Sigrid Novel Chapter 123

"If you're thinking of getting divorced, go ahead."

At those words, Beramund grumbled inwardly and then said:

"Doesn't it seem fine?"

"The divorce?"

"No, not that."

Heaving a deep sigh, Beramund said:

"Lord Rivans."

"Ah― Yes. From what I've heard from the interviewees, he seems rigid but not the type to abuse power or pursue personal gain."

"That's right. But Siri is that type too~"

As Beramund muttered, swallowing a sigh, Arkana said:

"But Sigrid has you."

"Huh."

When Beramund hesitated, Arkana glanced at him.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I just didn't expect you to acknowledge ―"

"I never said anything like that."

"But just now―"

"I didn't."

"I―"

"No, you didn't."

"Ah, I see."

As Beramund clicked his tongue and started walking, Arkana followed and said:

"Balance is important, after all."

At those words, Beramund glanced at him.

'So he acknowledges

to so extent, but he absolutely doesn't want to see

being liked by her.'

Well, thinking it's better than not being acknowledged at all, Beramund shrugged.

"Then, shall we go in and rest, Chief Magician?"

When Beramund said this with a slight smile, Arkana looked at him with a sour face. He let out a faint sigh and said:

"Let's drop that title."

"You don't like it?"

"And that excessively polite speech too."

Now his expression had changed from 'sour' to 'really hate it', so Beramund quickly changed his words.

"Why don't you like it? I'm showing you respect."

Arkana stopped in front of his room door, smiled slightly, and said:

"It's easier to be sarcastic this way. Well then, good night, Sir Black Knight."

With that, he bowed gracefully and slipped into his room. Left alone in the corridor, Beramund sighed deeply, muttering "Really now," and headed to his own room.

The next day, before dawn.

As always, Sigrid's eyes snapped open.

'There was a private training ground yesterday.'

Her lips curled up involuntarily. She quickly got out of bed, hurriedly changed her clothes, strapped on her sword, and slipped out of the still-sleeping mansion.

Before long, Sigrid found herself thinking several tis that the best thing about the lord's mansion was the private training ground. It was completely different from swinging a sword in the garden. It was much wider, allowing her to practice imaginary fights with more distance.

"Hah―"

Exhaling sharply, Sigrid stood, using her sword as a cane. Sweat was dripping like rain. The sun had fully risen by now.

"Countess, shall I bring you so tea?"

At the words of the girl peeking out from the side, Sigrid finally turned her attention to her. She knew soone was there, but had forgotten while concentrating on her swordsmanship.

"Ah, you're from that ti."

"I'm Violet Rivans. Thank you, Countess."

She quickly approached with a towel, taking small steps as she spoke.

"No, not really. If anything, I should be thanking you."

For making

aware of the security hole.

"?"

Violet tilted her head at those words, but Sigrid didn't say anything more. Instead, she asked what she had been curious about.

"Do they still not know?"

"Pardon?"

"That you ca to ."

"No, if they knew, they probably wouldn't leave

alone."

Violet said, trembling. Sigrid wiped her sweat with the towel and said:

"It's best not to do such reckless things in the future."

She thought of Seria. Hadn't she nearly co to harm just walking down the street?

"Not everyone out there is a good person."

"Yes."

Violet bent her knees slightly and straightened up. But she still didn't leave and kept glancing around, so Sigrid asked:

"Do you have sothing else to say?"

"No, not at all. Aren't you thirsty? Shall I bring you a cup of tea?"

"Hmm, do you have any cold tea? Or just cold water would be fine."

"Understood."

Violet backed away, then turned and disappeared. Whether it was planned or just good timing, as soon as Violet vanished, Beramund appeared.

"Morning practice?"

"Yes. Though I just finished. Don't you practice, Beramund?"

"I'll pass. I tend to value rest as well."

"I see."

Sigrid nodded. Beramund glanced around surreptitiously and said:

"Siri."

"Yes."

"Your sweat-soaked clothes are see-through....... It might be better not to wear that shirt next ti you practice."

"Ah."

Sigrid looked down at her clothes, then draped the towel over herself like a cape and said:

"This is a private training ground. We can just make sure no one cos in. Oh? Ah, we really can do that. Wow― being a countess is nice."

Sigrid nodded in admiration, thinking how wonderful it was to have an exclusive private training ground. Beramund couldn't help but smile.

"Is that the best part? Nothing else?"

"Well. I'm not sure about the rest yet....... Hmm, I suppose I can buy more pretty clothes freely. Buy accessories too, and give gifts to friends. Hmm, there are quite a few advantages when I think about it."

"Hahah―"

Beramund laughed out loud again. When Sigrid looked at him with a "What?" expression, Beramund shook his head.

Everyone wants a title.

Wanting a title ans wanting the territory and wealth that co with it, but it also ans wanting power. The good points Sigrid listed were too modest to be considered the benefits of receiving a countess title.

"Countess, I've brought cold tea― here. Hello."

Violet ca carrying a tray with a glass, then hesitated when she saw Beramund. She approached cautiously, glancing at Beramund, and asked:

"Shall I bring a glass for the Duke as well?"

"No, I'm fine."

"He says he's fine. Thank you."

Sigrid said, taking the glass. Beramund said:

"Breakfast, then back to work?"

"That's right. You'll join

for the al, won't you?"

"Of course, my lady."

Beramund said, extending his arm as if to escort her, and Sigrid chuckled. She placed her hand on his arm and said:

"First, I need to wash up."

