TDLOT 08

Chapter 8. No Exceptions

“After arriving at the duchy, for the first few months the Duchess just looked around everywhere. Then one day she called me and said,

‘Dominic, we need to cut down the eastern forest by the castle.’”

“I never imagined she meant clearing the whole forest.”

Daniel finished his soup and took some bread from Dominic’s plate. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was. Even though the patient’s soup was watery and bland, he swallowed it all while staring at the fields across the valley. Turning a whole forest into farmland—if he’d only heard about it, he’d have laughed it off as nonsense. But seeing it with his own eyes, he could hardly believe it.

Dominic leaned against a willow tree, bread crumbs falling as he spoke.
“At first, I thought she’d cut a few trees and make a tiny field. But she kept making the work bigger and bigger. My father and I could barely keep up.”

Daniel asked, “Did she pay for all that just by selling a few pieces of furniture?”

Dominic shook his head.
“No way. She sold everything valuable—her dowry, jewelry, dresses, shoes, everything she brought to the marriage. That paid for the first part of the work, then she started selling things from the castle. But even that wasn’t all.”

Dominic took a drink of wine and smiled, remembering something.
“She’s a genius at making deals. When she bought seeds from a merchant from Weimar, do you know what she offered as payment? She paid half up front and said she’d pay the rest in grain after the harvest. She convinced them it was a good deal. Even though no one knew if the crops would grow or not, she didn’t even blink.”

Daniel asked, “What were you doing during all that?”

Dominic’s hand froze as he reached for another piece of bread. Daniel called him “brother” in a friendly way, but Dominic knew that meant trouble. Before he could react, Daniel grabbed his wrist and glared at him with fiery red eyes.

“While that little woman was working so hard for land that wasn’t even hers, what did you do, you idiot?”

“Ow, ow, that hurts!” Dominic tried to twist free.

“You should have stopped her, or at least opened the vault for her. Did you just watch while she sold everything? Are you even a man?”

Dominic barely pulled his wrist free. A deep red mark was left on his dark skin. He rubbed it, worried it might be broken, and shouted,

“I just watched because I didn’t think she’d last! She was so weak, and everyone said she wouldn’t live long…”

Daniel growled, “What?”

Dominic backed away, putting distance between himself and Daniel. “She looked so frail, people said she wouldn’t survive a year. My father even checked every morning and night to see if she was still alive. We all told ourselves not to get too attached.”

Dominic slumped down again, scratching his head.
“But you know what’s funny? That noble lady… she feels like real family now. Damn it, it makes things complicated.”

A strong wind blew. The empty food basket rolled behind Daniel. His long hair poked his eyes, but somehow his chest hurt instead. Daniel grabbed his hair.

“First, cut this hair.”

If you can’t get rid of something, then cut it away. Even family—no exceptions.

Meanwhile, Frida’s soup bowl was still half full. Another chunk of meat was added. Normally, she would complain, but today she just poked at the bottom of the bowl, her lips sticking out.

She muttered,

“Of course, he must feel uncomfortable. I understand. I really do… but…”

Before Frida could finish, Adele, the cook, sliced a potato right in half with her big knife and said,

“But the Duke really shouldn’t say things like that.”

Matilda, the maid, nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. If it weren’t for you, Lady, this place would be empty and everyone would have starved.”

Frida tried to calm Matilda, but Adele cut in again,

“Last fall, so many new people settled here. Some even came from the east like me. And the twins’ parents, remember?”

Matilda added,

“And the herb merchant said there are rumors across the empire that this land has become a good place to live.”

Frida’s eyes lit up. “Really? Is that true?”

Matilda nodded and pushed the bowl toward her.

“It’s true! Even the emperor’s lands up north aren’t as good as here, they say.”

Adele handed Frida a new bowl of hot soup.

“Eat well, Lady. You worked so hard for all of us. And don’t mind what the Duke said—men just don’t think sometimes.”

Matilda agreed,

“Exactly! After everything you did, he calls you a bother? He’s heavy as a rock anyway.”

The women kept praising Frida, ignoring Daniel. Adele’s arm grew stronger as she sliced potatoes, sending pieces flying.

“Men’s personalities are all that matter—who cares about looks?”

Frida felt a little better as she listened to Adele and Matilda’s support. Muriel watched silently, but when she noticed a stranger’s presence, she decided to intervene.

Muriel said, “Maybe that’s enough complaining for now.”

Adele argued,

“How can we not complain? After all the Lady’s hard work, the Duke calls her a bother?”

Just then, the kitchen door opened quietly. Adele froze, her knife still in the air. Everyone turned to look.

Daniel stood in the doorway, his long hair now cut short, revealing his sharp features. Dominic, following him in, noticed the strange mood. Spotting Frida, he smiled.

“Having breakfast, Lady? Take your time. When you’re done, the Duke would like to speak with you.”

Frida quickly stood up, “No, I’m finished. Is there something I can do?”

Dominic replied,

“Not me, the Duke. When you’re ready, please go to his office.”

Daniel spoke, looking at the food on the table,

“Could I have a moment of your time?”

“Now?” Frida asked.

“No. After you finish your meal. Dominic, please bring the Duchess to my office when she’s done.”

Dominic replied, “Yes, Master.”

Daniel left. As he did, Adele finally lowered her knife. Matilda looked at Dominic, then whispered to Adele,

“Why didn’t I notice Dominic before?”

Adele replied softly, “Me neither. I didn’t even realize he was here.”

Frida mumbled quietly to herself,

“…Me too.”

‘I only saw him.’ That thought went down with her bite of soft meat.