Chapter 65
The estimated time to reach the Eckhart Grand Duke’s territory was about three to four days.
However, it took us five days to finally reach the entrance of the territory.
If the schedule was delayed, I thought it would be because of Aslan, not because of Theodora.
“Mom, don’t die!”
I couldn’t even think of getting out of the carriage, being completely burned out.
It was only three days.
For three days, I was pushed to my limits.
Theodora deliberately called out ferocious beasts for me to fight.
I thought I could rest at night since I worked hard during the day, but at night I was subjected to strength training.
Last night, I even caught bandits.
Even if I’m currently a princess with a criminal status, how could those sent by the Emperor to protect me do this!
When I said that, Theodora looked at me proudly and said:
“It was easy for you, wasn’t it? As expected, your fundamentals haven’t gone anywhere.”
…Honestly, it was easier than I thought.
While my strength and stamina were running out, Minerva’s basic stats were so absurdly high that I barely managed to get through it.
Saying that dealing with beasts and riffraff wasn’t challenging enough, Theodora mercilessly put me through strength training.
It was truly chaotic, with Aslan going wild on her own, saying they were bullying her mom.
Still, we somehow managed to arrive.
Even with a child who finds it incredibly difficult to just sit still, it didn’t take up to a week.
Aslan’s consideration shone even more brightly when we were with the knights who had pushed their charge so hard.
“You’re not coming to your senses. Come on, get up.”
Theodora tried to support me, but Aslan pushed her hand away forcefully and growled.
“Bad lady!”
“My, I’ve really become disliked, haven’t I?”
But even Aslan knew deep down.
That Theodora wasn’t doing this to me with bad intentions.
The proof was that she didn’t actually bite.
Still, unable to control her anger, she snarled at the knights.
“Bullying Mom! Our Mom doesn’t like lifting heavy things!”
Well done, my child!
Honestly, it was cute how this little thing was standing up to adults, fiercely taking my side, but even a grown-up should know when to stop acting spoiled.
I dragged my unmoving legs and barely managed to get out of the carriage.
All of Aslan’s attention immediately focused on me.
“Mom, are you okay?”
“Of course, Mom’s fine.”
“This is fine? Human words are difficult.”
“…”
Faced with this merciless factual violence, I didn’t add any more words.
As I barely crawled to the main gate, it opened as if it had been waiting for us.
An elderly gentleman with white hair looked momentarily surprised at my condition, then quickly composed his face as if he hadn’t seen anything and bowed.
“We’ve been waiting for you, madam. I am Lawrence, the butler of the Eckhart Grand Duke’s household. Please forgive us for not being able to welcome you more grandly.”
Have I seen him somewhere? I felt strangely familiar with this elderly butler.
Though I don’t think I’ve seen his face before, I might feel familiar because he seems glad to see me.
“No, it’s fine. I’m not in a position to nitpick anyway.”
It was already grateful that they were willing to receive us, so it would be impolite to be picky about the reception.
Anyway, now that we’ve arrived at the Eckhart Grand Duke’s territory, it was time to part with the Imperial Knights.
They were the Emperor’s knights after all, so it had already been a stretch for them to come this far.
The face of the demon instructor disappeared, and Theodora smiled faintly before bowing her head formally.
“Then, I wish you good fortune, Your Highness.”
The other knights followed suit and bowed to me.
Why would they show such support for a princess who has already fallen from grace?
The three days of harsh training were a bit too much, but if it had been just me and Aslan alone, it would have been quite difficult to get here.
I expressed my gratitude on behalf of the real Minerva.
“Yes. Thank you for everything. Send my regards to Her Majesty. Without mentioning Aslan.”
“But…”
Theodora looked at Aslan awkwardly, as if to say ‘how could you do this?’
Aslan was still growling at Theodora.
Still, it’s best to part on good terms.
“Come on, Aslan. It’s time to say goodbye to Theodora. Say your farewells.”
When I gently pushed her back, Aslan glared at each of the knights with a sulky face.
One common thing between children and animals is that they instinctively know who’s on their side.
Aslan actually knows that Theodora is on our side.
Relaxing her eyes, Aslan chewed on her lips a bit shyly, but gave a clear greeting.
“…Aunt Theodora. Other aunts and uncles too. Thank you for protecting Mom and me. Goodbye!”
