Chapter 3
“I have something for the Duke… Huh?”
At the unexpected response, Cecile looked stunned, as if she’d just been hit on the back of her head. In contrast, Duke Bartholomew’s expression remained serious.
“I will take Her Highness the Princess to my estate. However, she cannot stay for long. For a member of the royal family to remain with me permanently, the royal family’s permission is required. And His Majesty the Emperor would never allow it if it’s anything beyond a temporary stay. I’m sure Your Highness understands that.”
Cecile nodded.
“So please stay at my estate for a short while. In the meantime, I’ll look into a solution for the issues you mentioned. If this arrangement is acceptable to you, I am happy to proceed.”
From Cecile’s perspective, it was a good offer with nothing to lose.
Even if it’s only temporary, it’s better than staying in that dysfunctional household. Maybe things will change or a way forward will appear if I stay at the ducal estate.
Having quickly assessed the situation, Cecile nodded.
“Alright! I like it. Let’s go to the duke’s estate!”
And so, Cecile set off for the ducal residence.
While she waited inside the duke’s carriage, Duke Bartholomew made another visit to the Imperial Palace.
He probably went to get the Emperor’s permission to take me in.
Before her regression, Duke Bartholomew was known as one of the greatest villains, on par with Cecile herself.
At that time, he was completely hostile to the royal family. But now, this was twenty years earlier.
The ducal house and the royal family had not yet become irreconcilable. Though tension ran high between them, they maintained the appearance of cooperation.
The Emperor has much to gain from the Duke. Lending him a princess he doesn’t even care about for a short while would make the Duke owe him a favor. It’s a bargain from the Emperor’s point of view.
Cecile looked up at the duke’s face sitting across from her.
Getting angry at the presentation because of her, seeking permission to take her in—these were politically disadvantageous moves for him.
He might be soft on kids, but there’s no way he’d overlook political calculations. Why would he go this far for me at such a cost?
Cecile didn’t believe in pure goodwill or kindness. It was inevitable, having lived for so long as a dark mage.
He didn’t even ask for my terms of the deal. He must be scheming something.
The sun was setting. The orange twilight streaming in through the carriage window cast long shadows beneath the duke’s lashes.
He had his eyes lowered, deep in thought.
Before her regression, Cecile had never imagined she’d see him from this close—or in such a peaceful setting.
In her past life, she and the duke had been enemies.
Cecile had lived on the run, pursued by many, but none were more terrifying than him.
Duke Bartholomew had chased Cecile for ten years.
Because of that experience, Cecile was still afraid of him.
Besides, in the end, he had…
Cecile licked her lips discreetly and wiped her sweaty hands on her skirt.
Whatever he’s scheming, it doesn’t matter.
She made up her mind.
Use me as you wish. I plan to use you too. Let’s exploit each other, Duke Bartholomew.
To Cecile, the greatest value the duke offered was a stable life.
It didn’t need to be overly luxurious.
As long as she was safe, not anxious, not being chased or harassed, and could live comfortably—that was enough.
In this regard, she had no concerns.
Naturally. It was the house of that Duke Bartholomew. The most powerful noble in the Empire. It was bound to be splendid, immaculate, and comfortable.
But—who would’ve thought. The duke betrayed her expectations.
The garden was overgrown with weeds. The furniture was grand but thick with dust, like a layer of carpet. There were even cobwebs on the ceiling.
In a typical noble estate, uniformed servants would run the household, but this place was utterly lifeless.
Even Cecile, who wasn’t easily shocked, couldn’t help but be stunned.
What is this?! It’s worse than my old hideouts!
Before her regression, Cecile had lived on the run for many years, moving from one hideout to another. They weren’t as grand as noble estates, but they were cozy havens.
A pot of warm magical broth always boiled, spellbooks flew around, and she had skeletal servants tending to her needs.
No matter how bad things got, cobwebs were unthinkable.
As Cecile turned to the duke with a face full of betrayal, he explained:
“After the butler retired due to old age two years ago, I neglected the estate’s upkeep. All the other staff eventually left. Currently, there’s only one cook and one maid.”
Thinking back, Cecile realized why the duke had neglected house management.
That’s right. He lost his wife three years ago, didn’t he? I heard he was devastated by her death. No wonder he let the house fall apart.
Still, it didn’t make living here any more appealing.
I never thought I’d end up missing my hideouts…
Perhaps a bit embarrassed, the duke added:
“I was already planning to hire new staff and refurbish the mansion. I’ll ensure you’re comfortable during your stay.”
In any case, she couldn’t complain.
She was the one who had insisted on coming. The duke had taken her in despite the political cost.
At least it’s safe here. No pursuers. No abusive siblings. That alone is a blessing.
Satisfied with that, Cecile nodded.
“No, really! I like it here. Thank you for letting me stay, Your Grace.”
Duke Bartholomew gazed at her with an unreadable expression, then turned away and said:
“Until we hire new staff, the maid will attend to you exclusively.”
“Then who’ll attend to you?”
“I’ll make use of the organization’s subordinates.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the hallway door opened, and someone appeared.
“Welcome home, Master.”
It was a tall, well-built maid.
“This is Princess Cecelia Winona Lynn. She’ll be staying here for some time. See to it that she lacks nothing.”
“As you command.”
The maid bowed smartly and led Cecile to a room.
“I apologize for the disarray. Once the refurbishments are done, you won’t have to stay here anymore.”
Though she said that, the room was in far better condition than the lobby or hallways.
It was undoubtedly the best-maintained room in the entire mansion, and it had been given to Cecile.
“No, it’s fine. Thank you. How should I address you?”
“Please call me Anne, Your Highness.”
“You can speak more casually with me too. Cecile is fine.”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that.”
“Then at least call me miss. I don’t want to be addressed as ‘Your Highness’ here.”
Cecile donned her secret weapon—her saddest, most heart-wrenching expression.
She could clearly see Anne’s pupils trembling uncontrollably. In the end, Anne nodded.
“Understood, Miss Cecile.”
After eating the meal Anne brought her, Cecile bathed and changed with Anne’s help, then lay down in bed.
“Sweet dreams, Miss Cecile.”
Anne turned off the lights and left the room. Darkness and silence settled in.
This was the moment Cecile had been waiting for.
She slipped out from under the covers and sat atop the bed. Bringing her hands together in a triangle shape, she held them before her chest and closed her eyes.
She gathered mana from within her body. Compared to before her regression, it was an embarrassingly meager amount.
If there was any comfort, it was that her young body had excellent recovery abilities.
Though she’d collapsed from using magic at the presentation, her mana had mostly recovered by now.
I have to grow stronger—fast. At least enough to protect myself. If I practice mana circulation daily, maybe I’ll improve more quickly.
As she spread the mana throughout her body in steady circulation, Cecile quietly called out a name.
“Nibelung.”
