Chapter 47: Sister… ?’s situation.

“You came again?”

As Aina carefully opened the door to the office, a woman who had a teacup to her lips asked.

It was Minon Irendel, the owner of the Irendel baronetcy.

“Yes. I came again.”

However, she was surrounded by very expensive tables and chairs, unlike usual. It was luxurious furniture that she would never have had a connection with until the moment she died.

Even though the Irendel baronetcy was very famous for its premium timber,

Furniture made by the best artisans was not a price range that a poor baron could afford.

Her younger sibling, Signo, had commented that ‘it was like a cacao plantation’,

But Minon couldn’t understand what she meant.

“This time, it’s really just a letter, right?”

“For now… I think so.”

Although she answered that way, Aina didn’t seem very sure either.

“Are you sure?”

Minon asked anxiously.

“I didn’t open it, so I don’t know if there’s anything else inside the envelope.”

“That’s true.”

That was right.

Minon, who had received the letter from Aina, used the shining letter opener that was on the office table to break the seal.

…The letter opener was also made of silver. Of course, Minon hadn’t bought this directly either.

“I sent it that way last time too, so surely it wouldn’t have come again this time?”

As soon as she opened the envelope, Minon took off the glasses she was wearing and put them down next to her.

And she touched her forehead with her index finger.

“There’s another one.”

“It came again?”

As Minon had expected, there was another note in the envelope in addition to the letter.

The note, which had the blue seal of the Solenas family stamped largely on it, had ‘8,000 gold coins’ written in red, clear letters.

“Why again this time?”

Aina, who was still shocked at the unrealistic amount from the number of digits, said with a pale face.

“I don’t know. I’ll know after I read the letter.”

Like Minon and Aina’s reactions, it wasn’t the first or second time that such a large amount of money had come with the letter.

They had been flying in periodically like she had subscribed to some kind of capital newsletter recently.

Around the time when her younger sibling, Signo, had left for the Dukedom.

The first thing that had flown in was ‘50,000 gold coins’.

Suddenly, about six armed knights had arrived at the Irendel baronetcy.

Dozens of servants and heavy infantry were following behind them, and the Irendel forester, who was the first to discover them, was so surprised that he fainted.

The local militia was immediately reconvened.

It was because they were sure that Irendel was being invaded.

It was a baronetcy that was used to war, so it was natural for them to react so sensitively.

Until she met the knights, Minon was thinking,

‘I’m not very good at things like magic, and there aren’t any baronies around that I have a reason to be hated by.’,

‘But it’s a relief that Signo isn’t here.’

…She was thinking things like that.

But what they were holding up was none other than the Solenas family’s flag.

The knights explained in front of Minon that they were just here to deliver something.

‘Deliver something, you say?’

‘Yes. It’s gold coins.’

Sure enough, the soldiers behind the knights were bringing several small wagons.

At first, she thought that was also just a normal supply method,

But what was filled there was glittering gold coins.

‘Yukomis-nim said that she wanted to take a credit transaction format, but she said that Irendel’s situation wasn’t good, so she needed cash that she could use right away.’

The knight, who seemed to be the leader, said politely.

From their armed state to their etiquette, they were truly people with a quality of nobility that showed that they worked in a different class of great household.

She even thought that the knight was more like a lord than Minon, who was dressed shabbily.

‘Ah, no… What is this… Why such a large amount of money?’

‘I’m sorry, but we don’t know.’

While saying that, he handed over a letter.

‘Yukomis-nim said that the reason is written in that letter. Of course, we didn’t read it.’

These contents were written there.

‘Because I owe my life to the honorable younger sibling of Baron Minon Irendel, I would like to show my sincerity with a small amount.’

That was the end of the content. At the end of the letter, in a very old-fashioned and beautiful handwriting…

‘Yukomis Pranon Solenas’

‘A claimant to the Solenas Dukedom, the president of the Magic University and Academy, the highest Archmage of the Imperial Palace’

‘Also the godmother and protector of Signo Irendel’

…Such extravagant titles were written there.

