After lunch, Blake introduced her to the castle's key staff. A dozen or so administrators gathered, including the butler Bernard, the head maid Kate, the chief doctor Liam, the cook Kirk, the pantry manager Dawson, and the wine steward Seamil. Given the castle's size, every task seemed to be divided into distinct parts.
Perhaps it was Blake's unusually gentle demeanor toward Elise. They treated her with great respect and caution. Elise was content to receive their greetings. If they respected her, she would be a good hostess in return.
Having lived in a world where caste systems exist invisibly but clearly, she knew very well how to be treated without being abusive.
Blake handed her the box containing the keys to the castle in front of them.
“Everything I own now belongs to you, my lady.”
Elise's body tilted under the weight of the box she had received without thinking.
'What, what is it? What's so heavy?'
"This..."
Blake quickly helped her up and took the box back.
“I will bring this to your room myself.”
The weight of the box was one thing, but the problem was her body, devoid of any muscle. Elise realized once again the need for physical training.
"Let's make a formal visit tomorrow. We'll also take a look around the castle."
“Yes, I understand.”
After the greetings were over and all the servants had left, Elise remained in his office.
“Your Highness, I have something to tell you.”
Blake took her and sat her down on the sofa.
“Tell me.”
He seemed a little nervous. He seemed to think she hadn't calmed down. But what came out of her mouth was something he hadn't expected.
“I would like to attend the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet in a month.”
“Are you saying you want to visit the capital?”
“Yes. Of course, with Your Highness.”
Blake bit his lip in thought.
Elise knew why he did so. In "The Fallen Lover," Blake and the Crown Prince had a very strained relationship. As evidenced by his attitude toward his wife, Blake was devoted to his family, while the Crown Prince was a hotbed of corruption.
Would Blake, who was uncomfortable even talking to him, want to attend the Crown Prince's birthday banquet?
“Can’t I?”
“Do you really want to go?”
"Yes. If I miss this season, I think I'll only be able to meet His Royal Highness next year. And if I have a child in the meantime, it'll be postponed even further."
“A child... You say.”
His gaze automatically turned to her stomach. Elise unconsciously tightened her stomach. After intense sex, she was hungry and ate too much.
“His Highness, he... has been so kind to me, so it won’t take long.”
It was a blatant lie. The Grand Duchess doesn't become pregnant during the events of "The Fallen Lover." But how could Blake know that?
His face, which had been dazed, turned red.
“Oh, I see.”
He even stuttered, wondering what he was imagining.
“Then you allow it?”
Blake couldn't turn away from her bright smile, her face full of anticipation.
“Yes... let’s do that.”
“I am delighted! Thank you, Your Highness!”
Elise, as if all her anger had subsided, fell into his arms.
“But, ma’am.”
He asked cautiously, pulling her a little closer to his arms.
"If it's not too much trouble, would you mind allowing me to call your name? If it makes you uncomfortable, even just in private, would be fine."
'This guy has a secret grudge.'
It seems that Lucas was jealous of the fact that she called him 'Elise'.
“Of course. I would be very happy if Your Highness called my name.”
What's the big deal about letting him call her name?? Elise planned to do her best to please him before arriving at the capital. After all, she needed to see Lucas as often as possible there.
“My name is yours from now on.”
'It's sweet! It's sweet!'
Her whole body tingled, and Elise sweated profusely, clenching and unclenching her fists. It felt like she'd just stuffed twenty macarons into her mouth.
The next morning, Blake left the castle to visit the magic center within the duchy. Naturally, his visit to the knights was postponed.
Using a large-scale magic circle to travel through the capital required a fairly complex process. Not only did the lord have to personally apply, but the exact number of people needed to be reported to the palace in advance.
While Blake was away, Elise took Kate on a tour of the castle. While helping Lucas was important, her top priority was rescuing the Mid-Range investigators. There might be investigators held captive within the castle.
'I doubt things will work out that easily, though.'
The third floor was simple enough that there was no need to look around, so Elise descended to the second. Standing on the stairs, she gazed at what seemed to be dozens of rooms, shaking her head.
First, she decided to start with something easy and fun.
“Let’s go underground.”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
The castle's basement contained a massive food and wine cellar. Even though she heard about it beforehand, her jaw dropped when she opened the door and stepped inside. She couldn't even count the number of wooden barrels.
The space was divided according to the type of alcohol, and on the shelves above the wooden barrels, there were dozens of bottles of wine placed for tasting.
Seamil, the castle's wine steward, followed her and guided her.
“What’s the best wine here?”
“Here is the wine from this line.”
Elise's lavender eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“I’d like to try it to see if it’s well-maintained.”
