Because she had been wary of Sebastian’s prying eyes, she had avoided social gatherings. As a result, the jewelry she had brought with her had been locked away in the box untouched for three years.
It was something she should’ve done right away.
The duke turned to face Agnes and said, “You’re more informed about our predicament than I thought.”
‘I’ve said too much.’
In actuality, Agnes knew nothing about the Duke of Arpad other than his name and family crest three years ago when she married him.
Because it was a nominal ducal family on the outskirts with no influence in central politics, few people were aware of what was happening within the duchy.
“Well, obviously, living in the palace allows me to see and hear more.”
“I see”
Fortunately, Laslo did not go any deeper.
Agnes thought that she should exercise more caution in the future when acting as though she is aware of the Duke’s personal circumstances.
Of course, Agnes could tell him the truth, but she wasn’t yet ready to share everything with him. She herself did not find this situation convincing, so she doubted he would believe her if she told him.
The simple breakfast ended quickly.
Laslo got up first.
“I’m considering hosting a small banquet tonight.”
“Banquet?”
“It’s nothing special; it’s just to introduce the vassals of Arpad to the princess; I hope you can come if you’re not too busy.”
“Of course,”
Agnes smiled brightly.
This is different from the past. She had never shared breakfast with him or received a formal introduction to the vassals.
Somehow, she felt that he was acknowledging her.
“I’ll see you later, then.”
Laslo departed.
Agnes called for a maid.
“Call the butler.”
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
“I’m Niall Altrace.”
It’s a face she’s been seeing for almost three years, but she can’t understand why it feels so unfamiliar.
Agnes just stared at him without saying a word.
Her relationship with this man was not cordial.
For a commoner, his stiff neck and meticulousness in scrutinizing every detail from one to ten felt annoying.
“You may stand up.”
Niall got up as she spoke.
The reason he dislikes her.
She thought he didn’t easily relinquish control of the household because he looked down on the princess who married without a dowry.
“Ney, hand me the box.”
Ney, the princess’s trusted attendant, who had been raised alongside her handed her a wrapped box while wearing a dreadful expression.
“What exactly is this?”
“It’s jewelry I brought from the palace; sell it and use the money to buy grains.”
He looked down at the box silently, without any expression.
“All of it?”
Even with both hands, he struggled to lift the box he had received.
“All of it; if you need anything else, let Ney know.”
Agnes stated unequivocally.
“I will.”
He gently nodded his head.
Agnes examined his face for a moment before offering him a seat in front of her.
“Please take a seat; I need to speak with you.”
“I’ll stand here and listen,”
“It’s hard to look up.”
Only then did Niall act defeated and take a seat across from the princess.
Ney set the tea on the table with caution.
“Leave us.”
“Yes, Madam.”
As she walked out, Ney shut the door behind her.
Niall and Agnes were the only people left in the room.
“How long have you been working for the Duke?”
“I was born and raised here; my father was the butler of the Arpad family for 45 years, and I’ve been in this same position for eight years.”
“That’s a long time; were you in charge of everything in the house?”
Agnes was aware that the former Duchess had died more than a decade before.
Since he had been the butler for eight years, he must have been in charge of managing every aspect of the household.
“Yes.”
Nothing else could be said. Niall was a man of few words.
Agnes took a look around the room.
Clearly, it was largely due to his contributions that the Arpad Castle was able to recover despite its precarious situation.
“You don’t trust me.”
“……”
It was unusual of him not to respond immediately.
Agnes chuckled.
“You must be suspicious of how much a princess, who has only recently become an adult, knows about state affairs. You must also be skeptical of entrusting the castle to such a young princess.”
Sipping her hot tea, she spoke calmly.
On behalf of Niall, who remained silent, Agnes continued to speak.
“You’re right. I may perhaps know the specialties of each region, but I have no clue as to where I can get quality rugs.”
In the past, she would simply ignore what she didn’t know. No, it would be more accurate to say that she wasn’t interested. It certainly wasn’t out of the princess’s own free will that she came to Sutmar.
Her relationship with her husband, Laslo, wasn’t good, and the vassals silently ignored the princess who had come without a dowry.
