Chapter 64

# 64

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Nabia spoke with a serious expression, despite her feelings.

"What do you mean...?"

Theorban sneered at Nabia, treating her like an idiot.

"Lord Nikan Agnes has dismissed you from being his foster daughter. Now, you've lost your adoptive father, on top of having no parents. Tsk tsk."

"Are you ignoring my warning now!"

Theorban retorted, looking indignant.

"Because I treated you well as a war hero and elder, you think I'm your superior now?"

He jabbed a finger at Schleman.

"Show some respect when you speak to me! You old fool, who spends your days idly serving a petty lord."

Schleman couldn't contain his rising anger and summoned his magic.

When a sudden gust of wind blew through the lobby, Theorban flinched and hunched his shoulders.

'Is this old man daring to threaten me?'

Though Schleman and Theorban held the same rank of count, they were of different caliber.

Schleman was a hero who had led the Alliance to an undefeated myth in war and had been awarded countless medals along with his title.

In contrast, Theorban had become a count through a fortunate marriage.

"Are you saying that if Lord Alvin's words are true, I'm not here because of some crime, but because Lord Agnes dumped me here like trash in a garbage can?"

Schleman almost gaped but quickly closed his mouth.

Nabia was merely asking about her situation, but the content of her words was brilliantly adept at turning the tables.

Theorban had inadvertently alluded to the derogatory term for the Ezelred family, "garbage dump," and he had done so within Ezelred.

He couldn't help but glance at Theorban's expression.

He was dumbfounded.

"No, no..."

Then, he glared at Nabia with a venomous look.

"Are you spouting such nonsense with that loose mouth of yours!"

Nabia looked bewildered at Theorban's sudden outburst and replied.

"What? Lord Count, you said that to me."

"That's just your misinterpretation..."

Schleman cut him off.

"Was your visit today to insult the Ezelred family?"

Theorban was speechless.

"Are you trying to oppress me with this girl's tricks?"

"It seems like you're the one using cunning wordplay. Ezelred hasn't yet clearly defined how to treat Miss Nabia."

That decision was to be made at the palace today, in front of Nikan and the emperor.

Schleman said coldly with an extremely solemn expression.

"So, you're insulting Ezelred based on a non-existent fact."

Theorban clenched his fists and seethed inwardly.

'How dare this old fool insult me!'

If he became the master of Ezelred, he would immediately dismiss this useless and pitiful old man!

However, he lacked a justifiable reason for now.

He gritted his teeth and forced a smile as an apology.

"...I misspoke. I didn't mean it that way. I chose my words poorly. How could I say such disrespectful things about my family?"

Schleman didn't let it slide easily.

"You should apologize to this young lady, a guest of Ezelred, not to me."

Was he trying to make a fuss over a single slip of the tongue?

Theorban was furious at the idea of apologizing to a mere young girl, the daughter of a low-ranking noble.

'But if I refuse, I might be further criticized and not be able to take the maids with me.'

Theorban suppressed his anger for a greater gain.

"...I was too harsh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. I just came here to help you."

Schleman looked at Theorban coldly.

'Help you? How ridiculous!'

His gaze shifted to the maids standing on either side of Theorban.

"I will cover the wages of these maids out of my own pocket. We should help each other as family."

"......Ha."

Theorban sent only a small portion of his income from the anesthetic herb farm and other businesses to Ezelred.

Ezelred barely maintained its livelihood with this meager income.

Recently, Theorban had reduced even this living expense, citing poor business performance and reduced income.

Until, eventually, it would lead to bankruptcy.

Then, when there was no money to maintain the private army, he would dissolve it and buy it himself.

Schleman knew this all too well, yet he said "family"?

But he couldn't refuse the maids now.

He lacked a justifiable reason to do so.

This place indeed had only Minerva as a female servant.

Margaret, being a titled noble, couldn't be considered a servant.

Schleman and Margaret didn't receive wages; they lived on their pensions.

Refusing the maids sent in good faith would be tantamount to ignoring Lord Alvin.

'If it weren't for the anesthetic herbs, I wouldn't have been caught in such a weak spot.'

As Schleman frowned in displeasure, Nabia suddenly smiled.

"Wow, really? Thank you."

Her voice was genuinely excited, and her face lit up with pure happiness.

However, Schleman now felt he understood this girl a little.

'She must have something in mind.'

Even though he had only seen Nabia for five days, Schleman naturally felt that her actions had a purpose.

And as he thought, Nabia did have a plan.

'Why would I refuse something I can't refuse?'

It was better to accept it first and then observe the situation to find an opportunity to counterattack.

In simpler terms, it meant waiting until a weakness appeared and then using it as a pretext to strike back.

If no weakness appeared?

'I'll create one.'

Nabia smiled happily.

Theorban also felt better, having successfully planted the maids as he intended.

'How dare she upset me; I won't let her off easily.'

A fleeting glint of malice flashed in Theorban's eyes.

'You won't last more than a day, girl.'

Theorban quickly forgot the humiliation and smirked, looking at the maids he had brought.

"Take good care of this girl."

"Yes, Master."

The maids' eyes sparkled.

They weren't sent to genuinely serve Nabia; they were sent to torment her.

The idea of earning money while doing a nominal job thrilled them.

They smiled at Nabia.

"Please take care of us, Miss."

Nabia met their gaze and chuckled.

"Sure? I should be the one asking you to take care of me."

'I hope you make a mistake and give me a weakness to exploit.'

Benny and Sylene felt a sudden chill and rubbed their arms.

Was it because winter was coming and it was getting cold?

Theorban didn't want to stay in this dark, cursed mansion any longer, even without a specific reason.

So, as soon as his business was done, he said casually.

"I'll be going now. Ah, are you heading to the palace today?"

Schleman sent a cold look at Theorban, who had mentioned this unofficial schedule to show he already knew about it.

"You should negotiate the compensation well. The price of anesthetic herbs has skyrocketed due to a poor harvest recently."

Theorban smiled, as if confident that he would ultimately win as long as the anesthetic herbs were around.

Schleman clenched his fists and only nodded coldly, knowing Theorban would likely cause trouble once the compensation was decided.

He didn't even want to deal with such a despicable person.

He didn't bother to see Theorban off and immediately asked Nabia.

"Would you like to return to your room, Miss Nabia?"

Nabia nodded and called out to the maids who were about to see Theorban off.

"Benny, Sylene."

They looked at her curiously.

"Yes? Did you call us?"

Nabia asked suspiciously.

"Are you going to help me from tomorrow?"

"......What?"

Theorban, who was heading to the lobby, also turned back, frowning.

'What nonsense is she spouting now?'

Theorban looked down at Nabia as if she were an idiot and said dismissively.

"These girls will take care of you starting today."

"Ah, I see. I thought you were about to leave because you were heading to the door."

Theorban's face turned fierce at this. He wanted to retort but could only move his lips, unable to counterattack.

Nabia's point was valid.

The maids, who had been given authority by Theorban to serve Nabia, couldn't just serve someone else without permission.

Moreover, it would be a clear act of theft to command someone else's servant without being their master.