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nChapter 73

nProofreader: somnium

nLysia became Artizea’s lady-in-waiting..

nThis was what many people expected. If she was the successor to Baron Morten, her status and position would be appropriate for the lady-in-waiting of the Grand Duchess. Her age was also the same.

nIn addition, Artizea showed her more than usual favors from the start.

nArtizea gave Lysia a room next to her. She also attached three personal maids.

nShe picked the best of her own clothes, repaired them, and even presented them as a gift to Lysia.

nThere were quite a few clothes in her closet that she hadn’t worn yet, and in Evron Grand Duchy it was hard to get a fine cloth. Even though they have the money.

nLysia refused, bewildered.

n“You can’t give it all to me like this, Grand Duchess. Besides, these clothes were a gift from the Grand Duke…”

n“Don’t worry. I know it’s not polite to give what you have received as a gift to others. This is all I bought separately, so I hope you don’t mind and accept it.”

nArtizea said so.

n“Because my lady-in-waiting’s outfit is related to my status as well.”

nLysia looked embarrassed, but she accepted it gratefully.

nIn fact, she only had one or two dresses, so she needed such consideration in order to stand next to Artizea.

nBaron Morten is poor. The village of the rebels itself was like that as well.

nIt was supported by the Evron Grand Duchy. However, creating a village cost a lot of money. They had to avoid the imperial eyes, too. They couldn’t guarantee a generous life.

nLysia wasn’t very interested in luxury from the beginning.

nSo it was Artizea’s desire to put her in fine clothes and hang jewels around her neck.

nAt times Artizea felt skeptical, she seemed to be trying to compensate for her guilt that way.

nBut she had no reason to hold back her desire to do so.

nAt least as much as she received from Cedric, it was right to repay it to Lysia. It was originally Lysia’s.

nArtizea also sent a person to the Baron Morten. It was to help Lysia bring any items she needed and to take care of Baron Morten’s affairs.

nNaturally, the maids became polite to Lysia. It was because unlike Aubrey’s time, they realized that Lysia was going to be the second-in-command.

nShe wasn’t able to return after the New Year’s banquet, so she wrote a letter to her father.

nTo my father,

nI am doing well. I’m sure you heard the news that I’m now working as the Grand Duchess’ lady-in-waiting.

nI apologize for not being able to discuss it in advance because it is sudden.

nHowever, for the Grand Duchess, there is no other lady-in-waiting at the moment, so I cannot leave her. As it was, Aubrey would have been there, but she made a mistake and was kicked out.

nMany were afraid because Count Jordyn’s daughter had been kicked out.

nBut in two or three days, everyone understood the situation and the stronghold quickly returned to normal. Her Grace, thankfully, did not hold aunt Margaret or uncle Aaron accountable.

nI think it’s because she favored me as a lady-in-waiting.

nThe Grand Duchess is cool, but she is a dignified and elegant person. She has certain rewards and punishments to match her authority.

nIt was the same this time, the Grand Duke didn’t interfere with the work of the Grand Duchess.

nEvron has never had a mistress for too long. At first, everyone felt a little confused, but now it is ordinary.

nAccording to Aunt Margaret, even though she stood by the predecessor Grand Duchess, she was married young, and she was sick all the time and died early.

nBesides, the Grand Duchess is full of wit and intelligence. The officials are afraid and respectful because she has already discovered problems with the territory many times in unexpected places.

nAbove all else, she loves and trusts the Grand Duke.

nShe’s not far from politics, but she doesn’t seem to be the one who will pull the Grand Duchy into a political battle, as my father concerns.

nThe Grand Duke did not marry for that purpose.

nIf there is anything I am anxious about, it is that the Grand Duchess is undeservedly too generous to me.

nI’m afraid I don’t live up to expectations, and I’m worried that I won’t be able to return the loyalty and favor as much as she has given me.

nHer Grace is planning to pick up only the loyal subjects of the Grand Duchy and bring in two more ladies-in-waiting. When that time comes, I’ll go home once.

nLysia.

nAs Lysia was finalizing her letter, Artizea came into the room.

nLysia quickly stood up from her seat. Rize put the tea tray down on the table.

n“Just sit down. Are you writing a letter?”

n“No, I’m done.”

nLysia shook the letter to dry the ink, fold it, and press it on one side.

nAnd she quickly opened the lid of the tea container.

n“What are you going to do?”

nArtizea asked. Lysia blushed her face.

n“If you allow it.”

n“Yes, you may.”

nArtizea said so as she sat down.

nLysia wasn’t very good at pouring tea.

nShe first scooped the tea leaves with the tea spoon and transferred it to the teapot. Her hand, pouring the hot water, trembled.

nWhen Artizea did it, it was very simple and beautifully done.

nBut she didn’t know why it was so difficult when she did it herself. It was even more so when someone was watching.

