Chapter 130: A Scribes Worth.

Chapter 130

The morning frost clung to the leaded glass of Sigrid’s private chambers, refracting the cold northern light into pale beams across her desk. She sat quietly, unfolded parchment in hand, reading the latest dispatch sent by her husband from the southern front.

Soren’s letters had grown markedly longer in recent days—so much so that Sigrid could no longer squeeze her responses onto the margins of his missives, but instead required dedicated sheets of her own fine parchment. She scanned down to his tactical assessment, noting his observation that the morale of the Engrosian forces appeared to be crumbling rapidly following the successful elimination one of their primary general. Further down, his dark letters addressed her previous account regarding the purge and replacement of the fortress’s staff. Soren noted with characteristic detachment that the fortress was hers to command as she saw fit; however, he strongly advised her to recruit specialized administrators to oversee the financial ledgers. He reminded her that while Orion typically managed such administrative burdens, his presence was strictly required at the war front alongside Soren, and Lilith lacked the formal training for such complex accounting.

Refolding the letter with deliberate care, Sigrid opened the top drawer of her gilded vanity table and tucked it safely away alongside his previous dispatches. She gazed into the polished glass, her crimson eyes narrowing in thoughtful agreement. Soren was entirely correct; the sheer magnitude of the Aethermor estate required experienced stewards, particularly with the looming economic strains that would soon plague the North if trade routes remained stagnant. "An administrative core is no longer a luxury, but a necessity," she murmured to her reflection before rising to prepare for the day’s journey.

Descending the grand staircase, Sigrid was met by the quiet bustle of the newly appointed servants going about their morning duties. Among them was Nyla, her newly designated head maid, who was currently observing under Lilith’s strict tutelage. Upon spotting the Duchess, Nyla offered a flawless, graceful curtsey. "May the morning bring you peace, Your Grace," Nyla offered respectfully.

Sigrid gave a smooth nod of acknowledgment. "How are you finding your new responsibilities, Nyla?" "I am adjusting well, Your Grace," Nyla replied softly.

Before she could elaborate, young Rosie materialised from the adjacent corridor, puffing out her chest with youthful pride. "Though she has yet to match my expertise, Your Grace!" Rosie interjected boldly.

Nyla merely smiled, reaching down to pat Rosie’s head gently. "Indeed, you are far more seasoned in the citadel’s ways than I."

Sigrid observed the interaction, reflecting privately on Rosie’s remarkable transformation; the girl worked with a relentless diligence she had never displayed prior to her family’s tragedy. "You would do well to maintain humility, Rosie," Sigrid advised gently. "You remain the youngest among our household staff."

Rosie pouted, smoothing her apron. "I am nearly thirteen, Your Grace!"

From the western archway, Leo emerged carrying a sheaf of parchment, shooting Rosie a mocking grin. "Which means you are still a child, little one."

Rosie glared at him fiercely. "You are merely a single year my senior!"

"A year that grants me wisdom," Leo countered smoothly, adjusting his coat.

"At least I render physical assistance to the Duchess," Rosie huffed, crossing her arms.

"And I assist Her Grace in formulating political strategy for the Supreme Ministry," Leo shot back proudly.

"Sitting upon a chair all morning hardly equals the grand labor I do" Rosie muttered under her breath.

Sigrid looked between the bickering youths, her expression softening into genuine warmth as she leaned down toward Leo. "I am deeply grateful for your assistance, Leo," she said sincerely. Leo blinked, his arrogant demeanor melting into bashful modesty as he shrugged.

"It is my duty, Your Grace. The others serve with their hands; I wish to serve with my mind."

Lilith approached from the foyer, bowing deeply. "Your Grace, the carriage is prepared for our journey to the orphanage, to be followed by our appointment at Viscount Dumbledore’s estate."

Sigrid straightened herself, her crimson eyes gleaming. "Splendid. Come, Leo, you shall accompany us."

The carriage ride south was swift, the iron wheels crunching steadily over the packed snow until they arrived before the modest gates of the orphanage. Orion’s mother, who served as the director of the facility, stood waiting at the entrance to receive the ducal party. Escorted by Chester and Lilith, Sigrid entered the warm halls to formally finalize Leo’s transition. However, upon hearing Sigrid’s request to take the boy permanently into her household, the director’s brow furrowed with visible reservation. "That presents a legal hurdle, Your Grace," Orion’s mother explained cautiously. "Leo was formally registered into the provincial orphanage system. To remove him permanently from our rolls without returning him to his family as he has no family, protocol dictates he must be formally adopted into your house."

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Leo’s face drained of color, his chest heaving as his eyes darted nervously between the women. The director cleared her throat, choosing her words carefully. "Such a step carries immense social weight, Duchess, particularly while Lord Soren is deployed at the war front. While Leo is a remarkably bright boy, he possesses a history of rebellious conduct. The high court looks down upon noble adoptions of common wards."

