Pondering for a moment, Susanna walked closer to Cedric.
"M'lady, you don't have to do this!" Edward said, his voice filled with concern as he tried to discourage her.
Susanna ignored him and approached Cedric with resolve. "I accept."
Cedric smiled slyly. "I'll use a wooden sword, and you take this one," he said, handing her a sharp, weighty, metallic sword.
Susanna looked at the sword with a frown. Is he belittling me? she thought, feeling a surge of anger.
Edward watched intently, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.
"Let's begin!" Cedric declared, and in an instant, he vanished from her sight.
Susanna's heart raced as she searched for him, her senses on high alert. She darted her gaze around, desperately trying to locate Cedric. Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught her eye, and before she could react, Cedric's fist connected with her arm.
He was in the air!
The force of the blow sent a jolt of searing pain through her, causing her to stagger sideways. Gritting her teeth, she fought against the throbbing ache, her adrenaline pumping. Her mind raced, analyzing Cedric's fighting style, trying to anticipate his next move. She tightened her stance, readying herself for the impending clash, determined to defend herself and come out on top.
"Your pose is wrong!" he said, attacking her furiously.
Her body staggered backwards. Susanna nearly fell, but Cedric appeared behind her.
"Straighten your body and hold your sword firmly."
Without warning, another blow landed on her back, making her collapse to her knees. Her grip on the sword wobbled, and it fell to the ground.
"Do you want to quit? We've only just started!" Cedric's voice echoed in a mocking tone.
Despite the pain, Susanna managed to grab the sword and rise to her feet. However, Cedric's attacks were relentless, coming from all directions. She struggled to defend herself, her body gradually succumbing to exhaustion.
"Quit," Cedric commanded.
For a fleeting moment, Susanna considered giving up. But remembering her past struggles and the strength she had built through hardship, she stood firm. Her legs trembled, and her body ached, but she fought on, determined to protect herself and prove her resilience.
Susanna's breathing grew heavier, and every muscle in her body screamed in protest. Yet, she pushed through; her determination was unshaken. Cedric eventually placed the wooden sword against her neck.
"Quit," he said, his voice a final warning.
Susanna shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "No." If she quit now, her life would be in danger.
I had to do that to save my life!
The ground beneath her moved as she staggered backwards before everything around her faded into darkness.
When Susanna regained consciousness, it was already evening. The sky outside the window was painted with hues of orange as the sunset. She sat up, her body feeling heavy and sore. She noticed that her clothes were changed into a comfortable beige dress. She stood up, stretching her body.
"Milady! You're awake!" Her maid exclaimed, visibly surprised to see her awake. "Allow me to notify the others as they were anxious about the lady's safety."
Susanna nodded and the maid quickly spread the news to others. As soon as her maid reentered, she expressed to her that Cedric wanted to see her.
After changing her clothes into her usual boasted gown, she walked to the sofa. "Call him," she ordered.
Cedric got inside. His head lowered. "I'm sorry for treating you roughly," he said sincerely. "I will accept any punishment the duchess deem appropriate."
Susanna propped her chin on her hand, considering his words. "Your punishment is to make me your trainee," she said with a smile. "Just so you know, I have a low tolerance for pain, so you'll need to go easy on me."
"Alright," Cedric declared.
Edward entered the room, and after a brief, heated exchange of glances with Cedric, the latter departed. "Milady, how are you feeling?" he asked.
"I am fine, Edward," she replied courtly.
The housekeeper nodded. "I have good news. I received a reply to the letter I sent. Everything is arranged," Edward informed her.
Susanna smiled with relief. "Thank you, Edward." Remembering something, she asked, "You are responsible for the duchess' work, aren't you?"
Edward nodded in affirmation.
"I was wondering if you would show me the work so I can help," she stated, seeing the steward seemingly stunned by her request. "I know everyone's looking down on me since living here, so I want to change it by doing my responsibilities as the duchess," she explained.
All she had viewed since her transmigration was that the duchess held no status in the manor, nor with her people. She was no better than a piece of furniture in this place, so even after the duke's return, she held no influence on him.
