Adel knew that box. The box, carved with the wolf head that was Ansgar’s symbol, was so old that it didn’t look like a box for storing valuables to anyone who saw it. The day she first saw it was her wedding day. The memory of placing her hand on that old box and swearing to be faithful to her husband before the God Morig was vivid.

“Your Excellency?”

At Hermann’s call, Adel snapped back to her senses. With trembling hands, she took the box and opened it. Inside the box, which opened with a creaking hinge sound, was an elaborately decorated bundle of keys. Even though she already knew what would be there, she momentarily lost her breath, unable to believe it when she actually saw it.

“From now on, it is only right that Your Excellency should take care of the internal affairs of the family.”

The key bundle was a symbol of being the mistress of Ansgar. Except for the decorative jewels, almost exact copies of this bundle were held by the head butler and head maid.

There was no reason to be excited since it was given by Valentin anyway. Nevertheless, she felt inexplicably thrilled, as if she had received a token that it was okay to consider this place ‘home’.

Amidst the people clapping with stoic faces, Margaret whispered softly.

“You’ll do well.”

She stammered with a beet-red face, saying she looked forward to working with everyone. Although she wanted to show a dignified appearance as the mistress, it seemed that such an innocent reaction had rather drawn out their goodwill. The faces of some who had been strict softened slightly.

After all, it would have been ridiculous for a woman who had been living no differently from the maids until a few days ago to suddenly put on airs just because she received a little favor from the master.

‘From now on, I just need to do well and gain recognition. At least I’ve got the opportunity.’

Adel firmly resolved not to crumble no matter what. Although she didn’t know how her contract with Valentin would end, she wanted to do her best in her position until then.

Margaret took the key bundle from her and neatly attached it to her belt.

“Open the other one too.”

As she awkwardly fiddled with just the key bundle on her waist, Margaret gently urged. Adel picked up the box she had forgotten about. She blinked as she carefully opened it and checked the contents.

“This is…”

Inside the box were a glass ink bottle and a splendid quill made from a red tail feather, neatly arranged. They were all of the highest quality. Margaret spoke with a pleased smile.

“His Highness personally ordered Hermann to prepare these. You’ll have to write many documents yourself from now on, so it’s a gift that deeply considers that.”

“And he sent these as well.”

Things kept popping up. Adel realized that the ‘these’ the head butler was pointing to were two large boxes placed at her feet. As good gifts that were hard to handle kept pouring in, her heart was now trembling.

“What are those?”

“Gold coins. His Highness brought them as spoils from this war.”

“Both chests?”

“Yes. His Highness said you could use it all freely as you wish.”

Adel froze in bewilderment. Soon realizing that she was acting too dumbfounded, she tried to erase her shocked expression.

“…”

Peeking through the slightly open gap, there was a considerable amount of gold coins. She had heard about bringing spoils of war, but there was no way there would be ‘gold coins’ when it wasn’t even war reparations.

Moreover, what they fought was a battle on the plains. Since they signed a ceasefire agreement just before conquering the castle, even if there were spoils, the amount would have been miserable.

…It was somehow suspicious. Adel suddenly raised her head.

“Where is His Highness? I need to see him now.”

“He’s been at the training grounds since morning. It seems he’s recently taken a liking to sparring with the knights.”

Hermann continued in a pleased voice. He seemed glad that Valentin’s activity level had increased significantly. He seemed to believe that by training the body, everything would eventually return to ‘normal’. It seemed that Valentin not minding being served since going to the training grounds had fueled the butler’s belief.

“Are you going to see His Highness now? You should rather send someone.”

As she moved her steps towards the door of the banquet hall, Margaret carefully followed. Adel shook her head.

“It’s not urgent business, so I can’t tell His Highness… no, Valentin to come and go. I know the location of the training grounds now, so it’s fine to go alone.”

“Still, I’ll tell the guards to escort you. Even in a castle, it can be dangerous here and there. There have been many pilgrims in the territory recently due to the master’s incident.”

“Pilgrims?”

“Now that the Grand Duke is also called Morig’s miracle.”

Ah, so that’s why. Just as Adel nodded in understanding, the door of the great banquet hall burst open. Just then, as if the morning training had ended, the knights poured into the banquet hall, exhausted.

