Marlina's voice echoed incessantly in Seraphina's mind, refusing to fade away.
The young girl absentmindedly caressed the emerald ring on her index finger, as if contemplating removing it, yet seemingly lost in thought.
"So, this is how Marlina sees me..." Seraphina bore no anger, only a sense of sorrow.
Throughout their lives, the instances where Marlina had criticized her were few and far between. Seraphina could never have imagined that beneath Marlina's gentle and composed exterior, there lay such weariness and annoyance.
"But have I... have I truly made so many mistakes?"
She gazed blankly at her own palm, "Have I erred to the point... to the point of disappointing Marlina so much?"
"But Hydral doesn't care at all, why am I..."
Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts, accompanied by the greeting of the maid, Meli.
"Miss Seraphina, your lunch is ready."
"Ah? Oh, come in."
Seraphina's index finger twitched as she turned her head towards the door, her gaze fixed on Meli, who entered carrying a lavish lunch.
[Miss Seraphina is unusually quiet today.]
…Why isn't she using that annoying way to address me?
Seraphina, still seated, looked somewhat distracted. She hadn't expected that this maid, who usually expressed her dislike for her so bluntly, would be the first person to show no malice towards her.
"Um, Meli."
"What is it, Miss Seraphina?"
Meli's face didn't bear the smile that other maids usually showed Seraphina, only pure calmness.
"What do you think...," Seraphina placed her hand behind her back, unconsciously gripping her fingers, "What kind of person do you think I am?"
"…?"
Meli paused, her usually professional demeanor showing a hint of confusion.
[What's wrong with Miss Seraphina? This isn't like her.]
As she heard these thoughts, Seraphina heard Meli continue, "Rash, impulsive, reckless, taking advantage of the master's favor, doing whatever you want, hardly considering others' feelings, extremely self-centered, presumptuous, and also—" "Enough, enough!"
Seraphina's forehead bulged with two veins—Meli was indeed different from the other maids, because she didn't pretend!
The young girl crossed her arms in annoyance, "Alright, put down the lunch and leave quickly."
"But I haven't finished." Seraphina heard the same words in Meli's thoughts as she spoke, Meli tilted her head slightly, "Don't you want to hear?"
[She seems to be in a bad mood.]
Seraphina heard Meli think.
"…You don't need to comfort me." The girl muttered subconsciously, "There's no need to add a 'but'."
Meli was slightly taken aback, she looked Seraphina up and down, her eyes narrowing, "I always tell the truth, it's a good virtue I learned from the master."
[Not only is she in a bad mood, but she's also suddenly become smart. Miss Seraphina today is very strange.]
As Seraphina's blood pressure skyrocketed, Meli said, "Although you have many of the aforementioned flaws, I believe they are not problems—not just because you are favored by the master, but more importantly, you have the ability to repay the master and have received his grace."
She placed the lunch on the coffee table, brushed away the hair from her temples, and calmly said, "The world is a terrible place, Miss Seraphina, so terrible that scoundrels and villains are everywhere. Compared to them, you are just more troublesome."
"At least, you have a strong desire to help others—even though you are currently using the master's funds and influence to fulfill your own ideas, I don't think you will become one of those disgusting guys after you become powerful."
"If it's just causing trouble, there's no problem."
The sincere and honest maid smiled at the stunned Seraphina, "As long as you can achieve great things in the future, and not let down the master's cultivation and favor, even if I hate your character, I will always be your most loyal servant."
Seraphina stared blankly at this maid, who usually didn't get along with her, her mouth slightly open, stunned for a long time.
Then, she suddenly stood up, grabbed Meli's shoulders and shook them excitedly, "Yes, that's it! What's wrong with making some small mistakes... I'm a genius! A genius who beat all the students in the Frost Tower at the age of twelve! Even Hydral acknowledges me!"
Inspired by Meli, Seraphina gave up self-reflection, gave up self-examination caused by Marlina's negative words, and didn't think there was anything wrong with her at all.