To be honest, that signature was longer than the main text of the letter.

There was no explanation about what had happened, how her younger sibling had saved Yukomis’s life, and how the unrealistic amount of 50,000 gold coins had been calculated.

A letter that omitted all the processes and only wrote the cause and result in a fragmentary way.

‘According to my older sister, Yukomis-nim has always been this kind of person.’

As she said, Aina’s older sister, Aisha, was working as a high-ranking maid in the Duke’s family.

‘What kind of life is it to be able to call 50,000 gold coins a ‘small amount of sincerity’…’

The first thing that came to her mind was a timid sentiment.

At the same time, Minon thought that this was really like Yukomis’s letter.

Staying in Irendel for only a few days was all, but the impression she had left at that time was so deep that…

If she were to send a letter, it would definitely be like this. It made her understand.

‘Signo saved that person’s life? Not the other way around? What on earth did a twelve-year-old Signo do to save the life of a great magician?’

More than being happy about this sudden windfall, the thought that her younger sibling was admirable came to mind first.

She had been so sure that she was full of thoughts of restoring the Irendel family,

And she had really shown an amazing result not long after she left. A result that Minon could never obtain no matter how hard she struggled.

‘Amazing. There was a reason why Yukomis-nim praised her as a genius and took her away. Oh my god. It seems like my younger sibling was a really amazing child!’

‘You must be really proud, master!’

Anyway… That was the reason why this military force had appeared in Irendel.

To escort the wagon full of a large sum of 50,000 gold coins to Irendel, where security was unstable.

They had even come to make sure that they didn’t just irresponsibly hand over a large sum of money and leave.

They said that they had received a firm order to become the hands and feet of Baron Irendel and to provide convenience to the end.

Minon said.

‘There isn’t a suitable place to put this large amount of money. You can see that the mansion is falling apart.’

‘Ah. If that’s the case, that’s a good thing. How about commissioning the architectural association of Kipple to rebuild it with this gold coin?’

‘Yes? But…’

‘It’s the closest city anyway. Since the two former mayors have been ousted and have come under the supervision of the imperial family and the Dukedom, you don’t have to worry about other things.’

Since Minon still couldn’t erase her uneasy expression, he whispered something to the knights standing behind him.

‘If you’re still worried, it would be good to include the Three Lamps Company in the transaction and entrust them with supplying the materials. If you write a letter of attorney, that friend behind me will arrange the contract.’

And he thumped his chest confidently.

‘I promise with the name of the Solenas family that there will be no fraud in the transaction.’

‘Is it really okay to entrust even that kind of thing to you?’

‘The knight behind me has worked with construction engineers for a long time, so he’s an expert in these kinds of things. Yukomis-nim had already predicted Minon-nim’s worries and made this selection.’

Everything happened like a thunderbolt.

Knights and soldiers pitched tents that resembled a field base around the mansion,

And under their supervision, the best experts from Kipple came and started working.

Re-compacting the land, patching up the cracked walls, repainting, replacing damaged wood, and reinforcing the girders…

‘Leave some of the ivy alone. And if you plant flowers around it, it seems like the pastoral atmosphere will live even more.’

It was the order of the person who was called the construction engineer anyway.

As expected, it was like a knight who came from the land of art that was second only to the capital.

They cut the grass around it, set up garden stones and magic lamps, and even repaved the road.

And when the Three Lamps Company came a few days later with various luxury furniture and decorations, Minon doubted her eyes.

‘Wh, what are all these?’

‘As you can see, it’s furniture. We negotiated with the marquis family and received the items that were custom-made for them to be delivered first.’

‘Ma, marquis family?’

‘We wrote the contract under the name of the Dukedom. Please don’t worry.’

‘Th, that’s not the problem…’

Actually, that was also a problem.

