Chapter 5: The Grand Duchess’s Stubbornness
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 5: The Grand Duchess’s Stubbornness
“Wouldn’t it be better to just drop her off at a campsite?”
“And what if she becomes beast bait? Are you trying to start a war with the Marquis’s house?”
The conversation was growing increasingly heated.
“You’re going too far!”
The youngest-looking knight among them cut in sharply.
“How can you say such things about a noble lady?”
Yeah, you wicked knights!
I was behind the carriage, nodding vigorously at the words of the only sympathetic knight, when I suddenly felt a presence beside me. I flinched, my shoulders hunching instinctively. A middle-aged knight with an extraordinary aura was staring down at me.
Eek! No, wait, I wasn't eavesdropping, I was just—!
Before I could offer an excuse, the middle-aged knight walked past me with an expressionless face. The other knights, spotting him, scrambled to attention.
“Vice-Captain!”
“You’ve arrived, sir!”
The man addressed as the Vice-Captain glanced at the hired carriage and asked, “What is the situation?”
Perel hesitated before answering.
“...We will be escorting Her Highness the Consort to Blenheim.”
A silence heavy with unspoken reprimand followed. Then, the Vice-Captain cleared his throat softly.
It was a signal for me to come out.
Hiding my embarrassment, I stepped forward with as much composure as I could muster, acting as if I had just returned from a casual stroll.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
The middle-aged knight showed no change in expression as he offered a polite salute.
“I am Hedrick Gastant, Vice-Captain of the Blenheim Knights.”
“I-it’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Hedrick.”
I forced the corners of my mouth upward into an awkward smile.
Up close, Hedrick looked like the archetype of a steadfast knight—rigid and upright.
“Was Sir Hedrick the one we were waiting to join?”
“I heard from the aide that you would be accompanying us. I shall see you safely to Blenheim.”
Whether he meant it or not, he at least didn't seem like the type to abandon a woman on the side of the road, unlike his subordinates.
I let out a silent sigh of relief and asked, “Where will we be staying tonight?”
“Once we pass the capital boundary and travel a bit further, we will reach Marhen. We’ll stay the night at an inn there and use the Gate tomorrow.”
The 'Gate' referred to a type of magical portal that allowed instantaneous travel between locations via a massive arched artifact.
“Marhen? The sun is about to set. Isn't it too far to travel?”
“There are no suitable places to stay in between. If we don't make it to Marhen, we’ll have to camp on the road.”
“I believe I heard the Rouge Inn was quite excellent.”
Perel, who had approached my side, cut in with a troubled expression.
“With all due respect, that inn is at the entrance to the capital, so it’s always crowded. At this hour, it’s likely full.”
I gave him a small smile.
“You never know. Since we’re already here, let’s head to the Rouge Inn first.”
“But Your Highness, by now, surely...”
Perel glanced at Hedrick, his face pleading for help. However, Hedrick, who had been watching me intently, nodded with unexpected readiness.
“Then we shall set our course for the Rouge Inn.”
Perel’s eyes shook, clearly caught off guard by Hedrick’s easy compliance.
“But Sir Hedrick, even if there are rooms, our group is too large.”
“Then we shall settle Her Highness at the inn, and the rest of us will camp.”
“And if there isn't a single room...?”
“Then we’ll have no choice but to continue to Marhen from there.”
“If we stop at the Rouge Inn first, we won't reach Marhen until late at night.”
Despite the protest, Hedrick’s attitude—which seemed to say, 'So what?'—left Perel with nothing more to say.
“Prepare to move. We’re going to the Rouge Inn.”
No one openly defied Hedrick’s order, but the glares from several knights were sharp enough to cut.
Their looks said it all: they knew they’d end up camping, yet here I was, stubbornly insisting on stopping just to see for myself.
Even Perel, who escorted me back to the carriage, looked like he wanted to say something. His lips parted, but he eventually just closed the carriage door.
Our aide really is soft-hearted.
I could tell just by looking at him.
Perel was worried about me. He seemed concerned that the Grand Duchess—who was already hated enough as it was—kept making moves that would only make things worse.
I have a pretty good intuition for these things.
In fact, I felt more uneasy about Hedrick, who hadn't argued with me at all.
He probably thinks that since I gave the order, I should be the one to take responsibility for the consequences.
Regardless, everything would be solved once we reached the Rouge Inn. I looked out the window, wearing a devious expression that would have looked scandalous to anyone else.
Get ready to be surprised, everyone.
*
“Vice-Captain, they say there are no vacancies.”
“As expected.”
“I tried to secure even one, but it seems they have a large group staying.”
Leon, the knight who had ridden ahead to check the situation, spoke with a troubled face.
