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The next morning.
This room, or rather, this entire floor was where Ekaterina had once spent half a year secluded. Beyond the bedroom dominated by a massive bed, the set included a private study, a reception room, rooms for hobbies like music, a wardrobe room, and more, collectively known as “Ekaterina’s Room.” Having slept in that bedroom for the first time in ages, Ekaterina awoke to the morning sun streaming through the curtains’ gap.

“Good morning, my lady.”
“Good morning, Mina.”

Ekaterina, who had just sat up, smiled at the maid Mina as she pushed a trolley into the room.

“How was last night?”
“I slept very well, thank you. It’s cooler and more comfortable here than in the Imperial Capital.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Aren’t you tired, Mina?”
“There was nothing to tire me.”

Mina spoke matter-of-factly, though much had transpired after yesterday’s events.

.

After entering the mansion, the Jurnova siblings received greetings from the main servants.
Ekaterina, who had barely spoken a word in the six months since their mother’s death, responded to greetings with a cheerful smile. Aleksei gazed at his sister with tender eyes. Both scenes seemed deeply shocking to the servants.

*“My lady… it is most heartening to see you in such fine spirits.”*

The old butler of the main house, Novaras, spoke with eyes glistening beneath his white eyebrows. He too was from a branch family, having first served Grandfather Sergei’s father—Ekaterina and Aleksei’s great-grandfather. He had served four generations of dukes since then, truly a living encyclopedia of Jurnova Castle.

*“…I’m sorry for causing you worry.”*

Ekaterina lowered her eyes, and Aleksei gently placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder.

*“After enduring such suffering, it’s only natural you took so long to recover. I am the one who should apologize.”*
*“You suffered greatly too, Onii-sama. Please do not say such things.”*

Ekaterina placed her hand over Aleksei’s.

*“…It’s as if Lord Aleksandr and his wife were standing right there.”*

The one who murmured this, seemingly without thinking, was Anna, the head maid. She too had served the duke’s household for many years. A plump woman, her hair—once a vivid scarlet, no doubt—was now half white.

And there was another woman silently watching Ekaterina. The housekeeper, Raisa, who oversaw the female servants. She was a tall, thin woman with hair a deep purple, almost black, and eyes a slightly lighter shade of purple.

*“I command you to serve Ekaterina as you would serve the Duchess. Until Ekaterina marries or I take a wife, she is the mistress of Jurnova.”*

As Aleksei finished speaking, all the servants obediently bowed their heads.

…Well, what will become of this?
Someone among them must have something up their sleeve.

Ekaterina thought calmly.
I lack knowledge and experience in the household management genre, but to avoid troubling my brother, I’ll strive to master the servants as mistress!
She clenched her fist in her mind as usual, just as Novaras asked Aleksei.

*“Lord Novadin is staying in the Rose Room. He seemed intent on joining us for supper, but given his earlier behavior… what shall we do?”*

Oh dear, seems like the Novadin Father-Daughter combo are staying over without permission. They really think they’d be treated the same as how our Father treated them before.

Aleksei ordered the old butler firmly, *“Have them removed immediately.”*
But the servants’ movements were sluggish. The Novadins, especially the father Isidore, had been friends with the late Aleksandr since childhood and had frequented this estate. Furthermore, besides the old butler, there were servants from the cadet branch of the family, likely creating complex relationships or conflicting interests.
Perhaps Novadin intended to show Aleksei that he could act just as he had in his father’s time.

Noticing this, Aleksei gave a single nod.
Then he turned his gaze to Yvan, the valet who always attended him closely.

*“Yvan, throw them out.”*
*“Yes, Your Grace.”*

Yvan responded cheerfully as always.

*“Inform the knights you have my order to form a squad to deal with them.”*
*“As you command.”*
*“Young Master…! I-I mean, Your Grace!”*

The butler, Novaras, cried out in utter shock.

*“This concerns a branch family member. I’m afraid making it a commotion and involving the knights would be excess—”*
*“Silence.”*

Aleksei spoke, his neon-blue eyes flashing with intensity. But when he noticed Ekaterina’s gaze fixed on him, a sudden shadow of loneliness crossed his eyes.

*“…You must think me terrifying.”*
*“No. Rather, I believe you are kind.”*

When Ekaterina answered thus, the servants looked puzzled.

*”Given his earlier behavior, who can tell how far he might grow arrogant and underestimate you further? At which point you would be forced to actually deploy the Knights and dissolve the whole branch family, even by force. You wish to prevent such a situation and teach them their position now while it’s possible, and for that, Onii-sama, you are a kind person.”*

In my past life as a systems engineer, clients who casually kept adding or changing specs left and right would cause major headaches later if you didn’t put your foot down from the start. We even ended up in a messy lawsuit with one client from another company that one other time. In the end, that client lost, and the payment plus legal fees ended up being a huge blow to them.
So yes, Onii-sama is absolutely in the right!

*“…You’re a clever girl. Thank you. I’m glad you understand.”*

Aleksei said, his voice filled with deep feeling.

*“But Onii-sama, I’m afraid the knights would not be able to deal with Lady Kira. Please make use of Mina as well.”*
*“You’re right. The knights would be at a loss with Kira too. Mina.”*
*“Yes, my lord.”*

Mina bowed her head expressionlessly, as always.
Then, Yvan and Mina walked briskly together toward the guest quarters.

.

What follows is what I heard from the squad leader of the knights who had taken part in the removal of the father and daughter together. Upon arriving at the guest quarters with utterly casual strides, Yvan and Mina entered the father and daughter’s respective rooms without knocking. They pulled out suitcases, tossed in clothes and other items haphazardly, and quickly packed their belongings. They completely ignored the surprised, shouting uninvited guests.

The knights of the order carried off the packed luggage without a word. When one of Novadin’s servants lunged to grab it back, a knight seized him, hoisted him onto his shoulder like luggage, and carried him out of the mansion too.
As for Novadin himself, he shook off the knights who grabbed his arms to lead him away and stormed out on foot.

The most trouble was with his daughter, Kira. They couldn’t very well shoulder a young lady, and the knights were utterly flustered facing her furious outburst.
But Mina stepped right up in front of her, staring impassively at the young lady at point-blank range.
Then, with a sudden grab, she embraced her and lifted her up.
Leaving Kira utterly speechless, seemingly unable to comprehend what had just happened, Mina swiftly carried her and shoved her into the Novadin family carriage.¹ Quite the masterful move, or so I heard.

.

With a face that suggested nothing had happened, Mina was brewing tea for Ekaterina.

“…My lady, for the time being at least, please drink only the tea I prepare.”
“Oh dear, why?”

Ekaterina tilted her head, and Mina huffed.

“Someone was secretly swapping out your tea leaves for damp ones, even though it was supposed to be yours.”
“Oh my.”

Ekaterina couldn’t help but laugh.

“That someone must be too scared to do it to Onii-sama, so they’re taking it out on me instead.”
“I won’t let them get away with such things.”
“Of course. Thank you, Mina.”

It’s petty harassment, but I can laugh it off because I trust Mina to protect me.

“You are amazing, Mina. I can sleep soundly and enjoy delicious tea, all thanks to you.”

When Ekaterina smiled, Mina—usually expressionless—unusually lifted the corners of her lips into a smile.