Who Brought the Head Maid Back? - Chapter 13

Amy stared at the Baron and Baroness as if they were the neighborhood idiots, but unaware of her gaze, they frantically rubbed their hands together, desperate to get on Noah’s good side.

“As Your Grace knows, running a territory requires a vast amount of capital. However, it is rare to find a place that is sufficiently equipped. So…”

The moment the Baron began his pitch with a harmless smile, Amy cut him off mid-sentence.

“Exactly. The misery of a moneyless territory is so wretched that it’s hard to put into words.”

“Pardon? Ah, yes…”

The Baron stared at Amy, taken aback by her sudden intervention. Regardless, Amy continued.

“As the Baron knows, our Grace must now manage a territory himself. Your situation doesn’t feel like a stranger’s story to us.”

Whether they thought Amy was a madwoman or not, the words coming out of her mouth were welcome. The couple’s faces brightened instantly.

“Y-yes, that’s right. That’s why we were saying…”

But once again, Amy cut the Baron’s sentence short.

“Look at this, Your Grace. Isn’t the Baronial couple’s loyalty heart-wrenching?”

As Amy pretended to dab away tears with her sleeve, the couple looked puzzled, unable to understand what she meant. Why would a loyalty that didn’t even exist be heart-wrenching?

Noah readily agreed.

“Indeed.”

“They knew we were being practically driven out to the North and prepared this reception. We were already feeling upset because we’ve been turned away at every door, so this is truly a touching gesture.”

“…”

The color drained from the couple’s faces. Turned away at every door? They reevaluated the reason why the Grand Duke’s party had been traveling quietly without accepting hospitality from other territories in a completely new light.

For example, what if he’s a penniless exile who fell out of favor with the Emperor?

Wait, was this a case of trying to get rid of a lump only to gain a bigger one?

The moment their hearts went cold, Amy drove the final nail in the coffin.

“We cannot ignore such sincerity. Why not borrow a loan from them for the barren North? Since this territory is also struggling, let’s not ask for much—maybe a million gold? Since their loyalty is so touching, they will surely lend it to us gladly. We can repay the interest and principal double once the North flourishes. Isn’t that right, Baron?”

The couple’s mouths hung open. The idea of the North “flourishing” was something scholars generally agreed would not happen until the Empire fell. While they stood there dazed, Noah clicked his tongue and casually added a hand to the fire.

“Does the Head Maid disregard the Baron’s status? I think ten million gold would be better.”

“T-ten million gold!”

The couple’s faces turned black in an instant.

Noah and Amy passed through the entrance hall and stepped out of the Lord’s manor. Noah stole a glance behind them.

“Is it really okay to leave like this?”

“Yes, well…”

Amy shrugged. They had just finished the conversation by telling the terrified couple that they would send someone for the formal contract once they reached the Grand Duchy.

They’ll live in constant anxiety, never knowing when someone from the North might show up.

She didn’t have the slightest intention of actually borrowing a loan, but she didn’t care whether they lived in fear or not.

As they were leaving the manor grounds, Noah suddenly stopped. Amy, coming to a halt as well, looked around to see what was wrong and locked eyes with a boy.

“Oh…”

The boy, who looked about Noah’s age, was holding wooden buckets of milk or goat milk and honey jars in both hands. He was staring at Amy, Noah, and the mercenaries behind them. His eyes were sparkling, and his face was flushed as if he were lost in thought.

“…”

Noah, seemingly unimpressed, quickly looked away and started walking again. Amy followed him.

After passing the manor gates and walking down into the village, they saw a large man peeking toward the manor in front of a shabby farmhouse cottage. It was Vernon.

“Ah!”

Vernon quickly straightened his posture and stared at Noah, blinking like a startled ox. Amy strode forward, stood before him, and tilted her chin up.

“Offer your formal greetings to His Grace.”

“!”

Vernon, who had been preoccupied with Noah, flinched at her words. He quickly pressed his fist to his chest and bowed.

“I offer my greetings to the Second Prince. I am…”

He suddenly fell silent and hesitated. As Noah tilted his head in confusion, Vernon stammered.

“I am Vernon Kazel… the former Captain of the Imperial Guard.”

“!”

Noah and the mercenaries’ eyes widened. The mercenaries, in particular, seemed to recognize the name. Noah, who had only heard that he was a candidate for Captain of the Guard, looked at Amy with a questioning gaze. Amy gave a short nod and spoke to Vernon.

