The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 92

“Speak.”

 

“I’m investing in a cobalt mine, and I was wondering if you could give me some advice, Father.”

 

A mine?

 

He was already irritated from having lost a mine to Vladimir, so hearing this proposal sparked his interest.

 

“I’ve dabbled in mine investments before, so I know a bit.”

 

“Really? Could you share your knowledge with me?”

 

Grace’s eyes sparkled.

 

“Tell me about the mine. I’ll give you the best advice I can, based on what I know.”

 

“Then I’ll speak comfortably.”

 

Grace clasped her hands together and began her story.

 

“It’s a mine in the Herabeton Mountains. I first heard about it during a tea gathering.”

 

The Herabeton Mountains, near the capital, were a large mountain range where mines were occasionally discovered.

 

“Is it a newly discovered site?”

 

“Yes, Countess Meledan introduced it to me. According to the report, the amount extractable per unit area and the total estimated reserves are…”

 

Grace continued speaking, and Duke Reinheim leaned in with interest.

 

Those are really good conditions.

 

There was likely no other mine near the capital with such high resource potential.

 

“A mine with that kind of yield is rare. It’s best to seize the opportunity when it comes.”

 

“So I was right to think so. But the investment amount is a bit steep… so I was thinking of only buying a partial share.”

 

“How much is it?”

 

When Grace mentioned the amount, Duke Reinheim let out a small laugh, unfazed.

 

“Most decent mines cost at least that much. And from what you’ve told me, it doesn’t even seem risky.”

 

“It’s such a shame I can’t buy the whole thing. I didn’t bring much money from the estate.”

 

Grace slumped her shoulders.

 

“And it’s not like I can offer collateral right away…”

 

“What if I invest with you?”

 

“You, Father?”

 

Grace’s eyes widened. Duke Reinheim smiled and nodded.

 

“You’re making a decision that quickly?”

 

“Mines like that don’t come along often. It’s not wise to overthink it. And if Countess Meledan recommended it, I trust it.”

 

So easy to fool.

 

Grace laughed to herself. The mine she mentioned had very low reserves and wasn’t worth investing in. The mine she described was actually the neighboring one.

 

“But mine sellers can always be shady, so make sure to verify the report’s authenticity.”

 

“Of course. I’ll do that.”

 

“Have you visited the site yourself?”

 

“Not yet.”

 

Since Grace always acted modest in front of Duke Reinheim, he assumed she always lacked something and unconsciously tended to spill valuable information.

 

“Show me the report and arrange for me to visit the site. Then I’ll decide how much to invest.”

 

“Yes, I’ll do that!”

 

A fabricated report and mining activity from the adjacent mine—that’s all it would take for Duke Reinheim to sign the contract. Later, he would suffer a major loss.

 

“I’m so reassured to have you, Father.”

 

“What kind of father would I be if I couldn’t help in times like this?”

 

Grace gave him a bright smile. She wanted him to believe she was naive and easily trusted his words.

 

“By the way, you seem close with Prince Vladimir. I saw you two earlier.”

 

“His Highness looks after me quite a bit.”

 

“Were you friends from the start?”

 

“Not really. We’ve just grown closer recently.”

 

There wasn’t anything particularly suspicious in Duke Reinheim’s tone. Grace was about to give up when—

 

“Ah, starting next month, it might be hard to have tea together this often. I need to go down to the estate.”

 

“What for?”

 

“I need to decide what crops to plant this year, check the soil, and oversee a few matters.”

 

All of a sudden?

 

Grace searched her memory. Around this time, Duke Reinheim often busied himself with tidying and pruning.

 

I should find out what’s really going on.

 

A hunch rose in Grace’s heart. Vladimir had made a suggestive proposal to her as well, so she had a feeling he was scheming again.

 

But how can I secretly enter the estate…

 

After a moment of thought, Grace spoke up.

 

“Father, what if I came with you?”

 

“Huh? You want to come?”

 

“Yes. I am your daughter after all. Can’t I?”

 

If she accompanied him directly, she’d have a better chance of figuring out what he was up to. Not that she needed him to tell her.

 

“……”

 

From the look on Duke Reinheim’s face, Grace could tell there was something he didn’t want seen at the estate.

 

What could it be?

 

If she could uncover it herself, that would be best. Grace’s mind kicked into high gear.

 

 

The training was over.

 

“Good work today, everyone.”

 

“You were amazing during the sparring earlier. I couldn’t help but be impressed.”

 

“Not at all, I feel like I should be learning from you.”

 

The Armento shared light conversation as they packed up to leave. Grace walked beside Aris and Seri, heading toward the exit.

 

“Aris, Seri, shall we stop for some tea?”

 

“Oh, I’d love to!” Seri responded cheerfully.

 

Grace glanced elsewhere for a moment. Every time she looked at Seri’s face, a wave of discomfort surged within her.

 

She knew she had to act as if nothing was wrong, but anger would occasionally boil over.

 

Everything Seri had done until now—her friendliness—had all been fake. Every effort Grace made to befriend her had been met with deception.

 

She was the first friend I made here…

 

To Grace, that friendship had meant something. She had never really had close friends before. Having someone to eat, train, and spend daily life with for no special reason had felt like a gift.

 

So when something seemed wrong, she would worry deeply.

 

But it had all been a lie.

 

A way to report everything…

 

Sigh, Grace let out a silent breath. She must be feeding all my information to the Bahorne Empire.

 

“What are you doing this weekend?” Aris asked the two.

 

“Me? Just taking it easy.”

 

“The Crown Princess invited me on an outing near the capital…”

 

Grace made sure to say it loud enough for Seri to hear.

 

“You must be very close with Her Highness.”

 

“She’s such a kind person. She often reaches out to me.”

 

Grace smiled sweetly. She already had all the proof she needed.

 

 

“A request, Your Highness.”

 

Grace had visited the Crown Princess a few days earlier.

 

“I think Prince Vladimir is plotting something. If I want to investigate quietly, could you be a witness to my whereabouts this weekend?”

 

“You must be planning something important.”

 

“It’s not exactly important… Let’s just say I want to eat something good again.”

 

Grace deflected the question with a vague smile.

 

“I always suspected the Prince was scheming something… So he’s conspiring with Duke Reinheim.”

 

“Yes, I believe so.”

 

Grace nodded.

 

“That’s as much as I could find out.”

 

“When did you say you became close with the Crown Princess?” Seri’s voice brought Grace back to the present.

 

“It’s hard to say exactly when… It’s been a few years. I guess we exchanged letters.”

 

“A few years? That’s quite a long time.”

 

“Right? I didn’t even realize it myself.”

 

If her movements were being reported, she could use that to her advantage—feeding them false information.

 

You’ll be in a lot of trouble soon. As much as you deceived me.

 

Grace mentally snapped at Seri, then continued the conversation. That weekend, she would secretly head to the estate.

 

“Be sure to tell us all the fun stories when you get back.”

 

“I will. Definitely.”

 

Grace smiled at Aris.