# 46
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Hearing this, Cornelia was surprised.
“Do you believe me?”
“Yes. I heard that you were acting as the Lord’s agent whenever the Duke was absent.”
"Okay."
“I heard people say that you take care of the people of the fiefdom carefully. They said that things became much better after you helped the Duke.”
She was not just the Lord's agent because she was the Duke's sister.
Even though she was only twenty years old, she was smart and articulate.
In fact, the welfare policies she designed greatly improved the standard of living of the fiefdom's residents.
“I read in history books about the former duke. It was written that he was someone who did not hesitate to sacrifice for the sake of the people of the fiefdom.”
“I don’t think the former Duke’s wonderful daughter, like you, would intentionally harm a child.”
After she finished speaking, Elinor bowed her head and entered the room.
Cornelia remained alone in the hallway, playing with the tube of ointment in her hand.
A wonderful person who resembles the former Duke.
Her words seemed like they would stay in her mind for a long time.
* * *
The sacred power that loved ones are born with from a ruler has a specific amount for each individual.
Charlotte, the heroine of the original story, was unique like no other.
So much so that the evil Elinor was jealous of her talent and wanted to kill her.
How powerful will her child, who carries her blood, be born with?
'Even if it's a small strength, it doesn't matter.'
For the child's safety, this must be hidden at all costs.
But a newborn, just beginning to show his strength, cannot hide it so skillfully.
So, Elinor had to hide it.
“I heard you fired the doctor.”
The next morning, Matthias comes to Elinor after hearing that she has sent the doctor away.
While she was feeding the baby, Elinor said softly:
“Yes, I just took the medicine.”
“You should have shown the wound and received treatment.”
“No, I'll take care of myf now.”
"What?"
“I learned some basics at the academy, so I know how to handle simple things. Fortunately, yesterday I saw that the wound is small, so it will heal quickly if I keep applying the ointment.”
“Even if that is the case, there is a specialist doctor...”
“From now on, I will handle everything about the baby myf. Feeding him, bathing him, and putting him to sleep.”
So, don't interfere in the child's affairs anymore.
Matthias realized the implication in Elinor's words and frowned.
“It seems we have lost your trust because of this incident.”
“A lot has happened to the baby so far.”
Elinor trembled as if she was frightened.
"Fire, Gilbert, and now burns. Isn't it natural for me to be worried?"
“Miss Elinor.”
“I hope the Duke understands my feelings.”
Elinor's position was firm.
Matthias sighed.
“Okay, I will do as you want.”
"Thank you for your understanding."
“But if you change your mind, tell me anytime. I will support you with everything.”
“I will.”
“By the way, tomorrow’s tea party has been cancelled.”
Matthias gave Elinor a small bag.
“Cornelia came to me at dawn. She asked me to give you this.”
Inside the bag was a flat silver plate.
Looking closer, Cornelia Hilliard's name was engraved on the bottom.
"When I assigned Cornelia to the Lordship, I granted her these privileges. It is a silver plaque that grants the Lord's authority."
“But why are you giving me this…?”
“She says she wants to apologize to you.”
"If it's an apology for the child's burns, I've already received it. The princess visited me last night."
“Not that, she wants to apologize for treating you like a lowly woman.”
Elinor's eyes widened.
Matthias smiled crookedly.
“What did you say to Cornelia last night?”
“I didn't say anything special.”
“This plaque proves that you are under Hilliard’s protection. There is no place that Hilliard’s power cannot reach, so it will be useful anywhere.”
“Ah…”
“It seems she hasn't changed her mind that the child is my illegitimate son. But giving you the painting means that Cornelia really feels sorry for you.”
Elinor was stunned but kept the painting.
It was a windfall.
After Matthias left, Lady Margaret, the Grand Duchess's maid, came.
“Sent by the Grand Duchess.”
Inside the box she received was medicine to heal wounds and various medicinal herbs.
“She said she would pray for the baby’s speedy recovery.”
"Thanks."
“Tshh.”
Lady Margaret, clicking her tongue dispassionately, left quickly.
Afterwards, several people came, including a servant on behalf of the imprisoned Tidian, and they all offered medicines to the child.
“Huh.”
Elinor stacked the received gifts on the side of the table.
More people than I expected were worried about the child.
She was really grateful for that.
“But if they discover that the child possesses sacred power, their attitude will change.”
Great power always arouses greed.
Elinor held up the red hair ribbon she always wore on her wrist.
Although it looked normal from the outside, it wasn't.
'If I cut it once, it can't be undone.'
Is this really the right decision?
Elinor hesitated for a moment.
But she soon realized that this was the best option.
to cut.
Elinor pulled the hair band tight.
The tape, which broke more easily than I had expected, burned without a trace the moment the last thread snapped.
* * *
Grace, daughter of Lady Margaret, the Grand Duchess' maid and friend of Cornelia, has been feeling uneasy lately.
Since she was young, she has admired Matthias.
In fact, there were many people in Hilliard's fiefdom who admired Matthias, not just Grace.
Matthias was a handsome, tall, and wonderful person who took over the position of duke at the age of sixteen.
But Grace believed she had an advantage over others.
'The Duke takes special care of me.'
Matthias, who was weak towards his brothers, was also kind to his brothers' friends.
Especially with his sister's friends.
He praised her as being beautiful in every encounter, and sometimes patted her head, saying that she was cute, so how could she not fall in love with him?
'I love the Duke. Do you love me too, Duke?'
'Of course, I love you.'
They were words he usually said to his brothers, but Grace, who was only ten at the time, took Mathias' words literally.
The Duke loves me!
So, it's only natural that we get married later, right?
Grace never doubted that she would become Matthias' future bride.
Until she reached adulthood, Matthias never had another woman, which made her belief in this dream even more deeply rooted.
She was waiting for the day of Matthias's marriage proposal.
but.
“An illegitimate child…?”
Her prince suddenly brought a strange woman and a child to the ducal palace.
It felt like the sky was collapsing.
I thought this couldn't happen.
First, she blamed Matthias, then cursed the woman who seduced him.
She wanted to expel the woman and child immediately, but she had no authority.
So, I used Cornelia.
'Don't cry, Grace. I really can't face you.'
'Wait. I will reveal the truth about that woman to the world.'
For Cornelia to fire the woman on her behalf.
But after asking Cornelia, she felt that was still not enough to fire the woman.
The kind-hearted Duke was not going to give up his blood easily.
So, Grace sprayed Cornelia's maid as well.
To remove the reason that woman was still here.