Chapter 19
Episode 18
===
Mrs. Isaac’s eyes finally burst with tears. She covered her mouth, as if afraid that sobs would leak out.
“But no matter how hard I try, I can’t return it if the mistress is asleep.”
Grace gently grabbed her gaunt arm and said commandingly.
“Help me wake the Grand Duchess. And cooperate in reclaiming Richmond in the future.”
Mrs. Isaac felt as if someone had poured ice over her head. A cold shiver that started from the crown of her head swept through her entire body, making her fingertips tingle.
It was the words Mrs. Isaac had been eagerly waiting for. How many times had she wanted to shake the dying Grand Duchess awake? She couldn't count the moments she wanted to drive out the Marquis and Marchioness who were acting as masters.
Although she had only met her for the first time today, Mrs. Isaac could not refuse the hand Grace offered. She rubbed the hand that wiped away tears on her skirt, then carefully grasped Grace's hand. Then, she spoke like a knight making an oath.
“If only I can wake the Grand Duchess, if only I can return Richmond to her. I would give my life.”
The corners of Grace's lips twitched slightly.
Arwen Isaac.
The mistress of the Count Isaac family, whom the late Duke trusted the most, and a person who could gather the mistresses of numerous knight families serving the Duke Richmond family with a single word.
That was why she had to win her over before Grand Duchess Eliza here.
Grace held Mrs. Isaac's hand in return.
“I look forward to working with you, Mrs. Isaac.”
The first button in Richmond was well fastened.
＊ ＊ ＊
While Grace was winning over Mrs. Isaac, a commotion was taking place at the main gate of the Main Castle.
“You cannot enter without the permission of the Inner Palace.”
At the gatekeeper's stern words, an old man with gray hair burst into anger.
“I am the head of the Rodeo family, who have dedicated themselves to Richmond for generations! His Excellency has returned and I have come to greet him, yet you dare mention the permission of the Inner Palace!! Open the gate immediately!!”
“I am only doing my best in my job. I cannot open the gate without the permission of the Inner Palace, so please return.”
“You fools!! Did you not even inform His Excellency that we have come?!!”
It was when the old man was raising his voice.
“Anyway, knights are like that. Even when they are old, they are not gentle and have vulgar aspects.”
“They prioritize their emotions and shout first. It seems that the saying that the blood on their hands eats away at their reason is true.”
A mocking voice carried on the wind.
The expressions of the heads of the knight families who had come to pay their respects to Walter froze in an instant.
“What did you say just now?!!”
While Crimson Isaac and Sirius Isaac, who had come with their father to assist him, protested with gritted teeth, the main gate opened and the Marquis faction appeared.
Their attire was different from that of the shabby knights.
The Marchioness frowned at Crimson and Sirius's fierce appearance.
“You were trying to enter the Main Castle in that state?!”
She shook her head slightly and pointed at them with the fan she was holding.
“Do you not realize that your thuggish appearance damages the reputation of Richmond?”
Then Count Isaac, the father of Crimson and Sirius, burst into anger.
“Marchioness, your words are too much! My sons have risked their lives to protect His Excellency for the past ten years. These scars are symbols of loyalty. How dare you call them thugs?!!”
At that, the Marquis stroked his beard and interjected.
“Scars may be badges of honor on the battlefield, but this is not a battlefield, is it?”
“……”
“Don’t make a fuss. Do you know how much other families pointed fingers at Richmond when the late Duke was alive? They said that the knights had taken control of the Inner Palace. Knights have their role, and we, the first-class nobles, have a separate role to play.”
The knights who had gathered clenched their fists.
“There is nothing for you knights to do beyond this gate. Don’t whine about opening the gate, and wait where you are needed.”
“Marquis Lincot!!”
The old man with gray hair burst into a roar, but the Marquis did not bat an eye. Rather, he pointed at the old man's face with his index finger and said each syllable as if chewing on it.
“That is the ‘loyalty’ you should show.”
Laughter erupted among the nobles standing behind the Marquis. The Marquis smiled leisurely and turned his body.
“I will inform His Excellency, so everyone go back.”
Tears of resentment eventually flowed from the old man's eyes.
“Father, let’s go back for now. Let’s go back and wait for contact.”
At Crimson and Sirius's words, Count Isaac nodded slightly. Then, he looked back at the vassals who had come with him and said in a tired voice.
“Let’s go back for now. It seems we won’t be able to meet him right now even if we wait here.”
