Chapter 194
Chapter 194: Chapter 194. Confirmation, Part I
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
How could the nobles tell them their complaints? They were great soldiers sent by the king of Croa, and they had to preserve their spirit until the day of the battle and make the cause successful. So everyone endured everything.
‘I cannot give preference to the family of Count Roscent.’
No, Aria hoped that if possible, they would be very annoying to the servants in the mansion and that all the resentment would be directed at Cain and Mielle. For that reason, Aria went first to the soldiers who had been in a quiet state for several days.
“All of you have a hard time.”
“Lady, Lady Aria… ?”
Suddenly, Aria appeared in the garden while they were resting, and they were surprised and took a courtesy. It was surprising that a noblewoman came to visit, especially Aria who was the Crown Prince’s lover. Also, she was the Investor A of the rumors.
They had not been instructed not to go on a rampage at the mansion of Count Roscent, but they wouldn’t dare do that in a mansion where Aria of brilliant modifiers was.
Aria, who read their innocent look, noticed that there was no one around her and told them. “I don’t feel comfortable because you’re uncomfortable.”
The faces of the soldiers were embarrassed by her surprising talk.
‘Why don’t you understand it all at once?’ Aria continued to talk, “I hope you have a comfortable stay in the mansion. Everything will be accounted for by my brother, the acting Count. He is very generous.”
“Ah…”
“Of course, the owner of this mansion is not me and my mother, so I cannot take responsibility. I will leave this house as I reach adulthood. It’s Cain who called you in the first place, so please don’t mind me.”
Several times she mentioned that Cain was responsible for what the soldiers would do, and then they opened their eyes as if they understood what Aria meant.
“I heard that the soldiers who stay in different mansions enjoy a banquet every night. What about you? The mansion of Count Roscent is full of alcohol and food enough to hold a banquet right away.”
Aria smiled softly and recommended. The way she said that was also languid, but it was close to the command to do so. The soldiers, briefly charmed by her beautiful smile, began to wake up and burst into the demands they had endured.
How frustrating it must have been! They must have come to play, eat, and get drunk. There was nothing to block them as Aria’s permission fell. They began to make more demanding and annoying demands than the soldiers in any mansion.
“Get more food! Meat! Bring meat!”
“Where is this drink from? It doesn’t taste good! Bring us the highest grade one!”
Since their aim was to devastate the wealth of the nobility, the soldiers demanded the most expensive food, clothing, and blankets. As they were the soldiers sent by the king of Croa, Cain suffered without saying that he didn’t like it.
Even if the Count was fine, he could cope with whatever would happen, but he did not have the knowledge that he was able to overpower the tough soldiers. There was no action, and shortly afterward, the lament of servants began. Every day the sad song continued.
Aria, who had brought it all, held a simple tea party in the garden for the servants in the meantime, and they began to confess as if they had waited.
“Hoo, it’s so hard to get new food every time. They eat a lot of food.”
“They said they were acquaintances of Cain, but I’m not sure. They don’t look like noblemen. The way they talk is also strange. Is it a mix of dialects?”
“Right. It’s a bit rough. It’s strange for three or four people to use one room. Well, some people sleep with a blanket on the floor.”
“Furthermore, they demand us thick and soft clean blankets every time, so I’m doing laundry every day and lost an inch off my waist.”
“I have swollen hands! They are freezing, and I can’t clench my fists…”
When the servant said her hand was swollen, Aria furrowed her forehead. She seemed to wash clothes from dawn to lunch even though the winter was approaching, and the days were cold. There were a lot of people, and it was inevitable.
“I feel very sorry for you. You look really sick as your hands are swollen.”
Her short words with all her heart reddened the eyes of the servants. Even though it was not so much comfort, they felt comforted by Aria’s sorrowful voice.
Besides, it was Cain who had brought hardship to them, but Aria was comforting them. So how could they not be impressed? Aria suggested a solution for the servants, who were about to cry.
“You don’t have to push yourself too much in doing laundry. Buy a new one every time they ask for a blanket.”
“Yes…? I am thankful to you, but there are too many… I don’t know how long they will stay in the mansion, but it will definitely cost too much.”
There was a terrible rumor that Cain did not manage the Count’s business properly and the Count’s family was going bankrupt, so they needed to save as much as possible. Many a little would make a mickle.
No, it wasn’t a little because the winter came and the price of the blanket was not cheap. If it was a cheap quilt, it would be okay, but they had to buy a high-quality quilt, and the number of soldiers was quite large. It was clear that a lot of money would continue to be spent. Not only the food cost, but also the clothing and entertainment was a big expense, and the wealth of the Count’s family was greatly damaged.
That was exactly what Asher wanted and what Aria was hoping for as well, so she gently grabbed the cold hands of a servant. “What is as important as your body and mind? And don’t worry since the family of Count Roscent, which is the wealthiest in the empire, can’t be swayed with such a penny. Rumor is just a rumor.”
“Oh, Miss…! ”
“How kind you are!”
“You can buy a lot of food and keep it. If it’s bad and you have to throw it away, you can’t help it. Order a lot at a time and ask them to deliver it to the mansion even if you pay extra.”
“Well, can we really do that…?”
“Of course. I’ll take responsibility if anything happens.”
Aria made a gentle smile as they were touched. It was that faux ability that drove away the real owners of the mansion of Count Roscent and held the dominion of the mansion.
“If you’re short on stuff, go to this store. It always seemed to bring a bunch of fresh stuff. If not, they’ll get it and deliver it to the mansion.”
Aria passed the address to the servants, which she had prepared in advance. It was one of her businesses. As it boasted high-quality ingredients, the price was also expensive.
As they bought groceries with the funds of the Count’s family, the profits from this were distributed and returned to Aria. Those who did not know this were deeply impressed by Aria’s great consideration and swore allegiance to her again.
After arriving in the empire, the Marquis of Piast had already visited a number of brothels to find a woman who his son longed for. It was not easy to find a person with a name and approximate appearance that was supposed to be an alias. If she were a commoner, it would be easy, but as she was a prostitute, it was not easy to follow her tracks.
In the wagon leaving the last brothel, the Marquis of Piast recalled the unexpected words that he had heard when they were headed to the empire. Those words were what he had heard from Vika.
“His Highness wanted to meet the Marquis of Piast, but he would eventually meet you this way.”
“… Where is His Highness?”
“The Crown Prince. The last time he visited Croa, he asked several times that he would like to visit your mansion as there was something he wanted to check.”
That reminded him of a man who had asked for a visit so much that the Marquis of Piast became tired. He had called himself the Crown Prince of the empire, but he remembered that he had gone out and did not meet him.
But he was really the Crown Prince! Come to think of it, there had been a time when the Crown Prince had visited Croa with Roscent Aria—his lover.