Ch.6868. Restructuring

Too generous.

That was Gregory Hyde’s first thought when his daughter Ember returned with a shocked expression and recited what Erick had said.

The revocation of his brother’s title, and himself becoming a viscount managing the entire county as a proxy.

‘Was this his intention from the beginning?’

He could guess Erick’s motives.

But it was too generous an offer to accept so readily.

With over 20 years of experience as a bureaucrat, he had built extensive connections and experience, so he might be able to handle it based on ability alone.

However, he couldn’t readily accept it due to the feeling that he would be betraying his family.

‘Isn’t this too shameless? Both receiving Erick’s favor and betraying my family.’

At this moment, someone who intensified Gregory’s guilt paid him a visit.

It was his older brother, Lord Hyde.

Lately, Lord Hyde had been visiting daily with strange requests. Help me find merchants who would accept promissory notes issued by our family, arrange a ten-minute meeting with Lord Necker, the Minister of Justice, and so on.

But strangely, today his brother brought unexpected news.

“I sold all the Cordana.”

“Really?”

The one-week recovery period announced by the Imperial Palace was coming to an end.

Lord Hyde was one of those investors who still lingered around the exchange, refusing to give up hope for compensation.

Even after counterfeit Cordana flooded the market, and even after the incubus involved in the scheme was publicly humiliated in the square, Lord Hyde never gave up hope. His conviction only grew stronger as he associated with like-minded investors.

It would be fortunate if he had finally come to his senses, but…

Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“I found an easy way to make money.”

What he presented was none other than a geas scroll.

He said he had purchased it with money from selling Cordana at the bargain price of 100,000 per unit, plus funds from urgently selling the carriage he had used to come to the capital. It wasn’t powerful enough to enforce a covenant with death, but it was still expensive.

“I’m going to use this to create an opportunity.”

Please stop talking right there.

How could his brother, once an ordinary lord, become so broken? He didn’t want to see him fall any further.

But Lord Hyde ignored his brother’s wishes and insisted on speaking.

“I’m sorry for my shameful behavior lately. Yes, I’m sorry. I temporarily lost my mind staring at the exchange all day. But I’ve been thinking hard since last night about how to raise capital.”

“Brother, I have something to tell you instead.”

“I think we can get money by using Count Delirose.”

“…Ah.”

Gregory closed his eyes tightly, and Lord Hyde explained his grand plan.

“He’s an accomplice in proxy trading. If I say I was forced to buy Cordana because of his pressure, the Imperial family will be sympathetic. After all, as his vassal, it would be difficult for me to refuse the Count’s threats.”

“Were you really forced to buy because of threats and pressure? Most of the proxy trades arranged by Gwon Heejin happened outside the exchange, but you bought yours at the exchange.”

“It was pressure! When rumors spread about people making 50 or 60 billion, how could I not be tempted? It’s practically the same as being encouraged to buy.”

He said that since the Delirose family had already been disbanded, using their name wouldn’t harm anyone.

“The Count is in the labor camp, so I just need to meet his eldest son or wife and get a statement. Simple.”

“…Would they agree so easily?”

“That’s why I prepared the geas. I plan to make a covenant promising to repay them when my situation improves. Then they’ll agree.”

Brilliant idea, right?

Lord Hyde asked for agreement with a manic smile, but Gregory just kept his mouth shut. His brother didn’t seem to realize that this would be an act of fraud against the Imperial family.

Instead, he stared at his brother’s haggard appearance.

Labored breathing despite no strenuous exercise, a subtly flushed expression, twitching lips, and trembling eyes. His clothes, though expensive, looked like they hadn’t been washed for several days.

Would such a person give up his obsession just because the Cordana recovery period was ending?

No, it seemed impossible that he could return to the life of managing an impoverished domain and collecting taxes. He would probably keep searching for another windfall.

Until now, Gregory had hesitated because of the thought of betraying his brother, but seeing his brother sell even the carriage needed to return to his domain just to buy a scroll, that hesitation began to fade.

But before making his decision, there was something he needed to confirm.

“Brother.”

“Yes, boy. Quickly find out where the Count’s family is.”

“Let’s say I help you with this request. And let’s say the Imperial family shows mercy and provides 500 million in emergency funds. What would you do with that 500 million? We’re family, so please be honest.”

“500 million…? That’s too little as seed money.”

A moment of silence followed.

In fact, 500 million was enough to “temporarily” resolve the unpaid wages of servants and guards in Lord Hyde’s domain.

But there was no mention of resolving those unpaid wages. Instead, Lord Hyde seemed to be considering how to use that money to make a larger fortune.

Thanks to this, Gregory, now resolute in his decision, calmly explained.

He said that the Hyde family had an opportunity for promotion, and although they had lost their domain, they would instead manage the entire county as a viscount.

However.

“It’s not you who will receive the viscount title, but me.”

Lord Hyde frowned as if asking what that meant, but Gregory continued regardless.

“I’ll try to resolve the servants’ unpaid wages somehow. But if you don’t comply, that might become a debt that you’ll be obligated to repay.”

