Gradually, Lys's reputation among the German nobility began to rise steadily—both for her abilities and her responsibility and thoroughness.
The nobles could tell that Lys wasn't particularly sensitive to data and contract terms; she didn't even recognize some of the more obscure terminology.
But she made every effort to verify everything. Whether it was data from Britain or Germany, she would annotate it all.
She conscientiously bridged the unspoken rules between various parties regarding clauses, goods, and other matters, reducing misunderstandings and unnecessary communication.
She didn't have to do these things, but by doing so, she saved both German and British sides considerable trial-and-error costs, allowing their collaborative framework to be built faster and better.
Lucius's letters also expressed appreciation for Lys's behavior. After all, given how clueless she'd seemed when first learning business processes under his guidance, Lucius had genuinely intended to send her over merely as a mascot.
In his letter, he also hinted that Lys shouldn't return to Britain unless necessary—the Lord was constantly searching for someone or something, and half of Britain had been turned upside down.
Bellatrix had used this opportunity to settle scores with many wizards who had previously wavered between the Dark and Light Lords, as well as die-hard supporters of the Order of the Phoenix.
In short, Britain's wizarding world was now chaotic and dangerous.
Lys indicated she understood, then sent Lucius several highly profitable collaboration documents that Noah had calculated.
Standing in the garden trimming roses that had grown wild due to Germany's superior lighting conditions, Lys absent-mindedly cut several wounds on her hands.
Looking for someone?
Looking for something?
Had Regulus really stolen that Horcrux?
Would the traces she'd left there be blamed on that young man?
But was the Dark Lord searching for that locket?
How much had Regulus known, and how far had he gotten before disappearing?
Was he now at the bottom of the sea? Or was he still alive? Had he truly discovered the Dark Lord's secret? Had he actually obtained it?
Thinking it over, though somewhat off-topic, Lys just wanted to ask one question—
What was the point?
Even if you verified the madness of someone you'd admired, even if you found ways to understand the source of his arrogance, what then? If he died himself, even if the Black family could someday truly break free, there would be no one left in the family!
There would be nothing left at all.
Moreover... Lys pictured the seductive "Tom" written in that tempting book in the Malfoy vault, Dumbledore's use of "Tom" when addressing the Dark Lord, combined with Lucius's evasiveness about its origins...
The answer was so simple—this Dark Lord had gone mad to the point of disregarding all taboos. This madman's reliance had never been on just one thing...
What was the point...
"Little star? What are you thinking about? Your hands are bleeding from the thorns!"
Snapped back to attention, Lys flicked her wand to heal the shallow wounds, leaving only pink traces.
"Nothing... I was just distracted for a moment."
Frowning, Lys continued thinking: So was the Dark Lord searching for what she suspected?
Noah was on the lawn maintaining Senna's broomstick. Looking toward Lys, he said:
"Relax, little star. No one can perfectly shoulder all responsibilities and expectations. You've already done very well, haven't you? You've handled those recent documents quite excellently."
Lys vanished the fallen branches and leaves on the ground with her wand, then nodded and changed the subject:
"Can you understand the German they speak at the market? If not, I'll accompany you next time." Lys suggested, looking at the dictionary and maintenance kit's German instructions in Noah's hands.
"Haha, no need. Senna and I both have experience communicating with foreigners. We can get what we want through gestures and guessing, but next time we really do need you to come out with us."
Noah was about to decline but remembered something, his face showing excitement as he arranged a time with Lys.
"That person seems to only come to the market on the first of each month to sell things. Come with us then—Senna's quite interested in those books, but neither of us can be certain about their contents."
To ensure she could go shopping with her parents punctually on the first, Lys simply didn't return home on the last day of the previous month.
First she attended a banquet, then settled a stack of documents, then met with Lulu's mother in the middle of the night to resolve some 'minor problems' encountered during local development.
The sun was nearly rising when Lys finally returned to her room, destroyed the blood-stained wizard robes she wore, and changed into a fresh set.
This was the advantage of not living with her parents—they wouldn't worry about you not coming home all night, then spend the next day looking at you with concerned faces.
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