Chapter 7

“This… this is impossible. What in the world… Just how much is this…?”

Hermann took the document from Diana’s hand and read it aloud.

“If it’s 700 million Sorna… then it’s about 1750 Reed. This isn’t all, there will be more land and buildings to be given in the future.”

Hermann’s words didn’t register in her head.

“Since it’s complicated to transfer ownership of non-gold coins, we should deal with them later when you become an adult. By then you can deal with the inheritance tax on your own through a lawyer.”

“Yes?”

“I was barely able to transfer the gold coins because I was listed as your guardian. If it weren’t for the fact that I met Mayor Aachen in advance and passed the guardian request right away, we wouldn’t have been able to transfer them at all. I can also still use the property if you’re a minor, but don’t worry about it because I don’t have any thoughts of touching it.”

“Yes?”

“First, here is 100 Reed.”

Herman put the trading form he held onto the side. A 100 gold coins glistened brightly in front of her. She breathed in with a gasp, her shaking eyes fixed on the box of coins.

She didn’t remember how she walked out after that. By the time she had come to her senses she was already in the carriage.

Diana looked at the gold coins she was holding.

An image of a bird flying while holding a branch with leaves was on the gold coin.

Diana looked at the coin with shaking eyes and bit it.

“What are you doing…?”

Her forehead crumpled at the sudden appearance of Hermann.

“Why are you biting that? It’s dirty so quickly spit it out!”

Hermann took the gold coin from her. At the sight of Diana’s teary eyes, Hermann sighed and took something out of his chest pocket then put it into her mouth.

“If you’re hungry, eat this.”

Diana mumbled as the thing entered her mouth.

“Kwandy!”

Her pronunciation was strange. Diana gulped and pushed the candy to one side of her cheek before speaking again.

“Is this lemon-flavored candy?”

“You like candy?”

“Yes.”

“I have a lot. Here. Keep it all.”

Hermann rummaged through his chest pocket and gave a handful of candies to Diana.

“Hermann, please keep one for yourself.”

“I don’t like sweet things.”

Then why did he have this candy?

After reading the cues, Diana asked carefully.

“Did you buy this because of me?”

“No!”

“Ah… yes.”

As expected, such a thing was impossible.

Hermann looked at Diana who was quietly eating another candy and rummaged through his chest pocket again.

No way, it’s not more candy, right?

But, what he took out was two gold coins. He put them in his palm and showed them to Diana.

“Huh? They look different…”

“Yeah. The gold coin with a bird on it is Reed. Do you see the leaves on the branch it’s holding? You can see when this was issued through that. And, if you turn the angle like this… Can you see it?”

Diana nodded her head as she saw the leafy parts sparkling as if they were breaking into pieces.

“Ohri Bank is the only bank who puts magic in their coins, that’s why it sparkles. People just need to check that part and they’ll know it’s real. It can’t be copied by anybody. And this other one is the Derek gold coin that was issued by the Empire.”

In Diana’s small hand, Hermann placed the Reed gold coin and the Derek gold coin.

“The Derek gold coin is smaller and thicker than Reed.”

It was definitely different in size. The Derek gold coins were also stamped with a rising sun instead of the bird on the Reed coin.

“However, if you compare the weights of these two, they are the same. If the two are weighed and they are different, it means there’s a problem.”

Hermann flicked the Reed coin with his finger. Diana’s eyes followed the gold coin that moved.

“Gold coins that aren’t Reed sometimes play with purity, but all the money I use is Reed. After all, no one dares to mess with Reed because that person will definitely get caught right away.”

“Ah.”

“That’s why you don’t have to bite it to check.”

“I see….”

“…Who in the world still says that you have to bite it to confirm it’s real. I can’t believe it.”

Blinking her eyes, Diana said carefully.

“It was Mrs. Martin who told me….”

Hermann, who was annoyed, paused.

“…Well, it’s also possible that some people are simply not aware yet”

“….”

“….”

“….Pfft!”

Diana burst into laughter. The candy that was in her mouth almost popped out.

In the meantime, the carriage finally arrived at its destination. A woman was waiting for them as the two got off the carriage.

