Cecilia spoke with a cold expression.
“You don’t know your place.”
“…What?”
“Why is a mere nanny trying to control what I hear from my maids? Why are you trying to manipulate me from above?”
“N-No, Miss. How could I ever…”
Cecilia had been raised like a flower in a vase, sheltered from the world.
But she was never meek.
“Return to the grand duchy.”
“Miss…”
“I don’t plan to live with a servant. Out of old sentiment, I’ll assign a few knights to escort you back.”
Benjamine’s face turned pale.
The Cecilia who now looked down at her so coldly felt like a stranger.
Again, she thought that this was not the same lady she knew sent a chill down her spine.
Benjamine immediately dropped to her knees.
Then, she crawled on her knees and clung to Cecilia’s legs.
“Miss, I’ve made a mistake. Please don’t say such frightening things. You know better than anyone that I’m all alone in this world. If it’s a crime for this lowly servant to have cared for you as if you were my own blood, then so be it.”
‘But you’re not alone. You have a son.’
That had been the most shocking part for Cecilia when she discovered Benjamine’s betrayal.
Benjamine had always said she had lost her husband and child, that she was a wretched woman.
She often claimed her only wish was to live by Cecilia’s side until she died.
That was why Cecilia had given her heart to Benjamine, thinking she shared the same plight as an orphan.
“How could I live anywhere without you? You might as well tell me to die here and now.”
Benjamine cried, tears falling in large drops.
She sobbed in such a pitiful way that anyone would feel sympathy.
Cecilia let out a small sigh.
‘Nanny is the grand duke’s planted spy. If I send her away, another spy will come.’
In that case, it was better to keep the current one close.
“Stand up, Nanny.”
“Miss.”
“Get up immediately. I can’t stand such pathetic behavior.”
“Y-Yes, Miss.”
Benjamine sprang to her feet.
As she wiped her tear-streaked face, she cautiously tried to read Cecilia’s mood.
“Those two young maids will continue to ride in the carriage with me.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Benjamine seemed utterly deflated.
Cecilia clicked her tongue and spoke in a softer voice.
“I spoke harshly because I was so angry. I can only talk to you like this because you’re my nanny. You understand, don’t you?”
Benjamine sniffled and nodded in relief.
“Of course, Miss. I know your heart well. I only acted out of concern for your long journey, but I went too far. It won’t happen again.”
“I’ll be going to bed early today. Prepare my bedding.”
“Yes, Miss.”
As Cecilia turned to leave, she felt a cold wind blow through her chest.
‘I don’t think… I’ll ever trust anyone again.’
❖ ❖ ❖
A soldier on guard atop the fortress wall spotted a group of carriages rushing toward Lagos Castle.
Upon hearing the report, Hoffman ran up the wall to confirm it himself.
Using his telescope, Hoffman checked the group.
The banner of the Jericho Grand Duchy, planted on the roof of the largest and most elaborate carriage, fluttered in the wind.
“They’ve arrived already? What on earth is this?”
Hoffman muttered in disbelief.
He couldn’t understand it.
The group had arrived a full fifteen days earlier than his shortest estimate.
Hoffman turned to his aide.
“And His Lordship?”
The aide shook his head.
The red hawk had been released, but the lord had not returned.
There had been no news at all.
No matter where the lord was, it shouldn’t have taken more than two days for the hawk to reach him.
In other words, the lord had surely read the message, but still made no effort to rush back.
Hoffman hit his chest in frustration, his face full of things left unsaid.
Serving such a leisurely master, it was the people around him who suffered.
“Hey! Everyone, get ready to greet our distinguished guest! Line up the well-dressed kids. Anyone looking sloppy, shove those punks down into the dungeons. Jacey! Jacey, where are you! Collin! Is the cleaning done?”
The castle was in an uproar.
Hoffman shouted commands while people rushed around frantically.
Leave a Reply