"However, neither Hazel Chernin nor the High Priest were to be seen at the Imperial Palace today.
Hazel Chernin—I can overlook that, since he isn't exactly a noble living in the First Quarter.
But the High Priest?
To think that haughty fellow lives hidden away in a labyrinthine sanctuary."
Grace, listening to Eliza, spoke softly.
“The most important point is His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, whom the High Priest serves.
I hear that the High Priest is preventing even the Empress and the Crown Prince from entering the sanctuary.”
The sanctuary was the High Priest's domain, and even the Emperor could not enter without permission.
As Eliza and Ares stared at her, Grace looked back and forth between the two and spoke.
“We must confirm His Majesty’s condition as soon as possible.
To do so,”
“In the capital controlled by Count Hazel Czernin and the House of Saxony, I must make the High Priest believe that we can be a new refuge.”
Grace nodded at Ares's answer.
“What is remarkable is that both Hedby, Saxony, and Hazel Chernin consider themselves hunters.
They likely regard themselves as hunters and each other as hunting dogs.”
Hunter and hunting dog.
Owner and consumables.
“When heading toward the same place, it does not matter who is the hunter and who is the hunting dog.
But when the path crosses, the two who each consider themselves the hunter will sharpen their blades toward one another.”
"A fork in the road?"
Grace laughed deeply.
Taylor will be a turning point.
Grace's gaze turned to the window.
Every year, countless quantities of Taylor wheat were transported to Hazel Chernin's mansion.
For several years now, such a massive amount—enough to be described as a golden wheat field—had flowed into the Chernin estate.
Hazel Chernin would not be able to give up Taylor.
The problem was that the national treasury was being depleted as Hazel Chernin was using the very food meant to feed the entire empire for speculative purposes.
Perhaps the two of them are already standing at a crossroads.
Ares stroked his chin with his long fingers.
“I’ll have to wake the sleeping tiger while the two hunting dogs fight at the crossroads.”
“Will it suffice to just wake the sleeping tiger?
We must awaken and stir up the others who are holding their breath as well.
Hmm, to do so, we must first let the nobles of the capital know that Richmond has returned.”
Eliza laughed mischievously.
“I’m going to have a few more suits made, so take note of that.”
It was only natural that Ares’s brow furrowed in anger.
However, the arrogant queen smiled affectionately at Grace, regardless.
“My dear, I’ll have a new dress made for you, so keep that in mind.
The seasonal vibe is different from Richmond.”
The word 'baby' burrowed unhesitatingly into my hardened heart.
“Madam, you may just call me by my name,”
“Why, is it not good?
I sang it on the fly, but now that I’ve said it, it rolls off the tongue really well.”
Just then, the carriage stopped, and Eliza quickly gathered her fur and prepared to stand up before Grace could say anything.
As Ares stepped out of the carriage first, Eliza followed suit.
Once Eliza had disembarked, Ares extended his hand toward Grace as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
When they stepped onto the soft grass garden, holding the large, sturdy hand that had become familiar to them, Eliza was already walking alone toward the mansion.
Ares shook his head as if there was nothing he could do.
If you don't like what you hear, just tell him properly.
He's not the type to force his way when someone says they don't want to.
Grace held his hand and walked for a while, then spoke.
I don't dislike hearing it.
Grace could feel Ares turning around, but she could not face him.
No matter how accustomed I was to contempt and verbal abuse, it was impossible for me to be okay.
A scab formed on the wound, only to fall off before new skin could grow, repeating this cycle.
How could rough, calloused skin not hurt?
Even if Ares and the Grand Madam's protection was directed toward the Duchess of Richmond, it would be a lie to say that it did not warm my heart.
I didn't dislike hearing it, either.
Grace looked up at him.
Ares stared stubbornly straight ahead and repeated what he had said before.
“Waiting for the right time, enduring, and bearing it.
You don’t have to do that alone anymore.”
Waiting for the right time, enduring, and bearing it.
Grace ruminated on Ares's words for a long time.
Then, when they arrived at the main building, Jesse, who had been waiting for her all along, ran over.
After greeting Ares, Jesse moved close to Grace and whispered softly.
Sir Napier is here.
He is waiting in the drawing room.
Upon hearing the news that Eric had arrived, Grace immediately spoke to Ares.
It looks like they brought the information I asked them to bring.
“…….”
He would only move if I let go of his hand, but for some reason, he wouldn't let go of the hand he was holding.
"dismissal?"
When Grace called out to him as if urging him on, Ares, who had been staring at her blankly, chuckled.
