Chapter 10
That was chilling in its own way.
Just imagining how hysterical Rosalyn would become after returning was enough to make his throat go dry. Even the head maid, who had always been good at appeasing both the baroness and Rosalyn, had packed her things and left not long ago.
‘Still, Miss Emma will probably come back with her. Then she’ll be able to calm Miss Rosalyn down to some extent.’
Thinking of the diligent maid who had always checked on him whenever she noticed him sighing, he forced down his anxiety.
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Three days after Ash came to see me, I boarded a train bound for Tessis.
It would take a full twelve hours by carriage to reach Tessis, yet only four hours by train. The world really had become a better place.
The train journey wasn’t bad. It felt a little awkward having to sit across from strangers, but between looking out the window, reading a book, and buying snacks sold on the train, I found myself arriving at Tessis Station before I knew it.
Of course, I still had to ride a hired carriage for another hour before finally reaching the Baron Tessis estate.
‘It hasn’t even been two months since I left, but it feels like it’s been forever.’
I secured my veiled hat once more with a hairpin to make sure it wouldn’t accidentally slip off. It was the method I had chosen to keep my identity hidden in Tessis. Who could possibly criticize someone for wearing a black veil in mourning for her parents?
When the carriage stopped at the front gate, Glen came running over. Catching his breath, he opened the carriage door and helped me down.
“Welcome back, Miss.”
I answered his greeting with nothing more than a nod.
My heart pounded as though he would notice something strange about me at any moment.
‘Picture it! I’m the baron’s daughter returning after losing her parents. I used to be a spoiled, reckless girl, but the sudden tragedy forced me to grow up.’
As I walked toward the drawing room with Glen, I interpreted the role I had been given and immersed myself in it.
‘I am Rosalyn Tessis. I am Rosalyn Tessis…’
“I have something to discuss with you. Please sit down, Glen.”
Seated at the head of the table in the drawing room, I gestured for Glen to take a seat as well. I couldn’t see him clearly through the veil, but I could tell he looked puzzled.
“Has something happened? Why did you return alone, Miss…?”
“Glen.”
I took a deep breath.
“Mother, Father… no, my parents… have passed away.”
For a moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped. Glen stood frozen like a statue, his eyes wide with shock.
“W-What do you mean by that?!”
“The townhouse where we were staying caught fire. I happened to be out for a walk by myself, so I survived, but my parents…”
“My goodness…! I wondered why you were wearing a veil…”
I let out another long sigh before speaking.
“I’ve decided to wear this veil for three months. I don’t think I’ll ever truly finish mourning them, but…”
“I understand, Miss. I truly do.”
Now that I had explained why I was hiding my face, it was time to get down to business.
After giving Glen some time to process the situation, I continued.
“Glen, I need your help. I still can’t believe it myself, but I’m the Baron of Tessis now. I can’t let this family, the one Father… no, my father entrusted to me, fall apart in my generation.”
“Miss…!”
“I know I was immature and cruel. I know that better than anyone. But from now on, I’ll be different. I won’t remain a daughter my parents would be ashamed of.”
The emotions I had worked up brought tears streaming down my face at just the right moment. Taking out a handkerchief, I wiped my eyes while secretly observing Glen’s reaction.
Fortunately, despite his confusion, he seemed genuinely moved by the change in “Rosalyn Tessis.”
Just as expected. When you have to make an unconvincing argument, the best approach is to appeal to people’s emotions.
See? It worked.
‘This should also serve as a reasonable excuse for my behavior from now on.’
Of course, if I had to act exactly like the real Rosalyn, I could probably do it.
But if I did, this family would unquestionably collapse.
It would be nearly impossible to revive this declining house while behaving exactly like the real Rosalyn Tessis.
But I had no intention of throwing away the noble status I had gained without even being reborn.
No matter what it took, I would rebuild this crumbling household properly and live proudly as a true noble.
After wiping away the rest of my tears, I spoke resolutely.
“Did you prepare what I requested in my letter? The documents showing the family’s financial situation.”
“There’s nothing to prepare, Miss. They’re all safely stored in the secret vault inside the late baron’s study.”
“Good. I’ll change my clothes and review them immediately. Stay beside me and explain everything.”
