Chapter 23: The Bulk Order
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23: The Bulk Order
‘Sigh, have I gone mad?’
Meeting the Grand Duchess’s eyes, Loik swallowed a silent sigh.
The very first thought that had popped into his head upon seeing her pouting was that she looked ‘cute.’
‘But it’s a fact that she’s excessively cute.’
It would be stranger to remain cold after looking at a face like that.
In the end, Loik confessed the truth as if making an excuse.
“There is a full-scale knight division training session tomorrow, so I will be at the training grounds all day.”
“Full-scale training?”
“It’s the day we inspect the knights’ training progress for the quarter.”
“Does that mean everyone will be there?”
“Everyone who has been knighted, yes.”
A peculiar light flickered in the Grand Duchess’s eyes, as if her interest had been piqued.
“May I go watch as well?”
“Of course!”
Loik and Perel spoke at the exact same time.
‘This brat.’
Loik shot him a chilling glare, and Perel clamped his mouth shut as if realizing his mistake.
Why was it a problem? There were plenty of reasons.
Because she was the daughter of a Marquis.
The training details of the Blenheim Knights were strictly confidential. In particular, the full-scale training was off-limits even to the officials of the Grand Duke’s Castle.
No matter if she was the Grand Duchess, she was still a member of the Frais family who would return to the capital in a year. It wasn’t a sight that could be shown to her carelessly.
‘But if I say that, she’ll definitely be hurt.’
Loik tried his best to sound nonchalant.
“It is merely a routine inspection. It’s not much of a sight for an outsider to—”
“An outsider?”
The corners of the Grand Duchess’s eyes drooped as if she were genuinely wounded.
“That’s cruel. I am strictly a person of Blenheim, having signed a marriage vow with Your Grace.”
Loik flinched, his shoulders tensing.
There it was again—that look in her eyes.
‘Get a grip, Loik. You decided to keep your distance.’
Loik steeled his heart and tried to look away, but the Grand Duchess suddenly pointed at Perel.
“The very proxy who stood in for our wedding is standing right here, yet you still treat me like a stranger? The sensation of the ring Sir Perel slipped onto my finger is still so vivid.”
The ring on the Grand Duchess’s ring finger sparkled as it caught the sunlight.
“Isn’t that right, Sir Perel?”
“Your Highness. That is…”
Perel licked his dry lips and glanced nervously at Loik.
‘Was that the wedding ring?’
Loik blinked blankly.
It must have been a ring Perel prepared. Since Loik had never intended to choose a wedding ring himself, there was no way he would recognize it.
The moment he realized that, he found himself at a loss for words.
“Are you worried I might be spying on your training methods?”
As Loik stood there like a mute who had eaten honey, Perel, standing beside him, hurriedly stepped in.
“Of course not, Your Highness.”
“I’m not asking to watch the entire thing. I’ll just stop by for a moment to observe.”
The Grand Duchess took a small step closer.
“I need to have a formal introduction with the knights anyway. Wouldn’t it be perfect to do it while the whole division is gathered?”
‘A formal introduction?’
Loik’s eyes wavered, even more flustered by her words.
“Wait a moment, Your Grace.”
The quick-witted Grand Duchess narrowed her eyes and asked, “Surely… you weren’t planning on never introducing me at all, were you?”
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
To be honest, he hadn’t even thought about it.
He had simply granted her permission when she asked to stay at the castle for a year. Since he had never planned on bringing a mistress into the Grand Duke’s Castle in the first place, he had never considered any protocols for after her arrival.
When the knights had made a fuss about needing a formal introduction, he had been focused on sending her back, so he hadn't listened seriously.
‘I really am the worst husband.’
The more he thought about it, the more he realized he hadn't treated her with the respect due to a Grand Duchess even once.
Glancing at Loik’s guilt-ridden expression, the Grand Duchess let out a sigh that somehow felt triumphant.
“Your Grace, please arrange a time for me to greet the knights during this full-scale training. You can do that, right?”
“…Understood.”
Loik had no choice but to nod.
Perel’s face brightened instantly, and he quickly added, “The relatively important drills will be finished by morning. The knights should be much more relaxed in the afternoon.”
“Thank you for letting me know, Sir Perel.”
As if her business was concluded now that she had permission, the Grand Duchess clapped her hands together.
“Then, I should be going. I just remembered I have things to do.”
Watching the Grand Duchess trot away, Loik bit his lip hard as if reaching a decision.
“Perel.”
Perel flinched at the low tone of Loik’s voice.
“Assemble all the knights at the training grounds immediately.”
