~Chapter 23~

“Viscount Nerk ran a loan-sharking business, Baron James blocked roads and collected tolls, and Sub-baron Kunsak illegally distributed alcohol and drugs. Truly impressive efforts. You worked so hard—just to ruin the land.”

“Your words go too far, my lord!”

Though they had changed the way they addressed her thanks to Lovelace’s correction, their attitude was still full of disrespect.

“Did I say anything wrong? If I did, go ahead and argue.”

Lovelace personally handed over the evidence documents. Sub-baron Kunsak stood up without even glancing at them. The tall man glared down, and Lovelace instinctively swallowed hard.

‘Ah, so embarrassing—I flinched.’

She wasn’t used to scolding and intimidating vassals.

Truthfully, everything here was unfamiliar—the economy, the laws, the politics. But whether she knew or not, she instinctively understood what was right.

And as the family head, she knew what she had to do.

That’s why she had buried herself in county work for the past few days. The biggest reason was Paolo.

‘When I pass the title to him, I can’t hand him a mess.’

She was sure what she was doing was right. Still, her heart thumped nervously.

What if they discovered she was a fake? What if that harmed Paolo?

No!

Lovelace grabbed hold of her drifting negative thoughts.

“If I lose my nerve, I lose everything. I am Count Harmelda, the lord of this land!”

After that self-reminder, she straightened her shoulders more proudly. To adjust her posture, she pretended to shift her body and crossed her legs naturally.

Kunsak, who had been glaring at her, faltered a little at her confident aura.

A strong defense always breaks the will to attack.

“The family head suddenly disappeared, so we only tried to protect the land. With no lord to defend it, we had no choice but to take responsibility.”

“And that’s why you raised one hundred fifty private soldiers, when only fifty were allowed?”

“That’s right, Count.”

Now sounding as if he could finally reason with her, Kunsak crossed his arms across his chest.

“Good. I like how neatly you admit it. Then since I’m back now, transfer those soldiers under my command.”

“Count!”

Kunsak and the other vassals all raised their voices. Anger boiled in them at being looked down on by a young girl like Lovelace.

“You’re not completely stupid. At least you realize I am the lord. Which is why I intend to punish you for your crimes as vassals. How about it—want to start begging now?”

Lovelace leaned over the table as she asked.

The vassals trembled, feeling insulted. A twitch flickered beneath Viscount Nerk’s eye.

They knew exactly what the high seat she sat in meant. It was the place they had longed to take for themselves.

The lord’s seat.

And yet, just because she carried Harmelda blood, that lofty position had gone to a girl barely grown.

Viscount Nerk clenched his fist tightly.

“Another all-nighter, yesterday too.”

At Maxmuel’s report, Larvihan rubbed his forehead.

He had restored House Harmelda mainly to secure her identity. True, there was a trace of guilt toward the late Count Harmelda. But the real reason was to marry quickly and regain his power.

Yet Lovelace worked as if she had been born to manage the estate. Of course, after a year without a lord, there was much backlog.

‘But this is too much.’

His own estate and mansion had stayed intact even after he left for years.

“Why is there so much work?”

Larvihan frowned.

“When the master’s gone, rats swarm the granary. And when a sack has holes, grain will always spill out.”

“So, the vassals are the problem.”

Larvihan rose to his feet. Maxmuel followed him with a questioning look.

“Where are you going?”

Maxmuel asked as Larvihan picked up his coat.

“To the Harmelda mansion.”

Larvihan’s eyes were cold.

“Good morning, Rey.”

Lovelace opened her eyes at the sweet voice beside her bed. Sunlight streamed through the window, and the gentle breeze carried a fresh scent.

A picture-perfect man brushed her cheek. The rough calluses on his palm didn’t feel unpleasant.

‘Wow, this is like a painting.’

It really was like a work of art.