“We couldn’t protect His Excellency even ten years ago… What if it happens again this time?”
Sirius answered someone’s lament.
“Don’t worry.”
“……?”
“His Excellency is strong. He will call us soon.”
In fact, Walter had ordered the five hundred knights to stand by.
In the end, the people turned away from the closed gate.
The sharp roofs of the castle were like thorns piercing them.
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, Marquis Lincot, who had driven away the knights, headed to the Duke's office with great fanfare.
He had a plan.
The best thing would have been for Walter to die before coming to Richmond Duke's Castle, but the winner always prepares for the next best thing.
The Marquis was confident that he had taken control of everything in Richmond.
First of all, he had troops.
The number of soldiers possessed by the nobles who had turned to the Marquis was greater than the number of soldiers possessed by the Duke faction nobles. And since the knight order and the castle garrison inside the Duke's Castle were also under the command of Count Lewen, even if five hundred knights followed the Duke, they could not move easily.
In addition, all the officials of Richmond Duke's Castle were under his jurisdiction.
There was no place in Richmond where the influence of the Marquis Lincot family did not reach, including finance, law, and minor administration.
Lastly, the Inner Palace of Richmond was also held by the Marchioness.
The Inner Palace plays the same role as the 'Imperial Household Department' of the Imperial Palace, managing maids and servants, as well as coordinating between the Duke and vassal families.
Even a dozen years ago, the person who controlled the Inner Palace of the Richmond Duke family was naturally Grand Duchess Eliza. But now, the Marchioness Lincot is taking her place. The maids who served Eliza have all been kicked out except for Mrs. Isaac.
If Eliza had ultimately tried to exert influence in Richmond Duke's Castle, the Marquis would have assassinated her. It was not difficult since the protection of the Imperial Family had also disappeared. In that sense, it was a good thing for Eliza herself that she had lost her will to live.
The king of Richmond now is Marquis Lincot, himself. He has taken control of everything, including troops, administration, and the Inner Palace.
The Marquis's face, which had been distorted by the Duke's return, gradually broke into a smile.
‘Walter Richmond. He must be very embarrassed right now, right?’
The first place Walter would go to after returning would definitely be the office. However, the office is currently empty. That's because he ordered him to vacate the office.
What kind of expression will Walter be making?
He must be struggling with the vast amount of documents. He doesn't know what to deal with first, or how to deal with it.
He will appear like a savior and teach him one by one, crushing his self-esteem. People become weak when they lose their self-esteem. When he loses his self-esteem and becomes weak, he will decide whether to save him or kill him, whichever is more profitable.
Just thinking about it made him feel thrilled, and the corners of the Marquis's lips kept rising. The moment he placed his hand on the doorknob, his joy reached its peak.
He should open the door without even asking for permission. Urgent people forget etiquette. Even if he just opens the door and enters, wouldn't the Duke be delighted?
However, the Marquis's expectations were shattered as soon as the door opened. No, it wasn't just shattered, it was smashed to pieces!
“What are you doing right now?!!!”
“Ah, no!!”
The screams of the document officials poured out.
The office was a mess, so much so that one would believe a wild boar had broken in and stirred it up. Joseph, who was rummaging through the documents at will, gave a bright expression to the Marquis faction who were looking at him as if he were a wild boar.
“Ah! Have you finally arrived?”
Ah, have you finally arrived?
“What is this nonsense!!!”
The Marquis roared at Joseph. However, Joseph didn't even snort.
Compared to the troll's roar, the old human's roar is cute.
“How dare a knight, not even being able to enter the sacred office, lay his hands on the documents?!!!”
However, this one is much more annoying than the troll.
“There was no one in that sacred office. The master's order was more sacred to me than the office, so I couldn't wait.”
“Then you should have looked for me!!!”
“Ah! There was such a method!”
He clapped his palm and said brightly as if he had realized it, which made him even more angry. Seeing the Marquis's face turning red as if it would explode, Joseph shook a few documents.
“I will do that next time.”
“What documents were you looking for?!”
“What would a knight know? You can find out what's missing by looking for it.”
“You…!! Joseph Rexton!!”
“Ah, and His Excellency said that he needs to rest for a while due to fatigue from the journey. He said he trusts the Marquis completely, so please meet His Excellency's expectations. Then.”
Joseph casually gave a rough greeting and walked towards the door with a swaggering gait.
The Marquis trembled at Joseph's brazen appearance and ordered the soldiers guarding the entrance.
“Bring the documents that guy is taking, immediately!!”
