Chapter 104: A Surprise Visit
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: A Surprise Visit
Screaming internally, I maintained a calm smile.
"Not yet."
Perel might seem like he was just going about his business, but he was incredibly sharp.
It was beyond embarrassing that Janet, who was supposedly my maid, was trying to use a honey trap on my husband’s aide to act as a spy.
I need to cut off any lingering hope before she does anything weirder.
I was racking my brain while pouring Raphael a bit more tea when it happened.
The timing was almost too perfect.
Perel was hurrying toward us.
Janet called out to him with a bright face, but the aide came straight to me.
"Your Highness, we have a problem," Perel whispered, leaning in slightly. "The delegation has arrived at the port."
My voice rose instinctively. "They weren't supposed to arrive for another two days."
"I’m not sure what happened either." Perel looked troubled. "The problem is that they are a delegation representing the King of Rondoris, so we must greet them accordingly. Normally, the Grand Duke would have gone, but..."
"I suppose I must go."
I didn't know what they were plotting, but arriving early without notice was a bold move.
People are the same whether it’s this world or my old one.
Back then, there were often advertisers who would ignore the event schedule and barge in early. In most cases, they did it specifically to find something to nitpick.
I had a feeling their target wasn't Loik.
Is it me?
Perhaps they were still considering a remarriage between their princess and the Grand Duke. Were they trying to humiliate the Marquis's daughter who had snatched away the Grand Duke they’d set their sights on?
They probably want to prove I’m unfit to be the Grand Duchess.
Whatever their intention, I wasn't about to let them scratch my pride.
"First, have all the carriages in the Grand Duke's Castle ready to depart for the port."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And send half of the circulating carriages at the lakeside to the port as well."
"The circulating carriages too?"
"More people might have come than expected. We need backups just in case."
I turned to Reta, who was standing nearby.
"Tell Mrs. Benet to station all the maids at the Guest Castle. Have them start by airing out every room, including the spares."
I gently stroked Raphael’s hair. "Raphael, why don't you head back to your room for today?"
"Okay."
Being mature for his age, Raphael nodded obediently.
"Sir Perel, you will depart with me. I’ll change and be down as quickly as possible."
As Perel nodded, Janet spoke up.
"How can I help?" she asked, looking at Perel. "You must be short-handed. Since I’m practically the Consort’s maid, I’d like to help too."
You staying still is the best way to help, you know.
I was flabbergasted by her audacity in such an urgent situation.
"Ah! Miss Janet..." Perel began, looking as if he’d almost forgotten her. "Please return to your room and do not leave the annex until further instructions."
"Pardon?"
Despite his polite tone, it was a firm command. Janet looked dazed, as if she had misheard him.
"It’s the protocol," the aide said pointedly. "When royal-tier guests enter the castle, outsiders who are not part of the party are not permitted to leave their designated buildings without permission."
"Oh, I see. That is the rule."
His firm stance was incredibly refreshing.
I happened to catch Cecilia’s eye, and she rolled her eyes as if to say, See?
Told you he has a sharp side, didn't I?
Perel gave an order to the guards following him, and one stepped forward in front of Janet.
"I will escort you to the annex."
With a distorted face, Janet forced a smile and turned away.
When I quietly asked Raphael if he would be okay, my sweet younger brother nodded readily.
I don't want us to cause any trouble for you, Sister. I'm fine.
I gave Raphael a small wave and hurried to my room to change into today’s battle gear.
*
Count Pacio, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the Rondoris delegation, stood on the pier, braving the salty sea breeze.
"How much of the luggage has been unloaded?"
"About half of it now," the Vice Minister standing behind him replied.
"Spread it out as much as possible. Make sure it’s clear that the delegation is being left stranded on the pier."
"Will that be alright? Strictly speaking, isn't this a discourtesy on our part?"
"Most of the people here probably didn't even know we were coming anyway."
Pacio clasped his hands behind his back leisurely and looked around.
