“What kind of wind has blown into that fox-like wench?”
Caroline recalled Karina’s appearance when she met her in the garden.
Usually, when Jeremiah’s name was brought up, Karina would agree and accept anything.
“She couldn’t even make a peep!”
Caroline was very irritated that Karina, who used to be easily swayed by her, was now trying to slip out of her grasp.
Caroline’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Didn’t she like Jeremiah? Or perhaps… has her heart already cooled off?”
Thinking this, Caroline snorted and denied her own thoughts.
“That can’t be.”
Caroline knew that Karina held Jeremiah deep in her heart.
“That wench couldn’t possibly give up her feelings so easily.”
But even so, she was infuriated by Karina acting like a thorn in her side, not moving according to her intentions.
Caroline spewed out cold anger from within and mocked her thoroughly.
“Does she think she’s become someone truly precious just because she married Jeremiah?”
Caroline smiled crookedly.
“Those stupid people who fell to the rank of marquis after getting caught doing dirty work!”
Karina’s family, the Millainer Marquis, was originally nobility from another country.
Nevertheless, they were recognized for their great contribution to establishing the empire and were accepted as imperial citizens, becoming one of the founding meritorious families.
They received the title of duke and were one of the honored founding meritorious families that received great respect in the early days of the nation’s establishment.
However, as time passed and generations changed, the family gradually became corrupt.
The head of the Millainer family indulged in luxury and debauchery, leading a filthy and dissipated life.
Eventually, it was discovered that they had connections with groups engaging in dirty work in the underworld.
When the emperor learned of this fact, he was greatly angered that the head of a meritorious family, who should be a model for imperial citizens, had shown such behavior.
Because of that incident, the Millainer Duke family’s status fell from duke to marquis on the grounds that they threatened the safety of imperial citizens and caused confusion.
“Are they still under the delusion that they’re a duke family? Even marquis is too much for them. It’s a status they barely maintain by flattering and groveling to the emperor.”
The reason they didn’t fall below the rank of marquis was largely due to the fact that the Millainer family was a major support base for the emperor.
If it weren’t for the political situation at that time, the Millainer Marquis family should have fallen to commoner status.
And even though they were originally foreign nobility, the fact that they were immigrants from outside the empire remains unchanged.
The red hair that occasionally appears in the descendants of the Millainer family was undeniable evidence that they were of immigrant origin.
This was the fundamental reason why Caroline disliked and despised Karina.
“No matter how hard they try, they can’t hide the fact that dirty blood with no roots flows in their bodies.”
To Caroline, Karina Millainer was a dirty and vulgar being.
She thought they were like leeches, clinging to the emperor and using that as a backing to enjoy undeserved luxuries.
And while soaked in greed and avarice, she dared to hold Jeremiah in her heart and take the position of grand duchess – a disgusting wench.
“With such a lowly status, how dare she look down on me and say what? That she feels sorry for me? How dare she spout such nonsense!”
Unable to contain her anger, Caroline threw the glass jewelry box on the table to the floor.
Crash!
The jewelry box shattered and glass shards scattered everywhere on the floor.
The jewels and accessories inside also mixed with the glass pieces, sprawling in a mess.
“Ah, how irritating.”
Caroline irritably tossed her hair behind her shoulder.
Even though Karina was creepy and detestable, she tolerated her because she obediently listened to her words.
The irritation that surged every time she saw her would be somewhat relieved when she saw Karina struggling and suffering.
But if she was trying to escape from her grasp, it was a different story.
“Hoo.”
Caroline, who seemed to have calmed down a bit, plopped down in a chair.
“Clean this up quickly.”
She ordered the maids with a jerk of her chin.
At her single word, the maids moved in unison.
The room that had been in chaos was quickly cleaned up.
In the now tidy room, Caroline received the usual attendance from her maids.
While getting her hair and nails done, after some time passed, Caroline calmly opened her mouth.
“I really hate insolent and impudent things.”
Caroline muttered ambiguously, not clear who she was speaking to.
She just stared down intently at her hand being diligently massaged by the maid with cold eyes.
Nevertheless, the maids didn’t answer or ask Caroline anything.
They just quietly held their breath and performed their duties like dolls.
“But you know. Sometimes, very rarely, it’s okay.”
Caroline continued speaking as if it didn’t matter.
“When I break their will and trample their hope without a trace, they crawl before me like dogs, crying and begging for their lives.”
Caroline recalled some memories from an unknown time.
“When I see such a servile appearance, I can feel euphoria and thrill. It’s like a taste I enjoy occasionally.”
A chilling smile appeared on her lips.
