The Hartwell Count's Estate (2)
The Hartwell family's manor was magnificent. Golden statues and paintings adorned the walls, and even the intricately carved pillars boasted of the house's immense wealth.
Bigger than I expected.
Well, the Hailstone Principality had always been a prosperous kingdom, so it made sense that its legacy lingered here.
He marveled at the grandeur for a moment before snapping back to reality and looking around. The manor’s interior was lined with butlers and servants, but no sign of the count's family.
Figures they wouldn't bother.
He hadn't expected a welcome in the first place. It was proper for him to go to the count, and he was already prepared for the stepmother and siblings to resent his presence. This was all within expectations.
As he stood there silently, the man at the front stepped forward and spoke. An elderly butler with patches of white in his hair.
"Welcome, young master. I am Edgar, the head butler of the Hartwell family. We sincerely welcome you."
A smile played on his lips, but his eyes were cold. Ethan could sense the wariness. Apparently, following the stepmother and brothers, even the head butler wasn't thrilled about his arrival.
Edgar, huh...
A completely unfamiliar name, of course. Still, as head butler, he must have served the family for years—no need to stir up trouble.
Ignoring Edgar's reaction, Ethan bowed politely.
"Thank you, Head Butler Edgar. I look forward to working with you."
At his courteous demeanor, Edgar's expression softened slightly.
There we go.
The head butler might lack formal power, but he was close to the count and the conduit for all manor gossip. Antagonizing him would be unwise. The same went for the other servants. Their attitudes would shift based on his behavior.
To blend into the family first, he needed to win over Edgar and the staff.
Improve my image, and I'll control the family.
Not that he craved the head's seat. He just wanted to live comfortably under the family name.
The once-stern butler cracked a faint smile at his greeting and turned to Bella beside him.
"Lady Bella has worked hard as well. The count awaits you."
Bella nodded curtly and bid him farewell.
"Young master, I'll take my leave then. May glory shine upon the Hartwell family unblemished."
Bella was from the Fire Tower and a direct disciple of its master. With their agreement, she'd act on his behalf for a while and put in a good word during his talk with the count.
"Thank you for your efforts, mage. May wisdom and prosperity grace the Fire Tower."
With that, Bella departed. As she vanished, Edgar's gaze shifted—to Emilia behind Ethan, precisely.
"Young master, and this child...?"
Emilia was a connection from the underground mine, originally slated for the Fire Tower. But considering contingencies, Ethan planned to keep her by his side instead.
"Ah, this is my dear friend Emilia. We've lived together since childhood, so I brought her along. I'd be grateful if you'd allow her to stay with me."
He spoke as politely and innocently as possible. No matter how much he wanted her, the family could overrule it. Above all, Emilia was his long-term pawn. Too many eyes for direct contact with Bella; better to link through Emilia and avoid gossip.
"Haha, young master. You bear the count's blood—no need to bow so low."
Edgar chuckled awkwardly at the bold request but soon relented.
"However, even as a friend, she must observe proper etiquette henceforth. We'll assign Emilia as your personal attendant. You'll handle her salary, of course. If not, we can formally request the count's approval."
Even as a bastard, he had some stipend. Better to settle it with the butler than bother the count.
"Understood. We'll do that."
Edgar looked pleased.
"Very well, young master."
Letting Emilia stay was a net gain for him—no loss.
Edgar clapped once.
"You've had a long journey—let's ease your fatigue first. Prepare, and the count will summon you. I'll take Emilia."
He called another servant.
"Chloe, escort Young Master Ethan to his room."
The servant named Chloe bowed to him.
"I-I'm Chloe. I'll guide you to your quarters, young master."
Her voice trembled with nerves. Ethan smiled reassuringly and whispered to Emilia with a glance.
"Emilia, you got this? Hang in there, and I'll make it up to you later."
"Don't worry. This is nothing."
Emilia was sharp and quick-witted—no wonder she'd survived the mines.
"See you later."
They parted with brief nods—Emilia following Edgar, Ethan trailing Chloe.
"Th-this is the room assigned to you, young master."
Following Chloe's lead, he surveyed his quarters. Far more luxurious than anticipated—spacious, with a plush bed. A massive upgrade from the hard, cold mine floors.
"I'll prepare warm bathwater for you. Please wait a moment."
"Mm."
As Chloe left to ready the bath, Ethan began inspecting his new space thoroughly. Just in case of hidden traps or spying eyes, he pulled out the magic tool from Bella—a small wand-like device to detect tampering.
Gotta put in the effort.
Scanning every corner yielded no reaction—safe. Satisfied, he summoned his status window.
Captain, just give the order.
Absolute authority over Black Raven. But concealing his captaincy made casual use tricky. Ordering family-related tasks would tip them off. They might not pinpoint him as captain, but underestimating Black Raven was folly. Caution was key.
No helping it.
He wanted all Hartwell intel, but couldn't risk it. Time for another approach.
I should send a gift too.
The stepmother and brothers hadn't greeted him, but he wasn't petty. Her birth family, a barony, must be suffering from the mine investments. He'd ease that a bit. A thriving family meant a better position for him. Perfect chance to help.
He eyed the status window and issued the command to Black Raven.
"Investigate all merchant groups and nobles hit by the principality's mine shutdowns, and support them as much as possible."
Captain's order confirmed.
The status reacted. Unlike last time's vague "investigate," this was direct: support those damaged by the mine paralysis.
They'll handle it fine with this.
The reason was simple. Many merchant groups and nobles had invested—not just the countess's family. By not specifying Hartwell, he cleverly aided her birth house indirectly.
That's family spirit.
No blood tie, but their fates were linked now. Mutual prosperity benefited all. A strange pride swelled in him.
Soon, Chloe announced the bath was ready. He headed to the bathroom.
Ariel had been swamped. Reviewing reserve members' promotions per the captain's orders had kept her up nights. Exhaustion built, but a smile never left her lips. The captain cared about Black Raven—that much was clear.
Processing tasks joyfully, she sensed a familiar presence.
"Hm?"
A new command from the captain.
"This...?"
But it baffled her. Utterly contradictory.
Why support them?
He'd first ordered investigation of Hailstone's magic stone mines—not mere probing, but punishment for daring to challenge Black Raven. Yet now: aid the victims.
Hmm...
Ariel pondered. Surely a deeper intent lurked. A test, perhaps.
Too tough.
But quitting wasn't an option. She'd unravel it slowly.
Start with those tied to the mines.
Secure lists of merchant groups and nobles, dissect their info, deduce the "support" meaning from clues.
"Reaper, captain's orders."
A black-masked man emerged from the shadows, waiting silently.
"Fetch the full list of merchant groups and nobles who funded the principality's magic stone mines. Not one missing."
"......"
He dissolved into shadow at her command. But her work continued.
Scanning desk papers, one report caught her eye.
SUMMARY: Fire Tower mage visited village near magic stone mine. Investigation confirms: Hartwell count's bastard was there.
Trivial, unrelated to Black Raven. Yet it nagged her.
Hm.
The captain had ordered mine probes and Fire Tower master on standby. Seemingly unconnected, but...
Hartwell territory falls under Eighth Elder.
Eighth Elder—one of Black Raven's council of elders, veteran powerhouses rooted in Hartwell lands.
Better contact him.
Ariel's duties pressed on.