A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 88

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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88.
After seeing Leonard off, I washed my face and had breakfast.
Then someone approached me, accompanied by several handmaidens.
It was Marchioness Maddox and the Head Maid.
“Your Highness, shall I show you around the castle?”
Ah. So it begins—territorial games.
The Empress Consort naturally resides in the Imperial Palace, so she has no connection to this Grand Duke’s Castle.
Therefore, the true power of Blackwood after Leonard fell to Marquis Maddox and his wife, Leonard’s representatives.
The Marchioness appeared obedient, but she was anything but.
Despite the Empress Consort herself coming to greet me, she hadn’t bothered to appear.
When I asked the Head Maid about it, this was her answer.
“Madam” was too busy preparing the servant payroll ledgers.
Since Leonard couldn’t possibly handle the servant payroll himself, he must have entrusted it to Marquis Maddox, and through him to his wife.
But even being generous, wasn’t it laughable that she used the title “Madam”?
Moreover, she still hadn’t provided things that should have been handed over immediately upon my arrival.
So yesterday, I had told Leonard everything in meticulous detail.
“They handled their duties well and didn’t overstep their bounds, so I left them be. Technically, Lilith should have done this, but after entrusting her once, the estate’s treasury nearly collapsed from her extravagance. However, it seems problematic for her to continue acting as the lady of the house.”
Right. It was time to establish order.
I smiled brightly at the Marchioness, who treated me like a guest.
“That’s a kind offer. But I believe there are things I should receive first.”
“What do you mean by that?”
The Marchioness opened her eyes innocently and asked in return.
I wouldn’t lose to such transparent tactics.
I tilted my head, covering my mouth with both hands.
“How could you not know? When a new lady of the house arrives, there are things that must be handed over, aren’t there?”
I nodded toward Thetis, and she quickly stepped forward, extending documents.
“Marchioness Maddox. Everything that must be transferred to His Highness from this moment forward is listed here.”
1. All keys given by Leonard
2. Account books and ledgers
3. Servant roster and duty assignments
4. Booklet containing family customs and prohibitions
5. Assistant lady of the house’s seal
There were five major categories, with detailed items listed below each.
“Thetis is meticulous about such matters. You must transfer every single item listed in these documents to me without exception.”
The moment I finished speaking, a chill seemed to sweep through the corridor.
I could distinctly feel the Head Maid and handmaidens behind Marchioness Maddox turning hostile toward me.
But loyalty doesn’t put food on the table, does it?
I smiled gently at the Head Maid behind me.
“Head Maid, your name is Bess, correct? I’m a meritocrat. If you do your job well, I treat not only that person but their entire family with respect.”
“…!!”
“This is Blake, where the strong devour the weak—or so I’ve heard. I hope Blackwood operates by the same principle.”
* * *
After being shown around the entire castle, I joined the Empress Consort and the in-laws for lunch in the dining hall.
The Second Empress, Katrina, proved to be quite different from the Empress—a different sort entirely.
She was gentle and treated me with kindness. Though I would need to observe longer to determine if it was genuine.
“How wonderful it is to share a meal with my daughter-in-law like this.”
“I’m honored, Empress Consort.”
“Come now, call me Mother. Though James has passed and Leonard has taken his place, I regard Leonard as my son as well.”
Oh. I hadn’t expected her to reveal the secret so openly.
I glanced nervously at those around me.
Uncle Maddox, my cousin Gardin, and Princess Lilith continued eating as though nothing unusual had been said.
“Hehe, you needn’t be so tense in front of us. We are Blackwood blood. Among those who know the truth, we know the deepest secrets of all.”
“I see.”
….
Katrina then placed her hand over mine on the table and stroked it gently.
“Thank you for embracing my son with warmth, knowing what he was before. As a princess, such a station must have been difficult to accept.”
“Please don’t say such things, Mother.”
Maddox set down his wine glass.
“Regardless of the Sixth Prince’s former station, no one can look down upon him now, can they?”
“That’s right, Aunt. When I think about it, the current Sixth Prince is far more suited to be Emperor than James was. Even if his bloodline is somewhat… humble.”
“Gardin.”
Maddox’s voice turned sharp, and Gardin coughed awkwardly.
I began to understand why he had insisted on staying close to my side.
Though he appeared to be praising Leonard, he was subtly disparaging his former lowborn status.
I swallowed my anger and offered perfunctory responses to their continued remarks.
“Charlotte, there is something I wish to ask of you.”
“I fear I am too inadequate to accomplish whatever you might ask of me.”
“Nonsense! You are the Princess of Sincester and have won my son’s heart—what could you possibly lack?”
“No, I was simply born a princess and am beautiful, which is why Leonard fell for me.”
“…!”
A sudden silence fell over the dining hall.
If I left it at that, Leonard would seem like a fool captivated merely by appearance, so I added more.
“Of course, Leonard has said I am attractive in many ways.”
“Exactly! That’s what I’m saying. The moment I saw you, Charlotte, I recognized your intelligence and capability. And I’ve heard as much from others as well.”
“…Thank you. But I—”
“Which is why—”
I attempted to emphasize my shortcomings again, but the Empress Consort cut me off abruptly.
“Could you help Leonard from beside him?”
“Help Leonard? What aspect are you referring to?”
As I asked, a giggle came from beside me. It was Princess Lilith.
She quickly returned to her original dignified expression, but anxiety rose in her chest.
“In this Blake Empire, the Emperor must have one Empress without fail, and to maintain the balance of noble factions, he keeps multiple Empress Consorts—daughters from both progressive and conservative noble houses.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“And Leonard will become Emperor. For that, he’ll need considerable support.”
“So…what are you saying?”
Goosebumps prickled the back of my neck.
The Empress Consort smiled softly and spoke to me.
“I’d appreciate it if you could persuade Leonard to take on two or so noble ladies—those who will become future Empress Consorts—as concubines.”
For a moment, I doubted my own ears.
Had I just been asked to create a legitimate route for my husband’s infidelity?
And by my mother-in-law, no less?
I briefly questioned this woman’s intelligence, but then recalled the customs—not laws, mind you—of the Blake Imperial Palace, and I tempered my indignation.
“Mother, what woman in this world would willingly attach another woman to the husband she loves?”
“That’s precisely why you should. True love means being willing to sacrifice for your beloved’s success. Our Blake women have such easygoing temperaments that they get along splendidly with other concubines.”
Just how easygoing did one have to be…?
One thing was certain: I could never become a Blake woman.
“Of course, I’m a considerate mother-in-law who values you, so I welcome whichever ladies you choose. It doesn’t matter if they’re foolish, ugly, or vulgar. But they must be daughters of the Old Divine Forces.”
Before my hardened expression, the Empress Consort, who had been sipping her tea, let out a deep sigh.
“The only issue is that you’ll need to persuade Leonard. He’s always been terribly disinterested in women.”
“…”
“But if you, whom he loves, speak to him, he’ll listen. That’s why I’m asking you.”
The Empress Consort then ordered a maidservant to pour her another cup, saying the tea was delicious.
And I, for the first time in ages, felt dizzy as I rose from my seat.
“If you’ll excuse me, I shall take my leave.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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