Chapter 18

“Name your desire.”

My single sentence froze everyone.

“I will punish you according to your choice, whether it is the law of the Eclipse Duchy or the Imperial Law.”

However, my benevolent smile remained unwavering.

May’s face instantly turned pale. Her followers, kneeling beside her, looked up at me with the same expression.

From their slightly trembling eyes, I could read a feeling more profound than fear.

In the room, which was now filled with silence, only the trembling breaths of the people remained.

With a cold gaze, I looked down at them, a smile on my lips.

“L-Lady Chacha…”

A voice filled with terror trembled pitifully.

‘They must be afraid of death.’

According to the ducal law, since they tried to harm the duchess and a direct descendant of the Duke, they were to be executed.

Would it be any different if we followed imperial law?

No. In cases where a noble is harmed, there is no specific punishment, but most sentences are equivalent to death.

So they knew. They knew that they would die.

“I-I’m sorry. I, I have… I, I have committed a crime worthy of death…”

Only then did May begin to shed tears. As if her dignity was no longer needed in the face of death, she crawled on the floor, still on her knees.

As May’s attitude changed, her followers also burst into tears. Some bowed their heads, and others clasped their hands together in supplication.

“I have committed a crime worthy of death, Lady Chacha…!”

“Please, please forgive me just once. I will never do it again!”

“P-Please, spare me…”

Their appearances were all pathetic. Among them, May, who was begging for forgiveness most desperately, was enough to arouse sympathy.

But such a pathetic image of a beautiful woman was useless to me, who had hardened her heart.

I had spent several years with Helena, who was more beautiful than her, so I was immune to beauty.

“Lady Chacha, please spare me just once. I will do my best. Please give me one more chance…”

I listened to her words in silence, gave a small cough, and then asked her, “My maid must have begged you, asking you to save me and to call a physician.”

“T-that’s…”

“Did you grant that request then?”

I saw the faint glimmer of hope that had briefly flickered in her eyes shatter into a million pieces.

‘I don’t plan to kill them, though.’

I had pressured them as if I would, but I didn’t actually intend to kill them.

If I executed them, even if there was a justifiable reason, it might backfire and turn everyone in the Eclipse Duchy against me.

‘According to imperial law, it’s a death sentence, but the right of disposition is mine.’

I considered various situations, my head cool and calm, in contrast to my chest, which was hot with anger.

‘This is enough.’

I watched them for a little longer as they bowed their heads, crying and begging for their lives, then I waved my hand gracefully.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me. Aside from the occasional sniffle, not a sound could be heard, not even the rustle of clothes.

“Since you have not chosen your punishment, I shall pass judgment.”

I looked at the tear-soaked people one by one and opened my mouth.

“The punishment for these individuals will follow Imperial Law. According to precedent, most cases result in a death sentence, but…”

I trailed off, and the eyes of those who had sensed the worst one by one were now focused on me.

“I do not wish to go that far. However, since your crimes are not light, I shall have your names removed from the census and your commoner status revoked, reducing you to slaves.”

In this unequal, class-based society, my decision would be perceived by those around me as, She is merciful because she did not kill them.

However, with the memories of my previous life, I felt this punishment was too severe, and it left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.

This thought was not lost on those who were about to be reduced to slaves; they no longer wailed, but they looked stunned, as if their souls had left their bodies.

Because in the Empire, slaves are not considered people.

The Empire still had a system of slavery. Slaves were not treated as people but as private property, not citizens of the domain.

They were mostly mobilized for jobs that common people avoided.

They, too, would probably have to labor for the rest of their lives in the dreaded magic stone mines of the North.

“Take them away.”

When I did not say anything more, Van, with quick-wittedness, began to handle the situation.

The knights bound the hands of the culprits and dragged them out one by one.

Some of them, having regained their senses as they were being led away, shouted something at me, but I no longer paid them any mind.

‘I’m tired.’

My condition had improved a lot after taking the medicine, but I still felt exhausted. It might have been the result of the tension of the past few days finally releasing after handling this issue.

I looked at Van, who was fidgeting anxiously beside me.

“I apologize, Lady Chacha. I did not know they would go this far…”

“It’s alright.”

I shook my head.

“As the head butler, it’s hard to know every corner of the castle. That is why you need people around you to inform you. It’s their fault, not yours.”

I said this, but Van’s expression was still dark, as if he felt sorry for the time I had to endure.

‘Hmm…’

I wish he wouldn’t take it so hard.

“Van. It’s not a replacement, but could I ask you to handle the cleanup from here on?”

“Of course, Lady Chacha.”

“Since we have to replace the people, there will be a lot more to take care of for a while. Please bear with it a little longer.”

I could see Van’s expression ease. No, it was more like he was touched. My actions seemed to have built goodwill instead.

“Lady Chacha, you should rest now.”

Tully said.

I gave him a grateful look and, after they left, I flopped down onto the bed.

My heart, which had been so tense, stretched out as if it were a new day. It felt refreshed.

I felt like I could finally have a good night’s sleep for the first time in a long while.

