Though it may have seemed random, the idea had its merits.

Being able to sleep in was a privilege only a respected mistress of the house could enjoy without being judged by anyone else.

“…That’s what it said in the book Eli was reading.”

The book Eli was recently engrossed in was titled “The Abandoned Countess’s Bedroom Affairs.”

Odette had not read the book herself, but thanks to Eli frequently talking about it, she had a rough idea of its content.

The book told the story of a countess who was, literally, “abandoned.”

It began with the day-to-day life of the countess, who had never met her husband because he had gone missing right after their wedding.

But before even the tenth chapter, the missing husband suddenly returned, and the countess’s life changed dramatically.

Both the nights with her husband and the days without him.

And one of those changes was the ability to sleep in.

“The book mentioned that nobody could criticize the countess for sleeping in now.”

The servants wouldn’t dare to interrupt the sleep of a countess who was loved by the count.

In other words, sleeping in was an action only a respected mistress of the house could undertake!

“Now that I’ll be living in Ertman, establishing authority is crucial.”

Of course, Emma and the other Ertman servants were incredibly kind and affectionate.

But Odette did not want to rule out any possibilities.

So she discussed the potential existence of prejudice even within the incoming carriage with Balter.

“Though you say I don’t need to worry about the servants, it’s not that simple. Who they serve matters.”

Balter, however, seemed unable to grasp Odette’s concerns.

“Is that really important? They work for Ertman.”

“It is. Would you feel inclined to serve someone you didn’t respect?”

“You’re not a mistress lacking in respect. If anyone dares to treat you lightly, I swear on the Ertman crest to punish them severely.”

“Thanks for saying so, but I’d rather not have to go to such lengths.”

Changing the opinion formed among servants isn’t easy unless you replace them all.

“Most will probably know I’m the illegitimate princess. I don’t want to be looked down upon for that. I don’t want to burden you, either.”

With that, Odette clenched her fist.

“I will show the dignity befitting a princess!”

In retrospect, it may have been misplaced bravado.

Having said so much, even if she did face prejudice, she couldn’t complain to Balter anymore.

“So I absolutely must sleep in!”

Odette resolved firmly.

I must succeed in establishing authority!

To cut to the chase, she failed.

Both in sleeping in and in establishing authority.

“I forgot that I’ve never been out of the palace…”

Odette, who had never slept anywhere other than her usual bed, ended up having a restless night at Ertman.

Of course, there was that one time she had fallen asleep outside, but that was due to being drugged, so it didn’t count.

In the end, Odette spent the night awake and left her room before dawn.

She had grown tired of tossing and turning in bed.

“The sun will rise soon; I should read a book.”

Since she had failed to establish authority by sleeping in, she planned to at least become a diligent and scholarly mistress.

And that yielded an unexpected harvest.

“Hm? Odette, you’re up already?”

“…Count Puart?”

She had run into Arnolt, who had also risen early.
Dressed in light training clothes as if he was headed to the training ground, Arnolt clucked his tongue when he saw Odette’s haggard face.

“Tsk, you look awful. Couldn’t sleep?”

“I couldn’t fall asleep. What about you, Duke? You’re up early.”

“I usually get up at this time. It’s a habit from my days as a knight. Besides, I can’t sleep in the mornings anymore as I get older…”

Then Arnolt scrutinized Odette oddly before asking,

“Is that Walter still asleep?”

“I don’t know, Walter should be in his room. Do you want me to check?”

“No, no need. Let’s leave it at that. Go ahead.”

Turning around, Arnolt’s face seemed oddly relieved. It wasn’t a mistake.

Arnolt had worried whether Walter and Odette were already sharing a room.

If Odette had responded that they were, he intended to break his shameless grandson’s leg on the spot.

“Hmm, hmm! At least they know their boundaries.”

Relieved after hearing Mueller’s story yesterday, Arnolt headed to the training ground with a lightened heart.

And from then on, Arnolt and Odette continued to encounter each other every morning.

Unintentionally, Odette kept suffering from sleepless nights and fatigue, leading to naps, which caused them to meet every morning.

Except for the fact that Odette seemed a bit tired, it was overall a good thing.

The morning time Arnolt and Odette spent together increased, and Arnolt quite enjoyed it.

And eventually, within less than five days, Arnolt waved the white flag.

“If you’re happy, then I can’t help it. Get married!”

And to add, it was also thanks to Walter and Odette consistently fueling the fire between them.

“But if things between you two go south, I’ll initiate a divorce immediately! Remember that.”