Chapter 72

“...No, I don’t have any.”

Iona lifted her gaze briefly and replied.

She couldn’t figure out the exact nature of the discomfort she felt.

After examining several possibilities, Iona brought out the most plausible reason among them.

“Doesn’t this look ungrateful to you? Instead of paying back the favor to the family that took me in and raised me as a noble, I’m planning to steal everything.”

“I believe there must be a reason.”

“And what if there isn’t?”

“Then I can pretend there is.”

It didn’t make much sense, but at the same time, it was a convincing answer in a way.

Fin interjected with a firm voice.

“Didn’t I already tell you that I will follow you from now on? You already know how far I can go for the master I serve.”

]Indeed, this person resembled herself. Iona thought that was why she couldn’t help but care for him, wishing for him to live a life without regrets. It felt as if she were seeing her past self, and she didn’t want his past death to be in vain.

Recalling the lost time, Iona quietly closed her eyes.

“It’s not good to base the value of your life on others.”

“Because it’s you who says that, I made this decision.”

“You overestimate me.”

“Is it wrong to want someone who appreciates the weight of loyalty as my master?”

Iona was speechless.

Unintentionally, Iona burst into laughter.

It was because the reason she had decided to live for Leroy in this life instead of Richard came out through Fin’s words.

Iona couldn’t bring herself to say it was the wrong choice.

“No, it’s not wrong. It’s just a natural thought...”

Iona shook her head and muttered quietly.

Because she equated herself with him, unnecessary contemplation dragged on, but objectively speaking, it was clear which choice would be more beneficial.

Suddenly, Iona asked.

“Do you remember the maid who came down with us to this place? The one with chestnut brown hair and a calm demeanor.”

“I know.”

“I asked her to work for me. I want to say the same thing to you as I did to her.”

Already having made up her mind internally, Iona didn’t waste any more time in hesitation.

“’I will surely value you.’”

Fin raised his head, taken aback by Iona’s promise.

A small ripple appeared in his green eyes. The water quietly flowed downward, until it disturbed his chest.

Soon, Fin placed his right hand over his heart in a formal gesture.

With a faint smile on his lips, he answered with sincerity.

“It is an honor beyond measure.”

***

Iona came out of the room just as Sophia, who had not been able to overcome the wait, was about to knock on the door again.

Seeing Iona suddenly appear, Sophia was startled and stepped back. Iona assessed Sophia’s condition with a concerned gaze.

“Are you hurt?”

“Oh, no.”

Sophia quickly extended her hand and glanced past Iona’s shoulder.

Fin remained inside, tidying up the messy desk instead of coming out with Iona.

Curious about what the two of them had talked about, Sophia suppressed her curiosity and took the lead to guide Iona.

“Is my luggage ready?”

“Yes, once the lord checks it, I’ll put it in the carriage right away.”

“Marsha must have taken good care of it.”

Iona replied with an indifferent tone.

Sophia had been under Robert’s orders and had been constantly observing Iona since the day she was placed under her.

Robert was gone, and considering Sofia’s initial intention, it was a somewhat unexpected situation.

The unanswered questions made people uneasy.

The closer she got to Iona’s room, the more tense Sophia’s face grew.

By the time they reached the door, Sophia couldn’t postpone gathering the courage any longer.

Sophia stood in front of the door and cautiously asked,

“Um, Dame Iona, can I ask you something?”

“Here?”

Iona extended her index finger and pointed to the corridor floor.

Seeing Sophia’s frightened face and her gaze scanning from the doorway, it seemed that this maid was indeed more afraid of Marsha than Iona.

In the end, Iona nodded her head as a permission gesture.

“It’s just that after you left, Lady Iona, I’m not sure how I should proceed... Can I continue working here?”

“Why, do you intend to quit if I say no?”

Sophia’s expression darkened at Iona’s retort. It was the expected reaction.

Just as Iona had learned about Fin’s circumstances through Sophia, she had also learned about Sophia’s situation through someone else.

Sophia worked as a maid, taking responsibility for her family’s livelihood in a house with many dependents.

The money Robert gave her on the side was an irresistible temptation. She was, in a way, the owner of a common story.

If Iona were to punish her, she could give her any punishment, and if she were to forgive her, there would be no reason not to. However, Iona did neither.

It was for the exact same reason that Iona left the vassals uncaptured.

First of all, Iona was too busy,

‘I was busy.’

The redeployment of personnel was something that required a lot of attention above all else.

‘It was annoying.’

That was why she didn’t feel the need to hurry things up unless it was an element that would cause a problem right away.

Even without meticulously dealing with such problems, Iona already had a mountain of tasks to accomplish.

“I know it’s a shameless request. Dame Iona, but if I lose this job, I’ll be in dire straits, unable to make a living... So please, even if it’s just to see me through the current situation...”

“Do as you wish.”

“Yes?”

“I said you can continue working here.”

Above all, Sophia was still a useful person to Iona.

Iona passed by Sophia, who had a bewildered expression, and grasped the doorknob. As she entered the room first, Sophia followed behind her as if possessed.

There was a hint of activity coming from inside, indicating that Marsha was tidying up the bedroom.

Instead of calling out to Marsha, Iona quietly closed the door. Then, leaning against the wall, she took a step closer to Sophia.

“After I leave, the count will probably come down to the manor to clean up the rest. At that time, you will be in charge of the count’s duties.”

“But, won’t the count suspect me if he sees me? He might think I’m Baron Franz’s spy.”

“Even though you remain in the permanent residence, if you don’t show your face, the suspicions will become certain.”

“...still…”

At Iona’s point, Sophia made a frightened expression.

Iona had evidence of her cooperation with Baron Franz, and that was not something that lost its meaning just because the Franz disappeared. It was because the motive for bringing the count down to the estate would be anger toward Baron Franz.

Iona added one bait for Sophia who was hesitant.

“If you do what I ask well, I’ll give you an amount that would make you not worry about getting fired for a lifetime. So, do you feel more motivated now?”

Sophia’s eyes quickly filled with greed as Iona acted as if she would hand over a large sum of money.

Seeing Sophia nod her head quickly, as if afraid the proposal would slip away, Iona smiled satisfactorily.

It was unfortunate for Marsha, who would be frustrated, thinking why she had to spend a large sum of money on a con artist, but Iona believed that using both the whip and the carrot together was much more efficient.

***

At dawn on the day Iona returned to the capital, Hayden personally waited for her with the lights on in the mansion until late.

Although he had already received rough news through messengers, he still wanted to have a direct conversation with her, perhaps because of it.

Restlessly, Hayden stared out into the dark window.

This was the first time he had waited so long for Iona’s return.

Hayden suddenly turned his head to the side.

When he saw the empty chair that had been sitting there a moment ago, the image of someone who had been there naturally came to mind.

Hayden clicked his tongue absentmindedly.

‘Being so emotional.’

Nils, who had volunteered to protect Hayden, had barely lasted a few hours before returning to his room in exhaustion.

Hayden couldn’t help but be secretly pleased when Nils said he would get up. It was because his son, who had been constantly annoying him, asking if he wasn’t tired, was starting to become a nuisance.

Failing to wake Hayden, Nils finally revealed his discomfort and left alone. It seemed that Nils was dissatisfied with the fact that Hayden was paying so much attention to Iona.

Muttering as if lamenting, Hayden said,

“He doesn’t even know what’s important.”

--- End Of The Chapter ----

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