I leaned on the armrest, looking out of the carriage window as it passed the street of the capital city. There's still time until the carriage reaches the magic gate.
Yes, an actual magic gate. With it, it only took 2 days for this journey to end. Without it, it might have taken 8 to 9 days just to come back and forth.
I'll be back at the mansion around the evening today...
Ooh. "Stop the carriage," I ordered as the knight opened the door.
"Is there any problem, Your Grace?" "He said curious, as he helped me get down.
Without a word, I walked to the bakery nearby. This one has been quite famous for its cakes nowadays; maybe the kids will like it... I
entered the shop, which surprisingly had very few customers. I walked up to the cake showcase. So many flavors and designs.
I pointed at one of the cakes with strawberry jam and cherry on top. "Is this fresh?" I asked a seller. "It is, Madam! This one is the last one remaining for the day! You are lucky to have come before the second rush hour." He said with enthusiasm. "I assume it's less busy when it's lunch hours?"
"Indeed, Madam. Would you like me to wrap up that cake?" I simply nodded as the seller got to work. I gestured. My escort knight is to pay for the cake and bring it with him.
As I made my way back to the carriage, I noticed some children fighting over what seemed like a piece of bread. I walked over there out of curiosity. "Do you not have anything else to eat?" I asked bluntly. Though it came out colder than I intended it to be. They all flinched away from me as if I were scared. All five of them.
I really am not good with children, am I?
They still managed to nod, still being wary of me. I sighed and reached into my tiny purse and pulled out a gold coin. "This should last you a week at least if you use it wisely." I knelt down and handed it to a brown-haired boy who seems to be protective of the other four. He took it without a word and just nodded with acknowledgment.
I stood up and went back to the carriage, where my escort was waiting with the cake in hand. He helped me in and placed the page beside me. "When we reach the mansion… Give this to Lilith and tell her to tell the children that she ordered you to buy this for them." I said calmly, looking out the window, as he simply said, "Yes, Your Grace," and closed the door. Soon the carriage started to move.
I too had been like those street children, nowhere to go, no food, no money, just life pulling you along with the suffering of this thing called living. Days would pass by. Then some shitty noble—man, people caught us and forced us into slavery. Once you get in it. It's very hard to get out of it. But still Life was simply getting by doing labor work. Sometimes there was food, sometimes there wasn't.
It's just how life is for some unfortunate souls.
Soon the magic gate came into view, and they entered the North.
It would take another hour until we reached the mansion.
I hoped I'd fall asleep, but the thoughts of the past kept on haunting me for a few days. It could be from overworking myself or just loneliness that I won't admit.
For the rest of the ride, I just looked out the window, lost in thoughts, as an hour passed and we got back to the mansion. Without being told again, the escort helped me out and handed the cake to Lilith, who was the only one besides the old butler to greet me.
Though I noticed the strange expression on both of their faces. I sigh softly. and looked at the butler. "Do we have some unpleasant guests?"
He simply nodded, and with a sigh, I made my way towards the mansion.
.
"Where are they now?" I said with irritation. After coming back, I was planning to take a hot shower and relax. But my dear fate does the opposite of what I want...
"The dining hall," Lilith said, following me from behind.
"Dining hall? Have they not eaten lunch?"
"No, your Grace," she said softly. I frowned.
"It's almost evening...." Oh God.
As we entered the hallway to the dining hall. I noticed some knights along the way. They all have this tensed body language.
I stopped in front of the door. Without any further order, the knights guarding the doors opened it.
What I saw only made my blood boil. The five kids have plates full of food that look untouched and cold. And Viscountess Sylvianne Delcour on the chair of house head.
I paused, observing the scene a little more. Kas has a shrimp allergy. Alaric did not like broccoli.
.
"What a pleasant surprise, Lady Delcour." My voice was soft but slightly icy.
"Ooh, Duchess! You are here. Would you like to join us for lunch?" she said Her voice dripping with sweetness and innocence. She didn't even move from the seat, like she belonged there.
"Lunch in the evening?" I said, staring blankly at her as she ignored me and urged the kids to eat. Kashmir was sitting on her left, so she picked up some shrimp prices and tried to feed them to him.
"Lilith, Take the kids to their room. Now. and have the chief prepare something they would like." I ordered as Lady Sylvianne frowned.
"Why are you sending them away? They haven't finished eating yet!" She said, her voice a little raised this time.
. "Kashmir is allergic to shrimps." I said in a matter-of-fact tone. "No, he isn't. Kids need to have nutritious food to help with development. He could be just acting because he doesn't like it," she said as if genuinely worried and concerned.
I can literally see Kas scratch his hands as they turned red.
"Lilith, tell someone to bring some peanuts."
Lady Sylvianne flinched. "P-peanuts?... Why?"
"For you to eat, of course," I said flatly as I watched the maids escort the kids out.
"I am allergic to peanuts, Lady Ladana."
"So is Kashmir. He has a shrimp allergy." I paused before adding, "Then are you suggesting your allergy is valid because you are an adult and Kashmir's allergy isn't because he is a child?"
She stood up in embarrassment and murmured, "I apologize for the miscommunication."
"If you are done with this act of motherhood. Shall we talk? Viscountess Sylvianne Delcour." I said, my voice icy. She flinched but still tried to act as if she had done no wrong.
"What is there to talk about? I'm the aunt of those children. I'm just trying to care for them. what you clearly seemed to lack, my lady." She said it as if she were doing me a favor.
She is really asking for me to just rip her hair out.
"You came only after I had gone out. To care for the children, is that it?"
I paused, taking a step closer and looking her right in the eyes. She looked around uncomfortably before speaking. "I wasn't aware you wouldn't be here."
I hummed, watching her expression carefully.
"First you came to my house. Without any notice. then started to play as the household head. Sat on that chair without my permission. And you still have the audacity to stand in front of me, Viscountess?" I said, my voice calm and composed but cold.
"How dare some lowly, filthy slave speak to me like that!" She said with rage. "Just because you seduced the Duke and married him does not change your lowly birth" her expression darkened.
"For someone who are a vassal noble house under House Korvaldt. You sure know how to overstep boundaries. I have stayed silent about all the problems you have caused out of respect. But you still aim for my seat.... When you can't even care for your own house?"She flinched again.." I don't have to remind you that i have the authority to take that title of Viscountess if i want, do I?"
She froze and stayed silent .. or rather out of fear. House Delcour is a vassal noble house under House Korvaldt. And Sylvianne Delcour is a distant cousin to the late Grand Duke. She always wanted power. She even went as far to seduce the duke just so she can have a more comfortable life. Now that the Grand Duke is gone. And House Delcour is falling apart due to Sylvianne's husband's gambling addiction. She is trying to replace me.
She has no idea how to handle a house or look after children. (Her own two kids are neglected.) Nor does she know how to protect her own title.
"Knights! Escort Lady Sylvianne out. She doesn't seem to be feeling well.
I turned around to Lilith " Please prepare a warm bath" I said with exhaustion. Then she helped me to my room.
Aah my feet hurt from the heel and the wight of this heavy drees.