Chapter 32
As if he had reached his limit, Jeffrey spat out each word he had held back. But Daisy simply continued to take a few sips of tea with her back straight.
Daisy tilted her head quizzically.
“I’m really curious. I don’t know why you can’t read my intention at all. Don’t you see that I’m doing this for Carlyx?”
Daisy continued in a serious tone.
“What happened in the past five years after Carlyx became the commander of the Zistanter Knightly Order?”
“Victory. He brought countless victories to the point I lost count of it. He’s like a monster of the battlefield!”
“He led the Knights of Zistanter skillfully and brought victory to the Empire.”
As if the knights were looking at a blueprint and had no idea what kind of future that piece of paper predicted for them.
They just followed Carlyx along and did the bare minimum as knights.
Strangely enough, she couldn’t truly blame them for it.
More often than not, Carlyx hadn’t included the Knights of Zistanter in his past actions and accomplishments.
Moreover, the tendency to assume all responsibility for himself was a habit of his, so Carlyx wouldn’t realize there was a problem. Carlyx was used to such unfortunate and unfair situations, after all.
Above all, the knights must have been affected because their role model, Carlyx, did not really care about whatever they did.
So the knights never questioned the system flaws and just went with the flow.
Because it was a given for a knight to go to war, just as it was a given for a knight commander to lead his battalion to war.
“I’ve seen the record of all the wars he’s ever fought in.”
A War record? Logan’s eyes popped at her unexpected remark. Jeffrey also frowned.
“At first, the Knights of Notics were deployed, followed by the Knights of Manefartal, and the Knights of Zistanter were only deployed under special order.”
Daisy looked at Logan carefully and then turned to Jeffrey.
“Two years later, that pattern has started to change little by little.”
Thanks to Carlyx who fought so hard during the war with the Tant Empire, the Knights of Zistanter Order was recognized for its important role in winning the war.
However, public sentiment didn’t change despite his great achievements.
Eventually, the Emperor handed the credit to another knightly order.
“Why is there a change in the frequency of Carlyx going to war in the third year?”
Jeffrey shook at Daisy’s question. He didn’t know exactly because he had never counted them, but the frequency of individual training had increased since that year.
According to the story, Carlyx participated in a small-scale war alone and not with the Zistanter Knightly Order.
“Suddenly, he started to leave more frequently.”
Logan sighed.
Carlyx went to war less ever since his children were born. However, in the third year, the frequency was relatively higher than before.
“Yes. As Sir Logan said, he didn’t go voluntarily. He was ordered to participate in war.”
Logan and Jeffrey could easily tell that it was unfair treatment. Because they actually cared about Carlyx, and they knew the kinds of hardship Carlyx had been through.
“In the fourth and fifth years, their mistreatment escalated. They sent Carlyx to war on a whim, and made him a substitute for the Knights of Notics or the Knights of Manefartal.”
Darkness showed on Logan and Jeffrey’s faces. There was a mixture of frustration and anger in it.
“Because Carlyx could win any battles with his skills. More importantly, no matter how many victories he gained, the credit would be handed to another knightly order.”
“The Knights of Notics and the Knights of Manefartal should’ve participated in the war this time, but they sent the Knights of Zistanter as expendable replacement for the Knights of Manefartal,” Logan said in a subdued tone.
Jeffrey, who had been silent, added.
“Citizens won’t be angry or protest about Sir Carlyx getting his credit poached unfairly. They’d claim it was an honor for a half-breed bastard like him to be injured or dead for the sake of the Empire.”
Daisy was a little bit taken aback by his crude words, but she accepted that it was reality.
No, people outside must be saying worse things about him.
Her head throbbed with her reluctance to hear this ugly truth.
But Daisy was a woman who could handle everything wisely.
“A knight’s duty. If only people could hold to that principle properly, then I would also adhere to my duty as a noble.”
Crrr-
Tyler filled Daisy’s empty cup with Earl Grey Tea.
“That so-called ‘Knight’s duty’ was often influenced by the power of nobility rather than the noble’s dignity. That’s exactly how this Empire has used Carlyx so far.”
Only then did the question ‘what if’ arise.
What if Carlyx wasn’t a bastard son? What if Carlyx wasn’t the commander of the Zistanter Knights?
“If only the Marquisate of Jean had had enough power, the story would be different.”
Which family the knightly order belonged to was very important.
The Knights of Notics belonged to the Archduke of Freuden, and The Knights of Manefartal belonged to the Marquis of Chatul.
