Chapter 60
Chapter 60
====
The next day, Dielo called Rick to his office and gave him an order.
"Deal with all the spies within the mansion that have been identified."
Dielo's expression was said to be chilling as he issued that command.
That meant he was very angry.
Thus, for the first time since Dielo became the Duke of Argenta, Rick's execution of traitors was 'carried out.'
It was on a different scale than when those directly involved in the poisoning incident last time were disposed of.
Over the course of a few days, quite a number of servants were dragged out.
I knew that Rick held the title of executioner, but hearing it again made it sound like a brutal word.
The servants, while trembling with fear at Dielo Argenta's new appearance, also held expectations.
"The Duke has finally decided to become firm."
Some even said this.
"Could it be that he's angry about the Duchess being seriously ill?"
This was mainly said by servants on the 3rd floor and below.
"Well, they say the Duke is head over heels for the Duchess."
"That's right, if it hadn't been for the Duchess that day..."
"Shh, be quiet."
I heard about the reactions and came to a conclusion.
"They're taking the bait well."
Pielle, who had delivered the news, simply lowered his head at my words.
"Still, some servants will be caught and dragged out for a while, so the atmosphere in the mansion will become grim."
"Yes."
Pielle lowered his head.
"Make sure to pay a little more attention to the 'real' Argenta people so they don't become anxious. It would be a problem if those who have given their true loyalty become uneasy."
"Understood."
Pielle bowed and added another greeting.
"For Argenta."
* * *
"The Duchess was proactive too?"
—Crunch.
Redius Argenta was in the knight's quarters.
Strictly speaking, he didn't have any rank within the royal guard.
If you had to say, he was the commander of the 4th district of the Endless Sea, but that only referred to the area he was in charge of, and his actual position was that of a senior knight.
"Yes, that's right!"
The knight who was politely answering his words while peeling an apple to offer was Betty, the youngest knight of the royal guard.
The mansion, which was stable for those who weren't spies and had a more brutal atmosphere for those with even the slightest fault, had become more peaceful than before.
'The Duchess led this kind of atmosphere...'
It was hard to believe that she came from Alloze, where they prioritized the execution of individual orders over internal unity and viewed servants and knights as expendable.
Wasn't she adapting too well to the Argenta atmosphere?
He couldn't help but praise the new Duchess.
"So, you see, this time, Jenny..."
Knight Betty subtly began her story.
He was currently in the middle of relationship counseling.
He looked at the youngest knight, who was troubled by love in her prime.
"I think she likes another knight. But I don't think she's aware of it? That knight doesn't know either. If I... if I interfere now, would that be wrong?"
Betty was having the biggest dilemma of her life.
Redius said with a solemn face.
"No one will know your feelings if you don't express them."
Betty paused at his words.
"But when you taught us strategy, you said we shouldn't reveal our feelings—"
"Is love a war?"
Redius frowned. Then he paused.
It is a war, isn't it.
Having gained an important realization, he subtly changed his words.
"Love is... like a one-on-one duel on the battlefield."
A one-on-one between commanders, a fierce battle! But a battle that cannot be hidden!
The result must be concluded between them!
"Ooh..."
Betty, impressed by the famous line, nodded repeatedly.
"I think I understand something!"
...What did she understand?
But since enlightenment means gaining a hundred different understandings even if you only teach one thing, Redius thought it wasn't an area he should touch.
"Anyway, the Duchess proactively told them to weed out those guys..."
The actual order was given by the Duke, but it was said that the Duchess's intentions were clear in the process of conveying it.
In fact, it meant that the Duchess's intentions had a great influence on the Duke's decision.
What kind of conversation did they have?
He was supposed to see them soon, but he hadn't been able to yet because he was busy with the sea.
Redius regretted that fact.
In the meantime, the Duchess seemed to have deeply permeated among the Argenta people.
But it wasn't an unpleasant intrusion. Rather.
'The servants' thoughts have changed a lot since the Duchess first came.'
'She's paying more attention to the Shadow Supply than I thought. I didn't think she would because she was from Alloze.'
'That's right, since one day, not only basic supplies but also things we need separately have been supplied, so I'm even looking forward to supply day.'
When Redius met the families of Argenta who had died in battle or retired, they all smiled and talked about the Duchess.
