Chapter 6

A pleasant laugh broke out in the reception room of the Marquis of Chartus Castle.

“I’ve heard that His Highness has a great personality, but rumors don’t give you justice!”

Phillip was in a good mood like never before. There was no trace of anger that filled him a few minutes ago.

It was all thanks to the news delivered by the closest aide of Grand Duke Calix Benvito, Count Ryzen Kadan, who was also a vassal of the Grand Duke.

“I don’t know how to thank you for coming all the way here to tell me that.”

He even shook his hand and made eye contact. However, Ryzen replied bluntly with an expressionless face.

“He said he was looking forward to this marriage.”

It was a high-pitched voice with no emotion. Phillip did not like the man in front of him, but he couldn’t do much about it.

He was the one who had to impress Ryzen Kadan at all costs.

“Of course! Everything is undergoing preparation without a hitch, so please tell His Grace not to worry at all.”

“You would’ve known even without me telling you. You are the acting Marquis after all.”

Phillip’s mood soured at these words.

‘You cheeky bastard…!’

Besides, the servants of Marquis Chartus, and even the nobles, used the title “Your Excellency” in front of Phillip. No matter what they said about him behind his back, no one blatantly used the phrase “acting Marquis”.

Except for a handful.

Unfortunately, Grand Duke Benvito was part of that group.

Phillip managed to endure being called that by people of similar status and superiors.

He had to put up with it.

But it was unpleasant to hear a vassal of a grand duke utter the term.

If Ryzen Kadan hadn’t been one of Calix Benvito’s closest aides, he would have already slapped him.

‘And what? You would’ve known even without me telling you. This piece of trash.’

In a word, he meant to silence Phillip’s request. Phillip’s face distorted at the insulting words, but the document that Ryzen had placed on the table caught his attention.

With exceptional patience, Phillip changed the subject.

“By the way, I’m grateful that you think this much of my young daughter.”

“He said, ‘It is natural to think so.’”

Phillip’s crumpled face quickly unfolded.

‘If this is natural, that means he can offer even more if she did well!’

A greedy smile appeared on Phillip’s face. As expected, the marriage with the Grand Duke was literally like no other.

‘This marriage was like a mine that was constantly overflowing with gold!’

Just thinking about it made his whole body feel numb. In the end, he couldn’t stand hiding it and revealed his ugly greed.

“By any chance, how much does it produce annually?”

Since this was happening anyway, Phillip thought that it would not be a bad idea to get a clear answer straight from the horse’s mouth.

“The details are in the document, so please read them.”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

Only then did Phillip pick up the stack of papers. He hadn’t looked at them before since he wanted to save face, but he had been itching to check them out.

“Oh, oh, oh… That’s amazing! So many…”

Phillip’s mouth was full of exclamations as he read the document. It almost looked as if his jaw would drop at any moment.

The document, which recorded the types and quantities of gems mined annually, had that much of an effect on him.

‘You’re a filthy human being.’

Ryzen couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. He could not find the elegance of a nobleman even if he washed his eyes.

But then again, he was the one who had sold his adopted daughter out of greed, so what could be the explanation?

‘Does this guy want to take over the entire Chartus family?’

They were one of the Empire’s founding families. The high prestige and rich history of the Chartus family could not be surpassed by any other. It was also a family that had produced extraordinary people with special abilities for every generation.

‘Outrageous.’

Ryzen laughed bitterly.

How Phillip had attained the position of the Marquis of Chartus was a mystery. There had to be a reason why a stupid, incompetent, greedy person had come this far.

It would have been impossible without someone to back him up in the first place.

‘Although that good fortune is almost gone.’

Ryzen smiled.

It was time to begin the real purpose of his visit.

“Then lastly…”

Phillip, who was engrossed in reading the documents, looked up at the sound of Ryzen’s voice.

Skillfully concealing the disgust that came to his face, Ryzen opened his mouth.

“I’d like to see the young lady.”