Chapter 6

The following day, a carriage arrived at the Hess Baron’s estate.

A young woman with neatly braided blonde hair stepped out, carrying a large suitcase.

One of the maids, who had been sweeping the courtyard, hurried over. The woman introduced herself with a bright smile.

“My name is Vivian. I’m a lady’s maid carrying a letter of recommendation from Baron Odeli of the South. I’ve come because I wish to serve Lady Nadia.”

The maid blinked in confusion.

“A… lady’s maid?”

“Yes!”

A real lady’s maid—the kind who stayed by a noblewoman’s side, acted as her closest companion, assisted with social events, and handled countless personal affairs.

When the maid continued staring blankly, Vivian cheerfully launched into an explanation.

“Baron Odeli was traveling to the Baldwin Duchy when he was injured near Hess territory. Lady Nadia treated him with her knowledge of medicinal herbs. Later, the physician said that if she hadn’t given him emergency treatment, he might have lost the use of his leg.”

“Our baron said that such a great kindness must be repaid, or it would someday become a debt of honor. That’s why he ordered me to come and take good care of Lady Nadia.”

“Uh…”

“My salary will be paid entirely by Baron Odeli every month.”

“It won’t place any burden on House Hess!”

Unable to decide on her own, the maid informed Baron Hess.

The baron summoned both Nadia and Vivian to verify the story.

“Nadia, is it true that you helped Baron Odeli?”

Baron Odeli was merely the identity Conrad used whenever he needed to operate openly.

Nadia glanced briefly at Vivian before calmly answering,

“Yes. I happened to offer him a little assistance.”

After studying Vivian for a moment, Baron Hess nodded.

“Then we should gratefully accept Baron Odeli’s kindness.”

“I feel somewhat burdened by such generosity, but you’re old enough to make your debut now. You’ll need a proper lady’s maid.”

“Let’s rely on his generosity until our circumstances improve.”

“I’ll do as you wish, Father.”

And so, Vivian officially became Nadia’s lady’s maid.

Saying she wished to speak privately, Nadia led Vivian into her bedroom.

She settled comfortably onto the sofa.

“It’s nice to meet you, Vivian.”

“The pleasure is mine, my lady. I look forward to serving you.”

“I doubt Conrad would send me just anyone.”

“What are you capable of?”

“I need to know where your talents lie so I can put you to the best use.”

Knowing exactly what one’s subordinates could do was essential.

Vivian smiled brightly.

“I’m an assassin.”

Nadia immediately pressed a hand against her forehead.

A groan escaped her lips.

“…He actually sent an assassin to be my lady’s maid. Honestly, Conrad…”

“The boss ordered me to protect you.”

“And of course, if you give the word, I’ll eliminate anyone.”

She delivered the horrifying statement in an incredibly cheerful voice.

With an enthusiastic clap, Vivian laid her suitcase flat on the floor.

“Oh! The boss also told me to deliver these documents.”

Naturally, the documents were the Keys—

the evidence that could destroy criminal organizations and earn sizable bounty rewards.

Nadia quickly accepted the stack and examined it.

Conrad had done a thorough job.

The total bounty she could collect was much larger than she’d expected.

“The boss said these are only the cases that can be verified immediately.”

“He’ll send more later.”

“Thank you, Vivian.”

“I only delivered them.”

Vivian beamed.

It was hard to believe someone so cheerful was actually an assassin.

Still, if Conrad had sent her, her skills were undoubtedly genuine.

“Then, Vivian…”

“I’m trusting you with your first assignment.”

“Who should I kill?”

“No.”

“I’m not planning to kill anyone.”

“Then should I spread false rumors?”

“No.”

“I hired you as my lady’s maid.”

“So I’m going to give you a lady’s maid’s job.”

Vivian looked genuinely disappointed.

“The boss told me lots of exciting things would happen if I came here…”

Conrad really sent me quite the troublesome person.

There was only one way to handle someone this enthusiastic.

Nadia handed her the documents.

“Take these to the Royal Guard.”

“Collect the bounty.”

“…Huh?”

“Isn’t that just running errands?”

“Hess Territory doesn’t have anyone capable of protecting such a large amount of reward money.”

“Only you can do this.”

She deliberately emphasized the words “only you.”

Vivian’s motivation returned instantly.

“I’ll leave right away!”

“I’ll protect the bounty with my life!”

Without even resting from her journey, Vivian departed immediately.

While Vivian was away, Nadia spent her days organizing the documents Conrad continued sending her.

Meanwhile, Baron Hess diligently oversaw the purchase of magical mining equipment and the development of the mines.

