The Song of Flowers - Chapter 5: The Only Ones for Each Other (7)

The contents of the second will were astonishing, and Luther explained the details to Ron, who wasn’t fully aware of the situation.

“The Levas family created Tium?”

“It seems the founder of the Levas family was a magical engineer. He developed Tium and agreed to transfer its rights to the Mage Tower in exchange for half of the profits. At the time Tium was created, it was merely a rare invention.”

“But now, it’s a goldmine.”

Magical items had become deeply embedded in the everyday lives of people across the continent, and the demand for Tium and other magical goods was enormous.

“This information is highly confidential. Half of the profits from Tium sales go to the Mage Tower. If it were revealed that the Mage Tower, which is supposed to remain neutral, was connected to a specific noble family, it would be catastrophic for the Tower.”

“And equally catastrophic for the Levas family. In the worst-case scenario, the Mage Tower might try to destroy the Levas family to protect itself.”

“…That’s correct.”

“The late lord passed this dangerous secret to Adele. That must be the true intention behind the second will.”

The Mage Tower would now both watch over and protect Adele. Her wealth was a double-edged sword. While it would shield her, it would also attract danger from those who sought to take it. No one but the Mage Tower could protect Adele as thoroughly, and even the Levas family couldn’t afford to make an enemy of the Tower.

“So, half of the profits from Tium now belong to Adele?”

“Seventy percent of the revenue goes to the family, with thirty percent going to the head of the household, which is the only portion that can be freely inherited. According to the will, Adele is to receive half of that thirty percent.”

Luther observed Ron’s reaction carefully.

Depending on how one viewed it, the will contained many clauses that could be seen as offensive. Shima had placed a powerful shield around Adele, assuming that everyone around her posed a danger. While the inheritance of Shima’s personal wealth might be expected, the bequeathal of future profits from the dividend shares was essentially stripping away assets that the legal heir could have claimed.

“Hmm… Impressive.”

Ron mumbled as he skimmed through the documents Luther had handed him. The chart listing the annual profit dividends gave him a rough idea of how much Adele would be receiving in the future.

“And what about the issue with Sir Brody?”

When Ron casually changed the topic, Luther, who had been anxiously waiting for a reaction, was caught off guard.

‘Is he indifferent to wealth, or just hiding his true feelings?’

Luther presented another report, this one detailing the situation with Malone.

Ron quickly scanned it and identified the issue.

“So, Sir Brody can’t be removed from the family registry?”

“It’s something we should have prepared for earlier, but it slipped through the cracks.”

“No, we were too busy with the funeral.”

“According to family law, only those higher in the family hierarchy can remove someone’s name from the registry.”

“It was her firm wish. Couldn’t a mage serve as a witness?”

“The evidence must be in written form.”

Shima had passed away too suddenly, without time to prepare the necessary documents to remove Malone from the family registry. Her death had come sooner than anticipated, and it was remarkable that she even managed to revise her will.

“They called it a magical sleep, didn’t they?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Did they find out why she passed sooner than expected? She was supposed to live for several more days, according to the mage.”

“The mage wasn’t sure of the exact cause. There had never been a case of someone remaining in a magical sleep for nearly half a year. It’s likely she used too much of her strength right after waking up.”

Shima had spent almost two hours calling out the names of over a hundred retainers and giving them her final instructions—a grueling effort, even for someone in good health.

‘It might be my fault.’

Ron narrowed his eyes, recalling how Adele had been blaming herself.

‘Could that dinner have been too much for her?’

Shima had spent a couple of hours with Adele after dinner that evening. They didn’t know it at the time, but Ron had come by to visit Shima that night. Standing outside the door, he had heard their laughter and had decided to leave without announcing his presence. He hadn’t wanted to interrupt their precious time together.

‘No, it must have been a happy last meal for her.’

Still, if Adele ever found out, she would likely blame herself.

“Let’s not make anything official unless we’re certain.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“What about the issue with Sir Brody? Is there no way to resolve it?”