“Captain Vernon, so have you made up your mind?”

“…”

As he hesitated, Amy gave a leisurely smile.

“It is your freedom whether to go or not. Speak comfortably.”

Confidence that he would never refuse bled through her tone.

“Well, I…”

He rubbed the back of his head with a thick hand, looking troubled. Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from behind him. Turning their heads, they saw three heads popping up over the stone wall, approaching them quickly.

The mercenaries tensed and gripped the swords at their waists. A moment later, three men appeared and lined up beside Vernon.

“Huh?”

A man with short blonde hair stared at Amy and Noah with wide eyes.

A man with black bobbed hair looked at Vernon, Noah, and Amy in turn, his brow furrowed in silence. Finally, a man with brown hair gaped at Noah before quickly closing his mouth.

“Vernon? Are you really leaving this place?”

The blonde man glanced at Noah and sent various hand signals to Vernon, seemingly asking what was going on. Vernon wiped his dry face with his hand and let out a sigh. Then, in a resigned voice, he introduced them to Noah and Amy.

“These are Dwayne, Jack, and Bradley, who farm in this village.”

He then glared at them.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you greeting the noble personages?”

At those words, the blonde man gaped again.

“Whoa, they really are noble…!!”

In that instant, the black-haired man smacked the back of the blonde’s head hard. A cracking sound followed, but the blonde man didn’t even blink, as if it didn’t hurt. Amy watched the scene with a dry expression.

His endurance is incredible. Do you get like that from farming?

The black-haired man and the brown-haired man stood straight with disciplined movements and bowed politely toward Noah.

“I am Jack Hauer.”

“I am Bradley Kirby.”

The blonde man hurried to greet them a step late.

“I am Dwayne Jones.”

Noah gave a silent nod. Amy watched them carefully before turning her gaze back to Vernon.

“Are they going too?”

Vernon shook his head with a serious expression.

“No.”

At that, the three men’s eyes nearly popped out of their heads.

“Vernon!”

“Whoa, you’re going without us? This is a betrayal!”

Dwayne’s face turned red as if it might explode, but Vernon didn’t even look at them and said firmly:

“I apologize, but I must decline the position.”

The surroundings went silent.

This wasn’t in my plans.

Feeling her meticulously laid out strategy shake from the foundation, Amy bit her lip. Unaccustomed to such setbacks, she felt more than just dismayed—she felt dizzy.

Captain Vernon is the only one who can protect the Grand Ducal castle. I have to change his mind somehow.

People trustworthy enough to handle safety and security are rare. Feeling rushed, Amy quickly calculated the terms she could offer to persuade him.

However, Amy wasn’t the only one thinking that way. Dwayne, Jack, and Bradley surrounded Vernon and broke into a heated debate.

“Why? Why? For what reason? Huh?”

“Isn’t this clearly a great opportunity? I cannot understand why you would make such a decision.”

“Make us understand.”

Each interrogation revealed their distinct personalities. Amy kept her mouth shut and crossed her arms. If things went well, it seemed the problem might be solved without her intervention.

Yes, think again. Let’s make this go smoothly.

Supporting the three men inwardly, she stole a glance to her side and was surprised. Noah was staring at them intently, but his gaze was different from usual.

Interest? Or is it curiosity?

Amy wondered. What exactly had caught the attention of this taciturn, generally indifferent adolescent boy?

Just then, Vernon let out a roar.

“How did you guys find out and get all the way here?”

Dwayne, the blonde, let out a huff through his nose.

“Didn’t Viola come by at dawn? She said she had an urgent message to deliver.”

Vernon looked flabbergasted.

“Don’t tell me you guys eavesdropped?”

“…”

Jack and Bradley cleared their throats and looked away, embarrassed. But Dwayne puffed out his chest and replied triumphantly.

“It wasn’t eavesdropping! I listened in quite proudly!”

“…You’re proud of that?”

Vernon shook his head in disbelief. After a moment, his face turned serious again as he spoke to Noah and Amy.

“I have changed. Not just because of the injury, but because I am now completely a farmer. I would be of no use even if you took me with you.”

“Don’t say that, please reconsider…”

Amy took a step forward. But Vernon raised his hand with a determined expression and stopped her.

“My mind will not change.”

“…”

Amy bit her lip in frustration. Just then, a sharp voice rang out from behind.

“You have to go!”

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the back. Standing there was a slender boy.

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