86 Hazel’s part of the story

-Sometime in the near future-

[Hazel's POV]

Hazel walked the hallway of her mansion, her face stoic and her body language formal. All the thoughts and planning going on in her head remained unseen by anyone who watched her.

Most of the household members that saw her either treated her as a precious doll or as a respectable and adorable young mistress. But that was the extent of their knowledge about her. There was much more that she kept within herself and one another member of her family.

For Hazel, it had been a rather busy day. Dealing with all sorts of people and lessons, theoretical and practical, while also pondering on what she was going to do in the near future, the remaining years before she officially started going to the Noble's Academy. She had to make a name for herself. It was important so she could join her preferred circle inside the academy.

She reached the door and after two knocks and an affirmative reply, she opened it. Inside, the figure of a nobleman, aged around the early 40s, and a dull blond hair and blue eyes greeted her.

"Buttercup. It's a lovely afternoon if you're seeing your poor old papa this time of the day. Speaking of, how was your day?"

The man, her father, smiled as he asked.

"D-Daddy! Please don't call me that! … I'm no longer a child."

She blushed, momentarily losing her made-up stoic façade, causing her father to smile in delight.

"Ahem. Anyway, father. I heard you are leaving for the Barony."

She spoke, causing her father's smile to drop. His face turned grim as he spoke.

"Yes… I need to visit there personally since the incident this time is… not something that can be overlooked."

Hazel's face also became grim as she thought of the news.

Just this noon, she found out that one of her family's vessels, Baron Hobrer Mosk was killed. And it wasn't an ordinary killing either.

"Uncle Lyse said the bodies were gone and the entire area was scorched. He claimed it was the work of demons."

She mentally shuddered, thinking of the possibility.

His father frowned but then sighed.

"I keep telling him to not tell you such things. Demons may be our enemies and we might be at war, but this is a bit too much even for their standards. I see no reason for them to meddle in this. Besides, you shouldn't know such things, sweetie. You're still too young…"

"Father, I'm not a child anymore. This event can have serious implications for the nobility. There haven't been any such distressing cases since… the civil war 140 years ago where nobles of the era were being purged. Who would dare to cause it now and why?"

"Listen, Hazel. I would like to change the subject. This is really not something I want to discuss with you right now."

Seeing his serious and unwavering stare, Hazel had to give up on it. But instead, she picked another related topic, failing to subdue her own nature.

"… Very well, then. But our Sirus cotton plantation. Wasn't one of the major plants in his territory that he was supposed to be overseeing? It would be affected by this event for certain. I can't help but think they'll use this as an excuse to delay the supply. Again. I believe we should still try to not postpone it. The season for winter is coming and we will be losing our profit margin this year if the stock wasn't ready on time."

Her father sighed, shaking his head at the business-minded nature of his daughter.

"… Yes. But that's not why I'm going, Hazel. Though, I'll deal with that as well now that you've reminded me. The main problem is still talking to his family and possibly electing a new Baron from one of his heirs."

She could see a certain annoyance well hidden behind his own fatherly façade.

The baron was capable. Though, he was greedy—who wasn't? She herself had a type of greed— and there had been something lacking in his reports for the past couple of months. A visit to the barony was overdue, but this incident pushed it to the top of the list.

After a few moments, her father chuckled.

"Haha, you've grown so much in the last few years. I'm proud of you, my daughter. But buttercup, you really should enjoy your childhood more. Indulge in things girls of your age normally do, and not worry about the gloomy world of adults."

"It's alright, father. I want to help."

Her tone was neutral on the surface, but the man in front of her, her dear father, didn't miss the shift in her emotions as she said so.

Her father had a sad smile as he replied.

"I'm sorry, Hazel. I wish the circumstances could be better. It pains me to see you struggle so hard because I'm a failure of a father. I really shouldn't be putting so much burden on you."

"…"

Hazel didn't speak, instead tilting her head downwards feeling a stinging in her chest.

