Chapter 04
After Bern returned in a much brighter mood, Jed and Max remained at the training ground.
But they were already exhausted from multiple sparring sessions, so they sat in the shade.
Max muttered, still bothered by his knight’s unusual struggles.
“I thought he was invincible, but he has an unexpected weakness…
Well, it’s Bern, so I believe he’ll manage.”
Jed grinned and responded playfully.
“Exactly. Who would have thought that Bern, of all people, would fall in love so deeply that he loses his focus on the sword? He even rejected the marriage arranged by his family. It’s quite concerning.”
Max glanced at Jed and said knowingly,
“No, you just find it amusing to see the unshakable Bern stumble like this.”
“…Ah, was it that obvious?”
Jed chuckled. Then, as if lost in thought, he continued,
“Still, it’s interesting. I’ve never seen him this shaken before. That woman, Raina… I’m curious about her.”
Max noticed a slight chill in Jed’s tone and warned him lightly.
“Don’t mess with him too much. It might backfire on you.”
“Of course, Your Highness. I always know my limits. I’ll just stir things up a little.”
Jed smirked mischievously.
“But, when someone acts so obviously, how can you resist teasing them?”
Max, deciding to change the subject, said,
“I respect Lady Carmilla’s stance. She’s not wrong. Bern’s approach is just crushing those weaker than him for his comfort.”
But Jed seemed more interested in Bern’s love life.
His red eyes gleamed with amusement, like a cat that had just spotted a fun new toy.
Max suddenly felt a bit worried for Bern and warned Jed again.
“Bern isn’t like you. If he strays from his path, it could be permanent.”
“Maybe so, Your Highness. But that fool probably won’t even realize who’s messing with him. He’d have to be dense.”
Max wanted to defend Bern, but he couldn’t find the right words.
Because, honestly, Bern was quite clueless when it came to matters like this.
It was one of his blind spots, though sometimes it worked in his favor.
So instead of arguing, Max shifted the topic back to the woman who had shaken Bern so much.
“Still, I’m curious. What exactly did that woman say to make Bern react like this? I’d love to meet her someday. She must be quite the interesting person.”
The name Carmilla felt unfamiliar to him.
He knew the finance minister had a daughter, and she occasionally appeared on the list of potential crown princess candidates. But that was all.
Maybe he had seen her in passing at the palace, but if he had, she had left no impression on him.
Max repeated the name “Carmilla” in his mind once more before letting it fade into his thoughts.
With the wedding preparations canceled, an unusual silence filled the Armen estate where I was staying.
Of course, there was no more work to be done, but the real reason was that my so-called happy occasion had suddenly fallen apart.
I was fine, but my servants were walking on eggshells, afraid of upsetting me. The house felt as solemn as a funeral home.
Lysdel, in particular, became gloomy every time she returned from an errand. One day, I even found her crying alone in a corner.
Wherever she went, people must have blamed her for saying something that ruined my engagement.
Eventually, I gathered the maids together.
Seeing Lysdel standing behind me with red-rimmed eyes, they seemed to understand why I had called them.
The red-haired girl with a fiery personality even shot a glare at Lysdel, thinking I wouldn’t notice.
I sighed and clapped my hands lightly. The red-haired maid, Hannah, quickly lowered her gaze.
“You all know why I called you here.”
The maids hung their heads. But I didn’t want to scold them and create more division.
So, I spoke gently.
“Of course, what you did was wrong. But I didn’t call you here to punish you. Though it’s unfortunate for Lysdel, I was a little touched.”
They looked confused, so I explained further.
“I know I’ve been a strict and demanding mistress. So when I heard that you were upset over my engagement and even fought about it, I was surprised.”
Honestly, the thought had only briefly crossed my mind before, but I maintained a calm and kind expression, looking them in the eyes.
To manage people, scolding isn’t enough. Especially in situations like this, it’s better to encourage unity.
“I always knew you were diligent and trustworthy, but I didn’t realize you cared about me. This situation made me see that.”
I gestured to Lysdel.
“Lysdel, bring it here.”
Lysdel carried over a basket filled with beautiful ribbons and fabrics—silk, velvet, and other luxurious materials.
She looked confused, too.
I took the basket and pulled out several colorful ribbons, choosing one for each maid based on their hair color and usual style.
“This isn’t a reward for what you did to Lysdel. It’s a gift to show my appreciation for your loyalty and care. But don’t misunderstand—this doesn’t mean I approve of your actions.
Be more mindful from now on.”
Even though these were leftover fabrics from the wedding preparations, they were still luxurious materials only nobles could usually afford.
The maids could have bought them with their wages, but it would have been too expensive. Many of them were saving money or supporting their families.
So, the way their faces lit up showed how much they appreciated the small gift.
As they bowed politely and thanked me in soft, delighted voices, I added one more thing.
“I only realized your loyalty because of Lysdel. So, if you can, be kind to her as well.”
After a brief hesitation, they each thanked Lysdel.
Their expressions had softened. They no longer seemed angry or resentful.
I smiled and gave one last warning.
“This time, I’m letting it slide because of your good intentions. But if I ever find out there’s bullying or conflict among the staff again, I will punish it strictly. Understood?”
They nodded seriously, looking properly remorseful.
“Alright, you may go now.”
Since we had bought a lot of expensive fabrics for the wedding, using them this way wasn’t a bad idea.
Most of the estate’s staff were new hires, and the master of the house was often away, leaving me in charge. I had already spent years managing Bern’s chaotic new estate.
A minor conflict like this was nothing.
I couldn’t cook or clean myself—I had never learned such things.
But I knew how to play my role. My job was to maintain order and peace in the household.
Then, suddenly, a dark thought crept into my mind.
—But that wasn’t the way to be loved as a wife.
What should I have done?
If the failure was my fault… If I was simply someone who couldn’t be loved…
Then wouldn’t this happen again, no matter who I married?
Just then, someone knelt before me.
Snapping out of my dark thoughts, I looked down to see Lysdel staring up at me, her eyes filled with tears.
“Why are you crying, Lysdel? If someone saw, they’d think I was scolding you. Get up.”
But at my words, her tears spilled over, sliding down her pale cheeks.
“Miss… Miss… I—”
She couldn’t even finish her sentence. Her gratitude came out as muffled sobs.
Seeing her cry, I realized I had been too indifferent.
I had the power to make people happy with just a little kindness.
Not by sacrificing myself, but simply by paying more attention. That alone could make someone cry with joy.
I had always been too focused on my happiness.
Suddenly, it felt like the dark grip of the past loosened a little.
Maybe I was given this second chance because I had been so foolish before.
Maybe it was because I could help people, and the gods had given me this opportunity.
With that thought, I gently patted Lysdel’s head.
“I know you mean well, even if you make mistakes. Your faults are mine too, as your mistress. So don’t feel burdened. This is just a small kindness.”
Then, after a brief hesitation, I added softly,
“—I just want you to be happy.”
