Chapter 8 –  The Gathering (Part 4)

Since there wasn’t even a common fever reducer in the Duke’s mansion, Elysia drank a cup of honey tea, cooled to a drinkable temperature, as a substitute for medicine. Unable to sleep due to alternating fever and chills, she lay in bed, quietly cursing the Duke in her head. At that moment, the door swung open, and three people entered almost simultaneously.

Cassius, who had brought back a potion from Emilliano; Aaron, who had returned with items from Ronan; and Daisy, who had arrived with a small travel bag.

Seeing all three of them at once, Elysia, despite her sore throat, shouted in joy.

“Daisy!”

Cassius and Aaron flinched and stopped in their tracks, while Daisy rushed to Elysia’s side like the wind. She removed her gloves and placed her hand on Elysia’s forehead to check her temperature. Then, standing up, she began issuing instructions to those around her.

“Millie, there’s a soft, light-blue pajama set made of fabric that absorbs sweat well among the Madam’s clothes. She needs to change into that, so please fetch it. Someone else, prepare clean towels and lukewarm water to dampen them. When was the last time Madam ate?”

While Millie searched through the wardrobe and another maid went to prepare water, Grace, the head maid, stopped Daisy.

“If you explain the method to us, we’ll handle it. The Madam is now part of the Grendel household. You are not a servant here.”

“This is a request from the Madam’s mother, Lady Serenze. After hearing that the Madam was gravely ill, she insisted that I personally care for her as I did at the Serenze household. Being sick in an unfamiliar place without someone familiar to comfort you only makes it worse. If His Grace permits, I would like to stay here and care for her until she recovers.”

Daisy ignored Grace’s words entirely and looked directly at the Duke as she made her plea. Her gaze carried clear criticism, not only toward Cassius but also toward everyone in the Duke’s household.

Cassius felt strangely choked up as he looked at Daisy, who showed no fear of him and seemed determined to protect Elysia, even if it meant being dragged out of the room.  

If it had been Aisar, there would have been no hesitation in immediately removing Daisy from the premises. However, Cassius realized that if he expelled this maid now, there would be no chance of ever improving his relationship with Elysia.

“…I’ll allow it. Take good care of Elysia.”

With those words, Cassius left the room without handing over the potion he had brought. Aaron quickly handed Daisy the small box he had received from Ronan and explained its contents.

“There are separate medicines for reducing fever and relieving severe coughing. Also, it contains a scent to help with sleep, a stone that emits coolness, and another that provides warmth. Use them as needed based on her condition.”

Daisy expressed her thanks to Aaron and accepted the box.

After Aaron left, Grace, acknowledging the Duke’s permission, stepped back and told Daisy to focus on nursing the Madam while the household staff would provide anything else she needed. Daisy began preparing to treat Elysia’s symptoms with Millie’s help.

***

On his way back to the office to finish organizing the documents he had left earlier, Aaron wondered why the Duke hadn’t delivered whatever he had brought. However, since Cassius didn’t appear in the office, Aaron couldn’t ask or probe further.

Instead of heading to his office, Cassius went to the small library in the west wing. At the moment, he couldn’t bear to be around Aaron or anyone else.

The west library was the smallest of the three libraries in the mansion. Its ceiling wasn’t very high, and it had only one bookshelf with three rows. However, it was furnished with cushions along the windowsill, perfect for sitting or reclining while reading books brought in from the other libraries.

Originally intended for external visitors, the library was rarely used due to the lack of visitors, making it one of the few places Cassius could use as a hideout during his childhood.

Cassius leaned back on the long bench by the window, raising one arm to cover his face as he recalled the earlier situation.

Daisy, a mere maid, had dared to stand her ground and confront him, the Duke, for Elysia’s sake, even at the risk of incurring his wrath. Her actions reminded him of something a maid from his mother’s household had once said to the previous Duke.

“Madam has been living lonely in this unfamiliar ducal mansion, with no one but me to rely on. You control everything—her outings, her visitors—and now she’s withering away inside this house. She wasn’t like this before she came here! I am her maid, not a servant who came here to obey the Grendel household!”

That maid, who had accompanied his mother from her family home, had spoken so directly, knowing full well she would incur the previous Duke’s wrath. And that was the last time Cassius ever saw her in the Grendel mansion.

Cassius took out the potion he had received from Emilliano at the Academy. He hadn’t handed it over earlier because, for some reason, he felt unworthy of doing so.

He thought to himself that he wasn’t much different from the previous Duke.

