The Secretary of the Northern Grand Duchess Has Run Away

Chapter 52:  The Greatest Masterpiece on Earth (2)

Two days later, at lunchtime.

A carriage and its escorting knights arrived at the mansion.

In the yard, numerous retainers stood waiting.

They began hastily readying themselves with formal greetings as the carriage came to a stop.

Because the Grand Duke of the North had returned from his business trip to the capital.

「……」

“You have returned, Your Grace.”

The children of the Grand Duke’s house had all gathered and offered a collective greeting.

However, the Grand Duke of the North didn’t even glance at them.

He had already heard the bad news on his way back.

「Let us head to the conference room first.」

The Grand Duke’s children lined up and followed him into the mansion.

Watching from the first-floor lobby, we all looked tense.

The Grand Duke’s face as he walked ahead was terribly grim.

Upon entering the second-floor banquet hall, Luton handed the black jacket draped over his shoulder to Debier.

Then, wearing a solemn expression, he sat in the head seat.

「Everyone, take your seats.」

Only after the Grand Duke’s command did the retainers begin to take their places.

We secretary candidates also stood silently in the corner of the conference room, waiting.

「I received the report on my way back. I am deeply disappointed.」

“I am sorry, Your Grace. I have committed an unpardonable sin…!!”

Baron Obi, seated across from Dilman, stood up and bowed his head repeatedly.

At that, the Grand Duke waved his hand dismissively, as if he didn’t want to hear more.

「I do not wish to question what has already happened. However…」

The long trip had sharpened the Grand Duke’s gaze even more.

Still, as befit the second most powerful man on the continent, he did not lose his temper easily.

Instead—

Like a man who leads a great group, he left them with a single, short remark.

「No matter what happens, the family’s assets must be returned.」

The Grand Duke looked around at everyone in the room, including his own children.

Then, after receiving a monocle from the Chief Secretary, he continued.

「This order is not only for the Baron, but for everyone.」

Rather, it seemed he was enjoying the situation.

As if he wanted to take this chance to see how much his retainers had grown.

「Whoever finds it first, I will grant them one of Deyan’s five-part series.」

“……!!”

The moment the great reward was revealed—

Everyone in the conference room froze, their faces turning pale.

Even just one of the five-part series was worth as much as a building in the capital.

In other words, the Grand Duke was prepared to offer fifty billion gold to the one who recovered it.

“Your Grace, Deyan’s five-part series is worth more than an entire castle.”

“That’s right. Isn’t it a bit too hasty to give away a painting that’s practically a family heirloom…?”

Edward cautiously spoke while stroking his mustache.

Freya, who had control over the art world, chimed in with a flustered expression.

As if they were worried their future inheritance might be handed over to mere retainers.

「You lost five of such pieces—how could I not respond like this.」

But Luton, who knew well his children’s greed, answered calmly.

As if to say, If you want it, prove yourselves.

「Do you think the value of that work can be measured only in gold?」

The Grand Duke crossed his arms.

And rather than falter at the unexpected incident, he instead showed a bold, unwavering gaze.

「The woman in Deyan’s painting is evidence that, 400 years ago, Nord was far wealthier than the capital.」

Luton was not merely a wealthy lord.

He was also the proud master of this land he had built—of the great Northern mountain range.

「So if you wish to represent the Grand Duke’s house, you will have to act with the utmost seriousness.」

“We accept your command.”

All the retainers bowed their heads in obedience to the Grand Duke’s order.

Then the Grand Duke, saying he was tired, removed his monocle.

「I will hear status reports at tomorrow’s morning meeting.」

“Understood, Your Grace.”

Eric, acting as representative, offered a respectful bow.

Then he signaled everyone to start getting up.

“Then, we will now take our leave.”

――――――,

The eldest son quickly buttoned up his suit jacket and walked out in front.

Other retainers and children of the house also began to move busily.

Deyan’s five-part series.

To claim The Lover of the Four Seasons for themselves.

“Whew…”

Baron Obi, the one ultimately responsible for all this, stepped out into the hallway with a troubled face.

