Who Brought the Head Maid Back? - Chapter 16
After listening intently to Rita, Melbourne stood up with a low grunt. Rita asked, looking bewildered, “Where are you going?”
” ”
He remained silent, glancing around the room. Just as Rita had said, the interior was recognizably tidier. Broken bricks, cracked window frames, and crumbling stairs had all been neatly repaired.
Melbourne hadn’t stayed here out of affection. He had simply remained because the pay was better than for other servants. Thinking back, the reason his commoner family had been able to serve as stewards here for three generations was due to the indifference and negligence of the previous Grand Dukes.
Even if the elder Melbourne or the current one had occasionally felt the urge to improve something, the thought would merely flicker in their minds before vanishing. They lacked both the evidence to persuade the previous Grand Dukes and the confidence to try.
In that way, the elder Melbourne had effectively stifled the courage of the younger, passing down nothing but a sense of helplessness.
But
Melbourne spoke softly. “I should at least show a minimum amount of sincerity to the master.”
He then turned and left the inner chamber. He was likely heading off to consult with the other servants on how to decorate the Grand Ducal Castle before the carpenter arrived.
” ”
Rita watched his retreating back with her mouth agape before unconsciously clenching her fists. With a flushed face, she turned to look at the glass window, newly fitted and gleaming. Beyond it, bare branches swayed in the cold wind.
Though winter was in full swing, her heart was already in spring.
That evening, Amy lowered the letter she had finished reading onto her lap and pressed the bridge of her nose with her fingers.
‘It’s a relief the steward of the Grand Ducal Castle is so quick-witted.’
Hoping to finish the repairs and decorations before Noah arrived, she had pushed the work forward aggressively with Joseph. Fortunately, things were progressing smoothly. She had worried it would be a wasted effort if the other side didn’t cooperate, but they were keeping pace perfectly.
Amy rotated her stiff shoulders.
‘The North isn’t far off now. I have to stay strong.’
She buried her nose back into the documents Joseph had meticulously prepared. It was a report regarding land reclamation and the reconstruction of the shopping district in the village right below the Grand Ducal Castle.
Through mercenaries, she had gathered information on artisans like goldsmiths, silversmiths, brass and bronze workers, cobblers, and skilled blacksmiths and invited them to the North.
The offer was exceptional: she provided the funds for relocation, a storefront, and a reduced tax rate until they were settled. While some refused, most accepted, and shops and homes were currently being built with the cooperation of the steward and local influential figures.
‘If things go well, we might even be able to solve the issue of the extreme cold.’
Amy set down her quill and sank into thought. The Grand Duchy was a land of opportunity hidden under the ice. She hadn’t coaxed the Second Prince into rooting himself there for no reason. In her mind, as she drew the big picture, the Black Mountains located at the northernmost tip of the Grand Duchy appeared.
‘Of all things, the name had to be the Black Mountains. What a coincidence.’
Since they were covered in ice and snow year-round, White Mountains would have been more appropriate. Why that name? Did they know of its existence in the past?
‘There might be a record in the history books, so I should look for it once we get to the castle.’
In truth, the probability of a record remaining was slim. If anyone had known, the North would have become one of the wealthiest places on the continent by now.
Lost in thought, she suddenly looked up. The crackling of logs in the fireplace felt cozy. She was glad to be resting here, as she had been taken aback by how rapidly the temperature dropped upon entering the North.
Just then, a maid knocked and entered.
“시녀장님. It is time for the banquet.”
“Understood.”
Amy organized her papers and stood up. It was time to meet the master of this manor.
” ”
Amy unconsciously frowned. The master of the manor was nowhere to be seen in the banquet hall.
‘What is this?’
When they first arrived at this Lord’s castle, the first they encountered in the North, Count Colman, the master of the house, had not shown his face to Noah. Only the steward had come out to receive them with the utmost hospitality.
The steward had apologized profusely, saying the master could not appear due to certain circumstances. At the time, Amy hadn’t thought much of it, assuming he was just away for a moment. But to miss the banquet as well
‘I heard there were factions in the North opposing Noah’s ascension as Grand Duke. Is Colman one of them?’
Amy glanced at Noah beside her. He could have been offended by the neglect from a vassal family, but seeing him remain calm and composed made her feel slightly proud of him.
Then, Noah spoke calmly to the elderly steward. “Is this Count Colman’s choice?”
” ”
Amy changed her mind. He was offended after all.
“W-what an unthinkable thing to say, Your Highness!”