“Let’s go.
I’ll take you there.”
“No, there is no need for that.”
"It's not the same building anyway.
It's basically the same thing."
With those words, he remained silent.
He simply took her hand quietly and led her away, then neatly stepped back from the reception room.
Then he smiled playfully.
"Well then, Madam.
It is late, so please keep your conversation with the guest brief and return early to rest."
It felt strange whenever the word 'wife' came out of his mouth, but perhaps because he was always so playful, I wasn't particularly embarrassed.
Please rest first.
As Ares shrugged and turned around first, Jesse opened the drawing room door as if she had been waiting.
As Grace took a step inside through the open door, Ares, who had been walking away, stopped and looked back.
The hem of a cream-colored skirt disappears into the room, leaving an afterimage.
Ares forcibly held back his legs that kept trying to head toward that room.
Then, after roughly scanning his face, he murmured to himself.
“Get a grip.
Stop making a fool of yourself.”
As Grace entered the room, Eric jumped up from his seat and approached her.
“Eric.”
Eric naturally bent his knees, kissed the back of Grace's right hand, and straightened his posture as he spoke.
“I heard the news, but…”
I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in advance.
I couldn't send a letter just in case.
Eric could not bring himself to say congratulations or that he understood to her when she appeared as Grace Richmond.
Let's sit down for now.
Grace walked past him, who had a bewildered expression, and headed toward the sofa.
You brought the materials I asked for, right?
Eric took a document out of his pocket and handed it to Grace.
This is the current financial status of the nobles belonging to the Senate.
“The amount written next to the name must be the approximate size of the debt.”
“Yes, miss.”
Grace, who had been reading the documents, looked up.
Then she lightly pointed something out.
It might feel awkward, but try to get used to it for now.
“……?”
Call me the Duchess of Richmond.
You must be careful, even if no one is listening.
Then, she lowered her gaze back to the documents.
Since the papers were clearly and well-organized, it did not take long to review them.
She tore out only the important parts and handed the rest to Jesse.
While Jesse pushed the remaining documents into the fireplace to burn them, Grace spoke.
“Roughly 400 billion gold.
Make sure it is ready to be available at any time.”
"All right."
Grace keenly noticed that Eric was different from usual.
His shadowed face was rigid, and his lips, which usually curved into a smile, were tightly closed.
Grace recalled the day long ago when she had been slapped after having Roro taken away from her.
It was exactly the look of the boy who had brought ice in his bosom but realized it had all melted.
Perhaps not only Eric but also Taylor's vassals looked like that.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
Grace straightened her shoulders and composed herself, thinking of her father.
The process may differ from the plan, but the result is the same.
At the deep, cold voice, Eric also straightened his posture.
“The goal of everything I do is only one thing.
To get Taylor back, Eric Napier.”
Eric and Jesse bowed their heads at the same time at the words that held a steely resolve.
“Grey Richmond is merely a process.
So let the vassals know.
Do not be anxious, and trust me.”
"yes."
Eric knelt on his left knee toward Grace, and Grace helped him up herself.
Good job, Eric.
“No, …Duchess.”
“Go now.
We can’t let anyone know yet that you are mine.”
Grace patted his shoulder affectionately.
Then she spoke to Jesse.
“Jessie, please guide me out of the Duke’s mansion.”
“Yes, Duchess.”
Eric, who was following Jesse out with his hood pulled up, paused, turned around, and spoke.
The marriage negotiations between Rosette Taylor and Jack Sachsen are underway.
Grace frowned.
“I heard from Lady Cornwall.
I heard the Count of Saxony proposed marriage to the Duke of Taylor.”
Isn't that strange?
“That’s strange.”
Grace recalled the wedding she had ruined.
In the past, when territorial warfare was active, it would not have been surprising if war had broken out at any moment.
From the Count of Saxony's perspective, there could have been nothing more humiliating.
Yet, after suffering such a disgrace, he proposed marriage to Taylor again?
Grace, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened her mouth.
“Marriage contracts can only be viewed by the hosts and the couple themselves.
That is why I heard that even Lady Cornwall knows nothing about the contents of their contract.
She said that while it includes a condition to forgive Taylor’s debts, she has absolutely no idea what Taylor is giving to Saxony.”
“…….”
“This is not a beneficial marriage for Saxony.
Find out what their ulterior motive is.
Pay particular attention to the Count of Saxony’s circle.
Watch out for sudden large sums of money or the mobilization of unnecessary troops.”
"All right."
I'll look into it personally as well.