"I'd love to participate in that too."

When Beramund said this glumly, Sigrid asked:

"Haven't you washed yet?"

"No, I have. I ant I'd like to attend to you like a body servant during your bath― Siri? Wait, let's talk without raising fists."

Sigrid chopped his side with the edge of her hand instead of punching and said:

"No need for such explanations."

"Yes, I'm sorry."

Beramund, clutching his side and groaning, politely escorted Sigrid to her room.

After breakfast ―the chef seed to have put in quite an effort― Sigrid resud her work. In truth, it was impossible to grasp everything in just one morning, and building human relationships required the most ti.

Still, Sigrid wanted to start off on the right foot, so she investigated everything ticulously. As a result, she decided to retain most of the existing staff who had worked under Rivans.

"There's less to do than I thought."

At Arkana's words, Sigrid looked up and said, "Really?" Arkana nodded.

"The internal affairs of the mansion have been well-managed by Lord Rivans, so there's no particular problem there. We had to clean house a bit in the tax departnt, but you fired that guy as soon as you arrived anyway. With the head cut off so suddenly, they can't cause any trouble."

Apart from that, there were no new projects started among all the territory-related matters such as important irrigation, construction, or expansion.

"It seems they've been dragging things out with repairs rather than spending money on new projects."

"While embezzling the construction funds?"

"That's right. And if they make new things, there's more to worry about. But thanks to that, even if we start new projects from now on, there's not much to sort out."

Arkana shrugged, saying that was at least fortunate.

"Then now―"

Sigrid said, organizing the docunts.

"It's ti for a territory inspection."

Ti to et the territory's residents directly.

"Seeing things in person at the site is completely different from just looking at docunts while sitting down."

Sigrid stood up from her seat.

"Let's not bring a conspicuous carriage. How about we go as travelers and observe the situation? Then we can show my seal afterwards?"

"Like inspectors?"

At Arkana's words, Sigrid nodded. At this, Alex involuntarily started to say,

"But Countess, an escort is impor―"

He was about to shout 'important!', but then quietly bowed his head. Two masters and a magician were staring at him intently.

"―tant, so it might be good to arrange it well. Especially now when there's no heir."

He finished his sentence anyway.

'An heir, huh.'

Although she had thought about it, hearing it from her subordinate gave Sigrid an odd feeling, and she blinked.

"I'll be careful."

At her answer, Alex politely replied, "Yes, my lord." He continued:

"It would be good to have Lord Rivans accompany us."

Arkana nodded as well.

"Even if we've dealt with internal mansion affairs, the matters inside the mansion are still connected to the territory."

"I see. You're saying we should bring along soone who knows the practical details, right?"

At Sigrid's words, Arkana smiled and replied, "That's right."

"Then we should get moving quickly."

Sigrid said energetically.

This was the busiest week.

Touring the territory directly and listening to Rivans' explanations was far more helpful than just imagining things from docunts.

The group moved diligently, marking on docunts what needed no repair, what needed repair, what needed reconstruction, and so on.

Usually, a lord's procession would involve knights and soldiers, with large flags fluttering, but Sigrid's group consisted of just four people.

Sigrid felt strange.

'My territory, huh.'

Who could have imagined this?

Seeing the endless horizon of green wheat fields swaying like waves in the wind, it didn't feel real that all this land belonged to her.

"It's a beautiful scenery."

Beramund muttered, standing beside her. The sun was slowly setting beyond the horizon.

"Yes."

Sigrid nodded. Beramund smiled and said:

"You know what? Every ti the sun sets and rises, I think of you."

"Of ?"

"It's in your eyes too."

"Ah."

Sigrid blinked.

Normally, she would have been flustered here, but Sigrid had grown in the anti. Should she complint Beramund too? As she was desperately wracking her brain, he leaned in and kissed her.

As his lips gently touched hers and his tongue carefully parted her mouth, Sigrid stopped all her thoughts.

Beramund lightly bit Sigrid's lip as he pulled away. He liked seeing the dreamy look in her eyes. He whispered:

"When we're married, I'll do even more pleasant things for you."

At those words, Sigrid exclaid "Beramund!" and slapped him. Beramund burst out laughing. He pushed her shoulder and said:

"Co on, let's go rest. We're in the middle of a forced march, after all."

"Really now."

Sigrid grumbled, but she was also curious.

'What could be more pleasant?'

But sohow feeling she shouldn't ask, Sigrid decided to keep that question in her heart.

'I'll have to ask Lowengrin later.'

She thought to herself.

During this week's forced march, Lord Rivans seed to struggle the most, but he didn't complain. Beramund inwardly sympathized with the middle-aged man's behind.

'It must be tough to suddenly get a workaholic lord.'

But contrary to Beramund's thoughts, Rivans seed to look at the hardworking Sigrid with reverence.

He would often subtly express such sentints in front of the campfire.

Of course, he only said such things when Sigrid wasn't around.

Sigrid rode her horse at a fast pace. Thanks to that, it was possible to thoroughly inspect the entire territory within a week.

It was only after going through the simple yet complex process of redistributing the docunts brought back that she was finally able to rest in the third week.

'The vacation was a month, so I'll barely make the schedule.'

Closing the last docunt, Sigrid swallowed a sigh of relief.

It seed she might be able to manage sohow. Rivans was quite trustworthy, and if she planted her close aides in the territory for the ti being, wouldn't things run smoothly enough?

Of course, having the final decision-maker living far away wasn't an advantage, but still.