Grand Duchess Madelaine Cajarte

Why did I even bother?

Asking him for getting to know each other more. Have all the shame in my body left when he kissed my hand as he apologized? I never expect that the famous tyrant Grand Duke will ask for forgiveness.

And we agreed that we shall never indulge ourselves in personal matters. Does it mean that by knowing him deeper is a foul? Despite his gentle care that he showed me, currently I'm contemplating whether I shall give him a chance.

That's all, it was. Perhaps, I was just carried away by the mood. Although, when I remember how he declined my offer, I felt so embarrassed. I was almost tempted to borrow a shovel to a gardener and buried myself.

Morning came and found no trace of him when I opened my eyes. I'm curious if did he ever accomplish his motive, watching me fell asleep. Don't assume Madelaine, he might just leave right before I drown to my slumber.

"My Lady, His Excellency and his army had already departed," Celine informed me with worry in her gaze. She might have noticed something when I look around in my room.

"Ah, right." I tiredly get up, only to found out that he didn't even bid me a goodbye. "Please prepare my bath."

Well, isn't this good for me? No madness will disturb me for the time being and I can do whatever I want. Such a great news, yet I'm feeling quite down.

I placed my warm cheeks against to both of my hands while observing my reflection to the mirror. Celine was occupied with brushing my hair after I took a bath that help me to be refreshed. With that being said, she also helped me to wear my dress and that hateful corset.

So, I did say. That without the Grand Duke being here, I can live with ease. Or even do anything that I want.

False.

The only thing that I can do freely is to sigh.

Never imagined that I will have a hectic schedule for today. All I have in my mind was to let the chef cook, enough to have a feast. Being able to eat lavishly starting today.

Because the last time that I had steak with His Excellency, I couldn't bring myself to forget it.

From afar, without even holding a conversation. His deadly presence envelops the dining area. I couldn't chew my food pleasingly. Because every time my eyes will look up, I will see the sight of His Excellency in front of me.

Then, before I knew it. He was already staring, watching me the whole time. Sending shivers to my body that makes me swallow the whole meat hard. As a result, I will get indigestion.

Here I am, thinking that I will be able to eat properly without him.

I bit my lips when all the foods that were prepared wasn't tasted. All the fault to the strict teacher who suddenly came and pulled me away from the dining for just educating me the etiquette lessons.

Disrupting me from enjoying myself. And I thought when we finished early which made me surprised, I will gain time for a walk around the outside of the castle.

Nevertheless, when did this pile of documents appear on my table? That answer why the teacher let me off ahead, as I see this butler smiling innocently at me. Guessing that he scheduled my time into half.

I have to learn in the morning and by afternoon, I will have to take care of these paper. Well, isn't this good for me? Without the madness being around that will disturb me, he left all of his works on my shoulder.

Since the Grand Duke has gone off to war, I have to manage everything from now on. Will I be able to do it by myself? From the financial budget up to the other things, will I survive?

I growled and let my heavy head lie down on the table. Couldn't take the stress anymore. Silently counting the amount of papers beside me that didn't even reduce.

"Madam, have some tea first."

Good thing, Jackson was standing near to me from the beginning to assist. Serves as answering all the questions run through in my mind. He poured me a drink and its aroma enlighten my eyes. Savoring every last bit, not letting a single drop gone to wasted.

"I forget to mention Madam."

"Yes?" I was about to take another sip when he caught my attention. I place the cup back to its saucer.

"One of the lands His Excellency owns, had suffered a great loss due to storm."

I sternly closed my eyes and couldn't help but to let out a serious exhale. This husband of mine, he vanquished many territories. For that reason, seems he had neglected the others and only care Celtic.

"May I know the place?"

"It was Persian."

"Persian?" I repeated the name inside of my head. Digging some information if I have read a book about that land. Sadly, there isn't one. This is the only proof that I should spend more time in the library. Yes, Madelaine. What a nice excuse to procrastinate.

"Yes. The Emperor gave the Grand Duke that land."

"I see." He must be a considerate ruler. For he bestows a number of estates to the Grand Duke that only can't be handle alone. Such a generous reward for bringing victory upon this land.

"Recently, I receive a letter from a commoner living in Persian." Jackson caught my interest. Leaving me hanging purposely on this matter. He cleared his throat as I wait like a fool to his next word.

"The Vassals that the Grand Duke have given rights to the land, they have shamelessly abusing their power to the poor."

I parted my lips and blink my eyes several times to make me believe that this sturdy butler bowed his half body in front of me. "Please Madam. In behalf of those people, I beg of you to help them."

"Oh no. Jackson, kindly raise your head."

What might the nobles have done to those commoners for him to request this much. I gritted my teeth. As the Grand Duchess, of course I'm willing to help them. "Tell me their sins."

