Chapter 131

 

Because it was sound advice, Iona readily agreed.

 

She had already been feeling the need to start looking for new personnel.

 

Iona quickly reviewed the current situation in her mind.

 

‘A dedicated maid and a lady-in-waiting.’

 

At least finding a dedicated maid could be done relatively quickly.

 

She could simply choose someone appropriate from those who had already turned to her side, including Cornelia.

 

The real problem was the lady-in-waiting.

 

‘There are no candidates.’

 

Typically, daughters from vassal families were taken on as ladies-in-waiting, but this was not an option for Iona.

 

The vassals of the Modrov family had all been utterly loyal to Hayden, the original lord.

 

Perhaps because they had served Hayden closely and been influenced by him, they tended to dismiss Iona.

 

Even after Iona was designated as the next head of the family, their refusal to pay her a visit first was telling of their reluctance to accept her.

 

‘It doesn’t really matter since I’ll be passing the family on to the Duke anyway…’

 

Nevertheless, for these reasons, she had to go through the trouble of looking for someone from outside.

 

Becoming the Duchess, it wouldn’t be hard to recruit people, but the real challenge was identifying someone truly reliable among them.

 

Iona voiced her skepticism.

 

“Do we really need a lady-in-waiting?”

 

“That’s stating the obvious.”

 

“There wasn’t one for Yvonne either.”

 

“That’s because Lady Yvonne was notoriously loose-lipped. She kept causing trouble in front of all the maids, so the former Count was adamant about not allowing a lady-in-waiting, due to the considerable expense involved in silencing nobles.”

 

Unlike commoners, silencing nobles was costly because it wasn’t just about dealing with the individual; their backing families had to be considered, making it a much more delicate situation.

 

The reason there had never been ladies-in-waiting within the Modrov family was precisely because of that.

 

However, this was merely a unique variable caused by family circumstances, and not the norm at all.

 

Marsha easily dismissed her master’s petulance.

 

“And do you think a mere count’s daughter is the same as a duchess?”

 

Instead of insisting she had never had the need for a lady-in-waiting in her previous life, Iona remained silent.

 

After all, it was because she hadn’t been a proper duchess.

 

Iona murmured as if sighing,

 

“I wish a quick-witted and reliable noble lady would just fall into my lap.”

 

Of course, such miraculous luck did not happen.

 

While Iona was engrossed in the personnel issue, the carriage hurried along and soon reached the imperial palace.

 

Iona stopped her fruitless worrying and promptly got out.

 

A waiting servant came forward to guide her.

 

“Please follow me, I will take you to the audience chamber.”

 

Although Iona was well acquainted with the palace’s geography, she followed the servant obediently.

 

Walking through the corridors towards the Emperor’s palace, Iona found herself immersed in new reflections.

 

In her previous life, Iona had visited the imperial palace to assume her title, but at that time, Richard had already ascended the throne as the new Emperor.

 

The reason for her presence at the palace back then was quite different.

 

Richard’s intention was simply to declare his support for Iona in a ceremonial manner.

 

The fact that a retainer who had served him for so long had bypassed the rightful heir to inherit the family title was significant for the young nobility.

 

It appeared as a declaration of his willingness to reward loyalty to the Emperor accordingly.

 

“The Emperor is currently indisposed, making an audience difficult. We ask for your understanding.”

 

Before entering the audience chamber, the servant informed her with a professional demeanor.

 

Aware of the current Emperor’s poor health, Iona nonchalantly accepted this.

 

‘I wonder if the current Emperor lasted about a year from now, or was it more...’

 

The death of the current Emperor wouldn’t significantly affect the political landscape.

 

After all, Richard was already handling most of the state affairs.

 

The identity of the representative revealed by the servant did not stray far from Iona’s expectations.

 

“Today, in place of His Majesty the Emperor, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will personally issue the decree. Please let us know when you are ready. We will announce your entrance.”

 

“I’ll enter now.”

 

Iona said, after quickly straightening her attire.

 

The servant, expecting her to take as long as most visitors did to prepare, looked at her with surprise.

 

However, that was only for a moment, and soon, with a composed expression, the servant raised his voice to announce Iona’s entry.

