Chapter 30
The next day, as soon as the sun rose, knights began guarding her door.
They looked young, as if they were apprentice knights, but their leader was familiar.
“The Grand Duchess, protector of swordsmen and drunkards, I salute you.”
«Master Raoul! »
Omarion greeted him with a bright smile.
Raoul bowed his head deeply.
He was carrying an axe, as always.
He raised his head, pressing his temples exaggeratedly.
“Are you okay? I thought I was going to die from a hangover yesterday.”
"Is that true? I'm fine"
“You are truly my role model!”
Raoul laughed.
The apprentice knights seemed a little unnerved by Raoul's giant laughter, but surprisingly none of her maids were intimidated.
It was strange that these people were afraid of Victor's every move.
“So, will you accompany me?”
“Yes, I volunteered because my job is to serve the lady.”
Raoul shrugged.
“But what could be dangerous to the lady?”
“You won't mind if the Chimera attack in swarms so it's a situation where I can play, eat and get paid.”
“Is he so...?”
He nodded.
For some reason, she seemed to understand why Raoul had left the mercenary life.
As a mercenary, you earned as much as you worked, but Raoul seemed like a man who would rather leave the work to a knife than stalk prey all night.
He was, of course, a mercenary with an impeccable character.
After a light breakfast, I served Raoul a snack.
But Raoul politely declined.
“I'd be happy to have a drink over a piece of cake, ma'am.”
Then he asked about today's schedule.
She replied awkwardly.
“I'll take a look around the castle.”
“Good! I also wanted to take a look. Did I mention that this is my first time visiting Morty’s estate?”
He walked her to the door with a smile.
The maids and apprentice knights rushed to follow them.
One of the knights looked up and asked.
“The commander ordered us to guard your door... Is it alright for us all to leave like this?”
Raoul turned around and narrowed his eyes. It was as if he was thinking, “Why does she have something so useless?”
Two young knights stopped at the door.
“Stand here, you two. If you're tired, go downstairs and drink some beer. Okay... Take it easy, okay?”
Then he ran after her, and quickly caught up with her.
“Where are we going?”
***
Mary was their guide, because the other maids were still so terrified.
Mary said she would show them everything, starting with the rooms on the upper floors and working her way down.
As they were walking up the stairs, Raoul suddenly asked.
“Did Mrs. Knights request an escort?”
“No, I said yes because Victor recommended it.”
"I see"
He frowned.
It was rare to see Raoul's cheerful face so distorted.
She tilted her head.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it's a bit strange.”
Raoul stroked his chin with a harsh hand.
“It is not uncommon for a hostess to be escorted into the castle, but the lady is stronger than any of us, isn't she?”
“Yes”...
She didn't want to sound arrogant, so she spoke vaguely but Raoul didn't seem to care.
“However, the presence of an accompanying force is important.”
He cut himself off by biting his lip.
Suddenly they reached their destination.
“I'll show you this first, ma'am.”
Mary showed her the rooms most important to the hostess.
There was a banquet hall, guest bedrooms, a tea-time parlor, and a separate drawing room for the hostess's guests.
Every room was white and beautiful.
It was decorated with white carpets, curtains and large chandeliers that cast shadows that reminded her of a temple.
Raoul stuck out his tongue.
“Do you clean this place every day?”
“Not every day, but once a week dust builds up easily on the carpet.”
"Oh my God, you should raise their salary, ma'am."
She nodded seriously.
She couldn't believe the hard work that must have gone into keeping these rooms clean.
It must be difficult just to sweep and polish the entire castle, which was pure white.
She secretly wanted to repaint everything a color that would be easier to clean.
Raoul smiled as if he read her thoughts.
"Ask them to remove these curtains and replace them with Draka skins. Ma'am, they will not need cleaning for the next hundred years."
“How can I do that?”
How could you do that? His Highness would be pleased even if the lady said she wanted to destroy the castle and rebuild it. "
Her face suddenly turned red.
Even though she was disturbed by the knights often, her face was still red.
She quickly turned to Mary.