No powerful background, strong allies and magic.
perhaps if she acted like a duchess, she would have some supporters!
At least someone would miss her if she ended up dying!
Edward stood there in a daze. The duchess had been behaving strangely the past few days: reading books which she had done for the first time, not whining about buying dresses anymore, no yelling at servants, learning martial arts, and now wanting to learn the duchess' work!
What happened?
She was as if returned to the first few months after her marriage. She was always inside her room and did not interact with the servants. Calm and unapproachable. Whenever he tried to talk to her, she would ignore him. He thought she was arrogant for someone like her, but he never forgot the night when he was inspecting the manor, a crying sound from the garden. He walked there and found the duchess alone sitting on the cold soil weeping and hugging her knees.
The cold and the arrogant lady's profile shattered at that moment replaced by a sight filled with sadness and vulnerability.
"So?" Susanna asked, raising a brow and seeing the steward looking at her without blinking.
Is he that shocked by a simple request?
"I have the honour to teach you everything, milady," he said with a respectful bow.
It would help him keep a close watch on her, as the duke ordered him. Knowing what the duchess did was better than watching her caprices.
"Thank you," she said smiling cheerfully.
Edward nodded, scanning her expressions, then excused himself and left.
Once Edward left, Susanna let out a triumphant laugh. Her plan was finally coming together.
***
The next day, Susanna anxiously waited outside her carriage for Emilia and her mother to arrive. She tapped her foot impatiently. They had agreed to meet in the morning, but Emilia was nowhere to be seen.
Did she have a change of mind? Susanna wondered.
Susanna's heart as unease grew inside. If Emilia chose to stay then her encounter with the duke would be inevitable. Then it would be a matter of time to fall in love with her!
She let out a frustrated sigh.
Suddenly, she heard a shout, she turned around to see a woman's figure farther away. Slowly the image of Emilia waving her hand to her cleared.
Susanna sighed with relief and waved back. I am saved!
"I'm sorry for the delay. We had trouble getting away from my sister," Emilia explained, her voice tinged with frustration.
Understanding the situation, Susanna nodded. "Get in the carriage," she began, walking with them toward the carriage. "The coachman will take you directly to your new home. Your house is ready, and your recommendation letter has reached the appropriate authorities. You have nothing to worry about. The coachman will stay with you until you complete your acceptance process at the Azalea Sanatorium."
Emilia's face brightened with gratitude as she hugged Susanna tightly. "Thank you so much."
Susanna was caught off guard. "There's no need to thank me," she said, though her heart warmed at the gesture.
Emilia released her and smiled. "We'll be on our way now."
"Have a safe journey," Susanna wished her.
"Oh, I nearly forgot! What's your name?" Emilia asked.
Susanna blinked in surprise. "Susanna B--," she stopped midway. "Susanna."
"Farewell, Susanna," Emilia said as she walked toward the carriage.
As the carriage rolled away, Susanna climbed into her own. With the female lead now on her way to safety, Susanna felt a shiver of unease at the thought of the duke's possible return. She still had time before his arrival and was determined to ensure that everything proceeded according to her plan.
Susanna continued her efforts to collect herbs and sell them at a higher price to the collection centres where the cures were made. She had changed her identity, though. She started as a low key not to get the royal family's attention. After all, she was doing something dangerous. She earned a decent amount of coins—more than modest, but not quite substantial.
Simultaneously, she devoted herself to rigorous training to strengthen her body. Within just three months, she had grasped handling a sword and was perfect at using arrows, making impressive progress that even Cedric acknowledged with admiration.
One afternoon, Susanna giggled with her maids as they helped her sow seeds in the garden. She directed them with confidence, and their initial fear of her was gradually fading.
"Milady, milady!" Helena, one of her maids, shouted as she hurried toward Susanna.
"Why are you running around like a fool?" Susanna asked in a teasing tone, causing the maids to chuckle.
Helena pouted, catching her breath. "I have good news. The duke has returned victorious from the war. He is now at the duchy's borders!"
Susanna's heart sank. The water container she was holding slipped from her grip and fell to the ground.
It was still summer! Why had he returned now?