Ch#13
By the way, what kind of rumors are circulating among the nobles? I clearly said I would use that woman as a maid.
I knew the nobles saw me as a barbarian, but it was unfair to think I was so depraved as to force myself on a woman who hated it.
Perhaps because he had raised his younger sister by hand since childhood, to Laslo such an act was worse than that of a beast.
And the ones drooling and rushing forward for that beastly act were none other than the noble lords.
Isn't that too much for a guy who's never even held a woman's wrist?
Muttering to himself, Laslo vowed never to touch Edel, if only to defy society's expectations.
He briefly opened Barbara's letter before slipping it back into the envelope. House Celestine would need continued watching, but it didn't seem to be in league with the Lancaster Duke's family.
Then he suddenly recalled his blunder.
"See? You're trembling like I'm about to chop off someone's head right now."
*Spoils of war*
Duchess
Like that, he had spat it out in front of the woman who had lost her husband and stepchildren to him, acting aggrieved.
I'm really thoughtless. How could I say something like that in front of her?
Even if she had been distant from the Lancaster Duke's bloodline, those she had lived with under one roof had died miserably—it was impossible for her not to be affected.
Yet she had answered so calmly.
"It's strange that I'm still alive; there's no need for Your Lordship to feel burdened."
For a moment, absurdly enough, he thought he had stared at her blankly without realizing it.
How could she remain so composed even in that situation?
Even toward an enemy, it's hard to voice resentment right in front of someone who holds your lifeline. He knew that well enough, but a faint smile utterly devoid of even a shred of grudge!
'Perhaps that's befitting a duchess...?'
Previously, it had begun with "Dear beloved and respected Barbara," but now that wouldn't do.
She was no longer a noble, merely a lowly maid.
Laslo, bearing only the title of Count, suddenly reflected on himself—little changed from the days spent hunkered in the mercenary guild building, scavenging peanuts.
His feelings in that moment... well, something close to embarrassment, perhaps.
"I don't know how to thank you for your deep compassion in not forgetting and worrying about this sinner."
That was strange in itself. He had never before felt ashamed or embarrassed in front of anyone.
"I know you worry a great deal, but I'm doing well..."
'Stop thinking about it. I have work to do!'
The opening was easy, but explaining her circumstances gave her pause.
Rather than falsely reassuring Barbara, it seemed better to convey how fortunate she felt her current situation truly was, yet she agonized over the words needed to transmit her sincerity properly.
He sighed, loosening his cravat, then suddenly called a servant as if struck by an idea.
He pointed to several items he had prepared for the hurrying servant.
...so it wouldn't catch the eye of Count Cressus, who inspects letters.
"Take this to 'that woman's' room."
Not wanting to waste stationery, Edel paused her pen many times, revising sentences in her head as she wrote. Because of that, it was only at midnight, when the other servants had all fallen asleep, that she finally completed the letter.
"'That woman'... Ah! Understood."
"...Also, I sincerely pray for your health and well-being."
The servant quickly realized who "that woman" was and fetched a silver tray.
As Laslo watched expensive stationery, a pen, ink, and such being placed on the silver tray one by one, he hoped at least Edel wouldn't mock them upon seeing them.
"- With endless respect and affection, Edel."
After placing the final period, she scanned the letter once more, checking for misspellings, grammatical errors, or potentially misleading phrases.
Fortunately, since she had carefully chosen her words from the first sentence, it seemed there wouldn't be any major issues.
"Good work today too, Daisy."
Edel suppressed her urge to pour out even more stories and folded the stationery.
"You rest well too, sister."
*Will Barbara welcome this letter?*
After bidding goodnight to Daisy next door and returning to her room, Edel's eyes widened. High-quality stationery, an envelope, ink, and a pen sat on the small, shabby table.
Ah! Count Cressus...
She had half-doubted his instruction to write directly to Barbara, but with stationery prepared like this, her heart swelled once more.
She had so much she wanted to say, but Edel tried hard not to get too excited as she picked up the pen.
Seventeen years ago, on the day of the tea party hosted by the Ladric Countess, known as a powerhouse in high society.
Worthy of the Ladric Countess's fame, it was the grandest among the countless tea parties held that early summer.
"To my dear Celestine Marchioness Dowager,"
The attendees were clearly handpicked, instilling a subtle sense of pride in those invited.
However, had she known someone there was to be made a laughingstock, Edel would not have attended.
She wrote that single line and stared at it for a long while.