With my talent and ability, what's wrong with making some small mistakes? Does Marlina have the right to criticize me like that? Can she do what I can do for Hydral in the future?
"It seems you have some troubles." Meli, who was being shaken back and forth, was very calm, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"…Uh, this… wait a minute."
Seraphina thought that although Meli usually didn't give her a good face, she was quite smart and seemed to have a good time in the Red Frost territory...
"What if I want to do something for Hydral."
The young wolf coughed twice, "But if this thing is not handled well, it may be bad for Hydral, what should I do?"
"Just handle the matter well, isn't that enough?"
"…" Seraphina moved her gaze away humbly, "I, I don't have much confidence in handling it well."
Regarding the image crystal, she is now completely at a loss. If it is exposed, Hydral's reputation will be damaged. If it is not exposed... she can't get over the hurdle in her heart, and the policy is fully implemented, isn't it also good for Hydral?
But how to do it, so that the policy can be implemented without hurting Hydral...
"In that case." Meli thought for a while and said very tactfully, "I suggest you, directly solve the problem from the source, don't do meaningless divergent thinking."
The implication is that handling things and thinking about strategies are not suitable for you, and Meli's thoughts also say so.
But Seraphina was suddenly stunned.
Solve it from the source... solve it from the source...
If no one knows, is the picture I recorded really useless?
Meli's reminder and Ansel's constant teaching to keep thinking made Seraphina instantly realize another direction.
Indeed, it's useless to show it to one or two people, but what if... I show this thing to the person involved?
What if I show it to the Count of Stoneheart who claims to understand Hydral's intentions?
If I threaten him with this thing, if he does not implement Hydral's decree, I will expose it, what will he choose?
He has no choice! Because if something happens, the culprit of Hydral's reputation decline is him, even if Hydral finds out that I exposed it in the end... so what.
— Can you compare with me in Hydral's eyes!
I, I will be electrocuted at most a few times, you just wait to die!
There is no need to show this to others at all, just solve the problem directly from the source!
I don't even have to wait until later to help Hydral, I can do it now.
Since Marlina said that my proposal is a waste of Hydral's money, then I can also use this thing to blackmail the Count of Stoneheart, let him pay for the coal, so that Hydral's money will not be spent!
I will make up for the gap I made for Hydral now!
And I also have this ring, I know what he thinks clearly, isn't this eating him to death?
"I understand, I understand! You are a genius, Meli!"
Seraphina hugged Meli excitedly, turned around and ran out of her room without even eating lunch.
Meli watched Seraphina run away quietly, until the footsteps completely disappeared, she covered her heart and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Even if I know in advance, it's hard to make the heart and mouth consistent. Fortunately, I didn't let down the master's trust."
The maid bowed slightly in the direction where Seraphina had run away, "Please, according to the master's wishes, destroy yourself in that confidence and fanaticism, Miss Seraphina."
"I pray for you so sincerely."
*
Count Stoneheart, engrossed in the classical music, sighed softly while enjoying his afternoon tea.
"Such a capricious lord," he murmured.
The notion of "helping the poor of Red Frost territory survive the severe cold wave" was laughable to him, regardless of who proposed it, even if it were the grand duke himself.
In this world, he surmised, only the emperor and the esteemed Hydral could compel him to exert effort on such a ludicrous task.
Truth be told, Count Stoneheart had no desire for those who couldn't even afford coal to survive. Their destitution marred the image of his territory, making him appear incompetent.
He was rather pleased at the arrival of the severe cold wave. After the disaster, the masses of poor people, a result of the Count of Red Frost's foolish policies, would be cleared out. Once he took over, he wouldn't have to worry about dealing with them, and the Red Frost territory would be rejuvenated.
Unfortunately, this plan was rendered futile due to the capriciousness of that lord.
Even so, Count Stoneheart was the first to respond to Ansel's call — as he could tell that Ansel was serious about his actions.
