Chapter 5 Taking Off

• Mrs. Hohenzollern’s face stiffened as she tugged at the corners of her mouth.
• “Darling, it’s not about disgust, just our first meeting. But since it is a marriage bestowed by His Holiness, it is God’s will. In the future, Isabella and William will achieve glory on the battlefield, and you will continue to manage the affairs of the castle, sharing in the glory they earn. Isn’t this a win-win situation?”
• “That does sound very nice.” Elinor chuckled lightly, running her fingertips over the silver-thread embroidery on her skirt. “It’s just a pity for Baroness Isabella — willing to be a mistress.”
• “Nonsense!” Mrs. Hohenzollern raised her voice, the gemstone necklace around her neck swaying as she moved too vigorously. “How could the marriage proposed by His Holiness be a mistress? She is the first woman in the kingdom to be ennobled as a baroness for her military achievements, and also a knight of the Holy See!”
• “Oh?” Elinor raised an eyebrow. “Since when did the Hohenzollern family start practicing polygamy like those barbarians from the north? Could it be that even the Knights Templar can rewrite the Sacred Marriage Code?”
• Mrs. Hohenzollern’s fake smile completely vanished.
• “Elinor, you have always been polite and sensible. William and Isabella share life and death on the battlefield, their merits will restore the family’s honor. You just need to manage the castle quietly, and there will surely be a bright spot for you in the family’s history of glory.”
• “Family history of glory?” Elinor stood up, candlelight casting flickering shadows on her pure white gown. “I’m afraid it will only immortalize their heroic figures. Where will I fit in?”
• Mrs. Hohenzollern looked very unhappy.
• “How could you not fit in? Aren’t you in charge of the financial power of the Hohenzollern family? Darling, don’t think too much. Your future will be as the wisest Duchess.”
• In the previous life, William did become the most powerful Duke in the kingdom but ended up imprisoning himself in the ancient castle, subjected to insults and abuse day and night — far from the glamorous image of a Duchess.
• Thinking of this, Elinor’s expression turned cold.
• “Before, it was because my sister-in-law was unwell, so I temporarily managed the family finances. Now that I see my sister-in-law looking healthy, I believe she has recovered. I will return the management rights to her. In the future, my sister-in-law will be in charge, and I will no longer interfere. I will hand over everything tomorrow.”
• Margarita hurriedly interjected, “My health has always been poor. It’s best for you to continue managing the family finances!”
• “Manage?” Elinor sneered at the crowd, knowing full well they were eyeing the inheritance she had brought with her.
• They were like vampires, sucking her blood — slowly but surely draining her dry.
• Every month, hundreds of gold coins were spent on Mrs. Hohenzollern’s temple ointment. Over the course of the year, thousands of coins went toward her medications.
• In addition, Elinor occasionally had to cover other expenses, such as the Hohenzollern family banquets, where she always footed the bill, resulting in significant expenditures.
• But times had changed. Once, she had genuinely wanted to start a sweet new life with William, but after a near-death experience, she was no longer willing to be the poor fool.
• Standing, Elinor gently placed the account book on the gilded low table.
• “I will finish the handover today and send the rest of the account books to you. From now on, everything related to the Hohenzollerns has nothing to do with me.”
• “Outrageous!” Mrs. Hohenzollern pounded the armrest of the sofa, her dry hair falling from the pearl hairnet. “Which nobleman doesn’t have a mistress? You are so jealous of others and causing trouble. Do you want the whole royal city to laugh at the Hohenzollern family?”
• Perhaps Elinor had been too submissive since marrying into the Hohenzollern family, giving them the illusion they could control her with a stern word.
• Elinor remained indifferent, speaking seriously.
• “People can say whatever they want. I can’t control who they choose to mock.”
• Clearly angered, Mrs. Hohenzollern gasped for breath and then coughed for a long time.
• Elinor did not approach her as she had in the past to pat her back. Instead, she stood by the door, looking back at them with emotionless eyes.
• “My dear sister-in-law Elinor, you are quite formidable!” Younger sister JoAnna clutched her feather fan. Her apricot-colored skirt still carried the scent of the oriental incense Elinor had given her. “We haven’t wronged you. Don’t forget, the Clermont family has long been in ruins. Do you still think of yourself as the kingdom’s top noblewoman? Do you believe that William will issue a document to annul the engagement and leave you with nowhere to go?”
• “Take it off,” Elinor interrupted coldly.
• “What?”
• “The Venetian silk on your body was exchanged with my inheritance from the caravan.” She glanced at the pearl hairpin in JoAnna’s hair. “And the pearl hairpin you secretly put on — return it to my chamber before sunset. Otherwise…” She lightly touched the family crest wrapped around the sword hilt. “I won’t hesitate to show you the swordsmanship of the Clermont family in battle.”
• JoAnna’s face turned red with anger. She bit her lip and stared at Elinor intently.
• “I gave it to you because you kept licking your face to flatter me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken it.”
• In the dead silence of the room, only Irina covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
• “If there’s nothing else, then I’ll leave first.”
• With that, Elinor turned and walked away — without a hint of nostalgia.