He wasn’t an exceptionally capable ruler.

But he was humble enough to happily learn from his adopted daughter.

Under Nadia’s patient guidance, he steadily improved, learning everything one step at a time.

A week later, Vivian returned.

She carried an enormous bounty payment…

Along with a gold-colored invitation.

Nadia didn’t even glance at the invitation.

Instead, she immediately called for a maid.

“Summon the physician at once.”

She needed to pay for Baroness Hess’s medicine.

Watching her, Vivian awkwardly held the invitation out again.

“My lady…”

“Aren’t you going to look at this?”

“Oh…”

“There was an invitation.”

“I can’t imagine who would invite me.”

She accepted it with little interest.

Vivian placed it into her hand.

“It came from the Baldwin Duchy.”

Nadia’s eyes widened.

She immediately opened the envelope.

The invitation wasn’t from Heinrich.

It was from the Dowager Duchess of Baldwin.

Before winter ends, I’ve arranged the gardens one last time.

I hope to enjoy a social gathering with the neighboring territories.

Although ours had been a relationship built on duty…

She had always treated me with warmth and respect.

The Dowager Duchess had been close friends with Libenya’s birth mother and had always shown Libenya sincere kindness.

Ten years ago, she’d suffered terribly from grief.

If she was hosting a garden party now, perhaps she’d finally recovered.

Nadia gently traced the familiar handwriting again and again.

She had no desire to become Libenya once more.

But denying that she missed the happiest days of that life would be a lie.

She stared silently at the invitation for so long that impatient Vivian finally asked,

“Are you going?”

“Yes.”

“I have to.”

“If she hadn’t invited me, that would be one thing.”

“But she chose to send this herself.”

The Dowager Duchess had been kind to Libenya.

To everyone else, however, she was an exceedingly strict noblewoman.

If she hadn’t wanted Nadia there…

She never would have sent an invitation in the first place.

“I’ll have to mend one of my dresses.”

“I should save money, but I can’t afford to be disrespectful.”

“If we ask the boss, he can easily get you a beautiful dress.”

Nadia shook her head.

“If I suddenly appear wearing something extravagant, everyone will find it suspicious.”

“As long as I look like I’ve done my best within my family’s means, that’s enough.”

“I wonder if there’s an old dress in storage worth repairing.”

Holding the invitation, she stood.

House Hess was still a noble family.

Surely they had a few old gowns.

It would be better to alter one with a timeless design.

Following behind her, Vivian muttered,

“I thought the Baldwin family never participated in high society.”

“So why are they suddenly hosting a garden party?”

Nadia frowned.

“What do you mean they don’t participate?”

“They’re the only ducal house in the North.”

“How could they not?”

“You didn’t know?”

“The Duke of Baldwin never attends parties unless the Imperial Family personally summons him.”

“He’s been like that ever since the former Duchess passed away.”

Nadia stopped walking.

She slowly turned around.

Her golden eyes blazed so fiercely that Vivian instinctively tensed.

“My lady?”

“It must be a coincidence.”

“The duchy needs someone to manage the household.”

“If anything, that means he should attend more social events.”

“I… suppose…”

Nadia’s tone was so firm that Vivian couldn’t bring herself to argue.

The rest of the walk passed in silence.

It’s been ten years since I died…

And he still isn’t attending parties because of me?

He’s at the perfect age to find a new partner.

That can’t be true.

A memory suddenly resurfaced.

Young Heinrich, his cheeks flushed, had once shyly confessed,

“My father wasn’t a man of many words, but he wasn’t cold.”

“He was very kind.”

“Someday, when I have children…”

“I want to become a father like him.”

To Nadia, who had never once imagined having children herself, those words had felt unfamiliar.

Although Heinrich had lost his father young, he’d been deeply loved.

That was why he dreamed of building a family of his own.

Even before their planned divorce, Nadia had quietly begun searching for suitable noble ladies who might one day become his wife.

She had wanted his dream to come true as soon as possible.

Yet…

He still hadn’t remarried.

Nadia’s face turned as pale as a corpse.

Her fingertips became cold and stiff.

Could it be… because I died in that carriage accident on my way to his Academy graduation?

Is that gentle child blaming himself?

It didn’t seem impossible.

She buried her face in her hands and sighed.

No…

Maybe he simply hasn’t met the right person.

He’s such an outstanding man that any family would feel intimidated.

There’s no guarantee this has anything to do with me.

She repeated the thought to herself.

Even so…

Her steps quickened.

If she wanted to know whether Heinrich was truly living well…

She had to attend that party.