MHHC Chapter 35

Recognition

Adelheid recognized that box. The box carved with the wolf's head—the symbol of Ansgar—was so worn that it didn't look like a container for valuables to anyone. The first day she had seen it was her wedding day. The memory of placing her hand atop that worn box and vowing before the god Morig to be faithful before her husband remained vivid.

"Your Grace?"

At Hermann's call, Adelheid snapped back to her senses. With trembling hands, she received and opened the box. With a creaking hinge sound, the opened box revealed an ornately decorated key ring inside. Even though she had already known what would be there, the moment she actually saw it, her breath caught briefly in disbelief.

"From now on, the internal affairs of the house should rightfully be tended by Your Grace."

The key ring was a symbol of being Ansgar's mistress. Excluding the decorative jewels, the butler and head housemaid held copies of this ring divided between them.

Since Valentin had given it anyway, there was no reason to be excited. Yet her heart fluttered emptily as if she had received proof that she could consider this place 'home.'

Among the people clapping with expressionless faces, Margaret whispered softly.

"You'll do well."

Her face bright red, she stammered that she looked forward to working with everyone. She had wanted to show a dignified appearance as mistress, but rather, such an innocent reaction seemed to draw out more of their goodwill. The stern faces of a few softened slightly.

After all, it would be absurd for a woman who had lived no differently from the maids until a few days ago to suddenly put on airs just because she'd gained the master's slight favor.

'I just need to do well and earn recognition from now on. At least I've grasped the opportunity.'

Adelheid firmly resolved not to crumble no matter what. She didn't know in what manner her contract with Valentin would end, but until then, she wanted to do her best in her position.

Margaret took the key ring from her and fastened it attractively to her waistband.

"Open the other one too."

When she only awkwardly fiddled with the key ring hanging at her waist, Margaret gently urged her. Adelheid lifted the box she'd forgotten. When she carefully opened it and checked the contents, she blinked.

"This is..."

Inside the box lay a glass inkwell and a fine quill pen made from red tail feathers, all arranged neatly. Everything was of the highest quality. Margaret smiled contentedly and explained.

"His Grace personally commanded Hermann to prepare it. Since you'll have many occasions to personally prepare various documents from now on, it's a gift with deep consideration for that."

"And he also sent these."

Things kept popping out continuously. Adelheid realized that the 'these' the butler indicated were two large boxes placed at her feet. As increasingly generous gifts poured forth beyond what she could handle, her heart now trembled.

"What are those?"

"Gold coins. His Grace brought them as spoils from this war."

"Both chests?"

"Yes. His Grace said you may use them all freely as Your Grace desires."

Adelheid froze, dumbfounded. Soon realizing she was acting too vacant, she tried to erase her shocked expression.

"......"

Through the slightly opened gap, she could see a considerable amount of gold coins. She had heard he'd brought back spoils of war, but there couldn't possibly be 'gold coins' when it wasn't even war reparations.

Moreover, what they had fought was a battle on the plains. Since they'd signed a ceasefire agreement just before it reached a war of conquest to seize a castle, even as spoils, the amount should have been pitiful.

...Something felt suspicious somehow. Adelheid's head snapped up.

"Where is His Grace now? I need to see him."

"He's been at the training grounds since morning. It seems he's recently taken a liking to sparring with the knights."

Hermann continued in a pleased voice. Valentin's increased activity level seemed to please him. He seemed to believe that if the body was trained, everything would eventually return to 'normal.' Since going out to the training grounds, the fact that Valentin no longer shrank from being attended to seemed to have fueled the butler's faith.

"Are you going to see His Grace now? Why not send someone instead?"

As she moved toward the banquet hall door, Margaret cautiously followed. Adelheid shook her head.

"It's not urgent business, so I can't ask His Grace... no, Valentin to come and go at my word. I know where the training grounds are now, so I'll be fine going alone."

"Even so, I'll have a guard escort you. Even though it's a castle, there can be dangers here and there. Recently, due to the master's matter, there have been many pilgrims within the territory."

"Pilgrims?"

"Now the Grand Duke is also called Morig's miracle."

