I was nose-deep in drumming around with my little experiments again, trying to recreate "Shades" in this world because, gods, the sun was way too fucking bright.
They were made using a skill I bought from the Faith Shop for like 2,500 Faith Points.
Not bad, considering I didn't really need other useless junk like [Charm] or [Dominate].
[Eros: Uh, no! That's a good skill—][Perverted ass… shut it.]
Sometimes I really did wonder if the gods just hung around to make me miserable.
Anyway, ever since I had lifted the [Blood Bond] restriction that the late emperor placed on my grandmother—per my request to the current one—the entire balance of power within the Konrows had shifted. Angelica assumed full control of the duchy's affairs.
And her public beatdown of my father? I grinned inwardly every time I remembered the scene.
So now, Angelica wasn't just my grandmother—she was the de facto matriarch of the Konrow family.
Just the other day, she visited the spare mansion.
"Grandma~!"
"My granddaughter~!"
I rushed forward and hugged her tightly as she stepped inside.
She patted my back warmly. "Of course, I came. Your grandmother is stronger than she looks."
I already knew that. I'd seen it firsthand.
She looked around the spare mansion with curious eyes. "How's your life here?"
"Uhm. The spare mansion's been good," I said, shifting awkwardly on my chair. "Especially now that I've reunited with… a person I can trust."
Her smile softened, but then her tone grew quieter.
"I see…"
The room went still. I knew what was coming next.
"Josephine. Why won't you move to the main mansion now?"
Silence.
My head lowered. The main mansion—the place Josephine had dreamed of returning to ever since she was confined here because of Adele's schemes.
"I promise that no one will ever persecute you or speak badly about you again."
Angelica's hand reached over, holding mine firmly.
"Grandma… can you give me some more time to think?"
Her grip tightened, warm and reassuring.
"Of course, sweetie. Just know that Grandma is always here for you, okay?"
"…Mhm."
It felt almost like a vacation. A pause in the chaos.
And then, without even thinking, I hugged her again, burying my face against her shoulder.
"Grandma."
"Yes, dear?"
"…thank you."
Angelica's smile, I realized, was the kind of thing that could make even this cursed life bearable.
"Oh right! I was going to a vacation! In the south! I heard there were alot of good beaches there."
"Oh? The south?" Angelica told me.
"Want to join?" I asked lightly.
"Not yet dear. I still have to take care of matters in the duchy thanks to a certain someone," Grandma said, giving me that look.
Josephine groaned. "It's okay! But be careful, alright?"
"Of course. I'll be fine, my love," she said, patting my head one more time before leaving.
And until things in the duchy settle down, I don't really want to show myself there anyway. No book or decree is going to drag me into that mess yet.
"M-my Lady… are you sure you're okay?"
I glanced at Anna, who was fidgeting beside me. Both she and Jane were wearing simple clothes now, not their usual maid uniforms.
"Of course," I said casually. "You're my maid now. That makes you more than just an example—you're part of my people."
Anna's eyes widened at that, and she bowed quickly, cheeks flushed.
"Y-yes, my Lady!"
I waved her off, smiling faintly. "After all, I have my people now."
That being said, I don't really know what the South is all about.
When I flipped through Josephine's old journal entries, the only information I found was that it was ruled by Tezca of the South—another ducal family with a similar standing to the Konrows.
Aside from that? Nada. Blank pages.
Jane and Anna said it was a warm place with lots of beaches. Which, to be fair, basically sounded like the South from my own world. Sand, waves, and people roasting themselves under the sun.
Right now, I was stuck in a carriage, bouncing along the road, supposedly headed toward the place where Grandma had been confined before she returned to the main mansion.
I yawned, covering my mouth lazily.
Even though I told myself this was a "vacation," the truth was a little uglier. I just wanted to run away from the mess brewing in the duchy—and more importantly, avoid two particular people I had absolutely no interest in meeting.
"At this point, it's starting to get unpredictable…" I muttered.
"Did you say something, my Lady?" Anna asked politely.
"Uh, no. Nothing."
[Hecatia hums knowingly.][Eros giggles, whispering that "running away can be romantic too, you know."][Loki: HA! She's just chickening out!]
I ignored them and poked the lump in my pocket.
"Great bird or whatever. Tell me what the fuck the South is all about. I'm not reading a damn map."
Trynda rustled indignantly inside. "I am not a bird!"
"Then do your job, 'familiar.' Inform me."
"W-what!? Of course I'm familiar with it! I-I mean—"
"Familiar change!" I shouted with mock dramatics, slamming my palm against the pocket.
"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!" Trynda flapped in panic. "Fine, fine, I'll do it! Just—stop threatening me with that ridiculous command!"
He coughed, gathering himself. When he finally spoke again, his tone was formal and crisp, like a lecturer giving a proper report.
"Ahem. The South of the Empire is formally known as the Duchy of Tezca. Its lands stretch along the southern coastline, renowned for its warm climate, fertile soil, and extensive trade routes by sea. The Tezca family governs it, having maintained their status as one of the four great ducal houses since the founding of the Empire."
I leaned back in my seat, raising an eyebrow. Not bad. He actually sounded competent.
"The South's culture differs heavily from the North or West," Trynda continued. "They value commerce, exploration, and seafaring above traditional nobility. Their ports connect the Empire to foreign kingdoms across the sea, making them one of the richest duchies in terms of raw gold flow. However…"
He paused for effect, which was rare for him.
"…they are also known for their independence. The Tezca family's loyalty to the imperial throne has often been questioned, as they prioritize trade alliances over political ones. Some even say they view themselves as a separate power entirely, bound only by tradition to the Carlisle Empire."
I whistled. "So they're the 'we're part of the Empire, but not really' type."
"Precisely," Trynda said with a satisfied nod. "Their armies are smaller than the other ducal houses, but their navy is unmatched. They rely on foreign mercenaries, coin, and strategic trade blockades to maintain their power."
"Wow. Sometimes you can actually do your job, huh?"
[Trynda: WHY YOU—!]
I chuckled, stuffing another handful of candied nuts into my mouth.
That was when the carriage jolted. The wheels ground to a sudden halt.
The coachman's voice called from the front, tense and strained.
"My Lady! There's a problem up ahead!"
I straightened, peering out the small window.
Because of course, this world won't let me stay still.