Even though she was a prospective grand duchess, with the absence of a grand duchess, Axel’s wife would act as the mistress.

She would have to manage the household, but upon investigation, it seemed she had grown up being mistreated in a baron’s household and hadn’t learned properly, which was worrisome.

When such people suddenly become the mistress of a grand family, they often cause problems by trying to indulge in things they couldn’t enjoy before.

“May I say, the young madam also has very clear eyes. It’s presumptuous of me, but her eyes resemble those of young madam Madeleine. I have more expectations for the young madam than for the young master.”

Dora said with a pleasant smile.

Despite her warm appearance, Dora was quite cautious and not at all a warm personality. The Grand Duke, knowing that Dora wasn’t someone who easily liked people, looked at her with surprise.

“You’re saying unusual things that are not like you.”

Dora bowed her head, saying she was sorry.

In any case, it was a significant change for Winchester. Whether the changes brought by those three would be good or bad, Dora somehow felt hopeful for positive changes.

* * *

Hailey was more nervous than when she first stood before the king.

Before coming to greet the Grand Duke, Khalid had earnestly advised Hailey.

‘The Grand Duke does not trust the young master yet. As you know, the young master will never bend. You must not confront him recklessly. The Grand Duke is very cautious, so be careful with every word and action, and never reveal any weaknesses or do anything to offend him. The delay of the carriage and the door not opening immediately were likely tests to see the young master’s reaction. So please, you must mediate! Please!’

Knowing it was useless to tell Axel such things, Khalid changed his approach.

He explained to Hailey how serious the situation was and how much of a guest they were. He almost begged Hailey to keep Axel in check.

Khalid did not want to be kicked out of this cold northern region.

“Is Grandma’s Dad a very big grandpa? What should I call him?”

“Call him the Lord. He might not like being called grandpa…”

“Why? Why wouldn’t he like it?”

“Because he’s a strict old man.”

Axel, Hailey, and Theo were waiting for the Grand Duke in the drawing room.

They had hurriedly tidied themselves up, but Axel already looked a bit annoyed.

While Hailey calmly answered Theo’s question about what to call him, Axel added a grumpy comment.

Hailey lightly hit Axel’s arm. Axel knew what she meant but pretended not to.

Of course, Hailey did not hear Theo quietly mutter, ‘Old man?’

Just as Axel sat cross-legged with a crooked posture, the Grand Duke appeared.

The Grand Duke of Winchester, whom Hailey saw for the first time, was a very amiable-looking gentleman with white hair. Even his white hair looked dignified.

His still-handsome appearance, despite his age, was remarkable.

If one were to compare him to Herne III, while Herne III had a rather fierce expression, the Grand Duke of Winchester had a very pleasant countenance. The classic atmosphere around Queen Madeleine was also present in the Grand Duke.

“You’ve had a tough journey.”

Axel was no longer a prince. There was no reason for the Grand Duke to show respect to Axel, who had entered as a lord. To him, Axel was now just a grandson.

This was immediately evident in his tone.

“It was tough indeed. It would have been nice if you welcomed us warmly.”

“I thought you might be bored after coming all the way from the capital to this distant north, so I just gave you a welcoming greeting.”

“With that nasty welcome, how could there be any room for boredom?”

“Nasty, you say? How disappointing. You still have a long way to go.”

Hailey was shocked.

The Grand Duke of Winchester that Hailey had imagined was supposed to have a taciturn, dignified, and stern image.

‘What is… this?’

Anyone could see he was of Axel’s bloodline. Hailey was bewildered to see someone who was talented enough in sarcasm to match Axel for the first time. This kind of atmosphere?

The Grand Duke and Axel were engaged in an intense staring contest, both with equally relaxed faces.

Caught in the middle, only Hailey was overwhelmed by the back-and-forth banter.

Theo was holding a cup of cocoa with specially ordered marshmallows floating in it. He seemed to be waiting for it to cool down enough to drink while continuously blowing on it.

