I entered the dining hall and everyone promptly diverted their gazes at me.
Especially the madam who was peering at me with suspicion, Hasn't Father told her about our agreement? Well, it is not my problem anymore. I turned to the other side and noticed my eldest sister, Selene's expression as she travels her eyes at the madam and me back and forth.
"Good evening everyone." I did a curtsy and quickly sat on the chair where I always sit.
There are only five of us here. "Where's Seilah and Orion?" Madam asked as she glanced around. "I spoke to the Grand Marshal and he said that there will be a gathering among the four generals and their unit captains," Father said as he started eating, I also ate as I listened to our father's experience for the day.
"That's right, Selene. Marquess Lionesea and your fiancé will be coming over for a visit. We must finalize your wedding, you should be able to be married before your twenty-first birthday. And Lord Lionesea will be sent to an expedition that will take 2 years to finish, we must hurry to marry you off or you will have to marry at an older age." I glimpsed at Selene as she answered father quietly. "Yes, Father."
She does not seem to like the idea of being married out of convenience.
But she does not have any choice. She's just a daughter of the duke and not a favoured one at that. Well, I am fortunate enough that our Father gave me a chance to decide for myself even if it still has a long way to go.
Maybe I should help her out?
But we are not that intimate though.
But she looked helpless.
Argh! I have a problem of my own and she was the least of my concern! After all, after she becomes married to House Lionesea, she will be safe from the disputes of her maiden's house.
But I still want to help her... Uh, whatever!
"That's right dear, you and Frieda have some kind of arrangement aren't you? Why don't you tell us what is it?" The madam asked with a sweet smile. Why is she prying about it anyway? She usually doesn't care what I do even though she gave us fair treatment.
"It was not important, it was just one of her absurdities, don't think about that much." Father was trying to shove it off! She still didn't get the clues there? Wow, how dense.
She looked at me for a bit before smiling more. "Come on, I can help her if it involves ladies. I am Frieda's mother after all." She said, why is she insisting so much?
I glanced at father, he hinted to me that he will pass it upon me and make me handle the madam. "I merely asked father that if I completed reading the foreign literature that he told me to finish, only then I can visit the outdoors and buy some dresses," I said.
"Oh, is that so? And you asked for an expert for it, because?" Why does it feel like I am a suspect, being interrogated by the detective?
"Well... Uhm, the book was in a foreign language, I don't know every word in the book even if I have prior knowledge of it. That was the reason why I asked Father if he knew someone who could help me with that book," I lied, Woah... I was so impressed that I was able to answer that straight.
"I see, and I guess, your problem was resolved?" She asked with a forced smile.
"Yes. Father even said he will introduce me to someone, tomorrow. Father told me to accompany me on his way to Balmoral." I answered with a smile. I knew Father was watching us.
He might be surprised with me now.
I glanced at Selene and she was still watching us back and forth in confusion, poor lady. She doesn't even know what is happening now.
"Is that so? I'm so glad for you dear. We should stroll the market place sometimes! It was nice to go out with all of my girls sometimes." She said as she cupped her cheeks. I smiled at her. "Of course, I would love that mother," I said.
"Would you like it too, Selene dear?" Madam asked Selene. "I would love to, mother." She said and didn't speak anything else.
. . .
"My lady, it's time to wake up. You said you're going to Balmoral with His Excellency right?" I covered myself with my blanket when Maria pulled it away. "5 minutes more please..." I said but she insisted on making me jump out of my bed so I had no choice but to follow her. Maria and some other chambermaids helped me wash.
After that, they changed my clothes to an outdoor one and it was really pretty. If it was me, I doubt I would be able to dress something like this on my own. I am a noob in fashion.
After wearing multiple layers of garments, I proceeded towards the dining hall for breakfast.
"You are going outside?" Before I could even greet everyone, Orion uttered. "Yes, Father said he will introduce me to a literary expert," I said, maintaining the lie I said last night. Everyone was here, there were only three of us who should know about this since Father decided that it was too early to spread the news and the plan was still not polished well.
"A literary expert?" Orion asked in curiosity as he turned to
Father. The latter coughed first before answering. "She will be meeting with Sir Blaire Wiedfried," Father said. Did he just make someone involved in an alibi?
"The head librarian? I see." Orion did not ask for more information. He started eating, I completely forgot to greet them on a good morning so I chose not to anymore and joined them for breakfast.
I glanced at Seilah, she glimpsed at me earlier but it was brief and ignored me for the rest of the breakfast.
. . .
"We will get going, mother, sister," I said as I smiled at the two ladies. I glanced at Stefan just beside the madam. He was smiling at me but he doesn't know what was going on. "Sister is leaving for the day, Stefan," I said as I patted his head.
