MILND 15

Wilhelmina returned Jane’s earlier words right back at her.

More investment invites more risk.

Even if there’s no immediate profit, as long as the funds are ready, anything can be attempted. Didn’t Jane think that way herself?

‘It’s not just about getting more investments. In the early stages of business, taxes are lower, and with growth, we can secure loans using assets. It boosts credit too…’

“Besides, if you’ve got a paper company, you can even keep double books.”

“Paper company?”

“A company that exists in name only… like a subsidiary. It pretends to be separate, but it’s just a fake without any real operations.”

As Wilhelmina tilted her head as if asking, ‘You’ve never heard of it?’, Jane felt a chill run down her spine. Her mind was suddenly racing with schemes and loopholes.

‘Double books… creating a fake trading company just for investment, hiding the funds, and making the main office appear like it’s growing steadily.’

Young as she was, Jane wasn’t lacking in intelligence—just experience.

Though she had worked at the grain shop for barely a year, her ability to apply what she learned far surpassed that of an ordinary merchant.

On the other hand, unaware of what Jane was thinking, Wilhelmina just murmured lazily, “I’m getting hungry.”

Jane didn’t even glance at her. She was already calculating rapidly like a seasoned merchant.

‘This woman… she’s the real deal.’

Wilhelmina had no idea that this short conversation would end up being the very first clue that tipped off someone about the intricacies of sophisticated 21st-century corporate crime.

Thankfully, Jane wasn’t a villain. She was someone who wanted to expose those who misused such knowledge.

Jane had already started to see Wilhelmina not as a frivolous noblewoman, but as a strange, secretive figure with something to hide.

Completely unaware of Jane’s shift in perception, Wilhelmina finished her quince tea with satisfaction.

‘I’ll be back again soon.’

Unlike when she arrived, Jane left with a bright expression.

Wilhelmina was the one who had gained useful information from their conversation, yet Jane kept thanking her profusely and said she would return to learn more.

‘It must be tough for merchants to constantly stay in the good graces of investors.’

Thinking it was just a polite gesture to someone providing funding, Wilhelmina waved it off as a formality.

“Is the next thing the celebration party?”

Now it was time to get moving.

She hated going out in the cold, but this was something that couldn’t be handled from inside the house.

She called Anna and had her bring her coat. Her destination: the military camp where the Border Duke was currently staying.

It was too far to walk, so she needed a carriage.

She was just about to leave with a knight guarding the annex when she heard Anna yelling angrily near the stables.

“Why not?!”

“It’s just… those horses belong to the master…”

“We’re not going far—it’s still within the territory. What’s the problem?!”

Wilhelmina slowly walked over to the stables. The stablekeeper, who seemed friendly enough, was looking flustered as he tried to reason with Anna.

Anna, holding Wilhelmina’s coat, looked like she was about to explode, her face flushed red from anger despite the chilly weather.

“Anna, what’s going on?”

When Wilhelmina called her name, Anna whipped her head around. She must’ve decided she couldn’t show her anger in front of her mistress, so she took a deep breath and began explaining calmly.

The issue started with trying to rent a horse for the carriage.

Her going out wasn’t the problem. The problem was the lack of a horse to pull the carriage. Horses were extremely valuable assets.

If women in this world decorated themselves with jewels and dresses, men used horses to show off their status. It was no exaggeration.

The horses in the annex were the prized possessions of the former Duke, and each one was worth more than an average mansion.

When the former Duke passed away, ownership of the horses went to Mikhail, and now Wilhelmina had to ask him for permission to use them.

‘It’s ridiculous, really.’

A mother having to ask her son just to borrow a horse? Even among noble families, this was not a common situation.

‘They don’t actually think of me as the lady of the house. That’s why they won’t lend them so easily.’

The stablekeeper wasn’t being malicious—he just didn’t want to lose his head for letting someone borrow a horse without Mikhail’s consent.

