
Nadia’s eyes widened in shock as she listened to their conversation.
It was her first time hearing Baron Hess shout like that.
Even Baron Barden was flustered, stammering as he spoke.
[Y-you’re being too harsh. Have you become arrogant now that you have some money? And saying ‘shut your mouth’—how rude—]
[And you, begging like a beggar, still have the nerve to be rude? If one of us must be rude, it should be me, not you! That would be far more fitting!]
[W-what did you say? A beggar? Hah! I never imagined you were this kind of person—]
[Then thank you. I’ve been trying to make people see me differently these days. I’ve lived too meekly, and because of that, my daughter has suffered!]
Baron Hess ended with a shout, then immediately ordered someone to throw Baron Barden out.
And from the other side of the listening device, an unexpected voice answered brightly.
[Yes, Master! Right away!]
The cheerful voice belonged to none other than Vivian.
With a grunt of effort, Baron Barden’s scream echoed loudly.
Nadia hurried to the window, startled.
Vivian was carrying Baron Barden on her shoulder as she exited the estate.
She looked so strong that it seemed like she was just taking a stroll.
“Oh my…”
Nadia covered her mouth with her hand, blinking in disbelief, then bit her lip—otherwise, she was certain an inappropriate laugh would burst out.
It was only after taking several deep breaths that Baron Hess reached for the parlor door handle.
Seeing Baron Barden insult Nadia had infuriated him beyond belief.
He didn’t regret yelling or throwing him out, but he couldn’t stop his heart from racing.
‘You’re the lord of this land, Father. Being kind is good, but you must always maintain your dignity.’
Baron Hess recalled Nadia’s advice and exhaled deeply.
He couldn’t afford to show his disheveled state to the staff.
After one last calming breath, Baron Hess stepped out of the parlor.
He’d expected to see the maids gathered in concern—but instead, only Nadia stood waiting.
She smiled gently at him.
“Father, are you feeling better?”
“Haha… Yes, yes, of course. You heard your father making a fuss, didn’t you? I’m sorry. You told me to maintain my dignity…”
“Don’t say that. The one who caused the scene was Baron Barden.”
Saying that, Nadia gently took his hand.
Though Baron Hess tried to appear composed, his hand was trembling.
His face flushed red as he stammered.
“Raising my voice like that… My hands are shaking. How embarrassing. I must be getting old for nothing.”
Nadia stared at him quietly.
They didn’t share a single drop of blood, and they didn’t look alike at all.
Yet Baron Hess truly treated her like his own daughter.
A man so gentle that yelling once made his heart race, his face flush, and his hands tremble…
That this kind man had done all of this for her—Nadia felt grateful and touched.
Revenia had three parents in her past life, yet none had shown her this kind of warmth.
Baron Hess had offered it so easily, so sincerely.
“N-Nadia, are you crying? Did I upset you by showing such a pitiful side? I’m sorry.”
Oh—was she crying?
She hadn’t even realized.
Lowering her gaze, Nadia stepped forward and hugged him.
“No, it’s not that. I’m just really thankful.”
Nadia was a kind daughter but not very expressive.
So when she suddenly embraced him with tear-filled eyes, Baron Hess couldn’t hold back either and sniffled.
“There’s nothing to thank me for…”
“No. I mean it. I’m so grateful. I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have you as my father.”
Someone willing to learn from those below him.
Someone not afraid to apologize to a subordinate.
Someone who would change himself for the sake of someone he loves.
Someone who shares his tears openly with family.
Nadia was proud that her father was that kind of person.
“We took out the fancy tea but didn’t even drink it, huh? Shall we go have some in Mother’s room?”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“I want to tell Mother how cool you were today.”
“Haha… That’s a bit embarrassing.”
They chatted like two people sharing a special secret as they walked toward the late Baroness’s room.
On the way, Baron Hess suddenly remembered something.
“By the way, your maid Vivian… She’s really strong, isn’t she? As strong as the miners in our land?”
“I know, right?”
Nadia nodded with a soft smile.
She’s probably even stronger than those miners.
If she said that, Baron Hess might faint from shock—so she decided to keep it a secret for now.
Given how cautious Vivian was, it would probably come out eventually anyway.
Well, as long as he didn’t find out she used to be an assassin… it should be fine.
A new office had been made for Nadia at Baron Hess’s estate.
Previously, she had to use either her bedroom or Baron Hess’s office, so this was a major change.
At first, the room only had a desk, chair, and bookshelf—but after some chatter among the maids, the estate’s carpenters soon arrived.
“Of course an office needs a sofa!”
“It’s just cooler that way!”
Working together, the carpenters built a spacious sofa big enough for two or three people to sit on. It didn’t use the finest leather, but the material they treated by hand was soft and attractive enough.
Nadia loved it, so much so that she often chose to rest on it even outside of work.
“Conrad, you should try sitting too. It’s surprisingly comfortable.”
“…Yes, ma’am.”
Of course, Conrad—who came in and out through the office window—didn’t particularly like the sofa.
In his eyes, his master deserved a much finer office.
But since Nadia was so pleased with it, he couldn’t say anything.
He sat upright on the sofa, following Nadia’s instructions.
“I’ll start the report. Ever since you expanded the influence of the Baldwin Duchy, many women have been eyeing the position of Duchess. However, as you suspected, the only one reckless enough to order a hit is Count Crimson.”
Nadia nodded.
“After Revenia Baldwin’s death, Count Crimson proposed multiple times to the Duke, only to be rejected. He later bought a lavish townhouse in the capital.”
“He must’ve planned to expand his influence in the city.”
“Yes. He also began spreading rumors that the Baldwin Duke mistreats his vassals—trying to manipulate public opinion.”
Nadia’s expression hardened.
“Propose a marriage, get rejected, then accuse him of being cold? How cowardly…”
Nadia had a tendency to get worked up when it came to Heinrich. Her voice had just started to rise when—
Knock knock.
Someone tapped on her office door.
Before Nadia could even tell him to hide, Conrad had already slipped under the sofa.
Watching the tall man fold himself up like that nearly made Nadia laugh.
She cleared her throat and called out.
“Who is it?”
