ITMHIAM 21

Chapter 21

Johannes didn’t say a word the entire way. Instead, he pulled his shawl more tightly around himself and escorted me straight back to my room. He must have judged that I was in no condition to attend the banquet. After all, how could I possibly go out looking like this?

When Marilyn saw the clear handprint branded on my neck, her face went ashen.

“Miss Prim, what on earth happened to you…?”

She guided my hand to help me sit on the edge of the bed, then bent forward to examine the injury more closely.

“Who did this to you? A lady’s neck should never look like this!”

“It’s nothing,” I said lightly.

“Nothing? These bruises are so vivid—how can you call it nothing? Young ladies these days really have no sense of self‑preservation.”

As she cleaned and dressed the wound, she sighed repeatedly. “It’ll take at least a week for all the bruises to fade.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her neatly wrapping bandages around my throat.

Before leaving, Marilyn pressed me again not to leave my room until fully recovered. She finally slipped out, and only returned after quite some time.

“Good news—the banquet concluded without any fuss,” she reported. “I’ve just spoken with Duke Schultz. At the feast, he announced his engagement but said that since you’re unwell, he’ll formally introduce you at the wedding itself.”

“That’s a relief. I’m sorry—Marilyn did so much to help me, and I let him lead me astray…” I trailed off.

She snapped back sharply, “How is any of this your fault, Miss Prim? It’s mine for not stopping you sooner.”

Marilyn suggested that I hire a dedicated lady’s maid. The household has been without a mistress for some time, so the existing servants aren’t suitable. She’d already obtained the Duke’s permission to find someone.

“Fortunately, His Grace said that if you have anyone in mind, he’ll trust your recommendation.”

“Really? Then I’d like to hear your thoughts. What kind of person do you suggest?”

“Well… given the delicate state of the Schultz household, someone with discretion and a tight rein on their tongue would be best.”

Finding a truly discreet candidate was easier said than done. I pressed Marilyn for specifics, but after a few tentative answers, she seemed to grow weary of my questioning. With a tired expression, she instead offered a few guidelines for my new role as lady of the house: be decisive, state your needs clearly, and once you accept your position in the Schultz family, carry out all its rights and duties without reservation.

Before I could dwell on this new worry, the wedding preparations had already begun in earnest.

The following days passed in a whirlwind. It had already been a week since Johannes’s announcement, and time flew by with the peace and speed of a calm river. I hadn’t seen him since that night—probably because he was busy, and I was still too embarrassed to face him. Surely he’d hardly thought of me since.

I seemed to be the only one at loose ends here, but regardless of my feelings for Johannes, I owed it to him—and to myself—to fulfill my responsibilities. He had helped me; it was only right I repay that kindness.

“This is hard,” I muttered, staring down at the scattered papers on my desk. Golden afternoon sunlight slanted through the window, illuminating the mess. With a pen between my lips, I gazed at the piles of books: The History of the Schultz Family, The Schultz Genealogy, Their Deeds and Achievements, Their Enterprises and Governance, Schultz Customs and Traditions…

I had expected a mountain of information, but absorbing it all at once was overwhelming.

“But I have to do it.”

I snapped the pen into my hand and began methodically organizing what I’d learned so far:

1. The Schultz family is one of the founding noble houses and one of the three dukedoms of Dochtillia—among the realm’s most influential aristocrats.

2. Generations of respected scholars and military officers have come from their line. They’ve shown excellence in business and politics, amassing great wealth, and unlike many other families whose fortunes wavered with each change of throne, the Schultz have remained secure.

3. The region of Müssen practically runs on the Schultz family’s resources; their influence is so absolute that the land depends almost wholly on them.

That was as far as I’d committed to memory. Beyond that…

A knock at the door made me look up.

“Prim—Prim Gunner is here.”

A soft voice called from outside. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realized Sir Pratt’s lesson was beginning.

“Come in.”

“Quite well memorized, I see.”

