Chapter 42
I went down to the dining room to have breakfast. Sitting at the table, I ate some bread and soup while having a light conversation with Lucius.
“About the nobles you mentioned yesterday for investment, I think I’ll need some information. Can you get it for me?”
“Of course. Should I prepare it focusing on nobles who run businesses and those of lower noble rank?”
“Yes. I’ll narrow down the investors myself. I’m not sure if I’ll do well, but since I’m starting, I want to try.”
“This is a business Tiana is running as the owner. Don’t feel burdened; just do as much as you want and can. If there’s anything you don’t know or are curious about, I’ll help you as much as you want.”
“Thank you, Lucius.”
How does he always say such lovely things? I smiled happily, and Lucius smiled back at me. The dining room was filled with a warm and calm atmosphere as our conversation flowed back and forth. Since returning from the trip, this atmosphere had lasted for several days, and the servants, who had been awkward at first, seemed to have gotten used to it and looked at us with softer eyes.
I spent a sweet and leisurely morning with Lucius. After lightly finishing breakfast, I helped him put on his coat as he got ready to leave. When I straightened his front collar, he shyly kissed my cheek.
“Thank you. I had Warren prepare the materials on the nobles I mentioned earlier. You can just receive them and take a look.”
“Got it. Thanks. Please be careful on your way.”
“Yes. Tiana, don’t overwork yourself, take breaks and do it at your pace.”
“I will.”
I smiled reassuringly at his concern, and he nodded with a relaxed smile. I left the room and went down the stairs to the first-floor entrance, where a carriage was waiting. He hugged me tightly once, kissed my lips, and then, looking reluctant, turned and got into the carriage.
As I watched the carriage leave with the knights, Inabel approached me.
“Ma’am. Shall we go inside now?”
“Alright. Could you prepare some tea in my office? And please call Warren and Jane.”
“Yes, understood.”
I entered the mansion while Inabel went to fetch the head maid. Once in my office, I sat down and began organizing the day’s tasks. After a short while, Warren and Jane entered.
“You called, Ma’am?”
I glanced at Jane, who followed Warren in, and spoke.
“I heard His Highness has prepared materials regarding the nobles involved in business.”
“Yes. The volume of the materials is quite large, so it might take some time, but we should be able to deliver them by this afternoon.”
“Alright. Please take care of it. Warren, you may go now.”
“Understood.”
After a brief conversation, I dismissed him. Only Jane and I remained in the office. Seeing that she looked a bit tense, I spoke.
“The reason I called you separately is about the personnel management of the maids and housemaids. There were a few maids and housemaids who came from the Duke’s household, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“How have they been assigned?”
“They were temporarily assigned according to the tasks they performed at the Duke’s estate.”
“Good job. I was too busy to pay attention to that, so thank you.”
“…It’s nothing.”
Jane bowed her head slightly, and I smiled softly. I could see she was trying to hide her feelings, but she still looked awkward and couldn’t relax easily. To help, I handed her the documents on the desk.
“As of today, they will be officially assigned. Please manage them carefully so that there’s no friction between the new and existing servants.”
“Understood.”
“From the personnel records of the current servants, there isn’t much I need to intervene in. It seems fine to continue as it is.”
The personnel files had detailed evaluations of servants according to their assigned areas. They were written carefully, making it easy to understand each servant.
Everyone was diligent in their duties, and since there were hardly any complaints raised, it seemed everyone was placed in suitable positions. This was probably thanks to Jane’s exceptional ability.
Judging people’s capabilities and assigning appropriate work isn’t easy without experience and insight. With such ability, it’s no wonder she holds the position of head maid in the Grand Duke’s household. I was glad I had shown her genuine sincerity first. I need to make her more firmly on my side.
“I trust your ability. I’m counting on you, Jane.”
“…Yes, Ma’am.”
I looked her in the eyes and spoke firmly. Jane, who had been stiff earlier, nodded and met my gaze.
Though there was still some awkwardness, I believed as time passed, she would open up more. Until then, I must show trust first and work hard.
Actually, because of our difference in status, if I acted coercively, she would have no choice but to obey. But that’s not the kind of relationship I want.
Since these are people I will have to see for a lifetime, I don’t want a rigid, authoritarian relationship. Even if we keep a certain distance, it’s better to face each other as people with at least some warmth — that’s a more humane way of living. Now that I’ve entered the Grand Duke’s house, I want to change the atmosphere little by little to shed the old image.
Everyone tends to be too stiff, following their master. That may be due to the power of the “illusion group” until now, but it’s different now. Lucius is changing, so the people in the Grand Duke’s household must change too. The Grand Duke’s house where people tremble in fear will disappear.
“Ma’am, here are the materials on the nobles you mentioned.”