As he hurried to take action and manage the incident—

He locked eyes with Echina, who had been waiting for him.

“Baron Obi. May I have a word?”

“You mean… with me?”

The middle-aged man looked between the children descending the stairs and Echina.

“Yes, I have a proposal for you.”

“Understood.”

The Baron, who had served as an executive in the family for over ten years—

Sharpened his gaze, scanned his surroundings, and followed her into the Grand Duke’s daughter’s office.

“A proposal, you say…?”

“Yes. You’re in a bit of a predicament right now, aren’t you?”

Echina crossed her arms and walked over to the window of her office.

She watched as carriages departed the estate in a hurry.

“You’re right. I don’t even know how this happened to me… It’s so frustrating, I can barely stand it.”

The Baron looked truly disheartened, as if he believed misfortune had unjustly struck him.

But then—

He turned pale and looked at Echina.

“What if this entire incident was a planned accident?”

A planned accident?

Who would dare covet the Grand Duke’s property?

“Are you saying our escort corps was behind it?”

Baron Obi placed a hand under his chin, face dark with concern.

As if trying to figure out which of the men he hired could have pulled off such a bold act.

“But my subordinates have been under the knights’ watch all along. In that situation, it’d be difficult to smuggle anything out…”

The Baron slowly shook his head, insisting his subordinates would never do such a thing.

But then, at a voice that came from the corner of the office, his eyebrows twitched in surprise.

“What if someone intentionally burst the levee at the river, and there were already people stationed and waiting in advance?”

Jet-black eyes, as dark as the night, gleamed from the shadows.

“You are…?”

“Julius Roger.”

I approached him with the same earnest look that had once devoted itself to the Grand Duke’s house, just as Baron Obi had.

“I’m aware. I know just how loyal your escort corps has been.”

“That’s right. They all come from noble families and are well acquainted with my parents. There’s no way they’d do something like this.”

The Baron was a man who had just stepped into his forties.

An age that could be considered either young or old.

Having lived his whole life as a member of the upper class, there was one truth he didn’t yet understand.

That was…

“Well. That’s something people say when they’re warm and well-fed.”

That humans would even sell their own parents for money.

“When everything you had vanishes, and you’re faced with losing it all—loyalty and whatever else just disappears.”

“You’re saying my subordinates stole the painting because they’ve run into financial trouble?”

As expected of a high-ranking official of the Grand Duke’s household, he followed the logic quickly.

“That’s correct. And I’d wager they’re in quite serious trouble.”

“That can’t be… I haven’t heard anything like that from their families.”

Obi furrowed his brow, unable to comprehend.

At least, not until I handed him a card.

“They probably couldn’t bring themselves to tell their parents. Saying they’ve racked up massive gambling debts must have been terrifying.”

The Baron carefully took the card I held out.

And then he realized—it was the business card of a casino located near the escort corps’ lodging.

“Gambling…?!”

“Yes. Lately, casino recruiters have been swarming around the retainers of noble families from the provinces.”

I spoke with a look of certainty.

Because I had seen, more than once, the kind of ruin that befell those caught up in this scheme.

The casino backed by the Third Prince, protected by public power, had been targeting nobles like this repeatedly.

“They probably started out lightly, lured in. But as their losses grew, it eventually turned into massive debt.”

Baron Obi would likely already know the infamous reputation of the imperial casino.

He’d know what kind of threats came with debt from that place, and who stood behind it all.

“Is this information certain?”

In response to his question, I nodded with a firm expression.

Because in the near future, one of the escort corps would confess, and the entire incident would be revealed to be true.

“You don’t have any clearer leads anyway, do you?”

“…”

The Baron let out a heavy sigh.

Then, resting a hand on the bookshelf, he pressed his forehead as if in pain.

“In the end, I’ll be the one going out there to recover it. So, there’s no need for you to feel burdened.”

I placed the document case I had been holding down in front of the round table as I spoke.

“I’ll make them bring the painting out themselves.”

I meant to lure the culprits out with their own feet.

At those cryptic words, Obi let out a short breath.

“How exactly…?”

“It’s simple.”

