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It’s awkward…

That was my first impression upon meeting her.

Hildegarde Wolfbert.

She is the wife of Gale Wolfbert and a woman from the wealthy Lohengrin family of Valia, a powerful nation across the sea.

In the Meikhael Empire, which adheres to a policy of isolation, she is a rare foreigner who has become the mistress of the prestigious Wolfbert family, making her a unique case.

Not only that, but she is also known as a capable woman who has elevated the reputation of the Wolfbert family through her keen understanding of the political climate and her excellent conduct.

This is the general perception of her.

However, I know the truth about Hildegarde.

While she pretends to be a noblewoman on the surface, she is actually a well-known smuggler in the underworld. Through her connections in Valia, she smuggles various goods and, though not as wealthy as the Ruelberta family, has amassed considerable fortune.

In the underworld, she is sometimes referred to as the “Swamp Fox.”

But the reason I find her awkward isn’t solely because of her true nature.

I carefully opened my mouth, ensuring my emotions didn’t show.

“…Has Gale not arrived yet?”

“If you’re referring to the head of the family, he won’t be coming.”

“What do you mean? I came here because I received an invitation from Gale.”

“That invitation wasn’t actually sent by the head of the family, but by me.”

Hildegarde said with a seductive smile, resting her chin on her hand.

“Count Ruelberta, I’ve always wanted to meet you.”

“I’ll be leaving now.”

I turned around without any hesitation.

I had no desire to stay here any longer.

But as I tried to leave, a large shadow blocked my path.

“Please listen to what my mother has to say first, Count.”

“Step aside, Patrick.”

“Just a moment will do. So—”

Before Patrick could finish his sentence, he froze.

“Are you really standing in my way right now?”

“…!”

My display of “wrath” was brief, but its intensity was as fierce as a killing intent. Even the brave Patrick instinctively took a step back.

“Don’t make me any more displeased than this. Get lost.”

“I’m sorry for deceiving you, Count.”

As I turned my head, I saw Hildegarde clasping her hands together, pretending to apologize.

“But I had to do this because I knew you wouldn’t meet me otherwise.”

“…I came here trusting Gale’s invitation to discuss matters as equals. I have no interest in talking with a family that would undermine that trust in such a way.”

“That’s… true. I have no rebuttal… You’re absolutely right.”

Despite sensing my blatant “wrath,” Hildegarde didn’t seem intimidated at all.

No, she was just pretending not to be.

Although she didn’t face my “wrath” head-on like Patrick, the aftermath was still visible upon closer inspection.

The cold sweat on her forehead and her trembling hands, tightly clasped together, gave her away.

However, the fact that she didn’t faint showed just how extraordinary she was.

Hildegarde placed a hand on her chest and spoke.

“But please understand this much: I came here today to build a new bridge between the Wolfbert and Ruelberta families. It’s certainly not a bad proposition for you, Count. Could you kindly lend me your ear with your generous heart?”

I wanted to refuse.

She was a suspicious woman, living up to her nickname as the “Swamp Fox.”

But the way she presented her case made it impossible to refuse. If I did, it would make me seem narrow-minded.

Perhaps Hildegarde had planned it this way all along.

I stared at Hildegarde.

She had an ageless appearance.

From her looks alone, she could easily pass as Patrick’s older sister rather than his mother.

And just as her appearance was hard to gauge, so were her true intentions.

True to her family’s origins, Hildegarde was always a woman who moved for profit.

That’s why, in the original story, she always ended up on the winning side.

When the imperial family was dominant, she sided with them. When the Ruelberta family rose to power, she sided with them. And when the Ruelberta family fell, she actively sided with the hero.

To put it nicely, she was a master of survival. To put it bluntly, she was a bat-like woman who always clung to the winning side.

That’s why I couldn’t be sure whether Hildegarde was an ally or an enemy at this point.

I didn’t know why she had impersonated Gale to call me here…

“…Fine. I’ll hear you out.”

“Thank you for understanding. Jang Ryang, are you there?”

“Yes.”

As soon as I agreed, the restaurant owner, Jang Ryang, who had been waiting outside, appeared.

“Then I’ll guide the two of you to the annex.”

An annex? This restaurant has an annex?

Jang Ryang approached a folding screen in one corner of the room. On it was a large landscape painting drawn with brush and ink.

I wondered if there was a hidden door behind the screen, but that wasn’t the case.

Jang Ryang placed his hand on the screen and infused it with magical power. Then, something astonishing happened.

