"Madam, what will be today’s schedule?" the maid asked.
"Schedule? Has Mother inford anyone?" I inquired.
"No, the mistress has not inford anyone about this. She left in a hurry, so she didn’t even get the chance to inform," the maid explained.
"Oh, but what should I do?" I pondered.
"Madam, others are waiting for your order," she reminded , trying to bring to my senses.
"I’m coming!" I replied and followed her outside, finding everyone gathered in the main hall, awaiting my instructions.
"I have no idea how the mansion used to operate, and I don’t have the ti to deal with this. So, I’m going to assign tasks as I see fit for the mansion," I announced.
"First of all, have the maids divide their work into a few sections to finish it more efficiently. So will go to the laundry section, while others will work in the kitchen, and the rest will focus on thorough cleaning, both inside and outside. Understand?" I directed.
"Yes, Duchess!" they nodded and dispersed to their respective duties.
"Now, I’ve heard that we’re short on guards and ssengers, so the other male workers who used to maintain the mansion’s exterior will take on these roles for now. So will inquire at the local market about supplies, while others will be responsible for guarding various areas of the mansion. Is that clear?" I further instructed.
"Yes, Duchess!" they affird, showing their readiness.
"Duchess, breakfast is already prepared," the maid inford .
"Oh, is it?" I remarked, realizing I hadn’t even been given permission to eat yet. The Duchess hasn’t arrived or provided with any instructions. I’m feeling quite confused.
"Madam, are you all right?" the maid inquired.
"Oh yes, please start serving breakfast. I’ll join you shortly," I replied as I headed back to my room to freshen up.
I wasn’t entirely sure how things were going to unfold, but I had managed to delegate the tasks. A small smile graced my face. After getting ready, I returned to the dining hall, where a sumptuous al awaited .
"Here, Duchess!" The dishes looked different from what I was accustod to when I was with the Duke and his mother. Perhaps they are prepared specifically for them. Currently, a creamy, buttery sandwich accompanied by rich, smooth milk awaited .
"Enjoy your al to your heart’s content," the maid said with a warm smile as I devoured the food, leaving not a morsel behind.
As I finished my al and was about to retreat to my room, I noticed the guards returning with an elderly man, frail and with sagging skin, struggling to walk.
"What is the purpose of this visitor? Why has this old man co all the way to the mansion? Is there an issue?" I inquired.
"Duchess, while we were patrolling inside the state, this old man insisted on eting the Duke or Duchess. No matter how many tis I asked, he insisted on it, so I brought him here," the guard reported.
"Alright, I’ll take it from here," I replied.
"You seem older than , so I’ll treat you with utmost respect. Now, what is the issue? Why do you want to et ?" I inquired gently.
"Duchess, we are facing a shortage of food supplies," he said, leaving puzzled.
"What?"
"Yes, Duchess! Our food supplies are insufficient. We receive very little, just one bag per household. So families have more than a thousand mbers, and this ager amount is not enough. If this continues, we will die of hunger," the old man explained.
"Okay, there’s no issue. I’ll have my subordinates provide you with what you need," I said, instructing the guard to fetch the supplies that were about to expire.
I spoke with the old man while they fetched the supplies. Just as the guard was about to hand them over, the door burst open, startling . It was the Duchess.
"What’s happening here?" she asked in a cold tone.
"Mother, this person has co for the daily necessity supply," I explained.
"The supplies have already been distributed," she replied coldly.
"But, Mother, they are facing shortages," I responded.
"Is there a problem here?" the Duke inquired.
"No, there isn’t. I’ll handle it," Mother said, dismissing him as soon as he entered.
"I can provide them with whatever they need," she smiled at the old man.
"I’m sure you’ve been facing difficulties due to the changes made by the Duchess. But what can we do? She’s new and still learning. I’m sure she’ll understand the details soon," she said, leaving speechless.
How could she bla for such a big mistake when I’ve only been here for two days? I hadn’t even dealt with the previous month’s budget, so how could this be my fault when I have no role in it?
"But, Mother—" I tried to speak, but she gave a stern look.
"I know you’re trying to say you’ll learn and apologize for your mistake," she cut off.
As the old man received what he needed and left with a smile, I was summoned to the Duchess’s study.
"Were you trying to win my people over to your side?" she accused as soon as I entered.
"Did you think providing for their needs would make them accept you?"
"You rearranged my work rules as you pleased, and you thought I wouldn’t notice?"
"You did so much in just a few hours. You’re no fool at all. I’ve underestimated you. I thought you’d be easy to handle, but you keep slipping through my fingers. What should I do with you?" she said, making it hard for to understand her.
"Mo—" I tried to speak, but it was futile as a sharp pain hit my head, leaving in darkness for a while.
"How dare you try to take my place?" I could hear her voice, but I couldn’t see. I could feel cold blood dripping, touching my eyes, but I couldn’t see it, nor could I feel the pain. It was so numb.
"What, while I was away from the mansion, you tried to take over my place? Do you think I can’t provide what my people need? Do you think I need your help? No!!! You are just a puppet. Your strings are in my hand. You will do as I wish," her voice had accused .
As her voice stopped, the door opened with a creaking sound, becoming clear and evident to my ears, as if soone were running toward . Was it the maid? Perhaps.
"Wife!!!!!!!"
"Soone call the doctor!!!!!"
Duke? How is that possible? I may be hallucinating in pain. Yeah, that must be the case.
"Soone get the doctor or I will kill everyone!" the voice shouted, numbing my ears, but I still couldn’t see anything. Soon, my senses beca numb, and I could no longer hear anything.
***
I awoke, disoriented and in pain, muttering as I opened my eyes. The moonlight stread through the window.
"Ahhhhh!!" I yelped as I tried to get up from the bed, but a hand steadied .
"Wife! Where are you going?" It was the Duke.
"What? What are you doing here? Isn’t this my room?" I asked, still confused.
"Wife, I’m your husband; I can co and go whenever I desire. What’s the issue? And you’re still not in perfect health to get up on your own," he said gently.
"Yes, I forgot. It didn’t feel like being married at all," I mumbled.
"What?" he inquired.
"Nothing!!! You can do as you please. But right now, I require water, so I’m going," my mood didn’t feel the sa. I felt a tinge of irritation in my head.
"Wife, I can bring-" before he could finish his sentence, I shouted.
"Can’t you understand!!! I said I can do it!!!! Leave alone!!!" I shouted, making him take a step back.
"W-wife?"
"What has gotten into you? Why are you behaving like this?" he asked as if he couldn’t believe it was .
"What has gotten into ? What? You are asking what has gotten into my head as if you don’t know yourself. I have gone mad. Can you believe it? I have gone mad. Your mother and you have made crazy," I shouted.
"W-what?" he stuttered.
"What? You are asking what? You and your mother, no one is treating like a human being. If you are not happy with this marriage, you should have said so. I didn’t co to your mansion or your state and ask for your hand in marriage. Yet, you have treated this way from the first day I arrived here. I didn’t ask for anything, but your mother went to my father asking for my hand, so why am I getting blad for things I didn’t even do? Why? Because my father doesn’t hold a higher status than you? Is this why I’m being treated more like an animal than a human?" I burst.
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