After several rounds of questions and answers, Sir Pratt closed his book, a pleased smile on his lips. When I nodded, he leaned forward and said it was time to delve deeper.

“Your late father, the previous Duke’s mother, was the only sister of His Majesty the current King. Few know this.”

My heart skipped. It meant Johannes was third in line to the throne.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

No wonder…

Remembering the true extent of his power, I realized anew how out of my depth I was. If he was that kind of person, nearly killing me might have meant nothing—finding another bride of my station would scarcely be a challenge.

Shaking off the thought, I summoned my composure.

“Wait a moment,” I said. Sir Pratt raised an eyebrow.

“So the King executed the man who married into the late King’s family?” I asked incredulously.

He nodded gravely. “Power brooks no rivals—even family can be enemies. The Schultz and the Crown Court have never been close. In fact, the royal family has just frozen all financial arrangements with them. It’s not enough to threaten their daily life, but…”

He glanced at me, watching my reaction. The darker side of royalty might have been uncomfortable news, but to me—having lived an ordinary life—it felt distant. Sir Pratt, sensing my detachment, continued with more unsavory details of royal politics.

“They’ll aim to shut the Schultz out of lucrative ventures and political posts to crush their influence.”

In short, the Schultz faced formidable checks on their power.

“All the household at Schultz believe the late Duke was innocent of embezzlement.”

“I can’t picture him guilty, either—just from what you’ve told me,” I said. My father had always said Duke Schultz was a good man; growing up believing that made Sir Pratt’s grim conspiracies all the more implausible.

Perhaps the Crown feared public outrage and sought to scapegoat the Schultz. It was a petty, vicious scheme. I felt a surge of disgust.

I sat through the rest of the lesson in uneasy silence.

“That’s all for today. Have you decided on your lady’s maid yet?” Sir Pratt asked, closing his book.

I shook my head. “Not yet. Marilyn suggested a few candidates, but I’m still thinking.”

“I see. But you must hire someone by one week before the wedding. I’d advise not to wait until the last moment, but the schedule’s tight…”

He handed me a packet of wedding‑dress designs and the guest list.

“Understood. I’ll decide as soon as possible.”

“Madam, are you nervous?”

“Huh? Oh… a little.”

My heart pounded because today was the wedding day itself.

“Don’t worry. If you follow the plan, everything will go smoothly.”

I offered my new maid, Ahyn, a reassuring smile. She was the first dedicated lady’s maid hired for the Schultz household.

“Ahyn, you’ve worked so hard,” I said.

“I barely did anything, Madam. You look so beautiful—the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

“Is it just the dress?” I teased, but I meant every word.

The organza gown before me was indeed the loveliest I had ever worn.

“It’s beautiful because you’re wearing it,” Ahyn replied as she rearranged the lace trim. The freckles dancing across her bronze skin seemed to shimmer in the candlelight.

“Don’t flatter me too much.”

“But it’s true…!”

“All right, we’ll say you’re just very good at dressing me.”

I laughed softly. Ahyn pouted, then asked, “Madam, could you tilt your chin slightly? It’s done.”

She placed the final floral veil over my head, then turned in a full circle, beaming.

“Thank you so much for hiring me. What other foreigner would get to work in such a grand ducal house?”

“You’re just so capable,” I told her.

After much thought, I’d agreed with Marilyn: a stranger was best. My only condition had been “someone who keeps their lips sealed.”

I’d accepted Johannes’s proposal and would soon be formally part of the Schultz family. To keep the household’s affairs from leaking out, a foreign-born maid with limited Dochtillian was perfect.

Ahyn came from a war‑torn northeastern land, her vocabulary was simple, yet she managed my daily needs and the house cleaning with no difficulty.

Still, as the ceremony drew near, my anxiety only grew. I rose and paced the room once more.

“I need a moment to calm down. Could you wait outside for me?” I asked Ahyn.

“Yes, Madam.”

Left alone again, I stared out the window at the bright, hopeful sky—and prepared myself for all that was to come.