HOFRS 15

“Tsk.”

Vendia clicked her tongue.

She had already known, but now the very depths of Baldini’s true nature were laid bare for all to see.

To look down on someone and jump to wild conclusions simply because it didn’t fit within his own narrow worldview—how pathetic.

“Y-You there! W-watch your mouth!”

“Chris, it’s fine. As you can see, I’m just being greedy.”

Vendia shrugged as she held Chris back, who was about to lash out.

She had handled a violent brother and a father worse than a beast. This was nothing she couldn’t deal with alone.

“Go ahead. Name your price.”

“No, you should be offering an amount that satisfies me. Do you not even know the basics of negotiation? Are you trying to show off how uneducated you are?”

“Shut up and just tell me the price!”

Hurling his own words right back at him seemed to double the blow, and Baldini finally exploded.

“If you insist.”

Vendia tilted her head thoughtfully, her expression so calm it only served to make his fury more pathetic.

“Hmm… 1 billion Crang?”

“It should be 10 billion Crang, at the very least.”

“Oh, just as I thought.”

As Sasha jumped in with her remark, Vendia nodded as if they had rehearsed it.

“Are you all insane?!”

“Actually, no. I’ve decided not to sell.”

“What?!”

Baldini, red with rage and shouting furiously, suddenly froze in disbelief.

“Your face is just too unpleasant. I’ve changed my mind. I’m not selling.”

“Are you kidding me?! You stupid brat! What are you idiots just standing there for?! Grab her, now!”

As Vendia looked Baldini up and down with a disgusted expression, the effect was immediate.

He turned and yelled furiously at Gregory, who had been standing still all this time.

“W-What? Ah, yes!”

Gregory finally rushed to open the gate, but Chris was already blocking it with his body.

“What are you doing?! Open this gate! If you continue to interfere, I’ll have you arrested for obstruction of duty!”

The absurd threat made Vendia scoff with laughter.

“Obstruction of duty? Since when was real estate mediation among the police’s duties—especially for nobles?”

Her sarcasm stung, and Gregory’s nostrils flared as he grumbled and tried to forcibly pull the gate open.

“No pride left, huh, officer? Tsk, tsk.”

“Get out here right now! I’ll drag you away myself!”

The more she clicked her tongue, the more he raged. He looked like a wild gorilla.

Sasha muttered from the side, “Is he crazy or what?” as Vendia calmly crossed her arms.

“You should be the one leaving.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”

“Imperial Law Article 211: Anyone who trespasses into another person’s residence or managed building without permission shall be punished by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 200,000 Crang. I’ll report you for trespassing even if a single toenail crosses the line.”

“You think that works on me, a police officer—!”

“Imperial Law Article 159: The person in possession of a residence or managed building holds exclusive ownership under the Empire’s protection. This right is absolute and inviolable. Any infringement shall be punished under Article 39 of the same law.”

Legal statutes flowed smoothly from Vendia’s lips.

Ever since she became a property owner, she had memorized all relevant laws.

She disliked how she couldn’t resell the property for three years and had to pay 20% of the profit to the Empire every month, but there was one good thing.

In return, the Empire strictly enforced penalties for anyone infringing upon the owner’s rights.

Whether noble or not. This was the Emperor’s direct domain.

“Aaaargh!”

Realizing he was now stuck, Baldini jumped up like a madman and began kicking the fence.

Three newly replaced panels were destroyed.

“You really think you’ll get away with messing with me?!”

Still seething, his bloodshot eyes glared menacingly.

Vendia just smiled sweetly.

“Yep. I’m not selling.”

* * *

The next day.

Vendia was sipping warm, fragrant tea brought in by the servants.

The aroma was rich, and the taste superb.

“This mansion’s extravagant, no wonder the tea’s luxurious too.”

It was on a whole different level than the teas she’d had before—both in taste and aroma.

Even as a count’s daughter, she had been treated like a maid in her own home and never experienced luxuries or fine goods.

The same applied when she became a duchess.

With a tyrannical mother-in-law breathing down her neck, she hadn’t dared dream of luxuries.

In the grand reception hall—

Expensive paintings adorned the walls, and exquisite artworks were arranged tastefully throughout. It was far more elegant than her own mansion’s reception hall.

Sure, hers was nice, but it couldn’t compare to this level of grandeur.

Marble floors, a massive chandelier overhead, and the soft velvet sofa she now lounged on—it was the full flavor of wealth.

Vendia, feeling one with the plush sofa, lazily crossed her legs and wiggled a foot.

She’d been waiting a while. It was about time.

Bang—

As expected, a man with no manners slammed the door open.

“Coming to my house on your own. Should I thank you for saving me the trouble?”

Baldini approached her with a twisted grin.

That’s right.

She was now at the Marquis of Heden’s estate.

The night before, the name “Heden” had finally stirred her memory.

Finishing the last sip of her tea, Vendia set the cup down and stood.

Then she handed a piece of paper to Baldini from her coat.

“Here.”

“What? Did you change your mind? Think I’d be crazy enough to buy your property now?!”

“Just read it.”

As the paper fluttered, Baldini snatched it aggressively.

His face twisted as he read the contents.

“An invoice?!”

“Yes. For the fence you destroyed. You’ll need to pay for it.”

“You think I’d be stupid enough to pay for that?!”

“If damage is inflicted on another’s property, and it reduces its utility, then according to Imperial Law Article 119—”

“Shut up! Shut up!”

At yet another legal citation, Baldini exploded again, tearing the paper to shreds and grabbing Vendia by the collar.

“You think the law can stop me? Since you came here yourself, I’ll make sure you remember exactly who I am—”

“What’s all this commotion?”

Baldini, ready to throw a punch, froze instantly.

He let go of Vendia’s collar and turned around, his face pale.

“M-Mother…”

A middle-aged woman approached them.

Elegant, with a lifted chin and commanding gaze that exuded weight and authority like a towering mountain.

“The Duchess of Kalbermer.”

She addressed Vendia, who stood there calmly.

It was a title she hadn’t heard in a long time.

“D-Duchess of Kalbermer…?”

Baldini paled even more in confusion.

Vendia smoothed out her ruffled collar, gently lifted the hem of her skirt with both hands, and bowed gracefully to the Marchioness.

“It’s been a while, Marchioness.”