Chapter 162

I had long noticed Big Brother’s dislike for Yurimagna for a long time, and right now I think that dislike was justified.

I guess there were no rules or honor in the war between the houses.

Nevertheless, the fact that they would try to pull this kind of stunt means that their finances were so tight that they were willing to engage in criminal activities.

But, old hag, why did you allow this kind of behavior?

“Ekaterina, if you don’t like to stay at the main residence, you can remain in the imperial capital. We can go to a villa on the city’s outskirts to get away from the heat.”

“No, Big Brother, I would like to join you. I would feel most comfortable at Big Brother’s side.

I may not be the most skilled person in the household, but I won’t leave Big Brother alone.

“…Thank you. If you say so, I will definitely protect you. As a brother, a duke, and one of my Lady’s Swords.”

Oh, Big Brother was so dignified when he said it out loud.

Okay, then.

Let’s go to the duke’s primary residence and strike back!

But it should be our own place! We should be saying; we were going back home, not this!

***

“I grieved for Ekaterina.”

As his sister left the office, Alexei muttered a shame-filled mutter and slammed his fist down on the office desk.

“I never wanted her to see that. Damn you, Magna’s dog.”

“Unusually, you are so inquisitive. I am sure you have decided that it would be more dangerous for the young lady to enter your territory without knowing about it.”

Standing by Alexei’s side, Novak said with a scornful look on his face.

“Oh, she’s smart. If she knows what she’s doing, she’ll avoid unnecessary danger. She’ll report what she notices to us often. But it’s unbearable to see the tears.”

“It’s only a distraction, but shall we put a little pressure on Yurimagna? Sir Kimberly has identified payments related to that area that the former treasurer had deferred payment on. If we tell them to pay all of them at once, we will get what we want.”

“That’s a fair place to start. Fine, it’s just an exercise of a legitimate right, but it should hurt them somehow. Collect the money discreetly, and if Magna complains in front of His Majesty, we’ll make them look like fools. Then, spread the word to the other houses and the Chamber of Commerce that Magna’s financial power has deteriorated.”

With a cold glint in his neon blue eyes, Alexei locked eyes with Novak.

“Is it still going to be a while before you can bring the dog out in public?”

“It seems so. For the time being.”

“Hmph, why don’t you just come to clean up like a shadow? Kimberly, you still can’t trace the money to Magna?”

“I am sorry. All of the supposed intermediary financiers have been murdered and their buildings burned to the ground… We have found no way to trace them back to where they originate from.”

Alexei’s expression suddenly softened as he turned to Kimberly, who bowed his head.

“…Okay. I’ll leave the rest of the sleuthing to the others, and you can go back to your primary duties. I’m sorry I made you do something you weren’t suited for, but you’ve done well enough.”

“By your will.”

Kimberly bowed his head again, seemingly chewing Alexei’s words of thanks with some surprise.

Then, patting the bag to which he had just returned the list, he said sincerely.

“Miss Ekaterina, she is a very kind and intelligent person, isn’t she? I believe that she saw beyond the list of numbers to the people’s hardships. Many people, even those in finance, are not able to do that…but for a young lady of deep insight, it is a remarkable quality. What can I say? She has wisdom running in her blood.”

No, this was only because the contents of the daughter of profound insight were mixed with a 30 year old Company Employee who was a commoner and had developed an accounting system.