Chapter 8: Arrival
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 8: Arrival
As we drew closer to our destination, Perel repeatedly urged me to switch carriages.
To be honest, even I felt a bit embarrassed at the thought of making my first appearance as the Grand Duchess in a hired carriage that was practically falling apart. Besides, calling it a "hired carriage" was generous; it was essentially a freight wagon for hauling luggage.
And I picked the cheapest one available, too.
Hedrick had once muttered under his breath as he passed by, "That heap of planks..." and he wasn't wrong. As we neared Blenheim, the biting wind seeped through the cracks, leaving my hands and feet frozen numb.
In the end, I gave in and moved into the Grand Ducal carriage with Perel, which bore the family crest.
As the carriage began to crest the final mountain, the snow-covered Grand Duchy came into full view. Large and small villages were nestled among the vast plains and hills, all centered around the Grand Duke’s Castle, which was encircled by formidable grey stone walls.
"The territory extends past those mountains to the border of the Kingdom of Rondoris. To the south, it stretches beyond that second mountain range down there."
My jaw dropped instinctively.
"I had no idea the Grand Duchy was this vast."
"People from the capital rarely have a reason to visit, after all. Many think of it as nothing more than a small, remote estate on the fringes."
Back in the capital, I had been confined to the mansion, and on the journey here, I had seen nothing but endless forests. My heart pounded at the thought of finally seeing bustling villages and shopping districts.
"I’ll be able to tour the villages soon, right?"
I was admiring the view with sparkling eyes when Perel spoke up, hesitating.
"Um... Your Highness."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"I did send word to His Highness the Grand Duke that you would be arriving today, but he has been incredibly busy lately. He might not be able to come out to greet you."
Seeing the clear look of distress on his face, I gave him a bright smile.
"It’s alright. Don't worry about it."
I’ll be lucky if he doesn't kick me out immediately, let alone welcome me.
Perel seemed to take my words as a sign of self-deprecation, and his eyes filled with pity.
"But..."
"I mean it. This is a man who couldn't even make it to his own wedding because he was too busy, right?"
"I'm glad you understand," Perel said, his lips curling into an awkward smile.
In any situation, the one who holds out the longest wins.
I muttered this to myself as I watched Perel awkwardly avert his gaze.
*
"It is an honor to meet Her Highness the Consort. I am Whitley, the Head Butler of Blenheim Castle."
A tall, white-haired gentleman bowed with perfect etiquette.
"I look forward to working with you."
"You must be exhausted from your long journey. I shall escort you to your room first."
I hadn't expected the Grand Duke to come out and meet me, but seeing only a single butler standing in front of the main castle did make me feel a bit hollow. Still, I suppose I should be grateful I wasn't turned away at the door.
The interior of the main castle had such high ceilings that my footsteps echoed loudly with every stride. As I followed Whitley up the stairs, I shivered at the chill seeping from the stone walls.
There was almost no sense of human warmth within the castle.
The eerie silence only added to the atmosphere. I stayed close to the butler, not wanting to fall behind.
Fortunately, the room was quite warm, as if a fire had been lit in advance.
"I will send a maid to attend to you immediately."
"Um..."
I hurriedly caught the butler as he turned to leave after showing me the room. Was it because he was a Northerner? Despite his age, he had an imposing presence.
"Whitley, was it?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Is there something you require?"
Contrary to his appearance, Whitley’s voice was quite gentle.
"Where is the Grand Duke?"
"His Highness has briefly left the castle on official business."
"When will we be having dinner?"
"If you are hungry, I can have it brought up immediately. Or would you prefer to dine in the dining hall?"
"No, I was just wondering if I might see the Grand Duke during dinner."
"He did not give me any specific word on when he would return."
"I see... Then, could you tell the Grand Duke that I request an audience when he returns?"
Whitley offered a smooth, professional smile. Even to my eyes—having spent years handling VIP protocol for advertisers—his response was flawless and beyond reproach.
"Of course. I shall inform His Highness as soon as he arrives."
"And I’d like to have my meal in my room."
"I will have it prepared right away. Are there any foods you avoid?"
"Not particularly, but I'm a bit tired today, so I'd like something simple."
"I shall prepare something light and easy on the stomach."
Whitley bowed gracefully and exited the room with fluid movements.
That butler is a real pro.
Though the room felt a bit sparse compared to the Marquis's estate, it was warm and comfortable. I had worried the Grand Duke might intentionally give me a shabby or cold room to drive me away, but it seemed he wasn't that petty.
I should freshen up if I want to meet the Grand Duke tonight.
Throughout the journey, I had agonized over how to convince him to let me stay. Every night before bed, I had run through every possible simulation and even rehearsed my lines.
Who knows?
