Chapter 34
After it became known that May helped make the plague medicine Asterin, many servants began to follow her.
It was only natural—she had basically saved the lives of not only the servants but also their families.
As a result, May became someone who knew a lot of information.
“You were chosen as an assistant in the herb lab? That’s amazing, May! But also…”
Now that May was no longer just a maid but had been specially rewarded, I asked her one favor:
“Please stay friendly with the other servants. If someone gets sick, it’s okay to give them medicine. I’ll pay for it!”
That’s because the best and rawest information often flows quietly behind the scenes.
May seemed to understand my intention and kept telling me rumors and whispers she heard among the servants.
“Honestly, nobles don’t usually listen to retainers.”
“Right, that’s true.”
“But our lord isn’t like that. He actually listens when people speak.”
“…”
“That’s why people say Viscount Pierce is extremely loyal to the Vesperds.”
So that’s why.
That’s why Raul had looked so pleased when Ian asked him that question during the first class.
It really is rare for a ruler to truly listen to their retainers.
I continued listening to May.
“But… Viscount Pierce had a lot of hard times in recent years. His wife died, and he has a young son who’s very weak and often has seizures. The boy always cries for him.”
“….”
“So the viscount stayed in hiding for a while, focusing only on his son.”
“Oh…”
“The Grand Duke also helped him with money so he wouldn’t struggle.”
The more May spoke, the more confusing Raul’s story became.
Why would someone like him turn against the Vesperds, a family that treated him so well?
As I thought about it, May whispered again.
“Everyone says the Grand Duke really trusts Viscount Pierce. That’s why he was given your lessons.”
That made sense. My strict father-in-law wouldn’t trust someone unworthy with successor training.
“What about his son?”
“There’s a room next to the classroom, so if the boy needs him, the viscount can run over right away. Nannies stay with the child there.”
“Wow…”
It was such a sad story.
But still—
“Thank you, May! I know you’re busy studying.”
“Oh no, it’s fine!”
“I don’t want to take up your time—”
“Your Highness, you’re even more important to me than the viscount is to the Grand Duke,” May said with a big, bright smile.
Then she pulled out carefully wrapped medicine from her pocket.
“I’m not strong enough to help in big ways yet, but I’m studying hard for you!”
May pressed both her hands together near her chest.
“So please don’t say things like that!”
Her smile was so bright, it almost hurt to look at.
I couldn’t even recognize the old May—back when she was bullied and sad.
At first, I only helped her for Ian’s and my sake.
But now… I felt so proud. Maybe my actions in the past really had helped someone.
If the changes I made to the past are helping others too…
Maybe even Raul Pierce—who I don’t know if he’s a friend or foe yet—could have a different future now.
Maybe he could remember how loyal he once was to the Vesperds… before he left.
“He gave us a policy homework and wants it by tomorrow. He’s such a strict teacher.”
After May left and dinner was over, it was already night.
I sat at my desk, lit a candle, and began to think.
The flame flickered beautifully in the finely carved candleholder.
Normally, I’d enjoy the night and the candlelight.
But not tonight.
I grabbed my quill and started writing my thoughts.
“There are two goals for this assignment.”
First: Gain the trust of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.
Second: Win Raul Pierce’s support.
“It’s all to build Ian’s political power.”
To prevent the tragedy from my past life and protect Ian, I had to create allies.
If I knew who to win over, I had to understand what they wanted.
“Why did Raul Pierce, once loyal to the Vesperds, leave and join the royal palace?”
Based on what May said, it didn’t seem like he had evil plans from the beginning.
Right now, he clearly was a loyal follower of the Grand Duke.
“Maybe he supported Joseph instead?”
If that’s true, Raul could still be dangerous.
“But when Ian answered him in class yesterday, Raul looked…”
Surprised at first—then he smiled for real.
“It really looked like… he still cared about Vesperd.”
I wrote “Vesperd” next to Raul’s name and drew a few stars.
“He was proud of how he served the Vesperds before.”
But the family he was proud of… collapsed so fast.
After the ‘Flame’ heir changed and the Grand Duchess disappeared, things fell apart quickly.
“So maybe that’s why he left.”
Because the Vesperd he loved no longer existed.
Even at the start of the lesson, he didn’t expect much from us.
“He probably heard Ian kept refusing to attend the classes.”
That alone would’ve disappointed him. And in my past life, it must’ve been worse.
If he gave up on Vesperd and chose the royal family instead, I couldn’t really blame him.
“But still… why the royal family, of all places?”
The royal family had always been afraid of the Vesperds and their power.
So Raul must have faced suspicion and hardship when he joined them.
He would’ve struggled financially too, without support from the Vesperds.
But still, he proved his worth and became the top strategist for the royal family.
What was so important to him that he chose that hard path?
What did he want so badly?
I had to find out.
“Because that’s his true belief.”
I held the quill tightly in my small hand and kept thinking.
“Yaaawn…”
But no use.
My small child body was already sleepy.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to stay awake.
“Also, he worked while raising a sick son… That must’ve been really hard—Huh?”
Suddenly, an idea flashed in my mind. My eyes opened wide.
But my weak body couldn’t fight sleep any longer.
“Sleepyyy…”
I fell asleep anyway—but I dreamed peacefully, happy that I had found a solution.
“Even though you had a short time to prepare, I hope you both managed to come up with something,” Raul said the next morning, with a calm, unreadable expression.
I glanced at Ian.
I thought about sharing May’s info with him…
But in the end, I told myself: He’s my husband. He’ll handle it on his own.
I didn’t want to interfere too much.
Still, I couldn’t help but be curious.
This assignment is basically a test to see who would make a better heir.
So this time, I wanted to trust Ian and see what he’d do.
It wouldn’t be right for me to steal his chance.
“You may explain your ideas while sitting comfortably. Who would like to go first—?”
“I will!”
I raised my hand high and waved it around.
It’s always best to go first in these kinds of evaluations.
Waiting just makes you more nervous.
Also… I want to give Ian a little more time to think.
He looked surprised that I volunteered first.
Then he asked with concern in his voice.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes! I’m really nervous, so I’d rather go first!”
After all, I had lived over 20 years in my past life.
Even though I was only a fake Grand Duchess before, I was one.
But Ian…
He was just starting out, like a blank canvas.
Still, the fact that he’s even taking these classes now is a huge change.
It made me so proud that I wanted to help him however I could.
“Alright then, Young Duchess, please share your thoughts first,” Raul said.
