Chapter 106. Laila

I was popular.

I didn’t know what stories were circulating among the people of Evitern Castle, but everyone showed me an almost fanatical affection.

It was the same at the Winter Palace, but I was never immune to such situations. It was overwhelming to have people I was meeting for the first time view me so positively, almost blindly.

From the chief steward to the head maid, meeting and greeting the people of Evitern Castle made me uncomfortable, but I tried hard not to show it, playing the role of the ‘Grand Duchess’ they wanted.

Since I had to leave this place in about 11 months, I couldn’t just smile happily at their goodwill.

“This is the piano room. We have a harp, an organ, and other instruments as well. Do you enjoy playing any instruments, Your Highness?”

“I don’t really play any instruments. I can play a little piano, but I’m terribly untalented.”

Currently, I was touring Evitern Castle under Fernand’s guidance. When I said I didn’t really play any instruments, Fernand stammered in surprise.

“Oh, I see. I apologize for asking such a question. You don’t need to play any instruments, Your Highness. If you wish to hear music, just instruct me to invite an orchestra. Please feel free to let me know anytime.”

He seemed almost pitiful, watching my reactions so nervously. He must have been worried that this would reach Enoch’s ears. I smiled and spoke in a deliberately gentle tone.

“Thank you. And don’t worry, I wasn’t offended by the question.”

Fernand looked deeply moved and thanked me more than ten times.

After that, he guided me through the castle with even more enthusiasm, his voice and demeanor so fervent that it was almost excessive.

The last place we visited was the portrait room. It housed portraits of past Dukes of Turin, their wives, and their direct descendants.

“It was His Grace’s decision to leave the portrait room unchanged. He said he had no intention of leaving descendants to continue the Bayern name, so it would be better to preserve the history of the Dukes of Turin intact…”

It was a decision that’s very much like him, and I nodded in agreement. Fernand, glancing at me expectantly, added in a hopeful tone.

“But now that you are here, Your Highness… perhaps someday this portrait room will need to be reorganized.”

“……”

I smiled silently. Naturally, Fernand and the other vassals of Bayern hoped I would bear Enoch’s child.

But that was a hope I couldn’t fulfill.

Creating a true ‘family’ with Enoch… was a happiness not allowed to me.

* * *

After touring the castle, the next agenda was inspecting the territory.

I went out with Jasmine, Haley, and one of Enoch’s aides, Gideon Warrington.

“Please call me Gideon, Your Highness. I will do my utmost to serve you today.”

He was responsible for overseeing the lives and economic activities of the territory’s residents. At 28 years old, he was well past the typical marriage age but was still single.

“And, Miss Jasmine… I am really happy to go out with you today. I look forward to it. Oh, and Sir Haley too!”

It seemed he liked Jasmine. Haley—Jasmine’s brother—looked as grim as a rotten egg as he looked at the shy Gideon.

However, I quite liked Gideon. He was fairly handsome, with dark blond hair tinged with a golden hue and bright emerald eyes.

I didn’t know much about his personality yet, but his appearance alone made him a perfect match for Jasmine. They looked like a beautiful couple standing together. Sir Haley seemed to have a different opinion, though…

Anyway, amidst the fresh excitement of one man and the wild-animal-like wariness of another, we set off to inspect the territory.

But the Grand Duchy of Bayern was vast, so it was impossible to cover everything in one day. Hence, we decided to visit a nearby town and one major city before sunset.

The first place we visited was Ortez, a large city about a 30-minute carriage ride from Evitern Castle.

The Grand Duchy of Bayern bordered Ceres, an ally of Atreos, to the northwest. Ortez was located on the eastern side, as far from Ceres as possible.

Historically, since the territory had experienced numerous battles with Ceres, which is backed by Atreos, the most economically active city was built farthest from the front lines.

In contrast, the fortress city of Clomency, which retained the form of an old castle city, was located on the western side, adjacent to Ceres.

According to Gideon, Ortez and Clomency had atmospheres as different as summer and winter.

“It would be good to inspect Clomency today as well, but there’s not enough time. It would be better to visit Clomency tomorrow or the day after. Just inspecting Ortez will take half a day.”

I nodded quietly at Gideon’s explanation. The scenery of Ortez, which we had just arrived at, was grander and more splendid than I had imagined. It rivaled the capital, Schleswig, in scale.

‘No wonder the Bayern family is wealthy, owning a city like this…’

The bustling streets mirrored the capital’s trends, with commercial districts for ordinary citizens, clock towers and squares, theater streets, art streets, residential areas, and more. As I slowly rode through the city, I couldn’t help but admire the near-perfect city planning.

“And that five-story red brick house is the residence of the lord’s deputy. The deputy lord is a man named Benjamin Colmar, who manages the city’s administration on behalf of His Grace. Since it’s a busy time, it would be better to meet him later.”

