A Guide to Raising a Villainess-Chapter 124: Negotiations

Ultimately, after what we had to endure in the village, I continued to think about it for some time. These thoughts lingered in my head, swirling around like annoying flies, and I couldn’t get rid of them.

These thoughts haunted me every step of the way as we walked along the road, and even when the outline of the count’s estate appeared in the distance. Only when we finally reached its gates did I feel the weight lift slightly from my shoulders.

When we arrived at our destination, I finally had to pull myself together. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the trembling in my hands and banish all the dark images from my mind.

"Auntie, are you feeling all right?" Ruby asked me anxiously, taking my hand. Her voice was quiet, and there was real concern in it.

"Yes, I’m fine," I replied, trying to smile, although the smile came out weak and uncertain. In fact, I hadn’t quite recovered yet, but I didn’t want to upset her even more. We had both been through too much, and now we had to hold on.

When we returned to the estate, the count’s servant came out to meet us. He bowed and informed us that the count was now ready to receive us.

With that, we immediately headed to the living room, where he was already waiting for us. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and soft light from the fireplace casting warm shadows on the walls. There was a slight smell of wood and old books in the air, which calmed my nerves a little.

When I saw the man in the living room, he smiled. He stood up to greet us, and his movements were graceful, like those of a man accustomed to power and etiquette. The count was younger than I had expected, with a penetrating gaze and a manner of carrying himself.

"Ladies, I am pleased to welcome you to my home," said the count, his voice deep and calm, with a hint of irony.

He gestured for us to sit down, and I noticed Ruby nervously clutching the hem of her dress, trying to keep her composure.

The atmosphere in the room felt tense, despite the cozy fire in the fireplace, and I could feel my heart beating faster — after all, this conversation could decide our fate.

After that, we sat down.

I sank into a soft armchair, trying to hide my fatigue, and Ruby settled down next to me.

The count sat opposite us, his figure looking imposing in the dim light, and I couldn’t help but think how different he was from his father.

"I hear," he began, leaning back in his chair with lazy grace, "that you have come from the capital especially for this matter. How commendable.So you yourself understand how serious the situation surrounding your mine is."

His words hung in the air like a challenge, and I felt anger boiling up inside me.

Nevertheless, I met his gaze calmly.

"As far as I know, the mine belongs to me by legal contract. The papers were drawn up during the lifetime of your father, Count Henry Trevern," I said firmly, though my voice faltered slightly.

Ruby sighed quietly beside me, and I felt her squeeze my hand under the table, trying to convey her support.

"That’s right," the count nodded, a slight smirk in his voice that didn’t bode well. He crossed his legs, his posture relaxed, but his gaze remained sharp as a blade. "But at that time, my father was already in poor health. Sick and weakened. I don’t think he fully realized what kind of land he was transferring." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

I tilted my head slightly to one side.

"If you mean to say that your father was incapacitated, then I’m afraid you’ll have to provide a medical report to prove it," I replied, my voice cold and firm.

His lips twitched slightly — not a smile, but rather irritation, quickly hidden behind a mask of calm.

"Of course. I prepared before our meeting. And the medical report is also ready."

"Really?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"I prefer to rely on common sense and the law," replied the count. "Especially when it comes to those who try to take what does not belong to them."

There was a short pause.

The count leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table.

"Lady, you understand what I’m talking about."

"Not really," I smiled slightly, "but I suppose you will kindly clarify your point."

The count narrowed his eyes, studying me intently, as if weighing my every word.

"You are a clever woman," he finally said. "And that’s why I find it strange that you continue to insist on your position, knowing full well the consequences."

"Consequences?" I slowly folded my hands in my lap. "If you’re talking about legal proceedings, then I’m ready for them. If you’re talking about something else... I’m afraid you’re being too vague."

Ruby next to me tensed noticeably, but I touched her hand lightly, letting her know that everything was under control.

The count smiled quietly.

"This mine has already caused unrest in the nearby villages. Attacks, disappearances, rumors..." He paused, watching my reaction."It would be extremely unpleasant if all this continued. Especially for its current owner."

"Are you saying," I said evenly, "that the problems that have arisen in the area should suddenly force me to give up my property?"

"What I’m saying," his voice grew colder, "is that you are a stranger in these lands. And I am the count responsible for order and security."

I looked him straight in the eye.

"Then, as the person responsible for order, you should be interested in finding the true cause of the unrest, not looking for a convenient excuse to deprive someone of their property."

The count’s gaze darkened for a moment.

"You are stubborn."

"I’m just defending what’s mine," I replied calmly. "And if you have evidence that I’m wrong, I’m willing to hear it. But threats disguised as concern are unlikely to impress me."

There was a silence. Even the servants at the door seemed to hold their breath.

Finally, the count leaned back and smiled slowly, this time without irritation.

"Well..." he drawled. "In that case, our conversation has only just begun."

I didn’t look away.

"Then let’s be frank," I said. "You didn’t invite us here for small talk."

The count laughed briefly and snapped his fingers. One of the servants immediately approached and silently placed a thick folder tied with a ribbon on the table.

"Here are the testimonies," said the count, "statements from the villagers, reports from the guards, and... something else."

I was in no hurry to reach for the folder.

"That’s interesting," I remarked. "Usually, such documents are handed over through the court, not behind closed doors in a living room."

"Court is a long process," his tone softened, becoming almost confidential. "And the situation requires quick decisions. Especially considering that your mine stands on land with... a history."

Ruby shuddered involuntarily.

"A history?" she asked before I could stop her.

The count glanced at her briefly and nodded.

"Old workings. Abandoned tunnels. Rumor has it that the previous owners had their share of misfortunes. People believe in curses, you know. And when people believe, they become dangerous."

I finally opened the folder and quickly scanned the first few pages.

"Rumors and fears of peasants are a weak argument," I said. "And certainly not grounds for transferring ownership."

"Of course," the count clasped his hands together. "That’s why I’m proposing a compromise."

I looked up at him.

"I’m listening."

"You temporarily suspend work and transfer the mine to my control," he said calmly. "Until we ’resolve’ the situation. In return, I guarantee your safety and generous compensation."

Tension hung in the room.

"You want me to voluntarily give up my rights," I said slowly, "under the pretext of caring for and protecting the local residents?"

"I want you to remain alive and unharmed," he replied without a hint of a smile.

I closed the folder and carefully pushed it back toward him.

"I’m afraid," I said evenly, "you underestimate me, Count. And you overestimate your influence."

His eyebrows rose slightly.

"Oh, on the contrary. That’s why you’re still sitting here and haven’t left the estate."

I stood up.

"Then let me clarify my position. I have no intention of stopping the work. And certainly not of handing the mine over to anyone else’s control. If you want to solve the problem, do it as a representative of the authorities. Legally and openly."

He was silent for a few seconds, then slowly got up after me.

"You are making a mistake, lady."

I smiled slightly.

"We’ll see about that."

I turned to Ruby.

"Let’s go."

As we headed for the exit, I could still feel his gaze on my back — heavy, persistent. But I tried not to pay attention to it, only clenching my fists tighter in my own inner indignation.