Chapter 12
〈Master?〉
Ol asked in a curious voice.
〈Didn't you say that it's a complete beggar-like castle?〉
Lor agreed.
〈If this castle is like a beggar's, wasn't the room where you stayed in Concel's like ruins?〉
〈No, no, it's like a beggar's den.〉
"… Be quiet."
Having said so, Diarin couldn't refute Ol and Lor.
'The castle…'
It had undergone a transformation.
North Stone Estate was the furthest from the capital, but the land was very large. The number of people living in the country was enormous. So, the aristocrats of North Stone Territory created and managed a parliament. Unlike other floodgates, it was close to a self-governing territory.
However, only the castles where the Imperial family stayed were under the direct control of the Emperor. In other words, North Stone Castle was an extension of the Imperial Palace.
That is why the interior of North Stone Castle was such a mess. To the extent that it resembled Ezet's White Oak Palace in the Imperial Palace.
It was common for the disposed Imperial family members.
It was a common occurrence…
Diarin looked around the castle blankly.
It was bright. Bright and cheery.
The castle was not originally this bright and new. Two years ago, North Stone Castle had closed half of its corridors due to management limitations. A wooden plank was hung in the shape of an X, and "temporarily closed" was clumsily written on it.
Thanks to this, Diarin had been confused at the time—whether the castle was a ghost castle or a place where a prince of the empire stayed.
She stared at the large fireplace in the center of the hall. There used to be an antique fireplace there. The soot was stuck so badly that no matter how hard she wiped, it wouldn't be clean. But now it had been completely refinished with polished brass.
The empty walls were filled with silver candlesticks and fresh flower decorations. There were even three sparkling crystal chandeliers on the ceiling.
'You never had anything like that before…?'
No, technically he did.
The old, worn-out chandelier that looked like it could fall at any moment and kill someone.
'It was actually more of a glass junk.'
The chandeliers Diarin saw now were of the highest quality. They looked similar to the ones hanging in the Duke of Concel's Great Hall. Hundreds of crystals were hung artistically like dripping water. Beneath them, golden light was dazzlingly scattered.
The floor was also covered with light-green, high-quality marble. Dark green carpets, seemingly chosen to match the flooring, were luxury goods woven with wool.
It seemed like it would breathe new life into the North Gate Estate, which used to be dull in the middle of winter.
'Oh, that's why Ezet made that expression?'
When she offered to repair the castle by selling all her dresses and shawls. She had thought he was simply confused…
'Ugh.'
Diarin was somewhat embarrassed. Before entering the castle, she had wondered if she had gone overboard changing into flashy attire.
(TL/N: She's talking about how she thought her outfit would've looked flashy compared to the old castle, but the renovation made her embarrassed.)
'By the way, things are a bit…'
The atmosphere inside the well-decorated hall was very tense. Two men were staring each other down.
Diarin knew their names.
'One is Baron Dublen.'
Baron Dublen, the butler of North Gate Castle.
'Was the other Dermaf? Their name was something like that.'
Dermaf, the budget executor, who had always handled the finances of North Gate Castle. The tension between the two was quite severe.
'I think they're going to kill each other.'
A terribly lazy voice interrupted Diarin's thoughts.
"Ah~ so I brought them all. How many times do I have to say there was a mistake in the budget execution process, Baron Dublen?"
Baron Dublen responded coldly to Dermaf's words.
"Executor Dermaf. Are you saying there wasn't a mistake in budget execution for eight years?"
"Heh, heh, heh!"
"Moreover, the budget execution was suspended for two years after the 8th Prince disappeared. That's ten years of mistakes."
"Don't be too stiff, Baron Dublen. People make mistakes, right? It would've been better if it had been properly executed, right? But look, why don't you see how the repairs to the castle have made it shine?"
"That means you've known the North Gate Castle was in such disrepair that it needed fixing, Executor Dermaf."
"Hmm, huh!"
Dermaf, who coughed awkwardly, burst into anger again.