"It's your good fortune to encounter both Hydral and me."
Count Stoneheart shook his head and sighed, "However, it's somewhat displeasing to think that even insects, who exist merely to glorify me, are worthy of such grace."
As he sat in the tea room, Count Stoneheart gazed leisurely at his estate through the floor-to-ceiling glass. To be honest, he wished that the esteemed Hydral would direct his benevolent gaze towards the nobility. Although Hydral had always been their friend, he had a penchant for helping the commoners, wasting many resources.
If these resources were given to the noble bloodlines, Count Stoneheart was confident that he could provide Hydral with returns a thousand times more valuable than meaningless praise.
As he was fantasizing about the day when he could gain Hydral's favor, no longer having to be subservient and restore his family's glory, a heavily armored guard rushed in.
"…"Count Stoneheart's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't reprimand the guard for his lack of manners. Instead, he asked, "What's the matter?"
"It's Miss Marlowe," the guard replied with a grim expression. "She's here to see you, and it's likely... she doesn't mean well."
Count Stoneheart's expression changed drastically. In the Red Frost territory, everyone knew that the capricious, wild girl was Ansel's favorite. In a sense, she even represented Hydral's will - because even if she made a mistake, Hydral would take responsibility for her.
"Go to the reception hall... no, wait," Count Stoneheart quickly regained his composure.
"There's no need to go to such a spacious place. Let her wander around the estate first. Have all the gold and silver decorations removed and replaced with hunting trophies and teak decorations."
"Replace all the tea sets with wooden ones and bring more armor and weapons."
Count Stoneheart, who had risen to his feet, said indifferently, "You have ten minutes."
The guard acknowledged and turned to leave.
Ten minutes later, the young girl, arrogant and without any guest-like demeanor, swaggered into Count Stoneheart's tea room.
Upon entering, Seraphina was taken aback by the simple furnishings in the room for a few seconds.
"Miss Marlowe, your visit to my residence is a great honor," Count Stoneheart greeted her warmly and sincerely. He then felt a sense of scrutiny.
He was taken aback but didn't show it. He thoughtfully glanced at Seraphina's palm and immediately noticed the familiar emerald ring.
…Why was that moron Cantrell's heart-stealing ring on her hand?
On the other hand, Seraphina was also surprised — the ring had no effect on Count Stoneheart?
Was his rank higher than hers? A third-stage [Throne]?
How could that be! He was trembling like a quail when Ansel was assassinated!
The girl was both surprised and a little guilty. Ansel had told her that if her rank wasn't higher than the other party's, she would be detected.
In fact, Count Stoneheart's rank was indeed not higher than Seraphina's, both being at the Crystal Staircase level. But since there was such a ring, there were naturally plenty of alchemical accessories to counter magic. It's just that the naive little wolf hadn't thought of this.
Even without the tool that gave her an absolute advantage in negotiations, Seraphina wasn't too nervous. After all, her reliance wasn't on this.
"I have something to discuss with you," Seraphina said casually as she pulled out a chair and sat down. "Send your people away. You wouldn't want them to know what we're talking about."
Cutting straight to the point, Seraphina didn't want to give these cunning nobles a chance to beat around the bush.
Count Stoneheart was silent for a moment, then waved his hand, "Everyone, leave."
The servants and guards in the room immediately left, while Count Stoneheart poured tea with great care and asked gently, "So, what would Miss Seraphina like to discuss?"
"About the policy Hydral gave you." Seraphina crossed her arms, leaned back in her chair, and propped her leg up like Ansel, but without any sense of elegance, looking more like a grandpa sitting on a stool at a roadside stall.
"You and those nobles have no intention of implementing it, do you?"
Count Stoneheart's brow furrowed slightly, but quickly relaxed. "I think I understand what you mean, Miss Marlowe, but we have no intention of defying Hydral. If he didn't tacitly agree, how could nothing have happened until now? If you don't believe me, you can ask him and find out the answer."
