Russell thought Cecilia looked lonely.

I wish to hold you.

But his outstretched hand grasped only air before it fell back to his side.

“No one in Lagos Castle dislikes you or seeks to use you.”

As soon as he said it, Russell internally lamented his lack of eloquence.

‘That’s a lie.’

Cecilia muttered silently to herself.

Surely, there must have been a deal made with Grand Duke Jericho in exchange for this marriage. How could that not be considered exploitation?

However, she wasn’t drunk enough to voice such thoughts aloud.

After that, the two walked in silence.

Even though they had taken a long detour, they soon arrived at Cecilia’s room.

“Oh, right. I have something to return to you—the vest you lent me the other day. Come in.”

She opened the door to her sitting room and stepped inside.

Russell followed her without hesitation.

Retrieving the vest wasn’t urgent, but there was no reason to refuse her invitation into the reception room.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

“Oh goodness, oh goodness…”

Benjamine groaned continuously from her bed.

Her ankle injury was healing smoothly, but she was seething with frustration.

Anxiety about her current predicament weighed heavily on her.

“Water, please.”

“Yes, Elder Missus.”

Four maids stood by in the bedroom, waiting to serve her.

One of them promptly brought her a cup of water, while two others helped her sit up.

Though it was merely a sprained ankle, Benjamine was being tended to with the care one might afford the elder matriarch of the manor.

No one in the room thought this was unusual.

Even back in the grand ducal castle, Benjamine had wielded significant authority.

Not even the grand duke himself could slight her, always addressing her as ‘Elder Missus’, which was no different from the term of address for the lord or lady’s mother, ‘Elder Madam’.

However, Benjamine was acutely aware of how fragile her power base was.

Her influence stemmed solely from being ‘Cecilia’s nanny’.

And not just any nanny—she had to be the only confidante Cecilia trusted, relied on, and shared her innermost thoughts with.

After gulping down the water, Benjamine asked one of the maids.

“Has the Miss returned to her chambers?”

“Not yet, Elder Missus.”

“Not yet? When did she leave for dinner? Who’s in the communal dining hall?”

The maids exchanged uncertain glances.

“Why are you just standing there? Go to the dining hall immediately and check if the Miss is there!”

“Y-Yes, Elder Missus!”

Two maids hurriedly left the room, their faces tense as Benjamine’s expression grew fiercer.

“Useless fools.”

Benjamine clicked her tongue in irritation, her tone scathing.

The two remaining maids lowered their heads, hiding their discomfort.

Secretly, they were relieved Benjamine had injured her ankle—otherwise, they might have been slapped by now.

‘If my ankle weren’t hurt, I would’ve gone with her myself.’

Earlier, when a maid had informed Benjamine that the lord himself had escorted the young lady to the communal dining hall, she had been so shocked that she shouted in disbelief.

Moreover, none of the maids had accompanied Cecilia—they had merely watched her leave.

‘Everyone around me is an idiot.’

Benjamine didn’t think their passive behavior was her fault.

In the past, whenever a maid showed any sign of competence, Benjamine ensured they were removed.

She refused to share her role as Cecilia’s closest confidante with anyone else.

‘But why did the Lord suddenly accompany the Miss to the dining hall? What’s happened over the past few days?’

This was unacceptable.

Benjamine detested the thought of events occurring around Cecilia without her knowledge.

Being in control of all information concerning Cecilia was the only way to secure her own and her son’s survival.

Before departing the grand ducal castle, Benjamine had been summoned by the grand duke.

During their meeting, she learned some of the hidden circumstances behind the marriage.

 

⌜I can’t tell you everything, but know this isn’t an ordinary marriage. Due to unavoidable circumstances, I’m sending Cecilia to that harsh place, but she won’t stay there forever.⌟

⌜Do you mean to say Your Grace will eventually bring the Miss back?⌟

⌜Exactly. As always, I trust you to take good care of Cecilia.⌟