At her words, he carefully selected one of the wine bottles on the shelf and opened it. Elise gazed at the crimson liquid filling her glass with rapture, then took a savoring sip.
Her eyes widened.
‘Oh, what a treasure here!’
She took a sip, then another, and another, and kept sipping until the glass was empty.
“It looks like you’ve managed it very well. Excellent.”
A bright color came to Seamil's face after receiving such generous praise.
“Thank you, Your Ma'am.”
“I would like to drink with you when His Highness returns.”
“I’ll take care of it separately.”
Kate quickly stepped forward and grabbed a bottle of wine. Seamil took out another bottle of the same wine and placed it in Kate's arms.
“His Highness will be reassured with such a capable manager in his hands.”
Elise left the wine cellar, smiling brightly and in a good mood. Seamil happily saw her off.
Next, Elise stopped by the pantry. After a quick look around, she heaped praise on it like before.
"All the managers of the Grand Castle are diligent. Please continue to work as diligently as you have been doing. His Highness is aware of your hard work."
“Yes, Ma'am. I will keep that in mind.”
Dawson, who had been tense, bowed with relief. Elise tasted a variety of cheeses there and took the ones recommended as the best to pair with wine. Dawson even brought her several kinds of ham, which she hadn't requested.
'I'm excited.'
Elise, who had easily gathered some snacks, left the pantry with a satisfied look on her face.
As she turned to go back the way she'd come, she sensed something odd about Kate's movements. She awkwardly blocked one side of her view, as if trying to block it.
Elise quickly turned around as if she was going to climb the stairs.
“Get out of the way.”
Kate's movements, carrying a large paper bag, were bound to be slow.
“Oh, Ma'am.”
As Elise had expected, behind Kate, there were stairs leading down to the lower floor.
“What’s there if I go down these stairs?”
“There is a prison where the most vicious criminals are locked up.”
If Kate said that, she thought the Madam would be scared and not go.
"Yes?"
Elise walked toward it without hesitation. Kate, startled, tried to stop her.
“This is not a place for a noble person to walk.”
"Well, that's for me to decide. Just get out of the way."
Kate couldn't help but take a step back at the firm determination in that gentle voice.
It was a spiral staircase in a narrow passageway, too narrow for two or more adult men to walk side by side. Thinking it might be a bit much, Elise descended the stairs.
The two soldiers guarding the wooden door at the end of the stairs looked at her and Kate with puzzled faces.
“Her Highness the Grand Duchess is here. Open the door.”
“Oh, yes...!”
The soldier who had the key hurriedly opened the door.
There were two guards inside, but Elise ignored them and passed by.
Despite being in the same basement, it was incomparably gloomy compared to the upper floors, where the food and liquor stores were located. A guard, holding a lantern, followed Elise, reciting the charges against the prisoners.
While pretending not to care, Elise listened intently to what they were saying. However, most of them were convicted of heinous crimes, such as murder and robbery, the kind a mid-level investigator wouldn't commit.
'Well, even if he was detained, wouldn't he be in prison?'
Shs was about to turn around, her low expectations completely shattered, when suddenly a loud shout was heard.
“Please save me! Please save me! I didn’t commit a sin!”
It was the innermost prison. At the sound of a young woman's voice, Elise moved closer. It was dark and empty, but there was someone there.
“This child was identified as a spy from another territory and was imprisoned.”
Her face, illuminated by the light, was youthful. She appeared to be no more than sixteen years old. She was dressed in a shabby maid's uniform.
“It’s Mary.”
"Mary?"
“Yes. She was a maid of honor, but she ended up sneaking into the Grand Duke’s office and doing something suspicious...”
“Suspicious thing?”
“It’s unfair! I really meant to do that...!”
Then, suddenly, Mary's eyes widened.
“Elise?”
'Oh. No way...'
She had a crazy feeling that she had already found an investigator for the Fantasy Control Tower.
Mary Brooke, the daughter of a fallen noble, is said to have been in the castle for about a month. During this time, she was imprisoned.
“Yes. Tell me what happened.”
Elise, the only man in the room, pushed the snacks she'd been given to her. Mary, sobbing, stuffed the bread and cookies into her mouth.
“Ugh, this is so annoying... Ugh...”
“Oh, let’s eat first and then talk. I can’t understand you.”
Mary chewed and swallowed the food in her mouth, then drank the premium black tea Elise had pushed her like barley tea.
“Elise is coming, it’s like a dream...!”
“Now is the time to be talking about that... No, but how did you recognize me?”
“I’m a fan, sis! I really enjoyed <The Three Spies>!”
Elise touched her forehead.
