Chapter 32

“Oh my goodness.” 

“I don’t think it’s that big a deal.” 

“No, it isn’t. These days, there are quite a few ladies in the Grand Duchy who don’t even take care of the basic management of their households and just hire a treasurer to do it for them. Sometimes it’s because their husbands don’t give them enough authority”. 

“Hmm…” 

“Especially for someone as high ranking as Her Imperial Highness, they often think there’s no need for them to work. And then, occasionally, they are taken advantage of by a treasurer who embezzles funds”. 

“That sounds exaggerated, no matter how I think about it.” 

“Well, I’m telling you, it’s true. Maybe it’s because you were supposed to be the Grand Duchess… Oh, oops.” 

“Sien!” 

“Sorry, Emma. I got carried away again.”

Sien clapped her hand over her mouth and smiled shyly. She was the maid who used to bring Elliope lots of food. 

Since Dylan, being older and having trouble walking, couldn’t accompany Elliope, Sien had taken it upon herself to show her around and familiarise her with the housekeeping of the knight’s quarters. 

In the midst of all this, Sien casually showed Elliope the accounting ledger for the knights’ quarters, which was kept by Kallian. Seeing that Elliope was able to read the book reasonably well, Sien did not hesitate to praise her.

“Even so… you managed to discover a gap in the financial flow of the manor’s funds?” 

“…” 

“It seems that the Imperial Family really does provide a different level of education. For most noble ladies in the Grand Duchy, their duties end with bringing a dowry and producing heirs.” 

As she said this, Sien once again flashed a meaningful smile. Elliope responded with a bitter smile of her own. 

‘I was like that once.’ 

During the long time Theodor had kept his distance from her, she had tried desperately to find something – anything – to do. It was a time when she racked her brain every day, wondering how she could get Theodor to notice her, how she could get him to accept her as a Grand Duchess. 

One of the things she did during this time was to learn how to run the household as a Grand Duchess. 

‘It really wasn’t easy.’
With so few people even considering her a Grand Duchess, finding a tutor had been a challenge from the start. 

After repeated pleas and appeals to those around her, she had finally managed to find someone to teach her the inner workings of running the affairs of the Grand Duchy. But even this tutor had been deeply sceptical. 

“What I can teach you is quite limited.” 

“I understand.” 

“No, I don’t think you do. His Grace has no intention of giving you any authority over household matters.” 

“……” 

“There is only so much I can teach you about the Grand Duchy, and even if you learn, His Grace won’t listen to you.”

The tutor who said these words was, ironically, the Grand Duke’s treasurer – one of the few people who, towards the end of her struggles, began to pity her.

What did she say to him? 

“Then even the most basic things are in order.” 

“Basic things? Like what?” 

“Really simple things. Like how to read books, or the specialities of the Grand Duchy… Things that wouldn’t matter if you taught me.”

She believed that if she could gradually accumulate knowledge in these small ways, she could at least become a woman who was useful to Theodor. Even if he didn’t accept her immediately, even if he didn’t love her, she hoped he would see her as a Grand Duchess who had some value. She wanted him to see her as a trustworthy partner, if nothing else. 

That was her only hope. 

‘Though it turned out to be a futile effort.’

When Theodor died, all her efforts became meaningless. Not that she had much use for those skills now anyway. If she really wanted to ruin Theodor, it wouldn’t even be that complicated. 

‘If I just encouraged the mistresses he had close to him in his past life to continue their games with him…’ 

He would inevitably die of overindulgence again. 

This man – the one she had once loved with all her heart – was, after all, just that kind of man. 

Still, if she had to console herself, she could at least say that the things she’d learned hadn’t been completely useless. Since her return, she’d been able to check and recheck ledgers, a skill that had proved useful in managing the affairs of Kallian’s households. 

‘In the grand scheme of things, though, it’s not exactly an impressive skill.’

Still, Sien continued to shower her with praise.

“Really. Just being able to see that there was a gap is impressive, wouldn’t you say?” 

“That much… anyone could notice if they were guided by a treasurer…” 

“But it’s a book created by the very treasurer who was hired to hide those gaps.” 

Hearing this, she felt a sense of unease. 

‘There is a hole in the finances of the Knights’ Quarters, and instead of dealing with it, they decided to cover it up?’ 

“Oh, Sir Kallian is also aware of it.”

“…” 

Which meant it was done on purpose.

‘The missing money doesn’t seem like a small amount. Where exactly had the money gone?’

While she wondered about that, Sien continued to chat.

“Just in case, I’ve only covered it up loosely, but if the lady can see it like this, I suppose being casual won’t work any more. I’ll have to suggest you cover it up more thoroughly.” 

“Sien?” 

At that moment, as Elliope spoke cautiously out of curiosity, the sound of the manor’s door opening reached her ears. 

“Sir.” 