 

The doors opened.

 

Iona walked into the audience chamber slowly, yet with a confident stride.

 

Richard sat upon his high throne, waiting for her.

 

As she approached him, Iona knelt in greeting.

 

“A faithful servant of the empire greets the rising sun.”

 

It was the kind of reverence one might show to the Emperor.

 

Richard smiled in satisfaction, his eyes twinkling as if he were admiring a masterpiece he had poured his heart into.

 

A mere girl, once insignificant, had grown under his influence to emerge as a figure of authority.

 

It wasn’t strange for him to feel a sense of exhilaration at her growth, separate from the darker desire to clip her wings and keep her tied at his feet.

 

“Welcome, my knight, for coming all this way.”

 

Richard stood from his seat and slowly walked down to Iona.

 

A servant approached and handed him the decree as he reached her.

 

Before opening it, Richard gazed down at Iona, who bowed her head before him.

 

He asked, almost whispering,

 

“Are you pleased to have what you wished for?”

 

“Why would I not be? I am merely grateful for your grace.”

 

Iona knew all too well what words would please him.

 

Whether it was the presence of onlookers or not, Richard did not prolong their private conversation, but his voice carried a clear delight as he read the decree.

 

The ceremony unfolded just as it had in her memories.

 

The short reading, enumerating the duties and responsibilities each lord and vassal must fulfill, came to an end.

 

Richard, with a faint smile on his lips, made the final declaration.

 

“By the authority vested in me as the undying sun of the continent and the sovereign of the empire, I hereby grant the succession of the title to Iona Modrov, the eldest daughter of the Modrov family.”

 

Iona, still with her head bowed, extended both hands towards Richard.

 

With Richard clasping her hands, the swearing-in ceremony was succinctly concluded.

 

He helped her to her feet, saying,

 

“I look forward to your diligent service as a proud citizen of the empire and a faithful servant of the royal family, Countess.”

 

“I will strive to meet your expectations.”

 

Richard nodded at Iona’s response and then handed her the decree.

 

Iona silently gazed at the imperial edict she received from Richard.

 

In her past life, she had obtained her title partly due to Richard’s assistance—a success because Richard had wanted Count Modrov removed, allowing her to initiate change in accordance with his wishes.

 

‘But now, things are different.’

 

Though marriage to the duke and the succession of the title were experiences she had already had, there was a stark difference this time.

 

That difference was that she had achieved everything through her own efforts.

 

This realization filled Iona with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, as if it were proof that she could change the future as much as she wished.

 

Iona gripped the decree firmly, then securely tucked that sensation of success deep within her heart.

 

“I would like to move to another location with you, Countess, and offer my sincere congratulations... Unfortunately, there are still many duties that call for my attention. Regrettably, we must look forward to another time.”

 

Richard, with a tone of regret, patted Iona’s arm as if to encourage her.

 

It was hard to discern his true intentions, but for Iona, this was a rather welcome development.

 

She did not wish to celebrate this joyous occasion by sharing a toast with Richard.

 

“Given your many responsibilities, Your Highness, I would not wish to impose any further. I shall look forward to our future interactions and take my leave for now.”

 

Iona bid Richard farewell with a straightforward attitude.

 

Richard hesitated to respond as if he was displeased by her brisk manner but soon graciously granted her permission to leave.

 

Iona knew that in the presence of others, he could not behave petulantly as usual.

 

He was a man who chillingly knew how to separate public from private matters.

 

Even though he harbored feelings for her, he had used her to the last moment of his life and left just as he had come.

 

With a deliberately polite demeanor, Iona bowed to him and retraced her steps back the way she had come.

 

The matter concluded more swiftly than anticipated, suggesting an earlier return home.

 

It was just as she was pondering over whether to take advantage of the unexpected free time to address the estate’s staffing issues, as Marsha had suggested.

 

A servant with an unfamiliar face, waiting outside, stopped Iona.

 

The woman, who bowed respectfully to Iona, then brought up an unexpected matter.

 

“Her Majesty the Empress wishes to meet with you briefly..”

--- End Of The Chapter ----

 

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