"Hmph."
Seraphina scoffed. "Do you think I'm here to reason with you?"
She pulled out the image crystal from her pocket and activated it on the spot, playing the recorded images.
When Count Stoneheart saw himself in the images, he stood up abruptly, his face terrible.
He didn't need to continue watching to know what was coming next.
Seeing his unmistakable look of fear, Seraphina raised her head triumphantly. "You don't care? Hydral doesn't care? Sorry, I care."
She leaned forward slightly, gripping the image crystal tightly. "Starting today, Hydral's policy must be fully and thoroughly implemented, otherwise... I'll expose these images."
"…Miss Marlowe," Count Stoneheart exhaled deeply, his face changing slightly.
"Do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course I know, that's why I'm doing this," Seraphina said nonchalantly. "Anyway, when Hydral's reputation is damaged, the ones who will suffer are you guys. Do you think he will punish me severely?"
"After all, it's you guys who are full of yourselves, talking nonsense here."
The young wolf sneered, "Hmph, it's useless for you guys to take the responsibility on yourselves then, you have to implement his original policy anyway."
She knew this noble wouldn't do that, because nobles fear death the most. This Count Stoneheart wouldn't dare to gamble on the consequences of angering Hydral.
"Oh, by the way, there's more." Seraphina, who didn't get a response from Count Stoneheart, pushed her luck. "The coal that Hydral wants to give to the poor, you can pay for it too."
She said it lightly, as if she was just buying a couple of cabbages at a roadside stall.
"You—"
Count Stoneheart's upbringing and noble education made him suppress the impulse to explode on the spot. He leaned on his knees and said word by word, "Do you know what kind of astronomical figure that is?"
"What astronomical figure... you're a noble, don't nobles have a lot of money?" Seraphina looked at Count Stoneheart with contempt. "You're really stingy, fine, if you can't afford it, half is fine."
"…"
Count Stoneheart was silent. After a long while, when Seraphina was almost completely impatient, he suddenly stood up and said, "Excuse me for a moment, I'll be right back, Miss Seraphina."
His voice was somewhat cold, "I will give you an explanation, please rest assured."
Seraphina, who had been waiting for a long time, nodded in satisfaction, "That's more like it... hurry up, I don't have time to waste with you."
Count Stoneheart didn't respond, he quickly left the tea room.
As he stepped out the door, he told the waiting servant in a blank expression, "Bring me the telecrystal, I need to contact Lord Hydral."
For Count Stoneheart, a man who prides himself as a true noble, the inability to decipher the intentions of those in high positions, and the need to ask directly, is a disgrace.
However, at this moment, he could not afford to care about such matters.
He was truly at a loss, unable to determine whether Seraphina had come with Ansel's intentions.
There was absolutely no room for error in this matter.
Soon, someone brought the telecrystal. Count Stoneheart infused it with ether and waited for a response.
"Count, it's rare for you to contact me," Ansel's gentle voice came from within. "What's the matter?"
"… Lord Hydral, I believe you must already know, but out of stupidity and caution, as well as respect for you, I have taken the liberty to disturb you,"
Count Stoneheart carefully chose his words. "Miss Marlowe... she has suddenly visited my estate."
His words stopped there, without mentioning any of Seraphina's demands or behavior.
The man was sweating from his forehead, waiting for the response from the crystal in his hand, like a servant waiting for the king's decree.
"Count," after about three or four seconds, Count Stoneheart heard laughter coming from the communication crystal.
"Do you know why I came to the Red Frost territory?"
This was a very puzzling question that all the nobles had failed to understand.
Why would Hydral, instead of enjoying life in the fertile central lands, choose to come to the remote north and cause chaos?
Count Stoneheart didn't know either. He and his staff had been studying day and night, but they still couldn't understand Ansel's purpose, or rather... it seemed like he had no purpose at all.
