The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 245

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Episode 50
* * *
The moment Maximus returned, his aide stacked several reports before him and began his briefing.
“It’s a shame we lost the Eastern Region.”
While he attended Brisa’s birthday party, the aide had apparently been rushing about on various matters.
Naturally, Maximus was surrounded by talented individuals.
Since the Crown Prince’s dethronement, even more people had flocked to him—mostly commoners with special abilities.
The aide who had joined Maximus six years after the Imperial Banquet was himself quite capable.
“If you’d allied with the Cardipol Guild Master, the Eastern Region might already be settled…”
“If we merely shake hands with anyone promising to expand our power, trouble inevitably follows later.”
Maximus spoke decisively.
“Even if it takes time, it’s better to uncover the connection between the Young Grand Duke Ethan and Dark Magic, then proceed openly. As for Gillab Divostan—he’s unrelated to that faction, so instead, let’s devise a long-term strategy to place that third son as his successor.”
“Gillab Divostan, you say…?”
The aide’s expression showed his disagreement. Gillab seemed unlikely to ever truly become part of Maximus’s power base.
“Very well, I’ll investigate further.”
But for now, he didn’t argue back and simply picked up the next report.
“Then we’ll leave the Eastern Region under observation for now. The next matter is… marriage arrangements.”
As the aide flipped through the report, he glanced cautiously at Maximus’s expression.
Maximus was still unmarried and had no fiancée. Marriage was an extremely important political card, so it made sense to preserve it carefully.
The aide asked delicately.
“Might I ask what the atmosphere was like at the coming-of-age ceremony for Lady Sears, held in the Western Region?”
Since only close acquaintances had attended, it was information beyond the aide’s reach.
“High Society has a prevailing opinion that the Young Grand Duke Leopold and Lady Sears will soon have their engagement broken. Since the Young Grand Duke has returned safely, House Nogen no longer has reason to keep Lady Sears as a daughter-in-law. There’s precedent—Lady Sears failed to receive the Marquis Title before, and her engagement was broken immediately, wasn’t it?”
In fact, it was already accepted knowledge throughout High Society that Brisa and Leopold had a purely political arrangement.
“If that’s the case, the finest match for Your Highness would be Lady Sears. She can compensate for your bloodline concerns, and there’s the symbolism of a perfect alliance with Alpheus Sears, the War Hero.”
The aide even exhaled excitedly at the mere thought of it.
“Moreover, the two of you share a common trait—efforts in your respective fields for continental peace and the welfare of the common people.”
Had Brisa heard this, she would have retorted, “That’s not accurate. I only wanted to eat delicious food safely.”
“Should the two of you marry, all common folk across the Continent would surely celebrate. A beautiful union of those who protected the Continent—the impact would be tremendous. What other young prince could possibly challenge such renown?”
“Anyone listening would think I alone protected the Continent.”
Maximus listened to this in silence, then answered quietly.
“The Young Grand Duke Leopold eradicated the Monster Wave on these lands.”
The aide’s words caught in his throat.
“Has any name in the history of the Continent ever been as honored as Nogen’s, or any power ever received such acclaim as the Air Strike? My own pitiful struggles were merely to survive—they cannot compare to his.”
Maximus sighed and continued with a heavy tone.
“And those two are not bound purely by political arrangement. Another broken engagement like before is out of the question.”
A brief silence fell between them.
“Your Highness…”
The aide’s words, spoken a moment too late, touched upon truth.
“You have come to care for Lady Sears, haven’t you?”
“Hmm?”
Maximus’s eyes widened.
The aide set about organizing the reports and spoke slowly.
“I have served Your Highness for many years. This is the first time I have ever seen such an expression of torment on your face.”
This time, it was Maximus whose words caught in his throat.
The aide gazed at him steadily, then continued.
“The vast majority of people are born without any power whatsoever. And if one were born without a Special Ability and no backing, no one could call Your Highness more insignificant than the Young Grand Duke Leopold. For Your Highness, who receives no light from a Special Ability, casts no shadow that Special Ability casts.”
