We were inside the mansion of the Marquise Larose in the middle of the night.

  “I pray to the goddess for your glory.”

  “It is nice to see you again, Lady Aria.”

  After they gave their formal greeting, we sat down on the sofa. The atmosphere was the polar opposite of our first time here. Then, Lady Aria posed a question.

  “How are you doing, Marquise Larose? Is Lady Serah doing well?”

  The first thing that came to your mind was the patient? I thought to myself. But knowing her, it was natural.

  “Haha, it is all thanks to you. She is recovering well.” Marquise Larose merrily informed her.

  I could see that things have gone smoothly for him. He had been smiling since the morning. And the heavy air he always gave out was gone for good. He was nothing but your goody old neighborhood uncle you found on the street.

  “I am happy to hear that she is doing well.” Lady Aria smiled back.

  “I wish you could meet her.” Marquise Larose said as he poured tea for her.

  “It is not necessary right now.” Weakly, she replied.

  Came to think of it, I wonder why Lady Aria kept refusing to meet Marquise Larose's daughter. Every time we went to meet her, Lady Aria tended to choose times when she was in a coma or sound asleep. I could not find any reason why she needs to hide herself.

  “I see. Do you still have no intention to show yourself?” Marquise Larose replied in dejection.

  “Nothing good will come out of it. We should keep things as it is.”

  I really did not know what was going on inside Lady Aria’s head. Was it related to the divine revelation she received? Why did you try so hard to hide your presence?

  “It is truly unfortunate.” I could understand his feelings. He may want to introduce his daughter to Lady Aria for their own sake. Lady Aria was in need of close association. As she was, she would be isolated. She was walking toward a solitary path. Both Marquise Larose and I wanted her to avoid this path. One way to do so was to have someone accompany her, and I knew that Marquise Larose, too, wanted his daughter to learn from Lady Aria. I heard his daughter was, well, to put it nicely, a strong-willed girl. Wait, was it because of this that Lady Aria refused to associate with his daughter? Nah, I found it unlikely. Considering Lady Aria’s character, that was not the case.

  “Back to the main topic, I hope you also fulfilled the last demand, right?” Perhaps sensing the heavy mood, Lady Aria tried to change the topic.

  “… Yes, he is waiting for you. Roy, please guide Count Issac here.”

  Then, Mr. Roy, the head butler, exited the room. Shortly after, he returned with a chubby middle-aged man.

  “I pray to the goddess for your glory.” Lady Aria stood up and gave the new guest a formal greeting.

  “……… it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Awkwardly, he saluted back.

  After that, they settle down on the sofa. The Marquise Larose sat in the middle while both Lady Aria and the man, Count Issac, sat face to face.

  “I believe this is the first time we meet, Count Issac.” Lady Aria asked him in a gentle voice as much as possible.

  “Indeed.” Weakly, Count Issac replied.

  While looking at Marquise Larose, Lady Aria again directed her question to Count Issac. “I trust that you already received the general knowledge from Marquise Larose.”

  “…. Yes…………… Is it true that you can cure my daughter?” He was crying when he said that. Yub, I understood that this new man was nothing but a coward. Or should I say cry-baby? How could a grown-up man behave like that? No wonder Lady Aria was being as gentle as possible. Looking at her, it felt like the time she was dealing with those young vermin in the back alley.

  “……… I think I do not have to explain myself. You have already witnessed enough evidence during your stay here.” Oh, this time Lady Aria was coming strong from the start. She was growing up.

  “…. Still.”

  “I understand that you still have some doubts. But since you do not have another option, why not try to grasp this last hope?” Lady Aria kept pushing back. I could see how much she has grown up. Although still awkward, she was trying her best.

  However, Count Issac did not give his reply, either because he was thinking or did not know how to reply.

  “You should decide it yourself, either trusting me or giving up on your daughter.” Lady Aria gave him the final push.

  “……………. We will be in your care……………” Finally, Count Issac agreed.

  As if pleased, Lady Aria showed her smile as she pushed out a piece of paper to him.

  “I am grateful for your decision. Before we proceed further, please read this.”

  Nervously, Count Issac read the paper she handed. Then, while he was reading, Lady Aria began to explain.

  “On that note, the first, the second, the fifth, and the last request must be fulfilled without fail.”

  After a while, Count Issac posed a question. “If I may, I would like to know why? Why do you help us? why you give out these demands?”

  I felt a sense of déjà vu. I thought Marquise Larose also felt the same, as he showed a troubled face.

