Chapter: 35
Baron Forman furrowed his brows.
So Sylvia had said, “Leo is preoccupied with finding one person.”
Judging by that expression, it didn’t seem like an exaggeration.
“Just who is this person that you’re acting like this?”
Baron Forman asked slowly.
“Have you told His Grace the Duke? Did you ask the Duke for help?”
“…No.”
Leopold let out a low sigh. It was clear he didn’t want to talk about it. He hadn’t even told Sylvia anything.
Baron Forman silently studied Leopold. Then, placing his fork down entirely, he spoke.
“That young lady from Seers… she increased productivity in that small isolated territory remarkably well. That’s not something you can do with ordinary knowledge. She must have an exceptional understanding of food.”
Leopold crossed his arms.
“I didn’t know she was interested in eating.”
“It’s not eating.”
Baron Forman corrected him immediately.
“It’s interest in how to live.”
“In any case, I never imagined Brisa would be interested in things like that. I never expected to hear advice from her about wheat, either.”
“You didn’t know at the academy?”
“No one did. It wasn’t even a formal subject…”
I suppose so.
Baron Forman slowly nodded.
Agriculture, livestock, and fishing were considered the work of commoners. At most, medicine, law, accounting, and magic were regarded as acceptable fields of study for noble children who did not inherit titles.
The so-called high nobility studied history, art, and philosophy.
“So you don’t know much about that girl. If you want information about her, Leo, I can provide it.”
Baron Forman raised an eyebrow and suggested.
“But you should also provide equivalent information in return. Why are you trying to find this ‘El’?”
Leopold lowered his gaze in silence.
Baron Forman could tell he was in deep conflict.
So he really wants to hear about that girl that badly.
It was the first time he had ever seen his grandson like this.
He was never someone who hesitated, worried, or doubted.
After all, he was the heir of the Grand Duke’s family—someone who could obtain anything he desired.
A composed, detached figure who neither made friends nor enemies suited him best.
Of course, even as his grandson, Leopold carried the blood of an extraordinary family.
So Baron Forman didn’t know many things about him, especially anything related to the House of Nozen.
“It concerns the curse of the House of Grand Duke Nozen.”
Leopold spoke slowly.
Baron Forman saw pain on his grandson’s face.
Maybe because he had no parents. Maybe because he carried such an immense burden. His grandson had grown up too quickly. It was unbelievable that he was the same age as Sylvia, who was so immature.
Even Baron Forman knew little about the Nozen curse.
However, he suspected that the curse had played a role in the deaths of his daughter and son-in-law. It was a tightly kept secret from the outside world.
“Perhaps this person named El has a clue that could resolve the curse.”
“Is that true?”
“Which is why I hope you won’t tell my grandfather. It’s still only a very small clue, and not even confirmed. I fear he might cling to false hope.”
“…Very well.”
Baron Forman nodded slowly.
If that was the case, it made sense that Leopold was secretly searching for this “El.”
“Brisa Seers, that girl.”
As promised, Baron Forman began sharing information.
“She is a scholar.”
“What?”
“Right now, due to circumstances, she is posing as a territory manager, but fundamentally, she is a scholar who studies how people live.”
She does not directly farm, but applies agricultural knowledge.
She does not personally raise livestock, but considers how to manage them.
She does not cook herself, but studies nutritional balance in ingredients.
At the top of all those actions lies extensive knowledge.
That was Brisa’s greatest strength.
“How people live… you say.”
“As prosperity continues, many nobles dismissed such matters as beneath them. But to me, it is still a field of study. I only realized that through that girl.”
Baron Forman said firmly with his arms crossed.
“I am very curious to see how she will perform in this difficult era.”
Then Leopold muttered with a sigh.
“She is no longer the heir of Seers. If her half-brother is a cruel man, then she won’t be able to flourish at all…”
“That may be so.”
There was still little information about Alpheus Seers. It was unknown how he would treat Brisa.
Baron Forman continued cautiously.
“Then I see no problem in letting her spread her wings in the West.”
Leopold frowned.
Baron Forman shrugged.
“It has nothing to do with you. It is true that His Grace the Duke sent me to the central region because of your antics, but this is an entirely separate matter.”
“……”
“The West is the empire’s breadbasket. I believe she would be able to realize her potential here better than in the Central region.”
After a pause, he sighed and continued on a sensitive topic.
“If the new Count Seers is cruel, then she is far too valuable an asset to wither away there. I intend to report exactly this to His Grace the Duke.”
That was Baron Forman’s sincere belief.
She was a young woman who had made even a small riverside estate flourish. If her half-brother felt even a trace of rivalry…
He would cut off her wings immediately.
Even siblings raised under the same roof turned blades on each other when power was involved. That was how precarious her position would become.
“I am not interfering in another family’s affairs recklessly.”
Of course, it was not something to be done lightly.
There was no connection between Brisa and the Duchy of Nozen. Interference could easily be seen as intrusion and cause backlash.
Even so, Baron Forman’s resolve was firm.
“That girl’s vast knowledge and execution ability…”
Baron Forman narrowed his eyes.
“If those meet the vast lands of the West, I am already curious what kind of effect it will produce. That is my assessment of her.”
After a brief pause, he continued.
“And now, to answer your first question.”
Leopold’s first question had been: What is the fastest way to meet Brisa?
“Because of what I mentioned, I intend to bring her to the West first.”
“…Are you planning to kidnap her?”
Leopold raised an eyebrow.
“The new Count Seers might be a good person.”
“That may be true. So I will not kidnap her. I simply invited her to a formal meal.”
Baron Forman leaned back in his chair with folded arms.
“When the warp system becomes active, wouldn’t it be reasonable to share a meal together?”
It wasn’t strange. Everyone had heard his invitation to visit the Forman estate.
“Leo, will you come as well?”
“No.”
Leopold refused flatly.
“Absolutely not.”
“That was a very quick refusal. But if you’re going to refuse, Leo…”
Baron Forman narrowed his eyes mischievously.
“Why did you send flowers? And anonymously, at that?”
“Grandfather.”
Leopold answered seriously.
“Because I expected questions like this, I’m not going.”
“Hm.”
“And if Sylvia finds out, I guarantee I will never be able to see your face again.”
“Why? If she knows, she would help you in every way.”
“She has a loose tongue.”
Leopold gritted his teeth.
“Just like my grandfather.”
“Hoho.”
“Under no circumstances will I ever meet her in the West. Especially not in front of family.”
“You shouldn’t say ‘never,’ you know.”
Baron Forman clicked his tongue.
“Life has a funny way of reacting to that word. It always finds a way to strike you from behind.”
