The Secretary of the Northern Grand Duchess Has Run Away Chapter 177

Chapter 177

Master of the Trade Route (14)

A heavy task.

I had no way of knowing what exactly the second-in-command of the continent was trying to entrust with.

After all, in my previous life, I had rarely ever served him.

Eric or Edward and the other heirs often dressed up dirty clean-up jobs with lofty phrases like “a heavy task” and handed them down...

But the Grand Duke of the North, who always valued duty and authority above all, wouldn’t entrust sothing like that to .

However, that gentle line of thought was pushed deep into the back of my mind with the Grand Duke’s very next words.

He used the classic line often spoken when soone was about to be handed sothing unpleasant.

“You're not having any health issues, are you?”

“My health, you an...?”

“Yes. I an, no chronic conditions that might shorten your life. Even sothing minor would be worth ntioning.”

His golden eyes scanned my body swiftly.

Especially toward the black dress pants I was wearing.

“I saw in the papers that your leg strength looked solid.”

“Well, since I’m a forr knight cadet, I think I’m in better shape than most common people.”

The Grand Duke’s lips moved slightly, just enough to suggest a dignified reaction to my words.

Then, placing both hands once again on his black lion-headed cane, he continued.

“Your background is from House Julius, and your forr head, Baron Robin, served with distinction during the kingdom war.”

‘Don’t tell ... Is this such a dangerous task that it might endanger the entire family?’

If that were the case, then it was far beyond sothing like money laundering.

That’s why I looked quietly but intently at the man of power before , my expression slightly tense.

“Well, your lineage checks out. If anything goes wrong, you can go through them.”

He seed to be running ntal calculations on his own.

The look on his face was like that of a supre authority deliberating over a national incident.

“Ah, right. What about a woman? Are you seeing anyone right now?”

“No, and I’ve never dated before either.”

“Never before...? What do you an?”

“Yes, I’ve never even had a deep conversation with a woman.”

At my answer, the Grand Duke of the North furrowed his brow like a lion puzzled by an unexpected situation.

“With that smooth face and silver tongue of yours?”

“Yes. I’ve simply never been interested. It’s inefficient.”

Only after my firm reply did Duke Luton let out a short laugh.

As if he understood , and as if he had once been like that himself.

“Well, I was the sa before I t my wife.”

“Your Grace, if I may be so bold... Could I ask what plan you’re considering for?”

As the personal questions continued, I asked, a little concerned.

If it was too large in scale, I was already thinking about backing out.

My goal wasn’t to support his grand vision—it was simply to rebuild my family.

Of course, if I grew under the Grand Duke’s patronage, I could beco a powerful noble.

But that wasn’t the path I wanted.

The mont I ca to rely on House Luton...

‘In the end, I’d just be one of theirs again—no different from when I was a secretary.’

「…….」

The Grand Duke of the North didn’t answer my question right away.

Was it such a difficult matter that he needed to avoid giving a reply?

No, that wasn’t the look he had.

Instead, he wore a gentle smile, not like soone sizing up prey, but like soone watching a wild creature he might one day raise.

“That’s still a secret.”

Duke Luton turned his head and looked out the window toward a woman with her hand in the fountain.

His fourth child, the one he wouldn’t trade for the world—Echina Luton.

With her sharp convictions and the beautiful features inherited from her mother, he had wanted to cherish her.

That’s why he had excluded her from the family business.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say he had protected her from the harsh competition of that world.

Still, the reason he finally brought Echina back into the business was probably because a reliable ally had appeared.

Soone who changed her—soone to whom she, who had never been emotionally attached to anyone due to her strong convictions, could finally give her heart.

“I’ve ended up speaking too vaguely, unlike myself.”

The Grand Duke rose from his seat.

As he did, Debier approached and lightly adjusted the black coat draped over his shoulders.

“Let’s move on to the real matter.”

Duke Luton withdrew the warm gaze he’d had toward .

Then, in a voice as cold and sharp as if he were here for business alone, he raised the central issue.

“Are you aware of what’s going on with Eric’s side?”

