Chapter 48: Deep Grudge
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: Deep Grudge
Clank, clank.
As the sun began to set, the rhythmic metallic ring of a knight’s sabatons echoed through the garden leading to the main castle.
Maids passing in the distance blushed as they caught sight of the man, his hair shimmering like spun gold in the evening light.
It was Tiern Vieri, Captain of the 9th Knight Division—a man as famous for his chilling temperament as he was for his handsome face.
The 9th Division was a special unit that operated independently from the main knight order, tasked with high-priority missions. Tiern had just returned from a winter-long operation clearing monsters along the mountain borders.
Having been away from the Grand Duke’s castle for two months, he found the atmosphere within the walls far more composed and tranquil than he had anticipated.
It was a stark contrast to the grim, razor-edged tension he had expected to find, given the presence of the notorious villainess from the Marquis’s house.
“Reporting for duty, Your Highness.”
“Right. Good work.”
Tiern, who was always impeccably formal toward his lord, offered a respectful salute before lifting his head.
The face of his superior didn't look much different than usual. No, if anything, compared to two months ago when he had been fuming over the sudden marriage announcement in the winter mountains, the Grand Duke now looked as if he had been touched by a gentle spring breeze.
Has he already dealt with the Grand Duchess issue?
Tiern suppressed the question that sat on the tip of his tongue and continued his report. Even when he informed him that the behavior of the monsters was becoming increasingly ominous, the Captain showed no signs of great concern.
“And the division?”
“They are scheduled to join the morning drills starting tomorrow.”
“There’s no need to push them. Let them skip the morning session.”
Tiern’s eyes widened as if he had heard the impossible. In all his years as a knight of Blenheim, he had never once been told it was okay to skip training.
“Thank you. More importantly…”
Seeing Loik nod slightly as if dismissing him, Tiern hesitated before speaking.
“Are you… alright, Your Highness?”
Loik arched an eyebrow in confusion.
I heard the Marquis’s daughter chased you all the way to the castle and planted herself here. Have you already kicked her out? Or are you currently making her regret ever coming?
Tiern swallowed the words. His lord seemed to be in a rare good mood; there was no need to stir up trouble and ruin it.
Suppressing his curiosity, Tiern took his leave.
*
“Brother!”
Meisel entered the dining room of the Count’s estate, her voice high and melodic.
“Meisel!”
Tiern, who was having a late meal, smiled at the sight of his dear cousin.
After his father—the former Captain of the Blenheim Knights—passed away, Tiern had been raised in the household of Count Arbor, his maternal uncle. Having spent his childhood under the care of his nanny, Marzella, Meisel was the younger sister he cherished most, even if she was prone to the occasional bout of mischief.
And while Meisel might act like a brat to others, in front of Tiern, she was nothing more than a pampered, affectionate younger sister.
Sitting across from him, Meisel began to chatter away, catching him up on everything he had missed. Soon, the topic shifted to the new Grand Duchess.
“So, I went to the tea time.”
Tiern abruptly set down the knife he had been using to cut his steak.
“You applied to be the Grand Duchess’s lady-in-waiting?”
A lady-in-waiting to the daughter of Marquis Frais?
At the low, heavy tone of Tiern’s voice, Meisel intentionally cast her eyes down, looking dejected.
“Lady-in-waiting? Please. I was rejected.”
Tiern’s gaze grew even more piercing.
“What? She dared to reject you?”
Among the knights, Tiern was one of those who harbored the deepest resentment toward the Frais family. It was because of the Monster War that he had lost his father.
During the war, the Emperor had stalled for time and refused to send reinforcements, leading to the deaths of many knights, including his father. It was common knowledge that Marquis Frais stood behind that weak Emperor.
Countless Northerners had lost family members back then. And now, that man’s daughter had the audacity to come here and try to stir up the province?
“She chose Cecilia Terito instead.”
“Typical of a Terito,” Tiern muttered, scowling at the familiar name.
“I’m so embarrassed I can’t even show my face!” Meisel wailed. Her eyes were red and puffy, as if she had been agonizing over this for days. “Everyone’s going to think I lost to someone like a Terito!”
Tiern snorted. “There’s no need to dwell on such a dishonorable position. The Grand Duchess will be divorced soon enough anyway.”
