WYDM 13

The quantity far exceeded what the territory’s people and the Count’s estate consumed, making this possible.

Simply moving and selling excess inventory wouldn’t create any competitive advantage, so they had to work hard to cultivate the highest quality products to build a reputation among the stewards of noble houses.

With that mindset combined with favorable environmental factors, after a year they’d built quite a solid word-of-mouth reputation.

Lawyer Fredil was actually the one who’d steered them toward retail rather than acting as a middleman merchant. Despite his glamorous appearance, that rather diligent man had been frequently providing Sehera with various resources since their first meeting.

“You’re giving one to Mr. Fredil too? Even though he doesn’t officially work for Dirk, he’s practically… what’s the word? Just… ah, I don’t know. Anyway, you know what I mean!”

Sana had been hovering around trying not to be a bother, but finally ended up speaking to her at the desk.

However, unable to come up with the right word, her eyebrows furrowed in frustration.

“He’s practically a member of Dirk. Being a lawyer is his main job, but if we had to label it, ‘advisor’?”

Sehera answered without minding that she’d interrupted, finishing signing the documents and organizing them before glancing around and looking up at Sana.

When she’d first come to this estate, it felt like she only had ideas but didn’t know how to do anything.

Naturally—she’d only watched that field from the sidelines, hadn’t been particularly interested, and certainly had never learned it.

It was amazing that not only had she started doing such things, but now she was handling them quite skillfully.

“Right, advisor! You’re so smart, I feel like I’m learning a lot just being around you! Even though he mainly does lawyer work, he’s definitely a Dirk employee too.”

Sehera naturally knew Sana’s ulterior motive for constantly bringing up Fredil.

She couldn’t help but know—Fredil had beautiful enough looks to make any woman turn her head. Beautiful enough that the word “beauty” suited him despite being a man.

He occasionally visited shops in the capital’s shopping district, and rumors had spread enough that one could guess the maids managing each noble household’s affairs flocked to those shops after seeing him.

Sana was no exception. The lively, energetic girl became even more lovable when her face took on that look of someone in love.

Watching that child shine even without being loved in return sometimes made Sehera fall into thought.

But she kept those thoughts to herself, making sure no one caught on.

Whenever her thoughts threatened to go deep, she’d cover them well during the day, then quietly take them out only when left alone at night.

He must be doing well by now. A whole year had passed, so he wouldn’t be worrying those left behind by wandering outside the estate doing who knows what.

Even if he hadn’t regained his previous reputation, he’d probably be managing to look after the territory’s residents… living his life.

Finding out would be no trouble at all. A Duke was a Duke, so she felt she could learn about it without even asking Fredil.

But why bother now…?

While tremendously curious, the strong thought that he must be doing fine interfered with her thinking.

Occasionally that man came to mind. Ethan… Ethan Croft.

She’d loved looking into his eyes, calm like an undisturbed lake. Whether her heart was in turmoil or she was properly sad, he always came to mind first.

He would have been comforting—being by his side… would have made her feel better.

She’d definitely left because she was fed up with him, because she hated feeling like a useless sack of barley with nothing to do at that ducal estate… so why did she miss him sometimes?

Among all her thoughts, Ethan surfaced most frequently.

She often wanted to hear even a scrap of news about him, to the point where she felt like shutting down all thoughts except those related to business.

“Gifts! Everyone will love them so much. And bringing in something this special!”

Sana was cheerful from morning on.

Sehera, whose thoughts had been about to deepen because of that one person who unfailingly came to mind today too, smiled slightly at Sana’s words.

Until three years ago, none of them had any direct connection with Sehera.

A Count’s daughter—a divorced one at that—couldn’t have been particularly welcome, and yet even though someone who’d never thought to get involved in such operations was starting a merchant company, no one criticized her.

They simply welcomed her back and gave appropriate help with what she wanted to do.

“I’ve received so much, after all. If I don’t take care of them at times like this, when else could I?”

Perhaps she’d been hoping for an opportunity like this all along.

The moment she thought “it’s almost been a year,” she immediately thought “this is my chance.”

She wanted to invite him, who’d helped build the new Dirk alongside her when she knew nothing.

Of course, that would mean hiring people to cook separately…

“Mrs. Romina will be thrilled. She’s always generous with portions, but she felt bad that you couldn’t eat much, Miss. With so few employees, she said cooking wasn’t satisfying.”

