Chapter 26
Aidan, too, had now reached the age when it was time to marry.
To ensure national security and maintain internal stability within the duchy, the general consensus was that he should take a noble lady from within the Duchy of Cief as his bride.
However, Aidan declared that he would specifically marry the daughter of the King of Altomole.
Even Grace, who had served by his side for a long time, couldn’t understand the reason.
Why Altomole, of all places?
Among the neighboring countries, Altomole was one of the weakest.
There wasn’t much benefit Aidan could gain from marrying the princess of such a land.
What if she were to leak Cief’s information to the outside?
What if she aimed for the Grand Duke’s life?
Would a foreign woman even be able to properly uphold the responsibilities of the Grand Duchess here?
Altomole was a land of mild climate.
Would she even be able to endure life in the harsh terrain of Cief?
Though opposition was fierce, Aidan did not back down.
“I will propose marriage to the Princess of Altomole.
Anyone who speaks further, I will take as standing against me.”
Faced with Aidan’s unyielding command, everyone fell silent.
He had already overridden the opinions of the duchy’s nobles; there was no chance he would now heed Grace’s words, just because they were married.
There’s no greater foolishness than upsetting a ruler with unnecessary words.
As Grace closed her mouth, Aidan raised an eyebrow and spoke again.
“Make sure Floria can enjoy her time in the castle. Assist her in every way.”
“…Of course.”
A maid’s duty is to serve her master.
Even now in her sixties, Grace had never once forgotten that.
Whether foreigner or princess of an enemy nation, Floria was now the Grand Duchess.
She must ensure Floria could live comfortably and peacefully. That would also be best for the Grand Duke.
“I will do my utmost.”
“And…”
Turning over a document, Aidan continued,
“What happened to the maid who searched Floria’s body last time?”
At those words, a shadow passed over Grace’s face.
“That is…”
“To dare lay a hand on the Grand Duchess—unthinkable.”
Grace agreed with him.
A maid should never lay hands on the Grand Duchess.
Though the Duchy of Cief had found peace now, if Aidan were to disappear, the duchy’s future would become uncertain.
It was likely the nobles had secretly instructed that maid in order to protect the Grand Duke.
“Expel every single maid involved in that incident without exception.”
Aidan’s voice was sharp as a blade.
“And apologize for failing to manage the maids properly.”
“Your Grace.”
“Grace, were it not for who you are, you would have been expelled from this castle already.”
Managing the maids was the head maid’s responsibility.
Naturally, this disgraceful event was her fault.
But—
“It was a necessary act. You know it as well as I do.
Had Her Grace harbored ill intentions…”
Then the Grand Duke would have been a dead man.
At Grace’s words, Aidan lifted the corner of his lips in a faint smile.
“If I were to die because of my own arrogance, that would be nothing more than reaping what I’ve sown.”
The ruler of Cief did not fear death.
And so, the ones constantly worrying were always those who served him.
It had come from a place of anxiety, yet the fact remained—
A maid’s body search had frightened the young Grand Duchess.
Grace bowed her head.
“…Understood. I apologize.”
“Apologize to her. I want her to see that everyone in this castle welcomes her.”
So saying, Aidan turned his eyes to the window.
Floria’s homeland, Altomole, was now in early summer, he’d heard.
But here in the far-off Duchy of Cief, spring had only just arrived.
A princess from a faraway land—
Could the Grand Duke truly understand her heart?
After gazing outside for a moment, the man turned back to Grace and spoke again.
“Treat her warmly.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
At Grace’s reply, Aidan returned his gaze to the documents.
“Let me know when she wakes.”
Then he let out a faint chuckle.
“She’ll get used to it if we do it often enough.”
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