Chapter 24

Daniel descended the stairs, with Dominic closely following behind.

“Well, you know. When you said that His Lordship would defeat Sir Rosivalt, he glared at you so fiercely. He was furious, saying that our Muriel wouldn’t lose to anyone. He was really worked up.”

“Our… Muriel?”

When Daniel turned his shoulder slightly to ask, Dominic nodded vigorously.

“Yes, our Muriel. The way His Lordship dotes on the bodyguard knight, you saw it that day, didn’t you? He didn’t even look at the injured His Lordship, just helped Sir Rosivalt up and walked away.”

Stopping in his tracks, Dominic punched his palm.

“Ah, His Lordship might have been angry. Anyway, it was His Lordship who took Sir Rosivalt’s sword.”

“Who took whose? I won fair and square….”

“Right. That’s true.”

Without listening to Daniel, Dominic kept nodding.

“The duchess will apparently have a new sword made for Sir Rosivalt, so you should give her a good amount of gold.”

“I gave her the key to the vault a long time ago.”

The slips of paper detailing the use of money were still being passed to him. While he found it annoying, the duke and duchess would slide them under the door connecting their rooms instead of telling him in person. His wife, who couldn’t hide her feelings, made it obvious when she was angry, and it was impossible not to notice. The problem was why it bothered him. Even when she avoided his gaze, it got under his skin. Honestly, he didn’t take the sword through coercion or force. He provided a suitable spectacle for Sir Rosivalt’s honor. And anyway….

‘I was the one who got hurt.’

As he tightened his grip on the reins, Balzac snorted fiercely and shook his head.

“Whoa, whoa. Calm down, you temperamental brute.”

It was unclear whether Dominic was calming Balzac, provoking him, or speaking to someone else as he stroked the mane.

“When will you return?”

“Why?”

Daniel, now seated on Balzac, took his place. A servant appeared with a bag of snacks and handed it to Dominic before quickly leaving. If he had been a bit slower, he would have been kicked by Balzac’s hooves. As Dominic tied the leather bag to the saddle, his tone became more serious.

“People are starting to gossip about the duke and duchess. They say they’ve never seen the two of them sit together at the table.”

“Is the table even still there?”

Dominic, who had tied the knot tightly, looked up at Daniel with a disapproving expression.

“The important part isn’t the table, but the fact that they ‘sit together.’ The duchess has been dining with the servants in the kitchen for a long time. People were fine with it when she had no husband to eat with, but now it’s different.”

Dominic, who had been observing his lord’s usual expressionless face, asked seriously.

“While we’re on the subject, do the two of you… talk, or anything like that?”

Whether verbally or physically. Seeing no change in Daniel, Dominic sighed.

“Sigh. I’m the fool for asking. What did I expect from someone who lives like a master and disciple?”

“Anyone who hears that would think you’re not like that.”

“Am I like His Lordship?”

Dominic’s outburst made Balzac snort in surprise. Glaring at Balzac, Dominic then turned his gaze to Daniel.

“Don’t let the duchess hear the vulgar gossip of the people. While it might not happen in the duchy, there are people spreading news from here to the outside world.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Dominic added quietly.

“Most importantly… she’s a good person. A kind person. She’s different from the women we knew.”

She’s different… Now I understand why she’s been bothering me.

“She is different.”

Being different makes me curious. What is she like?

“By the way, Dominic.”

The empress, who promised to save her son if his mother died, wasn’t initially such a cruel woman. Dominic’s mother, who abandoned her child and became another man’s woman for a few coins, was said to have loved Ricardo deeply at first. So, women, or rather, all people change. In the end, that’s how it is.

“Is she really different?”

Even knowing this, a small curiosity tickles him like a spring breeze. He wants to ask today’s Frieda what she thinks of today’s Daniel. It bothers him. Just a little. As Daniel pulled the reins hard, Balzac kicked up dust and galloped away. *** Recently, the night scenery of Mühheim Castle has changed. The corridors, and even the kitchen, which used to go dark early, are now brightly lit late into the night. The reason is the same as before and now: the duchess, Frieda. In the past, the duchess, who would come in before sunset and never go downstairs at night to save oil, now stays in the kitchen late into the night, reviewing documents. The head cook, Adel, served Frieda a bowl of potato soup with basil.

“Have some of this while you work, my lady. You barely had dinner.”

“Barely? Adel, you gave me two plates of chicken with different seasonings to try the new herbs.”

The spacious kitchen, with many wall lamps, was bright and not stuffy. It was always warm, making it a good place to review documents. The only downside was that Adel kept bringing food, making her go to bed with a full stomach. Frieda glared at Adel, who was preparing to bring out more food.