The Archduke was originally a member of the royal family, and the Marquis of Chatul was a powerful nobleman. Those two were very different in terms of power and influence compared to Carlyx.
“That being said, I have forsaken the nobles’ principles in dealing with the servants for a solid reason. I’ve gathered information from the knights and even Carlyx himself and given him my advice accordingly. Were you aware of the fact that Carlyx had permitted me?”
The bright, blonde locks tucked behind her ear fell off. A few strands fell and hid her beautiful smile.
“Please rest assured. Even if I do this, this will not tarnish the family’s reputation or weaken our family’s power further.”
Daisy carefully put her hair back. It was a relaxed gesture.
“As you know, we’re already at the bottom anyway. It’s more important to consider what we do from now on.”
Jeffrey let out a small sigh. His crooked lips finally drew a straight line, recalling Frederick’s words at the stable before.
“Isn’t it rather efficient? Just fire them all at once and revamp the management. While it’s nice to prioritize reputation and dignity, it’ll take forever to do that. This way, we’ll save a lot of time, and we may have decent servants starting next year, you know?”
It didn’t make any sense at that time, but he was beginning to see the picture now.
Swallowing his sneer, Jeffrey only stared at Daisy.
He was reminded of someone who saved him like a ray of light when he was dying on the battlefield.
Just like that day, he hoped that her plan would eventually save his commander and the Knights of Zistanter.
Vera Muas. He didn’t know what his commander’s ex-wife was like, but he was sure of one thing.
Daisy Jean was the only one who could raise the marquisate.
Jeffrey got up from his seat and kneeled. With his head raised high, he said.
“Please forgive my rudeness earlier. I formally greet your grace, the Marchioness of Jean.”
For the second time in his life, he expressed his utmost respect to one person.
“A person who belongs to the Imperial Knights Order, and a person who pledges loyalty to commander Carlyx. My name is Jeffrey Ashin, Madam.”
Daisy asked for their understanding and called the chef.
The cook and cook’s assistants were people who shouldn’t appear in front of nobles.
Their uniforms were far from luxurious and dirty from spilled food. It was only natural that they smelled like spices.
Therefore, the nobles usually did not talk to their chefs directly.
Knowing all that, Daisy called the cook who had picked up the fallen bread and served it for lunch.
“Say hello to Count Rifai and Viscount Ashin.”
“Oh my! It’s an honor to meet you! Pardon my shabby clothes. I’m the cook of Marquis Jean.”
“Ah, are you the one who is not that talented or sensible?”
Logan asked with a mocking smile. It was rude, but he was already convinced that Daisy wouldn’t keep this person for long.
“Did the rumor already spread all the way there? Oh my, this is quite worrying.”
“It didn’t go that far, fortunately. You don’t have to worry.”
The more Logan and Daisy exchanged words, the cook’s face became even paler. He clenched his fists and looked on both sides.
There was even Jeffrey, the one who complained a lot each time he visited the cook to ask for his meal.
It was so uncomfortable.
‘I don’t know what you’re up to.’
When Daisy said she would give a letter of recommendation, he was unsure whether to believe her or not.
‘You’re willing to give us a recommendation letter after playing with us like that?’
Although they were required to improve their performance, it was still strange.
‘Anyway, it’s a good thing for me. I just need to endure.’
He felt no devotion toward Daisy or the marquisate. But to survive, he knew that he must obey her instructions.
‘Who knows if she’ll write a nice recommendation letter for me?’
“May I ask why you need us, Madam?”
“Pfft,- May I ask? Am I hearing it wrong?”
Logan burst into laughter at Jeffrey’s sudden politeness. Jeffrey glared at Logan, who waved his hand in disgust.
“Please shut up.”
Logan lowered his hand at once at Jeffrey’s sharp remark.
“Tell me, Daisy.”
“I heard that both of you have been trained as knights since you were young.”
“Yes. It is a rule for the descendant in my family to become a knight.”
“When was the hardest training for you?”
“We were trained most intensively right after we became an adult. Since we can take the Imperial Knights exam at the age of 20.”
Logan smoothed his chin and continued the explanation.
“That’s when I felt the most pressure. Maybe because there was a time when we didn’t get any training from a former imperial knight, but I trained like crazy because I didn’t want to waste the opportunity.”
Jeffrey nodded as if he had the same experience.
Daisy looked satisfied when she heard the answer she sought.