Leabrick, who became sensitive after being disturbed twice, turned to the documents again. The accident that she had been immersed in quite deeply ended, so she wasted a considerable amount of time to continue thinking again.
Knock, knock
But Elena's interference, which she thought would be over, was just beginning.
"I'm sorry to keep bothering you, but Liv, not anything else, but the jewelry is expensive. How many can I buy?"
"Buy as much as you need."
Leabrick's voice had also become neurotic. This is because her concentration keeps breaking, and the efficiency of work processing has been ruined. Elena said she knew and promised not to interfere again, but returned.
But soon there was another knock.
"How much exactly did you say I should buy as much as I needed? I've never bought as much as I needed in my life..."
"Buy it for yourself. As much as you want. Do you have to tell me everything?"
"I will!"
'She won't bother me anymore.'
It didn't take long to realize that it was an illusion. Elena visited Leabrick without a break, like a child who needed her mother's permission.
"The maids say natural cosmetics are in trend these days. I'd like to buy some of them, can't I?"
Really, starting with a sloppy request.
"Vanilla tea smells so good, but it's not in the mansion. I really want to try it..."
Even asking permission for personal and trivial things.
'Is she playing with me?'
Leabrick's patience had also reached its limit. She felt like she wanted to warn her to stand still by slapping her. But she couldn't. Ten days later, it would be the birthday of the first Grand Duke. The first thing to do was to put out the urgent fire, but it was difficult to leave a scratch on Elena's face or create a minor disturbance.
Leabrick clenched her molars.
'.... I'm going have to give it to her after the anniversary.'
The next day, around dawn. In order to finish her slow work, Leabrick was confined in the office early. She liked this time zone. A quiet morning was the best time to maximize concentration. Her brain also became faster and the processing of work had accelerated.
Knock, knock.
Until she heard the knock that was causing her neurosis.
"Hey, I woke up early and thought I'd take a walk, but the lights were on. I came by to say hello, but I didn't bother you again, did I?"
"..."
Leabrick's face, which broke her composure, became as cold as ice. Looking back, no one had ever touched her patience this much. Even Grand Duke Friedrich, who claimed to control the empire, gave her will and respected her.
'How dare you, little girl.'
Leabrick bit her lips hard. She had a slight taste of blood in her mouth. It was to maintain the patience of reaching the limit.
Elena, who felt that the atmosphere was unusual, was intimidated and was flustered because she didn't know where to put her eyes.
"I-I'm sorry. I'll come back later."
Leabrick, who barely caught up with the patience that was almost cut off by the word again later, opened her lips.
"Come in."
"Can I?"
"I just prepared the tea, so I don't think it's cold yet. I'll just deal with this document and then we can talk."
Elena sat on the sofa across the desk. Leabrick wrote something on parchment paper while savoring the tea from a teacup with warmth and put it on the table.
"W-What's this?"
"It's a guide to be familiar with inside the house."
Elena's gaze turned to the parchment. It stated the rights that could be exercised within the residence, the scope of which, and the appropriate line that should not be exceeded.
This was roughly what the main clause looked like.
1. You do not need permission to meet merchants, dressers, carpenters, etc. Only those who are arranged through the butler can be met.
2. Every 10 days, you will be allowed to use a maximum of 20,000 francs.
3. Report the schedule every morning, and move according to the schedule with permission. However, never break the routine of the schedule.
4. Find me only on conditions that do not fall under these provisions. Otherwise, act in accordance with the guidelines of the article.
Clause 1 aside, Elena snorted, noting clause 2.
'I'm a Princess, and you want me to spend only 20,000 francs?'
For 20,000 francs, ten horses of good breed can be bought, which is equivalent to the living expenses of common people for several years. The combined value of the embroidered curtains, carpets and shoes that Elena purchased would be approximately 20,000 francs. It was big money that most nobles couldn't pay if you looked at it as luxury money for 10 days. However, that was the standard of the general nobility, and this was the Grand Duke. Respected by all nobles and the Grand Duke!
The wealth and goods of the Grand Duke was a well that never ran dry, no matter how much you spend. It was truly the Grand Duke where more wealth and goods are stored than the rate at which Elena's wealth is consumed.
'How much was it? I think I spent nearly 100,000 francs for ten days to maintain dignity right before I became a Queen Consort.'
That was roughly the amount of money she spent to maintain her dignity in the situation where she had been mentioned as a candidate for the throne. Compared to that time, it was a tremendously small amount.
