🔊 TTS Settings
On one side of the Cliff Castle courtyard, several carpenters clung to large logs, sawing away.
Swish, swish. Swish, swish.
Sawdust flew up with every pass of the saw.
On the other side, someone was sanding the cut wooden beams smooth.
“Why do we need so many beams as thick as an arm?”
One carpenter asked a colleague.
“Who knows? I haven’t seen the full design. We’re just doing what we’re told, right?”
“True.”
“We’re supposed to paint them once we’re done cutting, right?”
“That’s what they said. All of them, in navy blue.”
Even while working, the carpenters tilted their heads in puzzlement.
“What are they planning to do with so many pieces cut to the same size?”
“Beats me. Maybe they’re going to cover a wall with them?”
“No way. They’re too short to cover a wall. You’d need longer pieces for that.”
“Hmm… yeah, you’re right.”
Their curiosity wasn’t easily resolved.
And they couldn’t understand why no one was removing the rocks from the ground.
“Why mess with the basement storage in the first place, instead of using perfectly good spaces?”
“Exactly. I don’t get it at all.”
“Doesn’t that lady know anything about interior design?”
Then one of them shook his head.
“No, I don’t think that’s it.”
“Yeah, now that you mention it—she seemed like a pro when picking out the wood. And the way she gives instructions, she clearly knows how to manage a team.”
The carpenters all nodded in agreement.
“Well, whatever. Let’s just do what we’re told.”
“Ah, she’s coming. Quiet down.”
The carpenters’ curious eyes followed the retreating figure of Marie.
Marie Whitehouse, the object of everyone’s attention in Cliff Castle, continued giving orders as she walked through the construction site.
“No, this marble color is too plain. The pattern stands out too much. I want something more subtle and luxurious.”
“Understood. I’ll look into other options.”
When they went down to the basement, they found an empty work area.
The clutter had been cleared, but it was still dusty, and the air wasn’t entirely clean.
Bang, bang. Clatter, clatter.
Inside, about ten workers were fitting frames into the cliffside windows.
Marie inspected the progress and gave instructions directly to each worker.
“There—the frame isn’t level. Raise the left side about 0.5 cm.”
“Yes, understood!”
What had once been just a rock-framed window to keep out the rain was now being fitted with a luxury frame.
“You over there! The stone you added to the recessed wall doesn’t match. Find one with a more similar tone.”
“Yes!”
With people scattered throughout the wide area, Marie’s voice naturally grew louder.
“Over there! Fill in that nail hole so it’s not visible. We’ll touch up the color later!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The staff responded loudly to Marie’s commands from every direction.
Not a single one of them showed doubt or hesitation.
They had come to trust her expertise—there were no objections to her authority.
“Miss…”
Mildred, clasping her hands together, looked at Marie in awe.
“Hm? What is it?”
“Miss… Even if your personality changed because of all you’ve been through, how can you possibly…”
Mildred’s face showed signs of admiration, though she was clearly still trying to process what she was seeing.
“…How what?”
“How can you direct people so efficiently? You seem like someone who’s led teams from high positions before.”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Marie had no choice but to brush off the question with a joke.
‘No matter how much someone changes, it’s not like they suddenly become a construction supervisor—especially someone who was once a recluse.’
But the current Marie was someone with experience running an interior design company.
This level of work was nothing for her.
She had plenty of experience supervising construction projects.
“Are you going to keep supervising sites yourself for your interior business?”
“Hm? No. I’ll hire a site manager.”
“Right? Thank goodness. So it’s only because you haven’t hired one yet.”
Mildred let out a sigh of relief.
It was reassuring to see Marie’s leadership in action, but a noble lady couldn’t possibly stay at a construction site all day.
“It’s not a job you can give just anyone. You need someone experienced and competent.”
“Whew, I see… But I never imagined you’d be able to handle such tough work yourself.”
“…Anyone can do it with enough experience.”
While speaking with Mildred, Marie called out to a worker.
“Here! This wall is way too sharp. Sand it down so it’s smoother.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Marie’s orders continued without pause.
Soon, the butler who had followed behind her spoke up.
“Lady Whitehouse, will you have enough time?”
“I have to finish before the Duke returns. Punctuality is basic.”
“As expected…”
The butler looked at her in admiration.
“Yes?”
“Oh, forgive me if I was rude. It’s just… you’re unlike any noble lady I’ve met.”
“In what way?”
“Well…”
The butler seemed unsure how to phrase it, but eventually gave a warm smile and continued.
“I’ve had more opportunities to observe you since you’re staying at the castle.”
“True.”
As a guest in a castle with no master, the butler wanted to treat Marie with the utmost care. He had done his best to look after her.
“But what’s strange is this—normally, you’re so gentle… but on the construction site, it’s like you turn into a commanding general. Even your voice tone changes.”
He emphasized the words “commanding general,” mimicking her stern expression with a furrowed brow and tightened lips.
“Haha, really?”
Marie chuckled at the exaggerated gesture.
The butler laughed heartily too.
“It’s so nice to hear cheerful laughter in Cliff Castle for a change. We haven’t had much of that lately.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. We’re more used to destroying beautiful houses than decorating interiors.”
“…Excuse me?”
The butler realized he had misspoken and blushed.
“There’s a rumor that Duke Bloodstone destroys noble houses… is that true?”
“Oh, uh, well… He has demolished homes before to develop farmland.”
His face stiffened.
But Marie, oblivious to the awkwardness, quickly brightened.
“Oh, farmland development? Duke Bloodstone must be an excellent lord. He must care deeply for his people.”
Clearly, the rumors about him were exaggerated.
“Y-Yes, indeed. In any case, I hope the Duke arrives soon and likes the interior.”
Still, a hint of concern lingered in the butler’s voice.
—
Click.
The office door opened, and Lieutenant Josh greeted Calix with a cheerful face.
“Welcome back, my lord!”
Calix silently took off his gloves and handed them to a servant.
“Any issues?”
“None at all.”
Josh returned to his desk to sort through documents submitted by estate managers.
He was selecting key reports to show Calix, who had just returned from an inspection.
“How was the inspection today? I’m sorry I couldn’t accompany you—there was too much paperwork.”
“Nothing unusual.”
This particular inspection had felt especially long.
Though it was a peaceful time, the border near Calix’s estate always saw minor skirmishes.
There was also a slum in a neighboring territory, and incidents there often affected his land.
Still, whenever he showed his face in an area, peace would follow.
Because people feared him—as the “Destroyer of Cliff Castle.”
“The Destroyer of Cliff Castle is here!”
“Hide, quickly!”
He didn’t enjoy being seen as a monster.
But it was effective—and far less exhausting than dealing with nobles.
“But this estate was just inspected not long ago. Is there a reason you went again so soon?”
“…”
Josh was curious about the repeated inspections, but Calix didn’t answer.
Truthfully, he had left the estate on purpose.
He didn’t want to influence the design with his own preferences, nor did he want it tailored to the princess’s tastes.
He was simply curious what kind of design Marianne Whitehouse would come up with, with no guidance.
Whether she truly had the skill to run a business.
And when it came to business, Calix never made careless decisions.
“Ah, by the way—about the matter you
asked me to look into. It seems Baron Nathan Barrett is pursuing marriage with Lady Whitehouse.”
“What?”
Calix froze mid-motion, just as he was about to open the cabinet to get some whiskey.