Not wanting to bother someone busy, I nodded silently. We hadn’t announced our visit in advance, so it wouldn’t be polite to suddenly show up at the residence, even if I was the Grand Duchess.

After touring the city, it was around six in the evening. Although it was almost evening, it was still bright as summer days were long.

On our way back to Evitern Castle, we planned to visit a nearby village to gauge the people’s sentiments.

The carriage left the well-paved city streets and began to travel on relatively rough dirt roads. Occasionally, when the carriage wheels hit a bump, I thought it might be more comfortable to ride a horse.

But riding fast in the countryside would cover us in dust, so I had no choice but to sit quietly in the carriage.

“We’ve arrived, Your Highness. This is Diez Village.”

After getting off the carriage with the entourage, I quietly observed the peaceful countryside scenery, which was quite different from the city.

The wooden houses clustered together, the crop storage, the green wheat fields not yet turned yellow, and the distant orchard path—all these pastoral elements made me feel at ease.

“Diez Village harvests wheat from late July and apples around September. Although you can’t see it from here, there’s a cherry farm further east. The cherry harvest season has already passed, but half of the cherries harvested in June from here would have gone to the Winter Palace in the capital… Did you get to taste them?”

“Yes, they were very sweet and delicious.”

“Haha, yes. The plump and delicious cherries are the pride of Diez Village.”

As I listened to Gideon’s explanation and slowly walked through the village streets, the residents who recognized us shyly approached and handed over baskets filled with grains or fruits.

I thanked each of them with a smile. It seemed like a good village.

“From here, it’s the orchard path. Those trees are all apple trees. The scenery is beautiful around May when the flowers bloom…”

At that moment, Gideon’s voice abruptly stopped due to a sudden commotion.

“Laila! You stuttering fool! It was you! Who else would steal it if not you!”

A sharp, accusing voice of a young girl.

I paused and turned my head slightly in that direction.

The girl looked about sixteen years old, yelling at a village maiden who appeared at least two years older.

‘Laila? Did she just say Laila?’

A familiar name.

An old memory suddenly resurfaced.

‘The Marquis will be punished by heaven. He will surely pay for his sins… I believe that.’
‘Thank you, Laila…’

Before marrying Enoch, I had glimpsed the future through foresight magic.

In that future, I was Anderson’s wife, and a maid named Laila was my only ally in his mansion. Though I couldn’t see Laila’s face, I remembered her name.

Hoping that someday, if fate allowed, I would meet her…

“Answer me, Laila! Where did you hide my necklace?!”

“I-I didn’t take it…! I didn’t steal it!”

“Don’t lie! I saw how jealous you were when I received that necklace! We only have my father and brothers at home, so who else but you, a female guest, would steal it?!”

Black hair and eyes, brown skin, an exotic appearance… Could that distressed woman be the same ‘Laila’? Or was it just a coincidence?

If that village maiden was the Laila I knew, there was something strange. In the future I saw, Laila didn’t stutter, but this woman seemed to struggle with her speech.

“Tsk tsk, that household is at it again.”

“Why do they always bully that poor orphan girl…”

“Jessica, that young girl has no manners.”

“What should we do? Shouldn’t we intervene?”

The village residents, who had gathered in small groups, watched the commotion and whispered among themselves. The girl, Jessica, who was accusing Laila of theft, raised her voice even more and finally lifted her hand.

Slap!

Jessica slapped Laila hard across the face. Stumbling and clutching her cheek, Laila soon collapsed to the ground. Tears welled up in her black eyes as she looked up at her attacker.

Laila pleaded in a trembling voice.

“I-I didn’t do it, I didn’t steal it…”

…There was no need to see more.

“No, Your Highness, this is not right… Your Highness?”

Ignoring the flustered Gideon, I strode forward without hesitation. Towards Laila, who was crying on the ground, and Jessica, who seemed ready to inflict more violence.

Just as Jessica picked up a broom to strike Laila, I intervened.

“Stop.”

I grabbed the girl’s wrist firmly and commanded in a low voice. Jessica turned sharply to face me, her eyes wide with anger.

“Who are you?! How dare you interfere in our family matters…!”

Her eyes quickly scanned my face, the pearl earrings on my earlobes, the satin ribbon in my hair, the silk blouse and riding jacket, the suede skirt, and the leather boots decorated with obsidian buttons.

Then she opened her mouth in shock.

“Wh-who are you…?”

“……”

I quietly smiled and calmly scolded her.

“No matter how angry you are, you shouldn’t hit someone like that. It seems like there’s a misunderstanding.”

“Wh-what… Who are you? Why are you interfering…”

There was no need to answer her question.

Jasmine’s voice, echoing from behind me, provided the answer.

“Her Grace the Grand Duchess!”