Chapter 166 Proofreader: somnium (1/2)

Chapter 166

Proofreader: somnium

Alice helped Artizea off the carriage.

“Are you tired?”

“A little.”

It doesn’t seem like she’s moved much, but just being in the carriage for over an hour seems to have had an effect on her body.

Artizea slowly walked down the back road, feeling weary. The night breeze made her feel a little better.

Alice asked.

“Are you going to kill the daughter of Marchioness Camellia?”

“Did it look like that?”

“Yes. The Lady seemed to want to come under you, but you drew the line that you were holding her hand temporarily.”

“Whatever Skyla’s true intentions are, she’ll be well aware that she can’t, from her standpoint.”

“Your Grace is the Grand Duchess. Why are you saying she can’t be a subordinate?”

“Because there is a difference between a formal position according to a title and a real power relationship.”

It could be as if Marquis Luden had subjugated Marquisate Camellia and acted like the Emperor took control of the Duchy of Riagan.

However, if Skyla were to come under Artizea, it would be the same as now that Marchioness Camellia is a subordinate to Marquis Luden.

The first reason Skyla came to Artizea was because she wanted to get out of that state.

Aside from the insecurities she feels deep inside her own heart, she wouldn’t want to be in a situation where she had simply changed master.

Alice had a complex subtle face.

“Why? You wish I had Skyla, do you?”

“No. I absolutely don’t want it. Considering that Marchioness Camellia tried to harm Madam, I can’t forgive the Lady either. But I don’t think that’s why you draw the line.”

“Skyla is very useful.”

It is not easy to find someone who can get close to the heart of Grand Duchess Roygar, and even to the Grand Duke.

“Still, I have no intention of making Marquisate Camellia a servant family.”

Artizea made an offer, and Skyla will decide whether to accept it or not by calculating her own profit and loss.

The proposal contains deception, not faith.

Artizea will take everything from Marchioness Camellia but her life.

Among them, of course, also included the Marchioness’ wish that ‘her children will fully inherit the Marquisate Camellia and be of direct lineage’.

So Skyla will never inherit the title of Marquis as a direct lineage.

***

Although tired, Artizea returned, washed her hands and feet, and then headed to the study, not her bedroom.

“Call Hayley.”

Hearing the order, the maid chief went out without delay.

It was late at night, but Hayley was not surprised. She already knew that Artizea was out.

It means that something serious happened. She thought Artizea must have called her for a follow-up of something.

‘I wouldn’t have been able to sleep because of work anyway.’

Hayley thought as she gently pressed her fingertips under her flat eyes.

When Lysia returns, she takes over social affairs, and the fact that Artizea is away due to her pregnancy doesn’t reduce her work.

She had to take Artizea’s place and take care of the mansion. She also dealt with the mansion’s intelligence and communications with Grand Duchy Evron on non-military matters.

In the end, she had succeeded in letting Freil hand over some of the work.

Artizea sat in the armchair, dressed in comfortable pajamas.

She put the papers she was flipping over on the desk and looked at Hayley.

“Sorry, it’s late, Hayley.”

“No, Your Grace.”

Hayley knew what the papers that had been put down by Artizea. It was because there was a filing cabinet wrapped in a cloth embroidered with a mixture of red silk thread and gold thread on the desk.

What was contained there would be a prenuptial agreement and marriage certificate.

Artizea offered Hayley a seat. Marcus pulled out the tea soon after.

“It’s rather late now, but I called because I thought I had to decide on a nanny.”

“Yes, tell me.”

Hayley nodded her head.

There was no way for a lady to raise her children alone. Apart from a wet nurse, there was a nanny responsible for the overall upbringing.

If it was a marriage of great political significance, a new lady-in-waiting from the husband’s family was chosen to be the nanny.

All the ladies-in-waiting take care of the baby in turn, but still, someone needs to be in charge.

Usually an older sister or maternal aunt or fraternal took care as the lady-in-waiting and nanny to the children.

If the body was weak like Artizea, it was even more so.

But now Artizea had no lady-in-waiting to be the nanny.

Lysia is young. Hayley was older than Artizea, but she had never had children.

‘But, well, I’ve seen my nephews, so I thought I’d get a little involved.’

Hayley looked at Artizea with such a relaxed feeling.

“Do you know anything about the prenuptial agreement, Hayley?”

“I understand that the eldest child born between the two of you is supposed to inherit Grand Duchy Evron and the next the Marquisate Rosan. If there are more children, property and other assets are to be inherited by custom.”

“Yes. But maybe…… This will be my first and my last.”

Hayley looked at Artizea awkwardly.

Doctors, the old butler, the maids, and everyone said so.