“Understood, Miss.”
It couldn’t have been welcome news for him.
Unexpected overtime, and on top of that, having to play the role of a teacher.
But I desperately needed his sincere help.
So I spoke just as sincerely.
“I’m sorry. And thank you.”
At that, Glen stared at me with an expression even more shocked than when I told him the baron and baroness had died. Even through the veil, I could clearly see how wide his eyes had become.
Well, it was only natural for him to be shocked.
The spoiled brat was apologizing to a servant and thanking him at the same time.
I knew as well as anyone that Rosalyn would never do such a thing.
This was a gamble.
Either I would earn his trust…
Or his suspicion.
The reason I placed that bet was because I knew Glen Hill well enough.
He had a soft heart.
“I may not be of much help, but I’ll do everything I can. If only you can become a worthy head of the House of Tessis…!”
Just as I thought.
The reason this man had never been able to leave the House of Tessis was undoubtedly because he was simply too kindhearted.
‘Poor Uncle Glen. Still, that works in my favor.’
Honestly, after alternating between trains and carriages since early morning, all I wanted was to rest.
But instead, I immediately changed my clothes and headed to the late baron’s study.
I used to bring tea in here.
Now I was sitting in the master’s seat.
Life really was something.
In any case, from the very day I arrived in Tessis, Glen and my private lessons began.
An ordinary commoner probably wouldn’t have understood a single thing written in those ledgers, but I was able to follow most of what Glen explained.
Perhaps that was thanks to the eventful and complicated life I had lived.
“So this is the accounts receivable, this is the cash we currently have, and this is the bank loan, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct. The reason the bank loan is considered an asset is…”
“Of course debt should be considered part of my assets. You can use borrowed money to generate even more money.”
“…That’s true. Did the late baron ever give you any education about being his heir, Miss?”
I wondered how I should answer.
In the end, I simply smiled faintly and shrugged.
He could interpret that however he wanted.
“Our family’s financial situation is worse than I expected.”
I had anticipated it.
But this was far worse than I imagined.
It wasn’t as though there were no taxes being collected at all.
The real problem was the bank loan.
They were struggling just to keep up with the monthly interest payments.
“Why did Father borrow such a huge amount of money?”
“Well, about that…”
Glen’s explanation was astonishing.
Adam Tessis had wanted to make a fortune without putting in much effort, so he invested an enormous amount of money in an acquaintance’s business without properly investigating it.
After receiving the investment, however, that person had completely disappeared.
‘He got scammed. He definitely got scammed.’
Another problem was the Merchants’ Association refusing to pay taxes.
Not only were they avoiding taxes, they were even receiving subsidies under the pretense of maintaining a militia.
‘The very people who were supposed to be paying money were actually being given money instead. Seriously…’
See?
The world never lets foolish and naive prey go unexploited.
Even if that prey happens to be a noble.
But I had no intention of remaining easy prey any longer.
“Glen. Let’s stop here for today. Tomorrow, contact the Merchants’ Association and arrange a meeting with them.”
“Y-You’re going to meet them personally?”
“Of course. I’m the Baron now.”
Glen’s face immediately lit up with emotion.
Yes.
That expression could only be described as one of overwhelming gratitude.
“T-Thank you, Miss! No… Baron!”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. It’s my responsibility.”
Pretending not to understand why he was thanking me even though I knew perfectly well, I suddenly murmured after noticing something strange.
“Come to think of it… this is the first time someone’s called me ‘Baron.'”
Now that I thought about it, I was already the Baron of Tessis.
But in the Kingdom of Darka, young unmarried women were not addressed by their noble titles.
It wasn’t because of the law.
It was simply custom.
Women like me, who inherited titles at a young age, were generally called “Lady” only after they married.
Even if I held the title myself, the one addressed as Baron would be my future husband.
‘So that’s why even a rural noble house like the House of Tessis could show its face in Herona. Noble titles really were in high demand.’
I was gradually learning more about noble society.
Still, this issue of titles, which had never bothered me when they weren’t mine, was now incredibly irritating.
‘Who says a woman can’t be the head of a family? I’m the one who’s going to rebuild this wretched household!’
Exhausted, I narrowed my tired eyes and clenched my teeth.
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