Chapter 190: An Unexpected Ally (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 190: An Unexpected Ally (1)
“It’s not like that,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s just that I believe it’s better for a maid to spend her time learning and improving, even if only a little, rather than wasting it on a meaningless punishment.”
“So, you’re saying that I, a guest, should teach the Grand Duchess’s maid? Are you implying that since I pointed out the flaw, I should be the one to fix it?”
A blue vein throbbed on the Countess’s thin forehead.
“This is absurd. Do you know what my nickname is? I am the ‘Dream Chaperone.’”
The Countess fumed, mentioning that noblewomen still constantly visited her estate, begging her to teach their daughters.
“And yet, you offer me the ‘opportunity’ to teach her as if you’re doing me a favor! By whose authority!”
“Oh dear. That wasn’t what I meant at all.”
I feigned a troubled expression. “I wasn’t asking you to personally tutor Cecilia, Countess.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“The reason I summoned the maid so urgently was to tell her to attend to you personally while you are here.”
Since you didn’t seem to bring any of your own attendants, I added silently.
The Countess’s eyes narrowed.
“Furthermore, the fact that Cecilia lacks refinement is partly my responsibility for not setting a proper example,” I continued. “But you, Countess, are a model for all noblewomen. I simply meant that merely serving you during your stay would be a great education for her.”
At those words, the Countess’s anger subsided slightly.
“I don’t let just anyone stay by my side,” she said, fiddling with a thin finger adorned with jewels. “It was my choice not to bring my own maids.”
“Still, it would be beneficial in many ways to have someone assist you while you’re in the North. You’ll need a guide when you go out as well.”
The Countess snorted. “It seems the Grand Duchess has no intention of entertaining me herself.”
Whatever, I thought. Do you have any idea how busy I am?
To be honest, I didn’t even want to share the dinner I was currently preparing with her.
“Regrettably, a scheduled guest is arriving at the castle tomorrow. I expect I’ll be away from my post quite often.”
The Countess’s lips tightened into a hard line. Since she was the one who had barged in without an appointment, she had no right to complain, even if she was offended.
“And who might that be?”
“Countess Selvanis of Arsen.”
Once the opera had found its footing, I had sent an invitation to Countess Selvanis as promised. A reply filled with affection had arrived in less than a day, and the Countess was set to arrive at the castle tomorrow.
I hope she doesn’t find some strange fault with this, too.
While I was surreptitiously gauging her reaction, the Countess lifted her chin.
“I’d like to look around the Grand Duke’s castle. No matter how busy you are, surely the Grand Duchess can personally give me a tour?”
“Of course.”
I forced my lips upward into a smile.
Just how long is she planning to stay?
I felt exhausted before we had even begun.
*
Loik, who had returned from inspecting the boundary defenses, studied my face.
“I’m so tired.”
I was sprawled out on a long settee. Loik sat on the edge of the seat, narrowing his eyes as he brushed my hair back.
The Countess had swept through the castle as if she were some sort of inspector.
— “Are the flowers in the garden to the Grand Duchess’s taste?”
— “These curtains in the hallway... the style is quite different from the capital.”
— “What is that place for? Playing ball? The servants?”
I only showed her places that wouldn’t pose a security risk, but still...
She had inspected everything so meticulously that I eventually began to worry if she was acting as a spy. Moreover, her stamina was incredible. Even after Cecilia and I, who were following her, were completely spent, the Countess was still full of energy.
I hope Cecilia is okay.
In the end, the Countess had taken Cecilia with her. Initially, I had planned to ask the Countess to take her because Cecilia was interested in the capital and I thought they would get along. But now that the situation had unexpectedly turned into a punishment, I worried about how uncomfortable it must be for her.
“Did the Countess give you a hard time?”
“Do you know something?” Loik asked, his thumb brushing over my lower lip. “Annette, you always bite your lip like this when you’re lying.”
“I’m not lying...” I murmured, wrapping my hands around Loik’s warm hand. “It’s just that I haven’t quite figured out what kind of person she is yet, so she’s a bit difficult to deal with.”
