Ch#119
Chapter 119"As I said earlier, this will proceed very quickly. Even if rumors leak, House Canian or my enemies won't be able to do anything about it, but still, I'd prefer the gossip to start after the wedding."
Then Linia chimed in coldly from the side.
"He means watch your mouths. Before I have to call in to deal with it."
And finally, Edel spoke softly.
"There are no external spies among you. We already investigated during hiring. And I believe none of you would betray us for a few coins."
Of those statements, Edel's words gave the servants the most psychological pressure.
Betraying Laslo, called the grim reaper of the battlefield or the emperor's hunting dog, might even be easy.
It sounded like she was defending the servants, but the part about 'investigated at hiring' made everyone's spines tingle.
Besides, they all owed big and small debts to Edel, the steward—whether material or emotional.
It was hard to betray Edel, who secretly slipped them money when they were short, or offered sincere comfort and useful advice when they suffered alone from tough work.
"Even if we betrayed you two and fled, how far could we go? Besides, it's far more profitable for all of us to keep working happily together in this mansion than a few coins."
Margaret replied calmly on behalf of everyone, and Laslo nodded in satisfaction.
"I trust you. And the wedding will be a simple private ceremony in a small temple within the palace, so no need to worry."
Then Collette boldly retorted.
"You wouldn't know, my lord. Our war starts after the wedding. Guests will flock to see the new Countess, won't they?"
"Ah...... Sorry about that."
The family head scratching the back of his head in response to the maid's joke was a fresh and amusing sight.
Thanks to it, the slightly tense atmosphere dissolved completely amid bursts of 'wahaha' laughter.
.
It was a night when everyone in House Criserus bonded with even stronger unity.
The first to hear about Laslo's marriage was, as expected, .
The night Laslo confirmed Edel's pardon with Dimarcus, he stopped by the mercenary guild office and revealed his plans to the key executives.
"Hah! I knew it! From the moment that blockhead Laslo Criserus snatched up that woman, something felt off!"
He smacked the back of Nathan's head, who was half-jokingly making a fuss, and prepared the top-secret wedding.
And today, Laslo was back at the office for a final check on preparations.
Of course, since it wasn't meant to be publicized widely, there wasn't much to prepare.
"Must be why she caught your eye from the first moment you saw her."
Nathan murmured like he was humming a popular tune, gazing out at the lightly falling snow.
"Don't be ridiculous. You bristled up like a wildcat and kept your guard up."
"She seemed like a dangerous woman who could bewitch the boss. You got all weird whenever she was around."
Laslo took it as a joke, but Nathan was serious.
"A guy who never glanced at women would gaze wistfully at her retreating figure, or smile beamingly even mid-serious talk when she entered the office............"
"When did I?"
"When? You seemed totally oblivious, boss, but every time, every time!"
Laslo wanted to deny it, but hearing recent accounts from those around him, he lacked confidence to refute—it really seemed plausible.
Linia, the servants, and now even the crew were insisting: You've liked Edel from way back!
"Was that so......"
"Truth be told, I disliked her at first. Daughter of Count Canian, of all people. Vulgar nouveau riche drunkard. No way proper kids come from scum like that."
- 3 -
However, frequent visits to the Criserus mansion made Nathan realize Edel was quite different from his assumptions.
She had a strong presence, but it wasn't from deliberate actions.
She was always polite upon meeting, and no matter how sharply scrutinized, she never seemed to look down on others.
So beautiful yet unobsessed with her looks, indifferent to clothes or jewels, transcendent even after falling from the top to the bottom.
The elegance, nobility, humility, and consideration flowing as naturally as breath couldn't be feigned.
So he had to acknowledge it.
"Spending time with her, I could see why you'd take notice."
"Honestly, I thought I had no particular feelings for Edel......"
"Well, there's love that sneaks in unawares. Nothing to be ashamed of!"
"To hear such corny crap from you!"
Laslo shook his head, but his ear tips flushed red.
Still, he believed his feelings weren't 'love.' That word belonged to something nobler.
'Can't dress up base male lust as love.'
Of course, his heart ached for Edel's sadness and wounds, and he sincerely wanted to give her good things. Time with her flew by so fast it sometimes flustered him, even when she spouted foolish talk.
But ultimately, what lingered in his mind were her slender nape, rounded shoulders, straight waist, moist eyes, and lips hinting at softness.
Was the urge to hold her close and kiss her love? No, more honestly, it was desire to lay that soft, pale woman on his bed draped in red curtains. Was that truly love?
Edel would shudder if she knew.
So he had to hide these feelings to the end, pretending it was for the greater good. Thoroughly, until the day he let her go.
"Anyway, no hitches with the wedding?"
"None. Though it might seem like there are."
Nathan's eyes glinted meaningfully.
"Good. Then next Saturday, proceed as planned."
"Understood. Oh! What should we get as a wedding gift?"
.
"Didn't expect gifts—just do as ordered. Is the info on Liandro Bilbro really all there is?"
Nathan replied grumpily.
"We're digging hard, so quit nagging. You know someone's pulling strings behind him, boss."
"I know. That's why it's more irritating."
How could he not? Liandro was backed by Isaac Winblair.
That made Liandro even more grating.
'No way Isaac Winblair keeps a useless collateral around.'
Heir to Til Armand? Ridiculous.
Among Winblair collaterals, several held that level of wealth and power—some even greater.
Yet not one was chosen by Isaac.
'Staying years at the Winblair marquisate? That makes even less sense if he's a nobody.'
The fact Liandro had stayed years at the Winblair mansion was recent intel too.
Meaning Isaac had hidden it tightly. Highly suspicious.
"Even the emperor's informants are struggling, so I know nothing easy will turn up. Still, keep digging steadily—check Angela Bliss too."
"Got it!"
Laslo nodded to Nathan and left the office.
Just then, Pete, handling guild affairs, approached.
"Ah, boss! Was coming to see you after hearing you were here."
"What? Something up?"
"Need approval for new weapons, armor, and medicine purchases."
Laslo skimmed the ledger Pete handed over while standing in the hall.
The list of massive quantities—enough for a full army—filled the pages with enormous sums.
Laslo scrawled his signature at the bottom and asked.
"Total mobilizable personnel?"
"Around 800 now, but by January, the provincial mission guys return, injured ones recover—about 150 more."
"Starting in January would burden them too. Prepare thoroughly for total war that month."
"Yes, sir."
Pete answered, then asked curiously.
"But really, think they'll move in February?"
"Early February at latest, March for sure."
Laslo was preparing not just the wedding, but countermeasures against the three great families' rebellion.
But to the uninformed, it seemed a bit premature.
.