‘You didn’t say anything about spending money on these expensive items!’

‘Ah. This is just a gift from the Solenas family.’

‘…Yes?’

‘I heard that Yukomis-nim has decided to become the patron of the Irendel family. So it’s customary to give a corresponding gift from our side. Yukomis-nim said that Baron Minon wouldn’t be someone who preferred precious metals. Instead, should I say, we have prepared furniture that suits the office like this.’

The knight, who had said that, hung the emblems of the Solenas family and the Irendel family together next to the front gate of the mansion, which was being renovated.

Only then did Minon realize what it meant to have the heir of the Dukedom as her godmother.

Minon felt dizzy at the scale of each and every power that the Dukedom wielded without thinking.

Minon would have forgotten about it if it had ended there.

There was a second time.

And the second time was just as burdensome as the first letter that had flown in.

The second letter was much more extravagant than the first one from the envelope itself.

The envelope was made of leather, and gold powder was sprinkled on the seal.

Above all, the seal had… the imperial family’s seal stamped on it.

‘Are you at peace, Baron Minon Irendel?’

It was palace calligraphy.

Judging by the jet-black letters, Minon could tell at a glance that it had been written with the best ink.

‘I am afraid that you will find this letter burdensome, so I will boldly omit the conventional greetings. However, I hope you know that it does not mean that I have not put affection in this letter.’

A faint citrus scent came from the letter paper.

‘I have also heard the news that the two former mayors of Kipple fraudulently took land and property from the Irendel family. As an imperial princess of the Empire who upholds the rule of law, this fact made me very ashamed. Let’s quickly talk about the main point…

The hand holding the letter trembled.

‘Manipulating real estate prices and collusion between associations are serious crimes that are heavily regarded even in the capital’s courts.

Therefore, we are considering an enforcement plan to restore all the ownership of the pasture and forest in Irendel, which were sold for 50,000, to its previous state before the transaction.

It usually takes months to years to make a decision on this kind of thing, but it seems like it will be resolved much faster thanks to the evidence submitted by the Archmage of the Imperial Palace after the investigation.

So I will also exert my influence as much as possible. It is expected that the 50,000 gold coins that you received in advance will be processed as a settlement for the illegal transaction when the new mayor takes office.

So… You don’t have to worry about having already used that gold coin to pay off the debts of your ancestors.’

It wasn’t the end there either.

‘Also, the contributions of Baron Irendel and her husband are being re-examined by the Imperial Palace’s enscribers and historians. If this is considered honorable, the Irendel baronetcy will definitely receive corresponding compensation. This is what the third princess, I, Irelesia Lana Arle Sharta Sartre, promise. And…’

The letter continued like that for a long time.

Under the letter, which was finished with old-fashioned greetings, there were titles that were just as long as Yukomis’s listed one after another.

‘My, what on earth did my younger sibling do? What on earth happened to her and Yukomis-nim? How much time has passed?’

Aina was just as uneasy as Minon.

‘It’s impossible for us to only hear such good news. Som, something is wrong. It doesn’t make sense for such good news to come in a rush like this.’

Aina, who was saying that, was wearing a custom-made maid uniform for the first time in her life.

Of course, the high-end corset, shirt, and blouse were perfect, and the width and length of the skirt were also perfect,

From the frilly apron to the silky smooth gloves and stockings, and the sparkling shoes…

‘I, I can’t be this happy.’

Unlike her uneasy voice, Aina’s eyes, which were looking down at her own attire, were inevitably sparkling.

Anyway, she was a woman in her prime.

Expensive materials and workmanship that only Aina’s successful older sister could wear.

‘This kind of happiness can’t be allowed in the Irendel family…?’

It was a very rude word, but coincidentally, Minon had exactly the same thought.

It felt like she had been a fool when she had tightened her belt with the money for the private teacher’s weekly pay for Signo until recently.

The amount she had worried about at that time was only 10 gold coins.

