Helen was speaking with the carpenters in the workshop.

“We need about twenty wooden trays. When can they be ready?”

“About two days?”

“And how are the furniture orders coming along?”

In Lagos Castle, efficiency was the top priority.

The number of workers was kept to only what was necessary, with a few extra to spare, and their supplies were managed just as strictly.

But with the sudden increase of dozens of people, they found themselves unprepared.

Hoffman hadn’t anticipated the timing correctly, so they hadn’t been able to prepar in advance.

In particular, they were short on personal furniture like beds, tables, and chests of drawers.

Although they were hastily making more, it would still take some time.

“No amount of pressure is going to speed it up.”

“That’s right. We’re doing our best as it is.”

“We’re running low on stored lumber, too. When did they say the next shipment was coming?”

“They said it’d be here before winter…”

The carpenters chatted among themselves before gradually falling silent.

They all turned to look in the same direction, and Helen followed their gaze.

A stout middle-aged woman was approaching, visibly frustrated.

Benjamine had been wandering around the stables, barns, and other places looking for Helen, and her irritation had built up.

The moment she spotted Helen, she felt like scolding her for running around everywhere.

“Is there something you need, Elder Missus?”

Benjamine took a deep breath.

Since Cecilia had shown respect towards Helen, Benjamine couldn’t speak rudely.

“The Miss has instructed you to prepare her meals starting tonight.”

“She asked… us?”

“Isn’t that why I came to tell you? Prepare breakfast, and I’ll bring it up to her. For other meals, she plans to come down to the dining room herself. Make sure it’s well-prepared. She’s used to nothing but the finest food. We didn’t bring a skilled chef from the Grand Duchy for nothing.”

“Understood. We will prepare with utmost care.”

Benjamine snorted and turned away.

After she walked off, the carpenters murmured among themselves.

“Did you see how she raised her chin? Not just anyone, huh?”

“Bet she’s got a nasty temper.”

“Helen, seems like you’re in for some trouble.”

Helen simply shrugged.

“The Madam doesn’t seem like an unreasonable person, so it’s fine.”

Before Cecilia arrived, Hoffman had given Helen a stern warning.

Although he couldn’t openly criticize Cecilia, Helen had understood his hints.

She had prepared herself to serve a ‘lady who would hate her unconditionally.’

It might be too early to make a judgment after just a few days, but somehow, she felt things would be alright.

She had been impressed when the Madam firmly told the grand duchy’s servants not to wander around after the castle tour.

“Mikael, could you stop by the butcher’s for me and ask for the finest cuts today? I need to start preparing for dinner.”

“Ah, sure. I’ll go now.”

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

When dinner was ready, Benjamine came to inform Cecilia.

As Cecilia left her bedroom, two knights from the grand duchy were waiting for her.

“Knights, don’t follow me.”

Benjamine, who had summoned the knights, glanced nervously at Cecilia and said,

“Miss, is something wrong…?”

“There’s no need for knights to escort me every time I go to eat. Even His Grace the Grand Duke doesn’t receive such excessive protection. Isn’t that right?”

The knights responded,

“That’s correct, Miss. However, this isn’t the grand duchy.”

Cecilia replied with a sneer,

“What do you mean by that? Did His Grace, who sent me here, say that Lagos Castle was so dangerous that you shouldn’t leave my side for a moment?”

The knights looked away, unsure of how to respond.

“To be honest, I can’t stand the sight of you.”

“Oh, Miss!” Benjamine exclaimed, startled.

“I resent the Grand Duke for sending me to a place like this, and I despise everything related to the grand duchy. My anger only grows with time. Do you think I’m overreacting?”

The knights were unable to reply, though they understood why Cecilia might be upset.

“If there’s ever a time I need your protection, I’ll call for you. Until then, stay out of my sight.”

With a cold expression, Cecilia turned away.

“Nanny.”

“Yes, Miss,” Benjamine replied, clasping her hands together.

She was anxious, wondering if she too was part of the ‘everything related to the grand duchy’ that Cecilia despised.

“Aside from you, bring only one other person. Dismiss the rest.”

“Yes, Miss.”