After that day, no matter how busy Damian was, or how much Lilian was troubled, he poured out his mana every morning and evening.
If there’s a difference from the past, it’s that the amount of time spent holding her has increased before the mana is delivered in earnest.
Of course, even with his slow meticulous touches, his mana was clearly transmitted, so it could be said that there’s no problem.
‘But…’
Slowly, patiently, as if teaching a child to walk, Damian worked on Lilian slowly and patiently.
It was terribly difficult to relentlessly drive people until they groaned in embarrassment, with only slow kisses and tickling touches.
“Our Duchess, you are kind. Eating well like this…”
And besides, she was just about to die from a meaningful compliment like this.
How does this man never get tired? Lilian felt like she was being showered with inexhaustible mana every time she was held in his arms.
On the third day, she hoped that her body, which was like a dry desert, would be released only after it became moist like soft soil soaked in rain.
From head to toe, the effect of being cared for so painstakingly was amazing. Thanks to him, she was in exceptionally good condition these days, and she was determined to finish all her overdue work within the given two hours.
Lilian let the two loyalists heat up and engrossed herself in her papers.
‘I should hurry because the construction of Palmiera’s main castle is urgent, but I can’t get a sense of the budget required since I haven’t actually visited it…’
Lilian, who focused as if she was being sucked in.
“Exactly! That’s great as well! Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”
“…y-yes?”
Her heavy glasses slipped slightly off her nose as she hurriedly raised her head.
“I thought of a good solution.”
“First of all, congratulations, but for what…?”
“I can’t let Her Ladyship be intimidated by such absurd rumors. And given the current position of the Grand Duke, it’s expected that attacks against Her Ladyship will continue in a row.”
Was it simply an illusion that Mrs. Maureen’s glasses seemed to sparkle?
“Your Highness needs the best armor.”
What does that mean? Lilian felt ominous.
“You don’t mean debuting wearing armor, right?”
“I’m talking about the lady’s armor.”
“No way…”
“I personally know the Madam of the most famous dressing room in the capital.
She was a lady in waiting under my command about ten years ago, but she lost her husband in an unfortunate accident and now runs a dressing room. She promised that if I ask, she will come running even to the end of this empire.”
“You are amazing, Madam.”
Rita chimed in. Mrs. Maureen nodded her head.
“Until now, I was concerned about Her Ladyship’s health, so I was holding back from adding unreasonable schedules, but recently, your condition has improved a lot.”
“It’s true. You have improved a lot.”
“So what Your Highness needs right now is the best combat uniform!”
“That’s right.”
Rita clapped with an expressionless face.
Lilian rolled her head briskly. What excuse could she make?
‘Ah.’
“But in order to make my new clothes, I’ll have to look at the clothes of my partner, His Highness. So we agreed to wear the same clothes and match only the color of the accessories…”
“If that’s the problem, don’t worry, Your Highness. This Maureen will definitely seek permission from His Highness.”
“No, you don’t have to do that…”
She was about to say no, but Lilian shrugged her shoulders.
It was about a month ago that they decided to attend this meeting as a couple, so there was no time for the partners to pay attention to their outfits.
Still, for the closing ceremony, she was thinking about putting together a set of suits. If they play alone all the time, rumors of discord may circulate.
‘Yeah, well, we’ll likely have matching clothes at the closing ceremony at this point.’
A day after this, Lilian realized that she had been too complacent.
***
While the aristocratic women of Rupenwein began their official careers after making their debut in sorority and social circles, all men took their first steps in society through their military careers.
In his youth, the Great Feudal Lord of Hemenlinna was a naval captain who commanded the Alt Sea off the coast of the Duchy of Hemenlinna… It’s a very elegantly packaged title when in fact, the Great Feudal Lord received an official permit from the state to seize the enemy’s logistics supply ships.
In other words, he was a nationally certified pirate who led a privateer fleet.
As captain of the privateer fleet, the main prey of the Great Feudal Lord was the kingdom of Altonia, a neighbor of Rupenwein, which had an eastern colony.
If you forgot, they plunder the supplies that came up from the colony or take the main leader hostage to triple the sea toll.
Thanks to this, the King of Altonia, who lived with stomach medicine from the beginning of his ascension, heard the news of the death of the Great Feudal Lord, he said, ‘God, thank you for the fair judgment’ and said to have offered a prayer of thanks on the spot.