The aide finished organizing his reports and drew his conclusion.
“I shall defer any marriage arrangements for Your Highness for the time being. Regardless of her engagement status, Lady Sears appears worthy of observation. There will surely be opportunity enough.”
Maximus stared at his aide.
“Opportunity… enough…”
He murmured for a moment, then let out a low laugh. And with an arched eyebrow, he whispered,
“Be sure to inform me immediately if you hear good news.”
* * *
The Baron’s Estate lay silent.
“Nearly all the Baron’s servants have gone out to the Shopping District…”
Silvia explained with an anxious expression.
“It’s festival season now. You know how the Western Region rotates festivals each winter? This time is our turn.”
“Ah, that festival where winter crops become appetizers and beer is the main menu, right?”
“Right. And the situation is this.”
Silvia explained as she walked down the corridor.
“Most people from the Baron’s Territory have come to the Shopping District to enjoy the festival. But since tonight is the last night, it seems all the prepared food ingredients have run out. So a few people rushed out to the field to harvest more. But…”
Silvia took a deep breath and continued.
The field that had been full of winter crops had been completely devastated by the Air Strike, and all the livestock lay dead as well.
And just days ago, a mysterious assailant wielding the Air Strike had attacked Silvia’s father and stolen the Family Portrait…
“You heard from Leopold, didn’t you? That his father’s tomb was empty?”
Silvia’s uncle would be Leopold’s father.
“So we’ve all been in chaos, and in the end, this happens… In any case, Grandfather immediately went to the scene.”
“Is he unwell?”
“…I’m sure his heart must be aching terribly?”
It was apparently a severe case of influenza.
This was when Leopold’s lie was officially exposed.
“Mother is occupied caring for Father, so she’s frazzled… In the meantime, I have to handle matters myself right away, which is truly troublesome. Grandfather gave his instructions and left in such a hurry.”
Silvia let out a long sigh.
“No, first—we’re told to keep the eyewitnesses silent until the situation is clearly understood. But will the eyewitnesses actually keep the secret? For now, we’ve confined them to the Baron’s Estate… and the festival must not be cancelled.”
It was a sound directive.
I nodded in agreement as well.
“Cancelling the festival outright isn’t wise, really. There will be many outsiders here as tourists. If you send them all away, the inventory of beer prepared on the Shopping District is a problem, and the inns would be in real trouble too.”
With the situation still unclear, causing unnecessary confusion among drunk people could trigger something even more dangerous.
“But we don’t have enough festival food right now.”
Silvia pressed her forehead.
“It’s still evening. Likely everyone will be celebrating all night… But if we serve anything other than winter crops, won’t people catch on that something happened? And if we keep the eyewitnesses confined like this, their families will grow suspicious too.”
It was certainly a difficult situation—no wonder Silvia would be moved to tears by the fact that we’d come to help.
I fell into thought for a moment, then asked.
“So the Baron’s Estate Warehouse has some non-winter crops?”
“There’s livestock feed that we’d harvested and dried in advance… and the food ingredients we always stockpile. But no winter crops.”
“That’s enough.”
I nodded quickly.
“I’ll handle that problem. You find out where Leopold is right now.”
“…You’ll handle it?”
“Yes.”
Silvia didn’t doubt my bold claim.
“Of course! Leopold knew what he was doing sending you! I never doubted you could solve this!”
She’d been relieved, but then a belated doubt emerged.
“But why would I need to find out where Leopold is? Haven’t you been together this whole time?”
“Because Leopold didn’t send me.”
Silvia’s eyes widened.
“Then why are you here?”
“Call it intuition.”
I shrugged as I spoke.
“In any case, I’ll help. You help me too.”
Tonight, to see this festival through without incident.
To make new festival food using stored crops instead of winter crops, and so allay people’s suspicions.
To ensure that despite the eyewitnesses, no one notices the tragedy that has befallen House Nogen.
“I have two favors to ask for first. One is to send a letter somewhere, and the other is to give me something from among the things in the mansion.”
I gave my instructions quickly.
“And have them prepare jars in the Kitchen. As many as possible.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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