To him, even if Wilhelmina was the duchess in name, she was just a guest in the annex—not someone important enough to lend a horse to. And of course, he had no idea about the secret deal between Wilhelmina and Helene.

Anna, feeling the stablekeeper’s prejudice, had blown up at him.

‘I can’t say I don’t understand him.’

Perhaps because she had lived as an ordinary person for so long, Wilhelmina sympathized with the stablekeeper more than herself.

“We’ll just have to walk, then.”

“What? Madam!”

Anna stomped her feet in frustration.

Wilhelmina patted her on the shoulder to calm her, then took the coat from her and draped it over herself.

It was coarse but thick—and still warm. Anna must’ve warmed it by the fire before bringing it out.

‘This is why I can’t hate Anna.’ Smiling faintly, Wilhelmina turned to the stablekeeper.

“Can we at least call a carriage from outside?”

“Yes, yes! Of course. I’ll call the finest carriage available!”

Though not comparable to the duke’s estate, there were carriages in town that served important guests—like taxis.

The stablekeeper quickly called over a passing servant to fetch one.

“But, Madam, if you ride in one of those, your reputation might…”

Anna looked worried, as if she had much more to say.

“It’s fine. Who’s going to see me just running a quick errand? People matter more than reputation.”

Her words seemed to strike a chord with the stablekeeper, who looked visibly relieved. Watching him carefully, Wilhelmina added, loud enough to be heard:

“But I don’t see why there needs to be a stable in the annex if I can’t even use the horses in it.”

“Uh…”

“Contact Helene. Let’s get rid of the annex stables. Move the horses to the main estate’s stables. And reassign your duties accordingly. There’s no reason to keep a stable here, is there?”

“……”

The color drained from the stablekeeper’s face.

‘Did you think no one noticed how cushy your job was?’

Compared to the main estate, the annex staff had an easy life.

Wilhelmina didn’t see it as unfair—they were still under worse conditions than modern workers—but it was undeniable they had it better than others at the duchy. And all of it was thanks to her.

‘I gave you leniency. But I won’t tolerate disrespect.’

The annex staff enjoyed their comfort because they treated her like the duchess.

She provided them with convenience in return for their respect.

But she wasn’t a saint who forgave everyone. She only kept good people by her side.

If someone prioritized their own safety over respecting her, she would simply return them to where they belonged.

Perhaps scared of losing his cushy position, the stablekeeper hurriedly pointed to an old horse in the corner.

“Ma-Madam. How about using that one instead?”

“Whose horse is that?”

“It belongs to the master, but…”

Anna quickly interrupted him.

“Madam, that’s the oldest horse here. It’s the cheapest too.”

“Oh, I see.”

‘Trying to save your skin by giving me the cheapest one, huh? Consistently disrespectful—at least that’s admirable.’

Wilhelmina smirked, and the stablekeeper shrank even further.

“But… if something happens to the better horses, I could lose my life…”

“You’re right. I respect your professional caution. That’s why I’ll transfer you somewhere where your values won’t be compromised. Don’t worry. Did I say I’d send you to jail? Relax.”

“Madam!”

“Keep your voice down. Between a stablekeeper who refuses a horse and a servant who talks back to their master, the latter gets punished more severely.”

“Ugh…”

That was her final word. With Anna beside her, she walked toward the castle gates.

She felt the despairing and resentful gaze on her back, but didn’t look back.

Anna, glued to her side, spoke with sparkling eyes.

“That guy doesn’t even show up for morning roll call. Since he works alone, no one scolds him even if he naps during the day.”

“Really?”

“Stables are supposed to be extremely strict jobs. Once he goes back to the main estate, he’s going to be worked to the bone.”

“So, Anna… do you think I was too harsh sending him back?”

Anna shook her head vigorously.

“No, not at all. I think you did the right thing. Honestly, he deserved even worse.”

“I’m glad.”

‘That you’re not disappointed in me.’