Maid dedicated to the Duchess and escort knights.

The conditions for the territorial inspection that Edwin mentioned were met.

From the morning to a clear sky, it was the perfect day to go out for a territorial inspection. However, what troubled Olivia at the moment was something else.

“Are you okay?”

Olivia looked at her reflection in the mirror. A bright yellow dress and a widebrimmed hat. A dress that she had never worn when inspecting the territory, following the Empress’s command.

It was a territorial inspection, but she was worried that a weighty dress might not be suitable, so Bethany firmly shook her head.

“I’ll prepare an elegant and dignified dress for a formal inspection. But today you need to look around every corner of the territory, so a comfortable dress will be better.”

Bethany’s words were right. This bright yellow dress was light, making it easy to move. She could easily walk around after getting off the carriage.

Proving the words that she was a dedicated maid from the previous Duchess, Bethany took careful care of Olivia.

Bethany braided her hair thickly and finished her makeup with experienced hands. Then she brought an oldfashioned jewelry box and opened it, saying,

“And this.”

What hung in the jewelry box was a white crystal necklace she had never seen before. The small white crystal, as big as a fingernail, seemed to shine faintly green whenever it swayed.

It seemed not an ordinary crystal, but before Olivia could look again, Bethany put the necklace around her neck. As soon as the platinum chain touched her neck, Olivia’s eyes widened.

“Bethany, did you cast a spell on me?”

Even the slightly chilly wind felt cool. Her entire body felt warmly wrapped. Bethany shook her head.

“It’s because of that necklace. It’s a magic stone.”

“A magic stone?”

Even when she lived as a princess, Olivia had seen a magic stone only a few times. To hang such a rare thing on a necklace! As Olivia was astonished, Bethany’s eyes became tender.

“It belonged to the previous Duchess.”

“Can I really wear something so precious?”

When Olivia was surprised, Bethany smiled warmly and shook her head.

“No, even if the previous Duchess was here, she would have given it to you as a gift. The previous Duchess also found it hard to adapt to this cold land when she first came to Vicander. Now you have to get used to it here.”

As Bethany spoke as if the future with this place was a given, Olivia silently fiddled with the necklace. The small gem was solid to the touch.

Just like the firm belief that Bethany showed.

Bethany turned towards Olivia and smiled brightly.

“Well, shall we go for a territorial inspection?”

(This is a time separator.)

Two carriages bearing the Duke’s emblem and five escort knights.

The number was somewhat small for a territorial inspection, but Olivia liked this arrangement.

“A small number is necessary to visit a restaurant without trouble. Do you remember the place I mentioned on the way?”

Edwin’s excited voice from last night came to mind. Olivia’s lips curved upward, and Edwin, who was seated right in front of her, grinned.

“You look bright today, Olivia. It’s not just because of the bright dress, is it?”

“I’m looking forward to the territorial inspection and the restaurant. Also,”

Olivia added, glancing out the window.

“The knight I wish would be on my side is now my escort.”

Beyond the window, she could see Dian mouthing words with an expressionless face. It had been a twisted face when greeting the escort knight job yesterday.

“Weren’t you the first one on my side?”

Edwin looked disappointed. Olivia quickly nodded in response.

“Of course. Edwin, you were the first knight to swear allegiance to me.”

Edwin’s eyes narrowed happily at Olivia’s words. Taking the opportunity, Olivia quietly asked,

“But why does Sir Stellin seem to dislike His Majesty so much?”

Precisely, it seemed like he disliked me, but Olivia generalized, blaming the Emperor. Edwin chuckled.
“Is it impossible to like it?”

“Because he’s a knight of Vicander? Or for some other personal reason…”

Could it be the longstanding feelings between the Duke’s house and the Imperial family? Or was it a personal matter? Olivia asked indirectly.

“If I give you a hint, it would mainly be a personal reason…”

A personal reason. Yesterday, Dean had said he was twentyone years old. A young knight, not yet a few years into adulthood, harboring personal resentment towards the royal family.

Olivia’s eyes widened as she waited for Edwin’s next words. Then, Edwin lowered his voice significantly.

“…But Olivia, where’s the person who said she’d do it herself?”

“That is… true.”

Olivia showed the palm of her hand. It was a clear acknowledgment. Just as Edwin had said, she had no choice but to trust in the power she possessed.

The power to open people’s hearts. As she pondered Edwin’s words, Olivia looked at Dean. And she silently cast a spell towards him, not even looking at her.

Open your heart, open it.