“Adel, if you keep this up, I won’t come to the kitchen anymore from tomorrow.”

“You have nowhere else to go. You said you can’t work in the bedroom. Sir, don’t just stand there, come and have some.”

Another bowl of soup was placed next to Frieda. Despite staying up later than before, Adel seemed more energetic. Watching her busy back, Frieda felt a bit guilty.

“New servants will arrive in a few days, so please bear with it a little longer, Adel. I’m sorry for making you manage the kitchen alone.”

“You say the strangest things. The castle is just big. Do we have banquets or a picky lady? I was ten times busier at the previous mansion. Compared to that, this is nothing. Ah, try this too.”

Adel ladled something from a wooden barrel, mixed it with water, and poured it into glasses for Frieda and Muriel.

“I made this herbal drink because Anton said it’s good for coughs. When I mixed it with water, it had a nice buzz.”

Muriel, who had swallowed it without suspicion, started coughing.

“What, what is this? Adel, did you just give our lady a drink? Lady, give it here….”

“Ugh.”

Frieda, who had already finished one glass, frowned and handed the glass to Adel.

“It tastes strange, but it makes my chest feel open. Adel, give me another glass.”

“Right? If it’s too strong, I can dilute it more. Have a few more glasses and get a good night’s sleep. Sir, don’t try to stop her, just have another glass with her.”

Frieda, receiving a full glass from Adel, brought it to her mouth without hesitation. Realizing it was too late to stop her, Muriel finished her soup. At that moment, Frieda, who had finished her second glass, hit Muriel’s shoulder, causing a spoonful of soup to fall on the table.

“Don’t be too upset, Muriel. I’ve sent a letter to a merchant in Weimar to find the best craftsman in the empire. I’ll get you a better sword than Kolthar. If I can’t find one, I’ll have one made for you.”

Muriel, staring at the spilled soup, fell into deep thought. The many thoughts that had been haunting her for days were like the soup staining the table. Getting angry at the spill wouldn’t change anything; it would just need to be wiped away.

“I appreciate your offer to get me a good sword. But honestly, I’m more grateful to His Grace the Duke.”

“What do you mean?”

Muriel, who had finished her glass, was immediately refilled by Adel. Muriel, who saw Adel refill Frieda’s glass, no longer tried to stop her. Leaning her head on her folded arms on the table, Muriel muttered.

“I vividly remember the day I defeated my second brother and got Kolthar. I was incredibly happy. Not only did I have a treasure in my hands, but I also had the honor of being the best in the Rosivalt family.”

The joy disappeared in an instant.

“Later, I found out it was part of my father’s and brothers’ plan to produce the first female royal knight in the family’s history.”

What was even more terrifying was that I kept my mouth shut, pretending I didn’t know. I was clinging to that insignificant honor, which I didn’t earn fairly, and I became a pitiful Muriel Rosivalt.

“If it weren’t for His Grace, I would have never let go of that sword or my ugly desires. Honestly, it feels refreshing. It’s just a bit exhausting to receive everyone’s sympathy. So, Lady, please don’t pity me anymore.”

“Muriel….”

Frieda, unable to find the right words, suddenly raised her glass high.

“To Sir Muriel Rosivalt, always the best knight!”

The exaggerated tone revealed her intoxication. Adel, laughing, clinked her glass with Frieda’s.

“To the best knight, Muriel Rosivalt!”

Muriel, finally smiling, brought her glass to the others.

“To Muriel Rosivalt, anyway.”

The three women, in unison, declared.

“To that!”

Amid the loud cheers, the kitchen door quietly opened. Among the three women holding their glasses, Adel, who faced the door, was the first to widen her eyes.

“My, my lord.”

Daniel, who had been looking at her with his violet eyes, spoke calmly.

“Is it too late for dinner?”

***

Freshly baked warm bread, hastily cooked vegetable stir-fry, three types of cheese, smoked pork, and potato soup. The dishes Adel quickly prepared were set before Daniel.

“Can I ask for one more thing?”

“What is it?”

Adel, who was flustered, quickly poured a full glass of the herbal drink Daniel pointed to and handed it to him.

“You don’t need to wait, so you can go rest.”

“But….”

“Sir Rosivalt, you too.”

After taking a sip of soup, Daniel asked again, low but firm.

“Can you both leave now?”

As the two hurriedly left the kitchen, Frieda, who was about to stand up, was held by Daniel’s hand.

“Will you stay, my lady?”