The first smile she showed them landed a big punch in the hearts of Theodora and the knights.
As revenge against me, Aslan had sat on the knights’ solar plexus for 5 minutes each night, disturbing their sleep.
Thanks to that, the knights had accumulated quite a bit of fatigue, not much less than me.
Above all, ‘aunts and uncles’ must have been titles the honorable Imperial Knights had never heard before.
But now she calls them aunts and uncles, finally smiling at them – how could their hearts not ache?
Theodora grinned at Aslan’s brazen charm.
“Yes, Lady Aslan. We wish you well.”
Unlike their sudden arrival, the Emperor’s knights disappeared from our sight very slowly.
Perhaps secretly reluctant to part with them, Aslan couldn’t take her eyes off the knights’ carriage until it was out of sight.
* * *
“The madam and young miss will be using the annex. His Grace the Grand Duke has already arranged everything with people who can keep their mouths shut.”
While we were saying goodbye to the Imperial Knights, all our luggage had been carried by the employees, so we only needed to enter ourselves.
Lawrence led us inside.
The mansion of the Eckhart Grand Duke family was comparable to the imperial palace.
Both in terms of appearance and security.
Knights and gatekeepers were appropriately stationed here and there, and none of them paid any attention to us.
The Eckhart Grand Duke’s territory is a neutral zone.
Even imperial princes can’t touch it carelessly, so it should definitely be safe.
But I still couldn’t resolve my doubts about why he readily agreed to take charge of my safety.
To ask about that, I carefully probed Lawrence.
“What about the Grand Duke Eckhart? Since I’ll be in his debt from now on, I feel I should at least greet him.”
“Ah, about that…”
Lawrence started to look at me cautiously.
Did I make some unreasonable request?
No, it’s natural for a guest to greet the host.
Fortunately, Lawrence seemed to think the same, as he apologized carefully, trying not to offend me.
“His Grace the Grand Duke extremely dislikes meeting people…”
Ah, now that I think about it, I remember.
Even when there were marriage talks during my heyday as a princess, he expressed his difficulties only in writing multiple times, and only met the Emperor at the very last moment.
And even then, he wore a pure white mask.
Even when he ran into me, he just gave a slight nod and went on his way.
I could still vividly remember that pure white mask and navy blue hair that seemed to ignore me as it brushed past.
Understanding roughly what Lawrence was trying to say, I waved my hand.
‘I had something I needed to talk to him about.’
Things are getting complicated from the start.
Perhaps he’s not as welcoming of me as I thought.
We were originally on terms where we both had fits rejecting the marriage proposal.
On top of that, I’m now a fallen princess who has nothing.
Grand Duke Eckhart probably doesn’t think much differently about me, so I was curious why he took charge of my safety.
But thinking about it a little, it was easy to conclude that he didn’t step forward voluntarily, and the Emperor must have forced him to take me in.
Noticing my slightly dejected reaction, Lawrence tried to change the atmosphere and comforted me with a gentle expression.
“Instead, the Grand Duke’s subordinate will personally take great care to ensure that the madam has no inconveniences during her stay.”
“…His subordinate personally?”
If he was forced to take me in, he wouldn’t need to send his subordinate personally, would he? It was a more favorable attitude than I expected.
Perhaps the circumstances are different from what I’m thinking.
Deciding to look into this later, I nodded.
“I’m grateful for the kindness.”
Lawrence continued to engage us in conversation, showing his attentiveness until we reached the annex where we would be staying.
Thanks to this, Aslan, who had been tense in this unfamiliar place after parting with Theodora and her group, gradually began to relax.
By then, we had reached the annex, and someone was already waiting for us in front of it.
Lawrence pointed to him and said to us:
“Ah, we’ve arrived. This… this person will be taking care of the madam’s daily needs from now on.”
Lawrence, who had been the epitome of an elegant butler, suddenly stumbled when he saw him, and even avoided eye contact.
However, I didn’t have time to pay attention to that.
Because that subordinate of the Grand Duke was none other than…
“Welcome, madam. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Tall stature with long legs, and rare mint-colored hair.
Blue eyes tinged with gladness and that voice.
Above all, that face I could never forget!
“Lord Mente?!”
Usurpadora
Nossa, como pode ele querer se afundar em mentiras kkkkkk