Chapter 24: Meeting the Knights (1)
“Ninety-nine… handkerchiefs?”
“Yes, I’ll be formally meeting the knights tomorrow, and I’d like to give them a gift.”
Everyone around was stunned.
While Leon and Norton seemed touched, the tailor shop staff looked more like they were in shock.
Madam’s expression became troubled.
“In just one day… that might be difficult.”
I knew it. Making that many by hand in such a short time was unrealistic.
“But a handkerchief is the most suitable gift. And I can’t postpone the meeting either…”
Seeing my troubled face, Leon spoke up.
“Your Highness, what if you divide the order among different tailor shops? There are several others in Goldrain.”
“But you told me that Coutere is the best tailor shop in the North. I can’t prepare something carelessly for the knights.”
Madam’s voice trembled slightly.
“It’s not that we don’t want to, but… finishing that many in a day would be extremely difficult.”
“It is difficult, then?”
“Even if we prioritize this order above everything else, we cannot rush a gift meant for knights of such honor…”
Madam hesitated, struggling to decline outright.
“I understand.”
“You do?”
“If it’s too much, then it can’t be helped.”
I didn’t want to put Madam in a difficult position with an unreasonable request.
“I should have considered the size of the knight order beforehand. That was my mistake.”
“…I apologize, Your Highness.”
To ease Madam’s guilt, I offered an explanation.
“You know I’m not exactly a welcomed duchess, right?”
Madam’s gaze wavered slightly.
“I suppose I was too eager to make a good impression. Don’t worry about it; I was the one making an unreasonable request.”
I was about to give up on the handkerchief idea when Madam suddenly clenched her hands together and spoke with determination.
“What kind of embroidery would you like?”
“Embroidery?”
I had something in mind.
I asked for paper and a pen, then sketched a large “B” representing Blenheim, adding some decorative elements around it.
“Something like this.”
“If it’s just this design… I will try.”
Madam, who had been staring nervously at the paper, finally made up her mind.
“Really?”
“You chose Coutere for such a meaningful gift. I want to help you deliver your message.”
Her employees looked horrified, but Madam’s aged eyes burned with determination.
“That would be amazing, but…”
I hesitated, worried she was taking on too much.
“Even one missing piece would ruin the gift’s meaning. Are you absolutely sure you can finish by tomorrow morning?”
“I will not disappoint you.”
Her unwavering resolve left no room for argument.
To compensate for the rush order, I promised to pay double the usual price. The exhausted employees immediately brightened.
‘Money really does solve everything.’
I quickly finalized details like the fabric, size, and thread color before leaving the shop.
“I’ll leave it in your hands.”
“We’ll do our best.”
As I stepped outside, I heard Madam’s commanding voice from within.
“Gather every available worker! Double their wages! Put all other orders on hold!”
‘They’ll… be fine, right?’
After visiting a few more stores, I returned to the castle before sunset.
Leon could hardly contain his excitement.
For him, this was the first time he would participate in a full-scale knight training session.
He had long dreamed of this moment since becoming a knight.
Each knight squad typically had only twelve members.
Since new members could only join when a position opened, as a young commoner, Leon never knew when he’d get the chance.
But this year, the Grand Duke personally evaluated the squires based solely on skill and knighted Leon—the youngest knight ever.
It was an honor for his family, Marie and Jacques, could be proud of for generations.
For such a long-awaited day, he should have been fully focused. But Leon found it hard to concentrate all morning.
Because in the afternoon, the Duchess was visiting the training grounds.
The knight order was tense, knowing they would soon meet her.
After endless cleaning, their armor shone so brightly that it was blinding.
Even those who resented the Marquis’s family couldn’t help but sneak glances at the main castle, eager to see her.
It was understandable.
After all, She was the first woman to reside in the Grand Duke’s castle, aside from the maids.
And knights who had visited the capital—including Leon—praised her endlessly.
‘After today, even more knights will be joining her fan club.’
Leon nodded to himself, convinced.
Finally, the Duchess appeared, accompanied by servants and attendants.
From the moment she arrived, none of the knights could focus on training.
Even the Grand Duke himself immediately stepped over to greet her.
The knight captains exchanged looks, amazed.
The man who refused to say a word about his wife was now personally guiding her and explaining everything by her side.
Even the usually composed Captain Hedrick couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief.
When he announced a break, the knights assembled faster than ever.
The Grand Duke escorted the Duchess to the front of the formation.
The knights’ eyes nearly popped out.
‘Did… did the commander just hold a woman’s hand?’
And that wasn’t even the most shocking part.
‘A… goddess?’
With soft golden hair pinned up and warm eyes that curved gently as she smiled, the Duchess was simply breathtaking.
At Hedrick’s command, the knights saluted in unison.
“We greet Your Highness!”
The Duchess smiled gracefully at them.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet the knights who protect Blenheim.”
Her sapphire-blue eyes gleamed warmly.
“It’s late, but I’m glad to finally meet you all. You’ve probably heard plenty of rumors about me—most of them not very good.”
At those words, a few knights cleared their throats awkwardly.
“But now, I am officially a part of Blenheim, and I will do my best to be a worthy Grand Duchess. So, I hope you’ll give me a chance.”
Even as she spoke, the knights exchanged confused glances.
‘Wasn’t she supposed to be the infamous villain of the capital?’
‘They said she was a fake saint… but she looks just like a real one!’
‘She’s like a fairy of spring come to life!’
‘No way! Someone this lovely can’t possibly be the daughter of that notorious Marquis!’
While whispers spread among the knights, those who had attended the wedding stood smugly, as if silently saying, “See? We told you so.”
When the Grand Duchess finished speaking, Loic swept his sharp gaze over his men before speaking.
“From now on, the Grand Duchess holds the same authority as I do in normal situations. Defying her orders, showing disrespect, or refusing to obey will be considered an act of defiance against me.”
His tone was more of a warning than an introduction.
“In terms of protection, her safety takes priority over mine. No exceptions.”
Hedrick’s eyes flickered slightly, but he wisely remained silent.
As soon as Loic finished speaking, the knights shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the training grounds.
Then, the Grand Duchess spoke again.
“Your Grace, I’ve prepared a small gift…”
At her gentle signal, a servant carrying a basket stepped forward.
‘When did she prepare this…?’
Loic, touched by the gesture, was about to order one of the knights to take the basket when—
“I’d like to hand them out myself so I can get to know everyone. Would that be alright?”
She smiled sweetly.
“Personally?”
Loic hesitated, then, seeing the excitement in her eyes, he nodded.
“Step forward one by one, starting with the First Division.”
Just as the knights began lining up, she suddenly called out—
“Sir Theor?”
She pulled out a neatly wrapped package and called a name.
“Y-yes, Your Highness!”
The senior knight, who had been busy instructing the trainees, realized he had been called and rushed forward in a panic.
The other knights—and even Loic—looked surprised.
‘How does she know their names?’
