Ch#105
Spoils of War
Duchess
Written by Lemon Frog
Chapter 105
"If that man tries to take Edel away, then I'll really kidnap her and whisk her away no matter what."
"Please calm down, Madam. For now, let me think of a way. Pardon first and foremost. Even if she regains her noble status, her path won't be smooth as long as she remains a criminal."
"Can I... really trust you?"
"If not, how could you say you'd kidnap Edel right in front of me?"
Laslo smiled faintly, and Barbara gave an awkward smile in return.
"Tell me if there's anything I can do to help. Watching Edel fall into despair without being able to help—once is more than enough."
"Then gather information on House Canian. I'm investigating too, but more sources are always better."
"Alright. I'll do what I can."
The two shook hands firmly for the first time since meeting and parted ways.
Edel had no idea she had become the bridge between House Criserus and Celestine.
"Brother, you're back?"
The voice greeting Laslo upon his return was different from usual.
Laslo eyed Linia, who was beaming, with suspicion.
"Where are the steward and head maid? Why are you out here?"
"I said I'd greet you today since I have something to talk about. Why? Don't you like it?"
"It's not that I dislike it... but it feels ominous somehow."
Linia smacked her brother's arm hard instead of replying and linked arms with him.
"Don't say mean things and just follow me."
.
Laslo was dragged by Linia to his study.
Tea was prepared on the table as always, but the fact that Edel wasn't the one serving it left Laslo feeling oddly disappointed.
"Why the theatrics just to talk?"
He asked Linia, who was pouring his tea. Up until then, he thought it was just light teasing.
Linia often made a fuss over nothing, after all.
'Probably asking to buy something, or bragging about a new friend, or an invitation somewhere.'
But Linia, cupping her steaming teacup in both hands, said something Laslo never expected.
"Brother. Edel's still young."
"You're not saying that because you think I don't know, right?"
"If you know, then you don't plan to let her grow old and die working here, do you?"
Laslo furrowed his brow at Linia bringing up something similar to Barbara. He didn't think it came from deep consideration like hers.
"What are you getting at?"
"It might be a bit early, but how about you find her a remarriage partner before she gets any older?"
"Suddenly?"
"'Suddenly'? Seeing your reaction, you haven't thought about Edel's future at all? All that 'I'm so indebted, I owe you' talk was just empty words?"
Laslo's chest stung at the unexpectedly sharp criticism.
"No, it's not that. I just meant I don't know what Edel thinks or what kind of man she'd like, so how could I choose for her?"
"That's why I investigated ahead of time. Be grateful you have such a capable sister."
"What?"
Laslo inwardly panicked as the conversation veered in an unexpected direction, but Linia sat up straight, resolute, and spoke seriously.
"I'll give you some info on Edel's tastes in men. Hmm... thinking about it, it might actually be info on you, but anyway."
- 3 -
"Info on me...?"
"Edel said you're pretty decent material in society. As a dating or marriage prospect."
"...Huh?"
Laslo made a dumb sound, but Linia didn't care at all.
"And according to Edel, you're considerate, respect others, and have sound values. Good conversationalist too—no, she said not to use that word. Ah! Good talker."
She shrugged and shook her head.
"The Laslo Criserus I know must be different from the one Edel knows."
"Hold on. Edel wouldn't just bring that up out of nowhere... What exactly did you say to her?"
"Uh... what was it again? Ah! You have overflowing masculine charm too. She hesitated saying it felt improper, but I pressed her and found out."
Laslo, about to scold Linia, smacked his lips and asked in a quieter voice.
"In what way?"
"She said she's never seen brown eyes as clear and pretty as yours. And when you look piercingly with them... No, not glaring... piercingly! Then anyone's heart would race."
At that, Laslo unnecessarily touched around his eyes and blinked.
He probably did it unconsciously, but Linia, watching, had to hold back a burst of laughter.
Laslo, feeling a bit embarrassed, grumbled deliberately.
"Brown eyes are common, though..."
"Right? What's pretty about these?"
"......I didn't want to hear that from you."
As his expression soured, Linia tossed another bait.
"Ah, and Edel thinks you're handsome with a great build. I hate macho guys who are just big, but she said she likes men who can lift her up."
"Any man worth his salt should be able to lift a woman."
"Ugh, a man's brain only knows fighting."
.
Linia found her brother snapping up every bait hilarious and foolish.
'How much more do I have to say before he realizes he likes Edel?'
She wanted to tell him outright, but with Laslo's surprisingly shy and prideful personality, he'd probably retreat into his shell like a hermit crab.
Meanwhile, Laslo had imagined himself marrying Edel from the combination of her favorable evaluation and the word 'remarriage.'
As his ears flushed red, Linia poured cold water exactly then.
"Anyway, that's about it. I used you as an example to ask directly, but Edel's tastes run that way, so use this info to find a good match."
Laslo felt like he'd been hit in the back of the head at the words about finding another man for her.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, as if caught imagining.
"Ahem... But we should ask if Edel even wants to remarry..."
"You still don't know Edel's personality? She'd wave it off immediately. But is a 60-year-old geezer supposed to be the entirety of her romantic life? That wasn't even love! Just a sordid transaction."
"True, but..."
Laslo replied unenthusiastically, but Linia pretended not to notice his mood.
"Imperial Guard knights might be too proud. How about finding someone from the regular knights in the Imperial Knights Order? What do you think?"
Laslo's expression was indescribably strange.
Somehow disappointed, wanting to run, dissatisfied.
He rubbed his face with both hands several times, regained composure with a sigh, and shook his head.
"But it's not as easy as it sounds. Edel's still a criminal and commoner. Of course, we could pardon her, but what status she'd get is unknown."
"So?"
"Plus, would any man want the infamous 'Duchess of Lancaster' as his wife...?"
"Ugh. You're a man, but you don't understand men at all?"
"What?"
As Laslo's eyes narrowed, Linia shrugged and answered.
"Edel's beautiful."
"And?"
"What 'and'? That's all the explanation needed."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"If you're as pretty as Edel, nothing else matters? And on top of that, she's kind, smart, elegant... A woman like that smiles at you—think any man wouldn't fall?"
Linia drove the point home to the baffled Laslo.
"If it were you, think you wouldn't fall?"
"Of course...!"
"Close your eyes and imagine. Like at the party we held here last time, Edel in a pretty dress, wearing the earrings you gave her dangling, looking back at you."
"You, what do you even...?"
"Not done. Be quiet. Anyway, such an Edel looks back at you and shyly adjusts her dress. Cheeks slightly flushed, a bit embarrassed to meet your eyes."
For Laslo, it wasn't hard to imagine. It was exactly how Edel had looked at him after the first waltz at the party.
He didn't want to be led by Linia, but he inevitably recalled that Edel.
"If Edel smiled like that and said 'I like you,' you think it'd really leave you unmoved?"
He wanted to say no, but just imagining it made Laslo's heart pound. He surely couldn't refuse her either.
.
