Chapter 79

Chapter 79:  Escape (4)

Luton Grand Mansion entrance.

The children all paid their respects to the Grand Duke before returning to their respective workplaces.

However, I was left alone.

I had heard from the Chief Secretary that Father had something urgent to discuss with me.

“What could it be.”

I muttered to myself as I watched the carriages carrying my relatives grow distant.

Even if I had received a flawless evaluation this time, Father was not the type to grant special favors.

The answer to my question soon arrived.

Once everyone had departed, the Chief Secretary guided me to the Grand Duke’s office.

All along the way, I wanted to ask the reason, but I was not the type who spoke much.

So I quietly followed, simply going to meet the Grand Duke.

“I have brought her, Your Highness.”

“I greet Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”

I bowed my head politely, like a knight should.

And when I raised my face again…

I met the gentlest gaze of my father I had ever seen.

[Yes, you’ve come. Echina.]

Since Mother’s passing, it was the first time I had ever seen such warmth from him.

That strangeness made me furrow my brows slightly without realizing it.

No matter that he was family, Father had never been one to easily show affection.

[Sit. It has been a while since we’ve spoken together, so I called you here.]

But still.

The warmth I felt before me was undoubtedly real.

[So, how did it feel to take on the family business?]

“It seems to suit me better than I expected. I am still lacking, but I am applying myself diligently.”

As expected, Father seemed satisfied with my answer, slowly nodding his head.

As the ruler of the Empire’s North, he already knew well enough what his youngest daughter was doing.

[I heard. You sold off some properties and invested in the Erian Foundation.]

“Yes. Real estate is fine, but to grow our wealth, I am reinforcing the foundation.”

In truth, Duke Luton did not show it, but he was watching the Erian Foundation with interest.

No, any wealthy figure in Nord could not help but pay attention to it.

It was the central company of Old Luton, the hottest subject now showing the steepest rise.

[You are doing well. Work hard to cultivate it. Whatever the house may be, it is the strength of its early companies that ensures long life.]

Duke Luton turned his eyes to a frame resting on his bookshelf.

Inside was a group portrait of himself and the close members of the family.

“I will engrave it deeply in my heart, Your Grace.”

I swallowed hard.

Though my expression remained calm and cold, inside I was trembling—as I was still just twenty years old.

In a way, this too was becoming the commander of a group.

But what truly made me nervous was not merely entering the family business.

It was Father’s next words.

[But, you see…]

He wiped away his smile, returning to a cold, expressionless face, and the words that followed were ominous.

[In your eyes, that boy who is called the current president. Did he look trustworthy?]

A chilling gaze, as if questioning whether there was a traitor among his own men.

From beneath his heavy brows, his golden eyes gleamed, making me falter.

[Employees by nature only work as much as they are paid.]

The Grand Duke of the North had met hundreds, even thousands of people throughout his life.

And among them, there were always those who tried to stab him in the back.

[That is why one must be wary of those who work excessively, beyond what they are given.]

At the sharp gaze of the ruler of the Northern mountains, I let out a deep breath.

Others would have been overwhelmed and bowed their heads in silence under such eyes.

But I too was his blood.

I had inherited that same charisma, so I could lift my head proudly to face Father.

And so I dared to ask,

“Your Grace, do you mean that Roger looks like the kind of person who would stab you in the back?”

Was he doubting his own close aide?

[…]

At my bold question, Father gave a short laugh.

Yet he did not seem inclined to scold me.

On the contrary, he appeared satisfied with the way I shielded my aide first while still questioning the truth like a commander.

[Yes, I have my doubts.]

He spoke with a faint smile on his lips.

[At just twenty years old, he is of a baron’s house, and even dropped out of the Imperial Academy instead of graduating.]

His candid thoughts.

[And yet such a boy invests in a ghost city in a short time, amasses wealth, and leads a foundation.]

The space between Luton’s brows furrowed deeply.