“……”

“Please allow me to at least help support your family later. That’s only possible if you step down willingly.”

Lord Hyde still wore an expression of disbelief.

But Gregory had already made up his mind.

If this man continued like this, it wouldn’t be surprising if disgruntled domain residents formed a posse to arrest him. Or he might cause trouble and end up in a labor camp.

Perhaps it was best to make him step down now, before any incidents occurred. At this point, they could still appeal to the Imperial family for leniency.

‘Yes. What’s done is done anyway.’

That was Gregory’s thought as he looked at his dazed brother. He would have to bear the criticism of colluding with a powerful figure to oust his own brother.

For some reason, Lord Hyde didn’t protest violently. He just held the geas in his hand and muttered, “This really would have worked.”

At that moment, as Gregory thought that the title might have been his brother’s last asset, he finally let out a sigh.

***

“Um, Miss Hyde. Or should I say Lady Hyde now? Have you heard the news?”

The voice of a senior administrator carefully addressing Ember while she was working at the office.

It would be proper to respond immediately when a superior called, but Ember couldn’t bring herself to continue. It was because of the title “Lady.”

All the administrators working with her were staring at her.

‘So it happened according to Erick’s plan.’

News had spread that Erick Wellesley would be appointed Count at the Imperial Palace and given ownership of the former Delirose county. The dissolution of Lord Hyde’s domain and the appointment of Hyde as viscount were also being processed.

Ember was now about to become the daughter of a viscount, not a collateral branch of a baron’s family.

In that moment, the junior employee who had entered through a simple qualification test suddenly transformed into a viscount’s daughter.

While she had never been from a background to be dismissed, being the daughter of a viscount managing an entire county felt different. Especially when that county belonged to a newly appointed influential figure.

But for some reason.

Despite reaching a position she had long desired, she wasn’t completely happy. It wasn’t just because she felt sorry for her cousins.

There was something unsettling about the thought of following her father and living as a noble lady.

‘I wonder if it would be difficult for me to stay in the capital alone.’

This thought naturally arose because of Erick.

The memory of comfortably spending time with him at the café, and the smile he showed while telling her about the viscount title. It was a side of him she hadn’t seen before, making her feel much closer to him. Above all, she was so happy that he didn’t seem uncomfortable being with her.

She felt like that progress might disappear if she left abruptly.

Of course, if considering the possibility of reconciliation, going to the county might be better.

By marrying Ember, Erick could completely secure control of the county. Perhaps if she just quietly helped her father, the possibility of marriage might arise. If not, she would have to accept it.

…But somehow, that didn’t feel enough.

Beyond marriage, she wanted to spend more time with Erick. She finally had an opportunity to spend time with him without irritating him, and she didn’t want to let it slip away.

‘I’m not in a position to make demands, but…’

Perhaps it wouldn’t be inappropriate to at least ask Erick’s opinion.

Ember visited Erick as soon as she finished work. Erick seemed to have anticipated her visit and offered her a seat in the reception room.

However, his words were slightly different from what Ember had expected.

“Go to the county, Ember.”

“…Ah.”

He said he wasn’t sending her just to play the role of a lady.

“As you probably know, the situation in the county is chaotic. A family that ruled the domain for hundreds of years has completely disappeared, and two baronies have been left penniless. One has been resolved, so the other must be feeling the pressure too.”

Erick told her to find something she could do in that chaotic domain.

It was the kind of request one would expect from Erick.

Ember didn’t feign modesty by saying something like, “I don’t know what I can do.” She knew that there was much a viscount’s direct descendant could accomplish.

“If I can be of help that way, I’m glad. I’ll do my best.”

She was grateful that he wasn’t treating her as just a pretty doll, but at the same time, she felt a slight thirst. Of course, she didn’t show it.

While Ember was thinking, “Let’s at least have a longer conversation since I’m here,” Erick stared at her and then smiled.

“The county isn’t that far away. Since it’s my domain, I’ll visit often.”

“…?”

“It wouldn’t be bad to have a chat over tea each time.”

Wine would be fine too, he added, seeking her agreement.

A declaration that he would leave the door open.

Ember’s expression instantly brightened. It was so unexpected that she forgot to cover her smile.

“Yes! Let’s do that, Erick.”

Afterward, Ember enjoyed a warm conversation with Erick. Of course, the atmosphere remained calm. After all, it felt uncomfortable to openly celebrate right after her uncle’s family had lost everything.

But…

‘Erick could just be happy, couldn’t he?’

He didn’t look completely cheerful.

Ember tilted her head, then soon guessed the reason.

Tomorrow was the final day of the Cordana recovery period.

“I said I’m prepared, but I don’t think tomorrow will end peacefully.”

Erick murmured that the peaceful time was ending.

‘Wait, is the capital peaceful right now?’

Judging by Erick’s expression, he seemed sincere. And he didn’t seem to be worried only about investors’ potential outbursts.

What kind of world does this person live in? Ember felt a subtle tension rising as she looked at him.