NLBWM 11

Chapter – 11

Perhaps because things had gone off their expected course, a sense of discomfort lingered in Casian’s chest. Without realizing it, he clenched his fist. When the whole situation had settled, he opened his mouth to deliver punishment.

“This time, we’ll deduct three months’ salary.”

Casian had originally intended to dismiss the two of them, but he suddenly changed his decision.

‘After all, they are loyal retainers of the Duke of Hetis.’

Even though Eveline was important, it wasn’t worth driving them away. Reliable people were hard to come by, and no one could have predicted Eveline’s reckless actions. With this in mind, Casian imposed a light penalty and offered a few pieces of advice.

“Thank you for your merciful decision.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace.”

Sebastian and Sophia bowed their heads in gratitude. After Casian’s decree, they bowed once more before stepping aside.

“Why go this far?”

Left alone, Casian replayed the events at the tavern and suddenly voiced his confusion. It was absurd enough that they had created fake ledgers to cover up the maids’ lies, but Eveline’s actions were equally astonishing.

A typical lady facing a mountain of debt would have either fled in the night or ignored the problem entirely.

“Yet she took it upon herself to save a bankrupt duchy…”

Why risk herself like that? She was truly an incomprehensible woman.

If he hadn’t been present at the scene, Eveline might have faced serious trouble. Or could he even be sure she wouldn’t have? When she had gone into Dwelleon Forest to confront the lords who were hoarding supplies, the Viscount Ribelt had…

[“Aaah! Die!!!”]

He charged at Eveline with a knife.

But Eveline subdued him in an instant.

[“Aaahh!”]

Her movements were quick and precise—she blocked his attacks while striking at his weak points. A skilled knight might manage such a feat, but a lady raised in a sheltered environment? Impossible.

Yet she immediately let go, as if terrified of realizing what she had just done.

[“Did I… attack someone…?”]

Fear was etched across Eveline’s face. It was the expression of someone who had stabbed another person for the very first time in her life.

“What am I missing?”

Casian leaned against the desk, eyes fixed on a chessboard nearby.

King, Queen, Rook, Bishop, Knight, Pawn.

Six pieces, each with its own role:

• The King, whose capture decides the game.
• The Queen, with powerful force.
• The Rook, a pillar of defense and offense.
• The Bishop, subtly shifting the invisible board.
• The Knight, capable of surprising reversals.
• The Pawn, the weakest but full of potential.

Every piece moves according to the rules. Everything is predictable. Every move has reason.

And yet…

“Was it a pawn… or a knight?”

Somehow, what he thought was a pawn refused to be controlled. No matter how much he tried to predict it, an unpredictable variable had appeared. The piece moved contrary to all expectations. The piece that was supposed to move to capture the king defied his every calculation.

Casian’s mind filled with thoughts of Eveline.

“Your Grace, the Selredian princess has regained consciousness.”

Hans, the aide, reported Eveline’s condition.

“Ma’am!”
“You’re awake?”

As vision cleared from darkness, familiar shapes came into view. Rose and Mary looked down at me, tears in their eyes.

“Are you awake?”

Upon hearing the news, Matthew, who had been crushing herbs nearby, rushed over in a panic to check on me.

“Thankfully, the worst is over.”

With the maids’ help, I rose from the bed and asked Matthew about the time.

“How long have I been asleep?”
“About five hours.”
“Five hours?”

Had I really been unconscious that long?

Wait, what about the lords who stole supplies?

“What happened to the lords at the tavern?”

I asked the maids anxiously. Mary and Rose reassured me in turn.

“The lords have been transferred to the underground prison. You’re safe now, right, ma’am?”
“When you came out so pale, we were so worried! Please don’t go out alone anymore, ma’am!”

Even now, thinking back made their faces look anxious. Meanwhile, Matthew handed me a bowl of medicine.

“Take this first.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you remember anything before you fainted?”

I handed him the empty bowl and answered honestly.

“I don’t know. Someone ran at me with a knife at the tavern, and I instinctively subdued them.”
“Subdued them? Could you explain in more detail?”
“Ugh, it tastes awful. Why is this so bitter?”

Matthew furrowed his brows, watching me. I couldn’t help but roll my tongue, trying to ignore the bitter taste.

“Ma’am, about what you just said—”
“Is there anything sweet? This is so bitter!”

In that moment, Matthew grabbed my arm, but my concern for my taste buds took priority. I stamped my foot and searched for something sweet. At that instant, Casian appeared without a sound and put a round pill into my mouth.

“Bitter things are good for you.”

Rolling it around in my mouth, I detected the flavor of green grape candy.

“Oh, this is good!”

“Why did you go out with only two maids and a carriage driver, without an escort?”

Before I could answer, he scolded me sharply. I had nothing to say and averted my gaze, thinking: I went to catch the dishonest housekeepers… but how did I even know about Dwelleon Forest? The ledger only recorded the basics—types of supplies, dates, and merchants.

“Hmm, suddenly thirsty. Mary, bring some water. Rose, is dinner ready yet?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“I’ll go ask in the kitchen!”

While chatting with the maids, Casian’s expression looked troubled.

“If you insist on going out, then I will assign an escort. Make sure to wear a robe as well.”

Like a parent warning a child, Casian repeatedly cautioned me to be careful. Seeing his more relaxed expression than before, I smiled faintly and nodded.

“Understood.”

Time to let this go. Sending that signal, Casian’s mouth relaxed into a gentle line.

“Ma’am, the soup has arrived. Would you like to eat now?”

Rose had brought the tray, indicating the meal was ready. Casian took the spoon and served himself.

“This is…”
“It’s fine for today.”

Matthew had offered a liquid, which Casian shook his head at.

‘He said it’s fine for today? Doesn’t it look like medicine? Shouldn’t she take it?’

Strangely, Matthew didn’t look well. He had seemed to want to say something earlier, but since he hadn’t, perhaps it wasn’t important. I finished a light meal, attended by Casian.

“Ma’am, Sebastian is here.”
“Sophia, too. If possible, we’d like to request an audience.”

Not long after, the housekeeper and head maid knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Upon receiving permission, both entered with stern faces, clearly nervous.

“We apologize.”
“We have no excuse.”

Alternating their gaze between Casian and me, Sebastian and Sophia bowed in apology. Presumably, it was because we had caught their misconduct.

“Explain directly what you did wrong.”

Lowering my voice, I asked, and they opened their lips.

If my guess was correct, they had colluded with the lords…

“We dared to create fake ledgers and deceive you, ma’am.”
“We attempted to test you without permission. We are truly sorry.”

Wait—fake ledgers?

“How… fake ledgers?”

Surprised, I widened my eyes. The two explained in detail what had happened.

As outsiders unfamiliar with the southern region, they couldn’t reveal everything to me. So, they had created fake ledgers to test me. That was the essence of their explanation.

“…I see.”

The conclusion left me feeling empty. I was angry that they had tried to test me, but at the same time, I understood. From the perspective of long-serving retainers loyal to the duchy, it was only natural that they hesitated to entrust matters to someone new.

“Whatever punishment you decide, I will accept it.”
“We will humbly obey, so please impose your judgment, ma’am.”

Sebastian and Sophia, with tense expressions, requested that I deliver a penalty.