Episode 11
Ding-a-ling—!
“Welcome….”
Sho?
Tula, the owner of the general store, turned toward the door and nearly bit her tongue.
In this shabby alley, when someone appeared dressed in such noble attire, Tula thought a noble must have lost their way and accidentally wandered in.
But that face…
“Y-Your Grace the Grand Duke…!?”
Tula trembled uncontrollably, forgetting to even bite her tongue, and collapsed to her knees.
“Greetings, Your Grace!”
“Rise.”
A dignified voice fell over her head.
Tula barely managed to support her trembling legs as she got up in fear.
‘I must get out of here quickly.’
Seres glanced at the shop owner, who couldn’t meet her eyes, then scanned the surroundings.
The narrow, dingy shop seemed barely cleaned, dust covering every visible surface, and the shelves were filled with scraps of cloth and miscellaneous tools that looked almost like junk.
It appeared to serve as both a general goods store and a pawnshop.
‘This place will do.’
Seres’ gaze slowly swept the area and stopped on something.
“Bring that to me.”
“Eh? Y-Yes….”
Tula looked up sharply, then hurried in the direction indicated by the Grand Duke, returning moments later with a pale, dusty bundle of cloth covered in remnants of dust and cobwebs.
“Is… is this what you’re looking for…? I-I’m not mistaken…?”
“Yes.”
Feeling Linburton’s encouraging gaze from behind, Seres took the garment from Tula.
The clothes were so tattered that Tula’s hands trembled in embarrassment.
Tch.
Seres frowned at the near-rag before recalling her purpose and steeling herself.
This was all for the Aizenhart Grand Duke family.
And for her son, Demius.
Seres tossed the ragged clothes in front of Melissa and, following Linburton’s instructions, declared:
“This is what suits you!”
“Gah!”
Tula screamed unintentionally, then hastily covered her mouth.
Who was she speaking to?
Tula’s wide eyes followed Seres’ gaze and landed on the small figure between the shining armored guards.
A tiny girl, barely noticeable among the grand Seres and her knights.
‘What on earth has she done to deserve this?’
‘How angry must the Grand Duke be to personally come here and deliver such humiliation?’
Tula froze, realizing the blow might also fall on her.
As she hesitated, a small voice rang out.
“…M-Mother.”
Tears welled in Melissa’s clear eyes as she covered her mouth.
Her innocent, fragile demeanor made Tula pause in mid-step, and Melissa exclaimed:
“You knew exactly what I needed! A comfortable outfit! You’re so thoughtful, Mother!”
“……!”
Tula’s eyes went wide.
Mother?
So this must be the Grand Duke’s daughter-in-law?
Oblivious to Tula’s shock and Linburton’s own wide-eyed disbelief, Melissa happily placed her hand over her chest.
“This is exactly what I needed!”
All the clothes Demius had prepared for her were far too extravagant.
So whenever she walked around the castle chatting with servants, she felt self-conscious.
Especially when she watched compost being made in the farthest corners of the castle, worried that the hem of her dress might get dirty.
Now, Mother had gifted her just the right outfit, allowing her to move freely and comfortably!
“I’ll wear it well!”
Melissa beamed brightly, and the light radiating from her smile finally made Seres avert her gaze after a few seconds, muttering:
“…Let’s go.”
“…Yes.”
That little thief.
Linburton handed Tula the payment for the clothes and hurried after Seres, who had already moved ahead.
Though it was still early evening, their shadows stretched long along the path as they walked to the carriage.
Tula stared after them in a daze, then realized something.
“…So that’s it.”
The pride of this territory, the Grand Duke herself.
The ruler of a great domain had personally come to a shabby alley to find the exact clothes her beloved daughter-in-law needed!
“A truly remarkable ruler!”
Tula recalled Melissa’s exclamation of “Mother” and, thinking again of the tiny but resolute figure, realized that the innocent, cute-looking eyes were brimming with intelligence and energy.
“I-This isn’t the time to linger!”
Tula quickly changed the sign on her door to “Closed” and ran off toward the tavern.
The drunkards there had probably been drinking since the afternoon.
Finally, she could brag to her friends firsthand about the great news that usually reached her late: the Grand Duke family now had a daughter-in-law!
‘I made a huge mistake.’
Only when Linburton reached the Grand Duke’s study did he slap his palm against his forehead in frustration.
When they went out, he should have returned with a load of shopping, not empty-handed.
If Melissa had been burdened with all the clothes, she wouldn’t have come back giggling like a carefree fool!
Linburton ground his teeth.
To think that not only had she dared approach the Grand Duke’s precious young master, she had also unsettled the Great Grand Duke herself—such a crime was worthy of annihilating three generations.
However…
‘It’s too early to be angry.’
Linburton took a deep breath to calm himself.
It had only happened once.
Today was merely the first attempt; there would be countless opportunities to make that little thief leave of her own accord!
While Linburton’s eyes burned with determination, Seres, sitting at the study desk, spoke heavily:
“Linburton.”
“Yes!”
Linburton responded immediately.
After a long silence, Seres murmured almost to herself:
“…I wonder if this was the right thing to do.”
Grand Duke Seres.
Ruler of the Grand Duchy, undefeated in battle.
It had only been a couple of hours since she had orchestrated Melissa’s outing, yet Seres felt more mentally exhausted than in any battlefield engagement.
This was not physical fatigue but psychological.
Fighting a massive monster or thousands of bandits would have been easier than dealing with that tiny girl.
Something… something was just…
Seeing Seres’ shaken eyes, Linburton’s heart sank.
To witness his lord in such distress and fail to notice it himself marked him as unworthy of service.
He dropped to one knee, exclaiming:
“I will handle everything from now on, Your Grace! Please, do not worry…!”
“No.”
Pressing her throbbing forehead, Seres cut him off.
“That’s not it.”
A bitter smile appeared on Seres’ face.
To speak so weakly to Linburton, she must truly be exhausted.
Seres exhaled lightly, shaking her head.
“Forget what I just said, Linburton. I was not passing the responsibility to you.”
“Your Grace, but—!”
Linburton tried to argue, but Seres raised a hand to stop him.
After a few more attempts, Linburton finally lowered his head, clenching his fists.
Watching him, Seres allowed a small smile.
To reveal her inner thoughts, which she normally never did—perhaps her mind was finally showing its weakness.
She clicked her tongue softly and continued in a low voice:
“Do not worry.”
She lifted the corners of her mouth slightly at Linburton.
“There will be no mistakes next time.”
Yes, there would be no mistakes.
Next time, she would ensure that the little girl walked out on her own.
Seres pressed her throbbing forehead and began handling the documents spread out on her desk.
Watching their lord display such focus despite physical pain, Linburton clenched his fists until his knuckles ached.
‘Your Grace…’
Biting his lips, Linburton finally lifted his gaze to Seres.
The lord’s commands were absolute.
But to ensure that the lord remained at peace was also his duty.
He would endure any pain for that purpose, even if it meant disobeying orders.
