Chapter 1

The dawn of the Dukedom of Mecklen begins with a clear bell sound.

The movement of the people who woke up to that sound is fast . It would be a big problem if the strict hostess finds fault with them . After experiencing severe punishment til the flesh swelled and bled out, anyone would act like them now .

The servants gathered together in the hall on the first floor and lined up in an orderly fashion. In particular, the maid Becky, who had been pointed out several times by Carolyn, was clearly restless.

Tuk . Tuk .

“Good morning , Madam.”

The sound of heels coming down from the center stairs was constant. Every employee of the mansion who dared not climb those stairs held his breath .

Carolyn, the dukedom’s main hostess and power holder , today her outfit was at the height of splendor . A red velvet dress with a U-shape near the neck, a necklace made from delicately crafted pearls and various jewels shone on her chest and is a gold belt around the waist, so it’s hard to guess the price.

However, unlike her colorful appearance, Carolyn had an unhappy face.

“What good morning!”

Carolyn, who opened her speech in a distinct sarcastic tone, looked around the crowd . She lowered her sharp eyes, like a serpent . If you mess with Carolyn’s temper……

In the midst of the inescapable tension , Carolyn raised her hand and pointed one by one .

“Becky”

“Yes,yes, madam!”

“You tied the wrong knot in your sleeve again”

Becky , who was told to follow her to the training room a little later became upset. Her small shoulders trembled noticeably , but Carolyn’s sharp eyes were already on the next person .

“Sven, who told you to wear black leather shoes?”

“I’m , I’m sorry…”

“Adolf, the right side of your hair is not properly trimmed”

“I’ll double-check.”

“Anna, you should follow along . I’m sure I told you not to let your clothes wrinkle like that.”

“Ma, madam , it’s not like that……!”

Several people were called in in no time . The education room was one of the places no one in the mansion wanted to go to. The servants and maids, who managed to escape the nomination, looked around, exhaling hidden sighs. Half of them felt sorry and the other half relieved that they did not get caught. It was then .

“But don’t you smell something strange?”

What are you trying to find fault with this time? The unexpected words chilled the surrounding atmosphere . Carolyn wrinkled her forehead . She pretended to smell a strong smell and pulled the muscles of her cheek up making a mocking smile.

“oh? There’s a nasty smell somewhere.”

“… a smell ?”

On behalf of those who couldn’t speak out, the new chief of staff, who had been changed a few months ago, carefully asked back. But Carolyn ignored him and quickly looked around the area as if to find the source of the smell.

“Oh, that’s where the smell came from .”

Carolyn, who finally found the source , blocked her nose with a hint of displeasure. Those who turned their heads in the direction she pointed at were surprised in a different sense.

‘Little Madam ?’

About a month ago, she became the new Duchess of Mecklen . Unlike those who were born in Baden, she was born and raised in a faraway country , Hartmann.

Wearing a dress made of green dye, she did not have any jewelry commonly worn by ordinary aristocratic women. Long silky hair like pure gold was hanging down and with her gentle hands , she gave a tender reed-like impression at a glance.

Carolyn clicked her tongue deliberately .

“Tsk Tsk . This is why you shouldn’t bring people from poor countries.”

The last princess of the Kingdom of Hartmann , Eleanor Marina Leah de Hartmann, married the young Duke of Mecklen, Ernest Schmidt von Mecklen , and was deprived of her middle name and family name in Hartmann.

To the employees she was still a high-ranking duchess, so they dared not agree with Carolyn and hesitated .

Carolyn waved her hand in the air .

“Do you have no conscience?”

“You didn’t even wash up. that’s why the smell came out . Tsk Tsk.”

It was a ridiculous blemish . I can’t believe I would smell bad. Anyone who knew even a little about Eleanor would know that It was an unfair remark to her, who had a habit of washing her hands with cleansing water (detergent) provided in her room after a simple outing. But there was no one here who could defend the little hostess. It was because everyone knew that Carolyn was deliberately trying to nitpick. She was trying to take even a few of the employees to the education office under the pretext of talking back.

“Get away from me. I can’t stand it.”

“I’m sorry.”

Eleanor bowed quietly, listening to the sharp critics. Her indescribable blue eyes were staring down at the floor . Carolyn smiled as she looked at Eleanor .

‘ I have to make sure you know who the real owner of this mansion is.’

The marriage was arranged to publicly announce that the Kingdom of Hartmann has become one with the Baden Empire . Carolyn was pleased with the princess brought to the Mecklen family as a hostage.

No, it wasn’t good enough . Now that her plan for her son’s marriage has completely collapsed , all kinds of irritation and anger went to Eleanor.

And one more.

‘I don’t like everything.’

Carolyn, who was looking up and down at Eleanor, stiffened her face.

(crunch sound)

“What happened to the handkerchief that was supposed to be embroidered with red rose yesterday?”

“…I’m sorry. I’ll go back to my room and finish it.”

“What a slow burst.”

After being scolded, Eleanor bowed again. Carolyn’s handkerchief was a possession the Duke of Mecklen would carry. There was a popular belief that embroidery would be a lucky charm in the hope of peace , health and good luck in the family . Of course, there are only a few ladies who believe in such superstitions.

But Carolyn never ordered embroidery with pure intent . She just threw it at her because she didn’t want to see Eleanor resting in her room. And Eleanor was very aware of Carolyn’s intention.

‘Be patient , You have to hold it in.’

The fist hidden in the hem of the dress shook. There was a faint anger in her blue eyes that were facing the floor, but not everyone noticed her change because they were looking at Carolyn.