  Hesitating at first, however, she decided to give her reason. “……………. Firstly, I am on pilgrimage…… and secondly, it is for my own selfish reasons. Now, decide, Count Issac, will you enter the Soul Vow with me or leave your daughter to her own fate?”

  While saying the truth, Lady Aria also did not give him any crucial information. She really learned from her mistakes. On that note, she also sealed his options.

  Yet, Count Issac still showed his hesitation. “…. This,………” Look, even Marquise Larose and his butler felt annoyance.

  “I can promise you one thing. It will not affect the standing of your house or your faction. It is the opposite.” Lady Aria tried to reassure him again.

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  As he kept giving her a silent reply, Lady Aria continued.

  “Although your house is the owner of the largest breadbasket, your financial situation is not good right now, right?” As she said that, she pushed an envelope into his hand. “Consider this as an advance payment.” Then she stared intensely into his eyes. “It will be able to recuse your house.”

  Count Issac jumped up after he read the letter in the envelope. “This amount? Do you really mean it?

  Déjà vu, I felt. It was the same for me, too, at that time. I wonder how much she offered him this time.

  “...... However, I am afraid…….” Yet, he could not decide. This man began to get on my nerves.

  “It will not affect your standing or your faction. Duke Willow is a reasonable man. If you explain it kindly, he will understand. Moreover, this agreement also maintains the balance between the three factions since each of us comes from a different faction.” Lady Aria even brought out big names.

  As if he had made up his mind, Count Issac asked, “Will you be able to cure my daughter?”

  “I can cure her. You have my word. And this agreement will go into effect only after I fulfill my promise.” Lady Aria gave her reply confidently.

  “I am willing to comply with these demands,” after giving his final decision, Count Issac stole a glance at Marquise Larose, then made a request to Lady Aria. “But could you modify this seventh demand?”

  What were they scamming? Did both of them make a secret agreement? I began to question Marquise Larose and Mr. Roy silently.

  “What do you need?” hesitantly, Lady Aria asked back.

  “It is our house motto always to be grateful to our benefactor. I would like my daughter to meet you so she can express her gratitude in person.”

  Only then did I see their intention. So, this was what you were aiming for. I silently stared at Marquise Larose, then he looked sideways as if avoiding me.

  “Nothing good will come out of it. It is not necessary. It is more like a liability to me. I hope you understand.” Lady Aria gave an expected answer.

  After sheepishly looking back at Marquise Larose, Count Issac tried to insist. “……….. still”

  “I respect your character. That is why I extend my hand to you. However, please consider my standing too.” Lady Aria effectively closed the deal.

  As if giving up, Count Issac said dejectedly, “I understand. I will comply.” Marquise Larose, too, gave out a sigh.

  I could understand his good intention; however, I wished he could, at the very least, discussed it with me first before proposing it to Lady Aria.

  “Good, shall we enter the Soul Vow first?”

  After they entered the Soul Vow with us as the witnesses, Lady Aria went and healed Count Issac’s daughter.

  According to Lady Aria, her condition was much better than Lady Sarah's. However, she appeared weak because of her constitution and the invasion of other diseases. It felt like her environment was not optimal for the patient.

  *

  Leaving Count Issac alone with his daughter, we returned to the study room.

  “Lady Aria, your skill is getting better.” Marquise Larose gave his evaluation.

  “Thank you for your kind words.” Lady Aria said in a small voice.

  “However, it is still not good enough.” Then he began pointing out her mistakes.

  “………. I am sorry.” Dejectedly, Lady Aria lowered her head.

  “Have you ever considered the possibility that he would refuse after listening to your demand?”

  He listed out her mistakes one by one.

  “Listen, not all nobles put their family first. Some put their honor and benefit before their children’s well-being. Some think that they could make children whenever they want, as many as they need. It is painful for me to say that, but you can look at your father for an example.”

  We silently listened to him.

  “What would you do if, after everything, he refused and walked out of the room?”

  “… I……” Lady Aria tried to respond, but she could not.

  “Were you going to threaten him to keep the secret or silence him? I have to point out that the Soul Vow is a good measure against it. However, it is not without drawbacks. As you know, you cannot enter the Soul Vow without the consent of all the parties involved. So, next time, bind them first before going to the main topic.”

  “….. Then it would be going against their will.” Yub, she was still na?ve. Lady Aria began to defend her stand.

  “Lady Aria, I understand your feelings, and I greatly respect your values. However, it is for the greater good, right? Although sacrifices may be needed from time to time, I am not telling you to sacrifice other people for your purpose.”

