Chapter 242: Visiting Count’s Residence

"Would you like me to write the letters of recommendation right now? Two, yes? What kind of content would you like? Do you have any preferences?"

The Duchess was in an excellent mood. She was actually writing the letters by hand in front of me! I had been half-expecting her to have a maid do it. Well... that much enthusiasm counts.

"Something like this: ’The bearer of this letter speaks the truth. I don’t believe it either, but you’ll see the effect when you come. Please read it carefully.’ That should be enough. Even if you recommend me, I doubt anyone will believe me. They’ll definitely come to confirm with you."

I told her what to write. No need to go into too many details; otherwise they might not take it seriously. I’d explain the effect myself when I met them. That was the proper way.

"Yes, that sounds good. I’m sure they’ll come right away. I’ll prepare!" she said cheerfully.

She’s really excited to show off her youth to others. I thought. Her aura is blinding...

The Duchess wrote the two letters with smooth, elegant strokes while the maids handled decoration and sealing. Then she suddenly turned to me.

"Hey, Robin. How exactly is that medicine made? Elle won’t tell me. She said it was something that would shock me if I knew. Why won’t she tell you either?"

Oh no... I thought. She really won’t say anything?! But I stayed completely silent.

"Duchess, please ask Elle. I’m sure the shock was huge, but I can’t tell you from here. Please hear it from the two of you alone. And again, absolutely do not breathe a word to anyone. Swear it."

"I understand. I’ll ask Elle again."

"If you’d like, you could come to the embassy anytime. The last time you were there, we really needed your help."

I gave Elle a meaningful look. Her face turned bright red; she widened her eyes, stared at me, then lowered her head.

Will she come?!

While the letters were being sealed, the Duchess kept talking nonstop about how much better she felt. How can she not get bored? I wondered. Probably all the maids have heard this a hundred times. A tiny pang of sympathy for them.

Once the letters were ready, we stood up to leave. The Duchess stopped me.

"Robin, if anything happens, you can come to me anytime. I’ll help in any way I can. But you must always bring the medicine with you when you visit."

She gave me a pointed warning.

"And please and thank-you services are perfectly acceptable in exchange for the medicine. You can come every day if you want~ Ehehe~"

Basically, she was saying, Come over whenever you need to talk, and I’ll make sure you’re paid in medicine.That’s fine, I thought. There’s no harm in that.

"Thank you. I’ll take you up on that as much as possible."

I climbed into the carriage with Rudolf, who was hugging a bag containing forty gold coins.

"Gold is truly something you find in the right places, isn’t it?" Rudolf said with a sigh.

"With this we can finally throw a ball, right? Please plan it. Who should we invite? I think you should ask the Duke. He’ll give you good advice."

"Yes, understood. With this one burden lifted from my shoulders, I feel much lighter."

Rudolf’s voice was full of relief.

The von Kirchhoff estate was relatively close to the Ducal Palace. The grounds and mansion were smaller, as expected for a viscount.

We were shown into the drawing room. Baron von Kirchhoff himself appeared right away—around forty or fifty, impeccably dressed.

"Well, well, you’ve finally come. I’ve been waiting for you. The previous ambassador was a complete disaster, but I’ve been told you’re returning the debt exactly as promised. Make sure there are no delays."

He looked down at me like I was something beneath his shoe.

Rudolf stepped forward and offered the bag.

"Fifteen gold coins for this month’s installment, sir."

The baron flicked his chin. A steward entered from the side and took the bag. Fifteen gold coins was a lot, but I’d already accepted forty from the Duchess and one hundred forty from the previous ambassador, so I didn’t even blink. Half a day’s wages as a silver-coin helper felt almost nostalgic. Christina-san... what happened to you?

We chatted for a while. The baron started talking about gambling.

"By the way... I know a game that’s sure to make you money. Why don’t you join me? It’s always a winner. Trust me."

It sounded like a classic pitch. Rudolf next to me looked like he was chewing bitter herbs.

"Speaking of which, the previous ambassador—poor Jonathan. He was such a talented man, yet he died so young. It was a terrible loss for the Marie Kingdom. I truly feel his passing."

You’re the reason he died, asshole, I thought bitterly.

"He introduced me to the noble way of life. Even an ambassador needs to know how to mingle with nobles. Besides balls there are the private dinners between men. Be careful with that too."

Then he sighed dramatically.

"He was new to cards at first, but he won big at the start—fifty gold, a hundred gold—and got carried away. I warned him, but he wouldn’t listen. Then the losses started piling up and he ended up owing me and my friends. I tried everything to get him to stop, but he wouldn’t. In the end... that’s how it happened. I’m still haunted by it."

Yeah, classic story. You lured him in with the big wins, then bled him dry. No wonder he got into debt. But I kept my mouth shut.

The baron kept going, telling endless stories of how he won, how much he won, how he won. He’s clearly trying to impress me. Does he think I’m just some easy mark because of the Marie Kingdom flag? He probably figures I’ll never default on the debt.

The stories went on and on. Until finally the baron said:

"Actually... I have a letter from the Duchess of Veles. She asked me to read it immediately. Would you mind calling your wife for me?"

Oh, she’s finally coming? I thought.

While we waited, the baron resumed his gambling tales. He’s completely up to his neck in debt, I realized. That’s why he’s winning—he’s the house. The house never loses. Big winners either settle up the next time or disappear.

A knock sounded. The baron stopped mid-story. The door opened and a tall, mature woman in her late forties entered. Her figure was... generous. Her bosom was so full and firm it looked almost painful. The cleavage was so deep it was practically one straight line. If she took off her clothes, would there be a horizontal valley on her belly? I thought lewdly for half a second, then wiped the image from my mind.

The baron’s wife didn’t even greet me.

"What is it? What do you want?"

She spoke directly to her husband, completely ignoring my existence.

I stood up.

"My name is Robin Marie, new ambassador from the Marie Kingdom. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Baroness von Kirchhoff."

I bowed. Baroness von Kirchhoff looked me up and down slowly, from head to toe, like she was inspecting livestock.

"So... nice to meet you."

She was so blunt it was almost rude.

"I have a letter from the Duchess of Veles. She asked me to deliver it to you personally. Please read it at your earliest convenience."

I handed her the letter.

"Earliest? What’s so urgent? What did that woman say?"

She sounded like she didn’t like the Duchess at all.

The maid unsealed the letter and read it. The baroness’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me.

"You... what exactly did you bring?"

Here we go, I thought.

The real battle begins.