The guards who had met the delegation at the port were clearly flustered. Not only was it startling that a delegation supposed to arrive in two days had suddenly appeared with the ridiculous excuse that the winds were favorable, but the scale of the luggage and personnel was far larger than what had been reported.
Pacio was famous among neighboring countries for his exceptional diplomatic skills. In particular, catching the opponent off guard to seize control of the atmosphere was one of his specialties.
The less experienced someone was, the more easily they would panic at small variables.
The Grand Duchess must be in a frenzy right about now due to this early visit.
He would have to apologize for the discourtesy later, but it was a price worth paying.
The Princess did ask personally, after all.
— "I hope the Grand Duchess of Blenheim's inadequacies are revealed as clearly as possible during this delegation's visit."
The Princess had been very direct with her demands. She must have been deeply dissatisfied that her marriage to the Grand Duke had fallen through.
As soon as Count Pacio heard that the Grand Duke had left the castle, he had pushed the schedule forward to force the visit. It was all to ensure the Grand Duchess would have to greet them herself.
He held no personal grudge, but Pacio intended to make things as difficult as possible for the Grand Duchess until the Grand Duke returned.
They were just finishing unloading the luggage. More and more eyes were turning toward the delegation standing idly in the center of the port.
It would be even better if the Grand Duchess didn't show up to greet us at all.
Unfortunately for Pacio, a procession of carriages from the Grand Ducal household came into view in the distance.
"It is an honor to meet Your Highness the Consort. I am Kuan Pacio, representative of His Majesty the King of Rondoris."
Pacio offered a dignified smile and extended his hand.
Behind him stood the delegation, and behind the Grand Duchess stood a crowd of administrators from the castle. All those people were watching the two of them.
The Grand Duchess would likely be expecting the Imperial etiquette of having the back of her hand kissed. However, Pacio requested a handshake in the Rondoris style.
If the Grand Duchess raises her hand incorrectly here, that alone will make the situation awkward.
But to his surprise, the Grand Duchess skillfully took his hand and shook it.
"It is a pleasure. Please understand that I am greeting you in his stead, as the Grand Duke is currently away from the castle."
She spoke while giving his hand a firm squeeze.
"You’ve had a long journey, Count Pacio. It seems we’ve kept our guests waiting outside for too long. Let us head to the castle."
Pacio had no choice but to nod at her concise, professional greeting.
As the two of them began to walk ahead, the Vice Minister, catching a signal from Pacio, struck up a conversation with Perel, who was following behind the Grand Duchess.
"Sir Perel, it has been a long time."
"Vice Minister Delon."
"There is something I should mention... the delegation's entourage is slightly larger than what was previously stated."
"Ah, larger by how much...?"
"Thirty-two people were added to the list we sent last time."
"Thirty-two?" Perel’s voice rose.
"My apologies. It was a last-minute decision. I suppose there won't be enough carriages?"
Delon waved his hand as if being generous. "Don't worry too much. The extra personnel will wait at the port, and you can send carriages back for them later. If that’s not feasible, we’ll try to find some public stagecoaches ourselves."
"That won't be necessary," the Grand Duchess said, suddenly looking back.
Not necessary? What does she mean? Even at a glance, there are clearly too few carriages for the number of people.
She gave Perel a slight nod.
"The circulating carriages are here, so it should be enough, right?"
At the Grand Duchess's words, Perel gave a broad smile.
"They are on standby right nearby."
As he relayed the message to an administrator standing behind him, the man immediately left to carry out the order.
Circulating carriages? What are those?
Rondoris and Blenheim shared a border and were geographically close, but the capital of Rondoris was located much further northwest, deep within the continent.
It wasn't surprising that news of the circulating carriages, which had already become a sensation in Blenheim, hadn't reached the capital of Rondoris yet. After all, Rondoris was a much more commercially advanced nation and felt no particular need to pay attention to Blenheim.
Regardless, showing curiosity now won't help in maintaining the upper hand.
Pacio was keeping his mouth shut and suppressing his curiosity when someone spoke up.
"Excuse me, but what is a circulating carriage?"
One of the merchant guild leaders had asked the question, completely oblivious to the tension.