episode_0066

Lately, it seemed that Eleanor was quite tired due to the recent events. Even in the carriage swaying slightly enough to cause nausea, Oejeni was gently leaning her head on Eleanor’s shoulder with closed eyes.

Eleanor, tilting her head slightly as she entrusted her body to Oejeni who was dozing off, watched her friend sleep peacefully.

Eleanor’s lips, moistened with a pink hue, had a subtle curve, and only the ivory lady was reflected in her sky-blue eyes.

As Eleanor gazed at her sleeping friend with such a compassionate smile,

“Um… Miss.”

At the voice calling her, Eleanor turned her head cautiously, fearing that Oejeni leaning on her shoulder might wake up.

“What is it, Violet?”

Violet, sitting across from Eleanor, looked uncomfortable, sitting upright with her back straight, gazing at Eleanor with an uneasy posture.

Her chestnut hair, tinged with moisture, glowed orange in the slanting evening sunlight streaming through the carriage window.

“That… um, Miss….”

It wasn’t just her hair color.

With a face darkened by the sun from training, Violet hesitantly raised her lips.

Seeing her speak first and show such a demeanor, Eleanor subtly cocked her head.

In fact, although she was supposed to be Eleanor’s escort, she had never had a proper conversation with Violet before.

Initially, unlike other noble ladies, Eleanor rarely ventured outside the mansion, so naturally, she had not needed to accompany her escorts. Moreover, her outings were usually with her mother, Etienne, or her father, Albrice. Therefore, not only Violet but many knights from various families had accompanied her outings.

Violet closed her eyes briefly in front of her mistress, took a deep breath, then composed herself and filled her sulfur-colored eyes with her mistress.

“Lady Eleanor, I am truly grateful for what happened in the study last time.”

“Pardon? Wait, Violet? What are you talking about?”

At the sudden and disorderly expression of gratitude, Eleanor, taken aback, looked at her escort, who knelt with one knee on the floor, raising her hand in salute.

However, since Violet had her head bowed deeply, Eleanor couldn’t tell what expression she had or what she was thinking.

“Um, Violet?”

“That day in the study. If you hadn’t embraced me, I might have been dishonorably discharged from the knighthood…”

Looking at Violet, who couldn’t continue speaking, Eleanor sighed softly.

She wondered why a knight like her was so emotional. With everyone reacting this way, she felt uneasy, as if she had caused a major incident.

“Violet, please raise your head.”

“Yes, my lady.”

At Eleanor’s voice, Violet raised her head slightly while still kneeling.

“I told you then. What happened that day was everyone’s fault, and I won’t bring it up again.”

“That’s right…”

Lowering her head again, Violet spoke.

“Still, I wanted to express my gratitude to you, my lady.”

“Oh… What have I done…”

Muttering to herself softly, Eleanor looked at her escort, who had bowed deeply.

And at that moment, recalling a scene, Eleanor carefully lifted Oejeni from her embrace and extended her palm towards Violet.

“Violet, if your heart is still troubled, please make a vow to me.”

“A vow, you say?”

The lady’s voice, now distinctly different, caused Violette to raise her head slightly.

In front of her, the young lady’s fair hand lay limply.

Her hand was so unlike her own. Even though they were surely both the hands of women, her own rough and calloused hand that gripped a sword daily couldn’t even compare.

From the slender and beautiful hand of the young lady emanated not the bitter scent of ointment or oil and leather, but a graceful and enchanting scent of roses.

Enthralled by this captivating fragrance, Violette gazed deeply into the young lady’s sky-blue eyes as if entranced.

“No matter what happens from now on, I will protect you.”

Moved by the young lady’s soft voice, Violette gently placed her lips on the back of the hand in front of her.

Her body reacted before her mind did. Thanks to that, the words of the oath came a little late.

“Miss Violette. Whatever happens, I will protect you with my life.”

“Truly… You don’t need to risk your life for me.”

#.

Lately, Daphne had been in quite a good mood.

Of course, she didn’t show it outwardly as per her usual demeanor. She continued to portray the cold beauty who never displayed any emotions.

However, those working alongside her couldn’t help but notice the slight rise in her voice and the occasional warm glances towards Dimitri.

It had been a frustrating time with no significant achievements despite the Grand Duke coming down to the capital himself.

