Ch#55
“What? Relying on my brother, you're acting all arrogant!”
“That's exactly what I mean. Until recently, she wouldn't even dare look our way, and now she's holding her chin up high...! Haa... I was so mad and frustrated I couldn't sleep.”
As Camille fanned herself to cool her flushed face, Angela egged her on from the side.
“She never turns down party invitations, so she'll definitely come to tomorrow's party. She'll probably come alone, so could you, brother, assign her a 'suitable' partner?”
Aeneok immediately caught on to what Angela meant by a 'suitable partner.'
“Perfect timing—I've got just the guy. He's thirty-two, still unmarried, likes young girls, has wandering hands, and unfortunate looks. He's always come alone too, which has been awkward, but this works out!”
“Exactly. At this rate, brother might end up playing matchmaker for a couple.”
“Hahaha! They do seem like they'd match well.”
*Spoils of war*
They imagined Linia, showing up haughtily without any allies, squirming beside a sleazy lecher. Just picturing it lifted their moods, making their smiles even more radiant than usual…
*Duchess*
“That brother's vacation ends on the day of the Bliss Count House party...! This has to be divine providence!”
“I'm not going.”
Truly written by Lemon Frog
“Ah, brotherrrr!”
Linia had been relentlessly nagging Laslo without tiring, ever since learning the invitation from Camille's party was dated the day before his return to duty—right up to today, the day of.
For Laslo, debuting at a party after his full makeover(?) felt mortifying enough to die.
No, forget the party—even his actual return to work was growing more daunting by the day.
But Linia, utterly delighted with her brother's transformed look, was desperate to drag him to a glamorous event and show him off.
“I want to flaunt you to those who called you a country noble or lowly mercenary!”
“That's exactly why I hate it, so drop it.”
- 2 -
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Laslo silenced Linia, who was about to open her mouth again while he watched Edel organize his wardrobe, with a single sharp 'shut it.'
“We're going together, right? Together?”
Edel found the siblings' dynamic both enviable and amusing. Outsiders would never dream Laslo was like this.
Laslo didn't reply, but Linia bounced around excitedly before rushing to hug Edel again.
“I think... it would be best if the Count escorts Miss Linia this time.”
She hesitated to add anything, fearing it might offend him and cancel their attendance.
And so Laslo suddenly found himself preparing for the party.
As Edel cautiously spoke up after gauging the mood, Linia's pouty expression brightened instantly. Laslo's face darkened in contrast.
She had selected his least worn formal wear for repairs, and now he was donning it sooner than expected.
“Did I ask for your opinion?”
You didn't plan this from back then, did you?
“I'm sorry.”
Laslo eyed her suspiciously as he dressed, still displeased.
Edel apologized curtly to his threatening question, then resumed organizing his wardrobe as if nothing happened.
Yet the repaired formal wear clung to his body comfortably, like an entirely new garment.
She pulled out unworn clothes to drape over the sofa, hanging the new purchases in their place. Formal wear took longer to tailor, but the shirts and casual outerwear she'd urgently requested were just delivered that morning.
Insisting on roomy fits for ease of movement, the properly tailored clothes actually felt freer.
With the new belt, shoes, cravat, and brooch added, it truly looked brand new.
Laslo grew a bit anxious watching Edel focus solely on organizing without excuses beyond her apology.
“I wasn't going to say this, but brother, you look really handsome.”
“Why do you think that?”
Linia, in her new dress and styled completely differently, clapped softly.
Unable to bear the silence, Laslo finally asked Edel.
His face burned, but Laslo fiddled gruffly with his cuffs and strode out.
Edel smiled faintly before composing herself and turning to Laslo. Bracing for his anger, she gave a rather impudent reply.
“We'll be late. Let's hurry.”
“Dodging won't win the fight.”
“Yeah! We'll be back, Edel!”
“Dodging? Me? What?”
“You'll see when you go. It'd be good for you to witness firsthand the 'high society' Miss Linia has faced alone until now.”
Edel waved to Linia's back as she linked arms with her brother, only to be shaken off before clinging to his arm again. Laslo would probably end up yielding his arm to her with a show of reluctance.
It was an insolent remark that would've gotten any other servant fired on the spot.
Yet Laslo couldn't get mad.
Edel's eyes felt not just serious, but sternly so.
Laslo felt properly scolded.
The Bliss Count House traced its origins to the royal family of the kingdom 'Jerba,' absorbed by the empire 200 years ago.
It hadn't fallen in conquest but joined for pragmatic reasons, yet they subtly carried themselves with royal haughtiness.
“Haa.”
“They still think they're royalty.”
Linia was the one who caught the meaning of that sigh.
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