Ran moved in front of Elizabeth and said,

“I asked her to show me the documents. The administrator did nothing wrong.”

“Did I say that she did something wrong?”

“No, but…” she murmured softly and wiggled her hands.

“Do you have anything else to say?””

When Yustaf lifted his cold eyes, Elizabeth said “No” and quickly left the hall.

Ran swallowed her saliva.

Yustaf moved closer.

“Ah.”

Did you grow taller again?

It’s just been a month and a half.

Now, you’re a little taller than you were before.

“What’s with the dress?”

“They’re comfortable clothes. I was just going to the library.”

“You’re not going to listen to your doctor who told you to rest?”

“I’ve been sleeping for two days. I’ve slept and rested enough.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“Huh?”

Ran’s eyes rounded . I’ve never thought of him like that.

“That can’t be true.”

Staring at her clear green eyes, Yustaf felt an impulse.

But before he knew what it was, Ran lowered her eyes and said.

“I’m sorry that it seemed like we talked about you behind your back. I was just wondering how things were going.”

Yustaf grabbed her hand.

He furrowed his brows. Her hands were cold. He doesn’t know what other people’s body temperature is, but it shouldn’t be this cold.

“Let’s get inside.”

Yustaf said that, and dragged Ran into the library..

Ross made a strange face.

“My Lord?”

Ran wondered if he was calling her or Yus.

“Make a fire.”

At Yustaf’s orders, Ross wanted to ask, “Isn’t it summer?” but chose to keep it to himself and set the fire faithfully.

Yustaf took a chair and placed it in front of the fireplace for Ran to sit on.

“You’re cold.”

“Thank you.”

Ran said and stretched out her toes. Her hands and feet were really cold.

“Oh, right, Yus.”

“Yes.”

“I owe Baron Lindbergh 10,000 verat. There’s an interest of 1,000 verat per month. In addition…”

“You mean the marriage.”

“Yes.”

Ran nodded. The fire soon warmed her up.

“I would have considered if the other person was okay. But, Robbie. That’s ridiculous.”

“If he turns out okay, are you going to get married?”

Ran frowned and whined at the words.

“Well, he said he’d write off the debt…I would have done it if I don’t have the ice crystals. But it’s likely that I won’t, since most of the people who’ll marry me now are just after the title of the Duke of Lachia.”

The fireplace was now burning intensely. Ran said softly as she watched the scarlet flame flutter.

“So I’m not going to get married until I quit being the housekeeper. You don’t have to worry.”

“That’s a relief.”

Yustaf said and gently gathered her disheveled hair.

‘It’s soft.’

Feeling a little surprised, he slightly straightened her hair. Ran’s soft wavy wheat hair was long; flowing down to her chest.

“Is my hair a mess?”

Indeed, she was just sleeping a few moments ago. Seeing Ran feeling embarrassed, Yustaf shook his head.

“It’s all right now.”

Ross somehow looked away from the scene.

A man touching a woman’s loose hair was a sight only to be seen in the bedroom.

‘You two are siblings.’

Even if they were siblings, they were a little over the top, but since Yustaf is still underage, it is a matter of closing eyes.

They are a little bit sensual.

‘Should I really see them as siblings?’

‘Do they really believe they are?’

‘No, brother and sister are right.’

The two are clearly brother and sister in their family register.

‘Except, she’s someone who doesn’t share a single drop of blood with him.’

In addition, the time they spent together was very short. Because of all the fuss, Yustaf left for the Academy. Then he returned after 3 and a half years.

‘No, no, no, no, no.’

Ross thought and looked at Ran. Ran, who made eye contact with him, smiled.

“Sir Ross must be glad.”

Ross frowned at the sudden remark.

“What?”

“Your Master has returned.”

“I see.”

“What, is it bad?”

Ran asked with her rounded eyes. In addition, Yustaf is clearly looking at him.

“I like it.”

Ran laughed when he admitted it confidently.

“I like it, too.”

Yustaf looked down at Ran and said,

“Sister.”

“Huh?”

“Why do you trust me?”

“Huh?”

After blinking at the question, Ran answered.