However, that joy was short-lived. As soon as he heard that the heir of the Great Feudal Lord was the Empire’s siege weapon, bloodthirsty mad murderer Damian Rupenwein, ‘Ah, God, why am I being subjected to such an ordeal!’ It’s said that he withdrew the prayer of thanks in five seconds while screaming.
Because the land route was blocked by the desert, the Alt Sea was currently the only trade route to the East. Although there was a small tax obligation to the imperial family, most of the maritime tariffs and tolls collected became the property of the Alt Sea’s privateer fleet.
It means that even if they don’t plunder, gold that they can play with is rolling in for free.
Lilian who became the wife of that Captain, is now…
“…what is all this?”
“The combat uniforms of Her Highness and the Grand Duke. These are items to prepare for it.”
Um. Lilian calmly looked around.
Colorful silk, muslin, lace, silk thread, gold thread, silver thread, she didn’t know exactly what kind of thread it was, but threads that shine in five colors like the hair of a fairy…
On one side were jewelry boxes owned by Lily, but never checked to see what was inside, seeing the light of day for the first time in a long time.
No matter how many items there were, the small hall that was made for banquets was completely emptied and transformed into a simple dressing room.
“You said you’re going to clean the music hall.”
“Hoho, I also cleaned while doing it.”
Lily sighed.
“Madam, as you know, I’m busy. And I already have enough clothes to wear. So, one matching outfit for the closing ceremony is enough. I won’t have time for more than that.”
“Don’t worry about that. Mrs. Annege can do it unconditionally. Because I asked her to.”
Mrs. Maureen answered without hesitation, for she had already anticipated Lily’s reaction. Once the Head Maid at the imperial palace, she skillfully draped her skinny shoulders and appealed.
“Moreover, Your Highness, His Highness the Grand Duke’s attire is related to the prestige of the Grand Duchy.”
“I don’t think anyone would dare look down on me even if I just wear the historical jewelry set over there…”
Lilian was speechless as she gazed at the 90-carat diamond crown that was said to be the essence of glory. It was clear to her that if she went out with something like that on her head, they wouldn’t even be able to see what she was wearing.
Even though it was a logical reason, Mrs. Maureen didn’t back down.
“No, it doesn’t. As already mentioned, Madame Annege runs the capital’s most famous clothing store, Nezu Liappa. Such a Madam has already cleared her schedule for Her Highness, but if Her Highness refuses, this Maureen’s position as the middleman will be so embarrassing…”
The old lady, with her hair pulled up tight, pretended to blot out the tears under her spectacles. It was an operation to appeal to emotions.
“Missus…”
Of course, Lilian wasn’t fooled, but she couldn’t resist until the end when the old handmaid appeared like that.
‘I can’t do that.’
The moment Lilian sighed and tried to nod her head.
“Mrs. Maureen, are you threatening my wife?”
Damian appeared.
“Your Highness.”
“I’m sorry. You looked to be in trouble.”
“It wasn’t like that. Mrs. Maureen is just thinking of me.”
“But it’s also true that you’re embarrassed, right?”
Mrs. Maureen opened her mouth when she saw Damian approaching skillfully and caring for Lilian.
‘No, the one who raised the scale to this extent in the first place is you…!’
As soon as Mrs. Maureen asked for permission, the man who readily agreed and told her to do everything she wanted to rob the Grand Duchess’ treasury is now stepping away pretending it’s not him!
“Of course, I’m glad that my wife is luxurious, but I’m worried that someone with a weak body will overdo it.”
“Your Highness…”
Sure enough, Damian’s cunning whispers moved Lilian quite a bit.
“Thank you for considering the situation. However, since this is a place that Mrs. Maureen prepared with all her sincerity, I wonder if it’s my role to enjoy that sincerity.”
“There’s no need for my wife to overdo it, but if that happened, I will reap the punishment.”
After answering like that, Damian turned and smiled. The Madam unknowingly shuddered.
T-that sneaky little! While the purpose was the same. To even get points for pretending to understand Her Highness…!
Only then did she recall the memory of how, during the days when Idoel was still alive, the Grand Duke had troubled many of the imperial palace attendants with his unruly temper and cunning. How clever and spiteful he acted towards others while secretly pretending to be pitiful in front of his brother!!
Mrs. Maureen patiently called for Madame Annege, who was waiting.
Her work under Her Ladyship was more important than anything else.
Leave a Reply