Two days had passed since they had successfully prevented the “Recinia Massacre.”
During that time, Ashid and the knights remaining in the capital had been incredibly busy distributing the profits from Aina and the Levant region, which had been handed over by the Prince of Recinia, fairly among the people of the northern castle.
Because of that, despite their residences being connected by a single long corridor, Daniella had not encountered Ashid even once.
‘If it weren’t for this, that grand duke’s son would have been pestering me every day, demanding I find the letter left behind by Duke Enchanto. I don’t even have to see it to know that’s what would have happened.’
For Daniella, it was a welcome turn of events.
Thanks to the situation, she had the time to think through her plans alone. Step by step, she carefully organized her next moves in her mind.
The next afternoon, as Daniella was enjoying some tea and sweet desserts in the drawing room after lunch, Mella approached her and whispered:
“My lady, do you remember how Sir Dare mentioned there was someone he wanted to introduce to you? That person has come to see you now. What would you like to do?”
“Let them in immediately.”
Mella bowed slightly and left the room.
A short while later, a woman entered the drawing room.
She had long black hair, except for a few strands at her temples that had turned white. She wore a simple navy dress, unadorned except for a row of pearl buttons running from the high collar down to her chest. Despite her rather pretty features, there was something strangely subdued and unremarkable about her appearance.
The woman slowly surveyed the room with her dreamy navy-blue eyes before finally bowing politely to Daniella.
“It is an honor to meet you, Grand Duchess Alberic. I am the Baroness Grey.”
“Nice to meet you, Baroness Grey.”
Grey sat down across from Daniella. She moved with such quiet precision—neither her footsteps nor the rustling of her clothes made a sound—as if she had been rigorously trained for such composure.
Sensing that something about the woman was unusual, Daniella observed her with caution. Grey gave a slight smile and said:
“You look like a chick standing before a predator, Grand Duchess. Are you afraid of me?”
“Oh, no. Of course not.”
“I’m afraid such shallow lies won’t work on me. You see, I specialize in uncovering falsehoods.”
Grey’s calm, gray eyes locked onto Daniella’s, mirroring the way Daniella had observed her earlier.
Under the woman’s scrutinizing gaze, Daniella felt her lips go dry. Somehow, she had the unsettling feeling that this woman could see through all of her secrets—perhaps even the fact that she had possessed this body.
‘I can’t work with someone like this.’
Just as she was about to send Grey away, an amused expression crossed the woman’s face as she asked:
“It seems you plan to start a charity. How do you intend to secure the necessary funds?”
“How did you…!”
“I have no interest in working under someone who squanders her husband’s wealth and does nothing but attend social gatherings.”
Daniella stared at Grey, her eyes widening in shock. How had she known about her plans for the charity?
Grey’s smile deepened, as if she were an adult humorously indulging a naïve child.
‘Ha. So that’s how she sees me? As a foolish, shallow woman?’
Annoyed by the woman’s condescension, Daniella retorted:
“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already planned out exactly how I’ll make money.”
“Oh? And how do you plan to do that?”
“If you’re that curious, why don’t you work under me for just one month and see for yourself? You’ll soon realize I’m not as incompetent as you think.”
Daniella smirked. Grey’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
She had expected the grand duchess to be enraged by her blunt words—after all, it was unthinkable for a low-ranking noblewoman to speak so rudely to someone of Daniella’s status. Yet instead of reacting with anger, Daniella responded with confidence. It was completely different from the foolish and arrogant reputation she had heard.
For the first time, Grey found herself intrigued.
It might actually be interesting to work for someone like this.
A faint smile tugged at Grey’s lips.
“Very well. I’ll take you up on your offer.”
“Really?”
Grey nodded silently, then rose from her seat and bowed politely to Daniella.
“I look forward to working with you, Grand Duchess Alberic.”
“Me too.”
“You may speak comfortably with me now. After all, I am your vassal from this moment forward.”
“Alright, Grey.”
The two women exchanged warm smiles.
Northern Aschilad Empire, Greenhorn Region.
The region was currently undergoing reconstruction, repairing the buildings and fortress walls that had been destroyed by Recinia’s invasion.
From a watchtower nearby, Ashid observed the progress alongside his aides. He turned to Lowell and asked in a cold voice:
“Have you found Sir Fincher’s body yet?”
“Dozens of knights have been searching every inch of the annex and its surroundings, but we have yet to recover it. Given the circumstances of his death…”
“Even if it’s just a part of him, find it. Prepare a funeral with the same honors given to a member of the Grand Ducal House as soon as he is located.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Lowell replied solemnly.
Just then, Wellard climbed up the watchtower and bowed before delivering his report.
“Your Highness, the families of the knights who perished in battle have arrived at Greenhorn Square.”
“I see. I will go at once.”
Ashid immediately descended from the tower, accompanied by his knights.
When he arrived at the square, he scanned the gathered mourners, and his gaze soon settled on a young girl.
With a youthful face covered in freckles across her nose and cheeks, she had tied her chestnut-brown hair back into a ponytail. On her back, she carried a sleeping child. She was Daisy, Sir Fincher’s younger sister.
Daisy’s eyes were swollen red from crying, and her voice trembled as she greeted Ashid.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness, Grand Duke Alberic.”
Instead of responding with a bow, Ashid reached for the sword at his waist and spoke in an icy tone.
“Shall I kill them all?”
“…What?”
“It’s not too late. If you wish, I will march into Recinia right now and behead every single person with a drop of Marquis Carwin’s blood.”
“…!”
“Your Highness! You cannot! The peace treaty has already been finalized!”
Daisy’s eyes widened in shock at Ashid’s chilling words.
Ashid raised a hand to silence Lowell and continued with a grim expression.
“You need not concern yourself with the affairs of the northern castle. If this will bring you even a fraction of peace, I will do anything. So tell me—how do you wish to take revenge?”
Tears welled in Daisy’s eyes. She bit her lower lip so hard that it bled, hesitating in silence.
Grief, anger, vengeance, and sorrow all flashed across her young face before she finally shook her head.
“No, I don’t want that anymore, Your Highness.”
“…If taking revenge would bring my brother back, I would gladly ask you. But it won’t. I don’t want other families to suffer as I have.”
She wept as she spoke. Ashid’s expression darkened.
He understood her pain. That was why he couldn’t comprehend her decision.
He studied her carefully and asked again, “Are you certain?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I am.”
Daisy wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“I was devastated and furious… but knowing that you came here for me and were even willing to break the treaty for my brother’s sake—it eased my heart.”
“….”
“Besides, you already made them apologize and pay compensation. Thanks to that, I won’t have to worry about Annie’s medicine anymore. Thank you, Your Highness.”
Her gaze softened as she looked at the sleeping child on her back.
Ashid gently reached out and brushed the child’s hair before saying, “If you ever find yourself in trouble, send a letter to the Grand Ducal House at any time.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Daisy smiled and nodded.
