Ch#33
Compared to the previous emperor, Dimacus was close to oppressing the nobles, yet he had managed to solidly maintain his throne until now because the power he wielded aligned with people's common sense and moral standards.
Conversely, it meant the nobles he was punishing had committed acts of tyranny beyond common sense.
“Picking pearls out of this muddy field my father left ruined isn’t easy.”
His sigh deepened.
Until now, the four great houses had held too much power, and there were far too many parasites clinging to them. The wise and diligent ones had erased their presence, merely waiting for those violent times to pass.
“If only they’d crawl out now, but they’re all too cautious.”
*Spoils of war*
As Dimacus, struggling to find allies around him, vented like he was lamenting his fate, Count Talon cautiously spoke up.
*Duchess*
“Isn’t House Celestine starting to move?”
“Hm? House Celestine?”
Dimacus was puzzled by the news that the family that had seemed the most cautious was finally stirring.
“Count Criserus visited House Celestine yesterday. I thought Your Majesty already knew.”
“Laslo went there? I haven’t heard a thing from him.”
Truly written by Lemon Frog
Dimacus didn’t think Laslo would betray him. Laslo himself knew there were many informants and watchers around him, so visiting openly in broad daylight meant there was nothing to hide.
But why House Celestine all of a sudden?
To Dimacus pondering alone, his loyal and capable attendant Count Talon drew close and whispered.
“The only thing that comes to mind is the friendship between the Celestine Marchioness Dowager and Edel Lancaster.”
“Oh ho. That prickly old lady was close to Edel Lancaster?”
“Yes. They weren’t the type to spread rumors, so not many know, but from what I’ve heard, the two shared a deep friendship. They were closer than mother and daughter, in fact.”
- 2 -
.
In her anxiety bordering on madness, one person suddenly came to Linia’s mind.
Dimacus stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment.
*‘That’s right! Edel Lancaster—she’d know all about it, wouldn’t she?’*
“So you’re saying... Laslo went there because of Edel Lancaster?”
“That could be it. Though...”
“It seems the Marchioness Dowager invited him. Isn’t Count Criserus just responding to the invitation while gauging their mood?”
Edel was the only one in this house who had ever properly hosted nobles—and excellently at that.
Linia hurriedly called a maid.
But strangely, Laslo’s actions felt suspicious. The Laslo Criserus she knew wouldn’t voluntarily seek to win over noble factions like this.
“Go fetch Edel right now! Make sure she’s properly in her maid uniform! Hurry!”
Nor did it seem like something he’d do because he had his eye on Edel Lancaster. Two and a half months was too short for the stone-like Laslo to fall head over heels for someone.
“B-but the Count said not to call her for a while...”
“She’s all better now! Fetch her quick!”
“It’d be faster to ask her directly. Tell Laslo to stop by before heading back to the palace.”
“Understood.”
The maid had no choice but to go get Edel, as Linia nearly screamed her orders.
And shortly after, Edel descended to the reception room. She still looked a bit gaunt, but not as deathly pale as when she’d collapsed.
It might seem rude to detain someone leaving early on a Saturday, but Dimacus’s face was full of mischief.
With her hair neatly pinned up and her maid uniform impeccably worn without a single wrinkle, she looked less like the lowest maid in the house and more like a palace attendant.
“You called for me, miss?”
“See? You’re all better. Brother won’t say anything.”
“Marsha! Is the tea ready? The treats?”
“All prepared, miss. Please calm down.”
Linia raised her voice unnecessarily at the maid who had fetched Edel in defiance of the master’s orders and was fidgeting anxiously.
“But Brother’s not here, and guests are coming!”
But now that Edel was standing right in front of her, it was hard to voice such complaints.
Linia had been nagging the cook and maids since morning and couldn’t hide her anxiety.
*‘What if she thinks I’m ridiculous?’*
Laslo had just sent urgent word that he was bringing a few Imperial Knights on his way back from the palace today.
