"The child was no lesser than the age of…hm, maybe the same age as you."


    Hahahah. You''ve got to be kidding me.


    "More so, he has a perfect arm, and a black dagger was on his waist."


    "How about a green robe?"


    "Nothing like that."


    "Can you further describe him?"


    Cashim thought for a moment, reminiscing what his subordinate told him. "Golden eyes, hair as fiery as an ember, tan skin that is maybe due to the sun, and he is quite a bright child. He looks just like a young Valharam. Hence, he seems to be living with an old lady."


    "Was there any scar on his heel?"


    "Nothing."


    "Nothing."


    Cashim tentatively asked, watching Ett''s expression, yet it was deadpanned as before, "Perhaps it is the Duke''s child?"


    "…"


    Did she unknowingly make a butterfly effect, or because it''s still far from the future? She thought there must be a possibility when she heard he was a child, but it seemed wrong.


    Ett, who was sitting ramrod, leaned back.


    "Still, let''s just wait for a bit of time."


    The Duke of Valharam may show himself.


    "Was what my Mistress would say."


    Cashim smiled, "Of course, you understand the pay too."


    "Money is not an issue for my Mistress."


    Now, Ett wonders if the mine she belongs to could last if she kept doing this. Hope it will. She looked back at the scroll. It was the area where Cashim''s subordinate found the child. They even have his portrait. It isn''t as detailed as Vincent Vangough, but she could see the child''s sketch.


    "…"


    Sorry, she can only depend on written text on how the person is described, not the face since it wasn''t a manhwa, manhua, comic, or manga story.


    Though it''s still a fantastic development in this era, it mostly does painting instead of black and brown sketches and uses frescos for highly esteemed places. Still, they provided Ett with a visual presentation and then nothing.


    "And this is…"


    "It''s the inside structure of the Ostenian Duchy; it is still not completed. There might be more than what meets the eye. It took a while, and we could get overboard, but it would cause suspicion on our part. The Ostenian nobles, especially the Duke, are quite leery."


    The previous one he gave to Ett was the territory that was owned by the Ostenian Duchy. Some were marked as not part of the noble''s record, which was quite helpful when collecting information for more extensive schemes in the future. After all, they must know everything before moving with a bang.


    His subordinate must have been as overtly careful as possible to do this. The layout was too detailed; everything was included outside the mansion. The estate''s surroundings and all that could be seen by the eye.


    "Forgive me if we made a copy; it''s a way for my subordinate to know if any more hidden rooms exist in the Duchy. He had based most of his time in the library whenever he sneaked out; some were not recorded, which took time."


    Ett can''t help but admire the subordinates of Cashim.


    "How efficient."


    "For a child such as your caliber to say that, do put me in good words for your Mistress."


    He signaled money with the use of his fingers. Feels like when Ett watched a movie about an Italian and said delicious with his finger or perfect.


    "I will."


    A generous reward it is.


    "Wonderful!"


    "What else?"


    Cashim shrugged. "Beyond that, the Duke remains steadfast within the confines of his estate, seldom venturing beyond its borders. It is rare for the Duke''s family to leave their ancestral home, preferring to remain in seclusion. On occasion, they indulge in gambling or attend gatherings with their trusted associates. As of now, nothing in their conduct has stirred any cause for suspicion."


    No, they are really good at concealing everything if that''s the case.


    Now that Ett thinks about it, even her lyrebird Eru has not returned even after so many months. She can''t be sure if it''s normal for the old Ett or if something has now happened to Eru.


    She hopes Eru can return as soon as possible or be smart enough to sense upcoming danger. The novel doesn''t specify much about the crimes of the Ostenian Duchy; it just mentions later that they all died in Guren''s hand. Or maybe there were parts she didn''t remember enough…


    "What about the 2nd Commander of the Larak Empire?"


    She first thought he was an impressive commander when he saw him at the banquet. He stood motionless at one side like a statue with a face that says, ''Don''t come or else.'' Yet that alone catches her eyes.


    Yes, Ett tends to notice people who are alone and staying behind more than those who mingle with others.


    "It''s quite fascinating."


    "Hm?"


    "He is the son of the Duke of Isadel; his mother was the sister of the Larak Emperor."


    Like in some novels, he was an illegitimate child of the Larak Emperor. Then either he is a close confidante of the 3rd Prince Bishon, a neutral subject, or he dislikes him. Which could it be?


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "The 2nd in Command, Alatair, accompanied him by the suggestion of the Emperor."


