Chapter 56

After seeing the two figures walk away, Mary let out a deep breath, feeling as if she had completed a task.

However, this did not mean everything was resolved. On the contrary, this territory had to change from today onward. The land had always been one of stark inequality, and the changes would be significant, requiring considerable effort.

Those who had been forced to live harsh lives like Anna would naturally have accumulated grievances, while those who had fattened their own pockets and lived comfortably would find it difficult to accept the changes.

If the gap between the two groups deepened and an inexperienced person claimed the title of the next lord, the seeds of conflict could be sown in the already unequal land.

With this in mind, Mary looked around and said,

"Oh dear, what should we do? Can anyone help me? Anyone at all?"

She deliberately raised her voice. --Adi, standing next to her, muttered "overacting," but she silenced him by stepping on his foot--

To Mary's words, Alicia was the first to react.

"Lady Mary, what's wrong! I'll help you!"

She rushed to Mary's side with great enthusiasm.

Behind her, Parfaitte followed with teary eyes, saying, "I, I'll help Lady Mary too..."

Facing the two of them, Mary smiled gently.

"In this matter, even though it was for Anna, I acted too rashly. What if we get reprimanded by the royal couple? Oh dear..."

"It's fine! Father and Mother will understand, and I'll explain everything properly!"

"Really? Alicia, you're so reliable. But I'm worried about the territory. Since we're far from the Albright family, we can't commute. Oh dear..."

"In that case, I... I and Lord Gaius will watch over this land, so please leave it to us..."

"That's great, Parfaitte. I'll leave it to you both. Thank you."

With a superior smile, Mary asked, and Alicia and Parfaitte responded enthusiastically, "Yes!"

Next, Mary turned her gaze to Patrick and Gaius. They shrugged, not objecting to their partners' hasty decisions.

"Well, we were planning to take everything anyway. I'll cooperate until the end."

"That's why, Lord Patrick, you say such dangerous things so casually... No, I won't say anything more. Lady Mary, please rest assured. We'll maintain close communication with the new lord and report to you."

Mary smiled gently at their characteristic responses.

She then whispered to Alicia and Parfaitte and sent them back to their partners.

Alicia hugged Patrick enthusiastically. --Patrick let out a small groan, but it was nothing new-- and Parfaitte also hugged Gaius.

Then, they both looked up at their partners and said with smiles, "Let's do our best!" The two men also relaxed their expressions in unison.

The authoritative men's expressions melted instantly out of love for their partners. Their words, "Let's do our best together," were incredibly sweet.

Mary smiled triumphantly. This way, their authority and skills would be maximized.

Next, she turned to her brothers, who had been watching the exchange, thinking, "As expected of Mary." They quickly became enthusiastic upon realizing it was their turn.

"There will surely be opposition to this decision. Especially the nobles and wealthy people of Silvino, who have been profiting excessively. But I—"

"Yeah, leave it to us! We'll do anything for Mary!"

"Let me finish. But I don't want to resort to violence."

"...For Mary, we'll do any dirty work with joy. No matter how dirty our hands get, we won't let Mary's hands get dirty..."

"Thank you. But first, I want you to listen to me. I don't want to resort to violence."

"I think it's better to act quickly. As soon as we return to the Albright family, we'll investigate those who might oppose us."

"...I'll leave it to you."

Mary responded with a weary tone, interrupted by Roberto.

This was probably a sign of their enthusiasm... She reminded herself. Although she didn't get to finish her business, it would be fine if at least one of the three understood.

With that in mind, she took a deep breath, and Patrick asked, "What are you going to do, Mary?"

"What do you mean? I'm not going to do anything."

"You proposed this, didn't you? You're not going to sit back and watch, are you?"

"That's a rude thing to say. I can't be busy with all sorts of things right now."

"I understand, but you've come this far, so it should be fine. Besides, it won't take long."

Patrick seemed to suggest that she should work for the improvement of the territory, and Mary frowned. That was quite a presumptuous thing to say.

Managing the territory was indeed important. To help those suffering from poverty as soon as possible, they had to do their best. That was the duty of those in a position of authority.

But Mary was different now. The most important thing was the child in her womb.

If he understood that, how rude of him.

As Mary glared at Patrick, Adi, standing next to him, tilted his head in confusion, sensing something amiss.

"Patrick, you think like that? I'm planning to rest for a while."

"Rest is an exaggeration. I know it's tough, but..."

Patrick looked down, his gaze shifting from Mary's eyes to her abdomen.

Then he said,

"If it's just indigestion, it's not that serious."

He clearly said "indigestion."

Mary's eyes widened in surprise. Adi narrowed his rust-colored eyes, recalling, "This has happened before..."

Alicia, who was hugging Patrick, looked at Mary curiously.

"Lady Mary, indigestion again?"

"Again? That's rude. Don't make it sound like I'm always indigesting."

"Too many croquettes? Or the migratory bird bowl? I think the croquette topping on the migratory bird bowl is a bit heavy."

"That's not it! Don't call me a glutton! Besides, the croquette topping on the migratory bird bowl... well, it could be a new menu item."

As Mary mused, Adi poked her arm, suggesting it wasn't the time for that discussion.

Indeed, Mary nodded and let the topic slide. Now wasn't the time to think about the migratory bird bowl. She would consider new menu items after this matter was settled.

Therefore, she declared, "No matter what they say, I'm going to rest."

Patrick and Alicia looked at her curiously. They genuinely believed it was indigestion, so they couldn't understand what other reason there could be. --That was also quite rude--

Not only Patrick and Alicia, but Parfaitte, Gaius, and even her brothers looked at her, wondering what was going on. Only Roberto and Anna smiled knowingly.

Under their gazes, Mary looked up at Adi, who also smiled gently. His expression was so relaxed, as if he was incredibly happy.

Mary also smiled naturally and placed her hand on her abdomen. Of course, it was her abdomen, not her stomach.

It was still flat, but there was indeed someone here.

"I have to rest. For a while, I'll be buried in fluffy cushions and study to become a mother. What do you think, Adi?"

"In that case, I'll prepare the fluffy cushions and study to become a father."

They smiled at each other, and the room fell silent for a moment...

Then, after a brief pause, everyone spoke at once.