Rustle—

Mist began to flow out of the painting, and the flat image started to appear three-dimensional.

“I’ll go in first.”

Without hesitation, Hildegarde stepped into the painting and disappeared inside.

There was no time to marvel at the magic that had just unfolded before my eyes.

Because it was my turn next.

“Count, I’ll—”

“You stay here quietly.”

Helga, who had quickly tried to follow, stopped at my words.

It was clear that this wasn’t a place for her. Patrick was also silently watching, so it was obvious that Hildegarde wanted to speak with me alone.

‘Fine…’

I calmly stepped toward the painting, just as Hildegarde had done.

Then, my vision shifted.

The painting, which had depicted a Chinese restaurant, now showed a Korean-style pavilion, reminiscent of Gyeonghoeru in Gyeongbokgung Palace, standing elegantly over water.

When I regained my senses, I was standing in that pavilion.

As I absentmindedly gazed at the tranquil water surface dotted with lotus flowers…

“Your eyes are as beautiful as gemstones.”

Hildegarde, who had appeared beside me at some point, was admiring my eyes.

“Those obsidian-like eyes… They’re just like William’s.”

“…Do you know my father?”

“Of course. In fact, I might know more about William than you do.”

Hildegarde smiled mysteriously and changed the subject.

“This annex of the Eastern Pearl is an artifact containing ancient Eastern magic… You could say it’s a kind of barrier. Here, no one will eavesdrop on our conversation.”

“Hmm.”

“Have you been to this annex before, Count?”

“No. This is my first time.”

“Huh… You’re quite calm for a first-timer. Most people would be surprised or flustered.”

To be honest, as a human, I couldn’t help but be amazed by such magical changes.

It’s just that I’ve grown accustomed to maintaining a stoic expression since becoming Tristan.

“Then let’s sit.”

In the pavilion, there was a dining table, as if prepared just for us, with steaming hot food that seemed to have just been made.

Hildegarde and I sat facing each other at the table.

“Welcome, Count. I wanted to treat you to a meal.”

“Skip the unnecessary talk and get to the point.”

“…That arrogant tone is just like William’s. But I like it.”

Hildegarde took a sip of tea from beside her and spoke.

“First, let’s talk about the ownership of Tangmar. We’re willing to pay an appropriate amount. If money isn’t your preference, we can offer something of equivalent value.”

“Equivalent value?”

“Yes. For example… If there’s a country you wish to trade with, let me know. I’ll open a sea route to that country for you.”

I was inwardly surprised by the condition she proposed.

Currently, the Ruelberta family is the only one officially allowed to trade with foreign nations in the empire. Even then, trade is conducted only through safe sea routes, which are extremely limited. The distant seas are teeming with pirates who prey on trade ships.

No matter how powerful the Ruelberta family is in the empire, there’s one area where they fall short compared to the Wolfbert family: naval power.

The Ruelberta family’s formidable private army, the Steel Lion Brigade Aslan, is entirely focused on land-based cavalry.

In contrast, the Wolfbert family, having long controlled the navy, has private soldiers who are mostly experienced in naval warfare.

Hildegarde, leveraging her superior naval power, has cleared out pirates and established her own smuggling routes.

If Hildegarde’s assistance could open trade routes to even more distant countries, the potential profits would be enormous.

I leaned back in my chair.

“That’s not a bad offer.”

“You’re not surprised? The mistress of the Wolfbert family is secretly trading with foreign nations behind the head’s back.”

“I already knew what you were up to.”

“I see…”

Hildegarde smiled quietly.

Truly, the “Swamp Fox.”

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

In that case…

“It’s not a bad offer, but what if I refuse?”

I decided to test her remaining cards.

Surely, Hildegarde wouldn’t stop here.

And my prediction was correct.

“Hehe… You’re such a greedy man… If that’s not enough, I can also do something you desire.”

“…Something I desire?”

“Yes. For example, the person you currently consider the most troublesome…”

Hildegarde paused for a moment before continuing.

“I could help you eliminate the Emperor.”

“……”

I quickly masked my expression with “patience.”

Then, pretending to be unfazed, I took a sip of tea and spoke.

“That’s an interesting proposition.”

“But if it fails, it’s high treason… Considering the risk, it might be worth more than Tangmar.”

“…You want something from me in return, don’t you?”

“I like how quick you are. There’s just one thing I’d like to ask of you…”

Hildegarde made the most dangerous proposal she had offered me today.

“Please eliminate Gale.”

 

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