“I’ve heard they’re building a casino, a hotel, and a coach terminal.”

The Grand Duke nodded calmly.

“Then you must also know that once those three are completed, it’ll put you at a disadvantage in the competition.”

At his words, I moistened my firmly sealed lips with a bit of saliva.

‘So this was the real reason.’

He wanted to see whether I had the capacity to stand against the eldest son.

And the fact that the Grand Duke held this curiosity...

It ant that he was seriously considering placing Echina in the position of family head.

I had to answer well here.

One sentence from now could determine the future of the Grand Duke’s household.

A rightful heir appearing—unlike in my previous life.

And for the sake of House Julius, which would achieve peace through just politics...

“I plan to receive the Fern territory from Edward and use it to oppose him.”

「…….」

My answer echoed faintly through the empty café.

The warm sunlight wrapped around the tall figure of the Grand Duke clad in a black coat.

And for the first ti in a long while, his golden eyes—faded with ti—regained their forr luster.

“You’re the one who put Edward in danger. Do you think he’ll hand over Fern so easily?”

Duke Luton, leaning on his cane with one hand, asked a question.

As if he was genuinely prepared to hear my answer.

“Yes. I plan to give him terms he can’t refuse.”

Together, we looked out at the fountain beyond the window.

The statue of a massive lion that seed to roar—symbolizing House Luton.

It clearly expressed how much they valued authority and honor.

“I intend to save the Luton Arms Dealer he owns.”

The Luton Arms Dealer.

A company currently shaking along with Fern Territory’s halted construction.

Of course, given the company’s size, the current tremors are still relatively minor.

However, the mont Edward starts using company funds to cover the losses from the construction freeze—

Cracks will begin to appear in his position.

“That’s an interesting move. I expected you to try and devour both Fern Territory and the Luton Arms Dealer in one go.”

Even the seasoned Grand Duke of the North had foreseen that situation.

And it seed he had assud I would be the one orchestrating it.

“Yes, the Luton Arms Dealer is certainly an appealing prize, but considering its ‘particular nature’, it wouldn’t be easy to swallow.”

“Its particular nature, you say? Explain what you an.”

Luton was testing my discernnt.

To hear more, he even took off his leather gloves himself and handed them to Debier.

“Before Edward inherited the Luton Arms Dealer, it was a business Your Grace spent the most ti with.”

“That’s right. Most of its executives are about the sa age as .”

“That’s why they won’t easily accept a superior who isn’t part of the Grand Duke’s house. They’ll value legitimacy.”

The Grand Duke smiled faintly, as if to say, correct.

Devouring everything in sight was the way of small fish.

The larger the prey, the more carefully one must stalk it.

“If a third party, not officially recognized by Your Grace, were to take it over, they’d find it difficult to run. Better to leave it with Edward, the legitimate successor.”

“You think the boy has the ability for that?”

He was asking to evaluate his own son’s talent.

That alone told how much the Grand Duke’s opinion of had shifted.

I never hide my judgnt from those who recognize .

I gave him an honest assessnt of his second son.

“I’ve actually been receiving frequent updates on the roads in Fern Territory. Especially now, after the construction was halted—who’s been showing up, and who hasn’t.”

I spoke while looking out at the great ridgeline beyond the fountain.

“Even with the major setback to the territory, almost no investors have co directly to Edward.”

“...I see.”

Luton didn’t press further, perhaps because he understood what I ant.

Even when faced with the risk of losing their investnts, no one had approached Edward directly—

That ant his network still trusted the second son.

“Even at the construction site, which has lost all its montum, not a single worker or subcontractor has left so far.”

When the Imperial Inspection Team is dispatched, a project like that essentially flatlines—for a few months at best, or even years at worst.

The on-site workers surely know that. And yet, they continue to trust Edward and wait.

In other words, he had at least run the business competently up to this point.

‘Of course, pulling off a massive tax evasion sche was still wrong.’

But that was for personal gain, and I was willing to overlook it for now.

Once I slowly chipped away at his shares and beca the majority stakeholder, I’d correct his habits myself.

“I think Edward has at least learned leadership from his father.”