The experienced steward turned pale upon hearing Noah’s words. He quickly signaled for the servants to leave the hall. Then, he locked the door himself, approached Noah, and knelt on the cold floor.
“To be honest Count Colman is currently hovering between life and death.”
“!”
Both Noah and Amy’s mouths hung open. Amy quickly checked again to make sure the door was securely locked.
“Then, what about the heir?”
“Pardon?”
At Amy’s question, the steward looked blank for a moment before his expression turned troubled.
“That is ”
Amy quickly searched her memory for information on the House of Colman.
The territory is roughly 1/6 of the Grand Duchy and is located on the path to the Empire. The climate is the mildest in the North. The main income is selling sturdy Black Wood from the dense forests. The current Count is elderly and has no children.
“Oh dear ”
Since the Empire and the Grand Duchy had been separated, Noah would have to be the one to appoint the new Count Colman. But if Count Colman truly belonged to the opposition
‘This is bad timing. Troublesome rumors might start spreading because we’re here.’
Rumors like the Second Prince killed the elderly Count to reclaim the title from the opposition. The public doesn’t care if a rumor is true or not; they only care if it’s provocative and entertaining.
‘The opposition will be all too happy to fan the flames of those rumors.’
It was a headache. Amy cursed inwardly, wondering why the path was so mountainous when she already had a mountain of work to do. Then, Noah spoke.
“Where is Viscount Burton?”
“!”
At those words, the steward’s face turned the color of a corpse. Amy knit her brows and searched her mind once more.
‘Viscount Burton is one of the titles held by Count Colman but if there’s no heir, who holds that title?’
The steward slumped his shoulders in resignation and answered honestly.
“Viscount Burton is currently traveling no, he has run away from home.”
” ”
Amy pressed her hand to her forehead again. She had stopped avoiding nobles upon entering the North, unlike her time at the Baron Pallen estate. Since they would have to interact with them eventually, she had hoped for a warm first meeting
‘Why is the road to the Grand Ducal Castle so treacherous?’
It felt like an ominous foreshadowing that her future would be filled with such traps.
“At any rate, Count Colman is still alive, isn’t he?”
At Noah’s question, the steward wiped away his sweat and nodded.
“Y-yes, that is correct. Though it seems he won’t be able to hold on for much longer ”
“We will be leaving tomorrow at dawn, so keep that in mind. No need for a send-off.”
Noah spoke decisively and seated Amy in a chair. Amy, who was half out of it, sat down by reflex before jumping back up in surprise.
‘Wait, I’m supposed to be attending to His Highness!’
But Noah had already taken the seat of honor. Amy reluctantly sat back down. At Noah’s nod, the steward reopened the door, and the servants brought in the food.
After the banquet, Amy and Noah held an emergency meeting. Amy asked the question she was most curious about.
“How did you know about Viscount Burton?”
“I heard the Prime Minister talking about it when I was at the Imperial Palace.”
Amy frowned. “The Count definitely has no children. So who is this Viscount Burton?”
“I heard he’s an illegitimate son.”
Ah, of course. The Prime Minister knew, but because he wasn’t formally recognized, he wasn’t recorded in official documents. That was why Amy hadn’t known.
“So, it’s not an official title, but rather he’s being called Viscount Burton in the North for convenience? I suppose the previous Grand Duke didn’t grant approval.”
“That’s probably not the only thing he didn’t do. The Prime Minister told me to brace myself.”
“Who? The Prime Minister?”
“Yeah.”
Amy pouted inwardly. The Prime Minister, who looked like a pot-bellied weasel in human form, was the Empress’s man. He had likely mocked Noah under the guise of giving advice before Noah left the palace.
“Just ignore people like him.”
As if sensing Amy’s indignation, Noah gave a soft smile. He nodded with a slightly shy expression.
“Yeah. I have you, Amy.”
” Well, that is true.”
Amy cleared her throat with an “ahem” and returned to the main point.
“Out of the entire territory of the Grand Duchy, the area you will rule directly is about one-third. The rest is the fiefdom of the Northern vassal nobles, like Count Colman. Therefore, cooperation with them is essential.”
“Which means things will get difficult if they start interfering.”
“Exactly.”
Noah looked at Amy and said, “And they are probably prepared to hinder me, likely under someone’s orders.”
” ”
Since she couldn’t lie and say no, Amy remained silent. As if he had expected it, Noah quietly lowered his eyes. Silence hung between the master and servant for a while.
After some time had passed
“Amy.”
Noah raised his head and called her name.
“Yes, Your Highness. Please, go ahead.”
Noah swallowed hard and spoke cautiously.
“What do I need to do?”
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