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Chapter : 28
“Oh my.”
Marianne doubted her eyes for a moment. It was because of the carriages filling the front courtyard of the mansion—one that was by no means small.
One, two, three… A total of five freight wagons were parked there in an imposing line. And the number of horses snorting and stamping in front of them was—well, more than she cared to count.
“Originally, I wished to bring ten wagons in total, but my secretary earnestly advised me against it, saying it might burden Your Highness.”
“Ah, um. This is more than enough.”
Murmuring that, Marianne felt genuine gratitude toward the secretary of Count Croque, whose face and name she did not yet know.
If ten wagons—not even ordinary ones, but ones exaggeratedly large enough to resemble houses—had arrived, rumors would have spread not only through the North but all the way to the capital. And the imperial family’s scrutiny of the North might have intensified even further.
Marianne lightly shook her head, driving away those unhealthy thoughts, then inclined her head slightly toward Count Croque. It was also a greeting meant for Marquis Hill.
“Thanks to you, Count Croque, we’ll have a very warm winter. Thank you.”
As if he understood her feelings, Count Croque responded with a bright smile. He bowed elegantly, straightened himself, and spoke.
“I’m glad that Your Highness is pleased. That alone warms my heart. Next time, I’ll prepare an even more varied selection of gifts.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Ah, it’s almost dinner time. If you don’t mind, I’d like to invite you to dine with us. Our chef is excellent. And I’d like you to meet Cedric as well.”
Marianne smiled and continued the conversation. In truth, her real objective lay in that final sentence.
If she established a connection between Count Croque and Cedric in advance, then even after Marianne herself left the North, the count would have a reason to support Cedric somehow.
Jean, who had been gauging the weather while looking up at the sky where snow continued to fall heavily, bowed again.
“I would be honored. To dine with Your Highness is a privilege.”
“Great. Amelie, please ask Julia.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Leave it to me. I’ll have dinner prepared in the dining hall.”
After giving instructions to Amelie, who had followed her to the entrance hall, Marianne headed toward Cedric’s room. The heavy footsteps following behind her felt unfamiliar, giving her a strange sensation.
“Please wait here for a moment, Count.”
After asking Jean for his understanding, Marianne entered Cedric’s room alone.
“Cedric, did you sleep well?”
“Auu!”
Cedric let out a small cry upon seeing Marianne. He looked adorably dazed, as if he’d only just woken up. She approached him and gently stroked his fluffy hair.
“Ah, Your Highness. You’re here.”
Chloe, who had been tidying the bedroom, came trotting over. Marianne greeted her with a glance and then lowered herself.
“Huh?”
When she matched eye level with Cedric, who was sitting in a chair, the child tilted his head. Marianne lifted the corners of her mouth into the brightest smile she could manage and continued.
“Cedric. Today, I’m going to introduce you to a new friend. I’ll hold your hand, so if you’re scared, tell me. All right?”
“Uh, uh?”
Cedric blinked, clearly not understanding, then let out a small whimper and reached out his hand.
Did he understand her words? Marianne was a little surprised, but she smiled and firmly took Cedric’s hand.
“Uh!”
Perhaps he liked the warmth—Cedric let out another small sound. Marianne patted the back of his little hand with her other one and raised her voice slightly to call Jean.
“You may come in, Count.”
“Uh?”
As if waiting for that cue, the door opened. When the unfamiliar man entered, Cedric stiffened slightly. Marianne extended the hand that had been patting him and gently embraced his rounded, hunched shoulders.
Jean, who had momentarily parted his lips in surprise at how close Marianne and Cedric were, quickly composed himself and knelt on one knee.
“…Greetings. Young Duke of Calais. It is an honor to behold the heart of the North. My name is Jean Croque.”
Despite his deep bow and courteous greeting, Cedric still seemed frightened and tried to pull away.
“Uu, uh…”
“It’s okay. He’s not dangerous. Count Croque is a kind person.”
Marianne whispered softly, soothing Cedric’s shoulder.
“Uh…”
As her voice continued, Cedric gradually relaxed, his stiff body easing little by little.
Watching Cedric closely, Count Croque slowly rose and stepped back. Once he was far enough away not to alarm the child, he smiled gently.
“He follows Your Highness very closely. He must have endured much hardship—how fortunate that such a good person is by his side.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Though Jean was currently playing the role of a count raised near the capital, he was likely originally recruited from the Hill territory or a nearby region. He would understand Cedric’s situation well.
He must have worked incredibly hard to pretend not to care before.
Looking at Jean’s warm gaze as it lingered on Cedric, Marianne thought it had been the right decision to create an opportunity for them to meet.
