Dare to Lie [Novel] Chapter 10 – The New Baron of Tesis

That was chilling in its own right.

Just imagining the hysterics Rosaline would throw upon her return made his throat go dry. Even the head maid, who had been so good at catering to the whims of the Baroness and Rosaline, had packed her bags and left not long ago.

‘Still, she’ll surely bring Emma with her. Then that girl will be able to calm the young lady down to some extent.’

He suppressed his anxiety by thinking of the cheerful maid who never failed to ask how he was doing whenever he sighed.

Three days after Ash visited me, I boarded a train headed for Tesis.

Tesis, which would have taken a full twelve hours by carriage, was only four hours away by train. The world had certainly become a better place.

The train journey wasn't bad. Sitting across from a stranger was awkward, but between watching the scenery out the window, reading a book, and buying snacks sold on the train, I arrived at Tesis Station before I knew it.

Of course, it took another hour in a hired carriage from there to finally reach Tesis Baronial Castle.

‘It hasn’t even been two months since I left, but it feels like it’s been forever.’

I readjusted my hairpins to ensure my veiled hat wouldn't slip off even by accident. This was the method I’d chosen to avoid having my identity discovered in Tesis. Who would say anything to someone wearing a black veil to honor the death of her parents?

Seeing the carriage stop at the main gate, Glen ran out, catching his breath as he opened the door and took my hand.

I responded to his greeting with a simple nod.

My heart hammered against my ribs, fearing he would find me strange at any moment.

‘Visualize it! I am the daughter of a baronial house returning after losing her parents. I used to be a spoiled brat living as I pleased, but I’ve come to my senses after a sudden tragedy.’

While leading Glen toward the drawing room, I interpreted my assigned role and immersed myself in it. I am Rosaline Tesis, I am Rosaline Tesis….

Taking the seat of honor at the drawing room table, I gestured for Glen to take a seat as well. I couldn't see clearly through the veil, but I could sense his bewilderment.

I took a deep breath.

Time seemed to stop for a moment. Glen stood as still as a stone statue, his eyes wide.

I let out another long sigh before speaking.

Now that I’d explained the reason for hiding my face, it was time to get to work.

I gave Glen a moment to process the situation before continuing.

Thanks to the emotions I’d drummed up, tears streamed down my face at the perfect moment. I pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at my eyes, taking the opportunity to gauge Glen's reaction.

Fortunately, despite his confusion, he seemed moved by the change in ‘Rosaline Tesis.’ As I thought, when you have to make an unconvincing argument, you have to appeal to emotion. See? It works.

‘This should serve as enough of an excuse for my behavior going forward.’

Of course, I could have acted exactly like Rosaline if I had to, but if I did that, this family would be ruined without question. It was nearly impossible to revive a collapsing house while acting like the real Rosaline Tesis.

But I had no intention of throwing away the noble status I’d gained without even being reborn.

I was going to overhaul this precarious household, set it right, and live a grand life like a real noble.

I finished wiping my tears and spoke with a determined posture.

This couldn't be pleasant for him. Unscheduled overtime, and acting as a tutor on top of that.

But I desperately needed his sincere help. So, I spoke with sincerity as well.

At that, Glen looked at me with an even more shocked expression than when he’d heard the Baron and his wife were dead. Even through the veil, I could clearly see his eyes bulging.

Well, it was that shocking. This spoiled brat offering an apology and gratitude to a servant at the same time.

I knew Rosaline wasn't the type to do that, so this was a gamble. I would either win his heart or arouse his suspicion.

The reason I placed the bet was that I knew Glen Hill to some extent. He was soft-hearted.

Exactly. The reason this man couldn't leave the Barony of Tesis was clearly that soft heart of his.

‘Poor Mr. Butler. But it’s lucky for me.’

To be honest, after traveling since early morning by train and carriage, I wanted nothing more than to rest, but I immediately changed my clothes and headed to the Baron's study.

I used to just carry tea in here, but now I was sitting in the seat of the head of the house. Life is something else….

In any case, my tutoring sessions with Glen began the very day I arrived in Tesis.

An ordinary commoner probably wouldn't have even understood what was written in the ledgers, but I could more or less follow what Glen was saying. I suppose I had my eventful and complicated past to thank for that.

I debated how to answer, then simply gave a slight smile and a shrug. Let him interpret it however he wanted.

I’d expected it, but this was a bit much.

It wasn't that there were no taxes being collected, but the bank loans were the problem. We were barely scraping by just to cover the monthly interest payments.

Glen's explanation was absurd.

Adam Tesis, who simply wanted to make a lot of money without putting in much effort, had invested a huge sum in an acquaintance's business without even looking into it properly.

And that person hadn't been in contact at all since receiving the investment.

‘He got scammed. Definitely scammed.’

Another problem was the Merchants' Association, which was refusing to pay taxes. And was it just taxes? They were even receiving subsidies under the pretext of the vigilante group.

‘To think he was pouring money into the very people he should have been collecting it from. Unbelievable.’

See? The world doesn't just leave foolish and naive prey alone. Even if that prey is a noble.

But I had no intention of remaining an easy target.

At that, Glen's face was flooded with emotion. Yes, that was an expression that could be described as nothing other than deep moved.

I spoke as if I didn't know why he was grateful, but then I muttered as a sense of dissonance struck me.

When I thought about it, I was already the Baron of Tesis.

However, in the Kingdom of Darka, young unmarried women were not addressed by their titles. It wasn't the law, but rather the custom.

It was common for a woman who inherited a title early, like me, to be called ‘my lady’ until she married. Even if I held the title, the one who would be called Baron would be my husband.

‘So that’s why even a rural noble like the Barony of Tesis could show their face in Herona—because the demand for titles is so high.’

I was learning more about noble society every day.

‘Is there a law saying a woman can’t be the head of the house? I’m the one who’s going to rebuild this pathetic family.’

I gritted my teeth, my eyes narrowing with fatigue.