As I entered the training, my ears filled with the sound of swords crashing. A faint smell of gunpowder and mud mixed together in the air.
I noticed Sir Malen and Sir Daren talking among themselves in front of the path to underground weaponry.
It's where all the weapons are kept. From high-ranking swords to magical weapons, all are kept there. Only people who are trusted can enter, like me, Sir Malen, Sir Daren, and a few other people.
As I closed the distance, they noticed me and bowed.
"You may raise your head." I looked at them, meeting their gaze. "Haven't I told you there is no need to be so formal when nobody is looking?"
"It's a rule, my lady. How can we just address the lady of the house casually?" Sir Daren spoke, his voice gentle and steady.
"like how you used to when I had no title."
Sir Daren froze for a moment, looking away with a hint of guilt. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Sir Malen spoke.
"When shall we depart, Your Grace?" His voice and expression are as emotionless as ever.
"Around three o'clock."
He nodded. Then I continued, "Everything packed in the wagon, I assume? And how is Mala doing? haven't seen her for a while."
"The horse is doing rather great and eating well, I think," Sir Daren said, still not looking at me. I nodded and turned around.
"I'll be back when we are ready to depart."
I walked back through the hallway filled with expensive portraits by famous artists of the era.
Kinda feeling like an art museum...
As I entered the main hallway, my eyes fell on the huge portrait hung in the midst of all the others.
The Korvaldt family portrait. My expression softened slightly as I admired the picture.
In it was the lovely grand duchess sitting in a single chair with young Leo and Kas in her lap; a soft smile played on her lips.
The little one's hand clung to their mother's off-white dress. Kas and Leo's eyes are closed as if asleep. Their burgundy hair drawn with softer strokes.
The grand duchess's forest green eyes sparkling with contentment, the soft brown hair curled into a low bun with a few free strings dangling.
Beside her was young Isolde dressed in an off-white dress with little brown borders. Her round dark blue eyes were much rounder then. Her soft burgundy hair rested against her shoulder.
And besides her was Cedric dressed in a matching brown suit and white bow around his neck. same face as Isolde but much shorter hair.
Behind them was the young Alaric dressed in a similar suit but with a black cape on one shoulder. He has a soft smile on his face looking at his mother and siblings.
And last but not least… Master standing tall behind them all with sharp dark blue eyes and an unreasonable expression on his face. His burgundy hair was combed perfectly, with not a single strand of hair left behind.
My gaze darkened as bitterness filled me like it was drowning me. A sharp pain ran through me as I met with the gaze of Master in the picture.
I pulled my gaze away and continued to walk away.
The past is in the past. I'm much stronger than when I first came...
After a few minutes of walking, I stopped in front of a door. Leo's room.
I could slightly hear the sound of them playing together. Laughing now and then. I knocked once, then paused and let myself in.
"Having fun, are you?" I smiled gently.
Kas looked up, his eyes filled with annoyance. "Why are you here?"
"Hmm… good question." I looked around the room scarred with toys, then looked back at him.
"I'm not going to be home for a few days... Just came to let you know."
Kas rolled his green eyes, and Leo nodded.
"When I come back, would you two like to go to the capital with me?" My voice was calm but with a hint of hesitation.
They looked at each other as if speaking with their eyes.
Leo looked up at me. "We'll think about it."
I nodded. "If there is something you need, tell the head maid or butler."
I turned around to leave but paused and looked back. "Would you like to have lunch with me?"
Kas didn't look up and answered, "No."
Without a word, I walked out of the room and made my way back to my room, which is at the end of the hallway beside my study.
ugh, My head hurts again.
As I reached my room and opened the door e, Lilith was packing my stuff in a bag.
I walked in quietly and closed the door behind me.
I noticed the neatly folded black cape and the black-colored knight uniform on the bed.
though the Dusk Warden's uniform is a dark blue color with a black leaf design on the shoulder and on top of it is the symbol of the Dusk Wardens.
But mine is all black with a long turtleneck that covers my face like a mask.
The difference is nobody will recognize it's the Duchess herself going on Inspection. And other reasons I'd rather not name...
I sat down on the bed with a soft thud. "Lilith, pack the lunch too... I'd eat it in the carriage." I ordered as I fell back on the soft mattress.
I'll miss this softness...
I sighed softly. Lilith noticed that and turned around to look at me.
"Is something on your mind, Grace?" Her voice was leashed with concern.
"How do I get along with the kids without making them hate me even more?" My voice came out too quiet for my liking.
Her expression softened even more. "Don't worry about it, Grace. Surely with time every wound will heal."
I closed my eyes and spoke in the same tone. "But I'm afraid, some wounds leave scars."
"I know. But I pray to God that one day may all your wishes come true," she said gently, finishing packing my bag.
"Bring me a glass of water."
Lilith nodded and went away.
In my previous life as a criminal lawyer, I saw and heard a lot of disgusting things.
Things nobody would dare to say out loud but happen more than people can think.
In this life I'm just experiencing things I only heard about in my previous life, it seems.
I wonder what else there is that would surprise me anymore.
Lilith came back with a glass of water. I sat up straight and took it and drank it in one gulp.
"I sent you lunch to the carriage as you requested." I nodded, setting the glass down on the side table.
"Tighten the security around Kas and Leo's room... and do not let an outsider in."
She nodded, helping me undress and then put on the uniform.
"Everything is ready to depart, my lady."
I hummed in acknowledgment as Lilith did my hair into a low ponytail. It would have been a high ponytail if my hair wasn't shoulder length.
I put on the cape and covered my head with the hood.
We made our way to the carriage outside. Knights are already on their horses waiting for me.
Sir Malen, Sir Daren, and the head butler were waiting for me at the carriage door.
"Shall we depart, my lady?" Sir Daren said, gently taking my hand and helping me get on the carriage as I gave a nod.
The door closed with a soft thud. I looked outside the window, where Sir Malen was getting on his horse, and Sir Daren, on the other hand, gave a kiss to Lilith.
Getting flustered, she gives him a playful hit on his back. A gesture to get him to behave. He chuckled softly as he got on his horse and waved farewell to Lilith.
Such a lovely husband and wife ~. Lilith then turned to me and waved. I smiled and waved back, mumbling a farewell.
As the carriage started to move, I looked back at the mansion one last time and noticed Leo and Kas picking out of the front door, looking at the carriage.
I smiled to myself, a tired and exhausted one. I looked at the seat opposite to me, where a neatly wrapped food basket was. I leaned back trying to relax before we reach our destination, the Eldusk Forest, where I have to ride a horse to go in further.
Aah, the headache is growing again.