“Where does he work, the Grand Duke?”
“He was in his office, but it appears he went to the conference room to meet with the drivers earlier today.”
"I see"
He's been busy in the capital too, so he must be even busier here since he's been away for years.
She was hoping she could help him with something...
Victor told her not to worry about work, but he didn't like it.
“Should I learn how to manage books? Then I can help Daedric manage the ledger in the castle...”
Before she could get lost in her thoughts, Mary opened a large, colorful wooden door.
“This is the library, ma’am.”
"Wow"...
I entered the room.
She was amazed.
I wondered if the library in the Imperial Palace was as magnificent as this.
This room was larger than the capital's study rooms, and was filled with tall oak bookcases.
There were more books than she could have imagined.
Luxurious oil candles lit the place.
The bookshelves were full of books of all kinds of genres and subjects.
From history and geography to astronomy, music and swordsmanship, this library had it all.
I soon found a bookshelf containing novels.
Surprisingly, the
that she was reading was a three-volume series.
I picked up the second book and read a random page.
[...Dordovin, a knight who served Princess Rapier, fell in love with Flamberg, the Grand Duchess who was trapped in a tower. He confessed his love for her, but Duchess Flamberg was cruel! “If you want to win my heart, do three favors.”]
Below that, there was a beautiful illustration of Dordovin and Flamberg.
She had to ask them to bring it to her once she finished the first book.
She put it back in its place and walked away.
Raoul was waiting for her at the door and talking to her maids.
The maids, still frightened, seemed to agree with Raoul and step back a little.
Seeing that makes her feel comfortable.
In fact, ever since she arrived at the property, her nerves had been on edge.
The atmosphere of the castle was strangely gloomy, and the servants acted terribly frightened.
I felt that this castle had no maids or servants.
Morty's estate felt somewhat empty.
Just like Amari Village after being attacked by a monster.
But when she saw the kind and familiar faces, her nerves calmed down a little.
Maybe she was paranoid because she was nervous.
“Once you get used to it, you will be able to have fun with Victor and his companions as before.”
She sincerely hoped so.
She made up her mind and joined them.
Raoul was telling exaggerated stories from his mercenary days.
She walked down the hall with her maids, listening to him and smiling.
The afternoon sun sank through the white curtains.
***
Victor's meetings did not end until the evening.
It was rare for him to skip dinner with her, so she ended up anxiously eating alone.
On the menu was steamed venison, baked potatoes and raspberry pudding. It was surprisingly delicious. However, the delicious food did not stop her from worrying.
Mary asked her cautiously as they returned to her room with a serious face.
“Ma’am, didn’t you like the food?”
“No, it was really delicious!”
She answered quickly.
Mary was startled, opened her eyes wide and nodded.
She answered very hastily.
I asked a little embarrassed.
“Have you eaten, Grand Duke?”
“No, I heard he only ate bread and cheese during the meeting.”
impossible!
I sighed.
It's not like he didn't eat anything, but he was so busy that he ate bad food instead of good food.
She was the type of person who believed that food was the most important thing in the world.
After much deliberation, she ordered her maids.
“Tell them to bring fruit, sweets, and grilled meats to the meeting room.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Oh, and”…
I paused.
“If anyone comes to the castle and asks for two owners, please let me know.”
... “Two kings?”
“Yes. That is… my nickname.”
She didn't know how to explain the customs of mercenaries, so she made an awkward explanation.
Mercenaries used pseudonyms when they worked.
This was because they were afraid that their family would be retaliated against if their real name was revealed.
Most of the time, agents hired mercenaries for their master, so they did not use aliases as mercenaries did.
When necessary, they will say anything that comes to mind.
The stick, the ice pick, the water cart, the wine barrel...
But Mary had a complicated look on her face.
She examined Omarion's hands for a moment.
She had calloused hands, unlike the white and sensual hands of the ladies.
She clenched her small fist as if determined.
“I will prepare more delicious dishes tomorrow, ma'am.”
Omarion didn't understand.
She had many questions on her mind.
***
• End of chapter •
To be continued •••
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