Chapter 20.1

When Mia, the head maid, arrived early that morning, Livi had just woken up and was washing her hands in the basin. She instructed Mia to wait outside, then dried her face and draped a shawl over her chemise.

When Mia finally entered the room, she stood with her hands folded respectfully before her.

“The master shall depart for the campaign soon.”

“Campaign?”

“Yes. It’s an expedition to clear out the remnants of the Roben forces who attacked under the Radetz mountain range.”

Livi thought back but couldn’t recall Dominic ever mentioning a campaign. She pulled her slipping shawl tighter around her cold shoulders.

“Is there something I need to do?”

“The master has instructed me to ask if you would be overseeing the preparations for his departure.”

“How has it been handled until now?”

“I’ve been coordinating with Sir Jeff to ensure everything is ready.”

Livi’s brows drew together.

Preparing for a campaign was traditionally the duty of the lady of the house, but that was only when she was trusted.

‘What on earth is he thinking? Is this some sort of trap? Is he giving me responsibility just to watch me fail?’

Livi’s silence stretched, yet Mia stood patiently, neither pressing nor moving.

Livi stopped overthinking and studied Mia instead. The woman had dirty-blond hair and brown eyes and appeared to be in her mid-forties.

Usually, a butler or head maid was someone who had served the family since childhood, but Dominic had been duke for less than two years. That meant Mia had either been brought in from outside or hired recently.

‘From the way she carries herself, it feels like they knew each other before.’

If she truly had known Dominic beforehand, Livi might be able to dig up some clues about his past.

After a moment’s thought, Livi asked carefully, “What do you think?”

“Pardon?”

“Would it be better if I handled it?”

Mia looked taken aback, as if she hadn’t expected to be asked her opinion. She hesitated for a moment but quickly regained her composure.

“…I see no reason you should refuse. It would be a good opportunity to solidify your position within the duke’s household.”

“I asked for your opinion.”

“Are you asking me whether I trust you, madam?”

“That’s one way to put it.”

Livi waited with a calm gaze for her answer. For once, Mia, who usually spoke with poised precision, faltered.

After a brief pause, she finally came up with an answer.

“…I trust you as much as the master does, madam. If he has granted you this responsibility, then there must be a reason for it. So I believe it would be best for you to take it on.”

In other words, she had no authority to judge for herself. Hearing that rigid, stubborn answer, Livi gave up on pressing further.

“What should I start with?”

“You need to speak with Sir Jeff about what needs to be prepared, madam. I’ll send word while you eat and get ready.”

Mia ordered the maids to help Livi dress, then quietly left the room.

* * *

It was nearing afternoon when Mia returned. She explained that she would be inspecting the supply warehouse herself and had arranged for Livi to meet Sir Jeff in the Order’s administrative quarters near the training grounds.

“I understand you haven’t had the chance to visit the training grounds yet. It would be a good opportunity to look around.”

“They’re training right now, aren’t they? As long as I won’t be a nuisance, I suppose I’ll go.”

Livi rose, her tone skeptical, and followed.

As they neared the training grounds, the sound of men shouting in rhythm grew louder. When she reached the entrance, she had to squint her eyes shut against the sand swirling in the wind, and in that moment, the knights spotted her first.

“Huh? Her Grace is here!”

“Who’s here?”

Even before her vision fully cleared, Livi could sense the shift in atmosphere.

The knights did not welcome her. The incident at the inn had silenced any open insults, but their insolent stares made no effort to hide their disdain.

‘Still, this isn’t as bad as I expected.’

She quietly assessed the knights, who were roughly divided into three groups. Half seemed indifferent, while of the remaining half, some looked at her with hostility and others with faint sympathy.

Perhaps her success with the magic circle at the canyon, and her performance of civility with Dominic, had softened their perception. If only slightly.

“I came to see Sir Jeff. Where is he?”

“This way, my lady. I’ll show you.”

One of the knights stepped forward and pointed further inside. She followed his motion, but as she moved, a muttered curse reached her ears.

“Lady, my ass. Damn witch.”

Livi stopped and turned around. A knight glared at her, his face twisted in resentment.

The moment their eyes met, he frowned as though her very gaze offended him.

“What are you staring at? Keep walking.”

“Yo, Robento. What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”

The knight who’d been escorting her tried to calm him, glancing nervously at Livi, but that only seemed to ignite Robento’s temper. He spat on the ground, voice sharp with fury.

“Me? You’re the one who suddenly switched sides. Wagging your tail like a damn mutt in front of that woman without even knowing what’s truly best for His Grace… tsk.”

“You bastard!”

The other knight lunged forward, grabbing Robento by the collar. The argument erupted into a brawl, and before long, the rest of the knights rushed in to break it up… or join in.

“Madam, please step back.”

Mia pulled Livi quickly out of the way. In the few seconds it took her to move, the knights had split into two sides. They shouted insults, shoved one another, and soon fists were flying.