“That’s the boy’s only strength. He takes care of his friends—almost as much as he enjoys drinking and partying.”

Duke Luton acknowledged that much without resistance.

That was why, despite his debauched lifestyle, the Duke had passed down at least one business to him.

“However, that boy already has bad blood with you. Even if he needed help, what makes you so sure he’d accept it from you?”

“That reason is even simpler.”

I let out a deep breath.

Then, I looked toward Royal Luton, where smoke still rose from a massive ongoing project.

“Because he’s been by Eric’s side for so long, Edward knows exactly how his older brother operates.”

He’s seen firsthand the brutal way the eldest son carries out corporate rgers.

How Eric runs his businesses like a dictatorship, cutting down anyone he doesn’t like.

Anyone who’s been that close to him would never return to serve under him again.

That must be why Edward jumped into the competition for family headship under the banner of ‘Mithril.’

“Even if we once stood against each other, he’ll judge that I’m the better option over Eric. He’s already seen how well I get along with Freya, despite clashing with her too.”

I casually spoke of how I’d already brought his other children to heel.

As expected, the Grand Duke of the North seed a bit offended and threw out a blunt remark.

“Edward’s still my son too, Roger.”

But I—

“If he were truly like his father, he wouldn’t be looking to serve under anyone in the first place.”

I answered him firmly, as if to force him to confront reality.

“Your Grace, you built the North with your own hands.”

「…….」

The Duke didn’t refute my words.

He simply closed his eyes gently and gave a faint nod.

“I see.”

As if to hide his mixed emotions, the Grand Duke turned toward the café door.

Then, with a steady gait, he slowly began to walk away.

“Roger.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Before leaving, the Grand Duke paused briefly and received a fedora from his chief secretary.

With elegant ease, he placed the hat lightly over his head and left with parting words.

“Go ahead and show the world your full potential. Just like you are now.”

The Grand Duke of the North glanced back at .

“A world is coming where talents like you no longer need to stay hidden.”

For so reason, there was no trace of his usual authority left on his face.

If anything, he now resembled a sage who respects anyone outstanding, regardless of their status.

“…Thank you, Your Grace.”

Thus, Duke Luton, having now t all three of his children, finally left the café and exchanged farewells with Echina.

The two of them, so alike, stood face-to-face.

Under the beautiful fountain, the scene resembled a masterpiece painting—father and daughter, frad in the afternoon light.

As I watched that mont unfold, Debier ca up beside .

Standing next to , he admired the scene as if he were also savoring a piece of art.

“How’s the mansion?”

“Look at you, worrying about the mansion just because you used to be a secretary.”

His tone was as icy as ever.

But his face, unlike before, had softened considerably.

“Everyone’s doing well. Especially whenever news cos of Lady Echina, His Grace’s expression brightens more and more.”

I could picture the Grand Duke alone in his study, hearing of his daughter’s accomplishnts.

And since Echina’s beautiful smile must resemble her father's, I imagined it was quite a pleasing sight.

Just then, perhaps having heard sothing good from her father, Echina’s face lit up under the fountain.

She grasped the Grand Duke’s hands tightly with both of hers and gently shook them in thanks.

It seed that now she had grown close enough to hold her father’s hand without hesitation.

Compared to her in the previous life, this was trendous progress.

“It’s all thanks to you. That the two of them can smile together again like this…”

“I haven’t done much. And I’m not a secretary anymore, after all.”

I let out a small chuckle and shook my head.

In response, Debier gave a more cynical smile than mine.

“You don’t have to be a ‘secretary’ to help Lady Echina.”

At his cryptic remark, my brow arched sharply.

But the chief secretary didn’t go so far as to explain what he ant.

Just as he was about to give a hint, his lord called him over.

“Debier, it’s ti to go.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The Grand Duke pointed to the carriage parked beneath the lion statue.

With that, the chief secretary gave a light wave and bid his farewell.

“Just keep going the way you are. Then so good news should co your way soon.”

I had no idea what good news he was referring to.

Still, there was one thing I had clearly gained.

That the forr head of the house was now seriously considering Echina as his successor.