Tens of thousands of monitors floated in the air above the mid-zone fantasy control tower. Tower staff members popped out from everywhere, waving happily. Apparently, they were fans of the movies and dramas she starred in.
Perhaps it was Blake's unusually gentle demeanor toward Elise. They treated her with great respect and caution. Elise was content to receive their greetings. If they respected her, she would be a good hostess in return.
Having lived in a world where caste systems exist invisibly but clearly, she knew very well how to be treated without being abusive.
Blake handed her the box containing the keys to the castle in front of them.
“Everything I own now belongs to you, my lady.”
Elise's body tilted under the weight of the box she had received without thinking.
'What, what is it? What's so heavy?'
"This..."
Blake quickly helped her up and took the box back.
“I will bring this to your room myself.”
The weight of the box was one thing, but the problem was her body, devoid of any muscle. Elise realized once again the need for physical training.
"Let's make a formal visit tomorrow. We'll also take a look around the castle."
“Yes, I understand.”
After the greetings were over and all the servants had left, Elise remained in his office.
“Your Highness, I have something to tell you.”
Blake took her and sat her down on the sofa.
“Tell me.”
He seemed a little nervous. He seemed to think she hadn't calmed down. But what came out of her mouth was something he hadn't expected.
“I would like to attend the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet in a month.”
“Are you saying you want to visit the capital?”
“Yes. Of course, with Your Highness.”
Blake bit his lip in thought.
Elise knew why he did so. In "The Fallen Lover," Blake and the Crown Prince had a very strained relationship. As evidenced by his attitude toward his wife, Blake was devoted to his family, while the Crown Prince was a hotbed of corruption.
Would Blake, who was uncomfortable even talking to him, want to attend the Crown Prince's birthday banquet?
“Can’t I?”
“Do you really want to go?”
"Yes. If I miss this season, I think I'll only be able to meet His Royal Highness next year. And if I have a child in the meantime, it'll be postponed even further."
“A child... You say.”
His gaze automatically turned to her stomach. Elise unconsciously tightened her stomach. After intense sex, she was hungry and ate too much.
“His Highness, he... has been so kind to me, so it won’t take long.”
It was a blatant lie. The Grand Duchess doesn't become pregnant during the events of "The Fallen Lover." But how could Blake know that?
His face, which had been dazed, turned red.
“Oh, I see.”
He even stuttered, wondering what he was imagining.
“Then you allow it?”
Blake couldn't turn away from her bright smile, her face full of anticipation.
“Yes... let’s do that.”
“I am delighted! Thank you, Your Highness!”
Elise, as if all her anger had subsided, fell into his arms.
“But, ma’am.”
He asked cautiously, pulling her a little closer to his arms.
"If it's not too much trouble, would you mind allowing me to call your name? If it makes you uncomfortable, even just in private, would be fine."
'This guy has a secret grudge.'
It seems that Lucas was jealous of the fact that she called him 'Elise'.
“Of course. I would be very happy if Your Highness called my name.”
What's the big deal about letting him call her name?? Elise planned to do her best to please him before arriving at the capital. After all, she needed to see Lucas as often as possible there.
“My name is yours from now on.”
'It's sweet! It's sweet!'
Her whole body tingled, and Elise sweated profusely, clenching and unclenching her fists. It felt like she'd just stuffed twenty macarons into her mouth.
***
The next morning, Blake left the castle to visit the magic center within the duchy. Naturally, his visit to the knights was postponed.
Using a large-scale magic circle to travel through the capital required a fairly complex process. Not only did the lord have to personally apply, but the exact number of people needed to be reported to the palace in advance.
While Blake was away, Elise took Kate on a tour of the castle. While helping Lucas was important, her top priority was rescuing the Mid-Range investigators. There might be investigators held captive within the castle.
'I doubt things will work out that easily, though.'
The third floor was simple enough that there was no need to look around, so Elise descended to the second. Standing on the stairs, she gazed at what seemed to be dozens of rooms, shaking her head.
First, she decided to start with something easy and fun.
“Let’s go underground.”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
The castle's basement contained a massive food and wine cellar. Even though she heard about it beforehand, her jaw dropped when she opened the door and stepped inside. She couldn't even count the number of wooden barrels.
The space was divided according to the type of alcohol, and on the shelves above the wooden barrels, there were dozens of bottles of wine placed for tasting.
Seamil, the castle's wine steward, followed her and guided her.
“What’s the best wine here?”
“Here is the wine from this line.”
Elise's lavender eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“I’d like to try it to see if it’s well-maintained.”
At her words, he carefully selected one of the wine bottles on the shelf and opened it. Elise gazed at the crimson liquid filling her glass with rapture, then took a savoring sip.
Her eyes widened.
‘Oh, what a treasure here!’