As though the earth itself had split.

[He even absorbed Freya’s factory.]

Truly, it was a strange matter if one thought about it.

Even after commanding countless talented people, none had ever shown such explosive growth.

[In all the decades I’ve dealt with young men, there has been no one like him. It feels almost like seeing Debier twenty years ago.]

I rested my chin on my hand, sinking into thought.

But I also had clear reasons why I trusted Roger.

“I too suspected him at first. The Western Grand Duke’s daughter even came to find him, and he seemed to have ties with the Saint as well.”

Father listened to my calm defense.

Arms folded, he silently weighed my discernment.

“So I tried to see if he possessed the three desires you always warned me of, Father.”

The three desires.

They were the things the Grand Duke of the North most guarded against.

Money, women, and lastly, power.

Those who were consumed by these three desires brought ruin not only upon themselves, but upon all around them.

“Roger certainly is a boy frantic about earning money. But…”

I thought back on all the feats that one secretary candidate had shown so far.

“For wealth, he never trampled on or tormented others. On the contrary, he built his fortune while helping those around him.”

[Is that so.]

At Father’s question, I answered with eyes full of conviction.

“Yes, Father.”

From a ghost city to a city of culture.

From grim-faced workshop laborers into professional employees of the Grand Duke’s house.

He restored a singer once scorned by the world.

He fulfilled the dream of a dancer who had been exploited by her company.

And finally…

He even brought the lights back on at the Erian Hotel, which had been Mother’s dream.

“When it came to wealth, he truly was a rational man.”

[I see…]

Father gestured for me to continue.

Answering him, I spoke again without hesitation.

“Second, women. I can be certain on this point as well.”

The easiest way to ruin a man was through women.

Yet even here, I could prove with confidence.

“The Western Grand Duke’s daughter and the Saint both actively tried to recruit Roger with enticing offers.”

[Yes, if it was the Western Grand Duke’s daughter, that would be Helena. And the Saint as well—both were beautiful.]

The Grand Duke nodded, acknowledging it.

Even from his perspective, having seen countless beauties, the two of them were indeed strikingly beautiful.

“But Roger didn’t waver at any of their offers or gifts. Instead, he turned the situation around and drew investments from them.”

Father seemed satisfied again, closing his eyes gently.

But the next words I spoke made his golden eyes snap open like a beast’s.

“Well… he didn’t even blink an eye when looking at me either.”

For once, I had said something like a girl my age, though I had never cared much about appearance.

“Anyway, he’s very strict with himself in that regard as well, so you don’t need to worry.”

[…]

Of course, no matter how beautiful women of other houses might be, in Father’s eyes his own daughter had to be the best.

And even beyond blood ties, I was indeed considered very beautiful.

In the past, several princes had even sent me love letters.

I had even received multiple invitations to grand balls held in the capital, but I had coldly refused them all.

For me to suddenly become self-conscious of my looks for the first time…

Roger was admirable, and at the same time, it left Father with a strangely unpleasant feeling.

[And lastly, what of his desire for power?]

Power.

Truthfully, the other two—wealth and women—naturally followed once power was gained.

Great power always drew riches and beautiful women to it.

“That…”

Even on this point, I was not very concerned.

After Roger became head of the Erian Foundation, he commanded all matters personally.

But he had never once brandished that authority.

“I don’t believe his desire for power is very strong either.”

At his daughter’s firm declaration, Father once again fixed his face into a cynical expression.

Then, staring intently at his own solemn likeness among the faces in the group portrait, he spoke.

[Is that really so.]

Duke Baylis Luton.

He was the man who fit the word “power” better than anyone.

All his life, he was a born leader—someone who would seize whatever he desired by any means necessary.

Such a man knew better than anyone the kind of people who craved power.

[Outwardly they seemed dignified, devoted to others, yet inside they were filled only with thoughts of stabbing me in the back.]

