Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money

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Chapter 44: Getting Some Rest for My Tired Body

After a long journey, we finally arrived back at the territory.

As I stepped down from the carriage, familiar faces were waiting to greet me at the entrance.

Maria, with her gentle smile.

Kanon, the knight captain, standing with a dignified presence.

Arnaud, the loyal steward who had supported this household for years.

Alongside them, the maids were also lined up to welcome us home.

“Welcome back, Lord Cerios. You must be exhausted.”

“I’m home, Maria. I’m glad to see everyone is doing well.”

Beside her, Kanon stood with sharp eyes and an imposing stance. As the captain of the territory’s female knight order, she was a reliable guardian of our land’s security.

“I’m relieved to see you’re safe. It seems the escorts did their job well.”

“Yeah, thanks for taking care of things.”

Kanon had arranged for the knights to escort us when we neared the territory.

“Think nothing of it. Lord Cerios, there are no major issues within the territory, but I’ll provide a full security report later in the office.”

“Alright, I’ll be counting on you.”

Finally, stepping forward quietly was Arnaud, the steward who had been supporting this household for many years.

“Welcome back, Lord Cerios. I will provide you with a full report on the management of the territory in the office as well.”

“Got it. Let me know once everything is ready.”

With that, Liese, Faina, and Maria took charge of unloading the luggage and organizing things.

“Leave it to us, Lord Cerios. Liese, let’s do this together.”

Maria called out to Liese, who nodded with a slightly nervous expression.

“Yes, Mother. I’ll do my best!”

Faina joined in with a warm smile. Leaving things in their capable hands, I made my way to the office.

Inside, Kanon and Arnaud were already waiting for me.

“Apologies for the timing, but let’s get the security report done first.”

Kanon handed me a stack of documents, her expression serious.

“There haven’t been any major issues within the territory. However, we’ve had occasional reports of bandits spotted in the neighboring mountain areas, so we’ve already taken care of them. The knight order has been increasing patrols, but we should remain cautious just in case.”

“Thanks. How large is the remaining bandit threat?”

“We’re not entirely sure yet, but estimates suggest anywhere from a few to a dozen or so. So far, no harm has come to the residents, so things seem stable for now. Still, it might be best to take action soon.”

Kanon was an excellent addition to the team. Recruiting her from the mercenaries had been a great decision.

“Good. Make sure we have enough personnel and supplies ready. We’ll go over a concrete plan later.”

“Understood.”

Kanon gave a deep bow and left the room.

Next, Arnaud quietly spoke up.

“This is the report on the territory’s management. First, regarding the harvest—thanks to favorable weather this year, we’ve had a better yield than usual. As a result, our food reserves are well-stocked.”

“That’s good to hear. What else?”

“Regarding trade, revising the trade routes with the royal capital has significantly boosted revenue. To maintain this momentum, we are considering partnerships with new merchants.”

“I see. Good decision. Keep going.”

While I was away, I had tasked Arnaud with focusing on road improvements. The poor state of the roads was the primary reason why bandits could operate freely and why fewer people visited our frontier territory.

Thanks to the remnants of my past misrule, the treasury still held a considerable amount of wealth. On top of that, the compensation received from the duel had further bolstered our finances.

I wanted to invest in a unique business venture if possible.

But as Arnaud wrapped up his report, I raised my gaze.

“Arnaud, there’s something else I need you to do.”

“What would that be, my lord?”

“I want you to investigate the situation regarding Clarice von Everett.”

For a brief moment, Arnaud’s expression showed surprise, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Understood. Lady Clarice should have returned to her family’s estate. I will investigate whether the rumors of her expulsion are true.”

“Yes, please do. She helped me at the academy, and I can’t just stand by and do nothing if she’s truly in trouble.”

Arnaud must have already heard the rumors. His quick response was reassuring.

“Understood. I will begin the investigation immediately.”

With a quiet bow, Arnaud left the room.

Left alone in the office, I gazed out the window.

(Clarice… don’t try to shoulder everything on your own…)

Letting out a quiet sigh, I began to think about my next course of action.

♢

After finishing dinner, I finally had a moment to relax.

During the journey, Liese and Faina had kept me engaged in conversation, and to be honest, I was a little exhausted. Their affection was flattering, but knowing they were still young, I couldn’t help but hesitate.

“Lord Cerios, may I come in? It’s Maria.”

“Maria? Come in.”

“Thank you.”

When the door opened, Maria stood there—not in her usual maid uniform, but in a nightgown.

“W-What’s going on?”

“I’ve been waiting to welcome you home. May I talk with you for a while?”

“Ah, sure. Come in.”

Seeing Maria like that made my heart race, and I couldn’t stop my thoughts from drifting to places they shouldn’t.

I wanted to cherish her.

Between Liese and Faina’s feelings, my own uncertainties, and the matter with Clarice weighing on my mind, I felt overwhelmed.

“Excuse me.”

Maria entered the room and, as I sat down on the sofa, she gently embraced me.