“It would be really fun to see Karina like that.”
Only Caroline’s laughter echoed hollowly in her room.
[This is the timeline separator]As Mikhail was heading to the dining hall to eat.
“Oh! Over there.”
“It’s the Grand Duchess’s guard knight!”
The soldiers who were leading a few horses for training called out to him familiarly.
“I’m not a knight, but a magician, I keep telling you.”
“Oh right, that’s what you said. Guard magician!”
The brown-haired soldier who had called Mikhail a knight scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.
“Where are you going?”
“To the dining hall to eat.”
“Are you just going to eat now? You’re a bit late, aren’t you?”
“I know. I’m hungry so I’m going to hurry and eat.”
“Oh no. That won’t do.”
“Pardon?”
To Mikhail’s questioning, the brown-haired soldier took out an apple from the luggage bag tied to the back of the horse and handed it to him.
“Here, have this.”
“But I’m about to go eat?”
To the puzzled Mikhail, the soldiers replied.
“Today’s dining hall menu is a bit poor.”
“That’s right. It’s just thin soup, some greens, a piece of cheese, and one hard piece of bread.”
“It was so hard I thought my teeth would break while chewing.”
“Magician, soak the bread in the soup as soon as you get it.”
The soldiers complained about the dining hall menu for a while.
“Ah, come to think of it.”
The brown-haired soldier looked around and said in a low voice.
“Magician. Be careful. I heard that some knights are targeting you.”
“Targeting me?”
Mikhail asked back with a puzzled expression at the sudden words.
“You know, there was that time when Sir Gilford had a public duel with you and lost.”
“Why is that an issue?”
“There’s a lot of talk about it inside the training grounds. They didn’t like that a knight lost to a magician.”
“Although Sir Gilford himself hasn’t said anything about it.”
“Be especially careful of Herbison’s group. From what I can tell, it seems like they’re looking to pick a fight for no reason.”
“That’s right. It’s well-known among the soldiers that that group has a nasty personality.”
At the soldiers’ words, Mikhail laughed inwardly.
‘It might be fun if they all come at me at once.’
Hiding his true thoughts, Mikhail smiled and replied.
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Seeing Mikhail smiling brightly, the soldiers sighed and lamented.
“Ah… If only the magician was the Grand Princess’s guard instead of the Grand Duchess’s, those guys probably wouldn’t even think of messing with him…”
“That’s right.”
As they continued their conversation, agreeing with each other’s words, they carefully opened their mouths.
“Speaking of which…”
“…?”
“Why don’t you consider becoming the Grand Princess’s guard instead?”
“…The Grand Princess?”
‘By Grand Princess, do they mean that woman I saw in the garden?’
One of Mikhail’s eyebrows raised diagonally.
“Anyone with keen senses knows that the Grand Princess is the real power behind the Grand Duke’s household.”
“If you want to stay in the Grand Duke’s household for a long time, you need to align yourself well.”
Others nodded their heads as if agreeing with those words.
“That might have been true before, but now that the Grand Duchess is here, isn’t it different?”
To Mikhail’s rebuttal, the soldiers shook their heads, saying he didn’t understand.
“Don’t even mention it. Even though the Grand Duchess has moved into the Grand Duke’s residence, she still hasn’t handed over the authority over internal affairs and is holding onto it. It’s clear she has no intention of letting go.”
“And this is what I heard from the conversation of the laundry maids yesterday. Apparently, the Grand Princess has been in a really bad mood lately.”
“From what I heard, something happened with the Grand Duchess in the garden, and things in the room were broken. The Grand Princess’s mood was no joke.”
“Ah.”
Mikhail made an expression as if he understood.
“They say there’s likely to be another uproar soon.”
“At times like this, it’s best to lay low and stay out of sight as much as possible.”
“When the Grand Princess seems to be in a good mood, not now, you should try to bring it up casually…”
“Thank you for the advice, but I’ll pass.”
Mikhail cut off the soldiers’ words.
He felt there was no need to listen any further.
“I’m content being the Grand Duchess’s guard.”
“Ah…”
“If that’s what you say, Magician…”
At Mikhail’s polite refusal, the soldiers scratched their chins awkwardly.
“I’ll enjoy the apple. Thank you.”
Mikhail, having parted ways with them, headed back towards the dining hall.
‘What a truly amusing situation.’
Mikhail held a sneer at the corner of his mouth.
He had already finished grasping the strange situation Karina was in.
In fact, it wasn’t even that complicated.
Just looking at what happened in the garden yesterday, the context was clear.
‘It’s about the Grand Princess’s unfounded rebellion against giving up power…’
What was unique was Karina’s response.
