Chapter 33
Rubens wanted to strengthen the Emperor’s authority and limit the excessive taxation by the lords of each territory. On the other hand, nobles close to Vladimir wanted to reduce the Emperor’s power and reinforce the tax collection rights of the local lords.
When Rubens discussed national affairs with the officials, the differences in stance were clear. He realized that, if things continued this way, his position as Crown Prince could be at risk. So, he began to diligently search for allies. Among them, the one he wanted most was Frederick.
“If he’s with me, I think I can find a way to get through this.”
“Even if he brings his knights, there’s nothing he can do right now. It’s not like we’re going to war.”
“I don’t need the Winstaine knights. It’s not about Frederick’s strength in battle.”
Rubens shook his head.
“I need his presence. Frederick says he’s nothing, but just having him on my side would carry great meaning. He’s a hero of the nation.”
“……”
“I need his support more than anyone’s right now. And I believe it’s not just for me, but also the right path for the Empire.”
Rubens’ eyes were glowing as if a fire had been lit in them. Vincent realized he could no longer dissuade his lord.
“It’s time to make a move.”
Make a move? While Vincent was wondering what that meant, a sudden hunch crossed his mind.
“When you say make a move, do you mean…”
“I’ll be leaving the capital soon. So get things ready.”
Why is it that ominous feelings are never wrong? Vincent sighed quietly to himself so Rubens wouldn’t notice.
By mid-March, the flowers had started to bloom.
Winstaine Castle, once bleak and desolate like a monster, began to change with the arrival of spring.
The trees adorned with colorful blossoms harmonized with the castle, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere.
Grace felt a flutter of excitement in her heart.
Every afternoon, she took walks to admire the flowers. Sometimes, she’d set up a tea table in the garden and enjoy tea time with the maids.
It also became much easier to paint landscapes. Grace sketched scenes of the castle adorned with blooming flowers. Sometimes, she asked the servants to bring her art supplies outside so she could color the landscapes while looking at them.
After painting several scenes of the castle, Grace’s eyes began to wander elsewhere.
“……”
Curious about the Winstaine estate outside the castle—something she had only seen in paintings—Grace called for Dorota.
“Dorota, I… I want to go out into the village.”
“Where would you like to go?”
“I want to see the place where they were planting crops… like last time.”
Dorota immediately replied that she would prepare a carriage suitable for Grace. However, she added that it would take about three to four days to get everything ready.
After Dorota left, Grace gazed out the window with a heart full of anticipation. The tightly shut castle gates—she would be going out for the first time in months.
“I’m looking forward to it…”
She smiled as she stroked the fox’s back. The fox purred softly and snuggled into her chest.
“So cute…”
The fox loved being petted. If left alone on the bed, it would come over, cuddle up, and nuzzle her with its head.
Other than mealtimes and bedtime, Grace was almost always with the fox. Sometimes, she even painted while holding the fox in her arms.
‘I wonder if it’ll be okay alone.’
She had grown so used to spending her days with the fox that the thought of leaving it behind bothered her. The fox poked its head out of her arms and looked up at her.
“I wish… you could come with me.”
‘But who knows what might happen.’
Since this would be the first time Grace had ever gone out like this in her life, she wasn’t sure if she could take the fox with her. For now, it seemed safer to leave it behind.
‘It’ll be fine…’
Was this how Emily had felt when she looked at Grace as a child? That thought suddenly came to her.
When Grace was young, Emily would always look at her with an indescribable expression before heading out to work every morning. Even as she opened the door and stepped out, her eyes would stay on Grace until the last moment.
Back then, Grace didn’t understand what that gaze meant. But now that she had the fox, she thought she might know.
A subtle sense of guilt that came from leaving behind a small, helpless creature that depended entirely on her.
“It’s just for a day… it’ll be okay, right?”
Grace lifted the fox and rubbed her cheek against its fur. The soft feeling touched her skin.
“Next time… I’ll take you with me.”
The carriage rattled as it left the castle.
Grace stared blankly out the window. The entrance to the castle, once covered in white snow when she had arrived, had transformed into a field full of green sprouts. She enjoyed spotting trees she hadn’t seen before along the way.
“Is your seat comfortable?”
“Yes…! Yes, it is. I like it.”
Lisetta, who was sitting across from her, had asked. Grace nodded with a bright expression.
‘What’s she so happy about?’
It wasn’t like the area outside the castle was anything special. To Lisetta, Grace seemed strange—staring in awe at the ordinary scenery of the estate. With a bored expression, Lisetta looked down.
“Lisetta. I want you to accompany Grace that day. I trust you the most, so make sure she’s safe.”
Lisetta had been tasked with guarding Grace. When Frederick heard about Grace’s outing to the estate, he called Lisetta and gave her the order.
The one I trust the most.
Frederick wasn’t someone who easily opened his heart to others. For him to say he trusted her had always been a source of pride for Lisetta.
But when she received the order to guard Grace, she felt a strange ache in her heart. Because in the end, those words were meant for Grace’s sake.
“Understood.”
Still, there was no choice but to obey the lord’s command. Lisetta suppressed her swirling emotions and answered. And on the scheduled day, she escorted Grace into the carriage.
“……”
Being alone together made the atmosphere awkward. They had nothing in particular to talk about, and neither of them seemed eager to make conversation.
Just get through the day and bring her back safely. It’s a mission. Just a mission.
Lisetta repeated the words to herself.
“Lisetta… right?”
Grace, who had seemed fully absorbed in looking out the window, suddenly spoke.
“Yes, that’s right. You remembered my name.”
“I hope… you’ll take care of me.”
Lisetta responded immediately. Grace smiled as she said it.
‘She’s oddly kind, isn’t she?’
It didn’t seem like the result of etiquette training in the Winstaine estate. Noblewomen didn’t say things like “please take care of me” to their servants. They believed that since they were paying, it was only natural to be served.
“Yes. I’ll do my best to protect you.”
Before they knew it, the carriage had passed the plains and entered the residential area of the estate. When the farmland came into view, curiosity lit up Grace’s face again.
“Um… over there, that…”
“That’s a field.”
A lot of people were gathered in the fields. Some were striking the ground with sharp tools, others were pulling things from baskets and scattering them, while some were squatting and picking things out of the soil.
“Planting… that’s it. That’s what they’re doing right now.”
Grace recalled what she had learned and spoke.
“Yes, that’s right. Seeds need to be sown around this time so they can be harvested in the fall.”
“I was curious. I really… wanted to see this.”
“Have you seen it before?”
“Only in paintings. So… I wanted to see it. And maybe… draw it too.”
“I see.”
It was now well-known that the duchess enjoyed painting as a hobby.
When she had seen the knights training, she had mentioned it, and since then, more and more people had seen her working outdoors. Hardly anyone in the castle didn’t know by now.
“……”
Grace silently watched the people working in the fields.
No matter how vivid the paintings she had seen were, they couldn’t compare to the real thing. The liveliness of the people’s movements, the radiant color of the sunlit earth—
‘Paintings… do have their limits, after all.’
