The next day, a carriage arrived at Baron Hess’s estate.
A woman with neatly braided blonde hair stepped out, pulling a large suitcase behind her.
One of the maids, who had been cleaning, hurried out to greet her. The woman introduced herself with a bright smile.
“My name is Vivian. I’ve come with a letter of recommendation from Viscount Odely in the south. I would like to serve Lady Nadia.”
The maid blinked in confusion.
A lady’s maid? The Hess household was too poor to employ more than five maids.
“You’re… a lady’s maid?”
“Yes!”
One who attends the lady closely, acts as a companion, and assists with various social activities?
When the maid continued to stare, Vivian quickly launched into a well-rehearsed explanation.
“Viscount Odely was injured near the Hess estate while traveling toward the Baldwin duchy. Lady Nadia helped him using her knowledge of herbal medicine. Later, the doctor said if not for that emergency treatment, the Viscount might’ve lost the use of his leg. Such a great kindness shouldn’t go repaid, so he sent me to serve Lady Nadia.”
“Oh…”
“My salary will be paid monthly by the Viscount, so the Hess household won’t have to bear a single coin!”
Eventually, the maid reported Vivian’s visit to Baron Hess. He summoned both Nadia and Vivian to confirm the situation.
“Nadia, is it true you helped Viscount Odely?”
“Viscount Odely” was the cover identity Conrad used when conducting external affairs.
Nadia glanced briefly at Vivian and answered calmly, “Yes. I helped him a little, by chance.”
Baron Hess examined Vivian carefully, then nodded.
“Then we should accept the Viscount’s goodwill. It’s too generous and makes me feel burdened, but… you are of the age to prepare for your debutante. You’ll need a maid. Let’s rely on him for now, until our situation improves.”
“I’ll follow your judgment, Father.”
And so, Vivian became Nadia’s maid.
Nadia invited Vivian to her room, saying she wanted to talk alone.
She sat comfortably on the sofa and greeted her.
“Nice to meet you, Vivian.”
“I’m happy to meet you too, my lady. Please take good care of me.”
“Conrad wouldn’t have sent just anyone. What can you do? I need to know to make the best use of your skills.”
Knowing her subordinates’ strengths was essential.
Vivian smiled brightly.
“I’m an assassin.”
As soon as Nadia heard that, she pinched her forehead and groaned.
“Still, to send an assassin as a maid… Conrad, really…”
“The boss assigned me to protect you. Of course, I’ll eliminate anyone you point to.”
Vivian said terrifying things in a cheerful voice.
She clapped her hands with a loud smack and laid her suitcase on the floor.
“The boss also told me to deliver these documents to you.”
Naturally, the documents were “keys”—evidence that could be used to take down criminal organizations and collect bounties.
Nadia quickly took them and reviewed them.
As expected of Conrad, the bounty amounts were larger than she’d expected.
“He said he only sent the ones that can be immediately acted on. He’ll send more soon.”
“Thanks, Vivian.”
“I just delivered them!”
Vivian beamed. It was hard to believe someone this cheerful was an assassin—but if Conrad had sent her, she must be skilled.
“Well then, Vivian. I’ll trust you with your first mission.”
“Who should I kill?”
“No one. I’m not planning to kill anyone.”
“Then… shall I spread false rumors?”
“No. Since you’re here as a maid, I’m going to give you maid’s work.”
Vivian looked disappointed.
“But the boss said there would be fun things to do…”
Conrad, you’ve sent me a handful…
Still, Nadia knew exactly how to handle someone this enthusiastic. She handed Vivian the documents.
“Take these to the capital guard and collect the bounty.”
“Huh? Isn’t that too menial a task?”
“There’s no one else in Hess territory who can protect such a large bounty. Only you can do it.”
Nadia emphasized, only you can do it.
Vivian perked up and accepted the papers immediately.
“Then I’ll head out right away! I’ll guard that bounty with my life!”
Without even resting from her journey, she left at once.
While she was away, Nadia reviewed the documents Conrad had sent.
Baron Hess was diligently handling the mining operations by purchasing magic tools for extraction.