She didn’t want to be mocked at every party she attended, and certainly not looked down on by her own house’s maids.
“His Majesty the Emperor urgently summoned him, so Sir Criserus will be a bit late. He said if the guests arrive first, serve them tea and treats and show them around the house.”
But even as she fretted, the clock hands ticked relentlessly onward.
At that moment, Marsha, who had been eyeing Edel with displeasure, whispered in Linia’s ear.
Linia was appalled by the errand boy’s message.
Her alone to receive noble guests? Her vision went white.
“If you show the guests you’re making a former duchess serve as your maid, they’ll think you’re impressive, miss.”
She had mimicked tea party setups from other houses, but had no idea if it was proper. She couldn’t trust Marsha’s assurances that it was splendid, either.
“Ah, right! Why didn’t I think of that?”
What if she became a laughingstock again!
Linia beamed as if her worries were solved. She wouldn’t outright ask Edel about noble etiquette—instead, as her superior, she’d probe with commands to preserve her own pride.
Linia lifted her chin haughtily before Edel, hiding her anxiety.
- 4 -
.
“Eh? R-really? Then... shall we go down now...?”
“Edel. You’re all better, so it’s time to start working again. But heavy labor would still be too much, so attend me at my side today. That shouldn’t be hard, right?”
“Thank you for your consideration, miss.”
Linia tensed up and fumbled awkwardly.
Edel approached her, straightened her attire, and gently removed the stray hairs clinging to her cheeks and forehead.
Seeing Edel obediently bow her head, Linia inwardly sighed in relief and plopped onto the sofa.
“Shall I hand you a handkerchief?”
“Three knights from the Imperial Knights will visit shortly. Brother’s running late, so we have to greet the guests. Then...”
“Hm? I-is this okay?”
“Yes.”
“Um... should I... greet them at the entrance?”
Edel dabbed Linia’s face lightly with the handkerchief to remove the oiliness.
Linia probed tentatively in a hesitant voice.
“Where’s the powder?”
Whether Edel truly didn’t know her intentions or was pretending, she answered calmly.
“Powder? Here it is. This is plain white powder, this is pearl dust, and this is the trendy Flower Water Powder.”
“Normally the butler handles it, but with no butler... perhaps have the head maid greet them first and escort to the reception room?”
“Should I wait in the reception room...?”
The cosmetics were all expensive, but Edel pushed the others aside and lightly dusted basic white powder over Linia’s face.
Layered over Marsha’s makeup, it gave a more subdued look.
“As the lady of the house, it would suit your station to descend after the guests are shown to the reception room. Knights usually hold no titles, after all.”
“Ah, y-yeah, probably.”
“All done.”
Linia, who had been about to bow and scrape at the entrance, breathed a sigh of relief.
She wondered if there was more, but when Edel stopped, Linia panicked.
“Bring out the treats at an appropriate time when the guests arrive. Set the table up in advance.”
“No. Since we’re doing it, pat some Flower Water Powder on the cheeks too.”
“Understood. Then I’ll head to the kitchen...”
“No.”
“Ah, wait! Then should I stay... in my room?”
“What? No?”
“Yes. I’ll go greet them when they arrive.”
“Great, perfect!”
Linia’s face soured in an instant. But after a moment’s thought, Edel cautiously spoke.
Linia finally relaxed and sent Edel to the kitchen. With ten desserts prepared, Edel would set a splendid table on her own.
“This kind of powder... I hesitate to say, but it’s inappropriate for a young unmarried noble lady to apply.”
Ordering Marsha to wait at the entrance, Linia returned to her room and anxiously awaited Edel.
How long had she waited?
A neat knock sounded, and Edel entered.
Then Linia’s expression froze.
“Why? Why is it inappropriate?”
“Miss. The guests have arrived.”
“Young ladies should rely on their natural complexion. Adding artificial blush beyond that looks quite awkward.”
- 6 -
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