Chapter 20.2

Within moments, the training grounds descended into chaos. Sand swirling thick in the air as the two groups fought in a storm of dust and anger.

Mia blinked, her expression one of sheer disbelief.

“What on earth… Madam, Sir Jeff will be here any moment. I’m so sorry.”

Before she even finished, Jeff came running up behind Mia, panting heavily. His eyes went wide as he took in the sight. Livi on one side, the brawling knights on the other, before his face hardened into a grim scowl.

“Have all you idiots gone mad? Do you have a death wish?”

He unfastened the scabbard at his waist and stormed into the fray. The heavy sheath cracked against armor and flesh alike, his blows landing indiscriminately. The knights dropped to the ground with grunts and curses.

When only one remained standing at the center of the training yard, Jeff threw the scabbard down with a sharp clack.

“Who started this?”

“I did, sir.”

A knight staggered to his feet, beaten and bloodied. It was the same one who had been escorting Livi before grabbing Robento by the collar.

Jeff raised a brow.

“Your reason?”

“Robento insulted me and said I was wagging my tail like a damn mutt in front of Her Grace…”

He glared at Robento, still seething. Robento, who had just managed to get to his feet, met his glare without backing down.

“Did I say anything wrong? Isn’t it strange that His Grace suddenly fell head over heels for a traitor’s daughter? That spy they caught not long ago was working as a maid while sleeping around. She and this woman are no different— AGH!”

“That’s enough.”

Jeff slammed Robento’s face into the ground, muttering low under his breath. Once he took in the whole situation, he sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“All of you, go stand over there with your heads down. I’ll be reporting all of this to His Grace myself, so be prepared for that. And you, come here.”

Jeff dragged Robento by the scruff of his neck and forced him to bow in front of Livi. When Robento resisted kneeling, Jeff struck him again until his knees hit the ground.

It seemed Jeff intended to make him apologize, but even kneeling, Robento only growled through clenched teeth. It was clear he’d rather die than choke out an apology.

In the end, Jeff bowed in Robenot’s place.

“My apologies, my lady. He’s a new recruit to the Order, and his foul mouth has already caused several problems outside the castle. I’ll make sure he’s punished properly this time.”

Livi looked down at the knight writhing in Jeff’s grasp. His glare burned cold and sharp, like a drawn blade.

She slowly shook her head.

“That won’t be necessary. Robento, was it? Why are you so angry?”

“You really have to ask? What the hell did you do to him at night to get His Grace wrapped around your finger so easily? Damn seductress, latching onto the Duke’s household like some cursed—”

Robento’s body jerked violently under Jeff’s grip, teeth bared in rage. His face was already swelling with bruises, but he didn’t care. He kept his murderous glare locked on Livi.

Livi took a small step back and murmured,

“You must truly respect the Duke.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be this angry.”

“What kind of bullshit—”

“Am I wrong? Do you not respect him?”

For the first time, Robento fell silent. Pinned to the ground, he glared up at her, his eyes burning with hatred before he let out a low curse. He spat to the side, flecks of dirt mixing with saliva.

Jeff pressed down harder on his shoulder to keep him still.

“My lady, do you have anything more to say?”

“No. I’ve said all I needed to.”

Jeff called over a few knights to take Robento away, then gestured for her to follow him inside. At the edge of the training grounds stood a single-story building used for administrative work and routine duties.

Jeff offered her the largest seat on the sofa and bowed his head, his face clouded with guilt.

“I truly apologize. I should have been waiting at the entrance from the start… or better yet, arranged to meet you inside the castle.”

“That’s enough. Let’s talk about what we came here to discuss.”

“But, my lady—”

“The knights’ hostility toward me is nothing new. There’s no need to make a fuss about it now. So lift your head and tell me what’s needed for the campaign preparations.”

When Livi dropped her gaze to the teacup before her, Jeff quickly picked up on the cue and shifted the conversation.

He spread several ledgers open across the desk and began to explain. The records listed the personnel deployed in the last campaign and the quantities of supplies used.

“I’ll send you the final roster as soon as it’s confirmed. But the overall scale shouldn’t differ much from the previous expedition, so you can use that as a reference.”

“Are these all the ledgers? I assume the rear support unit had separate supplies.”

“Ah, those should be with Lady Wilderson. Mia, that is.”

When Livi turned her head, Mia, standing quietly behind her, gave a small nod.

“Yes, it’s in my office, madam. I’ll have everything organized and delivered by this evening.”

Livi barely reacted to Mia’s reply, focusing instead on flipping through the ledger Jeff had given her.

Responsibility for wartime logistics had traditionally belonged to the House of Marquis Joseph, and Livi had assisted her father in that role for years. The documents in front of her weren’t much different from the ones she used to review back then.

“If there’s nothing more to explain, I’ll take my leave. I’ll inspect the supply warehouse another time.”

Livi gently slid her teacup towards Mia and rose from her seat. Jeff shifted uneasily, hesitating until she reached for the door handle.

“My lady.”

“Yes?”

“There are many knights who are still grateful to you for what you did before, my lady.”