She was just thinking that perhaps the three of them could even have dinner together—
When hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor, and the door burst open. The one who rushed in was Laurent.
It seemed he had run with all his might from the annex; snow piled on his hair and shoulders had yet to melt.
“Your Highness! Hah— I’m s-sorry for raising my voice! Ah, I didn’t even knock. I’m truly, truly sorry!”
“It’s all right, Laurent. Calm down and tell me what happened.”
Marianne stopped Laurent as he kept apologizing. Chloe quickly handed him a glass of water, and Marianne waited for him to drink and catch his breath.
After gulping it down in one go, Laurent finally noticed Count Croque and froze.
“Count Croque is fine. …He’s on our side.”
“Yes! It’s just that, after hearing what you asked Chloe to watch for, I stayed on guard.”
“That’s right. Since Laurent often works at the annex, I asked him to keep a close watch in case anyone suspicious showed up.”
Chloe nodded. As she added her explanation, Laurent’s ragged breathing finally settled, and he continued.
“Haa… So, Lady Biarritz moved together with the maids. It seems they waited until sunset. In the evening, fewer people bring firewood to the annex, and with guests here today, security was even looser. I—I’m not blaming the count, not at all!”
Though his calm explanation grew a little louder toward the end, no one reproached Laurent.
“Yes. I’m quite all right.”
Count Croque himself spoke gently, putting the matter to rest. What mattered now was the safety of the annex and the supplies stored there.
Marianne stood up, urgency tightening her chest.
“Thank you for coming to tell me immediately, Laurent. I need to go to the annex right now.”
“Yes. I informed Sir Tehez in advance. By now, many knights should already be heading there. And Sir Miel is waiting in the corridor.”
Marianne, who had been patting Cedric’s shoulder, paused. Why was Miel here? He was still someone whose true intentions she couldn’t fully read.
“…Sir Miel?”
“He volunteered to escort you, Your Highness. Since Lady Biarritz might—well—harbor truly ill intentions.”
Unable to bring himself to say something harsher, Laurent coughed and carefully phrased his words. Everyone except Cedric understood what he meant.
Marianne smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“All right. Chloe, please take care of Cedric.”
“Yes. Please be careful, Your Highness.”
“Uu!”
Cedric whined softly, but soon quieted when Chloe soothed him. Marianne gave Count Croque a brief nod, adjusted her shawl, and stepped into the corridor.
“Sir Miel. You’ve heard what happened?”
“Yes. I’ll escort you at once.”
With the situation so urgent, there was no time for long conversation. Marianne followed Miel, walking almost at a run.
What kind of order had Louis given?
If it was serious enough that not just the maids, but even Rusana herself had to go to the annex…
Uneasy thoughts swirled in her mind. Still, Marianne believed that no matter how despicable someone was, as long as they were human, they would retain at least a shred of decency.
“Sir Tehez.”
“Your Highness, it’s dangerous. Please leave the rest to the knights from here on.”
But when they arrived in front of the annex, Marianne had no choice but to abandon that belief. In the snow piled by the less-guarded side door were clear footprints—and the faint smell of oil.
“……”
“I apologize. It seems they infiltrated during the guard shift change. The interior will be secured shortly, so please wait just a moment, Your Highness. I will accept punishment afterward.”
Tehez reported the situation in a grave voice. Standing in the cold wind, Marianne silently took a deep breath.
It’s fine. It might not even be oil. Nothing has happened to the annex.
At least, thanks to Chloe’s keen eye, everyone had been warned in advance.
Amelie appeared and draped a coat over Marianne’s shoulders. Just as her fingertips began to sting from the cold, the noise inside the annex grew closer.
The door opened, and Rusana and three maids were dragged out, bound by knights.
“Let go of me! How dare you treat me this way—do you even know who I am?!”
Struggling violently, Rusana and the maids finally noticed Marianne standing before them. They immediately began shouting their grievances at her.
But Marianne’s gaze was not on them.
She stared at the glass bottle and lamp in the hands of the knight who emerged last from the annex.
If the annex had caught fire—
If that fire had burned not only the building but everything stored inside—
If she had failed to prevent the death that would have descended upon the North—
Her vision turned white with rage.
Step by step, Marianne walked toward Rusana. She raised her hand and struck her sharply across the cheek.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Rusana snapped back instinctively, but upon meeting those chilling, pale sky-blue eyes, she could say nothing more.
With an icy gaze fixed upon her, Marianne delivered her verdict.
“Rusana Biarritz. Take your maids and leave this mansion immediately. This is an order from the Imperial Princess.”