Sigrid pondered the matter in silence. While she held no personal aversion to adopting the boy, and knew Soren would harbor no ill will, she questioned whether elevating Leo to ducal nobility might inadvertently burden him, making him feel as though he were an artificial replacement or erasing his very own history.

Before Sigrid could articulate her thoughts, tears welled in Leo’s eyes. Without a word, the boy turned and bolted down the stone corridor. "Oh dear..." the director murmured, offering an apologetic bow. "Pray forgive his outburst, Your Grace."

Sigrid waved off the apology, gesturing for Chester to remain near the entrance while she pursued Leo herself. Navigating the unfamiliar halls, she overheard the hushed, cruel laughter of several older orphans huddled near a window alcove. "Look at the little outcast," one whispered mockingly. "Ran off to play servant to a Duchess, only to be dragged right back where he belongs." They all laughed. "Who does he think he is? No one will want him and how mischievous he is." Another said laughing.

Sigrid’s jaw set into a firm line as she realized the true source of Leo’s deep desperation to leave. The reason he asked whether he could stay in the North. Following the sound of muffled sobs, she stepped out into the rear courtyard, finding Leo curled into a tight ball against the stone wall. "Leo," Sigrid called softly.

The boy pulled his knees tighter to his chest, burying his face. "You do not need to do it, Your Grace," he choked out, his voice thick with shame. "You do not have to adopt a troublemaker like me. The director is correct; it will only invite further scandal upon your name."

Sigrid let out a soft scoff, stepping closer until her shadow fell over him. "As if my reputation were not already dragged through the mud by the capital’s elite," she remarked dryly. "Besides, I am wed to Duke Soren—a man whose very name causes aristocrats to tremble. Do you truly believe your reputation concerns me?"

Leo raised his tear-stained face, his lower lip trembling. "My parents did not perish, Duchess... they simply abandoned me because I was a burden."

Sigrid knelt before him, her crimson eyes locking onto his with absolute conviction. "Then they were fools who failed to recognize your worth. You are vital to my household, Leo. Who else possesses the quick mind needed to record the Duchy’s grand affairs? Or did you forget you are the northern Duchy’s scribe?"

Leo wiped his eyes with his sleeve, looking up at her with hesitant hope. "What is it you truly desire, Leo?" Sigrid asked gently.

"I wish to remain in your service," the boy confessed quietly. "I wish to earn my keep through real labor, just as Rosie does... but I do not seek to be adopted. In three years, I shall reach sixteen and be recognized as an adult. I do not wish to burden you with an heir’s title."

Sigrid smiled, profoundly impressed by his maturity. "Very well. You shall remain under my personal guardianship and employment as the Duchy’s scribe. When you reach adulthood, your standing shall be entirely your own." Leo’s eyes sparked with brilliant delight.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, he threw his arms around Sigrid’s neck in a sudden embrace before quickly pulling back, his cheeks burning crimson as he cleared his throat. "Forgive me, Your Grace... and thank you."

Returning to the director’s office, Sigrid settled the legal arrangements with absolute authority, establishing Leo as a paid retainer under the protection of House Aethermor. Satisfied, the party departed the orphanage.

As they walked toward the waiting carriage, Sigrid’s gaze was drawn to a public notice board near the town square, where several men were gathered reading the latest broadsheets. Acquiring a fresh copy of the capital’s primary gazette, Sigrid smirked upon seeing that Caspian had executed her instructions flawlessly. The royal scandal remained plastered across the front page, though recent editorials had shifted toward the upcoming contest for the Supreme Ministry of State, highlighting her application alongside Viscount Henry Dumbledore’s. At the bottom corner, a smaller notice detailed the strict palace arrest imposed upon Crown Princess Maria.

As Sigrid read the paper, an elderly woman leaning on a wooden cane approached her, eyeing her fine attire. "A single silver coin, noble lady, and I shall gift you intelligence worth a king’s ransom," the old woman croaked softly.

Sigrid now curious gestured, and Lilith smoothly placed a silver piece into the woman’s weathered palm. The crone cackled softly, leaning closer. "The palace corridors are bleeding secrets, child. Prince Ragnar and the crown princess no longer share the same chamber; they can scarcely tolerate one another’s presence. Furthermore, Queen Evelyn is burning with silent rage, vowing vengeance against whichever noble released those gazettes."

Sigrid offered a cold, amused smirk. "Do you deem the one who exposed the truth to be foolish?"

The old woman snorted softly. "Aye, foolish to cross the Queen, for she is a viper... but it warms my old heart to see the Monarchy humbled for once especially the Queen. They treat us common folk as dust beneath their boots."

Sigrid inclined her head gracefully. "I thank you for your words."

The old woman blinked in surprise at the Duchess’s flawless courtesy before chuckling softly. "You possess a rare grace, young mistress—unlike the arrogant fools at court."

Watching the old woman amble away, Sigrid’s smirk widened as she contemplated Maria’s inevitable self-destruction under Ragnar’s growing disdain. Folding the gazette, she stepped back into the velvet interior of her carriage, her voice cool and decisive. "To the estate of Viscount Henry Dumbledore."