Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 105

Episode 105

“Haah……”

Levance let out a deep sigh. On the opposite side, Lizzy shivered. 

Simultaneously, the documents piled on the desk scattered like fallen leaves. Levance almost automatically picked up the papers Lizzy had dropped and sighed once more.

“Phew……”

“Mr. Levance, if you sigh one more time, it’s already the 15th time today.”

Lizzy stammered as she spoke, and Levance raised his head abruptly.

“Oh, I apologize.”

Lizzy nodded to indicate that it was okay.

Levance taking a deep sigh was not something that Lizzy couldn’t understand. Why? Because…

“Levance, we resolved a dispute in the square, and handled two thefts and one assault.”

This kind of thing kept happening. Arette would come in, report, and leave, and Levance would sigh again.

Leonel and Nelly left, and the territory began accepting immigrants. And then, problems arose as if on cue.

At first, it was manageable. 

Levance reduced his sleeping hours to take care of the territory. It used to be common to stay up all night before Lizzy arrived, so he could endure it.

But as the days went by, the crime rate increased significantly. 

‘One of the significant advantages was safety.’

There were frequent disputes between the existing residents and the immigrants. It was difficult to see it as just ordinary conflicts between the two groups.

According to the knights, some of the immigrants seemed to be intentionally provoking conflicts. In addition, the overall rate of minor crimes had significantly increased. Those who were caught were expelled, but new arrivals caused similar problems.

“Miss Lizzy, hasn’t there been a reply from the Duke yet?”

“No….”

It’s only been two days since they sent the letter. It probably hasn’t even arrived in the capital yet.

Lizzy swallowed her words and put the documents that Levance handed her on the desk.

At that moment, the door suddenly burst open.

“Mr. Levance! We have a big problem!”

The papers that had been painstakingly organized were scattered into the air once again. Feeling something ominous, Levance didn’t pick up the documents and looked at Tom.

Lizzy, too, was unable to hide her unease and watched the two of them. Tom, who was in deep thought, stomped his foot and shouted.

“A forest fire has broken out!”

Levance immediately rushed out of his office. 

As soon as he left the castle, the smoke was already covering the sky. He hopped onto a horse and rode out. 

Upon arriving near the forest, he saw Arette leading people in efforts to extinguish the fire. The newly appointed estate manager, Nausus Dexter, was also with them.

“What happened?”

Levance approached Nausus and Arette as if he was jumping off his horse.

“It seems like someone deliberately set the fire.”

“There are three ignition points.”

Nausus and Arette answered in turn. Levance sighed and ran his hand through his hair before addressing Arette.

“Arette, return to the knights. We can’t afford any issues right now.”

“Understood.”

Levance stood where Arette had been and directed the soldiers. Together with Nausus, he coordinated the efforts to put out the fire.

It wasn’t until dusk that they managed to control the flames.

“Accidents don’t seem to stop happening since I became the manager. Did it happen like this when Miss Nelly was in charge?”

Nausus asked while sitting down. Levance shook his head.

“No, this is the first time something like this has happened.”

“Who could be behind this?”

“We need to investigate. I’m going back to the castle to handle the rest. Stay here and oversee the recovery.”

“Yes. Good luck, sir.”

Levance thought as he returned to the castle.

There had been deliberate acts of arson before, like the incident with the spy. If Levance’s hunch was correct, this time wouldn’t be any different.

“Your Grace, please come back soon.”

He opened the door, wondering if Lizzy hadn’t trashed the office while he was alone. 

Levance surveyed the office, and thankfully, the interior was undamaged. However, the news Lizzy delivered was far from good.

“Mr. Levance, the supplier delivering construction materials has been ruined due to a fire.”

Levance squinted and received the documents Lizzy handed him.

“The head of the supplier came just now and informed me.”

“Lizzy, for now, take the rest of the day off.”

“But…”

“It’s okay, please go.”

“Yes.”

Lizzy answered with a crestfallen expression and left the office. 

Could misfortune strike all at once like this? Levance let out a bitter smile as he stared at the ceiling.

‘This is not the time for this. I need to find another supplier, calculate the damage from the forest fire…’

As he was collecting his thoughts, the greatest misfortune knocked on the door.

“The manor is not empty.”

Devondus burst through the door and took a seat in Leonel’s chair.

“Until Leonel returns, I’ll be acting as the Duke.”

“Who said you can take the Duke’s seat as you please?”

Levance approached Devondus and firmly pressed the documents he was fumbling with on the desk.

Devondus’ face contorted, and in a fit of indignation, he waved his hand like a whip. Levance’s head turned around with a harsh creaking sound.

“You arrogant advisor!”

Devondus got up from the desk and grabbed Levance’s chin forcefully.

“When the lord is absent, it’s only natural that the closest relative takes over.”

Devondus was right. Even when Leonel was on the battlefield, the situation was a mess, but Levance had managed the work in his absence. As an aide and an advisor, Levance had no authority to stop Devondus.

However, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Recently, there had been no end to incidents and accidents, and if Devondus got involved, all the progress they had made so far might go to waste.

“It’s only for two months. There’s no need for a substitute.”

“Why do you get to decide that?”

“The Duke entrusted me with the responsibilities before leaving.”

“That’s only because I wasn’t here. If there’s a suitable candidate, it’s only right for them to take charge, isn’t it?”

Devondus squeezed Levance’s chin with a strong grip.

“Or did you plan to enjoy a little game of being a duke while Leonel is away? You, a mere aide?”

It was an insult to his loyalty. To suppress his emotions, Levance clenched his fists.