The Grand Duke recalled the many subordinates he had cut down with his own hands.

They had all been talented individuals.

Talented enough that he himself had chosen them.

[Think carefully. The Erian Hotel and the Foundation as they stand now—who is leading all of it?]

“Julius Roger.”

Father turned his eyes back to me.

[If that boy truly intended to remain a secretary, he should have laid that power he created at your feet.]

Then, with the air of giving earnest counsel, his expression grew grave.

[That excuse—that his lord still lives only as a knight and is clumsy in business, so he must manage it in the meantime—such words are nothing more than the typical lies of traitors.]

One day, when my son grows, I will hand over the power.

Until he is grown, I will simply aid him by his side.

[Historically, among all who once ruled as regents, not one returned power willingly.]

The Grand Duke raised a finger and pointed to his own neck.

To the wrinkled skin that had begun to sag with age.

[Most only relinquished it when guns and swords were already pressed against their throats.]

“……”

Even I could not argue, for this was a truth I had already learned in the Academy.

[And what did that boy offer you while serving at your side?]

“He gave me ten percent of the Foundation’s shares.”

I lightly tugged at the collar of my shirt.

As if something inside me felt stifled.

[If he truly had only the house in mind, he would have given you thirty percent or more.]

Thirty percent.

To hold one-third of a company’s shares meant to become a major shareholder.

And with that, one could wield great power over the Foundation’s decisions.

I knew this fact very well.

Yet the reason I had never pressed Roger about it was simple.

“But the Erian Foundation is something he built with his own hands. Even receiving ten percent felt excessive to me.”

At his daughter’s candid answer, Baylis Luton gave a faint, complicated smile.

[That is why I set you on the path of a knight, Echina.]

As if it pleased him, yet also left him feeling heavy at the same time.

[You are clever and reasonable, but too rigid and inflexible. Such qualities make for an excellent soldier, but not for a businessman.]

The Grand Duke of the North slowly rose to his feet.

And then, Father softly patted my shoulder as he spoke.

[A businessman must place profit above all else. If he suffers great losses swayed by personal feelings, then what becomes of the followers who depend on him…?]

Duke Luton let out a deep sigh.

[In this world, if you let yourself be swayed by sentiment and morality, what you have will be snatched away in an instant.]

I had always disliked this side of Father.

That attitude of placing the house before the chivalry and morals I had learned.

Of valuing wealth and honor above family.

“I understand…”

[For now, you’ve formally installed that boy as your secretary, so confirm it for yourself. What his true intentions are…]

Still, I was an intelligent woman.

I understood the Grand Duke’s position, so I chose to let it pass quietly for now.

[If he came as a seed to threaten the house through you, then a decision must be made.]

A decision.

I knew very well what that word meant.

“I will keep it in mind.”

No longer wishing to hear more, I rose from my seat.

Then, after receiving the Chief Secretary’s bow, I left the office alone.

“Roger is separating a business behind my back…?”

The words echoed in my head as I walked away.

“That can’t be…”

The Grand Duke’s daughter walked quietly down the corridor.

Then suddenly, she locked eyes with a man who had been waiting for her.

“Tobang Arman, greeting Lady Echina, the Grand Duke’s daughter.”

“Aren’t you Eric’s personal secretary?”

The tall, blond man lowered his head in a polite bow.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“And why were you waiting for me?”

The corridor was empty, leaving only the two of us.

Lifting his head, Tobang threw out a meaningful line.

“The Archduke wishes to see you for a moment.”

“I have nothing in particular to say to him.”

I turned my face aside with a cold expression.

But Eric’s secretary stood firm, speaking again.

“He says there is something urgent he must discuss. That it is something you would surely be interested in…”

The eldest son, who had usually shown no interest in me at all, claimed to have something to say.

At those words, I furrowed my brows.

And the moment I heard the words Tobang added afterward…

“He says it is regarding Julius Roger.”

I froze in my tracks.

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