Cedric held his breath. And he barely said this.
“You said it, Lily, that your heart was born in Turin.”
“…”
“So, wherever you go, don’t forget. You are Lilian of Turin. This castle is always your home.”
Cedric pulled Lilian away from his arms with a gentle touch.
It was almost the first time he had ever separated from his sister.
The next moment, he untied his sword and held it towards Damian.
“I ask for the oath of the sword, Your Highness.”
The people of the Empire called the ‘Oath of the Sword’ a promise that could never be broken.
Cedric didn’t say the full details of his oath, but it was enough to tell what he was asking for.
Anyway, even if Cedric didn’t ask for it, Damian was going to protect Lilian. He was the victor, so there’s no reason why he couldn’t make the oath.
Damian also unleashed his sword. An indigo knot that seemed familiar to Lily’s eyes was dangling.
Yes, that sword engaged with Cedric’s.
“I swear.”
***
The party, including Lily, Damian and Matteo, headed straight to their private residence in the Capital.
Usually, upon marriage, there was a custom of going on a tour of the territory to meet the retainers and receive a welcoming ceremony. However, this time, it was omitted because time was running out for the Grand Reconciliation, and it was judged that going through the Grand Duchy would be a burden to Lily.
It wasn’t a big problem since everyone was going to gather in the capital anyway to attend the ceremony, and it’s okay to receive it at that time.
However, the problem was that even before Lilian arrived, news of Lilian’s weakness had been delivered to the Grand Duchy’s servants.
“No, is she so weak that she can’t even make a tour of the territory?”
In an instant, everyone became very worried.
Damian Rupenwein was the only shield for the Crown Prince whose situation was precarious. The shield is the most vulnerable position on the battlefield.
She was supposed to stand next to him, but her body is so weak that she couldn’t even go on a tour.
“It’s a big deal.”
“From what I heard, her body has been weak since she was a child. Originally, healthy kids have good personalities and those who don’t would have a picky temper.”
“I had high expectations for Her Highness…”
“Can she even take care of the household affairs? I can’t imagine her entrusting it to someone else like before…?”
Damian’s vassals were those who served Emperor Idoel closely, or those who received direct or indirect benefit from Damian on the battlefield. Everyone was genuinely concerned about Damian and Matteo.
“I’m worried. His Highness the Grand Duke has no one to compare with in terms of military force, but he has no interest in domestic affairs and has a rough side to everything…”
The housekeeper, Mrs. Maureen, was from the Emperor’s household. She accurately grasped Damian, like a subordinate who had seen him for a long time.
“I wanted Her Highness to make up for that.”
As Mrs. Maureen’s shoulders drooped, the majordomo sighed as well.
“Above all, she must have a strong mind to be a leader. But it hasn’t been decided yet, so let’s not jump to conclusions. Also, thoroughly crack down on the lower ones.”
“Yes, yes.”
Although the expectations for Her Highness were lowered, the faithful housekeeper did not neglect to police the interior and exterior for the Grand Duchess.
‘I can’t be misunderstood for neglecting household management while the mistress is gone!’
After all, isn’t this the place to meet the new mistress? She had to do her job and make a good impression.
However, she couldn’t help but suddenly lose her energy while directing the work.
‘I don’t want her to be gorgeous, rich or atractive.’
However, she hoped to serve a hostess with a strong will and a deep sense of responsibility. It would be the icing on the cake if she could act as a buffer zone between Damian and Matteo, who’d growl at each other every time.
“Hah, really. Having such a good character might be more difficult than having good looks or wealth.”
It might have been too windy from the start. Mrs. Maureen struggled to deal with her disappointment.
***
Apart from personal disappointment, there was no gap in Mrs. Maureen’s work.
“Isn’t this a bit excessive?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t know!”
Despite the majordomo’s remarks, the madam was adamant.
“I heard she was born and raised in Turin! Who doesn’t know that the family of the Elector of Turin are one of the richest people in the country, even with their innocent faces?”