Even in this situation where Caroline was being unreasonable, she didn’t make any attempt to correct it or take back her authority.
And that wasn’t all.
‘The Grand Duchess doesn’t have a single close maid?’
Normally, this would be unthinkable.
Mikhail recalled Karina’s face as she said, with an indifferent expression, that it was rather more comfortable without one.
Her attitude of seeming unaffected by the coldness, neglect, and hostility directed at her bothered him.
‘What exactly is she being treated like this for?’
For a moment, displeasure flashed in Mikhail’s eyes and then disappeared.
“Hoo.”
He who had taken a deep breath slowly closed and opened his eyes.
‘Let’s observe a bit more for now.’
Mikhail resumed his steps that had halted.
[This is the timeline separator]“The Grand Princess is calling for you.”
An unfamiliar maid approached Mikhail as he was coming out of the dining hall.
Mikhail asked back with a puzzled expression.
“The Grand Princess is calling for me?”
“Yes. Go up right away.”
The maid, who had maintained a cold expression throughout, disappeared without waiting for a reply after finishing her message.
‘What’s this about?’
Mikhail had no idea why Caroline was calling for him.
At that moment, something black entered Mikhail’s field of vision.
‘Ah, I should take care of that first.’
Mikhail, who had been heading towards Karina’s room, changed direction to the back garden of the Grand Duke’s residence.
Upon arriving at the deserted back garden, Mikhail turned around and asked.
“Are you free these days?”
“How could that be possible.”
A crow sitting on a nearby tree flew down and perched in front of him.
Mikhail crossed his arms and looked down at the crow, asking.
“What’s the matter this time?”
“I’ve come with a message from him.”
“A message? Then why didn’t you just contact me through the magic communication device, why come all the way here?”
At those words, a surge of emotion could be felt from the crow whose expression was unreadable.
“Because you don’t answer when we try to contact you, I came directly.”
“Why would I answer when I know I’m just going to get nagged at?”
The crow’s eyes narrowed at Mikhail’s attitude of snorting as he spoke.
“Thanks to you, I can’t even handle the piled-up work and am playing pigeon like this.”
Ignoring the words pointing out his fault, Mikhail asked about the main point.
“…So? What’s the message?”
“He says to return to the magic tower.”
“Suddenly? Why?”
“He says rather than wandering around causing unnecessary trouble, you should come and learn the work and take it over.”
“Our teacher. Again with that.”
Mikhail grumbled as if complaining.
“The situation seems a bit different this time. ‘Those guys’ are showing signs of starting to move.”
Mikhail’s expression hardened.
“…Are you sure?”
“Since he’s certain about it, it’s probably correct.”
Max’s tone as he answered was serious.
“…”
“Anyway, I’ve definitely delivered the message. Then I’ll see you at the magic tower.”
Max, having finished his task, spread his wings to return.
“Tell him I’m definitely not coming back.”
Mikhail, who made a quick decision, spoke lightly.
“What? You’re not coming back? Why… Ack!”
Max, shocked by Mikhail’s words, lost his balance and fell forward.
“Did you forget? I told you I’m guarding the Grand Duchess here. I think I need to observe her a bit more by her side.”
“But this is not the situation for that right now.”
Max flapped his wings and quickly got back up.
“Or perhaps you’ve found out something?”
“Not yet.”
“Then why? Is the Grand Duchess worth that much?”
Mikhail said nothing and just raised the corners of his mouth in a gentle smile.
Max tilted his head as if still not understanding.
“Anyway, I intend to stay here a bit longer, so you explain it well to the teacher.”
As if he knew this was coming, Max let out a deep sigh.
“Then, take care.”
Mikhail waved his hand at Max and turned around.
As Mikhail was about to leave, Max spoke as if he had just remembered something.
“Come to think of it, didn’t a maid come earlier saying the Grand Princess was calling for you?”
“Ah.”
Only then did Mikhail recall it again.
“Hmm… If it’s urgent, she’ll call again on her own. The Grand Duchess is more important right now.”
Mikhail shrugged his shoulders.
After sending Max back, Mikhail immediately headed towards Karina’s room.
Knock knock.
“Grand Duchess, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
As he opened the door and entered, Karina greeted him with a bright smile.
“I was just about to call for you, perfect timing.”
“For me?”
“Yes. I have something I want to give you.”
“You have something to give me, Grand Duchess? What is it?”
Mikhail asked with a bright expression, pleased at Karina’s words.
“It’s this. Open it.”
Karina tapped a large wooden box placed on the table.
Mikhail opened the box with an expectant expression.
__________
“Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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