Chapter 49: Suit Yourself
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 49: Suit Yourself
“Cecilia. You are the maid of the Grand Duchess; have some dignity. Why is your mouth hanging open like that?”
“Oh my, I believe it was open significantly less than yours, Your Highness.”
“Goodness.”
I cleared my throat and shut my mouth.
In just a single week, we had grown remarkably close, reaching a point where we could exchange jokes without reservation.
As she had confessed during our private interview, Cecilia was far from the demure type suited for a lady-in-waiting.
‘And here I thought she was playing it safe at first...’
Once she realized I didn't mind her dropping formalities, Cecilia’s behavior became rapidly relaxed.
Whitley’s eyes would twitch whenever he caught the maid acting out of line, but for me, having a comrade made things feel much more breathable.
As usual, Leon’s voice was the first to ring out, greeting me warmly.
Soon, the other knights spotted me, shouting out their greetings one by one as they showed their respect.
A satisfied smile was about to spread across my face at the sight of their disciplined conduct, but then I saw them.
A few knights were perched on the steps of the training ground, eyeing me coldly.
‘What’s this? Why is the atmosphere so chilly?’
These knights, with features rugged enough to rival mountain bandits, were all watching me with uncomfortable gazes.
And in the center of them stood a pretty, blonde knight who looked like he had stepped out of an entirely different painting. His eyes were so fierce it felt like he might draw his sword on me at any moment.
“That’s Tiern Vieri,” Cecilia whispered, her voice dropping instantly, the playfulness from moments ago vanishing.
“The Mad Dog of Blenheim?”
I recalled what Cecilia had mentioned when we were preparing handkerchiefs for the 9th Knight Division upon their return to the castle.
— “I heard the 9th Division handles the most dangerous missions among the knights.”
— “Does that mean it’s where the most skilled knights are gathered?”
— “I think it would be more accurate to say it’s where the roughest knights are gathered.”
According to Cecilia, the Captain, Tiern, was the one to watch out for in particular.
“He looks different than I expected.”
With his blonde hair, pale skin, and slender jawline—perhaps it was because he was surrounded by those bandit-like men—he was far more delicate-looking than I had imagined.
“You mustn't let that face fool you,” Cecilia said, her brow furrowing deeply. “Stay as far away from him as possible. If he bites you, it’ll be a disaster.”
What a ridiculous thing to say.
I was about to scoff at her absurd warning and step forward, but I faltered when I saw Tiern’s hand tighten around the hilt of his sword.
If a 'mad dog' is a small breed, you can just bark back, but that man’s build was clearly...
I glanced around subtly.
Fortunately, I spotted Hedrick approaching from a distance.
“Sir Hedrick!”
If that side has a mad dog, I should call the person holding the leash.
When I mentioned I wanted to greet the 9th Division, Hedrick had them lined up in an instant with a single command.
‘I really might get bitten if I’m not careful.’
The knights standing in line under Hedrick’s supervision weren't baring their teeth, but the aura they projected as they glared at me was positively murderous.
I had heard the gist of it from Cecilia.
Many members of the 9th Division had lost family during the Monster War, so they would harbor particularly ill feelings toward me.
I had prepared myself mentally, but still...
‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt such pure hostility.’
As I took the bundle of handkerchiefs from Cecilia to hand them out, Tiern’s expression hardened into a mask of stone.
It seemed he had already heard about the ‘Grand Duchess’s gifts.’
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Tiern. I look forward to working with you.”
“...Thank you.”
Tiern, who had been staring at my hand with eyes bordering on contempt, finally accepted the gift, gritting out his thanks under Hedrick’s reproving gaze.
‘It’s fine. They’re going to curse me whether I give them something or not. I’ll just give it and forget about it.’
Since possessing this body, I had made a few major resolutions.
First: Never be a busybody.
‘Though it seems I’ve already failed at that one.’
Second: Don’t pay any mind to people who hate me.
From the moment I arrived and was slapped by the Marquis, I had firmly decided not to worry about why people hated me or agonize over how to make them like me.
Since I was the villainess of this story anyway, there would be people who hated me everywhere.
