“Duchess! What happened to this?”
Madame Cronach held with her trembling hand in Claudel's arm as she staggered out of the carriage.
She usually had a sharp personality.
Madame Cronach and Salon Arvo had a reputation among the nobility for their ‘perfect handling of affairs.’
Dropping the requested item in front of a valued customer. It was something that could never have happened.
The maid, who had followed her, picked up her expensive tickets that had fallen on the floor and looked at her, wondering why her master would do such a thing.
“Are you somewhere uncomfortable?”
Either way, Madame Cronach could not take her eyes off Claudel's gaunt face.
Claudel smiled at her concerned words.
“No. It's okay. Because I didn’t sleep well last night. I had a nightmare.”
At her answer, a thumping sound came from Madame Cronac's chest.
'Could it be because of me?'
Claudel's visit to the salon yesterday was unexpected.
As soon as Kaian arrived in the capital, he planned to visit the salon the next day.
Madame Cronach was looking forward to that day.
She was Kaian's informant, and her work in the capital was so important that she could not leave her position.
She recovered and immediately opened a salon, which she opened for nearly ten years, but she had never been to Rowen.
She usually had a sharp personality.
Madame Cronach and Salon Arvo had a reputation among the nobility for their ‘perfect handling of affairs.’
Dropping the requested item in front of a valued customer. It was something that could never have happened.
The maid, who had followed her, picked up her expensive tickets that had fallen on the floor and looked at her, wondering why her master would do such a thing.
“Are you somewhere uncomfortable?”
Either way, Madame Cronach could not take her eyes off Claudel's gaunt face.
Claudel smiled at her concerned words.
“No. It's okay. Because I didn’t sleep well last night. I had a nightmare.”
At her answer, a thumping sound came from Madame Cronac's chest.
'Could it be because of me?'
Claudel's visit to the salon yesterday was unexpected.
As soon as Kaian arrived in the capital, he planned to visit the salon the next day.
Madame Cronach was looking forward to that day.
She was Kaian's informant, and her work in the capital was so important that she could not leave her position.
She recovered and immediately opened a salon, which she opened for nearly ten years, but she had never been to Rowen.
'How can I see her from afar if I go to the Rowen Estate Festival just because I'm curious?'
That was all she had in mind the whole time.
Madame Cronach was very curious about how Claudel would have grown, and she was also concerned about her health after recovering from a terrible illness.
But Kaian had a brilliant mind and a great sense of humor.
There was a high possibility that Madame Cronach would react astutely to the reasons for her 'doing things she didn't do' and would later suspect or keep an eye on her.
Those who kept watch over her under Kaian's orders or watched her behind the scenes were caught up in that way.
Since returning from the Five Years' War, Kaian had never responded to the King's invitation, so she had been waiting forever!
Claudel is coming to the capital!
However, as soon as Kaian arrived at the mansion, he received a message that he had been summoned to the royal castle, and Madame Cronach was heartbroken and did not know what to do.
If she had known in advance that Claudel would come, she would not have acted like that.
Madame Cronach was quick to give up on what she could not do.
And yet, seeing her daughter so shocked and frozen as soon as she saw her yesterday made her feel upset and regretful the entire time.
It would not be a good idea for her to wear heavy make-up to hide the disfigurement of her burns, so Madame Cronach sometimes took it easy, unless she was planning to receive guests in person.
Her salon operates on an appointment-only basis, so she rarely has to meet a sudden influx of customers.
Except for Kaian, who is actually the owner of the salon. He was entitled to come in and out of the salon at any time.
It’s much different when she puts on makeup or covers it up with her hair.
What if she tells Kaian that Claudel doesn't want to see her in the future? What if she wants to change to another salon?
That was all she had in mind the whole time.
Madame Cronach was very curious about how Claudel would have grown, and she was also concerned about her health after recovering from a terrible illness.
But Kaian had a brilliant mind and a great sense of humor.
There was a high possibility that Madame Cronach would react astutely to the reasons for her 'doing things she didn't do' and would later suspect or keep an eye on her.
Those who kept watch over her under Kaian's orders or watched her behind the scenes were caught up in that way.
Since returning from the Five Years' War, Kaian had never responded to the King's invitation, so she had been waiting forever!
Claudel is coming to the capital!
However, as soon as Kaian arrived at the mansion, he received a message that he had been summoned to the royal castle, and Madame Cronach was heartbroken and did not know what to do.
If she had known in advance that Claudel would come, she would not have acted like that.
Madame Cronach was quick to give up on what she could not do.
And yet, seeing her daughter so shocked and frozen as soon as she saw her yesterday made her feel upset and regretful the entire time.
It would not be a good idea for her to wear heavy make-up to hide the disfigurement of her burns, so Madame Cronach sometimes took it easy, unless she was planning to receive guests in person.
Her salon operates on an appointment-only basis, so she rarely has to meet a sudden influx of customers.