    Right, how stupid. Why didn''t Ett think about the person above the prince? Tsk. She needs to work her brain more.


    "But there''s nothing about it."


    "You''re too eager, child."


    Ugh. I hate that you''re calling me child. But it''s true I''m a child and eager to find out. I take back the need to work my brain more when you can tell me.


    "One of our men died because of this."


    "My mistress will provide four times, no five times the compensation."


    "Should I trust your words?"


    "Leave it to me."


    "Good."


    Cashim gave her another document.


    This time, it was a letter. However, it was written in a language Ett could not understand. It must be known that Ett is multi-linguistic, even if she doesn''t study often. That''s because being caged in the palace is one of her hobbies. Soon, it became her weapon in implementing her plans.


    Sadly, she, the current Ett, didn''t inherit her memories. Thank goodness she could practice and walk her way through pretending to be noble with ethics and grace.


    "It was hard to obtain, but this was one of the hints in knowing the truth."


    Cashim gave her another copy, which was translated. "They used their old language that most people nowadays don''t know. Thankfully, there was an elderly belonging to the empire who had done it for us."


    Ett, "And what did you do to the old man?"


    Cashim smiled, "Oh, he went to sleep living near the sea."


    "I see."


    Sleep and living life near the sea, a term Adiand coined, means they''re dead since Adiand people are near the high cliffs with the sea as their backdrop.


    Cashim continued, "They were actually twins."


    Indeed, it did mention something about the birth of both children. Even though it was vague, there were hints. But to who had written this letter and delivered it, it was not said whether the Duchess was yet graceful, and from how elegant it was being written and its way of words, it seems like the Duchess.


    Ett hates it; she could tell that her enemies would be top-notch. Is that why she entered an even more scheming villainess?


    "As to whether they know each other and how the 3rd Priince of Larak safely entered the palace, there''s little to no evidence."


    "That is enough."


    This is more than enough. Ett could feel schemes all over the place. It''s making her head hurt.


    Ett instinctively used her handkerchief, feeling something vile rise up to her throat. Swallow. Swallow. Swallow. You have no choice but to swallow.


    "Are you alright?"


    "Yes."


    Urgh.


    She can''t stay longer, and her mind is still weak to all this information without stressing too much. Ett took her purse, and it was one red coin.


    "Amra!"


    "This should suffice, right?"


    "This is too much, but how generous! Your Mistress is truly our valued customer! You have us at your beck call!"


    Look at this money-eyed person.


    The red coin, after all, is the highest form of money here. It''s comparable to a blank check and counted people know this. Although she''d be revealing a part of herself, it''s not that this person doesn''t know her ''Mistress'' is already in the upper echelon.


    Nevertheless, it would take him long before he ratted her out. The red coin can only be used in one bank, in which Akan would sign the Reserve Fund first if it were a red coin.


    "Your Mistress values me highly, huh? Then won''t she be afraid I''ll splurge as much as possible?"


    "You''re too smart and careful."


    Hehe, come and believe my lie.


    "Well, I am curious whether your words were intended as a compliment or a slight. Nevertheless, I shall graciously accept them as the former."


    "…" Why must you prolong your words to say my words are unbefitting of a child?


    "That''s all the information I had for now. Your Mistress can review what was written more carefully."


    Ett nodded and stood up.


    "I''ll come again."


    "Yes, I''ll be waiting."


    Cashim smiled amicably, his eyes shining money as he looked at Ett.


    "…"


    "Oh, here."


    She laid her purse on the table; it was a hefty amount.


    "Haven''t you given me the Red Coin already?"


    What is it now?


    "The street is dirty; order those children to clean it. Who knows, the Emperor may recognize your efforts."


    "!!!"


    "Hey…"


    However, Ett quickly left.


    Cashim laughed, "It seems her Mistress knows about my ambition, ah?"


    Is she telling him to act kindly to the poor and praise the Emperor, knowing he isn''t that kind of person; instead, he could even be viewed as leeching off to him?


    It strengthened his thoughts about her Mistress having a standing that could change the Emperor''s mind. But who is it?


    "Alright, there''s no harm in taking a gamble."


    Cashim whistled, taking the pouch in his hands.


    "Money really makes you work efficiently!"


    "Ah yes that handkerchief."


    Cashim ''s keen eye saw a beautiful mark on the edge of her handkerchief; even the aesthetic was simple, yet it reeked of gold.


    Well, it did have a scent of blood when she coughed, but the smell of money was more pungent.


    Cashim carefully draws the mark and style of the handkerchief. "Seems I had my own work to do as well~."