A new head chef had joined the kitchen. Romina had worked at a restaurant before, so she was accustomed to cooking in large quantities.

If the Count’s estate became bustling like before, she’d be satisfied too… but for the time being, the Count’s household wouldn’t be adding more people.

“You’re right, Sana. It’s time to verify that saying about how food tastes much better when cooked in large quantities.”

She’d checked all the documents she needed for now. Sehera smiled in agreement with Sana’s words.

Doing things one by one that people would enjoy felt quite good. It was unfortunate she could only do it on special occasions, but she liked thinking they’d treasure and enjoy that day all the more because of it.

“Are you done working? Will you have breakfast now?”

Sana, who’d been standing by the desk chattering away, noticed her organizing the documents and said that. Seeing Sana read her actions well like a capable secretary, Sehera smiled and nodded.

Thanks to Sana, who immediately responded brightly whenever she smiled, she could start each day in a good mood.

This feeling was the best.

The past year hadn’t brought her only joy. The work was clumsy and she’d blamed herself for being unable to do everything alone. Whether coming out like this had been the right choice.

Being a divorced woman—the rumor had spread without needing to be said. Since Planer’s daughter, who should be at the Croft Ducal Estate, was doing this, it was impossible not to know.

There were times when even her determination to carry everyone forward nearly crumbled, but the connections she’d built up steadily had guided her.

That’s why she was planning this party. She wanted to invite everyone, but she intended to gather at least the people she absolutely had to take care of.

Only Sana and Romina knew Sehera was planning a party.

She wanted to make it a surprise as much as possible. Her sudden arrival a year ago had changed their year, after all.

She held a small… no, rather large hope that she wouldn’t be a burden but a delightful surprise.

But there was one person for whom a surprise would be very difficult.

Sehera got out of the carriage and entered the familiar building. He was in the capital’s shopping district so they couldn’t meet often, but he steadily visited the territory to look after Dirk—truly acting as an advisor.

“It’s been a while, Nea. Is Fredil inside?”

Entering the office alone, Sehera greeted Nea, who as always met her at the front.

She’d encountered the person she was most conflicted about inviting. She didn’t particularly have bad feelings, but the problem was that Nea seemed to have bad feelings toward her.

Nea looked up at her from her seat, then stood without answering and knocked on the inner door.

If it had been other nobles, some might have made a scene, but when she’d asked out of concern, she was told Nea almost never skipped answering.

Sometimes she gave brief answers, but more often she silently stood up like this.

Sehera didn’t want to lecture her using her noble status, but being disliked for no reason definitely made things awkward.

And while Nea was a problem, Fredil more than made up for it.

“Come in, Lady Sehera!”

A cheerful voice came from inside.

Nea opened the door with an expressionless face. She should be grateful Nea at least did her job, so by now Sehera didn’t particularly try to improve their relationship by being extra nice.

Opening the door and entering, today too a man with glamorous beauty—blond hair and blue eyes—greeted her with a bright smile.

Sehera also had blond hair and blue eyes, but not such brilliantly sparkling blond hair. Should she say people had different tones?

His blond hair sparkled and his eyes were like a bright blue sky, while Sehera had gently rippling blond hair and blue eyes like the deep sea.

Fredil had once made her uncomfortable by staring at her for a long time, saying it was fascinating to meet someone with the same coloring but such a distinctly different atmosphere.

“Coming all the way to the capital without an appointment—is something wrong?”

Still busy as ever, he spent almost equal time in and out of the office. So Sehera, who had to travel far, usually came on scheduled days or when she had other business in the capital.

That’s why a surprise was difficult with this person. That day’s schedule had to be free, and she had to make him come to the Planer Count’s estate no matter what.

“Have you been well? I knew you were busy since I haven’t seen you in a while.”

She brought it up that way, recalling they hadn’t met for nearly two months recently. It would be troublesome if he was so busy he couldn’t spare even two days.

“Recently? Ah, has it really been that long since we met? No wonder—I said I was itching to see you so badly, Count.”

Unlike the woman outside, Fredil had expressed infinite fondness for her from their first meeting.

Well, that fondness was the foundation for him actively helping with her work… but there were definitely times it felt burdensome.

It would be nice if Nea and Fredil’s reactions could be appropriately mixed together.