“Because it’s you, it’s Yustaf.”

His lips twisted.

“Why is that a reason?”

“No, I’m not being sarcastic.”

Ran thought of the Yustaf in the novel, not the current one.

“You always work hard. I know that you’re working hard and not giving up. You don’t show it when you’re having a hard time, but it doesn’t mean it was easy for you.”

Ran curled her knees together,gently put her head on them and smiled at him.

“So you’re great. That’s why I believe you. That’s why I like you.”

Ran said and raised her head.

“But I don’t want you to overdo it. Let me share the work.”

Yustaf sighed when he looked at her face.

“The Lord is sister, and you’re the one who collapsed. I don’t know why you’re the one who’s saying that.”

Oh, is that so?

When Ran tilted her head, Yustaf said,

“Please let me help you. You’re doing too much work”

“Of course.”

Ran nodded. It won’t be easy to work together, but if they do it together, he won’t have a problem when he needs to take over later, and it will be convenient in many ways.

“Oh, and about recruiting talents.”

“Did you get a decent guy from the Academy?”

“Yes.”

Yustaf nodded his head.

He told some of them, and some of them were willing to come.

“After graduation, they’ll stop by their hometowns. It might take some time. If the talents are going home first before going to Lachia. ”

Ran nodded.

“If they’re appointed, they’ll be rooted in this estate. You want them to come with their family?”

“That’s your job.”

“Yes”

Ran nodded.

“Who is he?”

“It’s a commoner.”

“I see, so what kind of person?”

“It’s the right person to have as an accountant.”

Feeling like it wouldn’t work, Ran started asking specific questions.

“Is it a woman or a man?”””

“It’s a man.”

“What’s his name?”

“They’re Caruso and Daryl.”

“Two people?”

“Yes.”

“That’s okay.”

Those with higher education, and also commoners, they would have studied harder.

Having two people is great.

Ran nodded. Besides, they needed a talented person as an accountant.

‘It will take some time, so for the time being, I’ll have to work as a temporary accountant.’

Elizabeth was nominated to be an accountant, and Yustaf asked.

“But sister.”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to have other families participate?”

“Is that necessary?”

Ran tilted her head.

Of course, Lance, Wilde, and Illuminity, all dedicate their loyalty to the Duke, but that and this are separate matters.

“Of course it is.”

“Oh, I see.”

Ran stretched her legs and leaned against the chair.

“I heard that Count Illuminity’s daughter is sick.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, the doctor doesn’t know what kind of disease it is.”

“That’s a big deal.”

“That’s right.”

In the original book, the Count was manipulated by someone who gave him the cure, and he backstabbed the Duke.

‘But right now, we can stop it.’

“So I thought it would be nice if we searched for the medicine through Golden Rose.”

“That’s not a bad idea .”

“Right?”

Ran nodded. Yustaf asked.

“Are you sure you’re not going to rest?”

“Well, I’d like to take a break, but there’s a lot of work-”

“Then, just rest for today.”

“Should I?”

“Yes.”

Yustaf nodded his head and stretched out his arms.

“Huh? Wait, Yus? Whoa!”

At that moment, Ran, who had hugged him, was surprised when he lifted her up.

He’s skinny but he’s strong. No, he’s not skinny anymore?

Yustaf in her head, is always a wounded, skinny boy; Ran was really surprised when he lifted her up.

“Put me down, I’m heavy. You’ll drop me.”

“I won’t drop you.”

Yus said and began to walk. Ross, who had surprised rabbit eyes, hurriedly opened the door.

Yustaf walked into her bedroom and put Ran on the bed and said,

“Then take a rest.”

“Uh, uh, yeah.”

Yustaf laughed and left the room as he nodded dumbly.

As soon as the door closed, Ran threw herself onto the bed.

‘I was really surprised.’

Yustaf’s really strong.

His arms were firm, and didn’t tremble.

‘Amazing.’

That’s what Ran thought and buried herself in the blanket.

‘I’ll only have to rest for today.’

She thought she wasn’t going to fall asleep, maybe it was because she moved a lot, but Ran fell asleep.