She staggered out of bed and poured herself a glass of water from the table. Gulp, gulp—she drank it down refreshingly. As she was about to wipe the water from her lips with the back of her hand, another hand reached out and did it for her.

“Are you trying to seduce me?”

Lovelace’s eyes widened. It wasn’t a dream.

She glanced at the magic clock on the wall. The time system here was marked by the sun, moon, and evenly spaced stars—exactly the same as in Korea.

‘Around eight o’clock, I guess.’

Too early for Larvihan to visit—he usually came at night. That’s why she had thought it was a dream.

“What brings you here?”

Larvihan carefully wiped away the last drops at her lips and smiled softly.

“You look tired, Rey. Dark circles under your eyes.”

He tapped under her eyes teasingly. Lovelace brushed his hand away, grumbling.

“If I had known running a territory would be this hard, I wouldn’t have accepted the title. Or at least, I would’ve prepared more before inheriting it.”

“What’s so hard about it?”

He stroked her messy hair. Relaxing under his touch, she began to speak as though she had been waiting for the chance.

“The estate’s a total mess. People paid taxes for a year, but no one collected them. All the old staff are gone. Even the head butler who took care of Paolo suddenly resigned. Most of the records are missing. And the vassals are blinded by greed, committing crimes left and right.”

Wrinkles formed on Larvihan’s forehead. Just listening made her struggle clear.

“I told you—if you need help, just say the word.”

His once-sweet voice dropped lower. His expression darkened, like someone simmering with anger.

“I have to try on my own first. I am the lord, after all. I’ve summoned the vassals and warned them. I plan to punish them too. But will they really reflect? People say once a thief, always a thief.”

Larvihan listened silently to her long complaints.

“I’ve been talking too much. Why did you come here?”

Realizing she had just been venting without letting him speak, Lovelace’s cheeks flushed. Complaining wouldn’t solve anything, especially not to him.

“No, I like hearing it. Tell me more.”

“You like hearing complaints?”

He nodded easily and sat down, as if settling in to listen properly.

“I’m done. I don’t have anything else to say.”

She pulled a gown from the hanger and draped it over her shoulders. Only then did she realize she was still in pajamas—but neither she nor Larvihan seemed to mind.

In novels, just the sight of pajamas would have male leads pouncing.

Even though she knew Larvihan was after her for her power, her chest ached a little, wondering if she really had no charm as a woman.

“Young lady, it’s time to wake up… Oh my!”

Judith entered energetically but froze in shock. Her eyes darted back and forth between Larvihan and Lovelace.

“I’ll come back after one star passes.”

In other words—she’d return in an hour. Judith’s face was so red it was almost glowing.

‘What exactly are you imagining, huh…’

Lovelace suddenly realized her gown was only half thrown on. From certain angles, it might even look like she was taking it off, not putting it on.

“I can’t live like this!”

She quickly pulled on the gown properly and rushed toward Larvihan. As if waiting for her, he stood and pulled her into his arms.

“Do you feel a bit better now, Rey?”

He sounded like a man who had come early in the morning out of genuine concern. His large hand gently stroked the back of her head.

“Shall I take care of everything for you?”

Lovelace raised her head in his arms.

“How?”

She had meant to scold him for barging in so early and causing misunderstandings—but his gentle touch melted her irritation.

“That’s simple. I could pull out their fingernails one by one as a lesson. Or cut their wrists so they can’t sign anything again. No, maybe better to crush their balls so—”

“Larvihan!”

Lovelace clapped her hands over her ears. Just imagining it made her stomach turn. Especially the last one…

‘I’m going to be sick.’

He added, almost casually, “Or I could just kill them all and appoint heirs who suit my taste.”

Lovelace’s face went pale.

“I’ll handle the territory myself. What I want to talk about is… our marriage.”

For the word marriage to come out of Lovelace’s mouth first lit up Larvihan’s face.

“So, since managing the estate is hard, you want to marry sooner?”

“Delay it.”

One of Larvihan’s eyebrows shot up high.