Chapter 12

The 2nd Knights Commander came with records of Carl's escort candidates. The age

group varied, but only those who served at least five years as the Duke's knights were

nominated. Therefore Oscar was not among the candidates. Most importantly, the documents

stated the knight's former master and why they switched.

Most knights know nothing but to be loyal to their masters because they are honest and

simple. However, to be appointed commander of a knighthood you need an understanding of

some political maneuvering. The Commander agreed with Count Vietrika's idea that Carl

needed an escort and watched me and Mrs. Blone clash in front of him. He must also

understand why Count Vietrika would appoint Carlos' escort knight.

Mrs. Blone was doing the Duchess' job on my behalf and behind her was Count Vietrika.

Count Vietrika was a wealthy and powerful person enough to make his daughter Duchess. His

grandson was now the only son and heir to the Dukedom. I was a nominal Duchess who looked

good but had nothing. In anyone's eyes, my side was more skewed. However, in the midst of all

this, the Commander took my side.

"Everyone seems loyal to the Duke. What do you think of the knights? Is there anyone in

particular who catches your attention? I want someone capable of protecting Carlos and who

will not be bought by anyone. I think it would be better if Carlos has a knight that is child-friendly

that he can believe in and follow."

I gave him a gesture of trust. After some thought, the Commander brought some of the

papers to me. I could tell he knew his knights under his command when he was able to pick who

should protect Carl.

I picked three escort knights on his recommendation. Although they were not as

good-looking as the previous knights, all of them were veterans who had long been loyal to the

Duke. He was also the Duke's escort knight when he stayed in the castle.

"It's good to pick knights that have been loyal to the Duke to be the escort."

"...Good idea."

Mrs. Blone was completely excluded from this appointment, so she didn't have the ability

to nitpick the knights I chose. No, it was more that she couldn't. From the newly selected

knights, there was none that I knew. But I'm sure they were good, so I couldn't find fault.

I took the oaths of loyalty with Carlos in my arms. The knights were loyal to the Duke of

Demancier, Gellerhard, and his son, Carlos. If Count Vietrika is concerned about my change of

heart and poses a threat, there will be no other people like these.

The oaths for Carl's escorts ended there. Count Vietrika and I stopped at that point.

However, Mrs. Blone and the rest stayed at the Dukedom.

The more I thought about what would have happened had I accepted Mrs. Blone's

suggestion, I started to get dizzy. That would also lead to lewd rumors about me getting closer

to the handsome escorts. In the original work, Amanda gave birth to a son, so when I give birth

there could be a scandal on who the father is.

It was time to gather people on my side as I had decided. The fire had to start.

Who's on my side right now? First, there was my most obvious ally, Carl, my stepson.

Carl was playing with a square block in his mouth but put it in my hand without hesitation as I

held it out to him.

"Well done. Thank you~"

"Cute"

He grabbed my other hand and smiled like an angel at me. Children were creatures that

didn't hate you, even if you try to hate them or punish them.

I gave the block to Carl and he put it in his mouth again. His small, red lips, like rose

petals, were wet with saliva from biting the block. I should wipe his lips later.

"Margaretta is amazing. You take care of the children, but at the same time you take

care of the land."

Baron Demant was also on the battlefield with the Duke, so his wife was the lord's

deputy. The Baroness Demant was both the Deputy Lord and stayed at the Duke's castle as

Carl's nanny, she carefully maintained the estate.

"I'm flattered. I was lucky to have a reliable agent."

"Having someone around you can trust doesn't seem like luck alone."

Margaret and I looked at each other smiling. Once what I said reached her expression

changed. Margaret responded with a gentle smile.

"It's possible with eyes around everywhere. I learned it from my mother-in-law."

Without me having to say anything, Margaret immediately knew what I was asking. Her

words reminded me of someone I had inadvertently forgotten. Yes, I have a mother-in-law! T/N:

I think she says this but the OG doesn't have it in quotes???

"If it's Margaret's mother-in-law..."

"The late Baroness Damant."

"Rest in peace."

"Rest in peace."

Margaret and I said our prayers for the deceased. Slightly lowering her eyes, she went

on to say.

"My mother-in-law taught me a lot. From close relatives to family events, how to set up

and handle things, how to make my people... Thanks to my mother-in-law's teachings, I am still

managing my estate and family well. I'm grateful."

"I see. She must be proud to see the current Margaret."

"I hope so."

After finishing with the block, Carl put down his toy and approached me. I hugged Carl,

and Margaret looked at us with a gentle face and approached her children.

Unlike Margaret, my mother-in-law was alive. Demancier's mother, in the north she went

by "Godmother". My husband, Gellerhard, became Duke of Demancier after his father's sudden

death on the battlefield. However, because he was unmarried, he stayed heir until Marilyn came

and took over the Duchess's work.

But the Godmother had already left the Dukedom before her grandson Carlos was born.

She had never seen Carlos, only sending a letter of concern when he was born and Marilyn

died, but she had not come to the Dukedom. Teaching Marilyn everything the Duchess had to

do and then departing again. There was no point in calling back someone who had retired.

Besides, I didn't contact her because I didn't intend to do the Duchess' job myself.

Carl whined when I wiped off the saliva from his lips. I think he's tired of playing with

blocks, and now he's sleepy. Carl's hand fiddled with my hair.

"Our Carl is sleepy, isn't he? Yes, if you're sleepy, you should go to bed. Yes, I have a

nose."

"No."

"Yeah, no-"

I patted the baby on the back, holding the fairly heavy Carl and letting him rest his face

on my chest. Sitting in the armchair near the fireplace made it easier to hold Carl. Carl was

slowly falling asleep while I patted his back, talking to him.

"Don't you miss your grandmother, Carl?"

"What?"

"Grandma will say that our Carl is so cute."

"Woong-."

Carl held my hair, putting it in my ear and nose, falling asleep in my arms. Laying Carl on

the bed, I wrote to my mother-in-law quickly. I had no justification to cut Mrs. Blone off with my

own hands because she was the one I invited. The problem was if I cut her off I didn't know how

to rule the estate and take care of the family. But due wouldn't have enough time to teach me

everything because the house and estate were large.

If the Duchess' job was what I had to do there was only one person I could ask and trust

to teach me.

Demancier's Godmother. Fortunately, she responded quickly informing me she'll come to

visit.