Kallian, who had been summoned to the Grand Duke’s residence, entered. 

Elliope immediately recognised the knight walking beside him. He had been one of the witnesses to her marriage vows. 

“You’re back, Sir Kallian! Listen to this – Her Ladyship actually…” 

“He’s no longer Sir Kallian.” 

“What?” 

“Kallian Elsen… is now a Viscount.” 

The knight uttered the words and then cast a meaningful glance at Kallian. Sien’s eyes widened as well. 

“My goodness, I must tell the steward about this. Dylan! Dylan!” 

As the commotion broke out, only Emma and Elliope stood in stunned silence. Elliope, in particular, could feel her thoughts spiralling into chaos. 

‘Theodor had given Kallian a title and a family name?’ 

Dylan had mentioned something about a title, but knowing Theodor’s usual temperament, she had dismissed it as mere idle talk. 

‘Even though I told him to use me to secure Leanne…’ 

She had assumed that, in reality, Theodor would be far more likely to lash out at her and Kallian for defying him than to choose that course of action. 

Because of this, she had thought it likely that when Kallian returned, both of them would end up being banished from the Grand Duchy of Ilmos altogether. 

Even if that were to happen, she had no complaints. She just felt sorry for Kallian. So she had thought to apologise to him, to express her regrets. 

But for things to actually turn out this way… 

As Elliope stood there, stunned, a figure approached her with determined steps. It was Kallian. 

“…Sir, congratulations on your…” 

Before she could finish her sentence, his lips were pressed against hers. 

Elliope’s eyes widened in surprise, but his hands cupped her cheeks gently. His tongue, which had gently brushed against her slightly parted lips, gradually slid into her mouth. 

“Mmh…” 

Elliope shivered, her eyelashes fluttering as she closed her eyes. 

Kallian felt the soft brush of Elliope’s long, delicate lashes against his cheek. As he stifled an involuntary sigh, his shoulders trembled slightly. Emma, standing nearby, was startled and quickly looked away.

“Emma! Emma! Emma! Emma! Emma! Come and help me! We have to start packing to move to the viscount’s residence!” 

At Sien’s call from the distance, Emma quickly ran off. The knight who had accompanied Kallian also turned and left as soon as he saw what was happening. 

Meanwhile, Kallian continued to gently explore Elliope’s mouth. It wasn’t forceful or aggressive, but it left her breathless. Her hands, which had overlapped his as they cradled her cheeks, instinctively tightened their grip. 

“Haa…” 

Only then did Kallian release her, teasing her tongue with his teeth before nuzzling his face against her lips and cheeks. It was almost like the affectionate behaviour of a puppy rubbing its face all over its owner. 

“I told you to change the way you address me.”

He murmured after finally pulling away, pressing his forehead gently against hers. The cool air outside had made his forehead a little chilly as well. 

“……” 

“If you are going to command a dog, you should at least throw it a bone, my lady.” 

At those words, her ears, held gently in his hands, grew hot. The memory of him telling her to treat him like a dog resurfaced in her mind. 

‘Did he mean it?’ 

As the thought crossed her mind, Kallian briefly licked her lips again before pulling away. 

“Have you been well?”

It suddenly occurred to her that this was a greeting between husband and wife after one had returned from an absence. For such a greeting, however, it seemed too intense. 

Still, it made her feel unbearably nervous, as if her heart was itching in a way she couldn’t stand. If anyone had seen them, they might really believe that something passionate and reckless had happened between them. 

Dizzy with the thought, Elliope froze for a moment and closed her eyes tightly. Watching her, Kallian reached out and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. 

“I bring good news, but I also have bad news.” 

“Bad news?” 

As soon as she spoke, there was a loud crash and Dylan came rushing out. His movements were surprisingly quick for someone his age. 

“Is it true you’ve been granted the Elsen territory?” 

His sudden, intense reaction startled Elliope. Kallian looked at Dylan and replied calmly. 

“It is true.” 

“Y-You’re Viscount Elsen now!” 

“That is also true.” 

At Kallian’s calm confirmation, Dylan was momentarily speechless, his jaw trembling slightly. 

“…Sir Kallian!” 

“How could a mere knight be fit to serve Her Imperial Highness?” 

There was a hint of sarcasm in Kallian’s calm tone, and it resurfaced. Elliope jumped at his words, but Dylan turned to her with a face that looked as if he’d seen a saviour. 

“I-I will begin preparations to move into the viscount’s residence immediately!” 

“You can take your time. It’s not like we can leave right away.” 

“What do you mean by that?” 

In response to Dylan’s question, Kallian slowly let go of Elliope, his movements languid, as if reluctant to part. 

Then he reached into his coat and pulled out something – a letter bearing the seal of the Grand Duke of Ilmos. 

“His Grace… has decided to give us a banquet.”