Ah, that's why. The moment Adelheid nodded in understanding, the doors to the grand banquet hall swung open. Just as morning training had ended, knights poured into the hall, utterly exhausted.

They were removing their gloves and entering deeply when they spotted Adelheid and the servants gathered around her, hesitating and stopping at the entrance. Adelheid clumsily accepted the silent bows of several knights.

"May we enter?"

"Of course. Please sit."

The grand banquet hall was a space rarely used, but the regular dining hall couldn't accommodate meals for all the knights and soldiers returned from war. So several long tables had been brought in and it had been used as a makeshift dining hall for several weeks already.

"Um..."

The servants, butler, and head housemaid who should have been rushing to bring food were all just staring at her. The moment Margaret hesitantly addressed her, Adelheid finally fully grasped the meaning of having received the 'keys.'

She blushed and commanded.

"Please hurry and prepare meals for the knights."

"What about alcohol?"

"Since it's the day before the Sabbath, how about serving the usual beer along with a cask of wine... no, please serve wine."

Adelheid finished her sentence awkwardly. Beer might appear at the table every day, but wine was close to a luxury item. However, since the Sabbath was approaching and it was a meaningful day for her as well, it seemed fine to serve a round of wine.

Normally, when first receiving the keys as mistress of the castle, one would hold a lavish banquet to show generosity.

'But war has just ended, and even with two chests of gold coins, there are many places that need repair, so I can't waste resources.'

She worried whether even wine was excessive, but Hermann nodded as if the measure was appropriate. Only after seeing that gesture did Adelheid relax somewhat.

"As you command."

The servants who bowed courteously rushed to the kitchen. Watching people move promptly at her command felt somehow awkward. As she watched their retreating figures, the butler Hermann offered gentle advice.

"Today is the first day, so they're being mindful, but you won't need to give orders for every meal preparation each time. The head cook will report the remaining food supplies once a week, so just check the total inventory each time. Keep an eye on any items that are excessively lacking or being consumed too quickly."

"Understood."

"From now on, I will serve you faithfully as a servant."

At Hermann's additional words, Adelheid looked at him with slightly surprised eyes. She had thought that even though Valentin had given her the keys, winning over Hermann, who had been loyal to the house for many years, wouldn't be easy.

The butler bowed respectfully to Adelheid as she nodded blankly and returned to his office. At her reaction, Margaret asked cautiously.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, it's nothing... Just..."

Margaret smiled faintly as if reading her mind and added.

"Though northerners are rough, they're truly simple and honest. They don't complicate things like southerners. What they like and dislike is actually close to instinct."

"...Still, I didn't expect Hermann to recognize me this early."

"If our master says something is good, most of them consider it good. Of course, Your Grace's efforts have been considerable as well."

"My efforts?"

"You didn't try to use your position, you constantly prayed for His Grace's safety... Of course, more than that, everyone's hearts truly softened after you continuously cared for Valentin when he was ill this time."

Adelheid blinked her large eyes slowly.

"No one could deny now that His Grace regaining consciousness was solely thanks to Your Grace. There's even talk going around that Reichenau's 'healing arts' have proven their efficacy like this."

"......"

Adelheid opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it without being able to speak.

'Reichenau's healing arts.'

The greatly exaggerated rumor was simply dizzying. She felt like the terrible fraud the Ansgarians had firmly believed her to be. The ambitious heart that had once vowed to earn everyone's trust through her own power felt only shabby now.

"Adele."

She looked up sharply at the voice calling her. Valentin was crossing straight through the banquet hall toward her. He seemed to have just entered with the last group of knights remaining at the training grounds.

As he approached with his cloak billowing, the scent of winter wind clung heavily to him.

Adelheid barely calmed her wounded heart as she faced Valentin.

"You went to the training grounds again today?"

"I have to work hard to get accustomed to this body as quickly as possible."

Adelheid smiled slightly.

"You seem to have become much more accustomed. Your speech has also become much more comfortable to listen to."

"If that's how you feel, that's fortunate. But, Adel."

"Yes?"

"Why do you look like that?"