'It is very unfair of father… Why does he keep apologizing? I'm fine with it…'

But it was an inevitability.

'…There is a way. There has to be! I'll find it, no matter what!'

She looked back to her father— the man who was the closest to her and the one who had taught her most of the things she knew. He was the only person she could share almost all of her secrets, except a few, and be completely reassured that he won't judge and instead be helpful.

'So unfair.'

Hiding her feelings, she smiled.

"It's alright, father. I can handle this much. You're the best businessman in the Empire. And I'm your daughter, after all. Besides, you can't stop me from trying anyway."

She huffed, mustering pride as she put her hands on her hips in a confident manner, causing her father to lose his gloomy face and chuckle.

"Of course, my love. I know you're stubborn. Just like your mother. Speaking of, I wonder what she is up to."

She didn't miss that her father was trying to change the topic. But she let it slide. It wasn't going to be fruitful if they dwelled in sad forebodings.

"Mother is busy with her afternoon activities. She will likely come soon, though. By the way, father."

"Hmm?"

Since they were changing subjects anyway, she decided to amuse herself. Though, part of her knew it was her trying to forget about the sad stuff too.

"Uncle Lyses accepted the bribe from the man who visited you two days ago. The one who wanted to open a new liquor store branch in our city."

Her father groaned, hearing the reveal.

"That drunkard. He keeps causing trouble for me. Doesn't he get enough to drink already? Why accept such a petty bribe?"

It didn't take her telling it for her father to figure that part out. Her uncle had a reputation.

"No wonder mother and father chose me to run the business…"

She heard his father mutter.

"Anyway, thanks for letting me know. I'll teach him a proper lesson after I return. Hopefully, it wouldn't cause a big issue."

"Yes, father."

The two smiled, but she knew she just caused her dear and honestly nice uncle a lot of trouble in the future.

A small price to pay for her to move past sticky and painful topics.

If she weren't taught proper manners, she would have pulled out her tongue in mocking and amusement.

Others in the household didn't know this, but she was one of the best spies for her father. Of course, neither of them let others know this. It was their own little secret.

***

As she sat on a chair behind a study table in her room, she opened up her private diary. She kept it hidden in her safe at all times except when she needed to use it. The key to the safe was a magical key attuned to only her. A gift from her father.

Opening up a certain page, she looked at the list.

It was a list containing names that could be useful for her latest endeavors. Not just the business she was looking into, but also other things that she had plans or ideas for.

She revisited the notes and important points, thinking about various scenarios, places, and people. While also noting down the new entries for the people and ideas that interested her today.

Half an hour later, she finally finished modifying her previous notes and adding a few new ones.

Heaving a sigh, she glanced through it, finally nodding in affirmation.

Once she was done, she stood up and went to get some fresh air. Opening the window, she could see the sun was on its way to the horizon. By this time, her father was already on his journey. She had bid him farewell before coming to her room.

A particularly strong breeze blew her hair, making her annoyed and also getting her out of the current idle thought she was having.

"… my hair…"

Feeling she was 'refreshed' enough and not at all annoyed by it, she went back to the study table. But not before closing the window with a 'bang!'. Reaching her desk, she found the pages of her diary had turned due to the breeze, now resting on a different set of pages.

Sighing at the strangely annoying gust of wind, she decided to close the notebook. After all, she was done with her work and it had served its purpose.

But as she reached to close it to keep it away, the heading caught her attention, halting her in her way.

Thinking something, she sat back on the chair and picked up the diary, her eyes glancing at a different list under the heading.

The heading read: "Suitors/Useful Alliances"

'Ah… it's from a while back… I did really make this list, huh.'

Hazel had always found herself not differentiating between the two very different things. For her, her life partner meant her business partner. Unless it was a good-for-nothing useless bum with an incredulous amount of wealth but no brains so she could make use of the funds to achieve her goals.

Her father was well-known for his varied businesses. In fact, each successive generation of the Longriver family was a successful business in one or the other field. It was only natural that the business know-how ran in her veins.

