Then, are they doing this entirely on their own?

That can’t be. They must have something they’re relying on.

‘That would be Nanny.’

Though they were people of the grand duchy, here they seemed to be acting more like Benjamine’s subordinates.

With Benjamine injured and absent, perhaps this was an opportunity.

Yet no one stepped forward to attend to Cecilia with any enthusiasm.

This meant they were more mindful of Benjamine than of Cecilia herself.

Cecilia grew irritated.

Why couldn’t she even manage her maids properly?

Suddenly, she recalled what Russell had said at the dining hall yesterday.

 

⌜Unless it’s a time like this, I’d only see the same few people all day.⌟

 

‘I…’

Cecilia realized the difference between herself and him.

She had relied on her nanny to handle everything, never paying attention to anyone else.

The person who had handed the nanny such strong authority was none other than Cecilia herself.

“Helen, how long have I been at Lagos Castle?”

“About fifteen days, Madam.”

“How long would it take to gather everyone in the castle?”

Helen grew tense.

So, it had finally come to this.

It seemed the long-anticipated ‘Madam’s declaration of authority’, which Hoffman had warned about repeatedly, was about to begin.

“I can have everyone gathered within two hours.”

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

In the afternoon, over a hundred people gathered in the largest hall on the first floor of the central keep.

This included the people from the grand duchy.

Excluded were those working in the outer castle, such as blacksmiths, butchers, hunters, doctors and their assistants, and administrative officers.

Everyone else had been summoned.

The tension in the air was palpable.

It was the first time they had all been gathered in one place.

The people from the grand duchy, however, looked more at ease.

They whispered among themselves while sneaking glances at the Lagos residents.

A moment later, Cecilia entered the hall.

She was followed by Benjamine, who wore a triumphant expression, and Helen, who looked visibly tense.

Their expressions seemed to reflect the mood of the crowd.

The person most pleased with the situation was Benjamine.

When she heard that Cecilia had ordered the servants to be gathered, it felt as though a weight had been lifted from her chest.

‘At last, the Miss is beginning to properly take charge as this household’s lady.’

Benjamine had been frustrated at her inability to freely manage the Lagos staff due to Cecilia’s silence on the matter.

Cecilia briefly scanned the lines of people standing before her.

The eldest individuals stood in the front row.

Typically, age was proportional to experience, and it seemed they were lined up according to rank.

Cecilia approached a middle-aged woman standing at the front of the line.

The woman’s expression froze.

“What’s your name?”

“I-It’s March, Madam.”

“What’s your role?”

“I work in the kitchen, overseeing cooking.”

“Specifically? Do you prepare all the meals alone?”

“No, I mainly handle the primary dishes for lunch.”

Cecilia nodded and addressed the group.

“When I stand in front of you, state your name and role.”

“Yes, Madam.”

As Cecilia moved from person to person, they introduced themselves.

Over time, the tension in the room began to ease, and a sense of awe emerged.

People couldn’t help but follow Cecilia with their eyes.

‘How can someone’s face look like that?’

‘It’s as if her hair glows.’

Excluding the people from the grand duchy, Cecilia listened to the names of nearly eighty Lagos staff members.

The process took a considerable amount of time.

‘What is she planning to do?’

Benjamine was puzzled.

She couldn’t fathom why Cecilia was making an effort to memorize the names and faces of the servants.

“March.”

“……”

“March.”

Startled by a nudge from the person next to her, March flinched and finally realized the Madam was calling her name.

“Y-Yes, Madam.”

“Are there enough hands in the kitchen?”

March hesitated, her eyes darting nervously. She was afraid of saying something wrong.

“It’s just a casual question, so feel free to answer. I noticed there aren’t many people working in the castle.”

“There… aren’t always enough hands, Madam.”

“Would a few general workers help? They wouldn’t cook but could wash and prepare ingredients.”

“Oh, that would be a huge help, Madam!”

March responded in her usual cheerful tone but immediately clamped her mouth shut, realizing her casual reply might have been a mistake.