“I’ve heard she’s famous in the capital for being prickly and sensitive.” Loik frowned. “Don’t worry too much. I’ve called in reinforcements for dinner.”
“Reinforcements? Who?”
My voice rose involuntarily. If I didn’t have to face the Countess alone, I would welcome anyone right now.
“Hedrick is an old acquaintance of the Countess.”
“Oh... Sir Hedrick?”
My expectations deflated like a popped balloon. I liked Sir Hedrick, but wasn’t he the most stoic and blunt knight in the entire order?
I was hoping for someone who could actually help carry a conversation.
My reaction must have been too transparent, as Loik let out a chuckle.
“Don’t be too disappointed. Hedrick is surprisingly good at speaking when he needs to.”
Hedrick, who had frequently visited the capital with the previous Grand Duke in his youth, had apparently known the Countess since she was a young lady.
Loik, who had somehow managed to squeeze himself onto the small settee, wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close.
“More importantly, get some sleep before dinner. I haven’t been able to hold Annette for half a day... I need to recharge my energy.”
Loik closed his eyes as if he intended to fall asleep right then and there.
“Loik, go sleep in the bed.”
Instead of opening his eyes, Loik tightened his hold on me.
“It’s uncomfortable here.”
He couldn’t even stretch his legs out properly. Loik ignored me, softly pressing his lips to my forehead.
“Being next to Annette is the most comfortable place in the world for me.”
His rut should have been over, yet his body was still so warm. The pleasant heat soon brought a wave of drowsiness. Burying my face in Loik’s chest, I finally closed my eyes.
*
After a pleasant nap together, we headed to the dining room. We were sharing a brief conversation when the door opened, and the Countess entered, escorted by Hedrick.
Oh?
Was this the first time I’d seen him in full formal attire? Hedrick’s ash-gray hair and classic black suit complemented each other perfectly. And the silver-haired Countess, entering on his arm, seemed somehow much softer in demeanor.
We rose from our seats.
“Greetings, Aunt.”
“It gladdens me to see the Grand Duke has grown so well.”
Despite Loik’s stiff manner, the Countess accepted his greeting nonchalantly. After a few awkward exchanges, the banquet began.
Almond cream soup, grilled skewers with warm vegetables, steamed flounder with stuffing, and veal steak drizzled with spices—Berni’s dishes, prepared with extra effort upon hearing a Countess had arrived from the capital, were served one after another.
“Blenheim is cool even in the summer, I see.”
“It turns cold quickly once the sun sets. Please make sure to wear a shawl in the evenings.”
“What is this? It looks quite unique.”
“Is this your first time seeing Galapis? It’s a shellfish found only in the waters nearby. We usually eat it grilled like this.”
“The taste isn’t bad.”
What is going on?
Surprisingly, Hedrick was very adept at social conversation. I had expected him to remain silent as usual, only speaking when necessary, but he was comfortably drawing out responses from his companion.
And what’s going on with her?
The Countess’s cheeks were flushed as she spoke with Hedrick. The dryness she had shown toward Loik and me was nowhere to be found. Earlier in the day, she had looked like a withered person devoid of any vitality.
It was as if she were a person with nothing left but dry heat, desperately gathering anger to keep herself fueled.
Now, I almost doubted if the noblewoman before me was the same person who had been so difficult earlier. Thanks to this, the dinner proceeded much more comfortably than I had anticipated.
I was focusing on the food, occasionally adding a few words to their conversation, when Hedrick suddenly brought me up.
“The knights are very grateful to Her Highness for recently making training uniforms that are easy to move in.”
It was a sudden compliment.
“Everyone likes them because the fabric is good; even when we sweat, it doesn’t feel unpleasant.”
“The Grand Duchess even looks after the knights’ training uniforms?” the Countess asked, looking surprised.
“I’m embarrassed to admit that I am often inattentive, so I receive much help from the Grand Duchess,” Loik quickly chimed in.