I pointed toward the Baron’s jacket in response to his question.

More precisely, to the black fountain pen tucked into the inner pocket.

“All I need is your signature.”

Obi furrowed his brow, his face unreadable.

Solving this hopeless problem with just his autograph?

Having lived over fifty years and faced all manner of incidents, he couldn’t quite grasp it.

“You’ve been closely involved with the art world, having transported many of the Grand Duke’s assets, haven’t you?”

Still—

I maintained a calm expression despite his disbelief.

Just as I had in the past, when calmly responding to any scheme, no matter how malicious.

“That’s right. I’m a member of the Imperial Art Association.”

I pulled out the document case I had prepared in advance.

Then showed him a paper I had been drafting since two days ago.

“Members of the Association have the authority to submit art-related papers from the public to the upper board.”

“A paper…? What are you suddenly talking about…?”

The Baron accepted the document with a displeased look.

And the moment he read what was written inside—

“Y-You’re serious…?!”

He was struck speechless in shock.

Because on the front page of the document I had presented, it said:

“Suspicions of Forgery Regarding Deyan’s Five-Part Series, The Lover of the Four Seasons”

“Forgery? What does that have to do with this case?”

“Father’s cherished work… is a fake?”

Even Echina, who had been silently listening, widened her eyes at this unexpected revelation.

She picked up the document I had prepared with an incredulous expression.

“Roger, instead of trying to recover the missing artwork, you’ve been writing this? I haven’t heard a single word about this!”

“That’s right. My eyes started to hurt—it’s been a while since I wrote a paper.”

I answered their questions with a firm press of my fingers against my brow.

“What’s the point of this? Deyan’s work is obviously genuine!”

“She’s right. We bought it directly from the Deyan family in the capital.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter added, equally confused.

Watching their reactions, I gave them a sinister smile, like a sly courtier.

“Whether it’s fake or not doesn’t matter.”

I clasped my hands behind my back like a world-weary bureaucrat.

Then, gazing out the window at the carriages rushing off to recover the artwork, I spoke.

“What matters is that while this paper is under review…”

With the cold eyes I once had as Chief Secretary.

“…the missing masterpieces will completely lose their ‘value’ as something worth buying for a fortune.”

Their value would vanish.

At those words, the Baron stood still, dumbfounded.

Echina was the same.

However, she furrowed her graceful brow, as if trying to understand what I meant, and fell into deep thought.

“To eliminate the value of the painting, huh…”

And finally, as his expression gradually brightened…

Having seemingly grasped my intention, Obi began to be persuaded.

“Why don’t we go along with Roger’s suggestion, Baron?”

“You seem to have something in mind, Grand Duke’s daughter…?”

Obi glanced at my sly eyes, suspicious of me like one might be toward a cunning fox.

But soon enough, he wavered in the face of Echina’s earnest gaze.

“Yes, so trust me. It’s a strategy with real potential.”

Those weighty words came from someone usually known for her cold reason.

“I believe in Roger, that child.”

The middle-aged man, who had known her for over a decade, swallowed deeply.

And in a serious tone, he said:

“Understood. If you say so, Your Grace, I have no choice but to trust you.”

He then pulled the fountain pen from his suit jacket.

After that, he signed the front page of the paper I had presented and asked casually:

“By the way, when did you start thinking this far ahead?”

“What do you mean?”

Echina tilted her head at the Baron’s content smile.

Then, as if slowly realizing the meaning behind it, her eyes widened like those of a black cat.

“You’re being ridiculous, Baron.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter sharply turned her head away.

And, trying to preserve her composure, she cleared her throat and added an excuse.

“I just meant he’s more competent than the others!”

“That’s exactly the spirit in which I asked.”

The Baron chuckled and tucked the pen back into his jacket pocket.

Then he turned to me, his gaze steady and serious—like that of a company president.

“I’m putting my trust in you, Roger.”

“You won’t regret it.”

I replied with a look of firm confidence.

Then, as I placed the signed document into my bag, I said:

“This paper will soon become a massive net.”

Sometimes, a single sheet of paper can form a tighter siege than hundreds of knights.