Other than the reputation of the Red Frost territory, he asked for nothing.
But Count Stoneheart knew that this lord would never bring up any meaningless topics or provide any meaningless information in a conversation.
The information provided by Lord Hydral about the wild Miss Marlowe was... [why he came to the Red Frost territory].
In that instant, Count Stoneheart felt a chilling coldness creeping up his spine.
In his mind, he quickly recalled all of Ansel's actions in the Red Frost territory, which he was already very familiar with.
From the moment he entered the territory and killed officials and minor lords, to the high-profile execution of the Count of Red Frost, accepting the Red Frost territory, and then managing the Red Frost territory methodically...
And most importantly, everything about Seraphina.
The events, actions, outcomes; Seraphina's behavior, personality, changes—
and that ring, which for some reason appeared in the girl's hand.
Until now, Seraphina's impulsive foolishness displayed before him.
Ansel's pursuit of reputation, the series of incomprehensible actions he had taken in this period.
All of these pointed to an answer that Count Stoneheart unable to imagine, could not imagine.
He began to tremble, both out of fear and... excitement.
"I understand... I understand, my lord."
The middle-aged man, who was determined to revive his family, had received a high education, and had weathered countless storms, said with a trembling voice, "I am fortunate to witness such a far-reaching ambition..."
"Ambition? I'm just doing a small thing, don't get so excited, Count."
The young Hydral's voice was always so calm and natural. "Since you say you understand, do you know what you should do?"
"Yes."
Count Stoneheart bowed deeply, as if he were facing Ansel, and answered respectfully, "Please allow me to add a negligible contribution."
"Hehe, don't say that, you are a very important part. Keep up the good work."
The devil, whom Count Stoneheart almost worshipped as a god, chuckled:"Give Seraphina a gift she will never forget."
*
Seraphina was extremely bored, wandering around the tea room, touching here and there.
"What's going on, did this guy go to Hydral to complain?"
Seraphina kicked the stool irritably, then burst into a triumphant laugh.
"Hmph, is it useful to complain to Hydral? Will he care about you?"
Just then, Count Stoneheart entered the room. His expression was calm, and there was no trace of the gloominess he had when he left.
"You're finally back, what have you been doing, taking so long?"
The impatient young wolf looked unhappy. "Answer me quickly, I said, I don't have time to waste with you."
"Miss Marlowe." Count Stoneheart was not bothered by Seraphina's rudeness and smiled, "You mentioned earlier that you want me to bear the cost of coal for the poor to survive this cold wave, right?"
"Yes, what, have you figured it out?" Seraphina was overjoyed.
Ha ha, Hydral, I don't even have to hunt, and I've saved you so much money!
"To be honest, this is a heavy burden for me." Count Stoneheart said with great difficulty, "You don't quite understand the vastness of the Red Frost territory and the... darkness of the past."
"That's none of my business." Seraphina said unreasonably, the kind of words that only a villain would say, "Am I negotiating with you now?"
"No, no, no... What I mean is, I can't do it alone, but that doesn't mean that the entire noble class of the Red Frost territory can't do it."
The man's mouth curled up slightly, hiding the deepest malice within: "I can mobilize all the nobles to protect their subjects, so that not a penny of Lord Hydral's money needs to be spent."
"Don't worry, I will tell them that this is Lord Hydral's intention."
"Right! How can you do it alone?" Seraphina's eyes lit up, "Those nobles who can't even spare half a copper coin from their pockets should also bleed for me!"
The girl happily waved her fists in place, "You're quite cooperative, Count Stoneheart! This is a great idea! In this way, Hydral doesn't have to spend any money and can earn a big reputation!"
Thinking of this, Seraphina's smile became even brighter.
Can Marlina do it? Can those who criticize me in their hearts do it? All she can do is sit in the study and write, she can't scare the count like I can.
I am always right! Even if I was wrong, those small mistakes were nothing compared to what I could do!
