Chapter 30
Chapter 30
It wasn’t long after Josephine was fired. So it was unlikely that Marie would have orchestrated this situation after seeing Josephine get fired. Rather… What if the order list manipulation incident was also instigated by Lady Coleen, and that this incident was also the work of Lady Coleen, who felt a sense of crisis when Chloe gained control of the budget?
If she thought about it this way, everything would make sense and click into place.
‘She may have a grudge, but her scheme has put the other maids whom she doesn’t have a grudge against in danger.’
Chloe frowned slightly. Lady Coleen’s cruelty and ruthlessness made her feel unpleasant.
“Madam?”
It was then that someone called out to Chloe, who was lost in thought.
It was Nina.
“What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing at all. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
Chloe gave a faint smile in response to Nina’s worried tone. Only then did Nina’s expression relax with relief.
Chloe glanced at Marie. Marie’s face had gone pale. She seemed to think she might be held responsible for the incident.
“So, does this mean the picnic is canceled? That’s a shame.”
Nina spoke with visible disappointment. In her hands was a basket full of snacks she had carefully packed.
Chloe hesitated. To be honest, she too felt a bit of regret. It seemed she had been looking forward to the rare picnic more than she had realized.
At that moment, a good idea popped into Chloe’s mind.
“Um, Jacob. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble…”
“Too much trouble? My lady, if you asked us to pluck a star from the sky, we’d be ready to do it!”
Jacob’s exaggerated response made Chloe chuckle. She said:
“Would it be possible for us to tour the knights’ order?”
And so, the location of Chloe and her maids’ picnic changed—from the Ice Pond to the Battenberg Order of Knights.
The moment Chloe made her request, the three knights instantly decided to skip their scheduled training. It was an easy decision, one that would surely lead to fearsome consequences.
The knights’ compound was quite large, including buildings and a massive training ground. Surprisingly, the trio of knights turned out to be decent guides, and Chloe and her maids had an enjoyable time.
Compared to the ducal mansion, the decorations were very simple, but the knights’ quarters had an air of dignity. After the tour, it was time to see the training ground. Jacob proudly led Chloe and her maids in and shouted:
“You punks! Show your respects! This is the Duchess of Battenberg!”
“What?”
“Did he say Duchess?!”
The knights, drenched in sweat from their training, all turned their eyes toward them in shock. Some were shirtless, and Chloe could hear quiet, delighted reactions from the maids behind her.
The knights, now taking in Chloe’s appearance, all paused. Chloe was, quite unusually, a strikingly beautiful noblewoman. And these were men who had devoted years of their lives to training and battle.
So naturally, they were stunned. For a moment, they just stared in awe at Chloe. Then, realizing the situation, they erupted in chaos.
“She’s really the Duchess!”
“Theodore, you idiot, what are you doing in front of the Duchess? Put your shirt on, now!”
“Where the hell is my shirt?!”
The knights quickly straightened up. They lined up in formation in front of Chloe with incredible speed—like when the commander suddenly appears.
“To the Duchess, a salute of loyalty!”
Jacob shouted. The knights stood in perfect formation.
“We pledge our lives and honor to become the sword of Battenberg!”
They shouted in unison. It seemed to be a formal greeting.
Chloe had never heard it before. Naturally so—she had never once set foot in the knights’ compound until today.
As the knights finished their salute, Chloe bowed politely in return.
“I’m Chloe Battenberg. Thank you all for always protecting the estate so diligently.”
Normally, nobles never thanked their knights. It was taken for granted that knights would protect their lords. That they would spend their lives in grueling training and risk their lives with their swords.
But this lady… this beautiful, gracious lady was actually thanking them. Sincerely.
The knights could only think one thing:
‘An angel!’
‘A heavenly descendant!’
From the back rows of the knights, a commotion broke out.
“Thompson, get over here.”
“We need to talk.”
“What was it you said about the lady again?”
“I-I didn’t know she was this kind of person! Wait! Aah! Have mercy!”
No one paid attention to poor Thompson being dragged away. Instead, the knights, all at once, began to wave their hands and respond humbly.
“No, not at all! Please, my lady!”
“It is our duty and honor as the sword of Battenberg!”
Unbeknownst to Chloe, she was already popular among the Battenberg knights. It was entirely thanks to Jacob and the trio. They had never stopped praising her and even introduced a new delicacy called ‘fruity oolong tea’ to the order.
So it was only natural that she quickly became the object of the knights’ curiosity and admiration.
Surrounded by knights, Chloe sat on the steps and chatted with them. She had some experience interacting with the trio, and the knights, having heard so much about her, felt a natural affinity, creating a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Jacob stood nearby, looking quite proud, while the maids huddled together in a group.
“I didn’t know our lady was so popular with the knights,” Marie said in surprise.
“Really. They all seem to get along so well,” Nina added, watching Chloe and the knights with a look of admiration.
To most common staff, knights were figures of awe. They were often of noble birth and, unlike other servants, carried pride, chivalry, and martial skill.
At that moment…
“What’s all this noise?”
“C-Commander!”
The training they had completely forgotten was replaced by panic as the knights scrambled into formation at lightning speed.
Belladonna, the commander of the Battenberg Knights sighed at his subordinates’ selective discipline.
“What’s with all this racket? Jacob, Balt, Abel. Where have you three been? You missed regular training and just sneak back in now?”
“C-Commander! We weren’t slacking off.”
“That’s right! We were on a most important mission—guiding the Duchess through the order!”
“The Duchess?”
Belladonna’s eyes widened at Jacob and Balt’s excuse. He finally noticed the Duchess and her maids descending the steps.
Chloe politely greeted him.
“Hello, Commander. I’m Chloe Battenberg. I apologize for disturbing the knights’ training with my sudden visit.”
Caught off guard by her unexpected appearance, Belladonna momentarily lost his words. Then he quickly bowed his head deeply in return.
“Not at all, my lady. I was only concerned that my men might have shown any rudeness.”
“Not at all. Everyone has been extremely kind and respectful. I’ve had a lovely time.”
Belladonna noticed the prideful and pleased expressions of his subordinates. He gave them a stern glare before turning back to the Duchess with a calm face.
“Your words bring great comfort to this old heart. My lady, if I may, could I trouble you for a moment of your time?”
“Of course.”
Belladonna escorted Chloe to the commander’s office within the knights’ building. Chloe dismissed her maids to speak with him more comfortably and took a seat opposite him.
Soon, a steaming cup of coffee was served. As Chloe carefully sipped from her cup, Belladonna watched her with eyes that gleamed beneath his wrinkled lids.
As she set the cup down, he slowly began to speak.
“I dared to bring you here today to apologize for the disrespect shown to you by my men.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
Belladonna explained the incident when the trio of knights had tea with Chloe weeks ago. Though it had been about three weeks, he had evidently been dwelling on it all this time.
Hearing the commander’s calm apology, Chloe gave a small nod.
