Chapter 42
Marie stared coldly at Bartol. There was no anger or joy in her eyes—only calm.
“Marie…”
“Did you know? I actually hated all four of you, including you, young master. Always did.”
Marie spoke as if it were a strange discovery.
“It just took me a long time to realize it. My parents were both servants of the Fenton family, so I thought it was natural for my life to begin and end within that family.”
“…”
“I’m just glad I was able to escape, even if it’s now. Do you know how much I cursed you in my head while running your errands?”
“Marie, don’t you have any loyalty?”
“Loyalty has to go both ways. You betrayed me first, so don’t act like you’re the victim.”
Marie slipped out of the storage room and said firmly,
“The lady said I shouldn’t let you starve to death, so that’s the only thing I’ll care about.”
“Marie! I’ll give you money! Please? We all have hidden money! Just don’t tell Iris and—”
“The east wall of the master bedroom, inside the pillow, behind the false wall in your closet, the hidden space behind the shelf in Lady Demeira’s room, and the secret vault in the basement.”
Marie cut him off.
“Of course I know where all the hidden money is.”
Julius, Lucilla, and Bartol all stood there, mouths agape.
“I’ve been a maid for years—you think I wouldn’t know that? You probably planned to run off with it, but stop wasting your energy. Give it up. The Duke already knows everything. That’s all.”
“Marie! Marie!”
Bartol screamed after her, but she didn’t respond.
Click.
Marie locked the door behind her, feeling a strange sense of freedom.
“Again! Are you young men so weak?”
“Hrahhh!”
Three knights of Apellamion charged at Aken from different directions.
“Hah, finally using your heads. Two attack from above, one goes low. Not bad.”
Aken smirked, ducked low, and kicked the hand of the knight coming at him from below.
“Too slow!”
“Argh!”
The knight cried out as his sword went flying.
Without even pausing to breathe, Aken turned his sword toward the remaining two.
“You’re all too slow! If you’re going to use tactics, understand your own abilities first!”
“Ugh!”
“Oof!”
Clang! The swords in their hands went flying too.
“I-I surrender!”
“Surrender? Did I say anyone could surrender? I’ll drop my sword too. Now it’s hand-to-hand!”
“Waaah!”
More screams echoed through the training yard.
A few knights waiting their turn trembled pale-faced as they watched.
“Is it okay for Uncle Aken to go this hard in training already?”
“Of course, my lady,” Morve replied with a calm smile. “Aken’s best skill is training through combat.”
“They’ll be puking, bruised, and questioning every choice they’ve made in life, but they’ll live.”
He said it like a curse, but didn’t seem too concerned.
“If the knight order’s going to grow fast, it has to be this intense.”
“…True.”
I rested my chin on my hand and continued watching the training.
They were improving at a shocking pace.
Just a few days ago, they couldn’t even stand in line properly, but now, even in chaotic sparring, they were forming formations and trying to outsmart Aken.
This was all thanks to Morve, Aken, and Jurik, who were known as the empire’s finest warriors and most respected knight trainers.
Thankfully, the three of them insisted on staying until the duchy stabilized, and I wasn’t about to turn them down—I made full use of their help.
A sizable knight order is necessary.
How large do you mean, my lady?
As strong as the Duke of Serbel’s order. Stronger, if possible.
Maybe because I set the goal so high, they had looked surprised at first. But they quickly devoted themselves to training and selecting knights.
Those loyal to the Fentons or unwilling to endure harsh training were kicked out.
More remained than I expected.
Truthfully, I always wanted to be a real knight. I was ashamed we were just pretending.
I joined because I admired Sir Bael… but it wasn’t what I imagined. I was shocked at first.
I may be from the Fenton order, but I jumped at the chance to join Apellamion! Just train me—I’ll prove myself!
I want to stay because the food is good.
The Fentons hadn’t treated them particularly well, so it didn’t take long for them to accept me as their new master.
Whether they regretted it after the hellish training started—I wouldn’t know. The three trainers never gave them a chance to say anything.
“Haahh!”
“Your stance is too shaky!”
Wham! Two more knights went flying.
“Five-minute break!”
At Morve’s shout, the knights sighed in relief.
Meanwhile, Aken, who had just defeated thirty people in a row, hadn’t even broken a sweat.
“My lady—no, Duchess.”
Taking advantage of the pause, Ray and Kent approached. Ray held a thick stack of documents.
“All done?”
“Yes. The entire Fenton territory has been re-registered under Apellamion. It’s valued at around 15 million gold. It’s not enough to cover the embezzlement, even with interest, but there’s nothing more to take.”
“Were they cooperative?”
Ray nodded.
“Yes. Fighting wouldn’t change anything. Their lives are in your hands, after all…”
“What about Demeira?”
“Marie says she hasn’t changed. She went blank the moment Julius lost his proxy rights and hasn’t said a word since. No health issues, though.”
“…I see.”
Had she changed?
Normally, she’d be screaming, crying, and cursing me by now.
“And as you instructed, we’re putting all four of them to work with menial tasks. They’re all terrible at it, so the supervisors are suffering.”
“Work them harder. No mercy.”
I gave my reply to Ray.
Stripped of their assets, the Fentons had nowhere to go.
Lucilla’s family was their only possible support, but they immediately severed all ties once they heard the news. The four had no money, no home, and no survival skills.
To kick them out would stain my name with the dishonor of starving my own relatives, so instead, I made them earn their meals with laundry, cleaning, and every chore possible.
“Make sure they pay for their meals and rooms. I won’t waste Apellamion’s money feeding them.”
“Got it.”
Hic.
Next to the obedient Ray, Kent let out a strange hiccup sound. I looked up, and he quickly bowed his head to avoid my gaze.
“Get used to it, Vice Butler.”
“Y-Yes, Duchess! Hic!”
He replied with a frightened look on his face.
Ever since reclaiming the household, a lot had changed among the staff.
Those who supported me were rewarded. Those who didn’t were punished or dismissed.
I gave Kent neither reward nor punishment.
After expelling Blick on my first day back, I had a short talk with him.
Surprised?
“N-No… I just didn’t expect this side of you, my lady…”
Shocked that I’m not crying? Shaking this much over that?
“…”
You’re a coward. You knew everything for years and still did nothing.
“…”
You follow your emotions over principles. You justify whatever’s inconvenient for you. Turning a blind eye to this kind of embezzlement while getting paid at Apellamion is neglect of duty.
“…You’re absolutely right.”
But I also admit that, in the end, your presence helped. So I won’t punish you. If you want to leave, go. But you’ll never be promoted to head butler.
“N-No! Please!”
No?
“I—I have a conscience! I was shocked, but I’m truly sorry! Please let me repay my debt!”
And so, after that not-so-negotiation, he remained in his old position.
Hic.
“Adapt already. This is who I really am.”
Though he still seemed shocked every time I acted cold, he was working diligently in his own way.
