Chapter – 06
“This is quite a serious matter.”
At the same time Evelyn and Casian were talking, there were two people secretly eavesdropping on their conversation: the head maid Sophia and the butler Sebastian.
“It’s my fault for being negligent. Everyone refused the position of being the princess’s personal maid, so I had no choice but to leave it to the two of them.”
“That’s all right. Didn’t you expect unpredictable events the moment the princess arrived at the duke’s residence?”
Sebastian, a butler whose family had served the Hetis Dukes for generations, comforted Sophia and then listened carefully to the sounds coming through the artifact.
- But… dear, where is the ledger?
When Evelyn had sent Mary and Rose away, she had quietly instructed them to leave the brooch behind, just in case… and indeed, something shocking was happening.
“Could it be that her memory has returned?”
“If she’s pretending, there’s still a chance her memory came back.”
To ask so innocently where the ledger came from—if she intended to devour all the Hetis Duke family’s information, it would be perfectly plausible.
Feeling the threat, Sebastian’s face stiffened as he worried how to handle the situation. Just then, a calm voice came through the artifact.
- The ledger is being safely kept by the butler.
The tone was gentle but firm. Casian conveyed a polite refusal so as not to offend. But before long, Evelyn’s voice spoke again.
- Really? Then I suppose we should call Sebastian.
Evelyn seemed ready to pull the summoning string and appear at once. Fortunately, Casian appeared to restrain her, but their conversation did not stop.
- Is that really necessary? Sebastian has been managing things on behalf of your mother for a long time.
- Perhaps for my mother, but not for me. The ledger is supposed to be managed by the mistress, after all.
Though they spoke calmly, it was obvious that an outburst could occur any moment. A northern witch would surely yell, “You don’t trust me?”
Yet an unexpected thing happened.
- Casian, I know you don’t fully trust me, but could you give me a chance? I am the Duchess of the Hetis family. Though I neglected the household while bedridden, I want to faithfully perform my duties as the duchess from now on.
Instead of the explosive tantrum everyone expected, Evelyn spoke with a soft, persuasive tone. She even proposed a new solution.
- I haven’t examined the ledger yet, so I don’t know for sure, but I have a short-term plan to solve the financial crisis.
- A short-term plan?
- Yes. Raise taxes. More precisely, apply differential taxation by category.
She suggested considering multiple factors such as income, production, and product types, as it would be unfair to apply the same tax to everyone. This would be the most effective approach.
She did not forget to reference other regions.
- Compared to other regions, the south collects relatively low taxes, so slightly increasing taxes on certain items should be acceptable.
It was a reasonable proposal. Casian was already trying to adjust revenues by imposing special taxes on luxury goods and unethical businesses. Evelyn’s argument was so sound and clearly expressed that it seemed as if it had come straight from his own mind.
“Did we misjudge her?”
“Perhaps we did.”
Rumor had it that Evelyn was cruel and ruthless, known for throwing tantrums to get her way. But now…
“She’s a model for noblewomen,” said Sophia.
Indeed, she was demonstrating the qualities of a proper and virtuous lady of the house.
“Come to think of it, I’ve never actually witnessed the princess doing anything malicious.”
“She may have interrogated the maids, but as the duchess, it’s natural that her first priority is understanding how the household operates.”
Sometimes gentle, sometimes strict. Warm personality is important, but so is the dignity befitting a duchess. Focusing only on one trait could lead to disregard or resentment, so a well-rounded demeanor was essential. Evelyn exhibited all of these qualities, and for Casian, it might mean gaining a reliable ally. Sebastian thought to himself, unconsciously revealing his true feelings.
“If only she weren’t the duke’s lover…”
He had been listening, hoping to find flaws, but was quietly being persuaded.
“Well, who knows about romantic relationships? After all, sightings of the duke and the princess together were rare.”
“Still, many people claimed to have seen them.”
“Do you forget that those who saw them were aligned with northern factions?”
Sophia’s pointed remark startled Sebastian, and at the same time, a new suspicion crossed his mind.
‘Could it be that her marriage to Hetis Duke was a way to avoid marriage with the current emperor?’
Of course, the master’s feelings were most important, but what if Evelyn’s reputation was not true?
‘Ahem. That’s too far-fetched. One cannot lightly open one’s heart to a northern witch—or a subject under surveillance.’
Having long served the duke’s household, the loyal retainer knew he had to assess the situation with a cool mind.
“Hmm. The delicious smell makes me think the meal is nearly ready. I should go see.”
Sebastian hurriedly rose and quickened his pace more than usual. He had to act fast. His master could not be left in the company of a subject under observation for too long! As the butler responsible for the Hetis household, he had to support his lord!
Thus, he announced:
“The luncheon is ready. Please proceed to the second floor.”
Let any marital disputes be settled in the dining hall!
Swoosh, chop, chop.
In the dining room, a series of quiet, precise sounds echoed. Casian’s gaze, usually silent, followed the source. Evelyn herself was slicing the meat.
“Darling, is this thickness okay?”
“Perfect.”
She was preparing the ham for serving. Normally, this would be the cook’s task.
“Oh!”
“The chef!”
The cook, carrying a large hind leg, had stumbled, injuring his hand and back. Fortunately, Sophia swiftly intervened and took the ham.
“Phew, the Black Label ham is safe.”
“Please don’t ask if I’m safe too. Oww!”
The cook tried to continue his duties despite the pain, but he could not manage slicing the meat. Evelyn stepped in.
“No! I cannot entrust this precious piece to anyone else.”
With a stern glare warning them not to take the ham, Casian and the staff could only watch quietly. Normally, this would be a professional task, yet what happened next was astonishing.
Swoosh, chop, chop.
Her skill with the knife was extraordinary. Even though it was her first time handling a long carving knife, Evelyn moved with fluid precision, almost as if she and the knife were one.
“Marvelous! The marbling comes alive!”
“And the thinness when it catches the light!”
She sliced portions to perfectly fit a bite, adjusting fat content for each piece, her sharp eyes ensuring the Black Label ham was cut flawlessly. The image evoked a battlefield, as if she were a knight dispatching foes.
Once the hand carving was done, Evelyn placed an appropriate portion on Casian’s plate. She also offered a taste to the staff.
“Everyone, try some quickly.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
As they tasted it, exclamations of admiration followed. It was undoubtedly a perfect cut.
“How is it, dear?”
“Delicious.”
Not a perfunctory compliment—truly delicious. Enough to satisfy even a gourmet.
Yet something odd lingered in Casian’s mind.
‘Why does she radiate such vigor?’
He sensed a knightly energy emanating from Evelyn.
The thought was bizarre. A seemingly innocent woman, yet he felt the aura of a master knight. It almost seemed as if someone’s swordsmanship overlapped with hers.
Watching her movements, Casian couldn’t resist reaching for her hand.
“Darling?”
