Ch#34
“I… I’ve been going out with this on every day…”
Marsha had said it was trendy in noble society these days, so popular that you had to line up at dawn in front of the store every time a new product came out just to barely get one.
Marsha, you fraud!
No wonder she’d felt strange stares everywhere she went. At the time, she had no idea it was the makeup and racked her brain guessing other reasons…
Linia, in shock, only snapped out of it when Edel lightly grabbed her arm.
“Just don’t do it from now on. For the moment, you need to greet the guests.”
“Oh, right! The guests are here!”
Linia quickly checked her appearance in the mirror and headed down to the reception room on the first floor.
*Spoils of war*
Then, taking a few deep breaths in front of the door, she asked Edel.
“W-what should I say?”
*Duchess*
“Greet them first. Don’t introduce yourself before they introduce themselves. Once you’ve exchanged names, take a seat, and I’ll bring out the tea and treats. In the meantime, explain why the Count is running late.”
“Bring out the tea and treats? Then what?”
Truly written by Lemon Frog
“The guests will start the conversation, so just respond simply. The important thing is you don’t need to force the talk along, miss.”
Her plan to subtly coax answers from Edel had long been abandoned.
Linia wished she could just push Edel forward in her place if she could.
“Ugh, what do I do? I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Stay calm. Always remember you’re of higher status than the guests. Look down on them… bluntly put.”
Those words gave Linia a bit of courage.
- 2 -
.
That’s right. I’m the lady of a count’s house. A count’s lady…
At that moment, the servants’ door quietly opened, and Edel pushed in a tray.
Linia hadn’t even noticed Edel slip away.
She took one last deep breath and reached for the reception room door. But before her hand touched it, Edel grabbed it and lowered it.
Then she took the doorknob herself and opened the door in front of Linia.
“Ah, w-we’ve prepared some light tea and treats—hope they suit your taste.”
“Lady Linia Criserus at your service.”
Linia was surprised to see only two kinds of cookies and some chocolate on the plate but forced a smile.
But the knights didn’t seem to be listening to her.
As the reception room door swung wide open under Edel’s guidance, Linia truly felt like a noble lady.
Her waist straightened and shoulders squared naturally.
‘What? Everyone’s… looking at Edel…?’
She’d unconsciously mimicked Edel’s posture, but had no mind to notice that.
Linia entered the reception room with a bright smile.
Edel was silently setting teacups and dessert plates on the table without a sound, but all the knights’ gazes were fixed on her. All three with mouths agape.
“Sorry to keep you waiting so long? You must have had a hard journey here.”
Even feeling their stares, Edel finished her task without a change in expression and quietly withdrew.
Only after confirming she’d closed the door and left did the three men exchange odd glances.
The three knights from the Imperial Knights, who had risen upon her entrance, were inwardly surprised to see Linia, who was far more like a count’s lady than the rumors suggested.
What the hell? They’re ignoring me sitting right here—how rude.
Of course, seeing Edel Lancaster in person right before their eyes was even more shocking.
Her excited mood felt doused with cold water. Linia cleared her throat coldly.
“Haha! No trouble at all. First, allow us to introduce ourselves. I’m Terry Bogarden of the Imperial Knights. This is Angelo Valen, and this is Joseph Oz.”
“Ahem!”
At Terry’s introduction, Angelo and Joseph accompanying him bowed as well.
Their dashing knight uniforms and disciplined bearing made Linia’s heart flutter a bit.
Only then did the knights give awkward smiles toward Linia. Then Terry, gauging the mood, suddenly looked troubled and said.
“It’s Linia Criserus. Please, have a seat. The weather’s warmed up nicely today, hasn’t it?”
“With treats right in front of us, this is quite rude, but could you show us where to wash our hands?”
The words flowed naturally, and Linia even thought she sounded like a real noble.
His request for the bathroom soured her mood further, but she couldn’t refuse when he seemed in a hurry.
The three men laughed heartily and kept the conversation going, making her earlier worries seem unfounded—the mood was cheerful.
“W-wait a moment. Let me call a servant…”
“My brother was suddenly summoned by His Majesty the Emperor and said he’d stop by briefly. He’ll probably be here soon.”
“Wow, as expected of Sir Criserus. Meeting alone with His Majesty?”
“No need to call someone from afar. Just summon that maid from earlier.”
“Pardon?”
“What’s with that, Joseph? Sir Criserus is His Majesty’s closest confidant.”
Linia panicked at the request to call Edel. But Terry looked at her like what’s the problem and stood up.
The knights praising Laslo made Linia swell with pride too.
In that situation, calling another servant would feel odd, so Linia reluctantly called Edel.
.
Ignorant or just brazen?’
“You called for me, miss?”
“Uh, um… please show this gentleman to the washroom.”
Either way, they were fools.
…Understood. This way, please.
Edel pointed to the end of the hall with an expressionless face, hoping they’d stop at mere teasing.
Linia noted Edel’s brief silence before answering but couldn’t ask what it meant in front of guests.
“The men’s washroom is that way. If that’s all.”
Suddenly, the man named Angelo shot up too.
“I’m not sure where, so guide me to the door.”
“Surely a maid wouldn’t ignore a knight’s order?”
“W-wait! I’ll go too. Sorry, miss. I need to wash my hands as well.”
Offended by Edel showing them no interest, they dropped the formal speech and added veiled threats.
Then they dashed after Terry.
They even tapped her cheek with their fingertips.
Joseph, left alone, wore an obvious ‘I got screwed’ expression.
Edel clenched her molars.
‘What are these guys? Teasing me right in front of them?’
‘As they say, I’m just a commoner maid now. But even a commoner maid doesn’t deserve this treatment.’
Linia was annoyed too but couldn’t lash out as usual and sipped tea with Joseph.
She was a maid of House Criserus, this was the Criserus count’s residence, and they were practically subordinates to Laslo. This warranted punishment for insubordination.
Edel glared sternly.
“Are you two with the Imperial Knights?”
The two men following Edel revealed their true colors the moment fewer eyes were on them.
“Of course. You were the duchess, so you know what this is, right?”
“Wow, as the rumors say, you’re beautiful, Duchess.”
They bragged, pointing to the Imperial Knights insignia on their chests. Did they even know how vulgar it looked?
“Didn’t expect to see you this close.”
“I know the Imperial Knights as the most respected in the Fispera Empire, and all its members as gentlemen who uphold chivalry.”
The two men, blocking her front and back with mocking formal speech, clearly bore the Imperial Knights insignia.
“You know it well. Then make us feel good. Who knows? Terry or I might come save our dear Edel.”
But their demeanor was utterly unknightly.
She hadn’t expected much, but they were shameless as ever.
*No wonder it felt off.*
Edel dropped the pretense of courtesy.
Edel sighed subtly.
“Are those who visit a superior’s residence and toy with the house’s maid gentlemen who know chivalry? What salvation should I expect from men mimicking thugs?”
She’d felt uneasy since Linia called her. But she never imagined this inside the count’s residence.
The two men’s faces hardened, but she didn’t stop her rebuke.
- 6 -
.
