CH 45.2

“Nearby villages also appear isolated from heavy snowfall, so they don’t seem to have the capacity to help right away. What should be done? I will do as you order.”

Chief attendant Wald, who was bowing his head, asked repeatedly.

“Order?”

“With His Grace absent, the right to decide rests with the Grand Duchess.”

The chief attendant replied with a serious expression. Without Ashton, who was in charge of administration, she was the decision-maker meant to fill the Grand Duke’s vacancy in the castle.

“Even if you say so… I am…”

Anne had never been taught what to do during such an emergency. Before, in the event of an unexpected situation, the report went to her father or her older brother. She has always been prepared to become a member of a different family, so she did not know what to order in this situation.

“People’s lives can be at stake if time is delayed.”

The voice was urging her to make a choice. Embarrassingly, the voice was enough to make Anne, who had lived her life thinking that she did not have the right to be the Grand Duchess, to open her eyes wide.

Yes. I am the master of this castle now. I have to give orders.

She opened her lips and thought this to herself. Even though she had power, ignoring the people’s misfortune was something an upright member of the nobility should never openly do.

“How big is the town there?”

“I heard that there are only about twenty residents living there.”

It was a small town that would have been relatively poorly prepared for the snowfall.

“Do you know the extent of the damage?”

“Currently, all ten houses have been buried, and it seems that even the people in the houses have been swept away.”

“How many people buried in the snow?”

“The snow is heavy and we are currently unable to approach it.”

Anne’s head, as she bit her lip in frustration, returned to the window. The wind was so strong that the long, bony trees knocked against the windows.

She had to make a decision quickly, as it was a race against time. If she dragged it like this, they couldn’t be sure of the life or death of those buried in the snow. It was the same as ignoring their peril.

With no one speaking, Anne, with a determined face, finally opened her mouth.

“Send the remaining knights stationed in the Grand Duke’s castle.”

“With all due respect, His Grace has given orders to protect the Grand Duke’s castle and the Grand Duchess. Although the situation is unfortunate, it would be better to send other personnel.”

Commander Abreham intervened, flustered. Chief attendant Wald also had a grim expression. It seemed like she knew why they came together … They also couldn’t find a solution.

Even though they want to help, there are restrictions on their actions, so they can’t act hastily.

If it was the Grand Duke who cherished his territory, they would have already sent the knights, but now that the number of people is small, they were reluctant to send the knights out of the castle.

“Are you saying that you will refuse even if I order it?”

“That’s….”

When the knight commander showed no sign of following her instructions, Anne had no choice but to speak.

“Emily, get ready to go out. I will go myself.”

“No, Madam.”

Aware of what she was about to do, Emily interrupted Anne.

“We can’t do nothing. Sir Abrehem, if I go there myself, the knights will escort me, right?”

“It’s not a place the Madam can go directly. Send others.”

“Yes, that’s right. Madam, it’s dangerous to go there yourself in this weather.”

“No. We can’t put the employees at risk. I’ll be fine with the knights. And I am in charge of this castle right now.”

Despite the chief attendant and Emily’s concern, Anne’s expression was serious. The knights would not intervene recklessly unless there was an excuse for the Grand Duchess to be going. Since now is the time for her to practice her right to speak, Anne firmly continued.

“Gather the knights. I am coming.”

The knight commander, seeing her firm expression, could no longer stop her and cleared the way.

* * *

Anne, attended by the handmaidens, quickly donned a riding vest and breeches that were comfortable for activities. On top of that, they wrapped her in a thick winter robe to regulate her body temperature and long boots to reduce the risk of frostbite, before she could go out the front door.

When the Grand Duchess appeared in person, she could see people gasping. It was after they were all told that the Grand Duchess would lead them personally.

As the attendants who were inspecting the condition of the wheels and horses of the carriage moved out of the way, she was approached by Abreham. He opened his mouth with a cold expression.

“If it is judged to be even slightly dangerous, we will prioritize Your Grace’s safety.”

“I have no intention of being an incompetent burden. You just need to think about saving the survivors to the best of your ability.”