Ch#102
Chapter 102"Ahem! W-well, putting that aside, anything else? There are plenty of considerate men toward women out there."
"Anyone who converses with the Count will surely realize his empathy and sound values. He wouldn't look down on someone just because they're a woman or from a lowly house."
"Really?"
"You might not realize it as his sister, but even when speaking with me—a mere servant—the Count has always treated me with respect. Truly respecting someone from a superior position isn't easy."
Edel meant it sincerely, but Linia's expression turned subtly odd. Wondering if using herself as an example had upset Linia, Edel quickly changed the subject.
"Moreover, he never loses his wit and humor despite seeming aloof. Any woman who enjoys conversation would lose track of time chatting with the Count."
"Is my brother that eloquent...?"
"Well... 'Eloquent' is a bit too lowbrow a word for you to use, Miss, so avoid it. And what people call 'eloquence' is quite different from the Count being a good conversationalist."
Linia, who rarely had deep conversations with Laslo, seemed not to fully grasp Edel's point but nodded anyway.
"Anything else? Come on, anything beyond being considerate, empathetic, or a good talker? Doesn't he have some charm that could really set your heart ablaze?"
"Set my heart... ablaze?"
"You know, that kind of thing? Heart pounding, thinking of him all day, breath catching at the slightest brush—stuff like that!"
"...You haven't been reading trashy novels, have you?"
"N-no! Anyway, that's what I mean—no such charm?"
Edel couldn't understand what Linia was hoping for.
As if reading her thoughts on her face, Linia hurriedly explained.
"A good, upright man is great! But for love to spark, there needs to be some primal attraction too—that's what I think."
Edel felt a twinge of doubt hearing this from Linia, far younger than her, but on reflection, she'd never felt such attraction toward a man herself.
Probably because she'd never met anyone by her own will.
The thought made her a bit melancholic.
'I'll probably never know a fiery romance like that before I die.'
.
But it was inevitable. No man in the empire would marry the infamous 'widow,' 'traitor's wife,' and 'former noble turned commoner.'
"Edel? Does my brother really have no such charm?"
Linia asked anxiously, as Edel had fallen silent too long.
But it wasn't something she lacked words for. In fact, the most immediate charm Laslo possessed was his sexual appeal.
"It feels improper for me to say..."
"No! Not improper at all! Be honest—brutally so. You can say you can't even imagine kissing him, or that you'd want to jump him given the chance!"
"Good heavens, Miss...!"
"Scold me later! Answer first!"
Linia seemed more urgent and anxious than ever. If she'd studied this passionately, she'd be a celebrated lady in society by now.
But that was what made Linia herself.
Edel chuckled, then spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
"The Count... how should I put it? Ah, yes—masculine charm! He has outstanding masculine charm."
"Specifically, which parts...?"
Overwhelmed by Linia's intense lean-in, Edel bit her lip, unable to refuse.
Moments when Laslo made her heart race weren't few. He was occasionally too seductive.
Avoiding Linia's direct gaze, Edel answered in a quieter voice.
"The Count's eyes are... truly beautiful. I've never seen such clear brown eyes. And when he looks at you piercingly with them... anyone would feel their heart race."
"Of course your heart races when my brother glares—it's fear!"
"N-no, not like that..."
"Kidding. Hmm. Hard to imagine since he's never looked at me that way."
"The Count looking at you like that is something I can't imagine either."
"Got it. Eyes and gaze. Good. Anything else?"
Linia was now even taking notes.
A quick glance showed she'd jotted down everything Edel had said before.
"This must be quite important to you, Miss Linia. Well, you did transform the Count of House Criserus's appearance..."
Sensing Linia's feelings somewhat, Edel mustered more courage than before.
"And truthfully, he's handsome. Not just his face—he's tall with a knightly build."
"What's your type, Edel? There are popular guys not as huge as my brother. Intellectual or gentle types are usually slender."
"Hmm... I'd prefer someone who could at least lift me up in his arms."
"My brother could lift you with one arm."
"He could."
Edel laughed as if at a amusing joke, oblivious to Linia's eyes sharpening like a hawk eyeing prey.
"Anyway, enough chit-chat... Shall we review your answers now?"
"Huh? Weren't we just gossiping today?"
"We can't waste a precious day."
As Edel smiled and picked up the answer sheet, Linia let out a big sigh.
But having gleaned overflowing info to pass to her brother, she figured she could be a good student now.
A few days later, Edel welcomed a delightful guest.
"Welcome, Barbara!"
"It's been a while, Edel."
The two embraced tightly, patting each other's backs before beaming and heading inside.
Barbara, who had helped in various ways when Edel became steward, had become a special guest of House Criserus. She was currently the only one free to come and go in high society.
"Was the trip here comfortable?"
.
"Why wouldn't it be for me? The coachman and my maid might have had it rough, but they need the work."
The elderly lady's steps still clicked oddly—tap, clack, tap, clack—but neither Barbara nor Edel minded.
Edel knew Barbara massaged her left leg more as the weather cooled, so she guided her to a chair by the warm fireplace.
"Lucky the fire's going. As you age, the cold seeps into your bones."
"It's not just age—most women have poor circulation. Shall I fetch a lap blanket?"
"No need for that. Hot tea should warm me up."
A cup Edel had just poured steamed warmly on the small table by the fireplace.
Barbara sipped and smiled in satisfaction. House Criserus's tea had improved vastly.
"Where do you order the leaves from?"
"From <Perli> as you recommended, and for East Continent teas, from <Medouriqi> or <Gishi Tea Merchant Association>. We still have some from Count Talon's gift a few months ago."
"All reputable places. Does the Count notice the improved taste?"
"Hard to say. He hasn't mentioned it, but he drinks it more often now."
Truthfully, the tea leaves used when Marsha was head maid were abysmal. Mostly cheap bulk buys, poorly stored ones even molded.
She trusted they hadn't served moldy tea to Laslo or Linia, but if some had, the rest's quality was surely poor.
'No wonder he lost interest in tea.'
Edel had never seen Laslo enjoy it herself, but never seeing a maid bring him tea was telling enough.
After she replaced all the leaves, Laslo always had tea post-court, and on days home, about three times daily.
"The estate looks so improved now I don't even need to comment. All thanks to your hard work, Edel."
Barbara said, surveying the drawing room. Not just tea—everything adorning the estate was far more refined and beautiful.
Edel, raised in a count's house and risen to duchess, had transformed House Criserus like a family with centuries of history.
Yet at Barbara's praise, Edel shook her head.
.