“Yeah, but…”
“Who knows if the inside of their castle was covered in gold.”
“I don’t think you’d be allowed to paint the inside of the mansion with gold, no matter how much you ask the Grand Duke…”
“Then why not sweep and polish like this! I’m busy, so shut up now. Or help!”
Thanks to this, the house, which was already neat and tidy, became really shiny.
“When are they arriving?”
“They’ll come in late at night!”
“Do we have enough kerosene? Have you cleaned all the soot from the lampshade?”
“Someone wax the railing again!”
“Be careful with the coals! If soot falls on the carpet, it’s over!”
It was a war to the very end.
It wasn’t until late in the evening that the house was clean enough to meet Mrs. Maureen’s standards. She wondered if it’s a little too much that there wasn’t even a speck of dust on the curtains, but anyway, it’s better than getting blemishes at meeting the new hostess.
Finally, all servants changed their clothes and she inspected the entrance hall. Mrs. Maureen went through the crowd and checked their dress code before she carely nodded her head.
“Now, only the hardest part remains.”
“What is it?”
“Waiting!”
It wasn’t easy to literally stand still and wait for their masters.
After the evening passed, it was only late at night that news arrived that the Grand Duke and his party had passed the checkpoint in the capital.
The majordomo checked his watch. After a while, there was a commotion outside.
“Open the gate!”
“Yes!”
As soon as the gate opened, a carriage came galloping in, splashing pebbles along the road in all directions.
People rushed in a hurry.
The majordomo hurried over to open the carriage door, but it opened faster from the inside.
“Your Highness?”
“Is the bedroom ready?”
“Yes, it is, but…”
“Go ahead and leave the door open.”
“Understood.”
Before turning around, all the majordomo saw was Damian hugging someone who had slumped in the carriage.
‘Oh dear, this is a big deal.’
The decent majordomo hurried into the foyer.
Mrs. Maureen, who was about to greet the husband and wife for the first time with the most perfect appearance gave a puzzled look.
“Majordomo?”
The majordomo waved his hand and dismissed the servants.
“What’s going on, what the hell? Why are you suddenly…”
“Now is not the time to give your greeting.”
There was no time to explain the situation.
It was because the Grand Duke had come in through the open door.
Mrs. Maureen’s jaw dropped at the sight of the new bride, who couldn’t even walk in. It was definitely not the right time to say hello.
“This way, Your Highness!”
Mrs. Maureen stared blankly for a moment at Damian’s back as he carried the unconscious woman up, following the majordomo’s guidance. The slender white arm draped over his shoulder rattled ominously.
‘Oh my god.’
Someone tapped the shocked madam on the shoulder.
“Oh my God!”
“Could I borrow some of these servants? I have to unload the medicine box from the carriage.”
“Who, who are you?”
A large man with a rugged face answered, adjusting the leather bag over his shoulder.
“I’m a doctor. At the order of the Patriarch, the Elector of Turin, I have come to take care of the young lady, Her Highness, for the time being.”
“Pardon?”
Even the slightest hope was gone. A doctor. If the new bride had brought in a doctor for a coma, all had been said about her state of health.
***
It wasn’t until dawn that Lily’s condition stabilized.
“Are you okay?”
The majordomo asked anxiously. Mrs. Maureen seemed half lost.
“How about His Highness the Grand Duke?”
“In the bedroom. He told me to get out.”
“Oh my gosh, oh my…”
Mrs. Maureen rubbed her face.
The majordomo soothed the madam.
“We are not in a position to choose and serve our masters.”
“Yes, yes, that’s correct. It’s true that we should do our best to be sincere. Alan, I know. But I’m afraid.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her Highness…”
After Mrs. Maureen hesitated, she asked:
“…what if it’s someone like Her Majesty Empress Aratine?”
“That’s…”
Translator’s Note:
Erm, their names are so similar that I’m a bit confused. Remember, Allen is Cedric’s majordomo, Alan is Damian’s majordomo. Author, why??
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