“Yes, Milord.”

As Hoffman replied, his expression softened.

He felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Even if it was something he already knew, moments like this reminded him anew why so many people relied on their young lord, barely in his early twenties.

What Hoffman admired most about the young lord was his ‘clarity of direction’.

Russell never seemed anxious or lost, which instilled a great sense of stability in those who followed him.

“And the person I married, along with the people from the grand duchy who came to Lagos Castle—they are all our people as long as they are living here. Ensure they are neither excluded nor alienated. Keep that in mind.”

“Yes, Milord.”

Knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door, and moments later, a man entered.

“My lord, everything is ready.”

Russell nodded and rose to his feet.

He told the others to go on ahead and made his way to the east wing.

Stopping in front of Cecilia’s sitting room, he composed himself before knocking.

Soon, the door opened, and Cecilia stepped out.

“I’ve come to escort you,” he said, extending his hand.

Cecilia smiled faintly and placed her hand atop his.

Behind her, Benjamine followed with a reluctant expression, giving Russell a stiff nod.

They descended to the central hall on the first floor.

The hall was already crowded with people, their chatter loud as they surrounded something in the center.

“I’ll have gloves made,” someone said.

“I want gloves and boots.”

“A cloak that covers the shoulders would be nice.”

“Don’t bother. It’ll strain your shoulders.”

“You think so?”

“Oh?”

“The lord and lady!”

A few people noticed the couple descending the stairs.

Soon, most of the crowd turned to look or stepped aside, creating a path.

As the people parted, the objects at the center of their attention came into view.

“Oh my goodness!”

Benjamine, who had been sulking, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Several wolf pelts were spread out on the floor, their limbs outstretched.

At the center lay a pelt twice the size of the others.

‘It’s enormous.’

Cecilia’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Nobles on the continent often hunted foxes or wolves, so Cecilia was accustomed to seeing taxidermy or pelts used as decorations.

The largest pelt she had seen in her past life was from a leopard.

The owner had bragged endlessly about hunting it himself.

But compared to the massive wolf pelts before her, that leopard skin seemed child-sized.

And the pelt in the center was even more extraordinary.

‘So that’s what a mutant is? It’s not just an animal—it’s a monster.’

Cecilia glanced at Russell, catching his profile.

‘He hunted that kind of monster? This man?’

Sensing her gaze, Russell turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow as if to ask if she had something to say.

“Really…”

She began, but she hesitated, aware of the crowd around them.

“Did you personally hunt that beast, Milord?”

The hall fell momentarily silent.

“Yes, ma’am! I guarantee it!”

Andy raised his hand and shouted.

Andy rarely attended such gatherings—he saw enough live beasts in his line of work and had little interest in their pelts.

This time, he had come out of curiosity about the Madam.

From the moment the couple appeared on the stairs, Andy had been observing Cecilia closely.

He found her fascinating.

He had never seen someone so radiant and fair.

“And I helped a lot, too! The big boss wouldn’t have caught it without me,” Andy added with a grin.

The hunters scattered around the hall quietly jeered at his boast, but Andy paid them no mind.

Cecilia was taken aback.

For an unrefined man of lower status to speak directly to a noblewoman without introducing himself—such a thing would never happen on the continent.

“…Your name?” she asked.

“Andy, ma’am.”

“Andy. You must be an extraordinary hunter.”

“I’m pretty strong. And you’re pretty. You sparkle.”

Grinning widely, Andy suddenly let out a choking sound as Harrison grabbed him by the back of the neck.

“Hey! Why? I wasn’t even saying anything bad!”

Andy protested, struggling as Harrison silently dragged him away.

Russell cleared his throat awkwardly.

“He’s impolite, but he’s a good lad.”

“It’s fine,” Cecilia replied with a smile.

She wasn’t offended.

She was gradually growing accustomed to the casual atmosphere here.