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Chapter 166
No sooner had the head maid finished speaking than a murmur spread through the audience.
While some wore expressions of disappointment, most were thrilled and erupted in cheers.
After all, what could inject more life into the monotony of work than gossiping about a celebrity scandal? Especially when the subject of the rumor was none other than their own master. It was impossible not to be intrigued.
“The rumors were true!”
“Oh my, then it really is...!”
“I knew something was off; the Duke wouldn’t make such a decision because of external pressure!”
When Leroy first sent someone to announce his marriage, the people of the ducal household were in a state of confusion.
Before leaving for the capital, Leroy hadn’t given any hint about the marriage, and his indifferent attitude made it seem like he considered the matter just a passing breeze.
However, later, rumors spread that he was passionately courting Iona, and eventually, they became a married couple.
The rumors that followed suggested something unusual, indicating that Leroy hadn’t succumbed to imperial pressure, yet the abbreviated wedding ceremony cast doubt on the idea that he had truly fallen in love with the introduced woman.
Amidst the confusion and uncertainty, two letters arrived at the mansion.
One was from Yulia, and the other from Leroy.
Yulia, a local and the daughter of a vassal family, was acquainted with most of the staff at the ducal household.
Especially the head maid, who had known her since childhood due to her father’s association, making them particularly close.
In her letter, Yulia informed the head maid that she would be working as the Duchess’s lady-in-waiting and shared some interesting facts about the new mistress.
She emphasized the special relationship between the Duke and Duchess, advising not to be hostile towards the new mistress just because she was an outsider, but to treat her well.
Strictly speaking, this was less about providing information and more about ensuring Iona’s smooth adjustment, but the observant head maid read much more between the lines.
“There is something more than political motives in this marriage!”
Leroy’s letter, which arrived shortly after, confirmed her suspicions.
It instructed them to prepare a welcoming procession for the couple’s imminent arrival, essentially echoing Yulia’s request to welcome the new Duchess with utmost respect and care.
Though it was true that her master was known for his kind nature, his kindness never exceeded the bounds of propriety.
The head maid concluded that Leroy’s attentiveness indicated emotions beyond mere respect for his spouse.
And the Duke and Duchess’s appearance confirmed her suspicions.
“Now that your curiosity is satisfied, hurry and take the luggage to the room and come back down. Don’t go in and out of the rooms unnecessarily, disturbing their rest.”
Clearing her throat, the head maid spoke in a stern voice.
She had been wondering how to round everyone up to give these instructions, but luckily, they had all gathered on their own, making her job easier.
Watching the maids respond in unison, she smiled contentedly.
Guarding the master couple’s bedroom naturally brought the recent events to her mind.
“Head Maid.”
As the head maid was about to head downstairs after escorting Leroy and Iona to their room, a strange voice called out to her.
“...What is it?”
Turning around absentmindedly, the head maid found herself face-to-face with Iona’s personal maid, who had been with them just moments ago.
The head maid couldn’t understand why she had left the duke and duchess alone and exited the room, her expression showing her confusion.
Fortunately, her confusion didn’t last long.
The maid’s reason for speaking up was directly related to her actions.
“You should ensure that no one enters or leaves their bedroom until dinner. It would be more appropriate and effective if you, as the head maid, managed this yourself.”
“No one is to enter or leave? But what about their belongings...?”
The head maid suddenly stopped speaking, her thoughts drifting to an awkward realization.
When a male and female, left alone in a room after dismissing all attendants and restricting entry, what could they possibly be doing?
The head maid could think of only one thing.
Of course, this wasn’t because she had a scandalous mind.
“Could it be?”
She asked with her eyes.
“Yes.”
Marsha nodded in confirmation.
Seeing the head maid’s stunned expression, Marsha, apparently satisfied that her point had been made, bowed and left.
The head maid, now thoroughly flustered, glanced back down the corridor she had just walked through.
The door to the couple’s bedroom, a short distance away, was closed in serene silence.
Feeling her face heat up, she quickly fanned herself.
“They’re already... They did just arrive, but still... They’re both young, but really...”
Descending the stairs while trying to suppress her twitching lips took quite some time.
Luckily, she managed to keep her professional mask on, so it seemed no one had noticed her silly thoughts.
She shot a stern glance at the dawdling maids, who were reluctant to disband despite her order.
One maid raised her hand and asked,
“Head maid, can you tell us a bit more? Did you speak with the lady? What do you think of her?”
It was a question that piqued the head maid’s interest.
Rather than scolding the maid for her curiosity, she quietly recalled her meeting with Iona.
Choosing her words carefully, she gave a succinct assessment.
“She is no ordinary person.”
From the moment Iona stepped out of the carriage until she reached the bedroom, she maintained perfect composure and poise.
Iona should have been impressed by the opulent view of the grand ducal mansion, yet her gaze remained calm and collected.
It was as if she thought that such splendor was hardly worth being astonished by.
Of course, Iona had visited this place before, so her reaction was only natural, but the head maid was unaware of this fact.
“Whether in terms of appearance or substance, I have always prided myself on maintaining this estate at a higher standard than anywhere else… Yet she seemed completely unfazed by its scale. She didn’t react like a young lady, but like a seasoned noblewoman. Well, for someone who is to become the mistress of this family, such composure is to be expected…”
The head maid trailed off, shrugging her shoulders lightly.
Rather than feeling affronted by Iona’s indifferent reaction, she seemed rather satisfied.
“Anyway, she seems to have a discerning eye. Not excessively picky, but appreciative when necessary. Although she’s reserved, she doesn’t hesitate to give praise when it’s due. In short, she carries herself with the grace befitting the Duke’s spouse...”
The head maid continued, captivated by her own words.
The maids listened with bewildered expressions, trying to grasp her vague descriptions.
Realizing she had rambled on unusually long, the head maid blinked her eyes open and quickly resumed her usual demeanor, proceeding to organize the situation.
“In any case, she is a young lady who has been in and out of the palace since childhood, so she has seen enough luxury to be bored by it. Although she has a personal maid attending to her, making direct interactions minimal, you must all serve her impeccably to avoid any faults. Understood?”
“Yes, head maid.”
“Good, now enough idle chatter. Move your hands and feet! We need to have everything in order before the banquet starts!”
The head maid clapped her hands sharply.
Though their curiosity about the new mistress had only grown, the maids couldn’t delay their tasks any longer.
Reluctantly, they began to disperse one by one.
As she watched them move with disciplined efficiency, the head maid resumed her train of thought.
‘The couple’s affection is beyond compare, she’s beautiful, and Yulia’s letter mentioned she has an excellent character… She seems to meet all the criteria we expected of the next lady.’
Despite her reservations about her master, it was undeniable that he had shown exceptional skill and political acumen from a young age.
As the head of the family, holding both wealth and title, there was nothing he lacked.
‘But the most important thing is something else.’
Above all, Leroy’s eyes held deep affection when he looked at his wife.
If Leroy had chosen the person he truly wanted as his spouse, that alone was cause for celebration.
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