And while her father and mother tried to keep things somewhat normal and not all about work for some reason, she had long been attuned to the way, much to their distress. It was hard for her to not see things in profits and gains.

Well, except for some instances where she did things just because they were fun. Like snitching on her uncle a while back. It wasn't exactly done for the gains since it didn't earn her anything per se. But it was quite humorous.

That snitching would soon bear amusing results and she would be there to see it, she had decided. The thought caused her to chuckle silently in amusement. It was fun messing with her uncle for some reason. And thankfully, he didn't mind. Well, he didn't know a lot of times that she was doing it behind his back. But that's beside the point.

Idly roaming on the list, her eyes stopped at a particular name.

Alexander K. Maximus.

'Hmm. Alexander. Right, he's still…'

Truthfully, it wasn't the name that had caused her to stop. Alexander and she didn't have any semblance of a relation, though she did attend his birthday parties out of formality and to engage in social activities. Her house and Maximuses were on good terms, at least. Her feelings towards him were neutral at best.

It was the circumstances that surrounded the boy that had interested her, however.

'House Maximus's only male heir went missing. I was hoping he would succeed the Marquis title, but pity…'

There was a big news surrounding that incident, she remembered.

About 4 or so months ago, there was a terrorist attack in Maximus city following which the heir was kidnapped and went missing. A big shame to the name of the Marquis family.

'He was visiting the festival incognito for some reasons… I wonder why."

Also, around the same time, there were a few other news of kidnappings in different parts of the Empire emerged, though all the victims were second or third heirs of minor and insignificant noble houses.

She remembered her father increasing the security tenfold after hearing that news, not taking any chances. Though, it was pretty secure already.

'He was after all the most notable among the 5 that went missing. It's quite surprising they suppressed the news soon after. Father doesn't talk about it either. I would have liked us to support the Maximuses in their time of need. It's an important time to offer them our support and gain a reputation. They're a significant household still. But…

Alexander Maximus… It's likely he's already… It's been over 4 months and the Maximus household has been unusually quiet about it. But if that's the case they won't be able to hide it for long… Hmm. Speaking of, there has also been some disputes within Duke Golorith's and Countess Maximus's households.'

There were rumors about Duke Albert and Duchess Olivia having a fallout. The duchess had been living in her hometown for an unusually extended period of time.

And while most attributed it to the kidnapping event, some hushed rumors were saying the Duke family was very apathetic towards it, even demeaning towards the incident surrounding Alexander K. Maximus— Though it was mostly linked to family members other than the Duke. The Duke himself had shown concern and sent his condolences and help.

'Duke family is one thing, but… It seems like the Maximus household will not be in good shape for the next council meeting… Assuming Marquess Elizabeth even attends it this year. But that can be forgiven. Her Highness has given special privileges to their household after all.

Still, with Alexander gone, it seems there will be a female successor. Likely, it'll be Emma.'

Her mind raced through all sorts of things, mostly related to how she could use it for her benefit. She had wondered if she could be of some help but couldn't come up with anything. It was truly a pity.

'If this event could help us build positive relations with the declining but still powerful house of the late Marquis Maximus…'

She sighed in resignation.

It was only after a little while that she closed the diary and went to rest.

But not before she cut Alex K. Maximus from the list of suitors.

A presumed dead person was of no use to her.

'I wonder what Emma Maximus is up to. I should try sending her a letter and inviting her to… talk and play. Or even better, I can go visit them. Yes. As Father says, doing things like children of my age are supposed to do… Though, thinking back, she still hasn't replied to the letters I sent a while back, did she? Ugh, I can't send her another letter without sounding desperate. Not good. Why is that girl so… reclusive? I heard all she does is train. That's admirable, but… she should also think about the other aspects of her life.'

Closing her eyes while lying on her soft bed, she wondered what the meatheaded daughter of the Empire's Hero was up to.

[End of Hazel's POV]

***