Ch#64
Chapter 64Her eyes had been dry lately from overworking.
But she couldn't just sit idle. House Criserus had far too many issues that needed fixing.
'Still, the quality of meals has improved a lot. The servants' unrest has settled, and task assignments seem to be going well.'
"Leave them be—they'll ruin themselves anyway. Considering they value a few embezzled coins over a letter of recommendation, their future as maids is obvious enough."
Laslo seemed to hope the other maids loyal to Marsha would also flee in the night, but the rest—who hadn't benefited as much as Mina—hesitantly approached, begged for recommendation letters, and left the estate.
As the number of maids dwindled, Edel immediately hired more through an employment agency. For Laslo, who was extremely wary of spies, she carefully conducted interviews and even ran background checks through Calliope.
More hires would be needed going forward, but with no slackers around, the burden wasn't falling on just a few. Efficiency had improved too.
The foodstuffs, candles, and servants' uniforms had been ordered for now, albeit subpar... but the pile of things still needing orders was a problem.
Even basic procurement took too much time. The main reason things were progressing slowly was the lack of reliable, ongoing suppliers.
'I need connections. Good suppliers usually require introductions.'
Mina, Marsha's right-hand woman, had snuck away in the middle of the night with her belongings. Even after being offered a recommendation letter upon resignation, her flight suggested she'd been skimming too. However, Laslo didn't bother pursuing Mina.
The servants' previously dismal lodgings had also been improved. Rooms were reassigned, the types and quantities of supplies increased, and old furniture slated for gradual replacement.
The shabby rooms once used by Edel and Daisy were cleared out entirely to serve as storage, so no one would shiver from the cold even in winter anymore.
Thus, she eagerly awaited Barbara's impending visit.
Meeting her long-missed friend was important, of course, but the suppliers she could be introduced to through Barbara were equally vital for Edel as the new steward.
"I wonder if Barbara will be disappointed seeing me like this?"
.
A female steward in a neat black dress—not a lady's attire. That was Edel's new status.
She still felt awkward in it herself and grew anxious about how Barbara would view her as their reunion neared.
But the moment she met Barbara, such worries vanished.
"Edel! Oh, Edel!"
"Barbara!"
Edel forgot to address her as 'Dowager Marchioness Celestine' and threw her arms around her.
Realizing that the way Barbara looked at her hadn't changed at all filled her chest with overwhelming emotion, bringing tears to her eyes.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you, Edel."
"I've missed you even more... sob, so, so much..."
"Shh, I know. I understand your feelings. You've been through so much, Edel."
Barbara tightly embraced the trembling Edel, stroking her back.
Once Edel had calmed and wiped her tears, they urgently shared stories that letters alone couldn't convey. Their time together was limited to just two hours.
"...So you became the steward? That Count of House Criserus is truly unpredictable."
"This wouldn't happen in any other house. It's only possible in House Criserus because it lacks any real foundation."
A woman serving as steward was unheard of. Edel might well be the first.
But Barbara thought Laslo had made a clever choice.
"Honestly, it's the obvious pick for anyone with even a modicum of judgment. He's the lucky one."
Grateful that Barbara still overestimated her, Edel hesitantly made her request.
"But House Criserus has virtually no connections with other houses, and given my circumstances, I'm struggling to find good suppliers."
"Good suppliers?"
"The ones that have supplied House Criserus so far are all subpar. You'd be shocked if you saw."
- 3 -
In truth, even without Edel's words, Barbara had been struggling to maintain her composure since entering the estate. Everything about the count's residence was so vulgar and shabby.
"Would the suppliers for my house suffice?"
"I'd be endlessly grateful for your introductions."
"Feel free to ask for any other favors. I'll help with anything."
Edel might have politely refused in the past, but she truly needed the help now.
Expressing her thanks, she immediately made another request.
"In that case, could you introduce someone suitable for head maid? We also need a dedicated maid for Miss Linia—it's hard finding one with good handiwork and discerning taste."
"Finding someone for those roles might be tricky, but with so many seeking maid positions these days, I'll look into it."
"Thank you. How can I ever repay this favor..."
At those words, Barbara's expression turned mischievous.
"Why should you repay it? The Count of House Criserus should."
And she fully intended to collect that debt from Laslo.
"Once Edel stops being mentioned in high society, we'll bring her to you at the right time. The rest is up to you, Madam."
Barbara hadn't forgotten Laslo's promise.
The help through Edel was merely to incur more debt in Laslo's heart.
Sensing Barbara wasn't particularly favorable toward Laslo, Edel subtly defended him.
"The Count is a good man. The portrait you received last time was also from the Count..."
"Hm? Portrait?"
"Pardon? Ah... no, it's nothing. I misspoke."
As Barbara reacted as if hearing it for the first time, Edel quickly changed the subject.
.
'The Count of House Criserus must have been busy. He must have forgotten to send it to Barbara.'
It would be awkward to ask Laslo to send it, so the portrait would likely remain forgotten somewhere for a while.
What a shame. I liked that painting...
Edel put thoughts of the portrait aside. There was too much to discuss with Barbara in their limited time.
"What? Barbara Celestine visited House Criserus alone?"
Isaac questioned his subordinate who had brought the news.
"Yes. She arrived yesterday at 2 p.m., stayed until 4, about two hours, then left."
"Laslo visited the Celestine Marquis residence, and now they've finally decided to side with him?"
Isaac clicked his tongue in displeasure.
Of course, the Celestine Marquis family held a high title but lacked major influence in society or politics.
However, they were quite substantial internally, and Isaac held Barbara Celestine—who had built the house to that level—in high regard.
'Moreover, they give off the vibe of hiding their strength, which makes me uneasy.'
The Celestines weren't flashy, but they had stakes in successful ventures everywhere.
For Isaac, who needed to draw in as many powerful noble houses as possible, the Celestine Marquis family was tempting.
"But it's odd. It wasn't the Marquis of Celestine who moved, but the Dowager Marchioness?"
"It seems she went to meet Edel Lancaster at House Criserus."
"Edel Lancaster? Why?"
"Their friendship runs quite deep."
Caught off guard by the unexpected name, Isaac tilted his head.
"Edel Lancaster... Edel Lancaster..."
Her presence had oddly nagged at him for a while now.
But he hadn't anticipated it turning against him, leaving a bad taste.
"What's the status with House Canian?"
"The two sons are tentatively showing their faces in society. The Count of Canian himself hasn't stirred yet."
"He's not doing nothing. He's surely plotting something behind the scenes. Investigate more thoroughly."
It wasn't yet time to bring in the Count of Canian.
Even if the Celestine Marquis family's lean toward the Emperor's faction was due to Edel, reaching out rashly to House Canian—which aided treason—could cast suspicion on House Winblair too...
Yeah. It's not a big deal yet. Even if Celestine defects, it won't be a major blow.
Thinking that way made him feel overly sensitive.
Edel was just a powerless woman, and Barbara Celestine merely an old lady relegated to the back rooms.
No matter how close their friendship, it wouldn't bring Laslo Criserus any significant gain.
"Anyway, keep a close watch on Laslo. I can't stand seeing that bastard suddenly shining up."
At that moment, a servant approached to announce a visitor, and Isaac's fierce expression instantly softened.
.