"Ah! So what do you want me to do? Don't you know the Empress is carefully examining the North Gate Castle's budget? That's why it's a little delayed!"
Ol, who was listening to Dermaf, tilted his head slightly.
〈Master, what did he do right? Why is he angry?〉
(Dermaf) "I guess it's because he believes the Empress will side with him."
It had been like that for a long time.
The Imperial family's money was basically under the jurisdiction of the Empress. The Emperor didn't pay attention unless the person involved was the Crown Prince or a particularly favored royal. Empress Oveli took advantage of that and mishandled Ezet's budget through Dermaf for more than eight years.
'That's why he still thinks it's okay to act so arrogant.'
There was no other way to explain Dermaf's shamelessness.
Diarin touched her pure gold earring once and walked into the hall.
"Executor Dermaf?"
"Hmm? Oh, who is this… Isn't this Lady Concel? Long time no see."
"Long time no see."
Even after noticing Diarin, Dermaf's attitude didn't change much. It had been the same two years ago. At first, he had been wary of the noble girl with Duke Concel as her father, but within a few days, he had become arrogant.
He must have sent someone to the capital to find out…
About Diarin's real status.
"I accidentally overheard your conversation. There was a mistake in the budget execution?"
As she asked, Diarin glanced at Baron Dublen. Baron Dublen didn't even look at her. He didn't bother to hide his annoyed expression.
Diarin immediately understood that expression.
'It's like a tick and a cockroach clinging to him.'
Dermaf also replied in a displeased voice.
"That's right. Just a small mistake, but the problem is Baron Dublen refuses to understand."
"Oh my, people can make mistakes."
"Is the young lady on my side?"
"Because it's true."
"Hahaha!"
Dermaf laughed out loud. Every time he laughed, his mean-looking mustache twitched.
"You're generous—perhaps because you'll be the Crown Princess in the future. Right, Baron Dublen?"
"....Yes."
"If Baron Dublen's superior, the Lady, is saying this, shouldn't he accept it?"
"...."
As Dermaf asked triumphantly, Baron Dublen bit his lip. Diarin glanced at his distorted expression and added,
"But Dermaf."
"Yes, my lady?"
Diarin said to him, who had answered with a smile.
"You have to understand Baron Dublen's position as well."
"Well…"
"This concerns the well-being of the 8th Prince. Wouldn't that make you uncomfortable too?"
Dermaf's eyebrows twitched.
In fact, the reason he had rushed to submit the budget was the huge difference in status between the 8th Prince and himself. Had Baron Dublen threatened, 'I'll tell the prince right now!' Dermaf would have backed down immediately.
(TL/N: "Lowered his tail" = Dermaf would've given up instantly.)
Diarin inwardly clicked her tongue.
'They should've just talked to Ezet from the start.'
Baron Dublen was so upright, he would never mention his superior's name.
Snitch on him?
Even worse. Dermaf knew this, and made a fuss in the meantime.
Now, Dermaf, who had quickly recalculated things in his head, smiled and rubbed his hands.
"Heh heh. My lady, could you speak to the 8th Prince on my behalf?"
Diarin laughed at the blunt request.
"Of course. Um… I have a good idea."
"What is it?"
"What if I said I lent the North Gate Castle's budget to Executor Dermaf as a prospective Crown Princess?"
Dermaf's eyes lit up at the unexpected and unconventional proposal.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"My lady is beautiful and wise!"
Diarin tilted her head.
"Is there any problem with this plan?"
"Oh, of course not! I was in a difficult spot, and a generous lady lent it to me—who could complain?"
"I see, then."
Diarin continued with a smile.
"You'll have to pay interest on the principal loan."
'...Interest?'
Dermaf, who doubted his ears for a moment, smiled awkwardly and asked,
"Haha, my lady? Did I hear that wrong just now…?"
"I want you to pay the interest."
"What are you saying all of a sudden…?"
"I returned the principal today, so that's fine. You'll pay the full interest for ten years—with your own money."