Except for Kaian, who is actually the owner of the salon. He was entitled to come in and out of the salon at any time.
It’s much different when she puts on makeup or covers it up with her hair.
What if she tells Kaian that Claudel doesn't want to see her in the future? What if she wants to change to another salon?
She was positively delighted.
However, Claudel even apologized to her in kind words.
The kingdom of Oberon had a strict class system, so even when nobles committed acts that were a great disgrace or harm to commoners, they never acknowledged it or apologized.
It was like what happened because it was deserved.
‘I'm sorry I was so surprised when I first saw you.'
Claudel grew up kind and polite.
'I didn't mean to hurt or offend. If you are upset because of my actions, please understand as I did not do it on purpose.'
Claudel, who offered her apology, did not humble herself even after admitting her mistake.
Her golden eyes contained a sincere apology.
Red hair and beautiful golden eyes, just like her husband.
It was once the color she loved so much, but the last time she saw a red-haired and golden eyes, the scars he inflicted on her were so terrible.
'My younger brother Evan has never been married in his life. How could my niece be someone like you? Is there any evidence that you were Evan's wife?'
Anger at the name Vermont scarred deep into her heart.
Her antipathy, which she thought could not be forgotten by Claudel's apology, disappeared.
It seemed like she could spend the rest of her life remembering her daughter, who had grown up to become a beautiful Duchess.
'I said so. Did I end up touching Claudel's painful spot?'
Madame Cronach was disheartened.
“Because the bed in the royal castle is not very comfortable.”
Madame Cronach felt bitter at Claudel's kindness in relieving her guilt by making excuses that it wasn't because of her.
“If you don’t mind, would you like me to make you a cup of tea?”
"Tea?"
"Yes. I enjoy drinking tea that is good for the body and relieves physical and mental fatigue, and I carry it around to introduce it to precious people.”
“Is that so?”
The village of Flogne is located deep in the mountains, and the villagers' main income was digging up and selling medicinal herbs.
Because they can't make a living just by watering trees.
Madame Cronach brought some medicinal herbs that Claudel had been drinking since she was young, and drinking them often boosted her immunity and prevented her from getting sick.
She wanted to give Claudel a taste and let her take a pack of herbs with her when she went to Rowen.
Madame Cronach was proud of herself for seizing the opportunity.
At that time, another carriage stopped behind the Duke's carriage.
Inside, a young woman dressed plainly and a woman dressed perfectly in fashion in the capital got out.
“Madame Cronach!”
However, Claudel even apologized to her in kind words.
The kingdom of Oberon had a strict class system, so even when nobles committed acts that were a great disgrace or harm to commoners, they never acknowledged it or apologized.
It was like what happened because it was deserved.
‘I'm sorry I was so surprised when I first saw you.'
Claudel grew up kind and polite.
'I didn't mean to hurt or offend. If you are upset because of my actions, please understand as I did not do it on purpose.'
Claudel, who offered her apology, did not humble herself even after admitting her mistake.
Her golden eyes contained a sincere apology.
Red hair and beautiful golden eyes, just like her husband.
It was once the color she loved so much, but the last time she saw a red-haired and golden eyes, the scars he inflicted on her were so terrible.
'My younger brother Evan has never been married in his life. How could my niece be someone like you? Is there any evidence that you were Evan's wife?'
Anger at the name Vermont scarred deep into her heart.
Her antipathy, which she thought could not be forgotten by Claudel's apology, disappeared.
It seemed like she could spend the rest of her life remembering her daughter, who had grown up to become a beautiful Duchess.
'I said so. Did I end up touching Claudel's painful spot?'
Madame Cronach was disheartened.
“Because the bed in the royal castle is not very comfortable.”
Madame Cronach felt bitter at Claudel's kindness in relieving her guilt by making excuses that it wasn't because of her.
“If you don’t mind, would you like me to make you a cup of tea?”
"Tea?"
"Yes. I enjoy drinking tea that is good for the body and relieves physical and mental fatigue, and I carry it around to introduce it to precious people.”
“Is that so?”
The village of Flogne is located deep in the mountains, and the villagers' main income was digging up and selling medicinal herbs.
Because they can't make a living just by watering trees.
Madame Cronach brought some medicinal herbs that Claudel had been drinking since she was young, and drinking them often boosted her immunity and prevented her from getting sick.
She wanted to give Claudel a taste and let her take a pack of herbs with her when she went to Rowen.
Madame Cronach was proud of herself for seizing the opportunity.
At that time, another carriage stopped behind the Duke's carriage.
Inside, a young woman dressed plainly and a woman dressed perfectly in fashion in the capital got out.
“Madame Cronach!”
Madame Marcel, spotting her, smiled warmly and stretched out her arms. The two hugged each other lightly and greeted each other.
“Madame Marcel. It seems like living in Rowen is a good fit for you. You look a lot better than you did before you left."
“Madame Marcel. It seems like living in Rowen is a good fit for you. You look a lot better than you did before you left."