Devondus saw his frustration and, with a condescending smile, lightly tapped Levance’s cheek with the palm of his hand.

“I might as well hit you. If you want to fight, go ahead. I’ll handle it according to the law.”

Devondus might not be the lord’s representative, but, Levance, as an aide, couldn’t raise his hand against him. If he let his emotions get the best of him and struck back, it would be a grave offense.

With great effort, he suppressed his emotions and relaxed his grip on his fists.

Devondus, with a satisfied expression, released Levance’s chin and turned away. He returned to Leonel’s chair, rummaged around, and then grinned.

“First, get rid of that nonsense who is assisting with the work. It’s absurd to have a mere commoner woman who only damages things helping with paperwork in the castle.”

Levance swallowed the rising anger with difficulty.

“Understood.”

He promptly turned and left the office.

First, he needed to go to Lizzy and tell her not to come out for the time being. Devondus might get angry if he saw her tomorrow, and it was better to avoid a confrontation.

‘I’ll have to endure this for a few days.’

According to formalities, when the lord was absent, he should notify in writing if he didn’t intend to delegate responsibilities to the nearest relative. However, that was merely a formality. No noble would bother with written notification for a mere two-month absence.

But when someone stood on principles and took action, there was nothing to say in response. Therefore, the only way to stop Devondus was either for Leonel to return or to send a written notification.

Looking at it from the opposite perspective, if Leonel managed a simple solution, Devondus would have to leave with no additional gains.

‘But why am I going to this trouble?’

Levance wasn’t one to engage in confrontations, even if he was physically capable.

‘Could it be that he’s up to something in the capital?’

Without Leonel by his side, he might be vulnerable to attack, but his influence couldn’t be underestimated.

‘Nelly may be in danger.’

Levance changed course and returned to his room. 

There, he wrote a brief letter and instructed someone to deliver it to Leonel as quickly as possible.

* * *

“Why is he following you?” 

Leonel, not hiding his discomfort, pointed at Gardner with a chin gesture.

Do I look like I know? When I shook my head to indicate I didn’t know, Leonel’s gaze turned towards Gardner.

Perhaps Gardner found Leonel’s bright red eyes somewhat threatening because he swallowed hard.

If it’s scary, you can go. What’s the point of enduring it?

Since I’m equally uncomfortable, I should leave with Leonel first.

“Leonel, let’s go. We’re going out together after a long time.”

Fortunately, Leonel didn’t resist and allowed himself to be led by my hand. The problem was Gardner.

‘Why is he following me?’

Gardner spoke.

“I need to talk to you about business.”

“You’d better talk to me about that.”

Leonel blocked my path.

Unlike me, who had no authority over business operations, Leonel had as much authority over business operations as Archduke Landers, which is why.

Gardner smiled broadly and brought up the topic of the corbin fruits.

“Instead of trading in large quantities, I would like to show Lady Pepper the place of business.”

Leonel looked at me. I shook my head again. This time it meant I didn’t want to.

“I refuse.”

“I don’t understand why you’re refusing. If Lady Pepper can see it, we could trade in large quantities, and wouldn’t that increase production?”

“I don’t care about the small price difference.”

“But if you’re already making a lot of money, isn’t it better to make more?”

Leonel, as if he didn’t need to respond, wrapped his arms around my waist and walked past Gardner.

Unfortunately, Gardner’s determination did not end there.

He’d called me in for the reason that Archduke Landers has something to say, only without Leonel.

‘It’s scary to go alone.…’

I didn’t dare to refuse when someone of higher status called me, so I followed for now.

It was my first time being summoned, and just meeting his eyes made me break into a cold sweat.

“No need to be nervous.”

How can I not be nervous when you tell me to come without Leonel?

“Um… why did you call me…?”

“You must have heard about it through Marquis Gardner. That’s why I called you.”

“Yes.”

“Corbin fruit is an important ingredient. I’d like you to escort him.”

I didn’t want to. But if I refuse, my throat might be in danger…

Let’s think about it. If I refuse, my throat might be cut.

If I accept, even if I don’t know what Gardner is planning, it might be beneficial for me.

The way he spoke so boldly in front of Leonel, maybe he’s using me as bait to lure him in and hurt him.

I’m like a paper doll, so I can be taken as a hostage. I can’t risk putting Leonel in danger.

“I’m sorry.”

I squeezed out my voice and looked at Archduke Landers. He didn’t seem particularly angry.

“It’s a big loss for me. Is there a reason for your refusal?”

Should I say this?

“If you refuse without reason, there will be consequences…”

“Actually!”

Unknowingly, I cut off Archduke Landers. He looked surprised by my rudeness but made a gesture for me to continue.

“Marquis Gardner is a person of Devondus Altwood, so…”

Is this explanation enough?

I glanced at Archduke Landers. He smiled gently and asked.

“So?”

It was anything but gentle. I choked back my tears and carefully chose my words.

“Not long ago, I almost ingested poison.”

“Is the culprit Lord Devondus?”

Oh, that’s a misunderstanding.

Without evidence, it might seem like I’m falsely accusing someone of being a culprit.

I quickly raised my hands.

“No! I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that Leonel and his uncle don’t get along, so I want to be cautious about everything…”

“So this time, Lord Devondus is going to harm you?”

“Not really, it’s just that I’m a bit, um, scared of him picking me up and showing me around!”

“Lord Devondus?”

“Well, I’m just scared of everything in the world.”

I said it seriously, but Archduke Landers burst into laughter.

“You’re wise. I’ll remember that.”

What a strange thing to say. And what does he mean by remembering?

Before I could dispel my unease, I was dismissed.