Chapter 63
Since they were out to see the portrait, Linsia wandered around the Grand Duke’s Castle with Anna.
The main castle had many storage-like places, almost like libraries, where various items were kept.
From minerals to raw stones, weapons, and armor.
“It feels very different from the royal palace. Everywhere in the royal palace was shiny, but here…”
Anna whispered softly.
It was also Linsia’s first time exploring the Grand Duke’s Castle.
Even just moving around the interior would draw sharp gazes from many people.
Though the severity of such looks had lessened recently, it was still a place that could not be friendly to Durand.
Luckily, there were fewer servants and knights wandering around today. Otherwise, she might have returned to her room earlier.
No matter how much time passes, the watchful eyes of enemies’ children never get familiar.
“Next time we go for a walk, how about exploring the outer castle? There are places there the princess would probably like.”
“Sure.”
On their way back to the bedroom, Linsia heard murmurs from the people.
Anna noticed the commotion too and turned to ask Linsia.
“Could something be happening?”
“Let’s check.”
Following the direction of the sound, they found a group of people gathered.
Most of them were knights who had been displeased at seeing her, and Linsia’s expression stiffened.
At that moment, Anna spoke.
Linsia followed Anna’s gaze.
A tall woman with bright pink hair stood at the center of the knights.
Her teal eyes curved from a joke or conversation with the knights, and she was strikingly beautiful.
Linsia couldn’t help but look at her.
She seemed to blend well with the castle’s people, unlike Linsia herself, though they were of similar age.
At that moment, the woman also noticed Linsia and stopped speaking.
With her voice paused, the knights she had been talking to sensed something strange and looked elsewhere.
Soon, numerous watchful eyes turned toward Linsia.
The corners of the woman’s mouth, which had been smiling, froze coldly.
Some of the knights seemed to try to shield the woman, slightly placing themselves between her and Linsia.
“Sir Shane, please step aside for a moment.”
As Linsia tried to turn away, the woman’s voice came through the knights.
She stepped past the knights and approached Linsia, extending her hand.
“Hello, Your Highness. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Even smiling and offering her hand, Linsia couldn’t return the smile.
In the capital’s social circles, those of lower rank never greet those above first.
The etiquette was probably similar in the Grand Duchy.
In this castle, only Harbich could greet Linsia first.
Even if it was not always strictly observed.
“You are a new face. Who are you?”
Sensing Linsia’s caution from her refusal to clasp hands, the woman withdrew her hand and held her skirt.
“I apologize for the delayed introduction. My name is Noah Aiden.”
Noah extended her hand again.
Linsia stared at it silently and asked,
“Has the etiquette changed?”
“Pardon?”
“If Miss Aiden greets me first, it seems etiquette might have changed.”
Only then did Noah realize Linsia was pointing out the rudeness, and her expression stiffened.
The knights behind her looked even colder, but Linsia did not back down.
Anna stood beside Linsia. How Linsia acted would also influence how others treated Anna.
“And I will receive Miss Aiden’s greeting properly when my husband returns. It feels inappropriate to accept an introduction from an unknown retainer in the absence of the master.”
Since the lady’s attendant would not receive a warm reception if ignored, Linsia clenched her trembling hands.
“Then I will greet you again at that time. It will also be nice to see the lady of the house again after so long.”
Linsia turned to see Noah smiling brightly.
For some reason, it seemed Noah’s gaze wouldn’t leave her.
* * *
Noah Aiden was the only daughter of the Aiden Baron family and had once been considered a potential match for Harbich.
Her purpose in coming to the castle now was singular.
To push out a woman who didn’t belong in her position.
Until now, she had to be cautious because of the royal family’s eyes, but now, leaving the Grand Duchess possibly carrying another man’s child in the Grand Duchy was a problem.
Some retainers liked that the child’s father didn’t matter as long as the woman was a princess and of royal blood.
However, the Aiden family disagreed.
And as far as Noah knew, Harbich would not tolerate his wife’s affair.
However, contrary to Noah’s expectations, Harbich claimed to be the child’s father and even offered her a position in the office.
Noah was surprised by Harbich’s unexpected actions.
Her father, Alcid Aiden, seemed to be extremely shocked as well.
Despite receiving the honorable command to report to the main castle, when he learned the true reason for the office transfer was simply to make a place for the Grand Duchess, he immediately expressed dissatisfaction and searched for a way to stop it.
“The Grand Duke must be completely enchanted by that woman. Setting a place for her in the office.”
“Shall I accompany you when we enter the main castle?”
“Arthur, what could you do?”
“If we just remove the Grand Duchess from this land, isn’t that enough? I think I can handle that.”
The Grand Duchess, whom they met for the first time today, was truly beautiful even to other women.
Her pale skin contrasted with dark navy hair, and her petite frame and innocent, violet-like eyes triggered a protective instinct.
In the capital, she might have been adored just for being a princess, but here, this was the Grand Duchy.
The weak could not survive here.
Enduring two years as Durand in this castle was impressive, but it was possible only because she stayed almost invisible.
If the woman began public appearances, Noah was confident she could push her out.
A woman who could do nothing but be loved.
A woman who had never known hardship.
If reminded of her position repeatedly, she would leave on her own.
Noah watched Linsia’s back until she disappeared from view.
* * *
Harbich arrived at the entrance of the abandoned mine with Roman, the eldest son of the Hesta family.
“This way.”
Following Roman’s guidance, they reached a place full of traces of people being trapped.
The facilities were poor.
Supports roughly fastened with chains had fallen, and the floor was smeared with flesh and blood.
The smell made Harbich frown.
“Were there corpses?”
“No, we couldn’t find any bodies otherwise.”
Harbich slowly entered further. Moss was growing on one wall.
The scale was unusual.
“Were there reports of missing persons?”
“Yes, but we did not look for people who disappeared with their families.”
Since passage between the Cassius Duchy and other territories was restricted, many fled at night, right?
Roman added briefly and sighed.
“Due to the heavy snow, we sent soldiers in case the ground near the abandoned mine was unstable. However, the scout who went ahead has not returned, and when we sent others to check…”