“If he caused harm to the family, we could have grounds, but…”

“So, it’s not serious enough.”

Ron remembered Malone’s reddened face as he had shouted. From attending the funeral with his entire family to his brazen behavior during the will reading, it was clear he was shameless. If they tried to remove him from the family registry, he would cause a lot of trouble. Though Malone was an annoyance, there was no need to create unnecessary chaos by pushing him out completely.

“And what about expelling him from the estate?”

“That’s within your authority as the lord.”

“Then let’s resolve Sir Brody’s issue by expelling him. He’s been given a house, so he can’t complain that he’s being thrown out empty-handed.”

“Yes, I’ll handle it.”

As Ron continued reading through the rest of the report, he spoke offhandedly.

“Assign someone to keep an eye on him.”

“…You mean Sir Brody?”

“Just have someone track who he’s meeting with.”

“What are you hoping to uncover?”

“A small crack can bring down a dam.”

Ron didn’t notice Luther’s curious gaze.

“Yes, I’ll assign someone appropriate.”

‘What kind of life has this man lived on the continent?’

It was a question that had crossed Luther’s mind several times in the past few days while working with his new master.

“I heard you were a mercenary…”

Ron looked up.

“That’s right.”

Luther was still puzzled. How could a mere mercenary be so adept at reading documents filled with specialized terminology, comprehending legal clauses, and managing subordinates?

“Don’t think too much of it. I know how mercenaries are viewed on the continent, but I didn’t live as recklessly as you might assume.”

“Oh, no. I didn’t mean to suggest that. If my words offended you, I apologize. I was just… surprised.”

“Surprised by what?”

“You’ve adapted more quickly than I expected.”

Luther had initially thought it would take years—perhaps a decade—for the new lord to fully understand and manage a great noble family. But now, it seemed that timeline might be much shorter.

“Above all, I’m relieved that you can read.”

“…Not all mercenaries are illiterate, you know.”

“Really? I thought most commoners on the continent were illiterate, but I suppose I was mistaken.”

“…You’ve had a long day. Let’s leave the other complicated matters for tomorrow.”

“Yes, my lord. Rest well.”

After Luther left, Ron tossed the report onto his desk and let out a sigh.

‘I should’ve played dumb.’

It was too late now to pretend to be ignorant.

‘Leon would have done well too. He’s better with people than I am.’

Leon could read and write. Ron had taught him. Leon had picked it up quickly, proving he wasn’t slow-witted. If only he didn’t waste his sharp mind on scheming.

As Ron was lost in nostalgic thoughts of his brother, the butler, Jed, entered the office, wiping the expression from Ron’s face.

“My lord. The young lady isn’t in her room.”

Ron had instructed Jed to summon Adele when it was time for dinner.

“She’s not in her room? What about her maid?”

“The young lady’s maid reported that she wasn’t in her room. When I told the maid that you were asking for her, she said she would pass along the message.”

Ron stared at Jed for a moment before speaking.

“So, this is how things were before, I take it?”

“Yes, well…”

“The late lord must have sent someone to fetch Adele at some point.”

“Yes.”

“And if they couldn’t find her, they would have just passed on the message.”

“Yes.”

As Jed answered, he carefully watched the lord’s expression.

“My approach is different. If I say to bring her, then bring her. How can a maid not know where her mistress is?”

“I will bring her at once.”

Jed quickly answered and left.

‘There’s a problem.’

Adele had entered his room late at night. For a child to disappear at night without anyone knowing was a sign of the staff’s negligence. Ron had no intention of letting this issue slide.

Time passed, and Jed returned with a troubled look, fidgeting nervously.

“I sent the maid several times to bring the young lady, but the only response I received was that they are still searching for her.”

“Has there ever been an occasion when Adele disappeared and had to be found?”

“Never.”

Ron thought differently. If it had happened before, no one would have noticed, so they wouldn’t have searched for her.

“If this has never happened, then it’s serious. Send out people and search all the places Adele could have gone.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Just as Jed was about to leave in a hurry, Ron called him back.