Chapter 108
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108
Could it be that Count Bron couldn't bear to let me go empty-handed and had packed a whole basket of food for me?!
The knight hurriedly held out an envelope with both hands.
I took it instinctively; it was warm to the touch.
"Huff, huff. This was the only thing I could buy on such short notice... but it’s fresh from the oven, so it should taste quite good."
We had passed the village a while ago.
Don't tell me he took a sudden detour just to buy this? Did he actually go hunting for a bakery in town?
"Thank you. But I still have some things I bought back in the Imperial Capital. You didn't have to go this far."
Is this the sweet taste of power?
Even though he’s a high-ranking knight personally assigned to me by my grandfather, he’s still looking after my every meal like this?
I was just about to lose myself in the intoxication of being a person of influence when—
"That... huff, huff..."
The knight’s face was flushed, likely from sprinting back. He continued, barely managing to steady his ragged breathing.
"His Grace the Grand Duke gave us strict orders to ensure you were well-fed... If you lose even a bit of weight, our heads will be on the chopping block."
"Grandfather did? ...When did he say that?"
Feeling a bit bashful for no reason, I just toyed with the corner of the paper bag.
Once the carriage began moving again, I opened the bag full of bread.
the savory scent of butter wafted out immediately.
I took small bites of the plump, moist white rolls. Just as the knight had said, the bread was fresh, salty, savory, and truly delicious.
It was so good it went down easily even without any jam or honey.
Chewing on the soft bread, I muttered to myself.
"Tulia, you’ve really made it."
To have family who actually looks after your meals.
"Anyway, this bakery is really good."
The knight must have a real knack for finding the best spots. It was probably his first time in that village, yet he did an impressive job.
I nibbled away at the bread in the bag, eventually leaving one piece uneaten.
I wrapped it carefully in the bag, then took out a handkerchief from my pocket and tied it up tight.
By the time we reached the Grand Duchy, it would probably be stale and chewy.
Still, I wanted to give it to Grandfather.
It was a bit embarrassing, though.
'I just happened to pick this up on the way.'
Is that line too cliché?
'It was so delicious that I thought you might like a taste, so I brought some for you.'
No, Grandfather has probably eaten much better bread than this...
I wasn't quite sure what to say in a situation like this.
As I sat there, my mind spinning with ideas on how to offer a single piece of bread to my grandfather, the carriage—which was supposed to travel for several more days—came to a screeching halt after only a few hours.
Thinking we might have hit a rock, I stayed lying on the seat, unbothered.
Knock, knock.
"Lady Tulia."
The knight called out to me from outside.
"What is it?"
"You must step out."
"Huh? Why?"
Even as I asked, I quickly scrambled out of the carriage. Nine times out of ten, in these situations, it meant a wheel was stuck in the mud or a horse was injured.
It was usually a sign of an accident!
Perhaps I had jumped out too eagerly, as the knight caught me with a startled grab.
"Please be careful!"
"Oh, I'm fine, I'm fine."
I won't get hurt.
But the carriage looked perfectly fine.
We weren't at the Main Castle yet, so I turned my head to ask why he had told me to get out.
"Huh?"
My eyes went wide.
"Grandfather!"
Because Grandfather was standing right there.
"Ahem. Tulia. Did you have a good trip?"
"I did, but... Grandfather, what are you doing here?"
"I was just returning from finishing the territorial inspection I couldn't complete last time."
"Pardon?"
The territory the Grand Duke would inspect was in the opposite direction of the Imperial Capital.
In that case, shouldn't he be coming from the opposite road, not this one?
I tilted my head in confusion, then realized the truth a moment later and smiled.
‘He must have come this way on purpose!’
Is this what it feels like to have family come out to meet you?
There was no way Grandfather could miss my smile. He cleared his throat and spoke as if tossing the words out casually.
"You've worked hard on your long journey."
"You worked hard too, Grandfather!"
I beamed and ran toward him.
Then I stopped and pulled the bag of bread from my pocket, holding it out.
"Grandfather, please have this."
When there was no answer, I looked up. Grandfather was clearing his throat again, "Ahem," while subtly lowering his arms, which had been spread wide open.
‘Wait, what was that?’
Did he actually expect me to run into his arms just now?
No way.
Even if his favorability has hit 90%, we’ve spent fifteen years being distant. It would be embarrassing to do that in front of others.
Besides, in the high society of the Brillant Empire, a fifteen-year-old lady is at the threshold of becoming a young woman; it’s not an age to be acting like a spoiled child with her grandfather.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, the Grand Duke spoke first.
"What is this?"
"I had some on the way, and it was so delicious that I really wanted you to try one. It’s cooled down a bit... but it shouldn't be hard yet."
I said with a bright smile.
"I'm sure you'll find it tasty."
Grandfather’s green eyes gazed down at me. He took the bread out of the bag, tasted it, and let out a hearty laugh.
"It is just as you said. It is very delicious, Tulia."
* * *
"Father, Father!"
Sandra came running in early in the morning. Sandra, who resembled her biological mother, Belladonna Merton, grew more beautiful by the day, taking after her mother's looks perfectly.
And Nigella, who had only two sons, doted on Sandra as if she were his own daughter.
"Why are you so upset, Sandra?"
"Is what I heard true? That Grand Duke Frezier bought up every single bakery in Ocellon Village for Tulia?!"
Nigella had secretly planted a mole in Tulia’s party.
It was a tail that followed from a distance, so it wouldn't be noticed.
Thanks to that, however, he was receiving vivid reports of everything happening between Tulia and Grand Duke Asis Frezier.
Including the fact that after receiving a single piece of bread from Tulia, Grand Duke Asis Frezier had ordered the purchase of every bakery in Ocellon Village that sold that bread.
‘The old man’s favor toward that girl is no joke.’
That fact made Nigella feel quite uneasy.
‘Of course, a daughter is cuter than a son. Naturally, a granddaughter would be cuter to the old man as well.’
Even Sandra, who was now boldly shouting about how she had eavesdropped on his conversation with his subordinate, looked quite adorable in Nigella's eyes.
After all, the Grand Duke had always been an old man who favored his daughters more.
However, the favor of Grand Duke Asis Frezier was like a tidal wave that would have a profound impact on the succession of the great house in the future.
It wasn't something he could just sit back and watch, as if the Duke were simply doting on a cute puppy or dressing up a doll in fine clothes.
‘Besides, the settlement period is approaching.’
As the master of a territory larger than some kingdoms, Grand Duke Asis Frezier would summon his vassals during this time to discuss the year's conclusion and the new year's budget.
It was a grueling period where all the vassals of the House of Frezier gathered at the Main Castle for a full week of meetings.
To put it another way, it was an occasion where he could legitimately summon numerous nobles.
Since the vassals would be away from home for a week, they often brought their spouses and children along to stay at the Grand Duke's castle.
The massive Frezier Castle had hundreds of annexes, making it possible to accommodate such a staggering number of people.
It was a week-long period where a miniature society formed around the Main Castle.
If the nobles found out that Tulia had received such a gift from the Grand Duke during this time, the vassals—who were already in deep confusion due to the retreat of the Lilius family—would quickly start calculating.
It meant his own standing could be severely diminished.
As Nigella’s worries deepened...
Sandra made an unexpected suggestion with a pert expression.
"Father! Can't we go to the Main Castle too? With Mother as well!"