A Secret, Entrusted to Me Alone

Perhaps because it wasn’t about him, but he asked, wondering if Arnold had wanted to leave the hall because he found the people inside uncomfortable.

“Ah, not really.
I suggested a walk because I had something to ask.
If you have business in the hall, it’s fine to go back.”

But he said he had something he wanted to ask.
Now, even out of curiosity about what it was, he couldn’t go back to the hall.

“No, that’s not what I meant.
What are you curious about?
I don’t know much, but I’ll answer as sincerely as I can.”

“Well, I’d like to ask a little about Duke Clifford.”

As expected, it was unlikely he was curious about Eren.
What he wanted to know concerned Kazen.

By this point, Eren couldn’t understand why Kazen had told him to seduce Arnold.
Contrary to Kazen’s words, Arnold didn’t seem particularly interested in Eren.
On the contrary, he seemed more interested in Kazen.

“What would you like to know?
I’ll tell you anything I can.”

Anyway, following Kazen’s orders, he needed to become close to him, so he decided to go along with his conversation.

“Hmm, well…”

However, Arnold seemed to find it a bit difficult to bring up, walking in silence for a brief moment.
Then he pointed to a stone bench beside a small fountain.

“There’s a bench.
Shall we sit and talk for a moment?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Out of habit, Eren took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the spot where Arnold would sit.
Watching this quietly, Arnold let out a small, soft laugh.

“Is that… something you always do?”

“Which part are you… Ah.”

Having done it instinctively without realizing, Eren didn’t even understand what he was talking about for a moment.
Belatedly becoming conscious of the handkerchief in his hand, his eyes widened.
It was a behavior that came out unconsciously from being with Kazen.

Embarrassment washed over him, and Eren roughly stuffed the handkerchief back into his pocket, clearing his throat softly.

“My apologies.
It’s a habit…”

“No, not at all.
It’s a courtesy I’ve never even shown to a lady, so I was a bit surprised.
I’ll accept it gratefully.”

Arnold spoke as he sat on the spot Eren had wiped.
Secretly wiping away a cold sweat, Eren also sat beside him.

“So, what did you want to ask me about His Grace?”

Afraid Arnold might bring up the earlier topic again to tease him, Eren quickly changed the subject.
Arnold fiddled with his glass, choosing his words very carefully.

Eren was starting to feel a bit impatient, unsure if the topic he was trying to bring up was heavy or if he was just a cautious person.
Fortunately, before Eren could rudely press him, Arnold spoke first.

“I was wondering if Duke Clifford properly received the acquisition proposal I sent.
I was worried it might have been missed, as there’s been no reply.”

He went straight to talking about the mine.
The question was so direct that Eren hesitated, unsure how to answer.
Well, he probably needed to be honest now to gain his favor.

“His Grace is aware that such a proposal was made.”

“But I’m curious why there’s been no response.
Is he not interested in selling?”

Truthfully, Eren didn’t know that either, as Kazen hadn’t given any clear answer.
But he didn’t want to end the conversation like that.

“Could you tell me why the Harrison family wants to acquire the mines?
Offering such an astronomical sum seems like a gamble even for the Harrison family.”

“That’s true.”

He didn’t deny that Eren’s point was wrong.
He scanned the garden shrouded in darkness for a moment.

Based only on the rumors about Arnold, Eren had thought he was a debauched rake, but the reality was completely different.
He seemed calm and rational.
Far from being sexually promiscuous, he was more proper and gentlemanly than most nobles.

Once again, Eren realized one shouldn’t judge people by rumors alone.

“Well, actually, it’s because of the railway.
You see, our Harrison family has plans to connect a railway across the entire territory of the Espel Empire.”

That was news to him.
Come to think of it, Arnold had said he was in charge of the railway business for the Harrison family.

So that was why they were trying to invest such enormous funds to acquire mines.
It seemed like a losing proposition.
But before Eren could ask his next question, Arnold continued.

“If acquisition is difficult, what about a long-term lease?
I won’t touch the mage-stone deposits, so please convey that we’d like him to consider leasing it for about fifty years.”

“I can certainly convey that.”

Watching Arnold, who smiled as if pleased, Eren brought up a new question that had occurred to him.

“But if it’s for a railway, couldn’t you just go around the mines using cheaper land?”

“Of course, that would be ideal, but this line connects our northern factory district to the capital.
To bypass that mine and go another way would require more land, and that area has weak foundations.
It would take over three times longer just to lay the groundwork.”

In short, it meant spending more money to save time.
It was a thought befitting a wealthy family, and indeed, for those to whom time was money, it was a natural solution.

“I thought he’d consider it positively since your ducal house could also use the railway once we connect it.”

Actually, that was true.
If they connected a railway to the mines, it would be something to welcome with open arms.
Kazen might even need to step up as an investor himself.

“I will convey your message so His Grace can discuss it.
In that case, could you resend the proposal, revised for a lease instead of an acquisition?”

“Of course, I will do that.”

Fortunately, the conversation was proceeding more smoothly than Eren had thought.
And he had also confirmed that Arnold was a good person.

“And also, I had something I wanted to discuss with you privately, Mr.
Lloyd.”

Eren felt his heart sink.
He had just been thinking positively of Arnold moments ago, and now a ‘private matter’?

Was the thing Kazen had mentioned finally starting?
The thought of how to handle it if it were made his head spin.

“Yes, there’s no one else listening but me, so please speak freely.”

Afraid his confused mind might show, Eren put on a calm face.
Arnold gazed intently at Eren for a moment, then took something out of his pocket.

“I heard you are a mage.
Is that correct?”

For a moment, Eren didn’t understand what he meant and opened his eyes wide.
It had been so long since he’d heard the word ‘mage’ that he almost answered no.

In the Espel Empire, the word ‘mage’ had become obsolete, replaced by the term ‘mana-bearer.’ Simply possessing mana and being able to perform magical acts were different.

“If you’re asking if I possess mana, then yes.”

“Could you take a look at this for me, then?”

What Arnold carefully took from his pocket was a small music box with an embedded mage-stone.

“It’s a memento from my mother, but it stopped a long time ago when the mana ran out.
I was about to leave the house earlier when this caught my eye.
I brought it on the off chance you might be able to take a look at it, Mr.
Lloyd.”

This was the first time someone had asked him for something like this, and he was inwardly taken aback.
But if he could help with his ability, he didn’t particularly want to refuse.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.”

Eren readily reached out and took the music box from him.
The music box, small enough to fit in a pocket, was exquisitely carved and set with gemstones, making it very beautiful.
Only one of those gemstones held mana.

He probably hadn’t known which one was the mage-stone and couldn’t replace it.
Eren recognized it at once and quietly placed his hand over it.
Soon, a red energy emanated and was sucked inside.

“It’s done now.
It should work again.”

Arnold, looking very pleased, took the music box back and carefully opened the lid.
A simple melody played, and a small horse inside popped up and began spinning around within the box.

Watching this, Arnold smiled gently.
Looking into his shimmering eyes, Eren became convinced that all the things people had gossiped about him were untrue.

“Thank you so much.
I’ve been avoiding looking at this since my mother passed away.
Thanks to you, I can finally recall memories of my mother after such a long time.”

Unsure of what words to offer in comfort, Eren simply gave a small nod.
Arnold quietly closed the music box, then turned his head and looked intently at Eren.

“I personally admire you, Mr.
Lloyd.”