They were about to enter deeply while taking off their gloves, but upon discovering Adel and her subordinate servants gathered, they hesitated and stopped at the entrance. Adel awkwardly received the bows of some knights.

“Is it alright to enter?”

“Of course. Please, sit down.”

The great banquet hall was a space that wasn’t often used, but it was difficult to accommodate all the meals for the knights and soldiers returning from war in the usual dining hall. So, several long tables had been brought in and it had been used as a makeshift dining hall for several weeks now.

“Um…”

The servants who should have been rushing to bring food, along with the butler and head maid, were all just looking at her. As Margaret hesitantly spoke to her, Adel finally fully realized the meaning of receiving the ‘keys’.

She blushed and ordered.

“Please quickly prepare meals for the knights.”

“What about alcohol?”

“Since it’s the day before the Sabbath, how about giving out the usual beer along with a barrel of wine… No, let’s do that.”

Adel awkwardly finished her sentence. While beer was said to be on the table every day, wine was close to a luxury. But considering it was the day before the Sabbath, and it was a meaningful day for her as well, it seemed okay to share a round of wine.

Usually, when first receiving the keys as the mistress of the castle, one would hold a lavish banquet to show generosity.

‘But since the war has just ended, even if there are two chests of gold coins, there are many places to repair so we can’t waste.’

As she worried that even the wine might be too much, Hermann nodded as if approving of her decision. Only then did Adel feel somewhat relieved.

“We’ll do as you said.”

The servants who had politely bowed hurried off to the kitchen. Seeing people move promptly at her command was somehow awkward. As she watched their retreating figures, butler Hermann gently advised.

“Today, they were being cautious since it’s the first day, but you don’t need to give orders for every meal preparation. The head chef will report on the remaining food situation every week, so you just need to check the total inventory at those times. And keep an eye on any items that are excessively scarce or being consumed quickly.”

“I understand.”

“From now on, I will serve you faithfully as a servant.”

At Hermann’s added words, Adel looked at him with slightly surprised eyes. Even though Valentin had given her the keys, she thought it wouldn’t be easy to win over Hermann, who had been loyal to the family for many years.

The butler bowed politely to Adel, who was nodding dazedly, and returned to his office. Margaret carefully asked Adel, who seemed taken aback by his response.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, it’s nothing… Just…”

Margaret seemed to have guessed her thoughts and added with a faint smile.

“Northerners may be rough, but they’re very simple and honest. They don’t complicate things like in the South. What they like and dislike is actually close to instinct.”

“…Still, I didn’t expect Mr. Hermann to acknowledge me so early.”

“If our master says something is good, most will consider it good. Of course, Your Excellency’s efforts so far have been no small matter.”

“My efforts?”

“You didn’t try to use your position, and you always prayed for His Highness’s safety… Of course, more than that, everyone’s hearts softened considerably when you continued to nurse Valentin when he was ill this time.”

Adel blinked her large eyes slowly.

“Now no one will deny that it was solely thanks to Your Excellency that His Highness regained consciousness. They’re even saying that this might be the manifestation of Raihenau’s ‘healing arts’.”

“…”

Adel opened her mouth as if to say something, but closed it without being able to utter a word.

‘Raihenau’s healing arts.’

The greatly exaggerated rumor was dizzying. She felt like a terrible fraud, just as the Ansgarians had firmly believed. The ambitious heart that had once vowed to gain everyone’s trust by her own power now felt only shabby.

“Adel.”

She quickly raised her head at the voice calling her. Valentin was striding straight across the banquet hall towards her. He seemed to have just entered with the last group of knights who had remained at the training grounds.

As he approached, swirling his cloak, the scent of winter wind clung heavily.

Adel barely suppressed her wounded heart as she faced Valentin.

“Did you go to the training grounds today as well?”

“I’m trying to get… used to it as quickly as possible, even if it’s just one day.”

Adel smiled a little.

“You seem to have become much more accustomed. Your speech has become noticeably more comfortable to hear as well.”

“If you feel that way, then I’m… glad. But, Adel.”

“Yes?”

“Why is your expression like… that?”