“I’ve been informed in advance that you were coming.”

A woman with her hair up asked, guiding them.

“Is there any particular house that you want?”

The idea of buying a house had not even registered in Diana’s mind yet. Her mouth was shut like a honeyed mute, but Hermann was different.

“We’re looking for a house that has a garden with a high fence and a moderate amount of distance from all the other houses. Three or more servants will be living with the owner, so we’re looking for one with more than five rooms. It would be great if the place was near clean streets, a security guard, and relatively quiet.”

Hermann’s long string of words slowly started sounding like a spell instead of a house request.

“The price will be quite high for a house of such quality. Dear customer, will it be okay?”

“Of course.”

Hermann glanced at Diana and raised his chin.

“I don’t care about the price.”

‘I never thought such words could be said…!’

It felt like she was introduced to a whole new world.

The woman’s face was full of joy.

“Then please wait for a moment.”

Hermann nodded. After being guided to a place that looked like a drawing room they sat down and after a while a servant came in.

Diana instinctively got up.

“You can just sit back comfortably.”

“Ah, um… Yes.”

Diana awkwardly sat on the edge of the sofa as the servant put the tray down. The idea of being served made her feel uncomfortable.

The servant put down the teacup and a plate of snacks and left.

Hermann picked up the teacup in front of him without hesitation.

‘Can I drink what’s in front of me? Can I eat these snacks too?’

There were some round cookies on the plate. After looking at it for a long time, Diana finally picked it up.

The outside of the snack was hard, but she could taste the soft cream after she bit it. Her eyes opened wide at the crisp yet moist texture.

‘It’s delicious!’

Diana who was admiring the taste devoured the tea and snacks. In an instant, all the snacks on the plate disappeared.

“You want more?”

Hermann looked at her with a surprised look. Diana quickly came to her senses.

“Cough, no. I-It’s okay….”

Diana hurriedly wiped her lips. The woman came back into the drawing room just in time.

“Everything is set. We can go see the house now.”

Hermann pointed to the plate and said,

“Is there any more of it?”

“Ah!”

Diana gasped at Hermann in surprise. The woman smiled softly and asked.

“Oh my, does it suit your taste? Should I bring some more?”

“Just give her a few more.”

“Understood.”

Diana’s ears turned red.

“T-thank you.”

***

The first house was by Aachen’s main street. The woman got off the carriage and opened the front door with a key. When Diana went inside, she could smell the scent of delicious freshly baked bread. Diana sniffed.

“Are you hungry?”

Hermann noticed Diana’s actions and asked.

“No. It just smells delicious. I’m full because I ate a lot of snacks.”

“Okay.”

Diana laughed softly

She felt warm and fuzzy, knowing that there was someone who cared for her.

‘It feels quite nice…’

Diana walked around the mansion, unable to hide the fact that she was so happy she could fly away.

“Is this a rocking chair?”

Standing in front of the fireplace, Diana pushed the back of the chair with her hands. It tilted, swaying back and forth.

“Would you like to sit down?”

“No. It’s okay.”

“Just sit down.”

Before she knew it, Hermann appeared and encouraged her.

“T-then, just for a moment….”

Diana carefully sat in the chair, making it swing weakly back and forth.

“Woah.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes.”

Hermann approached Diana whose face was flushed. For some reason, she had an ominous feeling. Before she could quickly get up, Herman’s hand came first.

“You’re too timid. You have to shake this much.”

Hermann pulled the chair back.

“Oh my!”

Diana startled and grabbed the armrests. Fortunately, the chair soon returned back to normal. Diana quickly jumped up with her hand on her fluttering heart.

Hermann smiled nonchalantly and went away, saying he would look at the other rooms. The woman looked at them with clear appreciation in her eyes and said,

“Your father is very playful.”

“Yes?!”

Diana jumped up again. The woman opened her eyes wide, surprised by Diana’s response.

“H-he’s not my f-father….”

Diana said, glancing in the direction Hermann went. The woman immediately took back her words.

“Ah, I apologize.”

Diana looked down at the carpet and intertwined her hands.

“Diana! Come here!”

“Yes!”

Diana ran towards the voice calling her from the inside.