Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Loyalty and Preparations
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The private audience with Count Kreuz seemed to have gone off without a hitch.
"Kuhuk...!"
'Why is this guy suddenly crying?'
There had been a slightly awkward moment amid it all, but somehow, everything had worked out.
"Your Highness, most of the families are currently in agreement with deposing you. What are your plans?"
"A fine opportunity."
I had anticipated that Cassius's reputation had hit rock bottom.
So I had expected a time like this would come eventually... but somehow, it felt like the perfect chance for some pruning.
'Separate from Cassius's mania, there are definitely families that acted out of their own greed.'
Expelling all the families that agreed to the rebellion would cause massive chaos in the grand duchy.
I didn't have the experience or ability suited to managing the grand duchy either, so filling their vacancies would lead to all sorts of complaints.
So we had to go the route of maximum leniency.
In the end, Cassius bore some blame too.
Of course, that didn't mean groveling or giving them special treatment.
'Punish a few as examples and use that to warn the rest.'
And to carry that out perfectly... it seemed best if everyone was gathered in one place.
"Host a banquet. Invite all the family heads. There... we'll punish the key culprits."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Count Kreuz readily agreed, clearly on board with my opinion.
"Your Highness, my daughter has a deep appreciation for the arts. Our family entrusts all our banquets to her. If needed, I can send her to the mansion."
Rich in banquet experience?
It was a good offer. Considering how we'd borrowed Yelena's hands for mansion maintenance because we lacked manpower... preparing a grander event would definitely require someone with experience.
"We'll discuss it later."
After that, I issued a simple judgment on Count Kreuz.
"Count Kreuz, you harbored rebellious thoughts as well. Dedicate a portion of your family's wealth to the development of the direct territories."
"I shall obey."
It might seem out of nowhere, but it was necessary.
Separate from his pledge of loyalty to me, he had indeed considered rebellion...
So I handed down this feather-light punishment of donating some family assets.
'Compared to executing three generations of a traitor's family... it's practically nothing.'
I hadn't even specified the amount, and it was for the direct territories' development, not an offering to the Winterguard family.
It was basically just a charitable donation.
Afterward, I continued discussing the grand duchy with Count Kreuz.
From trivial matters to things a grand duke should know, he shared a tremendous amount.
There was so much that I got scared I'd forget some midway through.
Fortunately, mealtime approached, and our talk wrapped up.
"Provide meals for Count Kreuz's soldiers and knights."
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness."
After finishing the meal with the count, as we went out to see him off on his way back...
I happened to run into Yelena in that huge mansion.
"...Your Highness, this is...?"
Count Kreuz's gaze darkened slightly.
"Hello, Count Kreuz. I'm Yelena Astria."
"...Greetings, Lady Astria."
Come to think of it, from Count Kreuz's perspective... she might look like the lady who ensnared the grand duke.
He could even see her as something like the grand duchy's archenemy.
'Given Count Kreuz's loyalty, it's not at all unreasonable.'
It was like the in-laws defending a husband who'd screwed up in some trashy drama.
The analogy felt a bit off, but that was the vibe.
'If I'm not careful, things could get awkward between them.'
Short or long, we'd cross paths multiple times until Yelena left, so it was best to clear up any misunderstandings early.
But simply clearing misunderstandings wouldn't cut it.
So I decided to use the part he was probably curious about.
I quickly approached Yelena, tapped her palm, and signaled her.
'Just follow my lead.'
Yelena read it and nodded slightly, caught off guard.
I turned to Count Kreuz.
"You're wondering why my mania lifted, aren't you, Count? It's thanks to her."
"...Is that true?"
Count Kreuz looked back and forth between Yelena and me in surprise.
'No, why are you looking so shocked?'
I signaled Yelena, who was staring at me like a startled cat.
Snapping to her senses, Yelena hurriedly schooled her expression.
"Yes. That's also why I brought her here, forgiving all of Viscount Astria's debts."
"Ah..."
Count Kreuz sighed at my words, nodding slightly with a look of realization.
'No, snap out of it.'
I pulled Yelena back from her confused expression once more.
"So I'm having her stay at the mansion until my mania is fully cured. She's no different from a benefactor."
This was to prepare for when Yelena eventually left the mansion.
That way, I could send her off without raising suspicions...
'No, why is she doing this now?'
