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Chapter : 26
After Cedric had fallen asleep, Marianne tiptoed into the living room on her heels and let out a soft sigh. It was a sigh that carried both relief and fatigue.
She stretched and quietly asked Amélie, who had followed her, in a small voice:
“How’s the annex coming along?”
“Yes. It’s about half full. If we keep collecting for another week or so, it should be completely filled. However, I’m worried about the heavy snowfall and blizzards—there’s no way to know when they might get severe.”
Amélie replied in a whisper as well.
Half full… Marianne wondered how much that would be for the people of Calais. She thought it over and concluded that when Marquis Croc visited, she should ask him about this and also discuss personal support.
“Hmm… Still, tell them not to overdo it. They’ll probably store a lot in the villagers’ homes as well as bringing it to the annex, right?”
“Yes. The hunters are saying that the winds don’t look good, so the villagers will likely stock up on food and firewood with the money Your Highness provided.”
“That’s a relief.”
In the original story, even when people talked about such preparations, winters in the north were always harsh, and optimism that they would endure it prevailed.
In reality, people were too poor to buy and stockpile much.
But Marianne paid handsomely for firewood, and the knights who came from Hill’s domain spread the word little by little, so the reaction was different this time.
Besides, unlike before, the villagers now had money.
Even though there were eyes watching the north, the royal family couldn’t stop Calais residents from buying food or clothes from neighboring domains for themselves.
And since the watchers were nobles or royals, they wouldn’t care that much about ordinary people.
So far, everything is going according to plan.
Marianne took a silent deep breath. She didn’t know exactly when the blizzard would start, but she clearly remembered that once it began, the first month would be the hardest.
She sincerely hoped that she could save as many northern villagers as possible during that month.
The next day, however, Marianne frowned as she looked outside the window.
Under heavy, dark clouds that seemed ready to touch the ground, fierce winds were whipping so strongly that the window rattled.
Fortunately, it wasn’t snowing yet, but the wind was so strong that it sent people’s hair dancing in every direction as they headed toward the annex, regardless of age or gender.
The weather shouldn’t turn bad already…
Everyone had bundled up in thick clothes, hats, and gloves to keep out the cold.
But according to what she had read, once the heavy snow began, the hunters themselves wouldn’t even dare to go outside. Marianne was worried.
“Your Highness, are you awake? May I come in?”
While Marianne was lost in thought, a familiar voice came from beyond the door. She pulled up her shawl and turned around.
“Yes. Come in, Chloe.”
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
Chloe closed the door, her cheeks slightly flushed from the cold hallway. She checked the fireplace and smiled brightly.
“Good morning. What’s the matter? Is Cedric sick?”
At this early hour, the only reason Chloe would come would be something related to Cedric.
Did the medicinal tea he had yesterday not agree with him?
Marianne asked with concern, and Chloe quickly shook her head.
“Oh, no. Cedric is fine. He’s been sleeping soundly all night. Lord Miel checked his mana and said it’s more stable than before, even if only slightly.”
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
It seemed that Miel had already visited early in the morning. Marianne nodded but felt a twinge of unease.
It would be nice if they had a personal physician.
Even a simple mana check like this wasn’t a problem, but leaving it to a knight like Miel had its limitations.
With the emperor causing such chaos and the household short-staffed, it would have been difficult to bring a high-level physician to Calais.
Furthermore, the physician for a noble family was usually a mage and highly esteemed, so few would want to come to the declining north.
Still, it was fortunate that the medicinal tea was effective, even from the first dose.
“Yes. If he continues the medicinal tea regularly, he should get even better. Oh, and the reason I came to see Your Highness… it’s about Lady Biarritz.”
Chloe’s smile faded, and Marianne recalled the last time she had seen Lusana with a serious expression.
“Now that you mention it, Lusana has been unusually quiet lately. I guess she received orders from Louis.”
Was it when they went to the walls? She had quietly cleaned the annex without question—she probably had some ulterior motive.
Chloe nodded vigorously as Marianne finished speaking. She clenched her fists and pointed toward the annex.
“Yes! The maids following Lady Biarritz keep lurking around the annex!”
Of all places, they were snooping around the annex.
Marianne narrowed her eyes and moved from the windowsill to the table.
“Tell me everything in detail.”
Chloe poured water into a glass and placed it in front of Marianne, then straightened up and replied.
“Yes. They’ve been spending more time trying to gather information from those bringing firewood and checking if there’s any worn or shabby part in the annex.”
“Hmm…”
They’ll be rejected anyway, so why bother with such trouble?
Apart from the household staff, Marianne, and Bertrand—highly exceptional cases—other unfamiliar faces were already known in Calais to support the emperor.
So if they spoke to the villagers, they’d be ignored or receive only perfunctory answers. Yet the maids still wandered around the annex. There was only one reason.
They want to hinder me from helping the north or increasing my influence.
Whatever Marianne did had already reached Louis’ ears.
He would use Lusana to interfere, hoping Marianne would stay quietly until the next oracle arrived.
The suffering or deaths of northern villagers would not stir the tiniest bit of guilt in that petty prince.
What a despicable human being. Marianne cursed silently, took a sip of water, and spoke in a calmer voice.
“What are they trying to do with the firewood? The annex repairs were already finished, right?”
“Yes. Thanks to Your Highness’ help, the walls were painted, the cracks patched, and it looks brand new.”
“Then for now, let’s pretend we don’t notice. But watch to see if they move around late at night or early in the morning. Since their quarters are nearby, I’ll rely on you.”
The female staff all shared the same floor and section for their bedrooms.
They would likely act under the cover of night rather than during the day, so by keeping watch, catching them at the annex should be possible.
“Yes! Leave it to me. I’ll tell Julia, and we’ll watch together. And if they do anything foolish, we’ll catch them for sure!”
Chloe’s eyes sparkled.
Since Lusana supported the emperor and did nothing but annoy them in the mansion, Chloe was excited for the chance to strike back.
Marianne smiled faintly and nodded.
“Thank you, Chloe.”
“No, it’s us who should be grateful. Ever since Your Highness arrived at the mansion, only good things have happened. The mansion is cleaner, we can freely put firewood in the fireplace, and Cedric looks more comfortable and better than before.”
Chloe smiled at her, hands clasped, chattering about Marianne’s praise. Then she hesitated for a moment and continued.
“I know it’s selfish, but I hope Your Highness will stay at the mansion for a long, long time.”
Her sincerity and radiant smile reached Marianne. She lifted the water glass, hoping her awkward smile would be hidden behind it.
“…I hope so too.”
After drinking a full glass of water, she murmured in response, her voice steady.
“Then I’ll prepare breakfast. Please wait a moment.”
“Thanks.”
Marianne waved to Chloe as she left, and only slowly lowered her hand after the door closed.
…I hope she stays a long, long time.
She was grateful that Chloe felt that way. But Marianne was someone who would eventually have to leave.
Her departure would allow Estelle, the half-sister and female protagonist, to come to the mansion and purify Cedric.
Only then could Cedric overcome his current state and, in the future, become the northern duke and protector of the empire, defeating demons and bringing peace.
…Think positively.
Marianne emptied the glass.
Chloe, Amélie, and the others believing in and liking her were proof she was on the right path.
As long as she didn’t twist the original story too much as an extra, it meant she was helping, which was actually encouraging.
So she should feel good about it.
But instead, it just feels heavy.
“….”
Marianne set down the empty glass and walked back to the window.
She opened the curtains, revealing the outside, dark as night. Even with the window tightly shut, a chill rushed in.
The reason soon became clear: one by one, snowflakes began falling from the black clouds.