“Thank you. Good work.”
After lunch and a short rest, Warren brought in thick files—materials about nobles involved in business.
“There are more than I expected. Were there really this many nobles running businesses?”
“Yes. Many nobles have inherited family businesses, and many also run various small to large personal enterprises. With developed waterways and recently introduced land trains, business using these means has become active.”
“I see.”
Though the train was still at a freight level, trains powered by magic stones were being operated within the empire. Compared to using carts, they could transport several times more goods, so their usefulness was being recognized. Currently, train tracks were placed mostly on rough roads where many goods traveled, but if improved, ordinary people might be able to use them too.
The documents felt heavier than expected. As I had decided with Lucius, I focused on nobles who needed investments or were running businesses, but the list was quite long. I needed to sift through it again carefully.
I ordered Inabel, who was waiting, to bring tea, sat down, and slowly read through the materials.
“Construction, food, clothing, miscellaneous goods…”
There were many nobles running various businesses—from small cafes and restaurants to general stores, salons, taverns, and even construction. It was like franchises of large modern corporations. I was impressed that nobles’ influence reached even small general stores.
“Some have hundreds of branches across the empire… But do I really need to invest in people like these?”
Those nobles were probably already making huge profits. Though many nobles might want investment for their businesses, I wasn’t interested in investing in those who were already very profitable. If I was going to invest, I wanted to help those who really needed assistance.
Half of the documents concerned large-scale business owners, so I skipped most of those and started carefully reviewing the medium and small-sized businesses appearing in the middle of the list.
As I continued reading, a familiar name caught my eye.
[Gracel Territory – Baronet Abit’s café business (branch expansion plan in progress).]
Gracel Territory was the place I had visited on my recent trip. Was this the café I had gone to? There were several cafes even in small territories, so I wasn’t sure if it was the same one, but I found myself looking at it repeatedly.
“Let’s put this one on the shortlist for now.”
I set the file aside and resumed going through the materials. Deep in concentration, Warren came in to announce an unexpected visitor.
“Ma’am, Her Highness the Princess has arrived.”
“Her Highness the Princess?”
I was a bit surprised since I had no prior notice of a visit. She was unpredictable, so I thought nothing of it, but since there had been no contact since the wedding, I was curious about the reason for her visit.
I left my office and went to the reception room, where Alexandra was sitting on the sofa waiting. She greeted me warmly with a bright smile.
“Tiana! Were you working?”
“Yes. Alexandra, what brings you here?”
“I wanted to check how you’re doing. I heard about the accident at your travel destination, and to see if you’re enjoying your honeymoon.”
“If you wanted to know about me, you could’ve sent a letter. If you had contacted me, I would have come to visit.”
“It’s better to see in person. It’s more comfortable for me to come as someone with not much to do than to bother someone busy with various things.”
I smiled faintly at Alexandra’s words. Seeing her so carefree made her seem like a close younger sister. Sometimes I even forgot she was a princess.
Soon, a maid brought tea and snacks, and Alexandra took a sip of the richly fragrant flower tea and exclaimed.
“This tea is delicious. Especially the aroma is wonderful. Where did you get it?”
“I went to a café on my trip that specialized in flower teas. They also sold it, so I bought some. It worked out well since I planned to give it as a gift later. I’ll give you some afterward.”
“Oh, really? Thank you. If it’s from the place you traveled, it must be Sinadelli in Gracel Territory, right? I know that café ‘Roland.’ It’s a famous place. No wonder the aroma was special.”
“Have you been there, Alexandra?”
“No, I haven’t been, but I’ve heard a lot about it. There’s a buzz among the young ladies in society. It’s a small town, so the café isn’t large, but its flower teas and desserts are popular for their quality and taste.”
“I see.”
‘Roland Café,’ huh. When I visited, I was so captivated by the exterior that I didn’t pay close attention to the name, but now I knew. It’s a fitting name. Alexandra narrowed her eyes and asked.
“It’s a popular tourist spot, so it’s hard to get a reservation. How did you get in?”
“Well… Lucius made the reservation for me about a month ago… or so I heard.”
“…Your brother really loves you, Tiana.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Making a reservation a month in advance says it all. I already knew how much he loved you, but after marriage, it’s more obvious. It’s like he’s lost all restraint. But since he looks happy, it’s okay.”
“Ha ha…”
Her straightforward description was spot on. That’s how Alexandra sees it. I like that Lucius is more proactive than before, but ‘lost restraint’—how far does that go?
Lately, he’s often gone to the palace for work, so I don’t know what he’s up to outside. I wondered how he acted when I wasn’t around. Has his behavior really changed that much since we got married?
While thinking about this, Alexandra spoke again.
