I Became the Madam of The House - Chapter 2

Count Leire’s funeral ended early. Archel De Leire, who became the head of the family,  hopped on the carriage as soon as the ceremony procession ended.

“Where are they going?”

A carriage with a clear pattern of Leire imprinted on it departed from the County. The people who watched the carriage passing by were looking back in surprise.

“Until yesterday they’re still holding the funeral in their house, now they’re already riding such a fancy carriage?”

“Lady Leire is still young, so she doesn’t know manners.”

Count Leire’s carriage was sadly not very good at blocking the sound from outside. Archel has to endure all kinds of curses that squeezed into her ears.

*Rattle*

Rather than being loyal to Leire’s family, the salary-oriented coachman just drove the carriage without saying a single word.

Inside the shaking carriage, Michael grasped Archel’s hand tightly. The silence fell upon the moving carriage.

Although the scenery outside the window might be interesting to watch, Michael was only looking at her.

His small hand held Archel’s hand as if he was holding a rope in a cliff. Archel did not let go of his hand, even if their hands were sweaty and hot.

“Where are we going?”

The 13-years-old Michael was a brilliant child. Archel recalled the information she had read in the book.

In the original story that she possessed, Michael was by nature a man who gifted an enormous magical power. But even before she could see his talent blossomed, Count Leire and his wife suddenly passed away in an accident.

The heroine, Archel, just like what the original book stated was obviously only a child. The legacy left by Count Leire and his wife, including the authority of the maritime territory, were all scattered into pieces between their relatives.

That’s how two of them ended up dead in the corner of a quiet beach.

Archel took the last remaining money she had after hearing that Michael wanted to see the sea. When they’re about to call the carriage to go home, they get robbed and end up freezing to death there.

It was a devastating ending. After Michael’s body was discovered by a wizard accidentally, they noticed that Michael was the future right-hand of the High Archmage. But what can they do when they find him just after his death?

“Have you ever heard of The Zenat Maritime Dukedom from the east?”

Archel looked back at her younger brother. His small hand grasped her index finger tightly.

“Yes.Those people owned the sea.” Michael answered while nodding his head repeatedly. It’s such a cute and childish expression that makes Archel laugh.

“That’s right. We’re going to meet those people.”

“Why? Do you know them?”

Michael looked up to her. He looked at her with his big, round ,dark-green eyes.

Since she said that everyone around them is an enemy, he thought that she was going to ask for help.

“No, they’re strangers.” Michael tilted his head in confusion at Archel’s words.

“Then why? Are you going to see the sea?” His cheeks were slightly flushed and there’s a hint of excitement in his eyes. As the son of a family who owns the sea territory, he liked the beach so much.

“We’ll see the sea, and also meet with The Duke of Zenat.” Then Archel stroked Michael’s head lovingly. He looked up at her in bewilderment, but he chose to stay silent.

‘Even when he’s thinking with his tiny head, did I look so serious?’

Archel tried to move the muscle around her mouth to subdue the tension on her face, but failed. Then she looked down at her brother, who was currently staring at her with his round eyes without blinking.

“…”

The gorgeous blonde-haired child in a ceremonial outfit was truly emitting his noble origin.

Having a common 13-years-old teeny stature, and between his slightly curly hair, his green eyes were twinkling.

His hair would occasionally poke his own eyes, but his round and twinkling eyes sticking to her like glue.

But she could see it clearly. His big eyes were shaking in anxiety. This whole ordeal would left a big impact on the young Michael.

“Michael.”

Archel covered Michael’s eyes with her hand. She couldn’t bear to see him repressing his feelings.

“Uh.” Michael groaned.

That was a half-whining answer. Though his vision was completely covered, Michael wouldn’t try to shake off her hands.

Archel removed her hand and stroked his head. Even until then, Michael had not taken his eyes off her.

“….You can cry if you’re scared. If you’re anxious, you can tell me you’re anxious.”

She leaned over to Michael and added, “You don’t have to hold back from crying. Okay?”

Although she can’t give him any solution to soothe his anxiety right now, but at least she wants to lend her ears to listen to his story.

Michael nodded at her words and reluctantly answered, “Yeah..okay.”

However, it seems like he will not cry. Archel caught his trembling eyes again. Then Archel let out a small sigh looking at her brother’s stubbornness.

What she’s about to say was exactly what his older sister told her in her previous life.

“I know that i’m still young, and I don’t know how the world works, but at least i can still listen to you. Besides…”

Archel hugged Michael tenderly, completely burying his tiny body into her arms.

“No matter what I still know more than you do, you know? So don’t keep it to yourself if you’re anxious and tell me if something happens. We can find a solution together.”

