TGDHC Chapter 73

Chapter 73 – Sparks of Passion

A short while ago, the Grand Duke called me in to tell me the outcome of the punishment for the criminals.

“I remember you said you’d handle it yourself, but…”

He hesitated, then told me they had found out who was behind it. I thought for sure he’d name the head maid.

But the name that came out of his mouth was, unexpectedly,

“Is the person you had in mind the daughter of Count Avoir?”

“Lady Meisel?”

When I asked how he figured it out, he said he noticed that the culprit was paid 200 coins.

“The kind of people who loiter around taverns would take the job for 10 coins. Giving that much money meant it had to be someone from a noble house with no sense of money.”

Then, after “unofficially” checking the bank’s withdrawal records, the only person who matched was Avoir Meisel.

Truth be told, I had also suspected that Meisel might be behind Marzella, but thanks to the Grand Duke, it was confirmed.

So Meisel ordered it, and Marzella carried it out.

She probably even got help from the Merchants’ Guild leader.

From the sudden invitation to gathering merchants to “see me off,” it was all suspicious from the start.

So that bumbling face and overly servile attitude of hers were all an act.

But thinking back to her startled expression when the commotion happened, I doubt she knew every detail of the plan.

Most likely, she was just told to “make sure people crowd around the Grand Duchess.”

Given her close ties with the Guild leader, it would’ve been easy for Meisel to ask him for that favor. That connection was the only overlap between the Guild leader and Marzella.

“Why didn’t you just ask His Grace to punish Lady Meisel too?”
Cecilia seemed disappointed that I refused the Grand Duke’s request to punish Meisel.

“It’s not fair for the real mastermind to go unpunished.”

But punishing a mere baron’s daughter and punishing the daughter of Count Avoir are completely different matters.

Count Avoir’s family is one of the most influential in the North.
If the lord of Blenheim openly punished the daughter of a major house, things would get very messy.

“One day, I’ll pay her back.”
It doesn’t have to be “public punishment.” There are plenty of ways to make her suffer.

After Cecilia finally left, I lay down in the soft bed Leta had prepared for me.
I was still angry about Meisel, but what was really on my mind was something else.

Right before our conversation ended, the Grand Duke’s face hadn’t looked good.

“You must be tired. Go and rest.”

Even though he clearly looked exhausted, he was worrying about me. I frowned.

“You’re the one who should rest. Is the delegation issue still unresolved?”

“No, the schedule and size are almost finalized. But I plan to renovate Goldrain to be ready for their arrival, so I’ll be busy for a while.”

“Renovate Goldrain?”

“It’s not fit to present as Blenheim’s main commercial district. At least it should meet the standard for discussing trade with the delegation.”

So he did know Goldrain was a mess.

Since this was my area of expertise, I got curious.

“Can I see the plans? Shopping is mostly done by noble ladies—maybe I can help.”

“The Guild leader brought a proposal, but it’s sloppy for the budget he’s asking. I’d be embarrassed to show you…”

He hesitated, but eventually handed me the plan.
When I read it, I was speechless.

A full road replacement? More expensive building exteriors?

The problem with Goldrain isn’t the streets or walls—it’s the Guild leader and the merchants themselves!

It sounded like a scheme to remodel shops at the domain’s expense.

The Grand Duke saw my expression and chuckled wryly.

“You’re making the same face as Perel.”

He assured me they wouldn’t proceed with it as is.

“I didn’t expect much from the Guild leader anyway. But starting from scratch with the managers will be tiring.”

He said tomorrow would be full of meetings.

Spending all that money on Goldrain? It’s hopeless—like pouring water into a bottomless jar.

The Guild leader is a political schemer, the merchants are lazy and arrogant…
Goldrain’s decline is clearly because of its people, not the buildings.

And I got hit with eggs because of that man!

Better to build a new shopping district entirely.

A new shopping district?

Then I thought of the lakeside.

We needed a tourist spot to rival Rondoris.
What if I turned the lakefront into a tourist and relaxation district with shops?

In my mind, I saw the wide lake with rows of shops, people enjoying boat rides, and cafes serving tea.

It could actually work…

My old passion sparked back to life—just like when I was a new hire, spending weekends writing proposals.

I got out of bed, sat at the desk, lit the magic lamp, and started writing the plan.

***

By the time I finished, the sky was still bluish; dawn was far off.
I could hardly wait to show it to the Grand Duke.

It’s earlier than usual, but he won’t mind, right?

I grabbed my carefully written proposal and went to his room.

Knock, knock.

The door swung open.
He was in training clothes, hair messy—probably just back from morning training.

“Your Grace?”

His gaze dropped, then his eyes widened. He quickly looked outside the hallway.

“Why? There’s no one else here…”

Then his big hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me into his room.

Bang!

He shut the door hard before letting me go.

“Your Grace?”

I looked up. His neck was red, and he turned his eyes away.

“Y-your clothes…”

“My clothes? What about them?”

“You’re in… pajamas, aren’t you?”

“Well, yes…”

I hadn’t bothered changing—these pajamas weren’t much different from comfy clothes. They weren’t see-through either.

But apparently, he thought differently.

“You can’t walk around like that. If someone—anyone—saw you…”

He glanced at me again, his Adam’s apple bobbing, veins showing on his neck.
His grip on my waist tightened, fingers firm and unyielding.

“Do you even… realize?”

“Realize what?”

“What I’m holding back every day.”

“Holding back what?”

He closed his lips, then released me.

“Anyway, pajamas are not acceptable.”

He quickly grabbed a big robe from the wardrobe.

“It’s fine. No servants are around at this hour.”

“Still not acceptable.”

He draped the robe over my shoulders and tightened the front.

“At the very least, wear this.”

“Alright.”

He sighed, then asked:

“So, why are you here so early?”

“I wanted to show you something.”

“Is it urgent?”

“Not urgent, but…”

I just really want you to see it.

“Then can I come to your room later?”

“Why? Are you busy?”

“It’s not that…”

He finally stepped back, looking a bit embarrassed.