He was the youngest, the one who had sided with the Grand Duchess earlier. Having been knighted only recently, this was his first official assignment, and he was brimming with nervous energy.
Mounted on his horse, Hedrick glanced at the carriage carrying the Grand Duchess.
In person, the Grand Duchess had a much gentler impression than the rumors of her being a 'wicked woman' suggested. Based on her behavior toward him, she didn't seem like the mindless or reckless type.
But I suppose she’s still young and can’t help herself.
Whether it was a simple stubborn desire to sleep in a famous inn or a power struggle with the knights, Hedrick had gone along with her wishes.
He knew there wouldn't be rooms. Whether they ended up camping or traveling late into the night to Marhen, it would be a grueling ordeal for a delicate lady.
Hedrick was secretly hoping the Grand Duchess would surrender and admit she couldn't go on. If she whined about wanting to return to the capital now, he was prepared to escort her back to the Marquis’s estate.
If I report this to my Lord, he’ll surely order me to leave her behind immediately...
He imagined himself coldly telling the young bride to go back at the Gate, then pressed his lips thin.
For now, I should at least make sure she gets a proper dinner.
“Since we’re already here, we’ll eat before moving on.”
The group soon arrived at the Rouge Inn.
“Your Highness, they say there are no rooms left. It seems you’ll have to have dinner here, rest for a bit, and then we’ll move on to Marhen.”
Perel, who went to escort the Grand Duchess, spoke cautiously.
Will she throw a tantrum? Or will she refuse to move any further?
Hedrick handed his reins to a servant and kept his ears open, observing her reaction.
“Pardon? What do you mean... Ah, I understand!”
Whatever the Grand Duchess said, Perel looked visibly shocked before hurrying into the inn himself.
A moment later, the aide rushed back to Hedrick, looking flustered.
“Sir Hedrick. Um, Her Highness says she already booked the rooms in advance.”
“What does that mean?”
The Grand Duchess booked rooms?
“That is...”
Seeing Hedrick’s completely bewildered reaction, Perel explained again, slowly.
“Her Highness says she made a reservation at the Rouge Inn beforehand. Rooms for our entire party, and dinner as well.”
At those words, Hedrick and the knights all turned to look at the Grand Duchess simultaneously.
As if she had expected this reaction, the Grand Duchess let her lips curl into a smirk.
Strangely, that mischievous grin—one that a typical lady of a noble house would never wear—suited her quite well.
*
“There’s plenty of food, so please let us know if you need more.”
The hospitable innkeeper placed delicious-looking appetizers on the long table. Behind him, servers continuously brought out various roasts, pies, and fresh vegetable dishes.
The knights stared at the feast before them with unreadable expressions.
I thought they’d be happy, even if not moved to tears... Was I wrong?
I felt a bit discouraged, but I didn't let it show. I offered a greeting as their superior.
“It’s a pleasure to meet the Blenheim Knights, whose reputation precedes them. I look forward to our journey together.”
Only the youngest knight, Leon, couldn't hide his hunger, his eyes practically devouring the food.
“It’s not a feast fit to replace a wedding reception, but please, everyone, eat comfortably and get some rest today.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
In the quiet atmosphere, Hedrick offered a stoic word of thanks.
“Since Her Highness has gone to such trouble, everyone, eat your fill.”
“T-thank you.”
“Thank you for the meal!”
Only after Hedrick gave his nod of approval did the stiff knights begin to eat.
They didn't look particularly joyful or grateful, but they were clearly hungry, as their hands and mouths began to move busily.
The knights had only just arrived in the capital this morning. They had stopped by the Grand Duke’s townhouse, but they’d been sent straight to the chapel without a chance to eat or rest properly.
They must be starving.
In any case, the fact that they were eating was a good sign.
Leon, who was stuffing steak into his mouth, reached for some chicken near me. When our eyes met, he sheepishly pulled his hand back.
It seemed he was at least aware that his table manners were a mess.
If Ladriel had seen this, she would have immediately scolded him for being rude, but honestly, I preferred this over someone picking at their food and switching forks dozens of times.
I nudged the dish toward him to show he didn't need to hold back. Leon bowed his head in thanks and promptly speared a large piece of chicken.
Watching him try to maintain some dignity in front of his seniors while cramming food into his face was actually quite cute.
You’re the one who took my side, aren't you? Eat up.
I was unconsciously wearing a proud, motherly smile when Perel, who had been hesitating for a while, finally spoke up, unable to contain his curiosity.
“Your Highness. How did you manage to book the rooms?”
“Hmm? I sent someone ahead.”
“I mean, how did you know...?”
“Did you think I expected to return home today?”
I gave him a playful, knowing look.
“I did a little digging into your background.”
The knights, who had been focused on their food, froze.
The atmosphere at the table turned ice-cold in an instant.