Annette is quite beautiful, so if the Grand Duke takes one look at her and falls in love at first sight...!
No, maybe that’s going too far.
Chuckling to myself, I lay down on the plush bed. For some reason, I had a feeling my first meeting with the Grand Duke wouldn't go too badly.
*
"This... this is too much!"
Loik narrowed his eyes as he looked at Perel, whose voice was trembling.
"Don't you think those are my words to say?"
Loik tilted his head at a sharp angle.
"Sir Perel Otis."
Perel flinched at the low, heavy tone.
"The orders I gave were very simple."
He had merely stated the obvious—that he would send the Lady back. What was with this rebellious attitude? Sitting at his large desk in the office, Loik slowly crossed his arms and asked, "Has my aide finally lost his mind?"
"That’s..."
Perel, his eyes downcast, clasped his hands as if pleading.
"B-but she’s already here. How can you send a new bride back immediately? Do you have any idea how much she suffered on the way here?"
One corner of Loik’s mouth twisted upward.
"Why? Did the precious Lady whine about how hard it was?"
"Precious Lady?"
Perel shot him a look of pure indignation.
"You wouldn't say that if you saw what Her Highness arrived in."
In truth, Loik had caught a glimpse of the Lady’s party arriving through his office window. At the time, he had simply thought that the Lady’s pale blonde hair somewhat resembled the snowy mountains of Blenheim.
Now that he thought about it, there had been another carriage behind the main one.
She came all the way here in that thing?
The memory of the tattered heap of planks following behind the crested carriage didn't sit well with him.
Feeling a surge of inexplicable irritation, Loik turned to Whitley, who had returned after escorting the Grand Duchess to her room.
"And the Lady?"
"I have sent dinner to her room. Also, Her Highness requested that I inform you she wishes to meet as soon as you return."
Meet? For what?
Loik skipped over the request as if it wasn't even worth answering.
"Report to me once she seems to be in decent condition. I’m sending her straight back to the capital."
Whitley nodded silently at the firm command.
After dismissing even the tight-lipped Perel, Loik sat alone in his now-silent office and massaged his throbbing temples.
Does she really intend to live here?
He had thought she had some backbone.
Seeing as she had followed him all the way to Blenheim in that heap of planks, she certainly didn't lack persistence.
How bothersome.
But it wouldn't happen. She wouldn't last more than a few days. It was better for her to give up quickly and return to the comfort of the capital.
*
This man is unbelievable!
I was forced to completely revise my generous assessment of the Grand Duke.
That petty, stingy, childish, and shallow Grand Duke had been avoiding me for days.
At first, I didn't suspect anything when I was told he was too busy to meet immediately. After all, wouldn't a Northern Grand Duke be constantly swamped with fighting monsters, governing the territory, and looking after his people?
But one day passed, then two, then three.
Only then did I realize that Whitley’s answers were just a polite way of relaying the Grand Duke’s refusal to see me.
I tried showing up at the dining hall unannounced, hoping for a chance encounter. I lingered near the main entrance for ages. I even went for walks three times a day.
And yet, I couldn't catch so much as a hair on the Grand Duke’s head.
— "I’d like to look around the castle."
— "Your Highness, with all due respect, the layout of the Grand Duke’s Castle is classified as a military secret. You require His Highness’s permission to tour it."
— "Where is the Grand Duke’s room? I’ll go and get his permission myself."
— "The location of His Highness’s room is also information I am not permitted to disclose."
Is there anything you CAN tell me?
Even in the midst of this, Whitley was incredibly skilled at placating my growing frustration.
— "More importantly, your tea must be cold; I shall bring fresh tea. Or perhaps I should have lunch prepared a bit early? Fresh ingredients arrived at the castle today, and the chef is preparing seasonal dishes."
— "Seasonal dishes?"
— "I heard a good amount of shellfish arrived from Rondoris."
— "Ha, delici— I mean, shall we start with the meal then?"
It was always like this.
No matter how much I pressed him, Whitley would slip away like an eel. I found myself admiring him, thinking that in the modern world, he would have been the ultimate role model for an agency employee.
But I really couldn't let this go on any longer.
At this rate, it was no different from being locked up in the Marquis's estate. In the original story, didn't she waste time like this until she eventually declared the marriage annulled?
I had rushed all the way here to prevent that; I couldn't let the same thing happen.
If the Grand Duke was going to be like this, I had no choice but to take action.
After finishing lunch, I slipped out of my room while no one was watching. I saw countless rooms lining both sides of the seemingly endless hallway.
If I knock on them one by one, I’ll eventually find the Grand Duke’s room, won't I?
There were quite a lot of rooms, but it wasn't like I was short on time.
Taking a deep breath, I began to knock on the doors, one by one.