Ch#110
Chapter 110When the Canian count's family reappeared at parties, their situation was markedly different from before. Everyone welcomed them since they arrived alongside the Winblair Marquis.
"Oh my, it's been so long, Countess Canian!"
"Young William has grown into such a fine man, hasn't he? Why have you been away for so long?"
The Canian family's shoulders began to straighten again, shoulders that had only recently borne mocking glances.
Of course, they weren't foolish enough to get carried away with satisfaction and forget what they needed to do.
"We wanted to see you all more often too. But we've been so busy trying to bring our daughter back."
"Your daughter... you mean Edel?"
The asker's voice dropped noticeably.
They seemed surprised that the Canian family, who had drawn many glares at the last party over the Edel issue, was bringing up her name again.
However, this was exactly the reaction the Canian family had hoped for.
"Yes. I know everyone views her poorly, but she's still my daughter. My husband went to Count Criserus and begged to bring Edel back..."
Rudmila pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes, drawing even more attention from those around her.
Then William, beside her, spoke in a somber tone.
"Count Criserus only allowed my father a brief meeting with Edel but ignored his tearful pleas to return her. They say Edel was too intimidated by him to even speak properly."
"Oh my, oh my!"
Sighs of sympathy followed.
While Rudmila and William appealed to people's emotions to garner sympathy, Dustin and his second son Jeffrey took a more political approach, venting their frustration.
"That Count Criserus... He claims Edel's a capable steward and all, but you all know better, don't you? What would a delicately raised girl like her know about steward duties?"
As Dustin began, Jeffrey clenched his fist tightly.
.
"Count Criserus knows it too—that just by holding Edel, he can drag our family down!"
"Exactly! Why else would he keep someone he doesn't even need? Why drag her to every big and small family gathering to stamp her face in people's minds!"
Of course, their claims had points worth scrutinizing. Like the fact that the Canian family was the one who had abandoned Edel first, the legitimacy of demanding her back without offering proper compensation, or what Edel's own wishes might be.
But for those spreading rumors, what mattered was stimulating others' interest, not such rational judgments.
"Have you heard? The Canian count's family is trying to get Edel back, but Count Criserus won't let her go."
"I heard too. But which parent could rest easy knowing their daughter became a captive and spoils of war?"
"Goodness, it must eat them up inside. Count Criserus, and even His Majesty the Emperor—they went too far."
"Right. If she had died, it might be one thing, but to watch her alive and slaving away in someone else's house..."
Such talk always ended with criticism of Dimarcus mixed in.
"No matter how much His Majesty wants to strengthen imperial authority, did he have to use such cruel methods to check the three great families?"
"And the Canian family wasn't even directly involved, right?"
"This is oppression, outright tyranny. Without the taxes we nobles pay, imperial authority couldn't even stand—how could he do this?"
The nobles venting their discontent were mostly from the Old Nobility Faction, but as the rumors spread, it was clear that even neutral or pro-emperor nobles would start sympathizing with the Canian family and Edel.
Isaac spared no support for Dustin, who was fulfilling his role admirably.
He wrote recommendation letters in his name wherever Dustin went or personally introduced him to key figures.
Thanks to this, the Canian family's standing rose dramatically in a short time, and the couple's heartfelt plight to reclaim their daughter evolved through embellishments into a tear-jerking tale impossible to hear without weeping.
"Keep it up just like this, Count. Public opinion is turning; soon either that Laslo or His Majesty will have to decide on Edel's fate."
"It's all thanks to you, Marquis Winblair. Once Edel returns, I'll extract information on Laslo and House Criserus and report it straight to you."
Dustin acted with utmost loyalty to not lose the ladder to success he'd finally grasped.
To test him, Isaac said ambiguously,
"What worries me is her refusing to return. Even if we go to all this trouble to get her back, will she hand over information willingly?"
At that, Dustin's eyes sharpened.
- 3 -
"If she's in her right mind, she'll obey her father, but if the situation you fear arises..."
"And then?"
"I'll make her confess through torture if needed. That's the way to protect our family's honor—and ultimately, to protect this nation."
Only then did Isaac's lips curve satisfactorily.
"You see the big picture, Count. Truly fortunate."
The news that the Canian family was striving to get Edel back reached her through Linia.
"I heard it by chance too, but apparently it's quite the hot topic in their camp. They want their daughter back, but Count Criserus won't let her go."
"Yes...?"
Edel felt an indescribable terror.
The face of her father, who had spoken of plans to restore her honor, flashed in her mind, sending chills down her spine.
"N-No...! I don't want that...!"
Even though she had hated the idea of marrying into the Lancaster ducal family so much, she hadn't ultimately fled because it seemed like an escape from her father.
To that extent, Edel wanted to escape her father—and that family.
She had thought the connection was finally severed when she became a captive and was given as spoils of war, but Dustin was extending his forceful grasp to use her to the end.
"Edel! Don't worry. No matter the rumors, those people can't just drag you away!"
Linia supported the pale Edel and comforted her, but Edel shook her head.
"My father is someone who always gets what he wants. He'll try to take me back somehow."
"His Majesty the Emperor is on our side! You came to our house by imperial decree—how dare they take you?"
"Even the Emperor can't ignore the nobles' opinions. If neutral faction opinion turns against us too, His Majesty might reinstate me with the Canian family to shift the mood."
.
Just voicing it made her legs tremble and her stomach churn; Edel collapsed to the floor right there.
*No. No. I absolutely don't want to go back. I'd rather die!*
Laslo and Barbara's words not to think of dying were useless in the face of her extreme fear and panic.
Linia grew frightened too, seeing Edel like this for the first time since they met—seemingly losing her reason.
She hugged Edel tightly.
"Edel! Pull yourself together. There must be a way. Brother! Yes, Brother will protect you somehow!"
At Linia's words, Edel suddenly recalled the conversation she'd had sitting on a bench with Laslo.
He had definitely said then,
"I might not seem reliable, but I wish you'd believe this. From now on, I'll protect you."
He said he'd protect her. He asked for a chance to do so. At this moment, the only one Edel could cling to was Laslo.
Edel barely stood on her shaking legs and got up from her seat. She then tightly grasped Linia's hand, who was looking at her worriedly.
"I... I'll go to the Count."
"I'll go with you! You can barely walk right now!"
"No. I'm okay now. I can go alone."
She wasn't okay at all, but she didn't want to spread her anxiety to Linia too. Edel comforted Linia and headed to Laslo's study.
With every step, she imagined what would happen if she returned to the Canian family.
*Father will demand Criserus family information from me. Refusal won't be an option. By any means... Yes, he'll beat me mercilessly until I open my mouth.*
Honestly, even as a steward here, she didn't know any major secrets. The food suppliers for House Criserus or the monthly household budget wouldn't be important to Marquis Winblair.
But Dustin wouldn't believe her protests of knowing nothing.
*Then what happens to me?*
Imagining what came after was so terrifying she felt suffocated.
Edel walked leaning on the wall. She forced deep breaths, but her chest felt tight like she was suffocating. She felt like she might die any moment.
.
