04
“Hmm… judging by the Lord’s reaction, she’s not the type we expected. I thought we’d wait a few days, but we should test her tomorrow. We’ll need to review the plan.”
Caden, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
“About that plan… are we really going to do it like that?”
He looked uncomfortable as he asked Patrick.
Patrick answered firmly.
“Unless we come up with something better, we’ll go with that plan.”
Caden sighed but eventually agreed.
Fioni was an unexpected variable, and they had no proper way to deal with her.
So even if they didn’t like it, they had no choice but to proceed.
Leonard had no intention of marrying again after losing his first wife.
Especially not someone chosen by the Emperor.
So for the Grand Duke’s household, this sudden remarriage was completely unexpected.
And the bride was from an opposing faction.
This marriage would never have happened under normal circumstances.
To them, it felt like a disaster.
They believed Fioni would act as a spy and send information to her father.
Just like the previous wife had done.
They couldn’t let that happen again.
So they quickly created a plan.
The plan was simple.
Instead of hiding everything from Fioni, they would overwhelm her.
They would give her only complicated documents, making it hard for her to understand internal affairs.
At the same time, Patrick would criticize and pressure her, causing mental stress.
Meanwhile, Caden would act kind and approach her gently.
He would try to win her trust.
Fioni was only twenty-two.
No matter how strong she seemed, she was still young.
And she had no one to rely on in this household.
Patrick was confident—
“Sooner or later, she’ll depend on Caden.”
Leonard didn’t like this plan.
After talking to Fioni, he liked it even less.
His dark eyes sank deeply.
Patrick noticed immediately and spoke carefully.
“I know this plan doesn’t suit you. It’s childish… and a bit cowardly.”
There was worry in his eyes.
“But we don’t know how much time we have left. Even if it’s cowardly, we must act. If she gains power, we won’t be able to undo it.”
“…You’re right.”
Time.
That was the problem.
Leonard didn’t have much time left.
He didn’t want to carry out such a scheme—
but he had no choice.
Everything was because of him.
After he was gone, his son Ethan would be left behind.
Thinking of the people who would have to support Ethan made his chest heavy.
Caden looked at Leonard and asked carefully,
“Lord… how is your health these days?”
“It’s the same as always. It won’t suddenly get worse.”
Leonard tried to sound cheerful.
But Caden lowered his head, biting his lip.
He knew.
Leonard had been growing more anxious lately.
Leonard had already lived longer than expected after being cursed.
Caden wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do.
Patrick spoke with frustration.
“You should have used the holy water on yourself.”
“Patrick, you know it doesn’t help much.”
“It may not be perfect, but it still helps.”
“It’s already decided. Even if I had another chance, I would make the same choice.”
Patrick sighed in frustration.
A plague had been spreading in the slums for months.
There were very few priests in the Grand Duke’s territory, and they refused to help the poor.
When the Emperor offered a large amount of holy water as a wedding gift, Leonard accepted the marriage.
And all that holy water—
was used for the people suffering in the slums.
Patrick couldn’t understand it.
But it was also the reason he followed Leonard.
Leonard always put his people first.
Even so, Patrick had his own secret plan.
If the first plan failed, he would use it.
Even if Leonard would never approve.
Because right now—
Leonard’s life was hanging by a thread.
Trying to lighten the mood, Patrick joked,
“I understand. I don’t want to nag, but whenever I see you, the words just come out.”
“Then I guess I should stop causing trouble, just to avoid your nagging.”
Leonard replied lightly.
But Patrick quietly thought of the small glass bottle in his pocket.
No matter what happened—
he would never allow the Marquis’s side to take control.
His expression hardened.
Fioni woke up as sunlight came through the curtains.
She hadn’t slept deeply in the unfamiliar bed.
When she looked beside her, she was alone.
The blanket was slightly messy.
She couldn’t tell if it was from her turning in sleep—or if Leonard had come and left.
Even if he had, the bed was already cold.
She got up and opened the curtains.
The dark blue night sky was fading as the sun rose.
Below, servants were already working, cleaning the grounds.
Seeing them work so early filled her with motivation.
Today was her first day in the Grand Duke’s household.
She took a deep breath of the cool morning air.
She had no intention of acting as her father’s spy.
So she needed to act quickly.
Even if it caused some trouble from the very first day.
She hurried to get ready before the maid arrived.
“You woke up early, my lady.”
Fioni looked at the maid through the mirror.
The maid seemed surprised to see her fully prepared.
But she didn’t try to help.
She walked slowly, without care.
This maid had been sent by the Marquis.
That itself wasn’t strange—
but the problem was—
Fioni had never seen her before.
The maid didn’t seem to respect her.
Even yesterday, she had left immediately after helping her change.
Fioni didn’t even know her name.
And calling her “my lady” instead of her proper title was rude.
She was now the Grand Duchess.
“I’ll go check on breakfast preparations,” the maid said casually.
“…Before that, I have something to do.”
Fioni’s voice became firm.
“Go and bring the butler and the head maid.”
The maid hesitated.
“What do you need them for? If something is uncomfortable, you can tell me—”
Fioni cut her off.
“Go. Bring the butler and the head maid.”
The maid paused, then bowed with a smile.
“I understand. Please wait a moment.”
She left the room.
Fioni leaned back on the sofa calmly.
She knew the maid wouldn’t return quickly.
She would likely wander around the castle, pretending to search.
But no matter how carefully she moved—
the people of the Grand Duke’s household would notice.
Fioni had no intention of letting her act freely.
After some time, there was a knock.
“Madam, this is Butler Albert. I have come with Head Maid Laura.”
“Come in.”
An elderly man with white hair entered.
Behind him were Laura—and the maid.
Albert had kind green eyes and a neat appearance.
He looked like the perfect butler.
Laura, on the other hand, had a sharp expression and cold blue eyes.
“Did you sleep well? Was anything uncomfortable?”
Albert spoke kindly.
His tone felt warm, almost like a grandfather.
Fioni felt at ease talking to him.
She realized—
he was very skilled at dealing with people.