"Be careful out there, Frieda dear," Madam said so I nodded. "I will, after all, Sir Falcon, Dame Elise and Maria are with me so it will be fine," I reassured her. Why does it feel like I'm being sent to a battlefield? The madam was even teary-eyed!
Isn't she being too exaggerated?
Father and I rode the carriage with our house's crest. With four knights behind our carriage, two beside each door and another more modest carriage at the back for Maria and Devoine.
"Are you sure about this sewerage system?" He asked.
"I am. Out of all the ideas, I could think of, that was the easiest and the most cost-efficient." I answered as I stared at the sketch that I made. "Is that so?" I nodded.
"I have a question, though." I glanced at him as I waited for him to continue. "Yes, father?" I asked with a smile on my face, although I am tense right now. I don't know what he wants to talk about, I'm just hoping that he won't ask about where I got all these ideas because I don't know how to tell him----
"Where did all these ideas come from?" It felt like my whole world was put on a stop as his voice became slower and echoed in my ear. "H-huh?" I asked thoughtlessly.
"Did you not hear me? I was asking how you come into these ideas?" He repeated.
How am I going to answer him, now? I can't just say that I used to search for it in my previous life where our environment is much more developed.
"W-well... I've examined how our waterways function. I just... uh, I just presumed that the same system could work as a sewerage system if we try lowering it to the ground. And we don't have to worry about human wastes-filled walkways and we don't have to worry about our carriages being stuck to mud due to flooding, caused by filthy water." Well, it was half the truth...
I did persist with this idea when I found out that there were already cements here in this era.
"While I do admire your brilliant idea, we still have to discuss the parliament to set forth your plan." He said, oh right... The Parliament, they are one of my enemies right now. For sure, they will doubt my abilities for I am a woman.
In their eyes, I am a woman who can not do anything. Women of this era are not educated academically as well as men are. They think of women as babymakers, the main duty of a woman was to serve her husband. They are even the ones who got all the blame when they failed to produce a child.
Well, this is not surprising since gender equality has only been accepted not even a century-long in my previous world, and even to my final days, there are still doubts about our abilities.
"Father... This minister you wanted to acquaint me to... May I know his name?"
"The Minister of Public Works. Count Horace Drechsler. He will be the one who will introduce you to Master Mason, Mr Ludwig Maurer." He answered. A Count and a Master Mason, huh?
. . .
"Good day, Your Grace--- and Lady Frieda Landerborne."
The Heinrich Palace, the palace where the king dwells. the whole palace was adorned with gold. The estate that I lived in has no match for the palace.
We paused in front of a door, guarded by two knights. The King's courtier announced our arrival as the door opened. There we saw the astonished expression from the King as well the young man, which if my memory serves me right, was supposed to be the First Prince.
Wait, the First Prince?
What was he like in the novel?
"Lord Chancellor and Third Lady Frieda Landerborne...?" The first Prince asked in awe as we approached them.
"What could a young lady be doing here? Isn't too unusual?" The King asked with a smile on his face. I don't know if it was genuine or whatever...
I immediately gave them a curtsy as a sign of respect.
"My daughter proposed a project for me. And we came here to consult the Minister of Public Works to see if it was physically possible."
"A project? What could it be?" The king asked in curiosity. I smiled before answering. "It might be too ambitious of me to say this without support from an expert, but since it was you, Your Majesty, I would be honoured to answer." I started.
"I visited the market place a while ago. I realized that the lives of all people living here in Altenhofen were being threatened by the danger caused by unclean surroundings, I concluded the Sewerage system to be the best solution for it."
"The Sewerage system? For years, we have been trying to make one but due to the circumstances we are living in, it just can not be done." He said with doubt on his face. "I know, Your Majesty, and I considered that. I made a design where drilling was reduced to the minimum." I answered. "And that's why I came with my father to discuss with Count Drechsler," I added.
"I see, I see... You were blessed with gifted children, Duke Landerborne." The King said as he laughed, a loud and baritone voice that echoed all over the room.
We just came to the throne room to pay a visit to the king but we will immediately go to the Chancery, The office of Father.
"Your Grace!" I was startled when someone called father as soon as we arrived at the office. A gentleman with the same uniform as Father, he was wearing glasses and his purple bob cut hair was shiny that I can not help but stare at, his face was frowning but he greeted us as soon as he saw us.
"Your Grace, you're finally here, and Third Lady Frieda Landerborne... You're here too?" He asked.
Okay, he knows me. But it felt like I haven't met him yet.
"Forgive me... I am Kilian Hurtzhofen, I am Duchess Sofia Landerborne's nephew, as well as His Grace's assistant. It is nice to talk to you personally." He said as he bowed his head.
THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW
"Father... What could be the Lady's appearance could mean?" The First Prince asked his Father in shock and concern.
The King maintained his stern expression as he watches the closed doors of the throne room. He glanced at his courtier. "Summon the Fourth Prince at once."
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