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Chapter 55
As he had said, although ten days were by no means a short period of time, in reality, Iona felt that the schedule was quite tight.
Even though there was not a lot of work to do in the Modrov estate, she had to hasten her return in order to meet her appointment with Vivianna in the capital.
Due to contacting Viviana earlier than expected, the schedule was twisted differently from the plan.
Since it was meaningless to say that she would come back as soon as possible, so Iona gave a different answer instead.
"I will contact you as soon as I return."
"Yes, if possible, be the first to inform me. I, the broad-minded one, will try to tolerate the Crown Prince's childish pranks a little longer."
Whether it was a joke or a serious remark, Iona couldn't distinguish, but she replied silently with a nod.
Only then did a thin smile appear on Leroy's lips.
He said softly to her.
“Then take care and come back safely. I'll be waiting for you.”
It was a reassuring voice that put Iona at ease.
***
The carriage heading to the Modrov's estate quietly departed at the dawn of the next day.
Iona had to leave the capital as quickly as possible if she didn't want Yvonne or Nils to have any time to intervene with Fleur.
Iona crossed the castle gate before the morning sun, taking Fleur, who was dressed in a different way than usual.
Looking at Iona, Fleur said in a tired voice.
“We are leaving early.”
“You must have had a hard time waking up in the morning. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I'm a nocturnal creature anyway, so I didn't sleep at all."
Iona remembered Fleur, who had been asleep until broad daylight. Apparently, she tended to fall asleep in the morning.
'She seems to be drinking quite a bit too.'
Iona could still smell the faint smell of alcohol on her breath.
It wasn't that she was leaving the capital for a good reason, but recuperating in a place with good air didn't seem like a bad thing for her either.
The necessary expenses were to be paid by Count Modrov, and Iona still had half of her due.
Perhaps she would be able to enjoy a very relaxing vacation. She, of course, should have taken care of the little things she asked for.
Iona, who was looking at the distant ridge through the window, closed the curtains.
Because only a small lamp was lighting the inside, they could barely see each other's noses and eyes.
“I will briefly explain the schedule. I will drop you off at a private house on the outskirts before reaching the lord's house in Modrov Manor. A maid in the wagon is going to help you there.”
“Did the Count even assign a maid to spy on me?”
“It’s the bare minimum safety measure.”
Iona was reluctant to take Count Modrov's servants, but she couldn't stop Hayden from appointing a maid to take care of Fleur.
Although Iona was officially responsible for Fleur's movement under the pretext of inspecting the territory, she couldn't personally stay and look after her.
Iona, who was lost in thought for a moment, said.
“The Count wants you to be very quiet. Not only me, but even the assistant lord who has taken charge of the estate will give separate instructions to manage you. Count even request that you be disciplined and refrain from unnecessary chatter.”
Hayden was a cautious person.
He would rather keep her in his reach than send Fleur out of his reach.
Iona took out the letter Hayden had entrusted to her from her bosom. It was a message to the acting lord, Baron Franz.
"That's exactly what's in it."
Iona opened the lamp cover and scorched the end of the letter.
The small fire engulfed the dried paper and quickly grew in size.
Iona opened the window and let it flow outside.
“But I will not pass this on. I want you to do the exact opposite of Count Modrov's wishes.”
“Is this a new deal?”
Life returned to Fleur's eyes.
Apparently, this situation of being involved in a conflict within the count's family seemed very interesting to her.
“All you have to do is put on expensive dresses and dazzling jewels and walk often in crowded places. I will dress you up as if you were the beloved concubine of Count Mordlov.”
"I heard there's a maid watching over me?"
“The Count is someone who thinks that all the servants of the mansion are loyal only to him. But well, people are always driven by money.”
The maid whom Hayden decided to assign to Fleur was a child whose income was poor enough to volunteer to look after his mistress.
In the first place, he met women like Fleur because they were easily identifiable due to their lack of education and obvious motives.
Hayden thought that Fleur would take care of herself if he gave her a little scare through Iona or Baron Franz.
The fact that Fleur pleaded with the Count in tears was one of the reasons why he lowered his guard.
The guard, whom Hayden had chosen with a complacent heart, easily fell for the gold coin Iona offered.
The young maid was going to take care of Fleur's life very carefully, as well as deliver various news to Iona while remaining in the Modrov estate.
“Then, can I become a parasite to the Count and become a rare concubine who sucks the blood of the people of the territory?”
Fleur lifted her chin and asked in a deliberately coquettish tone.
It was a fact that Iona felt from the last meeting, but she was quite quick-witted.
Without Iona explaining in detail, Fleur would quickly figure out how she was supposed to move and what it meant.
She hides her cleverness from Hayden only because she knew it was the Count's taste.
Iona swallowed a laugh when she thought of Hayden, who believed that he was in control of the relationship.
“I’m glad you understand quickly.”
“What about the pay?”
"It's the same amount as last time."
“I think I did pretty well back then, but is there any bonus?”
“I have a dress and jewels that the Count gave me. I brought it because I thought it would be quite useful for this job, but I'll hand it all over.”
They were things that would be thrown away without being touched anyway. It would be nice if it could be put to good use like this.
It was something Hayden had prepared to change the mind of her daughter-to-be, so it must have been quite expensive.
Even so, Fleur blurted out her words as if she didn't like something.
"Hmm… …”
Instead of answering straightforwardly, she crossed her arms and leaned her head against the window frame.
She asked, looking up at Iona with narrow eyes.
"It seems like our knight only assigns me to bad roles. Why is that?”
Whether it was her natural disposition or a habit ingrained in her due to her profession, she always used a tone that seemed to seduce anyone.
Of course, Iona was a strict knight, rare to find in this era, who did not succumb to such charms from a beauty.
When Iona remained silent, Fleur tried to provoke another topic.
“Tell me honestly, Dame Iona. Do you want to beat your brothers and become the head of the household?”
“It has been decided that Nils will inherit the succession of the Count. The announcement ceremony will be held three days after we leave.”
Iona replied nonchalantly.
This, too, was decided as hastily as Iona's departure to Modrov.
Even though Iona didn't say anything about the announcement ceremony first, Hayden looked at her daughter and explained it like this.
“Nils is feeling quite resentful that you are sent as my representative to the territory. At least in this formal procedure, you should try to appease him a bit. It's not necessary to bother someone as busy as you for a simple gathering of close acquaintances.”
The explanation sounded plausible, but Iona understood Hayden's true intentions better than anyone else.
'The toast will be lifted only when there are no disruptions.'
It was clear that he intended to exclude her, but the timing itself wasn't bad.
Iona didn't want to offer congratulations or greetings in front of Nils as if she would become a future head of the household.
“Being the heir does not mean becoming the head of the household.”
--- End Of The Chapter ----
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