Afterward, Cassius wanted to stay at the mansion to monitor Elysia’s recovery and see if there was anything he could do to help, but he had to attend a formal meeting at the palace.

Today’s court meeting was particularly important. Following his private meeting with the King after the last gathering of noble supremacists, Cassius planned to appear as though he was aligned with them by recommending Marquis Orga for the position of Minister of Finance.

After the general discussion of state affairs had concluded, King Clois spoke.

“It seems we’ve covered the main topics. Unless anyone has something else to bring up, shall we adjourn the meeting?”

“Your Majesty, I would like to address a matter that has been postponed for too long.”

When Cassius spoke, everyone in the room turned their attention to him.

“A postponed matter? What are you referring to?”

“The position of Minister of Finance has remained vacant for far too long. Because of this, the Ministry of Finance has not been functioning properly, causing difficulties for myself, Earl Kumaran, and other administrative officials.”

“Ah, that matter. I regret that as well. However, I’ve yet to find a suitable candidate…”

Earl Kumaran and Marquis Orga tried to hide their displeasure at the King’s words, which seemed to exclude them. In the past, Earl Kumaran and his faction had repeatedly recommended Marquis Orga, only for the King to skillfully avoid making a decision. They assumed that raising the issue again would be futile.

They also grew wary, suspecting that Cassius might be planning to recommend someone else.

However, what came out of Cassius’s mouth was entirely unexpected.

“If Your Majesty has no immediate candidate in mind, I believe the best option at present would be to appoint Marquis Orga, who is currently serving as financial advisor.”

Though surprised, Earl Kumaran and Marquis Orga quickly masked their reactions, maintaining their composure as seasoned nobles. Earl Kumaran, curious about the King’s thoughts, directed his question to Cassius instead.

“Duke Grendel, this is a proposal His Majesty has already rejected multiple times. Surely His Majesty had reasons for doing so. Why are you bringing it up again?”

Feigning humility, Marquis Orga added:

“Indeed, it must be because my abilities are insufficient. It’s entirely my fault for failing to meet His Majesty’s standards.”

Cassius looked directly at Marquis Orga.

“Regardless of what you think of yourself, you are capable enough to serve as an advisor. I believe His Majesty also acknowledges your abilities. If you were deemed unfit to serve as Minister of Finance, then it would be contradictory to have you as an advisor in the first place. Your Majesty, if no action is taken soon, the administrative palace will face paralysis.”

As Cassius once again mentioned the burden on administrative duties, King Clois could no longer hide his displeasure.

“Duke Grendel, you speak as though I am unjustly neglecting to appoint a minister and overburdening others. The position of Minister of Finance is one that controls the nation’s finances, so I must approach it with caution.”

“Then, does this mean that if no one meets your cautious standards, Your Majesty, the position will remain vacant indefinitely? The Kingdom of Brunchia is not your little palace, Your Majesty, where things can be run in such a haphazard way.”

King Clois slammed the table with a loud bang.

“It seems the burden of work has made you insolent. I’ll forgive your excessive remarks this time, considering our long-standing friendship.”

However, King Clois’s expression did not reflect forgiveness at all.

“What do you all think? Are you so concerned about the vacancy in the position of Minister of Finance?”

At the King’s question, Georg Lance, the Minister of Defense, and Carnelia Septimum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, hesitated briefly. The Minister of Defense disliked political conflicts above all else and had no particular opinion about Marquis Orga, so he chose to remain silent.

On the other hand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs had long wanted to express her thoughts on this matter.

“Your Majesty, leaving the position of Minister of Finance vacant creates awkward situations during trade negotiations with other countries. They express concerns about whether the agreements made now might later be overturned by a newly appointed Minister of Finance. Even when I reassure them that these agreements have your approval, their concerns remain valid…”

“There’s no need to beat around the bush to say that my words lack credibility. What you’re implying is that a ruler might indulge in extravagance or start wars that bankrupt the treasury, so the word of a Minister of Finance, who understands the principles of money better, is more trustworthy.”

King Clois spoke with sarcasm, then abruptly stood up. This was a signal that the meeting was over. Before leaving the room, the King gave a curt command.

“Since you all seem so insistent, I must grant your request to avoid being called incompetent. As of this moment, Marquis Orga is appointed as Minister of Finance. The official appointment will be delivered through an attendant, so don’t expect any elaborate ceremonies or inaugurations.”

With those words, King Clois left the room. One by one, the ministers followed him out. Earl Kumaran and Marquis Orga exchanged glances and barely suppressed their smiles.