I shall decide their punishment depending on what they have committed. However, do I even have the resolve to do that?

"They raised the tax for ten percent in every business' income!" he exclaims.

"Excuse me?" My eyebrows knitted as he brought such unbelievable news. All of my rationally went loose. "And they're experiencing a crisis, right?"

"Yes, Madam."

Even a child without prior knowledge about business will understand. Raising the tax while facing what the calamity has done. It was only cruel. A vendor without sales, adding the living expenses for the family and also their capital. Then what would be left to offer?

How about the small business? The one who only earn enough for just a hard bread to survive. With no profits as the catastrophe hit them, what would they give? If in the first place there was nothing? Who can they ask for help when the people who should be supporting them, were the ones who extorting money?

I drank the tea when my throat suddenly begun to dry. Indeed, those nobles. Where did their brains go? They don't deserve their position. I bet they're imposing that rule for them to be able to collect more golds. Saying that it will also help the other poor people's welfare. In reality, they will pocket the money and spend it for themselves.

How foolish.

Predicting by now. Persian might be in a chaos state. Even from just sitting down in this room, it feels like I can hear those commoners weeping. Their uproars sent shivers on my arms. Forming a picture that they will accept the conditions of those nobles with a sad smile just because they are higher rank.

As I quietly listen to Jackson. My mind travel to the scene where children that must live with a smile, were currently starving to death because of these greedy people. Unbelievable. Here I am, having a feast all by myself when there is someone out there who is famish more than me.

"May I know the name of that smart person who came up with such ridiculous idea?"

"It was Lord Mukbang."

"Pardon?" I might be turning into deaf as I let the time pass by when I sat here and my feet were itching to help those in need. If Jackson didn't inform me, I wonder when I'll be able to be aware of such things.

"Ah yes, Madam. You didn't hear me wrong. He was called Viscount Mukbang Tayo."

"Such an odd name." I grip the quill tightly. Surely, I will engrave it in my mind. "And quite hard to pronounce."

"It wasn't only him who planned it, Madam."

"There's more of them?" He nodded and fix his eyeglass. A paper out of nowhere, appeared on his hands. Perhaps, a list of those people who were involved in this scheme.

"Name each one of them."

"Baron Kwaran Tine and Baron Coronah Vayrus."

I massaged my temple as the list seems to be endless. Therefore, he gave it to me when he was done mentioning their names while I was left with my mouth slightly parted. I stared the letters with fierce in my eyes as I pronounce their strange name. Each one of them, a Persian person with bad condition will pop up inside of my head.

"How will I be able to help them?"

The butler roamed his eyes around the room, like he was avoiding that question to be asks. I sighs when I understood what he wants to imply. "I should go there, right?"

"Agreed."

I gulp. This will be the first time I will be able to leave the manor. Suddenly, my worries have increase. My heart is beating faster than the usual and I can feel some butterflies flying around in my stomach. Surely, I will have to socialize with the other people. That's inevitable, communicating with them is important.

Especially to those Vassals. I may have thought that if I sent a servant bringing a letter stamped with my seal as my presence, would it be effective? I shook that idea, rather those greedy nobles would only find it humorous.

"Are you nervous, Madam?"

"Yes," I honestly stated. For the sake of those children living in the slums and the families with nothing to serve on their table, I will gather all of my courage to step out of this comfort zone and help them. No matter how bad I am with socializing, I can't just pretend to not heard the cries of those pleading people.

I tightly close my eyes as I erase the images that keeps replaying in my mind of me being a failure. Silently assuring myself that nothing will go wrong. Besides, what may worser happen to me? if not being the wife of the tyrant Grand Duke, then what? I don't think there's anything scarier than that.

Yet, I'm still breathing. Now, let's calm down.

"Don't worry, Madam. Just the mention of the Grand Duke's name will make them terrified. Since His Excellency, loathe greedy nobles."

Jackson wink that I did not expected. I chuckled for it doesn't suit him. Somehow, I felt light and positive. As if the tension surrounding my back has lifted. Just as I thought everything is sailing smoothly, I realized something. "You mean, you'll not come with me?"

"Indeed. I'll manage the manor for the time being while both of you are away. Therefore, I can't leave this place for there is no one who will give orders to the servants."

"It can't be help. I'm sorry for giving you more workloads, Jackson."

"Don't be, Madam. I'm glad I can help despite with my age. Rather, I should be thankful, a young person like you that wasn't born in Arello is giving concern for this people." He poured me a tea and I instantly took a sip, drowning myself to this calming drink.

"Then, I will depart to Persian. Tomorrow, at once."

Surely, after this problem have solve, I will take a whole day of sleep and spend my time in eating leisurely without a care in the world.

Goodness.