Since Benjamine had raised Cecilia from childhood, she knew well that Cecilia longed for parental affection.

At times, Cecilia would gaze enviously at the grand duke, the grand duchess, and their children.

Before arriving at the grand duchy, Cecilia acted like a child seeking attention from her parents whenever she was with Benjamine.

After Cecilia entered her room, Benjamine arrived moments later, out of breath from hurrying on her bad leg.

The maids sent by Helen had already arrived before Benjamine.

Cecilia addressed the maids.

“Leave us.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Seeing the maids being dismissed made Benjamine uneasy.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

Benjamine couldn’t help but wonder, reflecting on her actions.

Her earlier firm resolve was already wavering.

“How was I today, Nanny? Did I seem like a dignified Madam? I tried imitating Aunt’s demeanor—I wonder if I did well.”

Cecilia asked with a bright smile, leaving Benjamine momentarily speechless.

“Imitating the Grand Duchess?”

Come to think of it, Cecilia’s earlier demeanor did resemble that of Grand Duchess Jericho.

Though most mistresses of prominent households might appear similar, Benjamine couldn’t discern such subtleties.

“Yes, yes, you were amazing,” Benjamine replied with a forced smile.

She couldn’t bring herself to question Cecilia, as she now seemed to seek affirmation.

“But if you wanted to assign tasks, you might have done better by handling it differently. Our people will struggle working under the Lagos servants.”

‘And the butler’s duties—I could handle those perfectly well myself…’

Cecilia clicked her tongue.

“Nanny, you need to think about the long term. To gain control, you must first understand things.”

“Control?”

“I need to understand how Lagos Castle is run. If I learn things from the ground up, no one will be able to challenge me when I’m in charge later.”

Benjamine asked eagerly, “Later? When will that be?”

“It won’t take long—just a few years.”

‘A few years? But…’

By then, Cecilia would return to the grand duchy.

Even if the grand duchy’s servants endured years of hardship here, it would all be meaningless.

‘Does the Miss not know this marriage is meant to end in divorce?’

Benjamine couldn’t reveal what she had heard from the grand duke.

She could only feel frustrated.

“Nanny.”

“Yes, Mi… Madam.”

Cecilia burst into laughter.

“Of course, you’re an exception, Nanny. You can call me Miss. I prefer it that way. To you, I’ll always be the Miss, won’t I?”

“Of course, Miss. You’ll always be my Miss,” Benjamine said, deeply moved.

The resentment she had been harboring washed away.

‘As expected, I’m special to the Miss. I’m her only family.’

It was enough for Benjamine that she alone received special treatment.

‘The others may suffer a bit, but honestly, who made their lives comfortable until now? Servants should live according to their station.’

Benjamine had no intention of going out of her way to help the others.

“You’ll need maids to attend to you, won’t you? Pick two of your favorites.”

“Thank you, Miss. You always think of me.”

Until now, Benjamine had lined up her maids for service.

Though having just two maids reduced her privilege, she was still grateful.

Cecilia’s declaration to have just four maids attending to her left Benjamine in no position to ask for more.

‘My nanny does have her uses,’ Cecilia thought with a sly smile.

Having lived a life and returned, Cecilia found Benjamine’s intentions almost too easy to read.

For someone playing the role of a spy, Benjamine was surprisingly naïve.

‘This unfaithful nanny would never confront me for the sake of other servants.’

As long as Cecilia allowed Benjamine to keep calling her ‘Miss’ and provided her with a couple of dedicated maids, Benjamine would remain convinced of Cecilia’s trust.

‘I need to keep her close for a long time.’

A subordinate’s betrayal can be devastating when unexpected, but in a predictable situation, it’s far more useful.

Of course, the Grand Duke Jericho would one day realize Benjamine’s lack of value.

‘I hope that day comes as late as possible.’