“…Yeah. I will do that.”

Michael nodded again. Of course, Archel, who had neither the strength nor real power, had a slim chance to solve the problem.

To find the solution, she’s on her way to the Zenat Dukedom in the east.

“I’ll surely do that.” Michael added in a small voice. His chubby cheeks that had not lost it’s baby fat were held in her arms.

Even if she’s only 4 years older than him, Michael seemed to understand that she’s also still young.

“I’ll protect you.” Once again her vows echoed.

Somehow she felt that she must do this. As an older sister now, she can’t help but think about her older sister from her past-life who gave up her life and died while protecting her.

***

After a long journey, they finally entered the eastern Zenat territory.

At one glance, the prosperous estate of Zenat Maritime Dukedom was so splendid that it was incomparable to Leire County, where the two lived.

However, the Zenat castle in the middle was rather desolate.

The ambience was also spiritless, just like all the mansions of dukedom’s vassals that she saw on the way.

Archel saw a few people dressed in black mourning clothes as she drove by in a carriage.

“Here too, I guess someone’s mom and dad aren’t here anymore.”

Michael said quietly while observing the people outside. Archel nodded.

“I guess so.”

She answered vaguely, however, she knew clearly about the harsh truth. The tragedy that fell upon this dukedom not long ago.

Even other families around them were wearing mourning clothes, so at first glance, you might think that they attended the funeral of the previous Duke and Duchess.

Of course, it hasn’t been long since the Duke and Duchess of Zenat pass away, and at this point, it is true that their son and the young duke, Gael Von Zenat, inherited the position of The Duke of this maritime dukedom.

But that was a month ago.

Gael Von Zenat, did not order those people to wear mourning clothes.

He made them wear it.

In short, it was mourning clothes worn by the purged vassal family. No, to be precise, they are those who became vassals now.

“…”

Archel recalled the contents of the book.

As soon as Gael Von Zenat took over the Duchy, he purged all the vassal families except one.

Those were all the families who took advantage of the previous Duke of Zenat’s weak personality, gradually seized his authority and sought treason.

“Now it’s December, Year 991, according to the imperial calendar…”

Archel quietly began to calculate. The Duke and Duchess of Zenat died in November, 991, so the atmosphere was still bloody.

‘But I have no choice.’

“Sister.”

Then Michael called her. His voice awoken her from her deep thought.

“Hmm?”

“Did the Duke request us to come ?”

In short, he was asking whether they were formally invited or not. Archel stroked his brother, who was well-versed in nobility even though he was young.

“No. But we’ll be alright. We are not going straight to the duke’s castle.”

She looked out the window. Now it is 5 p.m. It was a perfect time.

Archel, who had read the original story before, was aware of Gael’s condition and activity around this time.

He will be on the beach where his memories with his parents rested. After getting his revenge on everyone who hindered his limbs.

-Clack-!

Archel, who opened the carriage window, ordered the coachman.

“Keep going on the right side of the road. Let’s go down to the beach.”

“…?”

The coachman looked at her strangely, but Archel had no intention of explaining to him. Instead, she just stroked Michael’s head again. Her cold hand touched his chubby cheeks.

‘It’s warm.’

Because of that her anxious heart gradually relaxed.

***

In a spotless white sandy beach, she saw a man standing still in a place where the seawater was rising to his knees.

Gael Von Zenat.

He’s the one who became the Duke of Zenat, successfully exerting his influence throughout the eastern seas of the Empire. He was also only 20 years old.

But Archel knew. He was young but he already went through a lot.

Especially since his parents who had weak personalities couldn’t manage to accomplish anything properly, he already accomplished a lot since he was only 14 years old in their place.

“…”

Then Archel recalled another identity of The Maritime Dukedom of Zenat from the book.

A pirate family.

From generation to generation, they were a pirate family who occupied the sea territory near the island of the eastern coast.

A family whose main job is practically a pirate, whose illegal income exceeds ten times the amount reported to the imperial family.

A family who in reality holds the darkness in the eastern part of the empire.

Splash-!

Archel dipped her shoes in the seawater. It was cold, but she had no other option.

“Michael, I think the water is deep. Do you want to stay here?”

Michael eagerly shook his head and reached out to hold her arm. He doesn’t want to be separated from his sister even for a second.

‘Should I take Michael with me? Would it be okay if I leave him alone while I’m having a conversation?’

Archel was feeling concerned with his brother, but it was then.

“This is my beach.”

As soon as the man’s voice came close to her. Archel, who was surprised at the moment, groaned briefly.

“Ah.”