Chapter 47
A child with even a single flaw could not be recognized as an heir.
Moreover, this baby was illegitimate, born to a woman who was not formally married.
Even a slight defect would make it easy to discard the child.
“So I didn’t expect Cornelia to interfere.”
If Cornelia hadn’t blocked the tray, the hot water would have spilled directly on the baby.
It was frustrating that the opportunity to drive the woman and the child out had passed so futilely.
She tried to look for another chance, but Cornelia, who had to act according to her will, had recently been strangely unresponsive.
Previously, whenever they met, Cornelia would vent her dissatisfaction with Elinor, but she no longer did so these days.
“What if the Grand Duke really ends up marrying that woman as things stand?”
“Shall I help you with that?”
“Huh?”
Grace’s maid poured black tea into an empty cup and smiled slyly.
“I’ll take care of your worries, Miss.”
“How do you plan to do that?”
“Oh, Miss. Don’t you know how capable I am? How many times have I already helped you and Madam?”
That was true.
About a year ago, the girl became Grace’s maid and had since been a blessing to her household.
‘This could be a good gift for Madam from Lady Mother.’
As a child, she had gathered and sold herbs from the mountains and often brought rare medicinal ingredients.
Grace’s mother would gift these to the matriarch, thereby securing her position as a trusted aide.
Using the herbs she provided even improved the matriarch’s health slightly.
‘Come to think of it, she was also the one who helped bribe Cornelia’s maid.’
And she had recommended the financial expert to the Hilliard household.
So perhaps she could come up with a good solution this time as well.
“What are you going to do?”
Grace lowered her voice and asked.
The maid smiled knowingly, as if she had anticipated the question.
Once a year, the Grand Duchy was open to outsiders.
The first day of the Hilliard Domain Swordsmanship Tournament had finally arrived.
At the same time, Mathias opened the Five-Color Garden to the public—a sight unseen for ten years since the death of the previous Grand Duke.
The news that the dazzling garden, sparkling in various colors, had reopened brought crowds to the cave entrance from early morning.
Nearby, Hilliard’s knights lay in ambush.
They were prepared to immediately subdue Charlotte if she showed up.
‘Charlotte will definitely come.’
She wouldn’t ignore such a beautiful, unique, and rare place.
Moreover, unlike the original storyline, there was no clear animosity between the Grand Duke and Charlotte.
Hilliard Domain was far from the capital, where Winston Manor was, and the temple had little influence there.
From Charlotte’s perspective, it was a safe place to visit for leisure.
‘I’m about to meet Charlotte…’
Elinor’s body trembled slightly.
Ironically, since possessing Elinor’s body, she had hardly met Charlotte at all.
The wicked woman who bullied her kind and pretty younger sister and met a terrible end—would she have to follow that fate?
Out of fear, she had fled, enrolling in the academy and leaving Charlotte’s side.
She hadn’t returned home even during vacations, meaning it had been a full seven years since she last saw Charlotte.
“Elinor.”
“…….”
“Elinor… sister-in-law!”
“Huh, yes?!”
Lost in thought, Elinor suddenly snapped back to reality.
Tedian smiled broadly, pointing forward.
“What are you thinking about? The first match has already started!”
Clang! Clash!
In the center of the vast circular arena, two swordsmen clashed.
Sparks flew every time their blades collided.
The enthusiastic crowd went wild.
“The first match is already pretty good.”
“That gray-helmeted swordsman is the rising star of this season.”
“But his waist is exposed. He won’t last long like that.”
From the matriarch down to Tedian, everyone watched eagerly, eyes sparkling at the sight of blood in the knights’ veins.
Tedian, disappointed at the gray-helmeted swordsman’s mistake, noticed Elinor quietly rolling her eyes nearby.
“Why? Not enjoying it?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Elinor hesitated.
“I wonder if I really should be sitting here…”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“This is reserved for the Grand Duke’s family.”
It was the best vantage point in the arena, meant only for those who belonged to the Hilliard castle, yet now Elinor and her baby were sitting there.
People around them kept glancing at Elinor.
Elinor hugged her baby tightly.
“Wouldn’t it be better if I sat somewhere else?”
“There’s nowhere else?”
Cornelia, who had appeared indifferent to Elinor, spoke casually.
This was their first conversation since Cornelia had handed over the medicinal herbs in the hallway.
Back then, she had treated Elinor with disdain, but now she showed a sort of respect.
Elinor mumbled, slightly embarrassed.
“There are seats prepared for the staff, but…”
“They’re all taken, and there’s no canopy—too much sun, and it’s hard to watch, especially with a baby. Just stay here.”
“That’s right! And you have to watch my match later.”
Tedian reached out and held the baby’s hand.
“I’ll make sure to win for the baby. So just watch.”
“Ababababa.”
“You trust me alone? Hehe, thank you.”
Tedian held the baby’s hand, smiling.
Was this the right thing to do?
Mathias shrugged when their eyes met.
“It’s up to your siblings.”
The matriarch didn’t seem intent on driving Elinor out either.
“Make sure the baby drinks water occasionally so they don’t get dehydrated.”
She even had the maid fan the baby, concerned for their health.
‘Once Charlotte sees this, the news will reach Mathias first.’
Being with the Grand Duke’s family was advantageous.
Sitting naturally among them made Elinor feel included, and her heart stirred uneasily.
The Hilliard Swordsmanship Tournament followed a knockout format.
Those who passed the preliminaries advanced to the finals, where the last winner would be determined.
Last year, Tedian had lost in the semifinals.
This year, he was determined to win.
“It’s my turn soon!”
Tedian jumped up from his seat.
“I’m going. Mother, I’m going!”
“Be careful, Tedian.”
“Don’t cry if you get hurt.”
“I’ll be watching to see how much you’ve improved.”
With his family’s encouragement behind him, Tedian dashed out.
After the first round ended, Tedian appeared in the arena.
“Waaah!”
“Prince! Prince!”
The cheers grew louder with his arrival.
The youngest prince’s popularity was greater than expected.
Tedian, swinging his sword in the air, noticed the baby and smiled broadly.
Elinor murmured worriedly,
“What if he gets hurt like that?”
“Tedian?”
Cornelia had quietly moved next to Elinor and smirked.
“Do you know Tedian’s nickname?”
“Uh… Tedito-to?”
“That’s just a family nickname. His real nickname…”
The horn sounded, signaling the start of the match.
Tedian’s demeanor changed instantly.
“He’s called Arcten.”
Arcten meant “Grim Reaper” in an ancient tongue.
“It means that anyone standing before Tedian can’t move.”
In that instant, Tedian’s figure on the arena vanished.
