3 days had passed since Leonhart's arrival in Esvet, but contrary to everyone's expectation, nothing happened. He neither roam around the town ordering them to do something for him, nor visited any pubs or casinos. Just shut himself up inside the mansion. It was the biggest let down for the local nobles who expected him to party with them and they were prepared beforehand, but nothing happened.

As for James, he spent these days eating, reading the whole freaking long finances and ledgers and also huge ass history books of this barony and sleeping. Apart from that, he did nothing. He was told to learn, he learned that's it, nothing more than that.

And another reason for him to avoid going outside was the spotlight. Everywhere he would go, people would look at him like he was some sort of rare animal who would go extinct at any moment, and he didn't like it. Also, he had no one to talk, so reading was the only feasible way to spend these long hours.

Another thing he did in the last three days was to make a plan for how he could get back. The plan went like this. He was here in Espedor because a truck hit him and he died or well that's what happened so... The point was he died and came here, so what if he died again?

He knew it's a stupid plan but was somewhat understandable and explainable, not like the unexplainable shit he was experiencing about how he was in someone else's body.

So, moving on... he would try to die again and see if he could get back... But... Would he able to get back... That was the biggest question he was stuck with. What if this time he dies for sure? What if he would get sent to hell?

He was in Espedor because of some unexplainable shitty phenomenon, but what about death... Was it explainable?

So, just like that, he was stuck in the middle of planning, having no idea about what he was doing or why he was even doing it.

***

The next day.

Inside a large room, a handsome individual with jet black hair and blue eyes could be seen sitting behind a large wooden desk, massaging his forehead. An enormous pile of papers was also present on the table just in front of him.

But he was not alone. Another six individual were also present and between them and the handsome individual stood the maid named Sophia.

"So you are telling me that Heinri... I mean, my father send these guys here to help me?"

"Yes Milord."

"But what took them so long?"

"We were busy with some personal affairs so..." said a tall man, probably in his mid-forties.

"You were all busy?"

"No... I mean..."

"Well... Whatever. Anything else for me?"

"Yes, a letter from the Duke."

The tall individual handed the letter to James, who carefully read the details and confirmed that these people were really sent by the duke. He already knew about these people's arrival and about the letter, but according to the duke, they had to be here before him not after four days. But whatever since they were here, they could do all the work and he could work on his unrealistic plan.

"Since you guys are here, there won't be any problem in managing this land, right?" asked James in a cheerful voice. He was indeed happy.

"Right." said the six unanimously. They were the duke's trusted aid and had significant power, but still were humans who feared the powerful. For them, Leonhart was both powerful and evil. Him being a sadistic bastard was known throughout the empire and they had to be prepared for the worst.

If something happened to one of them during these six months and even if the rest complained to the duke, then something ever happening to Leonhart was rare. He was the duke's son, and the duke would definitely take his side as his father. So being in his good grace would only benefit them.

"So guys, from now on, you are to manage this land. And I should get going... I have some important things to do..." said James, getting up from his seat. He had nothing significant to do expect planning his unreal plan, which would never succeed. Also, he had no interest in learning about managing something as he had the basic idea about it and it would only waste his time.

"But Lord Leon..." this time a man probably in his thirties out-voiced his concerns.

"What?" asked James, halting his movements.

"We can't manage this land."

"What do you mean by you can't? You guys are here to help me, right? Then help." said James with a frown.

"No.. I mean, we are here to help, but we can't just manage the land, like you said."

"Why?"

"It's just... Your father has strictly ordered us to help and supervise you. We can't just mange this barony instead of you." said the man with a forced smile. He didn't like where the conversation was going. He disagreed with a very irrational man, who did whatever he wanted and it was not a good sign for his future, but he couldn't just throw away the order of the duke. It would be considered as another crime, which was again problematic for his future. But for now, he was taking the risk of disagreeing with Leonhart cause he couldn't go against his father right.

"Oh..." Now everything made sense about them being hesitant. James also wouldn't disregard the Duke's order, because that man really was scary.

"Well... Then there is no choice." James was planning to agree with them as he had also no choice but to follow the order.

"Wait... wait.... wait..." shouted the group all at once. They din't want to get buried alive, so they had to make a compromise which was prepared beforehand, expecting this scenario.

"What?"

"We can manage the land instead of you, but you have to go through every paper and sign everything."

"You guys can do that." said James with a shocked expression. Just a moment ago, these guys were talking about how they must follow the Duke's order, but now within a minute they were saying the opposite thing.

"Yes."

"Then done. You guys would do all the things and I will just sign it." said James in a jocular tone. He never wanted to manage this land, but was getting forced to, so he welcomed their proposal whole heartedly. He felt a little bad for these guys, but oh well, this was their job to begin with, so...

"..." The group just nodded, saying nothing. They had already predicted this outcome, so after seeing everything went smoothly, they also took a sigh of relief.

"Very well then."

With that, their conversation ended and the group comprise six men exited the room, leaving the maid and the young Lord to themselves.

James sat down once again with a deep sigh. His cheerful demeanor couldn't be seen anymore, but was replaced with a stern expression. He was not confident in talking like this, but had completed the entire conversation with beaming confidence.

But in reality, he was trying his best to maintain it. One thing he had learned the most from his corporate job was that if he won't appear confident in front of other people or out-voice out his thoughts, then gradually they would value him less and less. And now he was trying to apply it in his life.

"Milord, it's time for lunch."

Snapping out of his thoughts were the words of Sophia. James hadn't realized that it was already lunch time. So he left the office with her for the dining table where the lunch was served.

***

In the Evening.

Inside the royal palace, a maid was walking towards a certain room, holding a tray with some snacks on it. She had been working here for as long as she can remember, but never once she regretted it. And today was also a day like any other, but she had something important to relay to her master.

As she opened the door, she was greeted by the very familiar sight she had been seeing for years.

A beauty girl with black hair and sharp black eyes holding a brush drawing something.

And it was none other than the princess herself who was drawing a painting of a bird inside a golden cage. After the last meeting with Leonhart and hearing his remarks, something inside her moved. From that day she was trying to recreate the drawing once again but with more definitions.

The maid placed the tray on the table and walked near her. Noticing the foot steps Elizabeth tilted her head towards the maid.

"Oh. Cadilla."

"Yes, Milady."

"When did you arrive?"

"Just a moment ago. I brought some evening snacks for you."

"Oh... Good." said the princess, looking towards the sunset before her.

"May I ask, what are you painting, milady?" Cadilla knew what it was as she had seen the same thing thousands of time but this time it was a little different.

"This... I was just... you know, doing the same thing every day," replied the girl with a smile.

"..." Nodded the maid with a smile, saying nothing.

"Milady... I have some news for you."

"What is it?"

"Apparently Duke Esper has declared that the Barony of Esvet would be in his direct control and his son... I mean, Lord Leonhart, would be put in charge of that land."

"What?"

"..."

"Why would he give him that much land to mange? And how in the world Leon just agreed?" asked Elizabeth with a shocked expression. She knew that Duke Esper was not an idiot and would never risk his own reputation by giving his son a barony to manage. But then why would he do that?

"6 days ago, Lord Leonhart left the duchy and went to Esvet."

"He already left." It was not only that Leonhart just agreed, but left with no commotion. It was too unreal to believe.

"Yes."

"Cadilla, how did you hear about this?"

"I just heard it from another maid who heard from another one who works at the duchy."

"..." Elizabeth just nodded.

She understood the Duke wouldn't do something that drastic with no purpose, but it was too much of a risk to let someone with a record of causing problems manage a realm of that size.

But now the only thing she could do was to hope that Leon wouldn't repeat his same mistakes.