Suddenly sidling closer, Yelena murmured quietly enough that Count Kreuz couldn't hear.
"...Are you planning to kick me out of the mansion?"
As she pouted with bewildered, downcast eyes...
"I understand, Your Highness. Lady Yelena, I look forward to working with you."
"Ah, yes. Likewise, Count Kreuz."
"Then, when do you plan to hold the wedding?"
"Pfft."
"Hic!"
No, what?
The sudden topic made me cough involuntarily, while Yelena hiccuped.
"...What do you mean by that, Count?"
"You're ultimately keeping her by your side to marry her, aren't you? And above all, the Winterguard bloodline must continue, Your Highness."
Count Kreuz spoke in a serious tone.
"The previous grand duke and duchess were engaged in their teens and married immediately after she came of age. The grand duke's marriage and bloodline are the most important matters in this land."
Well, that's true.
Still, I'd planned to take some time searching...
For now, I decided to dodge the issue.
Until Yelena left, precisely.
"We'll discuss that later, Count."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Fortunately, Count Kreuz backed off readily. Seizing the moment when he looked away, I spoke to Yelena once more.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of marrying you."
"......"
Yet for some reason, Yelena's expression darkened even further after hearing me.
But since Count Kreuz was leaving, I couldn't ask why.
"Steel Knight Order, salute the grand duke."
Outside, Count Kreuz was ordering his knights and soldiers to salute me.
A crisp sound rang out as many saluted in unison.
A beat later, Count Kreuz himself saluted me formally.
It wasn't mere showmanship.
By standing at the forefront and leading the knights, he had publicly declared his support for me.
Indeed, after his command, the fearful gazes from the Steel Knights and soldiers softened considerably.
Some wary looks remained, of course... but that was something I had to prove myself.
Meanwhile, Yelena, swept along to see him off, watched the disciplined Steel Knights with fascination.
'Oof, should the Storm Knight Order shape up like that too...?'
Since I'd left it almost entirely to Kind, and I didn't care much for such rigidity myself, I'd never seen them like that...
Still, it didn't reflect well if our subordinate family's knights outshone ours.
"Travel safely, Count Kreuz."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Ah, and you said you wanted my daughter?"
"...Your Highness?"
I heard murmuring from somewhere, but couldn't make it out.
'We do need an engineer.'
"I did."
"I'll send her to the mansion soon, to get acquainted early. Since we'll have many days ahead, it'll be good for her to adjust."
Fair enough.
Interior designers visit homes first to assess and quote before full work anyway.
It was like that—getting faces known and scoping things out in advance.
"Send her whenever it's convenient."
"Understood. I hope Lady Astria stays well..."
Mid-sentence, Count Kreuz flinched in surprise.
The grand duchy's vanguard, Count Kreuz, startled like that? I glanced at Yelena.
'...Looks normal?'
"A-hem. Then I'll take my leave."
With that, Count Kreuz and the Steel Knight Order departed.
As I turned to head back to the mansion, I called out to Yelena.
"Yelena Astria."
"...What is it, Your Highness?"
Her tone was chillier than usual...
I ignored it and voiced my prepared idea.
"Tomorrow, I'd like to leave the mansion with you and tour the territory. What do you say?"
"...Pardon?"
What I had in mind was an outing.
Truth be told, Yelena had been living practically under half-forced seclusion until now.
I'd been busy, but more than that, she knew nothing about the North, so there wasn't much to do outside.
And it was cold, too.
So as payment for helping with mansion maintenance and etiquette lessons, I planned to take her on a proper tour tomorrow.
'I've handled the urgent matters ahead and postponed what I can, so one day should be fine.'
Of course, it wouldn't be pure tourism.
I'd inspect the territory myself, spotting issues and gauging the situation firsthand—like an undercover patrol.
Given how insane Cassius had been, I planned to go without knights, hiding our identities...
"...S-so just the two of us, Your Highness?"
"Yes."
Too many people would be a hassle in its own way.
Security wasn't an issue anyway... since Cassius himself was strong enough.
I'd already gotten Alf's permission too.
"Th-that's basically a da..."
"Hm?"
"...I understand."
Her voice was subdued, but I successfully got her agreement.
Good thing. If she'd refused... I wouldn't have known what to offer as compensation.
And so, that important day passed.