She took a sip, then another, and another, and kept sipping until the glass was empty.
“It looks like you’ve managed it very well. Excellent.”
A bright color came to Seamil's face after receiving such generous praise.
“Thank you, Your Ma'am.”
“I would like to drink with you when His Highness returns.”
“I’ll take care of it separately.”
Kate quickly stepped forward and grabbed a bottle of wine. Seamil took out another bottle of the same wine and placed it in Kate's arms.
“His Highness will be reassured with such a capable manager in his hands.”
Elise left the wine cellar, smiling brightly and in a good mood. Seamil happily saw her off.
Next, Elise stopped by the pantry. After a quick look around, she heaped praise on it like before.
"All the managers of the Grand Castle are diligent. Please continue to work as diligently as you have been doing. His Highness is aware of your hard work."
“Yes, Ma'am. I will keep that in mind.”
Dawson, who had been tense, bowed with relief. Elise tasted a variety of cheeses there and took the ones recommended as the best to pair with wine. Dawson even brought her several kinds of ham, which she hadn't requested.
'I'm excited.'
Elise, who had easily gathered some snacks, left the pantry with a satisfied look on her face.
As she turned to go back the way she'd come, she sensed something odd about Kate's movements. She awkwardly blocked one side of her view, as if trying to block it.
Elise quickly turned around as if she was going to climb the stairs.
“Get out of the way.”
Kate's movements, carrying a large paper bag, were bound to be slow.
“Oh, Ma'am.”
As Elise had expected, behind Kate, there were stairs leading down to the lower floor.
“What’s there if I go down these stairs?”
“There is a prison where the most vicious criminals are locked up.”
If Kate said that, she thought the Madam would be scared and not go.
"Yes?"
Elise walked toward it without hesitation. Kate, startled, tried to stop her.
“This is not a place for a noble person to walk.”
"Well, that's for me to decide. Just get out of the way."
Kate couldn't help but take a step back at the firm determination in that gentle voice.
It was a spiral staircase in a narrow passageway, too narrow for two or more adult men to walk side by side. Thinking it might be a bit much, Elise descended the stairs.
The two soldiers guarding the wooden door at the end of the stairs looked at her and Kate with puzzled faces.
“Her Highness the Grand Duchess is here. Open the door.”
“Oh, yes...!”
The soldier who had the key hurriedly opened the door.
There were two guards inside, but Elise ignored them and passed by.
Despite being in the same basement, it was incomparably gloomy compared to the upper floors, where the food and liquor stores were located. A guard, holding a lantern, followed Elise, reciting the charges against the prisoners.
While pretending not to care, Elise listened intently to what they were saying. However, most of them were convicted of heinous crimes, such as murder and robbery, the kind a mid-level investigator wouldn't commit.
'Well, even if he was detained, wouldn't he be in prison?'
Shs was about to turn around, her low expectations completely shattered, when suddenly a loud shout was heard.
“Please save me! Please save me! I didn’t commit a sin!”
It was the innermost prison. At the sound of a young woman's voice, Elise moved closer. It was dark and empty, but there was someone there.
“This child was identified as a spy from another territory and was imprisoned.”
Her face, illuminated by the light, was youthful. She appeared to be no more than sixteen years old. She was dressed in a shabby maid's uniform.
“It’s Mary.”
"Mary?"
“Yes. She was a maid of honor, but she ended up sneaking into the Grand Duke’s office and doing something suspicious...”
“Suspicious thing?”
“It’s unfair! I really meant to do that...!”
Then, suddenly, Mary's eyes widened.
“Elise?”
She almost said it, then gasped and covered her mouth. Elise's face froze. How could a former maid in prison recognize her just by her face?
She had a crazy feeling that she had already found an investigator for the Fantasy Control Tower.
***
Mary Brooke, the daughter of a fallen noble, is said to have been in the castle for about a month. During this time, she was imprisoned.
“Yes. Tell me what happened.”
Elise, the only man in the room, pushed the snacks she'd been given to her. Mary, sobbing, stuffed the bread and cookies into her mouth.
“Ugh, this is so annoying... Ugh...”
“Oh, let’s eat first and then talk. I can’t understand you.”
Mary chewed and swallowed the food in her mouth, then drank the premium black tea Elise had pushed her like barley tea.
“Elise is coming, it’s like a dream...!”
“Now is the time to be talking about that... No, but how did you recognize me?”
“I’m a fan, sis! I really enjoyed <The Three Spies>!”
Elise touched her forehead.
Tens of thousands of monitors floated in the air above the mid-zone fantasy control tower. Tower staff members popped out from everywhere, waving happily. Apparently, they were fans of the movies and dramas she starred in.
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