“You only say that because you don’t know!” Meisel stomped her foot in frustration, likely having repeated this same grievance to her parents several times already. “That woman is so incredibly devious! She acts all innocent while bewitching everyone. She’s a total vixen!”
“Bewitching?”
“The butler and the knights have all fallen for her! They hated her at first, but now it’s ‘Her Highness the Consort this’ and ‘Her Highness that.’ It’s honestly ridiculous!”
“The knights? Where did you hear such a thing?”
At that, Meisel suddenly hesitated, her voice trailing off. “Well…”
“Are you sneaking into the castle again?”
As Tiern’s eyes narrowed, Meisel waved her hands frantically. “No! It’s just that my nanny stopped by the estate…”
Seeing Meisel dodge the question, Tiern rubbed his temples. He didn't want to stop his cute cousin from harboring a futile crush on the Grand Duke. However, it was a problem he couldn't ignore if Meisel was using his or her father’s name to sneak into the castle and pester Marzella, the head maid, for gossip.
“I told you. If you keep making personal requests like that, it makes things difficult for Marzella. The head maid of the Grand Duke’s castle is a position that requires discretion.”
Sensing Tiern’s genuine displeasure, Meisel put on a tearful act.
“I didn't even have to ask Nanny! The rumors are already all over the city! They say even the Grand Duke has completely fallen for that woman…!”
Tiern recalled the lord he had met just moments ago.
Bewitched? His mood was certainly different, but…
Is the Captain really the type of man to be swayed by someone’s charms?
Reading the doubt on Tiern’s face, Meisel hurried to add more.
“Besides, she acts all elegant on the outside, but do you know how cruel she is behind the scenes? Even Nanny was victimized by her!”
“Marzella was?”
“She said she was trying to discipline a maid who made a mistake, but the Grand Duchess humiliated her in front of everyone!”
Tiern clenched his jaw. The image of the head maid—who had steadfastly supported the castle for nearly ten years—being lectured by the young, green daughter of Marquis Frais made his blood boil.
“To think a woman like that is the Grand Duchess! It’s infuriating to see everyone being so stupidly fooled.”
Meisel bit her lip. “Brother! You can’t ever let her fool you, okay? You’re on my side. Right?”
Tiern looked at his cousin, who was desperately seeking his reassurance, and gave her a cold, determined smile.
“That will never happen.”
I swear it, even if it kills me.
*
“Spring really does come to Blenheim, after all.”
I took a deep breath as I looked up at the sky, which was a rare, clear blue without its usual grey tint. My steps toward the training ground felt incredibly light.
“So that’s the training ground!”
Cecilia, who was scurrying along behind me, spoke in an excited voice.
After the tea time and a private interview that served as an in-depth screening, I had chosen Cecilia as my lady-in-waiting.
— “As long as it’s someone you’re comfortable with, I don’t care who it is.”
The Grand Duke hadn't raised a single objection to my choice.
— “Viscount Terito is among the vassals who most faithfully follow His Highness’s will. His daughter will likely serve Your Highness with equal sincerity.”
Perel had seemed a bit surprised that I hadn't chosen a lady from a Count’s family, but he readily nodded at my decision.
The only one who had actually scowled was Norton.
— “She’s your sister, after all. Try to look a bit happier.”
— “I’m just not sure if that girl will be of any help in getting Your Highness adjusted to Blenheim.”
She can barely take care of herself, he had muttered. I couldn't forget the way Norton’s brow had furrowed on the day Cecilia officially entered the castle.
I had chosen Cecilia for one reason only.
Because it seemed like it would be fun.
I had no intention of spending my time locked in a room with a lady-in-waiting, gossiping about a social circles I didn't care about in an already dull castle. A noble lady who had made her debut but spent her time writing articles for commoner magazines? At the very least, I knew we’d be on the same wavelength.
And Cecilia was living up to my expectations perfectly. From the moment she arrived until she left for the day, she was an excellent conversationalist and a wonderful friend. Thanks to her, I didn't have to bother the Grand Duke, who was busy reopening and refurbishing the parts of the castle that had been closed off all winter.
“Your Highness, spring has definitely arrived.”
Cecilia’s mouth hung open as she watched the tall, well-built knights running across the training ground, wearing nothing but thin training shirts.