Responses
Ella's probably an orphan the duke picked up to use as a political asset; a guess based off of chapter 16, page 93-95.
And Licht (another orphan) probably offered himself so he could follow her. If it was Indentured servitude (serfdom >>> Ministerialis?), he probably has no/little savings and no power aside from physical swordsmen skills.
A darker scenario (another guess) would be the duke assassinated her parents because he wanted to own her as a political asset.
Can anyone tell me why there has 2 golden girls..which one is the real? I don't mind the spoiler