“Pardon? But you were supposed to go inspect the watchtower…”
Loik clenched his thick fists.
“Tell them to gather in full gear. I will inspect them personally. Make sure the training grounds are spotless—not a single speck of dust. We are going to review every single training drill today.”
“All of them, sir?”
Perel furrowed his brows, wondering if that was really necessary.
“Do you want to see the Grand Duchess disappointed? Are you planning to let her say we’re inferior to the knights of the Marquis’s estate?”
“Th-that can never happen.”
Perel swallowed hard.
“I will request Sir Hedrick to summon the knights immediately.”
Watching Perel rush off, Loik also headed to his room to change into his training uniform.
Hadn't he stated in the contract that he would provide her with treatment befitting a Grand Duchess?
Regardless of keeping his distance, he had to fulfill his responsibilities.
*
Suddenly, I had a lot to do.
Actually, I already had a plan in mind for the formal introduction with the knights.
It wasn't going to be a grand event, but I had intended to prepare for it slowly and steadily.
However, seeing the Grand Duke draw a line as if he had no intention of officially introducing me made me lose my temper, and I ended up acting on impulse.
‘Time is too tight… I have to hurry.’
After asking Whitley to prepare for an outing, I remembered Leon, who had offered to guide me last time, and requested him as my escort. However, when I went to board the carriage, two knights were waiting: Leon and Norton.
“Sir Norton?”
Leon just had a beaming smile, while Norton wore his usual expressionless face, though he looked a bit dejected.
It seemed he was secretly hurt that I had specifically requested Leon as my escort.
“Sir Norton, you’re not upset, are you? I just called Sir Leon because I needed someone who knows the way well.”
“Upset? Perish the thought. It’s just…”
Norton, who was escorting me, hesitated before continuing.
“I am also capable of guiding you through Gold Lane now.”
Looking at his determined mouth, it seemed he had done his own preparation to redeem his previous failure.
“Is that so? Then I’ll have to ask Sir Norton to guide me this time.”
I asked with a smile, “I’d like to buy some handkerchiefs. Is there a good place to go?”
Norton’s eyes rolled as if he were recalling memorized information, and he spoke cautiously.
“You can likely order them at a boutique. …Is Couter the most famous one?”
When Norton glanced back seeking confirmation, Leon grinned and nodded.
“We shall take you to Couter.”
I boarded the carriage under the reliable escort of the two men.
Couter, a boutique said to be quite famous in the North, was located right in the heart of Gold Lane.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess, it is an honor to serve you. I am Madame Ramondria.”
The Madame’s first impression was quite cold.
Her tone was very polite, but she gave the impression of a woman who had weathered many storms.
Seeing the employees move in perfect order at a single glance from her, she didn't seem like an easy boss to please.
Watching the employees busily prepare to take my measurements, I waved my hand.
“I didn’t come to have clothes made. I’m here to buy handkerchiefs today.”
“…Handkerchiefs, you say?”
A flash of bewilderment crossed the Madame’s eyes.
“I intend to give them as gifts. Do you have anything to show me?”
“Of course. Please wait a moment.”
Madame nodded respectfully and disappeared.
Contrary to her prompt answer, I had to wait for quite a while.
It was around the time I had finished the cup of tea an employee had brought me.
Led by the Madame, two or three employees approached busily and laid out display trays on the table.
Soon, various types of handkerchiefs were revealed.
There were all sorts: plain ones with lace, ones with embossed patterns on the corners, and ones embroidered with designs in various colors.
“Are these usually for sale?”
“…These are items the employees make in their spare time.”
Madame spoke calmly after a slight pause.
So that’s why it took so long.
From the looks of it, they had scrambled to gather the ones the employees had made personally so as not to disappoint the Grand Duchess who had suddenly walked in looking for handkerchiefs.
Come to think of it, handkerchiefs were usually embroidered by the ladies themselves or made by their maids.
“If there is anything you desire, please let me know. We can work on any style quickly.”
At the Madame’s confident response, I turned back to Norton, who was standing behind me.
“Sir Norton, how many knights are in the Blenheim Knights?”
“There are ninety-nine knights participating in tomorrow’s training. One division is currently away on a mission.”
Gasp! There are that many knights? They aren't even regular soldiers!
“Since Blenheim is a border region, the number of knights is on the higher side.”
Norton added as he saw my eyes go wide.
I turned back to the Madame and asked with a slightly embarrassed face.
“Is it possible to make ninety-nine handkerchiefs in a single day?”
The Madame’s neck craned forward as she was caught off guard.