MLHRGD 38

#38. Proof (2)

When Grand Duke Volkov first met Sasha, he liked her because she seemed strong-willed and intelligent, but he didn’t have big expectations.

He simply thought she would be a good friend for Pavel.

But once he got to know her, she exceeded his expectations.

From how she warmly took care of the lonely Pavel…

“I heard she’s also well-versed in academics. People say she reads a lot of books.”

“Wow. She’s skilled with a sword and smart too? Our young master must be destined to become a great leader!”

Even the retainers in charge of Pavel’s education were amazed by how she taught him swordsmanship and academics.

‘It was also her who exposed Gregori’s crimes.’

At first, he was too shocked by his brother’s betrayal to think straight, but later he realized it.

His seemingly innocent daughter-in-law had been the one who planned everything.

When the Grand Duke later called Sasha in and asked her, she didn’t deny it.

But she firmly requested one thing:

“Please keep it a secret that I did all of this.”

Why would she want to keep it a secret?

If the truth were revealed, her reputation would soar.

She was only seventeen, yet she was highly skilled in so many fields. People would call her a genius.

Just as the Duke now saw her differently, others would shower her with praise.

But Sasha made her stance clear:

“The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”

The Duke thought he could no longer be surprised by her, but her reasoning shocked him again.

So many had flaunted their talents only to be targeted and destroyed.

Her cautious attitude was impressive. It was not the kind of wisdom one expected from a seventeen-year-old.

But even this wasn’t her greatest value.

The Duke valued something else even more:

‘She said she could save Pavel.’

Everyone had called his illness an incurable, mysterious disease, but Sasha refuted that.

“Pavel was only temporarily sick because of the ‘blessing of mana.’ If his body becomes strong enough to hold mana properly, he will safely reach adulthood.”

Sasha claimed Pavel would survive and grow into an adult.

And in the past year, she had proven her words by making him healthy again.

Her claim was worth believing.

‘If Pavel really grows up to inherit after me… the Volkov family will have to revere Sasha as a savior.’

Even now, she had already done enough to be considered their savior.

It was only right that he repay her for what she had done.

After much thought, the Grand Duke made a decision.

“I was searching for someone suitable to manage the castle when I’m away at war,” he said.

“Yes. We were going to ask Marchioness Yelena or Count Ivan,” one retainer replied.

Both were trustworthy, and under normal circumstances, the Duke would have chosen one of them.

But now things were different.

“We’ll discuss that later. For now…”

The Grand Duke gave a new order.

“Call Alexandra.”

Sasha is summoned

Sasha entered the Duke’s office nervously.

‘Why did he call me alone without Pavel?’

She had no idea what he wanted.

‘Could it be… does he want me to divorce Pavel now that he’s healthy?’

If that were the case, what should she do? She was deep in thought when the Duke spoke.

“Alexandra.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Then he said something completely unexpected.

“From now on, you will manage the household.”

“…What?”

Sasha was speechless.

“Uh…”

Seeing her bewildered expression, the Duke reassured her.

“Don’t worry too much. I will assign people to help you.”

After some hesitation, Sasha asked cautiously,

“Are you sure it’s okay to entrust me with such an important role?”

The Duke gave a small smile.

“The household should be managed by the lady of the house in the first place.”

Since there was no Duchess, it wasn’t strange for Pavel’s wife to take on the role.

But Sasha understood.

This was not a position he could give without complete trust.

Managing the household wasn’t just about supervising servants and buying supplies.

It meant holding the purse strings and making key decisions for the entire castle.

Especially since the Duke had recently been betrayed by his most trusted brother, he would be even more careful in choosing someone.

‘And yet… he chose me?’

Sasha’s expression flickered with emotion.

“It’s your first time, so you’ll be clumsy at first, but I don’t expect perfection. There will be people to teach and help you, so learn and grow step by step.”

The Grand Duke’s words were unusually kind.

‘Why is he going this far?’ Sasha wondered. But she knew he wouldn’t explain even if she asked.

And she couldn’t refuse.

“Yes,” she said obediently.

The Duke smiled in satisfaction.

Meeting the aides

Some time later, the people the Duke had mentioned arrived to help and train Sasha.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Alexandra Volkov,” Sasha greeted.

“Greetings, young lady,” the three newcomers said politely.

One man and two women stood before her.

The older woman stepped forward first.

“I’m Yelena Sobakin. Please call me Alyona. It’s an honor to meet you!”

Her strong build matched her booming voice.

Sasha quickly recalled who she was.

The retired Marchioness Sobakin, once known as the left hand of the previous Grand Duke.

‘They said she was like a tiger. But she seems softer than I imagined.’

Her muscular frame and the calluses on her large hands spoke of her strength.

Sasha liked her hearty smile and smiled back.

“It’s an honor to meet you too, Alyona.”

Yelena chuckled happily and stepped back.

The next person was a sharp-looking man in his mid-thirties.

“I’m Ivan Kozlov. I’ll be assisting you, my lady.”

Sasha immediately recognized him.

‘Count Kozlov… he’s skilled with accounts. He was the one who uncovered Count Tula’s double ledgers.’

Sasha spoke,

“Count Kozlov.”

“Please, speak comfortably,” he replied.

“Then… Ivan?”

“Yes.”

“Ivan, I’ll do my best. Please guide me well.”

Ivan gave a faint smile and stepped back.

Finally, the last woman stepped forward.

She was the complete opposite of Yelena: slim and elegant-looking.

But unlike the others, her attitude was cold.

“Maria Goriki,” she said curtly.

Her greeting was the shortest, and she turned around before Sasha could respond.

Ivan and Yelena frowned at Maria’s obvious dissatisfaction.

But Maria stood still, chin slightly raised, ignoring the tension.

“Lady Goriki, you—”

“Please!”

Sasha stopped Yelena with a glance before things escalated.

“I’m glad to work with such capable people. I look forward to learning from you all.”

Yelena seemed frustrated she couldn’t say anything to Maria, but she respected Sasha’s lead.

Sasha gave her a grateful smile.

But when she glanced at Maria’s sulking face, she almost sighed.

She liked Ivan and Yelena at first sight.

‘…But Maria Goriki… well, you can’t get along with everyone.’

Sasha decided to avoid unnecessary conflict with Maria as much as possible and ended the meeting.

Training

The three each taught Sasha a different field.

Ivan taught her bookkeeping and all things related to money.

Yelena taught her how to deal with people—how to manage servants and interact with nobles.

Maria taught her how to decorate and manage the castle, from the gardens to the interior.

All three areas were essential for a duchess.

There was a lot to learn, and it was complicated enough that most people would need a lot of time to master.

But for Sasha, who had memories of a previous life, it was easy.

‘Which life was it again? I was born as a noble and married young. Back then, I didn’t have anyone to help me, so I learned through a lot of trial and error.’

By the end of that life, she was so skilled that she was teaching other noblewomen how to manage their households.

By pulling those memories from her “palace of memories,” Sasha instantly gained the experience of a seasoned noblewoman.