Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.12

With a dry, rusty chime of the doorbell, I entered the gallery. Legacy, who was at the counter, raised an eyebrow in surprise and then broke into a grin.

“I was wondering where you’d gone off to—was it a date?”

“No…”

“Ah, I see. So, you heard about the flood damage in the territory and thought I might be able to help. I’d like to look at the ledger, if that’s all right.”

“Yes, of course. I sometimes assist in the territory as well, so feel free to ask anything.”

“That’s reassuring. Is your room upstairs?”

As Jerf turned his feet toward the staircase, Mariadoll hurried to stand in front of him. Since Tarina was nowhere in sight, she was probably preparing tea.

Upstairs, a large window let in faint, dim light during the day, casting a soft glow on the stairs.

“Shall I prepare a lantern?”

“No need.”

“Watch your step,” she said, leading the way up the stairs before turning left. The left room was Mariadoll’s, and the right belonged to Legacy and the others.

Noticing Jerf’s quick glance around, Mariadoll shrugged.

“It’s cramped, isn’t it?”

“…I’m sorry to say, but yes.”

“Hehe, I don’t dislike honest people. Are there only two rooms upstairs?”

“Yes. Besides that, Clemence’ room is under the stairs. Well, this is my room. Prepare yourself before entering.”

She deliberately placed one hand over her chest in a polite gesture, opened the door with the other, and bowed.

Jerf started to enter as prompted but stopped immediately. Seeing this, Mariadoll chuckled softly, slipped past him, and went in first.

“I have too many things and can’t keep it tidy at all.”

One wall of the room was filled with a large bookshelf. Opposite it was a bed, and at her feet, books that didn’t fit on the shelves were piled high.

The desk by the window opposite seemed disproportionately large for the room. Papers were stacked neatly on it, but there was nothing else—no dresser, not even a full-length mirror, just an old mirror nailed to the wall. True, there were many things, but they weren’t scattered haphazardly. It was just really cramped.

Assuming Jerf must be shocked by such an unladylike room for a noble, she glanced at him but he hadn’t moved an inch from the doorway.

“Please, come in.”

“No, but… entering a bedroom…”

He glanced briefly at the bed with its pink duvet.

“It’s a study and bedroom combined! I’m sure as a duke you have many rooms, but I make do with one.”

Pouting, Mariadoll crouched beside the bed and pulled out a small box.

She draped the bedcover inside over the bed, then turned to Jerf, hands on her hips, as if to say, “There, how’s that?”

“Well, I’m sorry. I know it’s silly, but I was taught it’s forbidden to enter a room with a bed.”

“It’s fine. I’ve accounted for our differences in lifestyle. Now, please sit at the desk chair. There’s no sofa in this room. I’ll go to Legacy’s room and bring another chair. You can start looking at the documents in the meantime.”

“Then I’ll do that.”

Jerf sat in the chair. His tall frame made it seem cramped.

(Having Lord Jerf in my room feels a bit strange.)

She returned with the chair, noticing his back looked out of place in the small room, to find two cups of tea already prepared.

Since the desk was covered in papers, the tea had been placed on the windowsill—probably on Jerf’s orders. Tarina wouldn’t have done that.

As soon as she set the chair beside him, Jerf began firing questions.

She answered while searching for the relevant documents and handing them over.

That led to even more questions.

The cost and time needed to build embankments. Starting from the list of contractors, to where along the river and what size structures would be most efficient.

After all, Mariadoll had been acting as lord for three years, even if self-taught.

She could answer the questions well enough, but she was continually surprised by the policies he proposed.

(They’re all so efficient, plans that look ahead five, even ten years for the territory. Of course, they’ll cost money.)

Nodding along, she grew disheartened by her own inadequacies as a lord.

“See, I really wasn’t cut out to be a lord. I can’t face the people.”

“That’s not true. From what I see in these documents, you’ve done well. To put it bluntly, you just lack funds.”

“I won’t deny that.”

“Anything worth doing, especially big projects, requires upfront investment. Given that the country won’t lend to us, you’ve done all you can. You should be confident.”

“Really? You’re not just being polite?”

“Really. You’ve worked hard. But considering I’ll be taking over soon, I’d like to implement a few policies starting now. First, embankments to prevent flooding. Then, clearing forests to expand farmland.”

They decided to survey the embankment sites and consult experts.

Forest clearing would begin after the summer harvest, when the farmers had free time.

Once the direction was set, Jerf listed the tasks on paper.

(I’ll show this to Legacy later. He’ll be pleased.)

It pained her to keep quiet about the territory eventually becoming part of the Stanley dukedom, but the people’s lives were sure to improve.

As Mariadoll leaned over to peek at Jerf’s notes, there was a knock at the door.

“Mariadoll, a letter from Lord Haren has arrived.”

“Thank you, Clemence. It must be about finalizing the schedule with the bishop.”

Excusing herself to Jerf, she took a letter opener from the desk drawer, sliced the envelope open with a shaaa, and pulled out the letter.

“Just as I thought.”

“When is it?”

“Three nights from now. But since the gallery is open, I can’t ask Legacy and the others to come along.”

“Then I’ll go with you. I’ve helped the old men before, so I know what to do.”

Hearing their conversation, Jerf set down his pen and spoke to Mariadoll.

“Is this about the dream-showing request you mentioned before?”

“Yes, that’s right. After showing the dream, I feel a bit unwell, so Legacy and the others usually help me. But this time it’s in the outskirts, so that won’t work.”

“How far is it?”

“Begg Church. The client is a vice-bishop who can’t leave the church, so I have to go there.”

“I see. That’s a full day’s travel from the royal capital.”

After hearing this, Jerf stared into space for a moment, then said something unexpected.

“Then I’ll accompany you. As an instructor, my schedule is relatively flexible.”

“I couldn’t possibly trouble you with that, Lord Jerf.”

“Why not? Your mother had your father accompany her, didn’t she? In that case, it’s not strange for your fiancé to do the same. If you need a carriage, I’ll provide one from the duke’s household.”

He was right, of course, but that would mean leaving Jerf to care for her during the three days she’d be bedridden.

“Hey, Mariadoll. Can I still go too? I think it’d be easier for you that way.”

“That’s true. Lord Jerf, may Clemence come along as well? I’m sure he’ll be helpful.”

“Fine. Then I’ll pick you up in two days.”

It was a slightly unexpected turn of events, but that’s how the three of them ended up heading to Begg Church.