Even if she had established a connection with the Baron of Beaune in the west or if Miss Eleanor’s proposal had been approved in the council due to her sacrifice, the duration of such support remained uncertain.

Even if they could get through this winter, without continued support, the situation would undoubtedly become precarious.

Amidst all this, her hope had rested on Eleanor, who seemed to be keeping her distance from her lord for some reason.

Having been brought up from a young age in the rugged fortress of the north, Daphne could easily tell from his face that Dimitri was conscious of Eleanor.

After much hesitation, what she had managed to obtain from the Baron of Beaune was an unused mine on the outskirts.

It was a mine where, at best, a small amount of iron and copper might be buried. However, her lord had transformed that mine into a marble mine.

Not only that, but he also seemed to be taking his relationship with Lady Eleanor more seriously now.

“While other matters are important, pay attention to the maintenance of the Grand Duchy as well, Daphne. We can’t leave Hilda in such a desolate place forever.”

Though slightly irritated by Lady Hildegarde’s excuse, Daphne nodded without showing any emotion and proceeded to draft the remodeling plan for the Grand Duchy.

Apart from that, she had to arrange provisions and necessities to spend the winter comfortably and take care of the newly acquired marble mine.

Despite the increased workload, Daphne, for the first time since coming down to the capital, was feeling a sense of joy.

In Daphne’s office, Dimitri sat on the sofa, reading through documents.

Now, the end of the season had truly arrived. It was time to start preparing to return to the north for the winter.

The document in his hand was a report hastily compiled by Daphne.

“Um, Daphne. Isn’t this a bit too much?”

Dimitri got up from the sofa and approached Daphne, who was now seated at her desk.

“What do you mean by ‘too much’?”

“Well, the curtains, the carpet, the new bed, and even a dining table? Just fixing Hilda’s room should be enough for now.”

Dmitri lowered the report on the desk, his head shaking slightly. The purchase order handed to him by Daphne was filled with new furniture almost to the point of being excessive.

Yet, Daphne maintained a confident expression as she looked at Dmitri.

“It’s not excessive. If you want to entertain a lady, this is necessary.”

“Sigh… Daphne, you know Hilda isn’t the type to care about such things.”

“What are you talking about, sir?”

Daphne replied seriously at the mention of Hilda’s name.

“Weren’t you planning to invite Miss Eleanor to the estate for the summer? For a vacation?”

#.

“She’s staying at that inn over there.”

Nasir pointed towards a shabby two-story wooden building down the alley.

Ernst quickly scanned the alley Nasir indicated.

Despite the sun being high, the alley remained dark. Not a single ray of sunlight penetrated through the narrow buildings.

Trash littered the street, and the stench emanating from there was palpable.

At the end of the alley stood the run-down wooden building.

With its faded wooden door and dingy, gilded glass windows, the place exuded neglect.

To think that Louis Edmund resided in such a squalid inn.

Ernst, who rarely showed emotions, furrowed his brows slightly at the sight of the dirty inn within the dark alley. Although the moment was fleeting, even Nasir standing beside him did not notice.

“Shall we go get him?”

“No. No need to attract unnecessary attention. You go ahead.”

Nasir nodded quietly and cautiously pushed open the creaking wooden door of the musty inn in the foul-smelling alley.

Creak.

The door opened with an ominous sound, drawing the menacing gazes of the rough men inside towards the two newcomers.

Nasir placed his hand on the hilt of his dagger, but Ernst stopped him and walked past towards the innkeeper at the counter.

“Louis Edmund.”

No other words were spoken.

In response to Ernst’s words, Nasir produced a handful of coins and handed them to the stern-faced innkeeper.

The innkeeper, in a surprisingly kind voice, gestured towards the rickety wooden stairs, pointing to his chin.

“He’s probably still sleeping off the drink. Might need until evening to sober up.”

“It doesn’t matter. Has anyone else come looking for him?”

“No one. He’s a man who drinks every day and causes trouble. Who would come looking for him?”

The innkeeper replied with a disgusted expression, shaking his head. Nasir received the key instead of Ernst and pulled out another coin, offering it to the innkeeper.

“If there’s any noise from upstairs…”

No further explanation was needed. The innkeeper let out a sly laugh, placing a finger across his pursed lips.