And if someone hated me for no reason, I had resolved to hate them right back.
In this life, I intended to do my best to ensure I didn't get hurt.
‘Congratulations on being selected as my first target.’
I ignored Tiern, who was intentionally projecting an even fiercer gaze to make sure I noticed, and nonchalantly handed a gift to the next knight.
I finished forcing the gifts upon the uncomfortable 9th Division and was on my way back.
As I crossed the garden, I spotted the Grand Duke and Perel walking along the second-floor gallery.
“Oh? It’s the Grand Duke! Your Highness!”
I waved my hand vigorously, delighted to see him.
The Grand Duke, spotting me, seemed unsure of how to react. He hesitated before awkwardly raising his hand and giving a small, stiff wave.
My goodness, he’s so cute.
Should I tease him a little?
“Wow! It’s the most handsome Grand Duke in the Empire!”
The Grand Duke, who had been trying to pass by after his awkward greeting, flinched and turned back, my voice ringing loudly against the stone walls.
His eyes were wide, as if he couldn't believe his own ears.
Behind him, Perel pressed his lips together firmly, clearly trying to stifle a laugh.
Satisfied with the reaction, I shouted once more.
“Your Highness! Your looks are so dazzling I can't even open my eyes!”
Realizing he hadn't misheard, the Grand Duke’s face instantly turned as red as a beet.
‘S-Stop that!’
Even from far below, I could see his mouth moving frantically in embarrassment.
This is too much fun. Should I do it one more time?
“Your Highness! Did you know?”
The Grand Duke, who had been sending desperate signals with his eyes for me to stop, turned pale as he looked toward the other end of the gallery.
“The Grand Duke’s Castle doesn't need any statues! Because...!”
Before I could even finish the sentence.
The Grand Duke hurriedly looked down, gripped the railing of the second-floor gallery with one hand, and—
“Your Highness? What are you doing?”
Before I could even try to stop him, he vaulted over the railing and jumped straight down into the garden.
Landing lightly on both feet, he looked more flustered by my scream than the jump itself.
“Did I startle you?”
I panted, clutching my chest to calm my racing heart.
“How could you just jump like that! I thought I was going to have a heart attack!”
“I won't die from jumping from such a low height,” he replied with a serious face, stopping mid-stride as he approached.
I saw his gaze flicker briefly behind me.
‘Oh, right!’
“Cecilia, step back a bit,” I said softly to Cecilia, who was standing behind me.
With a remarkably polite response, Cecilia took several long steps back.
I had told Cecilia that I was very jealous, so she must stay far away whenever I was with the Grand Duke.
It was a ridiculous excuse, but thanks to Norton, Cecilia had a vague idea about the Grand Duke’s ‘mysophobia,’ so she followed the instruction faithfully without a single objection.
Once he confirmed Cecilia was at a distance, the Grand Duke stepped closer.
“You didn't have to come all the way down here. I was speaking loudly so you could hear me from afar.”
When I gave him a brazen smile, the Grand Duke replied with a wry one.
“I suspect you were heard even beyond the Blenheim Mountains.”
Just then, I saw the silhouettes of people passing under the arches at the end of the second-floor gallery, whispering to one another.
“If I had been a moment later, the administrators would have heard as well.”
Ah, so that’s why he jumped down so urgently.
Suddenly embarrassed by my childish behavior, I cleared my throat and changed the subject.
“Are you on your way to a meeting?”
I had heard there was a meeting this morning involving the major families. However, instead of answering, the Grand Duke gazed at me intently.
“Did something happen?”
“You seem to lack energy.”
He tilted his head slightly, searching my expression.
‘Wow, can you even read moods once you become a Sword Master?’
I looked at him in renewed admiration. It was only after he pointed it out that I realized my mood had indeed dampened after meeting Tiern.
When I remained silent and dazed, the Grand Duke narrowed his eyes at Cecilia, who was standing far off.
“Did something happen to the Grand Duchess?”
“Ah, well...”
At the sound of his chillingly low voice, even the bold Cecilia’s eyes shook violently.
“Nothing happened.”
I crinkled my nose and flashed him a bright smile.