“Yes, if it wasn’t for my greed, I wouldn’t be living like this.”
Before, I lived without caring about other people's opinions, even if I was called a crow.
However, from the moment I lusted after Eric, my freedom disappeared, and gradually I began to descend, sinking into my own hole.
The ridiculous end of this greed was the death of the being most precious to me.
“If I hadn’t been blinded by such petty feelings… Damian wouldn’t have died.”
I grabbed the iron stove and shook it towards the old clock that was ticking non-stop.
buzz-!
I looked at the clock, which had now stopped, and turned away.
'So, it's time to end this.
The time I lived as the evil Cornelia.'
I placed the wedding ring I had intended to return to him on the dressing table.
Then, after gathering the valuables in a bag, I left the room.
Sardine, who was waiting outside the door, took the bag and asked me, “Are you finished with everything?”
"Yes."
Seeing Sardin's faint smile, I couldn't help but smile too.
'Yes, that must have been frustrating for you too.'
I lowered my gaze and looked straight ahead.
"You're not going to get involved in this, are you?
Sardin?"
In response, he looked at me with determined eyes and replied, “No.”
With a smile, I said, “Okay, then, let’s go.”
That was when I came down the stairs and Sardine was following behind me.
In the hallway, there were people, including Landon, lined up.
After a while, Landon leaned over and greeted me, “Ma’am, have a safe trip!”
Unlike before, even with their collective bows towards me, I remained unmoved.
It was time to put an end point.
So, instead of telling Landon I'd be back, I said my final goodbye.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
At my words, Landon initially looked confused but then looked at me with concern.
“Please, take care of yourself.”
“Yes, I will.”
Determined, I left the palace but encountered an unexpected obstacle.
“Madam, please allow us to accompany you on this outing.”
“Surely you don't mean all of you?”
"This is correct."
The knights, led by Commander Chester, who blocked our path before the palace gates, showed a solid attitude.
There were about fifteen of them.
'Why did he leave so many knights?'
Knights were originally knights who belonged to each noble family and received land grants.
Now, they symbolized the status of a leader capable of leading battles.
These knights received high salaries, so it was common for noble families to employ many soldiers and have fewer than ten knights within their ranks.
However, the number of official knights affiliated with the Duchy of Brant reached seventy, including apprentices and apprentices, bringing their number to approximately one hundred and seventy.
Even if the number of imperial knights protecting the emperor and the capital were taken together, it barely reached two hundred, indicating the sheer size of Duke Brant's knight system.
This was partly due to the special status of the Duchy of Brant.
‘With the main territory at the border as a check on the empire, it was an inevitable choice even if the maintenance costs were prohibitive.’
As a result, the Duchy of Brant enjoyed military power comparable to that of the Imperial Family.
In the end, it was said that the Imperial Family allowed the Duchy of Brant to grow to this extent.
‘The Emperor must be very worried… Ah, now is not the time to size up this vibrant knight system.’
I refocused on my purpose and watched the knights in front of me.
‘Having so many escorts for a simple outing is clearly a waste of manpower.’
Near the border in the north, in Duke Brant's main territory, there were about fifty knights stationed, with about a hundred apprentices.
However, the presence of fifteen knights remaining in this quiet capital palace…
‘Perhaps to protect those in the Capital Palace in case unexpected events occur or to ensure that I do not cause any accidents.’
Unconsciously, I clenched my fist.
With so many people following me, it was obvious that my plans would be disrupted if they all really followed me.
‘No matter how much I am the mistress of the house, I have no basis to prevent them from accompanying me.’
If any unexpected incidents occur in the owner's absence and affect me or the Grand Madam, Eric will definitely be angry.
Therefore, it was natural for the knights to step forward to provide protection.
‘However, it will not be possible for all of these individuals to work as escorts.
How should I handle this situation?'
At that moment, the eldest lady raised her voice.
“Isn’t that girl feeling upset?
Why don’t you step aside quickly?”
I almost burst out laughing.