“Hehe. Rowen is a really nice place. I didn't know it would be so nice not to be cold. It would be nice for Madame Cronach to come to Rowen sometime.”
It was time for them to have a short chat.
It was only then that Madame Cronach noticed that the young woman who had disembarked with Madame Marcel was staring at her.
She asked with that familiar commercial smile on her face.
“Who is this young lady?”
Then Hannah stammered and called to her.
“...Aunt Leonie?”
***
In the large conference room, nobles who were difficult to gather were sitting in one seat each.
The King's Birthday celebration was one of the biggest events of the year, along with the National Foundation Festival.
Two noble meetings were held between the week-long official events.
It was an opportunity for local Lords who would not come to the capital unless it was a major event like this to directly attend the meeting and complain to the King about their regrets.
“I don’t think liberating the serfs is such a good idea.”
The old noble who was given the right to speak stubbornly spoke in a loud voice.
“Serfdom is property. If you give them freedom, who would want to do hard work? By freeing the serfs from the Rowen estate, the nearby estates will not suffer any damage!”
The person he criticized was Kaian.
“Even in lands close to the kingdom, such as the Pagos Plain, aren’t they excited because the serfs are freed? The Duke of Temnes will answer you directly.”
When the Minister of Home Affairs, who was mediating the meeting, gave Kaian the right to speak, he, who was sitting with an expressionless face, responded coolly.
“Recently, outstanding talents even among commoners are entering politics. Even among the serfs, some are better off working in the fields than working in the fields, so will they get caught if they keep them on the ground?”
The reason why Kaian turned the serfs into free people and commoners was a bit different from what Claudel was thrilled to hear.
Claudel grew up as a commoner in the village of Plogne, so when she suddenly became the adoptive daughter of the Duke of Vermont, she felt confused about her own identity.
This is because she was more friendly with the residents and serfs outside the castle than with the nobles within the castle.
However, there is no reason for Kaian, who was originally the son of the kingdom's Princess and raised to be the only heir to the great Temnes duchy, to care about that.
It was simply because, due to his rational nature, he knew that the smart ones among the serfs would eventually run away no matter what they did.
They thought that if smart people would get away with their sins and only the dull, stupid, and lazy people would remain as serfs, it would be better to gradually release their status.
Farming also needed brains, and serfs also needed a good guy who was like a leader among them.
Even if they were given the freedom to do farming by choice, the serfs did not flock to the cities or villages all at once to become merchants because it was something they had been doing their whole lives.
“If they believe that they have achieved freedom, they will sit there and say that farming is their calling. Not to mention lands where only serfs live, like the Pagos Plain.”
Kaian spoke emphatically.
“The farming tools they have in their hands are weapons if they swing them. Times are changing, but forcing yourself to hold on to them will only arouse their resentment.”
At his words, the nobles whispered among themselves.
Some said there was truth to what he said, while others were skeptical, saying it was only possible in the Rowen territory, which was overflowing with food.
During such a serious meeting, Valquiterre, who was sitting at the head of the table, looked down at his subjects with his usual meek smile.
But that wasn't the case in his mind at all.
Every time he saw Kaian, his stomach went crazy.
'He shares a room with Claudel.'
For two days in the royal castle, the Duke and Duchess spent their time together without incident.
But as time passed, Valquiterre became very upset.
His blood pressure seemed to rise just thinking about Claudel sharing a bed with Kaian.
Since it was a marriage given by the King's order to Vermont and Temnes, he looked at the people who served in the room to see if they were sleeping separately in the same room out of concern for others, and they seemed to be living like a real married couple.
'I should have done this marriage.'
Valquiterre felt like hitting the ground at the fact that for the first time in his life, he had sent a woman he had feelings for to Kaian with his own hands.
It was a long-awaited meeting, but instead of discussing important matters, he felt sick to his stomach as he looked at Kaian.
“Your Majesty the King. What do you think, Your Majesty?”
“Liberating the serfs simultaneously reduces manpower. In other territories, harvests may decrease. Even if the harvest decreases, the estate tax cannot be lowered.”
Several lords sighed at Valquiterre's words and glared at Kaian.
“I’ll call it a day. I hope we can talk more at our next meeting.”
When he expressed that he was tired, the Minister of Home Affairs quickly canceled the meeting.
As the people around him retreated, Kaian asked Valquiterre as if he were giving him a light throw.
“What happened? It seems like you can’t concentrate.”
A ghost-like guy.
The other nobles were completely deceived when Valquiterre wore a mask on the outside and could not guess what he was thinking. When Kaian asked as if he had looked into his heart, Valquiterre became even more annoyed.
“You seemed like you were thinking about something else. There is no sincerity in the answer.”
Although Kaian did not answer insincerely, Valquiterre, who was upset, returned the argument to this argument.
But Kaian raised his eyebrows and he seemed to agree.
"Did you notice it? I couldn’t think about the meeting and decided to watch an opera with Claudel.”
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