The Past Life of the Arrogant Archduke - Chapter 30

During the month since the wedding, while they were unable to see the Madam, the remaining attendants were educated about the Madam’s preferences by Baroness Sophie, who knew her best.

Ah, by the way, Nanny Sophie was granted the title of Baroness in recognition of her role in raising Yulia well.

As she had supported the now Grand Duchess Yulia all this time, the Empress—who had gained significant political advantage from the marriage—revived Sophie’s former noble status. Sophie had come from a fallen noble house, but was soon granted the surname ‘Walnut’ and the title of Baroness.

It was a fortunate development. After receiving her title, Nanny Sophie could now stand proudly as a member of the Grand Duchess’s closest circle.

While the attendants dressed the Madam with the utmost care, Yulia and Nanny Sophie were too busy laughing to pay much attention.

Seeing their Madam not even glance toward Raymond, the attendants began to subtly check his reaction.

‘Oh dear, Madam… just look at the Grand Duke once, please.’

Everyone was silently praying in their hearts. Perhaps their prayers worked, because Yulia looked at Raymond and smiled sweetly.

After a month of diligent grooming, Raymond had become a dazzlingly handsome man, like a gleaming jewel. When he returned her smile with one as sweet as honey, the female attendants—who had no resistance to the Grand Duke’s looks—collectively went weak in the knees and swayed.

‘Oh my. Oh dear. Oh my!’

Yulia blushed shyly, then turned her head back to the nanny. Raymond thought to himself,

‘Haah… I don’t want to be the Grand Duke.’

He wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with his master, his wife, his Yulia. Just the two of them, rolling around until they got sick of it. Ah, not that he ever would. He wanted to do it forever. Just like this.

But at the same time, he wanted to give Yulia, as the Grand Duchess, only the very best. A status where she would never have to bow her head to anyone.

And for that, he had to work…

Raymond let out a deep sigh inwardly.

***

After successfully hosting the imperial delegation for the Sword Master and concluding the vassals’ banquet, Butler Sebastian returned to his study.

He looked out the window for a moment, watching the red sunset just before the sun dipped below the horizon at the Grand Duke’s estate, then began preparing documents for the Madam.

These included files summarizing the internal affairs once handled by the previous and the one-before Grand Duchesses, documents on military supply operations during monster outbreaks, and, most importantly, paperwork for the large-scale temple construction project the butler had focused on over the past month.

Currently, the holy water produced in the northern temples is reserved exclusively for soldiers and knights who battle monsters—an acknowledgment of their sacred duty to protect humanity.

The holy water used at the grand ducal estate is specially ordered from the capital. This is the same for other northern noble houses. Naturally, it comes at a higher price.

Since the marriage, the consumption over the past month had been considerable. Anticipating steady future usage, the butler thought it best to build a large temple within the territory.

That’s because the Madam would surely have a hard time keeping up with the Grand Duke’s exceptional stamina.

As the one overseeing the household affairs of the grand ducal estate, allowing the holy water or anointing oil necessary for the sacred marital life of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess to run out was simply unacceptable.

Because the documents were important, the butler personally carried them in his arms and was accompanied by knights as he made his way to the Grand Duchess’s office.

Still, the butler harbored some concern. Managing the internal affairs of the vast northern domain under the Grand Duke was no easy task.

All previous Grand Duchesses had grown up as noble daughters of the North and had received education in governance from a young age, but even they had struggled at first.

‘I hope the Madam doesn’t find it too difficult.’

Clutching the documents tightly, the butler resolved once more to provide her with as much help as he could.