Steam seemed to curl lazily into the air, softening the edges of the room. The bathwater shimmered, carrying a gentle scent of lavender and warmth. I let out a long, tired breath as I dipped my toes in. Inch by inch, the tension that had clung all morning began to loosen.
Then finally sinking into the water, it wrapped around me like a heavy, soothing blanket.
I stared at the ceiling, leaning my back against the bathtub as I relaxed and closed my eyes. That feels too heavy.
First, that awful dream, and then the situation about Kashmir had me holding a breath I didn't know of.
And now after this one relaxing moment. I have to make up for the work that was supposed to be finished today. It's already evening, so I think I'll be done by midnight....
I spent a few more minutes soaking myself in the comfort of warm water.
After that, I slowly got up and put on my bathrobe—soft and fuzzy.
I walked into my room, where Lilith was already ready with a towel to dry my hair. On the bed lies another nightdress. A white silk dress with black flowers on top.
I sat down in front of the mirror. As Lilith started to dry my shoulder-length hair that should have been at least waist-length.
Looking at my reflection feels like seeing a ghost of the past I didn't want to remember.
One day I'm going to leave this duchy. I shouldn't get too attached, but I suppose the damage of attachment has already been done.
Will I be able to leave when the time comes? Will the kids still hate me then? That I wouldn't know.
"Lilith... please bring me a cup of tea and all the paperwork for today as well as the reports I ordered in this room." I paused and then let out a sigh.
She nodded as she finished drying my hair and then helped me into the dress.
I sat by the window, where there were two sofas and a tea table. The sun was going down on the horizon. A clear picture of sunset...
Lilith brought out all the things I asked for and organized them for me.
"Summon the Knight Commander." I ordered, looking through the reports the butler had prepared.
Well, in summary, Lady Sylvianne Delcour tried to act like the head of the house and went as far as to showcase her authority over the servants in my absence.
I find it amusing. Just like how some people don't know their boundaries. And they don't realize their actions can have consequences.
Then again, it's a power-hungry noble we are talking about. They are too blinded by all this wealth and riches to realize the weight of authority that comes with all the money.
No matter what. In every world there would be morons like Lady Sylvianne.
Though I can't blame her. The house of Delcour would be pretty much falling apart if it weren't for Korvaldt Duchy's support. It might have been as good as gone. But the master had pity on his cousin. He made House Delcour a vassal just for his cousin sister.
Hah... what a great man he seems...
But I'm not going to pity someone who doesn't even have the normal
human decency.
She, who couldn't even control her gambler husband and son. Dared to lay her eyes upon a duchy while she couldn't even command a viscounty.
I don't feel pity for Lady Sylvianne… though she does seem pitiful due to her situation. However, she brought it upon herself. She had time to change. But being the foolish and arrogant woman she is, she did nothing.
Truly I feel bad for her daughter.
Lady Sylvianne married off her youngest daughter to a much older nobleman just because of money.
Just to pay off her husband's and son's debt. And the nobleman that little girl was married to already had 2 wives. On top of it, he was abusive. In the end that poor girl died at the age of 17.
So, putting Lady Sylvianne Delcour's past and present actions into consideration... I have every reason to pull away the support they get from House Korvaldt.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly the knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Come in."
The Knight Commander Malen Veyran walked in. A gruff man in his early 40s with a commanding presence.
"You summoned me, Your Grace," his voice steady and low.
"I did…" I looked up from the papers in my hand. "Prepare for the routine inspection at the beginning of the next month. Just the usual four of us. "A beat passed. "And have the Viscommander strengthen the guards throughoutthe ducal estate. And do not let anyone from House Delcour enter without my permission."
He just nodded along as I continued, "Alaric, Isolde, and Cedric will be leaving for the academy next week, so prepare for that as well."
I looked out the window. The sun has set now as the darkness of the night has settled in.
"Do you have any news about the things I told you to look into last time?"
"Unfortunately, the rat we caught was just poor bait," his voice serious. I hummed in acknowledgment.
"You may leave… and if you find something, report to me without delay."
He nodded and bowed, then turned around and left without a word.
Soon Lilith came with my tea and settled in gently.
"How is Kashmir doing now?"
"Young Master Kashmir has gone to sleep after having some soup, and I have told the nanny to take good care of both young masters." She paused and then continued, "And I told the maids to prepare dinner and sent it to Lord Alaric's room. And Lady Issa and Lord Cedric had lots of snacks earlier, so they said they won't be having dinner." She finished reporting before I could even ask any further questions.
That's so Lilith-like.
I smiled a little. "Good work, Lilith...and don't bring my dinner. I don't have an appetite today." My tone is lighter now.
"But Your Grace—"
"Shh… no need to worry; I'll be fine." I looked down at the papers again, taking a sip of the slightly sweet and warm tea just as I like.
"You can go rest now. for the day."
I could feel that she wanted to argue but decided not to as she nodded and left.
Hours blurred together as I went through the reports and letters. Some complain about the problem of commoners… some from nobles. reports stating the obvious tax increase in the recent crops.
What a headache.
In the end it was almost dawn by the time I sorted everything out.
I carried my tired body to the bed and fell face-first into the pillow; within minutes, exhaustion took over, and I fell into a deep slumber.
Reminds me of my days as a lawyer, man.