"Ah, even if you come up with this idea." Seraphina, in her joy, did not forget the main point, "The main condition is that I will not back down, you must carry out the policies given by Hydral to the end!"
"You have a heart for the common people, which I admire, but about this point..." Count Stoneheart sighed, "Miss Marlowe, I believe my plan is more suitable for the current Red Frost territory."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Seraphina looked at Count Stoneheart as if she were looking at a madman, "Hydral gives the common people ten good, you give them two good, and you think you're okay? Do you have no shame?"
"Do you think they will be grateful to you?" Count Stoneheart asked back.
"What gratitude, I don't need their gratitude, as long as they live well."
Seraphina pouted.
"Do you believe what you're saying, Miss Seraphina?"
Count Stoneheart laughed, "Do you really think that after providing them with help, you don't care at all about their opinion of you?"
Seraphina subconsciously touched the ring on her hand, then said somewhat angrily, "So what? Why wouldn't they thank me, thank Hydral? What do you think of them? Beasts like you?"
Count Stoneheart was not angry at Seraphina's direct insult. He raised his hand and said calmly, "Yes, they will be grateful, and then?"
"Then, as long as Lord Hydral lowers even a little standard—"
The man slightly lowered his hand and said with a very sarcastic smile, "They will all harbor... a hatred that you absolutely cannot imagine."
"So, I want to start from a low standard and gradually raise it until a certain limit, which is undoubtedly more helpful for the stability of the territory."
Count Stoneheart said so calmly, "If your sister were here, she would definitely agree with my view."
"Go to hell! Bastard!" Seraphina roared, "What are you talking about!"
The count ignored Seraphina and said some very strange words, "You may not believe it, but three years ago, when I was out on patrol, I saw her. She was discussing tax issues with a merchant at the time. Out of curiosity, I chatted with her."
"Her sharp wit impressed me." Count Stoneheart said with a sigh, "I discovered that she had a very remarkable talent, so I invited her to sit in my temporary residence. At that time, I had a love for talent and intended to absorb her into the family. Unfortunately, she seemed to have many concerns and refused me."
"It wasn't until she represented Lord Hydral and found me that I realized— the calm and dignified young noblewoman was actually the little village girl from back then."
"Don't measure us by your standards! And don't insult my sister!"
Seraphina was undoubtedly really angry. She looked ferocious, her forehead veins bulging, "Who would be so shameless, stop talking nonsense! Marli would never agree to your shameless words and policies!"
"Really? I'm willing to bet with you."
Count Stoneheart put his hand on his shoulder and slightly bowed, "As long as there is even a slight stain on Lord Hydral's 'perfection'... no... even if there is no actual stain, just a wisp of unfounded rumor, among those who he has so gently saved, there will be countless people who will have doubts and complaints."
"Be gone!"
The mere thought of that scene filled Seraphina with uncontrollable rage. She could feel something burning fiercely within her chest, the beast within her soul roaring in fury.
"No one would dare to treat Hydral in such a manner! All I require now is your response, will you act or not!"
"Very well, if you insist, I will endeavor to fully implement the policies of Lord Hydral. However, it will take time."
"Hmph, it better be so, I will be watching you."
The she-wolf's gaze was ferocious, her hand tightly clutching the image crystal, "Never, never try to deceive me."
Count Stoneheart merely smiled, "Do you require my assistance in escorting you out?"
"Get lost, I have no interest in associating with you scoundrels tainted with rotten blood."
Seraphina snorted coldly, turning around without hesitation to leave.
*
One minute, two minutes, ten minutes.
A full half hour passed, and the Count of Stoneheart still stood there.
In his mind, he was continuously constructing the stage for the upcoming drama, fantasizing about the grand spectacle that was about to unfold, his body trembling uncontrollably with excitement.
"Miss Marlowe..."
Daram Stoneheart softly uttered in an excited and trembling voice:
"Should I pity your misfortune, or should I envy your fortune?"