n“You just have to practice slowly.”

nSaid Artizea.

n“In a warm area, it is said that thinning the water stream and dropping it from a high place makes the water softer, but in this place the water cools down. It is natural that you are not used to it.”

n“Because we didn’t have all the tools at our house.”

nLysia said. In her childhood she was educated. However, she did not actually have a chance to practice.

n“I’ll learn it thoroughly before the winter passes.”

nLysia knew that Artizea brought tea these days to teach her and do it in front of her.

nWhen Artizea heard the words, she smiled faintly.

n“I don’t think that the beauty that the social world demands is indicative of the dignity of the person and the culture.

n“Yes.”

n“But, the one who cares can reduce the risk of being attacked. Because it is related not only to themselves, but also to the eye of the person who chose them.”

nArtizea said so, thinking about the time when Lysia became Empress.

nShe is the Saint Empress and will receive the love and support of the whole empire.

nHowever, it was the imperial socialite where Lysia really had to live.

nBeing the daughter of Baron Morten was one of the factors that made her an easy target.

nThe pious ladies sided with her, but not a few laughed at her for not being educated because Lysia was from a rural village.

nOf course, Lysia wasn’t sorrowed or saddened by that.

nStill, it was not bad to reduce her weakness in advance.

nLysia took Artizea’s words completely differently. She thought that ‘the person who chose her’ was not Cedric, but Artizea.

nShe smiled.

n“Yes, I will practice hard and become a lady who will not embarrass you.”

nArtizea looked at her with a slightly surprised expression. And she lowered her gaze down.

n“I’m grateful that you treated me with a sincere favor.”

n“Why do you say that when it’s a natural thing?”

n“Actually, I thought I couldn’t help it if you were a little more stubborn. Aubrey was rude to you and was disloyal to the Grand Duchy, but you think that’s normal.”

nArtizea sighed lightly.

n“It’s foolish, of course, that Aubrey couldn’t hide her true intentions, but I think her punishment could be enough. That’s why Count Jordyn wasn’t penalized for it.”

n“Your Grace is mistaken. You being the Grand Duke’s choice is enough to receive our loyalty and love.”

n“Is that so?”

n“I think it was a very good choice.”

nLysia put her hand on her chest and said politely. And she smiled.

n“But, even if Your Grace was not the kind of mistress that the people of the Grand Duchy wanted… I would have been very happy.”

n“Lysia….”

n“Because then His Grace would choose not for his responsibility, but for his own happiness.”

nArtizea turned her head away to hide her trembling sigh.

nAlthough she was sincerely happy with Lysia’s words, she felt the pain that felt like a big needle pricking the inside of her chest.

nAlthough she was temporary, she felt sorry that she was married. Because it seemed she didn’t return Cedric to Lysia in full.

nNevertheless, she feels secret joy in hearing Lysia says that she is Cedric’s wife. She felt guilty for it too.

nArtizea’s facial expressions became complicated, so Lysia thought that she had made a slip of the tongue.

nShe looked carefully at Artizea. Artizea knew, then said, as if making excuses.

n“I hope you don’t get it wrong. It has nothing to do with His Grace’s preference.”

n“Grand Duchess.”

n“Cedric is a good lord to serve. That’s why he decided to trust the Marquisate of Rosan. That’s all.”

nLysia looked embarrassed.

nThere was a knock on the door. Lysia checked her watch. It was snack time.

nRize opened the door. As usual, Cedric stood with a plate of cookies in his hand.

nArtizea naturally stood up from her seat.

n“Welcome.”

n“Just in time.”

nCedric smiled as he saw the tea ready.

nLysia brought a new cup and put it down in front of Cedric.

n“Her Grace prepared it in time.”

nCedric put down the plate of cookies and sat down.

nArtizea picked up one of the teacups and its saucer and moved about a third of the homemade cookies. She then told Rize to bring a tray and placed the cup and cookies on it.

nCedric wrinkled eyebrow.

n“If I’m interfering, I can leave.”

n“No, it doesn’t, I have some work to do. Lysia, could you serve His Grace with the tea instead?”

n“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll do it for you.”

nLysia said in confusion.

n“It’s because I don’t want to be disturbed.”

n“But Your Grace…….”

n“Isn’t it the lady-in-waiting’s job to serve guests on my behalf when I’m busy?”

n“But……”

nArtizea pressed Lysia’s shoulder lightly to indicate her to sit.

nAnd she slightly bowed her head to Cedric.

n“Excuse me.”

nThe wrinkles in Cedric’s brow were like fluctuating change in the earth’s crust, turning into towering mountains and deep valleys.

nWhether she noticed or not, Artizea left the room as it was.

nRize bowed with a face like a guilty prisoner about to be executed. Then she picked up the tray and followed.

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