Chapter 39
The current Grand Duke’s mother, Isadora Hilliard, was a legendary figure — the first woman in the Empire’s history to ever become the Commander of the Imperial Knights.
A woman who seemed destined to live and die by the sword saw her life change completely after meeting the late Grand Duke.
At the Empire’s Foundation Day banquet, the former Grand Duke had fallen for her at first sight while she was standing guard.
Her eyes shone with unyielding determination, her hands were calloused from years of training, and her smile carried the refreshing breeze of freedom.
There was nothing about her that didn’t captivate the young Duke’s heart.
“I’d like to invite you to my territory. You’ll love it there — a place of blue lakes and vast forests.”
He courted Isadora with passionate sincerity.
Before meeting her, the Duke had never shown even the slightest interest in women, so those around him couldn’t help but gossip about the drastic change.
To Isadora, however, his advances were burdensome.
She had reached the highest position attainable by merit, but her birth status was nothing remarkable.
Among high-ranking nobles, social rank mattered more than anything when it came to marriage.
She despised the thought of becoming someone’s weakness — and she had no intention of laying down her sword for marriage.
But upon hearing her true feelings, the Duke only said—
“You shine simply by existing. Why should birth matter?”
“Your Grace…”
“And you don’t have to put down your sword. In fact, I’d rather you never do. I think you’re at your most beautiful when you wield it.”
The late Grand Duke was honest and kind — enough to shake the heart of the unshakable Isadora.
In the end, she married him.
Their marriage was blessed; they had six children together.
Ten years ago, a mysterious explosion along the border of their lands took her husband’s life and left her unable to hold a sword ever again.
Still, she never regretted marrying him.
Now, her only wish was to live long enough to see her children find love and start families of their own.
She had been resting in a countryside villa to nurse her ailing body when—
“My son has an illegitimate child…?”
A frantic letter from Cornelia had brought her back to the duchy.
“I-It’s an honor to meet you, Madam. My name is Elinor.”
Only the Hilliard heir, Elinor, and the baby remained in the grand reception room of the ducal mansion.
Nervously introducing herself, Elinor swallowed hard.
What do I do now?
She had never imagined she’d meet the Dowager Duchess in person.
She’d thought it wouldn’t be a big issue if people in the manor — mostly the Duke’s younger siblings — misunderstood her as the Duke’s lover and the child as his illegitimate offspring. Once she met Charlotte, she could clear up the misunderstanding.
But to lie to the Duke’s mother? That felt wrong.
Elinor glanced at Mathias, silently begging for help.
Mathias looked troubled — this was never how he wanted things to turn out.
He had only brought her here for convenience’s sake.
The silence was broken by Tedian, the youngest.
“Sister-in-law is a really nice person!”
He beamed brightly, speaking with utter conviction.
“She saved me! When Master Wyatt was hitting me—”
“Hitting you? What are you talking about?”
Mathias immediately cut in, alarmed.
His mother’s health was fragile — the shock of hearing that her youngest son was beaten could worsen her condition.
Tedian blinked rapidly, then hastily changed his story.
“Uh… I mean, Master Wyatt used to pretend to scold me with a switch when I didn’t do my homework. But sister-in-law helped me, so I didn’t get in trouble! She’s really smart!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! She’s even smarter than Master Wyatt! He said he graduated top of his class at the Academy, but sister-in-law knows everything! No matter how weird the homework was, she always helped me figure it out!”
“You must’ve learned a lot from her.”
“I did! But I also worked really hard myself. Thanks to sister-in-law, I can do all the problems on my own now!”
The Dowager smiled and gently patted Tedian’s head.
He grinned proudly, his face lighting up.
Then—
“Who said she’s your sister-in-law?”
Cornelia crossed her arms and scoffed.
“You really want to call that woman sister-in-law? You’re so naïve, Tedito.”
“Don’t call me that, sis!”
“She’s some nobody. Other than her name, Elinor, we know nothing about her. And you’re calling her ‘sister-in-law’ already?”
Cornelia’s sharp gaze landed on Elinor.
“Where are you from? Are you a noble? Or just a commoner?”
Elinor hesitated. The Winston family, who owned a mansion in the capital, weren’t exactly obscure nobility.
If she mentioned them, people would recognize the name. She needed to protect both Charlotte’s and her own reputation.
But unable to decide what to say, she stayed silent — and Cornelia sneered.
“See? Even in front of Mother, she can’t answer. Must be a commoner then.”
“…”
“What do you take the Hilliard Duchy for? Some cheap place where any street rat can crawl into?”
“Cornelia.”
Mathias’s voice hardened.
“That’s enough. There are things you can say and things you can’t.”
“Oh, really? And you think you’re in any position to lecture me?” she shot back.
“You’ve been hiding her all this time — even after having a child with her! How could you?”
“Cornelia, that’s not—”
“Don’t you care about Logan, our second brother? He’s out there guarding the border while you’re here keeping secrets!”
“I know. But there are things you don’t—”
“Things I don’t know? Fine, then explain! What possible ‘reason’ could justify deceiving everyone and fathering an illegitimate child?”
Cornelia had no idea about the contamination incident in their territory.
Only Mathias, Logan (stationed at the border), and their mother — the first victim of the corruption — knew the truth.
Elinor knew nothing about it; she merely thought Mathias was helping her find Charlotte, whom she adored.
Mathias cursed inwardly.
The matter of the corruption was top secret. With Elinor here, he couldn’t possibly explain.
When Mathias didn’t respond, Cornelia scowled.
“See? You’ve got nothing to say.”
“…”
“You told me you’d be busy working for the family, that I should take over as acting lord for a while. If I’d known you were doing this, I never would’ve agreed!”
“Cory—”
“I’m disappointed in you, brother.”
The room went cold.
No one dared to speak.
Then came the firm thunk of something striking the floor — the Dowager Duchess’s cane.
“Enough.”
Her voice was stern.
“Arguing in front of your mother? You still have much to learn before you can call yourselves adults.”
“But, Mother, he—”
“Cornelia. Take Tedian and leave the room.”
“Mother!”
“Now.”
Her tone left no room for argument — hard as steel.
Cornelia could only scowl and storm out, dragging Tedian with her.
As soon as she left, Mathias exhaled and said quietly—