A few days later. As Aina had worried, another letter flew in.

It was sent by Yukomis again.

‘I thought about it, and there’s something I have to apologize for.’

Something to apologize for? You’re going to apologize for doing this favor?

On the letter paper, there were traces of countless letters that seemed like she had tried desperately to write something…

No, she had tried to explain something, but Minon couldn’t understand any of the contents because they had been crossed out violently and densely.

‘…I’m really sorry.’

‘Please think of this as my sincerity.’

Yukomis’s letter didn’t give any explanation either.

This time, it was 5,000 gold coins, which were enclosed as a note instead of actual money.

Aina was at a loss, saying that this unfortunate thing had finally come.

‘What on earth is happening to the master? Lady, Yukomis-nim isn’t the kind of person who would let that happen.’

‘Calm down. She’s with the lady. It won’t be a big deal.’

‘It was you who said that Yukomis-nim wasn’t the kind of person who would do that, Aina.’

‘Y, of course, my older sister said that, but…’

Even as she said that, Minon couldn’t erase her unease.

And finally today.

Minon had received the fourth letter.

Along with 8,000 gold coins.

“Re, read it quickly, master.”

Aina urged.

Minon picked up the letter that was hidden under the note with trembling hands.

‘I’m really sorry, Baron Minon. Things didn’t go well.’

She still didn’t know what had gone wrong.

‘I didn’t intend for this to happen, but I have no choice. The plan has been completely derailed, but looking at it largely, it’s still within the expected range.’

What does this mean?

‘First of all… First of all, Signo’s condition has changed a bit.’

Next to the name ‘Signo’, the incorrect spelling of ‘Signa’ was written and crossed out.

‘It’s too complicated to explain in a letter. I don’t think the Baron will believe this even if I write it here. So I’ll explain it slowly when the opportunity comes. But please understand only this, Baron Minon. It was sincerely not intentional. It just ended up like this by chance. I swear I did my best.’

Minon couldn’t even imagine Yukomis saying these words.

‘Even if your younger sibling has become like this, I will still teach and support him with love without changing. You can trust me with that much.’

The letters in ‘with love’ were also a bit strange.

That word alone was written thickly as if she had put special emphasis on it.

“What on earth does this mean…”

“What’s written, master?”

“There’s something written… But she’s not giving any explanation… She’s not explaining anything…”

Minon continued to read the letter for now.

‘Minon. Trust me. Your younger sibling will receive the best treatment, the best education, and will live in the best place. I have a perfect plan. And that’s what you wanted for your younger sibling when you sent him to the Dukedom, right?’

For some reason, the letter gradually became more and more convoluted as it went down.

‘Because that’s the most important thing in the end. Don’t worry about the secondary issues. I’m completely in control of this situation. You might receive a somewhat surprising document soon, so look at the amount of the note enclosed here at that time and calm down your shock. I’m not sure, but it will definitely help. Everyone has been saying that. And…’

Bang! Kuung!

While she was reading the contents that continued below, she heard the sound of something being hammered in the lower floor of the office.

“I’m sorry! Baron-nim! We’re reinforcing the outer walls of the library!”

She also heard the knight, who was supervising the engineers, shout.

It had always been like this recently.

She had heard that the construction would take some time, but Minon couldn’t leave this place because there was no other place to stay in the baronetcy.

Minon put down the letter she was reading.

“Aina.”

“Master? Yes.”

“Prepare for me… A trip.”

“Yes?”

“It’s a long-distance trip. You’re going with me too.”

“Where are you going?”

“Let’s go to the Solenas main mansion.”

Minon said with a somewhat dazed expression.

“Yes? Suddenly?”

“The mansion is in this state anyway, and the knights said it would take some time…”

She looked at the letter again.

“I have to meet Yukomis-nim and ask her directly what this means.”

She added one word.

“And also check if my younger sibling is really doing well…”