Chapter 52

# 52

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The study on the first floor of the Esselred mansion.

Schleman and Margaret were lost in thought together.

"You're acting uncharacteristically smoothly for a lord."

"Indeed."

They were pondering over the messy letter Lark had scribbled.

Upon receiving Lark's reply, Navia said, perplexed, "I'll start working here from today."

"…An eight-year-old vassal? What do we do in such a case?"

"Would the servants know?"

"Schleman, if you had lived five years longer than me, you might have some decent suggestions."

"Ugh, you're only my older brother when it's convenient."

They spent the whole day trying to find an appropriate position for Navia but couldn't figure out what an eight-year-old vassal, who wasn't even the youngest, could do.

Just as they were deep in thought together from the morning.

"Is anyone here?"

A neatly dressed man entered the main hall.

Margaret went out to the lobby with Schleman.

"Who are you?"

"I have come to deliver a message from Duke Agnes."

At the mention of Agnes, Schleman's eyebrows twitched slightly.

'It seems they've set a date to document the surprise territory battle.'

As he expected, the letter from the messenger stated that they would adjust the compensation for the territory battle after the grand hall meeting the next morning in front of the emperor.

"Tell him I understand."

After the messenger left, Schleman fell into thought.

'Although Navia is now under our jurisdiction, she is clearly a prisoner.'

"Headache."

At that moment, light footsteps came from upstairs.

"Schleman, Margaret."

It was a soft, clear voice with a firm resolve.

Turning their heads, they saw Navia.

"I have something to say."

Navia glanced at the envelope Schleman was holding and said,

"It seems Agnes has sent a message to discuss the territory battle compensation."

Impressed by her ability to grasp the situation from just a letter, Schleman was speechless.

"Yes, as you said."

Since Navia had come to discuss this issue, she proceeded to state her business.

"The matter I want to discuss is also about the territory battle compensation."

"Hmm?"

Before Navia could start, Minerva appeared between them.

"Oh, Miss!"

She approached with a bag in her arms, looking pleased.

"Actually, I had something to give you… and I also need to see patients…"

She then noticed the atmosphere.

"…Are you in the middle of an important conversation?"

Navia reassured her gently.

"It's fine, you can join us."

Navia turned her gaze to Schleman.

Now was the time to convince him of her usefulness objectively.

'Although Schleman has suddenly become more favorable towards me, I can't be a priority over this place.'

Therefore, she had to show that she was an asset, not a threat, to Esselred.

Navia recalled the chaos that always occurred around this time.

The conflict over Prince Ares' engagement between Nikan and Theorban.

"That foolish man is greedy and vulgar. He wants to make his daughter the successor of Esselred and engage her to Prince Ares? Out of the question!"

Nikan always ranted and criticized Theorban.

This time, it would likely unfold the same way.

'I've even heard Theorban muttering about the letter.'

"Tomorrow, when Schleman enters the palace, you will face two situations: one certain and one highly probable."

So, there are two scenarios.

Schleman's eyes widened slightly.

"Are you talking about something I will encounter?"

"Yes."

Navia nodded and continued.

"The certain situation is to determine my exact treatment. Duke Agnes will demand that I be imprisoned, expelled, or sent to the royal family."

The three adults surrounding Navia fell silent.

"Of course. They want to eliminate any potential weaknesses I might pose in the future."

'Precisely, they want to remove the risk of my deprogramming revealing that I am a commoner and from an orphanage.'

Navia continued calmly.

"As I mentioned yesterday, I am aware of the risks involved in taking me in at Esselred. I understand and empathize with your lack of complete trust in me."

"…Miss Navia."

"My life isn't particularly valuable, so offering it would be meaningless, but I swear on my life that I will not be a burden to Esselred. Never."

"…"

"Lord Alvin has sent a letter to Her Majesty the Queen, stating that he will make his daughter the successor of Esselred. I heard him say it directly."

Schleman and the others' expressions hardened.

"Is that true?"

"Yes. On my first day here, I heard him mutter that he would send the letter the next day. That means he must have sent it yesterday."

'Theorban, that scoundrel…!'

Schleman already knew Theorban was targeting Esselred.

He had only thought about absorbing the private army, not daring to plan such a bold move to have his daughter adopted by Lark!

'But I can't fully trust this information.'

Conflict arose in Schleman's mind.

He pressed his forehead, looking troubled, and asked,

"Miss Navia, are you suggesting that we give them what they want by making you a foster daughter to block Theorban, thus avoiding their resentment while focusing their anger on you?"

"Yes. This way, we can thwart Lord Alvin's plans without incurring too much resentment, and his anger will be directed at me."

Navia continued to highlight her usefulness.

You can use me very effectively, she insisted, relentlessly and mercilessly objectifying herself.

This was the best way Navia knew to form an alliance.

Schleman shook his head.

In fact, this was a humiliating situation that the peak-era Esselred would never have imagined.

But the lack of funds had created this situation.

"Are you suggesting we sacrifice you for our gain? That's dishonorable. It's a wicked act."

Navia swallowed a low sigh at the unexpected objection.

If Schleman took this stance, it would be problematic.

'If the suspicious Nikan decides I'm not a clear asset, he will definitely kill me.'

"But this is mutually beneficial…"

Navia paused, closing her mouth.

Schleman's words were not just his own.

Margaret and Minerva, who surrounded her, also agreed with Schleman.

Sympathy is a cheap emotion.

It's a light and weak feeling that can be discarded first when one is in trouble.

Navia wanted to secure her position.

To do that, she needed to be a partner on an equal footing.

That would reduce the chances of being abandoned.

'I can't fail.'

She had no more chances after eight regressions.

This was her last life.

Of course, everyone lives their final life, but for Navia, it was especially significant.

Because this wasn't her first life, and she had experienced too many failures.

With too many vivid memories of those who had toyed with and killed her, she couldn't afford not to prepare.

Navia didn't trust the unstable goodwill of others.

Lark had replied yesterday, agreeing to accept her as a vassal, but Schleman and Margaret had not yet found an appropriate position, so it was on hold.

'In the end, everything is uncertain.'

Navia needed certainty, not goodwill.

'But these people seem to think differently.'

The ground beneath her feet crumbled.

It twisted and writhed uneasily.

Her values shattered.

Navia's eyes, which had a red hue, blurred.

She had never tried to persuade such people…

'Even if they are different, if I become unnecessary, I will still be abandoned.'

Navia thought of another reason they had to accept her.

Her mind raced.

Her lips moved.

I can't fail.

I need to think of a way not to fail.

'How can I persuade them?'

At that moment, Margaret spoke quietly.

"Just ask for their help."