Agnes, with nowhere to attach her heart, naturally wasn’t interested in how the castle’s internal circumstances worked. In addition, because Niall didn’t have much of a gentle or attentive personality, he had not approached her first and nor had he taught her how to deal with the household affairs.
The vassals seized the opportunity and criticized her. They didn’t hesitate to say that the incompetent and useless princess was lowering the status of the Arpad family.
Agnes shut herself in the room and closed her ears whenever she heard their gossip.
“The princess grew up to be a successor of the crown, not to be the mistress of a castle.”
Niall, who had kept his mouth shut, opened his mouth for the first time.
Children of the king are educated as the successor to the throne when they are old enough to walk and speak on their own.
Agnes was no exception.
“That’s right. But I am now the Duchess of Arpad. Whether you acknowledge it or not.”
“I wouldn’t dare not to.”
“Isn’t that why you intentionally don’t call me madam?” She replied calmly.
It wasn’t meant to be sarcastic.
“…I just haven’t gotten used to it yet. I will correct it. Madam.”
A fine crack had formed in Niall’s face.
He bowed his head deeper than before.
“I didn’t call you here to argue about my title. But…”
Agnes took a deep breath.
Nirseg is a powerful country. Their military strength and strong economic power were at the top among the surrounding countries. Although she grew up wary of Sebastian, she was still born and raised as a royal. Naturally, she lived a life in which giving orders were more familiar than asking requests.
“Help me.”
In the past, she didn’t want to say this even if she’d die.
Although Altrace is a well-known family in Sutmar, to the princess they were no less than commoners.
Her pride refused to bow to such a man and seek help.
“Yes?”
Even Niall couldn’t hide the surprised look on his face.
“As you said, I’ve only ever received an imperial education, so I have no idea how to manage a castle. But I want you to teach me who is lacking. Help me.”
“To teach you… is inappropriate.”
Once she set aside her pride, the words flowed more smoothly than she had expected. She didn’t understand why it had been so difficult to say this.
“It is my duty to assist you. You don’t have to ask.”
“It’s not a duty, it’s a request.”
After speaking, Agnes quickly added as if she felt her tone sounded authoritative.
“Please. Altrace.”
She made an effort to raise the corners of her mouth and spoke in a soft voice.
“Alright.”
‘He agreed to it more easily than I thought.’
She got the answer she’d wanted, but still felt a bit restless.
Was that all there was to the response? Was there more to say? The words were stuck in her throat.
“Do you mind if I go back?” He asked bluntly.
Agnes felt disappointed as his attitude had remained unchanged from when he first entered the room.
“……..Yes.”
Niall retreated with a polite but calm demeanor.
She didn’t expect to win his heart in one go
Agnes sat alone as she drank the cold tea.
Still, she felt somewhat pleased at the thought that things were gradually improving. She felt relieved that she seemed to have handled the situation well with Laslo and Niall.
In the past, it took her more than two months to hold a proper conversation with Laslo. Compared to the past, this was a tremendous improvement.
‘I can change it.’
Smiling happily to herself, Agnes suddenly froze as a thought crossed her mind.
‘But what should I do?’
Even if she went back three years, the information she knew was limited.
This was because she had turned a deaf ear to political matters, and the social interactions she had were limited, as she might be misunderstood as gathering forces when she meets people.
‘How can I save you?’
She couldn’t forget the final look in Laslo’s dark eyes.
She would probably never forget them in her lifetime.
As she buried his arm under the grandeur, she had vowed revenge on her brother, but she felt lost on where and how to start.
She regretted not paying more attention to external news, but now it was all futile.
She called Ney back inside and asked her to bring her paper and pen.
She was planning to list all the things that had happened over the past three years.
– Sebastian inherits the throne next spring.
That’s less than half a year away from now, even if it’s next spring. When Agnes left the palace, her father’s health was already in poor condition.
– In the fall, the king deployed troops beyond the Yeka Mountains for war with Devon.
Half of the Duchy’s army was compelled to be dispatched, yet regrettably, the majority did not return home alive.
Thanks for the wonderful chapter!❤️🔥