“So, has that mess been cleaned up?”

“Duke Brahe will slip away quietly. The rest has been taken care of.”

“His Majesty must have quite a headache. If he escapes like that, he won’t surface from the underground again. That’s why I said Brahe should have been dealt with earlier, but that fool Herne II persistently ignored it.”

Herne II was the previous king, Axel’s paternal grandfather.

There was an opportunity to suppress the power of the Brahe family during the previous reign, but Herne II ignored Winchester’s advice out of pride. He was always a foolish king who envied and was jealous of Winchester.

Winchester had been opposing Brahe since the early days of Zenovia’s founding.

Brahe was originally the maternal relatives of the last Empress during the Charenne Empire, but in the end, they clung to the revolutionary faction led by Winchester and Oterre like sycophants.

Winchester didn’t trust Brahe even then, but Oterre wanted to give them a chance.

In fact, when the last Emperor of the Empire suddenly died and the Empress had to act as regent with her young son during the chaotic times, the then Count Brahe personally brought his young grandson and daughter to Winchester, cutting off that lineage.

Using that as a foothold, Winchester and Oterre were able to overthrow the Empire and establish a new kingdom.

For that merit, after the founding of Zenovia, Brahe was granted the title of Duke.

“Anyway, let’s talk about that later. The Grand Duke of Winchester must bury their bones in Winchester. Winchester dedicates everything to the sole task of protecting Winchester. Do you truly have such a sense of mission? If there are other reasons, I absolutely cannot hand over this position.”

“It’s true that there are other reasons, but it’s also true that I’ve come to bury my bones in Winchester.”

“You’ll have to prove it. I don’t trust you yet. If it’s not proven, you’ll be permanently exiled from Winchester, and that applies to all of you as well.”

The Grand Duke’s sharp gaze reached Hailey and Theo as well.

Fortunately, Theo, who knew nothing, had already emptied half of his cocoa, seemingly finding it delicious.

Unlike Theo, who had a cocoa mustache on his lips and looked innocent, Axel’s large hand covered Hailey’s tense hand.

“You’ll have to stay healthy until you see me bury my bones here.”

“Huh?”

Startled by Axel’s sudden spicy remark, Hailey quickly slapped away Axel’s hand, remembering Khalid’s advice, and replied.

“Sin-sincerity cannot be proven by mere words in this place. However, Axel has made this decision after giving up everything, even his position as a prince. That’s how desperate and sincere he is. I will also help my husband, so please watch over us, Your Grace.”

The Grand Duke looked at the woman who was firmly stating her case with an interested ‘Hmm.’

She seemed to acknowledge the Grand Duke’s words while simultaneously asserting that Axel’s circumstances and sincerity were genuine. It was a response that suggested they should be given a chance to prove themselves, without being impertinent.

She resembled his deceased wife more than Madeleine. The way of speaking that said everything that needed to be said in a gentle voice, ultimately leaving the other person unable to refute.

Hearing this familiar way of speaking after a long time, the Grand Duke understood why the head butler Dora had said such things.

“Well, it seems we’ve exchanged greetings long enough, shall we wrap this up?”

“How impertinent. Sit down. There are important matters left to discuss.”

The old man talks too much. Axel showed his fatigue as much as possible.

In truth, Axel wasn’t tired. He had endured far worse marches on the battlefield.

The reason Axel was grumbling like a teenager who had just gone through puberty was all because of Hailey.

For Hailey, who couldn’t eat properly due to seasickness, Axel had instructed a servant of the grand ducal residence to prepare warm soup even before changing his clothes.

It should all be ready by now, and he wanted to feed Hailey before it got cold, but the Grand Duke was talking too much.

“There were conditions set for becoming Winchester, and I acknowledge that those conditions have been met. However, I won’t ask or inquire further about how the two of you proceeded with the marriage so quickly, unpleasant as it may be.”

Axel snorted, and Hailey blushed with embarrassment.