'Well, I can ignore it anyway.'
It was a pointless restriction. Despite the fact that the limit had been struck, if she put it on the Grand Duke's tab in the name of Princess Veronica, he would have to pay. Was it possible for the socialite Princess Veronica to turn into an unscrupulous debtor who doesn't pay for things? If so, the reputation of Princess Veronica would plummet, and at the same time, the prestige of the Grand Duke would fall to the bottom. This was because the honor of Princess Veronica was directly linked to the body of the Grand Duke. So there was no reason to care about the limit.
Elena noted the third clause. Schedule reporting. In her previous life, Elena moved with permission after reporting to Leabrick every step of the way. This was to control and monitor Elena, who was clumsy to Veronica.
'I have to make good use of this clause.'
Do not break the rules suggested by Leabrick. It would only foster unnecessary hostility and vigilance. She had to play inside thoroughly. Just interpret and use the rule in a way that was advantageous to Elena.
"Did you memorize it all?"
"Yes."
Leabrick took the parchment to the candle and burned it. Black ash flew about.
"I'm telling you, please refrain from asking about personal actions."
"I feel more comfortable with the guidelines. I know what to do and what not to do."
For the first time in a long time, it was a perfect word for Leabrick. She hoped for Elena, who is good at only what she is told to do.
"I'll get permission for my schedule today, since I'm already here. I don't want to interrupt Liv again."
"Yes, do that."
'This is how it should be.'
Leabrick regretted not having controlled her with restrictions from the beginning.
Elena held a pen on the table and pondered. After much consideration, the parchment was divided into her morning and afternoon schedule.
"You're supposed to meet with a jeweler in the morning, and go for a walk in the patronage in the afternoon, right?"
"The back garden was so big that I thought it would take all day to look around."
Leabrick nodded. There seemed to be no need to worry about anything particularly disturbing.
"I'll give you permission."
"You know what, Liv."
Elena hesitated and rolled her eyes.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
"The appointment of the knight I mentioned before. When...."
"I was thinking about it anyway."
"Really? Oh, my heart is pounding already. Then when can I see my knight?"
Elena looked excited like an immature girl.
"Soon. I've been looking for a knight to match the princess."
"Is he someone I'd look good with?"
"He's a promising knight even within the Grand Duchy. He has excellent swordsmanship, worships chivalry, and most of all, he wants to have a beautiful princess beside him."
"Oh, beautiful princess? Did he say that himself?"
"Yes."
Elena formed a dream of ecstatic affection. When the reaction seemed to have been halfway over, Leabrick drove in the wedge.
"There are many great knights in the world, but I dare say he is the only one who fits the princess."
"May I ask his name?"
"It's Sir Lorentz."
"Oh, that's a great name. I can't wait to meet him."
Leabrick nodded satisfactorily.
"There's nothing wrong with that. Let's have a cup of tea this afternoon."
"R-really? Then, I'll see you later Liv."
Elena turned excitedly after finishing her business.
'Lorentz is a good knight for me? To keep an eye on me.'
The expression of shyness was nowhere to be seen. She felt uncomfortable because it was so obvious that she was trying to wrap Lorentz up as a mass product and stick him next to Elena.
'Look forward to it. I'll appoint the best knight you can't even imagine.'
Elena left the room quietly.
***
In the afternoon, Elena left the mansion dressed lightly.
"I want to walk for a long time in the sunshine."
Accompanied by her immediate attendants, Elena walked quietly through the patronage. The back garden had a completely different feel from the previous one. Whereas the garden seemed to be artificially manicured, the back garden had been preserved in its natural state with the lake at its center.
'I was very disappointed to see the back garden of the palace.'
It was not that the patronage of the imperial palace was poor. The patronage of the Grand Duke was only too good.
Elena walked endlessly across the tranquil lake landscape and the cloudless, high, clear sky. Elena's footsteps had a definite destination in mind. The training ground beyond the zelkova forest. Located on the outskirts of the patronage area, it was a kind of physical training ground built to enhance the basic physical strength and strength of knights, apart from the main training ground where swordsmanship is mainly practiced.
"Hah! Eup!"
As she walked around the corner of the zelkova forest, she heard the chanting of the knights. As she crossed the thick forest, she could see an open training ground at a glance.
"Ar-aren't you the princess?"
A local knight bowed his head in embarrassment. Other knights were also embarrassed by the sudden visit of the princess.