***

The next day.

My body was truly sick, but the immense release of tension was the main reason I slept almost an entire day.

It was the first time I had felt so refreshed since I came to the North. It had been a long time since I had a morning with such a peaceful body and mind.

And what I felt as I started the day with a refreshed feeling was,

‘The effect is good.’

The effect of the commotion I had caused was immediately apparent in just one day.

A simple breakfast was prepared, which was as extravagant as an afternoon banquet, and as if they had repaired the heating magic tool while I was asleep, the chilly air in the room was now warm.

Even if I stepped out into the hallway for a moment, all the servants showed an attitude that was not just respectful but impeccably disciplined.

Not only me but Annie also received different treatment.

“Since last night, a lot of servants have started approaching me to get along. It’s still a bit awkward, though.”

“That’s a relief.”

The situation was changing more smoothly than I had expected. It seemed that there would be no more unnecessary hardships like before.

‘But…’

I wasn’t entirely free of worries.

It was because of Nine.

After the chaos from yesterday, Nine must have heard about this by now.

However, Nine had already not fulfilled my request to manage the servants, so he might be displeased that I took care of the situation myself.

And if so, he might finally take action, as he hadn’t done anything before.

‘I can’t gauge what he will do.’

He’s not an easy person to predict in the first place.

As I was taking a light walk, lost in my thoughts, I suppressed the emotions that were welling up inside of me.

I had resolved the situation as best as I could. But a part of my heart still felt a sense of sorrow about this situation.

Because I love Nine.

But he doesn’t just not love me; he despises me.

I was so sad about my current situation where I had to worry about what kind of harm the man I love would inflict on me.

‘…’

I quickly shook off the negative thoughts that were trying to delve deeper.

No matter what, Nine is the male protagonist of this world, and a gentlemanly and wonderful person.

My current situation is just a special case where misunderstandings have piled up, but that doesn’t make him a bad person.

‘I’ll just have to do my best from now on!’

An opportunity to resolve the misunderstandings would surely arise.

If Nine does take action, perhaps I will finally have a chance to interact with him and clear things up.

With lighter steps, I finished my short walk and went inside the castle.

“…”

What’s this?

The moment I stepped inside, I felt a strange atmosphere.

It was distinctly different from the mood just this morning, much more than just a change from yesterday’s commotion.

‘Has Nine already taken action?’

I could feel my heart beating a little faster, but I tried my best not to show it and walked to my room as if nothing was wrong.

This strange atmosphere intensified as I got closer to my room.

I started to feel different gazes from yesterday. I didn’t have time to guess what kind of emotions were contained in those gazes.

When I finally reached the front of my room, I was met with an unexpected person.

“Lady Chacha.”

It was the head butler, Van. Laura was standing next to him, and while it wasn’t strange for Laura to be there as my close attendant, it was strange why the busy Van was waiting for me here with such a solemn expression.

“What’s going on?”

As I approached calmly, Van knelt on one knee.

It was a formality that he hadn’t used often lately, an excessive formality that was now more for show.

He knelt on one knee and raised both hands to offer me a box.

The box, placed on top of a red and soft velvet, was not very big and looked luxurious.

The delicate carvings showed the hard work of a craftsman. Just by looking at the box, it was not difficult to guess that the item inside was of great importance.

“What is this?”

I asked first, full of curiosity, but Van only smiled and didn’t answer.

In the end, I carefully took the box.

“Can I open it?”

“Of course.”

When I took the box and asked, Van answered with the brightest expression.

His expectant reaction made me even more curious.

‘Based on its size and shape, it doesn’t look like an accessory…’

I tilted my head and opened the box.

“Gasp…!”

The moment I saw the item inside the box, I couldn’t help but shut my mouth tightly.

If I didn’t, I would have gasped in shock like Annie, who had her hand over her mouth.

The servants who were loitering around also let out a short gasp, unable to suppress their surprise.

“This is…”

And for good reason, inside the box was the Duchess’s Seal of the Eclipse Duchy, made of magic stone.

It was a seal that could only be made by the Eclipse family, as they monopolized 70% of the magic stone mines.

It was a valuable, expensive, and, most of all, precious item.

Because only one person could use it.

‘The Duchess.’

Giving this meant giving me the internal administrative authority.

‘What does this mean?’

While I was in a state of confusion, Van spoke.

“The Duke sent a message that you can use the office that has been used by the duchesses for generations, starting today.”

Van’s face, as he delivered the message intentionally for others to see, had an indescribable sense of pride.

“…I see. Thank you for delivering the message.”

I couldn’t exactly know the Duke’s intentions, but no matter what his feelings were, this was a very happy and special moment for me.

‘An unexpected gain.’

Perhaps Nine doesn’t see me as badly as I thought.

I was quietly delighted as I followed Van to the office.

It was at that moment.

“Huh?”

A young boy suddenly popped out from around the corner of the hallway.

Before I could even be surprised by the sudden appearance, the boy ran towards me.

In an instant, the boy’s hand grabbed the skirt of my dress and lifted it up.

“…?!”