Of course, it wasn't because she was suddenly on my side but because her true intentions were so clear.
Now, the Grand Lady wasn't so much on my side as she was trying to keep the knights away by using me as an excuse.
'She probably wants to set a trap for me, but that will be difficult with the knights around.'
In other words, she wanted to get rid of the knights with the same mentality as me, but the naive knights, who were as stubborn as their master, didn't even listen to the Grand Lady's words.
“This is not possible.
We have received orders from the Duke to take responsibility for the safety of the family members residing in this palace.”
At these words, I looked at the knights.
As a result, those who made mistakes, including Commander Chester, avoided eye contact with me.
'It's true they make me feel bad.
However, if I exploit this to my advantage…'
I spoke quickly.
"No, ma'am.
It's not a hardship at all.
It's normal for them to accompany you as a respected grandma of the house, the eldest member of the family."
Unexpectedly, the eldest lady seemed confused or surprised by my words.
“But haven’t you had disputes with the knights before?
Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable for you if all the knights were mobilized?”
“Thank you for your concern.
But I am not at all disturbed.
They are simply accompanying you out of their sincere commitment to ensuring your safety, ma’am.”
“So, what are you trying to say?”
Already annoyed with me for not agreeing with her, the Grand Madam did not show it openly, but her eyes revealed her annoyance.
I took a breath like a cautious daughter-in-law and spoke.
“However, if too many knights are taken, palace security may become lax.
It may be better to accompany only a small number.”
The Grand Lady then glared at the knights and said, "Yes, your point is logical.
But won't all the knights insist on accompanying us now?"
I immediately approached the knights, and especially Commander Chester.
“Commander Chester, the Grand Lady is going out, but we still need people to guard the palace.
So, I would be grateful if you could reduce the number of escorts.”
“But, ma’am, what if we encounter a large number of thieves...”
“With your skills, wouldn’t five of you be enough?”
Unable to refute my argument, Chester pursed his lips.
Then he finally nodded, "Understood.
I'll just have five of us accompany, including me."
Upon his response, I turned to the Grand Lady and said, “There will be enough people left in the palace, so this number should be enough.”
With a somewhat dissatisfied look, the Grand Lady looked at the knights and nodded slowly.
“Okay, I understand.”
When the eldest lady was about to get into the carriage, I moved to join her.
However, she stopped me and said, "It may be uncomfortable for you to share the stroller with me.
You should ride in your own stroller."
She spoke slyly, suggesting something about my carriage as if she had a pregnant daughter-in-law in mind.
I smiled warmly and replied, “Yes, understood.”
Three knights, including Chester, approached me as I headed toward my carriage.
“Madam, we will accompany you with the utmost care.”
One of the other knights didn't matter, but it would be a little embarrassing if Chester stuck with me.
Chester was so clever, I was worried he would become an obstacle.
“I'm fine.
Please, accompany the Grand Lady.
She might be upset if she realizes that she has fewer accompanying knights than me.”
I thought Chester would understand.
Being the most skilled, it made sense for him to accompany the lady.
However…
“Wilson, go and accompany the eldest lady.”
He sent his subordinate away and followed me.
I sighed and narrowed my eyes.
'Well, it doesn't matter.
If such a small variable could ruin my plan, it never should have been made in the first place.'
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Silently, Chester followed Cornelia's carriage and soon let out a sigh.
What exactly is the Duchess thinking?
At first, Chester naturally thought that the Duchess would refuse to accompany.
'So, I tried to apologize for my mistake and get permission to accompany...'
However, unexpectedly, the Duchess sided with the knights in front of the angry Grand Lady.
'Is this what they mean by having an expansive mind?'
In fact, it should have been their responsibility to convince the Grand Lady.
'But even as she left, the Duchess protected us.'
Reflecting on his past mistakes and vowing not to repeat them, Chester felt embarrassed for demonstrating his incompetence to the Duchess once again.
Chester clenched his fist and looked at Cornelia's carriage with determined eyes.
'I will definitely protect you from now on, ma'am.'