He wasn’t particularly capable, but he was a humble man—happy to learn anything from his adopted daughter.
Under her guidance, he began learning everything step by step.
A week passed, and Vivian returned.
She came back carrying the huge bounty—and a golden invitation.
Nadia didn’t even glance at the invitation. She immediately called for a maid and ordered a physician to be summoned, to pay for Baroness Hess’s medicine.
Watching her silently, Vivian held the invitation out again.
“My lady, aren’t you going to check the invitation?”
“Oh, right. An invitation? Who would send me one?”
Nadia reached out her hand with clear disinterest. Vivian placed the envelope on her palm and answered.
“It’s from the Baldwin duchy.”
Nadia flinched and immediately tore it open.
It wasn’t from Heinrich—it was from the Duchess Dowager of Baldwin, her former mother-in-law.
Before winter ends, I plan to host a final garden party. I hope to enjoy the company of our neighboring lords and ladies.
‘She and I had a business-like relationship, but she was always polite and warm.’
The Dowager Duchess had been close to Rivenia’s birth mother, and always treated Rivenia with loyalty.
Ten years ago, she was deeply burdened by grief, but if she’s hosting a party now, it must mean she’s recovered a great deal.
Nadia gently traced the familiar handwriting.
She didn’t want to return to being Rivenia. Still, to say she didn’t miss the most meaningful time of Rivenia’s life would be a lie.
As she stared at the invitation in silence, Vivian—growing impatient—asked,
“Will you attend the party?”
“Yes. I have to. If no invitation came, maybe not. But she went out of her way to invite me.”
The Dowager Duchess was a strict noblewoman to outsiders, but she had always been a kind mother-in-law to Rivenia. If she didn’t want Nadia there, she wouldn’t have sent the invitation at all.
“I’ll have to repair a dress. I should be frugal, but I can’t risk appearing rude.”
“If you ask the boss, he could get you a beautiful dress.”
Nadia shook her head.
“If I suddenly show up in something too luxurious, people will start asking questions. I just need to look like I did my best within our means. There should be something in the storage we can fix up.”
With the invitation in hand, Nadia rose to her feet.
The Hess family, despite being small, was still noble—surely they had a few old gowns. It’d be best to pick a simple design that wasn’t too out of date.
Vivian followed, murmuring,
“I thought the Baldwin family never hosted parties. Why go so far as to redo the garden?”
“They don’t host parties? But they’re the only duchy in the north. That can’t be right.”
“You didn’t know? The Duke of Baldwin hasn’t attended a single party unless it was by royal summons. Not since the previous duchess passed.”
At that, Nadia came to an abrupt halt.
Her face turned stiff, and her golden eyes blazed as she turned to Vivian—so sharply that Vivian instinctively grew wary.
“My lady?”
“It’s just a coincidence. He needs someone to run the household, so it makes sense to start attending social events.”
“Uh… yes, maybe…”
Nadia’s tone was so firm, Vivian didn’t dare argue.
Nadia continued walking, her gaze fixed forward, saying nothing.
It’s been ten years since I died. And he still hasn’t hosted or attended parties? When he’s at the age to be looking for a new partner? That can’t be.
Memories of the past flickered through her mind.
A young Heinrich, blushing, once said:
“My father wasn’t a cold man—he was quiet but kind. Someday, when I have a child, I want to be a father like that.”
To Nadia, who had never imagined having a child, his words were unfamiliar and touching.
Heinrich had lost his father young but had been deeply loved. He had dreams of building a warm family of his own.
That’s why Nadia had secretly begun searching for a good match for him—even before their divorce—so that Heinrich’s dream could come true as soon as possible.
And now she hears he hasn’t remarried?
Nadia’s face had gone ghostly pale. Her fingers were stiff and cold.
Could it be… is he blaming himself for my death on the way to the academy?
It didn’t seem impossible. Nadia buried her face in her hands and sighed.
No… maybe he just hasn’t found the right person yet. His prospects are too high, and it could intimidate potential partners… There’s no proof it’s because of me.
Even as she told herself that, her steps quickened.
She had to go to the party—she had to see with her own eyes whether Heinrich was truly living well.