* * *

Baron Lindbergh’s eyes were shaking.

“It’s the principle amount along with the interest, uncle.”

At Yustaf’s words, Baron Lindbergh’s face twisted.

‘How?’

How did he come up with this money?

“Did you sell my sister-in-laws jewelry?!”

“No way.”

Baron Lindbergh realized that he had spoken unintentionally when Yustaf responded.

That was a shock.

Of course, he doesn’t hate getting the money back. It’s a lot of money for him too.

But the plan to shake the Duke of Lachia with the money that went awry.

“Uncle, please give me the debt letter.”

Baron Lindbergh wanted to punch his nephew’s stiff face.

‘You little thing!’

He dare to raise his head to him, who is a grown-up. Of course, his status as a Duke is actually much higher, but he’s never supposed to talk against him.

‘With a wry face.’

When was Yustaf’s face so expressionless?

This made Baron Lindbergh feel uncomfortable. It was further intensified by Yustaf’s cool blue eyes.

He never thought that he would feel pressured by a child, he always pointed out countless times that Yustaf has an unchildlike face.

‘He doesn’t have a facial expression and thinks I’m an idiot.’ He spoke without hesitation.

“Okay, let’s count to see if it’s correct.”

It was a remark that would normally be seen as an insult. Especially towards the Duke.

Ross grabbed his sword handle in a fit of rage, but Yustaf nodded calmly.

He’s not yet the housekeeper.

With a smug nod, Baron Lindberg clenched his teeth and opened the pouch.

The hexagonal gold coins shone inside the pouch. He took out a coin, looked at it front and back, and even bit it.

It was a real gold coin, a real verat.

“Where’s my niece?”

Baron Lindberg asked while he wiped his sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief.

“My sister is busy with something else.”

“She doesn’t even have time to come see her uncle? I’ll go see her myself.”

Does he think it’s all going to end like this?

That’s absurd.

When he pulled up his fat body, Yustaf said,

“If you want an audience, you have to make an appointment in advance.”

“I’m her uncle! I’m family.”

“And my sister is the Duchess of Lachia. Even if you’re a family, there’s still hierarchy to be followed.”

Baron Lindbergh almost uttered a curse at that moment. Not long ago he was in a good mood.

The Duchy of Lachia was dangling like a ripe fruit in front of his mouth.

I did everything!

Baron Lindberg grumbled, pointed at Yustaf and bit his lips as he tried to shout.

“I see.”

He folded his trembling fingers. His drooping cheeks trembled, but he spoke with clenched teeth.

“That’s right. She’s still the housekeeper.”

Yustaf’s eyes sank deeper.

“I’m sorry.”

Baron Lindbergh said,sat back in his seat and gave out his debt letter.

“Here.”

Then he said,

“Tell the housekeeper I want to see her, I won’t move from here until the appointment is scheduled.”

Yustaf checked his debt letter and got up.

“Okay.”

He answered and left the room with Sir Ross.

‘That went well.

Yustaf was going to kick him out if the Baron continued to make him angry and offended him.

“Are you going to tell the Lord?”

In Ross’s question, Yustaf answered, “I should since he will wait for her.”

Ross looked at Yustaf with his brown eyes and asked,

“Lord.”

Yustaf’s eyes glanced at Ross.

“Do you believe in Ran?”

“In what sense?”

“What? Well.”

Ross thought hard and said,

“Whether she’s an enemy or an ally.”

“No enemy would be more frightening than her.”

Yustaf squinted his eyes while thinking. It was only for a short time that she had been the housekeeper, but he could see that everyone trusted her.

‘And me too.’

Yustaf knew well that he was shaken, too. If he had graduated and returned six months later, there would have been no room for him to intervene.

“It’s too early.”

Yustaf muttered unknowingly.

“Lord?”

Yustaf stopped there for a while and then started walking again.

“I’ll go to Lord Blaine.”

‘Are you not going to Ran?’The words did not come out of the faithful Ross’s mouth.

“If you’re looking for the Captain, he’ll be at the training field now.”

Sir Ross said, instead.