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My secretary, who suddenly burst into the study in the middle of the day, announced:

— Duke Samuel Floyen of the Duchy of Floyen requests an audience with you.

— Why suddenly? — Surprised.

— This year he intends to begin building new plantations in the western region. And since some of the territories belong to the Archduke, the Duke would like to discuss further cooperation with you.

— «Plantations?» — I frowned,» What are they for? Explore worlds on NovelFiremp-y,r.

— According to the Duke\'s assurance… Grain and wheat crops will be grown on them. It will help to reduce the death toll from starvation among the common people in the coming winter.

Hearing this, I grinned and leaned back in my chair. Duke Floyen… We\'d only met him a couple of times, but he already seemed greedy enough. And now all of a sudden he\'s decided to become a patron of the arts… What a grand gesture of spirit on his part.

— He could have told me straight out that he wanted money from me,» I said nonchalantly, «Why these ridiculous excuses?

Andrew hesitated.

— So you\'re sure it\'s a hoax?

I hummed.

— Of course, of course. During these six months so many aristocrats came to me with the request to help in the construction… But I know where the money will really go.

Honestly, it was a pretty common way to cheat. Borrowing money and then not paying it back. And knowing how wealthy the Archduke of Ashford was, such an offer sounded even more tempting… When I first came to power, many tried to take advantage of me in that way.

But luckily I suspected a catch rather quickly.

— Shall I tell the Duke your refusal, then? — He summed it up.

I sighed and shook my head.

— But the idea of plantations is really good… I think I should do it myself.

Andrew nodded accordingly.

— Is that all? — I asked, — I have a lot of work to do.

— Here\'s more.

The man unloaded a stack of papers on my desk. Though there wasn\'t much room left on it already.

— There are papers to sign, letters, a couple of contracts, and a few other things…

I sighed as I glanced at my new batch of work. It looks like I\'m not going to get out from under this «rubble» for the rest of the day…

— I got it,» I said, «You can go. I\'ll call you when I\'m done.

Andrew nodded again, and bowed in front of me and left. I was alone in my office: for the first time in a long time I decided to take a little break. I was going to be working late anyway.

I turned around in my chair and looked out the window. The weather was so nice outside. I\'d forgotten the last time I\'d gone outside just to walk.

It had been six months since my new title ceremony. And to be honest, during this time I have had enough time to «get enough» of adulthood. I had never expected that I would be in such a high position at only twenty years of age.

As a teenager, I thought I would spend my life in my father\'s care. An easy and relaxed life, where in my old age I would lie on a chaise lounge chair on a beach somewhere. A cocktail in my right hand and a pile of money in my left… That\'s exactly what my dreams looked like.

But eventually it all fell apart.

My father died, and I was left as the sole heiress to the Ashford family. The future of so many people was unclear in an instant, and they all hoped for me. And so I took up the burden.

After a crumpled introduction ceremony, for which there was no time, I went straight to work. In order to minimize the consequences of this abrupt change of chapter, I worked hard for half a year. I had to work very hard to become a worthy substitute for the previous Archduke.

And thus, as my right-hand man… I chose my father\'s former man.

Andrew Noyles had been Henry Ashford\'s secretary for many years. And of course participated in all his schemes and conspiracies. It was a good idea to send a man like that to the afterlife with his master.

But I decided not to do it now.

When I first arrived in the Archdiocese to get a new position — Andrew fell on his knees in front of me and begged: that he had nothing to do with it and in general he was forced… Of course, I did not believe it. But still I kept him alive.

The reason remained one — I urgently needed a man who could train me as the new Archduchess. And Andrew, who had worked here for so many years, certainly knew the place better than anyone. It was he who became my «crutch» in my new position.

When the man learned of my decision to make him my secretary, he almost squealed with joy. He swore that he would faithfully serve me until the end of his days… But of course I did not believe him completely.

I did not know how long it would last, and whether I would replace him with another person in the future. But now Andrew, for such an amateur in power as I was, was just a lifeline.

Six months later, though, I was getting better and better at work issues.

When I have almost solved all the urgent issues related to the Archduke\'s office — in the future I will have more free time. Perhaps I will really give myself a break and leave everything to Andrew. And at the same time check how loyal he is to me.

In the meantime…

As Archduchess, I\'ve learned an important thing I didn\'t realize before — the higher the position, the greater the responsibility. So my present concerns were not to be compared with those of a small bartender… But that was also a kind of payment for high birth.

Things were not as rosy as originally imagined. After all, being an Archduchess: I did not drink tea in a beautiful dress in the gazebo, but dusted in the office with a pile of papers… That was how the destruction of naive stereotypes took place.

After a short rest, I sighed and went back to work. I decided to look through the letters — that Andrew had brought me this morning.

Among those related to work, I found letters from friends. I smiled involuntarily when I saw those envelopes.

Razor and Maxie left me almost simultaneously six months ago. Despite the fact that originally both wanted to support me in the new place — but due to forced circumstances, they left.

When Razor found out how much damage his brother had done, he hurried to find him. Philip fled immediately after the Archduke\'s death and no one knew where he was until now.

And Maxie returned to the Oberon Empire by order of her father. The Marquis of Windsor was extremely indignant — that being a crown princess, a girl so easily neglects her duties and leaves her native country for who knows how long. Anyway, after a lot of scolding, Maxie did promise to return. But she assured me that she would be sure to visit at the first opportunity.

They often sent me letters from all over the world because they were worried about how I was coping with all this alone. I replied that I was fine.

In a way, it wasn\'t even a lie. After all I had been through: there was finally peace in my life. The Empire was safe, and I, as Archduchess, was free and completely independent. What else seemed to be lacking for happiness?

I should be content.

But…

When my hand reached the last paper in the stack I involuntarily shuddered. It was the latest issue of the news, which I had asked Andrew not to bring me anymore. But because of an old habit, he kept forgetting my request and did it anyway.

When I read the very first headline-even though I was going to throw it away right away-I involuntarily froze.

«The wedding date for Queen Rachel Cassius of Azeroth and Crown Princess Camilla Fernandez is officially set! The royal court press office has released a statement — the ceremony will take place as soon as this August!»

And below is a black-and-white photo: Rachel and Camilla were walking hand in hand at an event, and they were surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of subjects. Despite only being engaged, they already looked like a married couple.

I stared at the photo without looking away. I should have crumpled it up and thrown it away long ago.

My hands holding the paper trembled.

That\'s the reason… I still couldn\'t smile.