'I was so surprised and grateful when the Duchess appeared on the battlefield last time. She must hate fire since she's from Alloze...'
'Especially when she stopped the Duke's rampage...'
Since then, some of the Argenta, who had become even more devoted, had gathered their hearts and presented her with a swimming pool made for her.
'My mother is enjoying herself since the Duchess took over the Shadow Supply. She said she found a dream she had forgotten in her childhood.'
'You too? My younger sibling said they were happy because they found a hobby.'
Among the servants of the mansion, those who had family members who had died in battle or retired quickly felt the changes in the Shadow Supply.
That a small amount of sincerity had been added to the barren Shadow Supply, which had only supplied essential items, since one day.
It might be annoying from the manager's point of view, but after Krua took over the Shadow Supply, she carefully examined the characteristics of those who received the supplies.
And she added one or two things as a surprise gift.
They weren't expensive either. Magic paints designed to make painting easier, or cross-stitch supplies, etc.
'The Duchess personally picked them out and sent them?'
Krua simply said it was out of gratitude for those who had devoted their lives to Argenta, but it came across differently to Argenta.
They clearly felt that the Duchess was someone who cared about each individual Argenta.
And Argenta were people who did not forget even small favors.
In that way, the Duchess and Argenta were getting closer much faster and deeper than Redius had thought.
"The Duke..."
Redius muttered.
"Yes?"
Betty perked up her ears. She was clearly expecting a brilliant line about her love life.
Of course, there was no such thing, so Redius waved his hand.
"It's nothing."
Then he continued the thoughts he had swallowed.
I think the Duke is already head over heels for the Duchess.
More than I thought.
Redius sighed. He knew how dangerous love was.
It is love that breaks down the cold-hearted and blinds the eyes of the intelligent.
I hope the Duchess is as good a person as I saw her on the battlefield last time.
I hope she is a strong person.
But if not...
"I think it's time to properly greet her."
Krua was a double-edged sword to Dielo Argenta, who had hardened his heart because he was afraid of people leaving his side.
She could hurt him, or she could save him.
Since there was still time before the sea became busy.
It was time to see her once, up close.
* * *
It was a relatively leisurely afternoon when I received Redius Argenta's formal request for a visit.
But it wasn't a servant, maid, or knight who brought the news, but Dielo.
"If you're uncomfortable, I'll tell him to withdraw."
I didn't think Redius would ask Dielo to tell me directly.
Was he worried because it was a request for a visit to me?
"I heard that there's nothing more uncomfortable than your husband's family."
But the words that followed from his mouth were really unexpected.
"Yes?"
Could it be that he came to me on purpose to ask me that?
I chuckled softly.
"No, I'm not uncomfortable."
If that's what he meant, even more so.
I don't know where he heard about such things as in-law relationships, but I was grateful for the consideration.
But Redius Argenta didn't seem like the kind of person who would torment his new Duchess.
Besides, there was no reason to distance myself from him, who was a major force in Argenta.
"How can I tell him to withdraw a greeting to the Duchess?"
Even if he's someone who will leave someday, I have to do it properly when I do it.
"It's either do or don't, Argenta. If you're going to do it, you have to do it right, being the Duchess."
Dielo, who had tilted his head slightly at my words, smiled brightly.
"Krua is a really precious person."
"?"
Whether he saw me blinking or not, Dielo gestured to the maid.
"..."
The maid bowed her head and silently retreated. She must be going to tell him that I had accepted the request for a visit.
Watching that, I felt a little uneasy again.
Redius Argenta.
Dielo's teacher and uncle, and a mentor who serves as an elder of the family, the only blood relative of the Argenta main family.
The fact that he was asking to meet wasn't a bad sign. No, it was actually a good sign.
This was a completely new development that wasn't in the original story, so I felt a little uneasy.
If I was going to die by following the original story, I shouldn't have had a contract marriage, so why am I so nervous?
I stroked my cold hands.
"Are you cold?"
Dielo gently took my hand.
The sense of stability between warmth and heat that I always felt enveloped me.
A softly smiling face, a bright smile.
"..."
It was a smile that I had become familiar with. So much so that my heart would ache a little if that smile disappeared from his face.
When did I get so used to it?
I shook my head.
He had a face that could captivate people, but I couldn't be captivated.
And so, the next day, a tea time was scheduled.