  “….. I cannot do that.”

  I knew that she wouldn’t be able to do that. It reminded me of that time. The time she told us to abandon her so we could go to save that small settlement. The time that she willingly traded her life for some serfs. The time she starved herself to feed those vermin. The time she traded her life force to feed a dying baby with her blood. The time she cursed herself to give hope to those lost souls.

  Then, Marquise Larose looked at me. I believe he could sense it, too. This was her nature. This was what made her the Lady Aria we adore. This was her. This is Lady Aria.

  “Haaa, I know it. That is why I decided to help you. At the very least, bind them not to disclose the discussion content if they decide to withdraw at the end. It will not do them any harm, and it will ensure your safety. Could you at least do that for me?” Marquise Larose gave his plea to her. He also gave her the way out.

  “………………I understand.” Lady Aria weakly confirmed as she nodded her head.

  “Good, thank you.” As if satisfied with the answer, Marquise Larose let out a smile. Roy also gave us his smile.

  As the mood improved, Marquise Larose brought out another topic.

  “Let's discuss another matter.”

  “…. Yes.” Strengthen her back, Lady Aria replied.

  “Was that envelope containing all your wealth?” He brought out another expected topic. Well, it was an amount that could cause a Count to jump up. It was also said to be able to solve his problem. Count Issac was also famous for his enormous debt, which was mainly due to his daughter's medical bills.

  “Yes.”

  Marquise Larose looked at me as he asked. “Where did it come from?”

  “It was from the 'offering' I received so far.” Shyly, Lady Aria replied. As she said that, Mr. Roy also began to shift his gaze to me.

  Then Marquise Larose redirected his gaze back to Lady Aria. “Have you not considered keeping some of it?”

  “It would be sinful of me to keep it for myself.” Lady Aria shook her head as she said.

  “haaaaa. ……….. Lady Aria, if I may ask, what is the current stage of your personal wealth?” Marquise Larose began to look at Lady Aria and me alternately.

  “…………..”

  “……………”

  A long silence fell into the room. Then,

  “…… do not tell me that you own nothing?” he exclaimed in shock. Mr. Roy also broke his poker face.

  Lady Arias hastily took out her necklace as if to prove herself. “…………. I, I also have this necklace too.”

  I could confirm that this necklace was the only item in Lady Aria’s possession that could be considered valuable. As if they had received my message, both Marquise Larose and Mr. Roy opened their eyes wide.

  “…. Lady Aria, you leave me speechless.” Oh, he gave up.

  “…………..” as if sensing something wrong, Lady Aria cast down her gaze.

  “It is my advice. One can never be too clean. If you try to keep yourself clean all the time, you won’t be able to cross the river, as you have to swim through it. But that does not mean I tell you to disregard your value.”

  Marquise Larose began to give his lesson as he stood up.

  “People have different needs. Not everyone is motivated by a sense of duty. Some are moved by money. Some are moved by honor. Some are moved by pride. Some are moved by lust. If you wish to move the people, you need to be able to move these things.”

  Then he began to walk toward Lady Aria.

  “However, it would come down to wealth. With wealth, you would be able to provide them all of it. Remember that. And to increase wealth, you need a sizable wealth first. By setting aside some wealth to grow, you will be able to do more things in the future.”

  Then, he began to kneel down in front of Lady Aria at her eye level. As their eye met, he continued in a gentle voice.

  “Lady Aria, as I said, I respect you. And I truly wish for you to remain as you are now. However, at the very least, consider setting up a business to grow your wealth. If you are afraid of being tainted by it, create your own principles. As long as you can uphold your principles, you will remain true to your path. This is my lesson to you today.”

  “…………. I understand. Thank you very much for your guidance.” All of us gave out a sigh of relief as Lady Aria accepted his advice.

  Then, Marquise Larose tenderly extended his left hand to her right hand. The way he did it was so gentle, as if he were handling the most fragile thing in the world. As he carefully held her little right hand in his left hand, he put his other hand on top of it as if protecting it. Then, he continued.

  “Here is your homework: try to set up a merchant guild in the remaining time of your pilgrimage. And you have to choose the personnel by yourself carefully.”

  “…….. yes, I will do so without fail.” Lady Aria gave out the best smile today as she declared.

  Then, we decided to wrap things up.

  As we exited the room, I could not help but give my gratitude to Marquise Larose. “You have my thanks.”

  Marquise Larose shook his head. “There is no need to thank me. Continue to protect your master.” Then he saw us off with a smile.