Ch#68
Chapter 68'That woman deserves something even better.'
Without her, he wouldn't have even considered changing himself like this. Linia would still be living her resentful days, and this house's wealth would have been steadily gnawed away by rats like Marsha.
Edel alone was properly establishing him—who had been worthless no matter where you looked—and this family. So naturally, he had to give her fitting compensation.
But since she wouldn't accept it, he felt like he owed her instead, which always left him uncomfortable.
'No matter what, why did I say I'd be hurt if she refused? What an idiot.'
It wasn't something a man should say, but strangely, he'd felt hurt earlier.
'In front of that woman, I keep spouting nonsense.'
Laslo swept his embarrassed face and belatedly loosened his cravat.
Then, his eyes suddenly caught the painting hanging on the wall.
At first, he'd wondered, 'Why is that worth 20,000 ringtons?' but strangely, his gaze always lingered on it whenever he looked.
"I thought it would be good to hang it in the Count's study."
Edel had said that to him when he'd stared at the painting with an incomprehensible expression. At the time, he had no idea what she meant, but now he vaguely understood.
'Every time I look at the painting, it gives me strength.'
It looked smeared, but the painting clearly depicted a harbor with the morning sun rising.
There were plenty of harbor paintings if you looked, but that one seemed to capture the harbor's challenging spirit perfectly.
'Like being sucked into the painting.'
So when he felt frustrated while working, he'd look at that painting. Then strangely, his heart would flutter and strength would rise again.
.
'How did she know I'd come to like that painting... The Duchess's discernment in art is truly impressive.'
He chuckled and stood from his seat.
A visit request from a lady he'd never met before arrived a few days later, in the midday heat of August.
"Thank you for allowing the visit, Count Criserus."
"Since it's at Earl Erwin's request, I had to. Sorry, but your name again...?"
"I'm Maia Betenen. Baron Betenen is my husband."
Maia was a lady in her early fifties; her impression wasn't bad, but the jewels she wore ostentatiously made her seem somewhat vulgar.
And the purpose of her visit was much the same.
"Excuse me, but how old are you this year, Count Criserus?"
"...Twenty-eight."
"Oh my! And you're still unmarried? No previous wife or anything...?"
"No."
Laslo wondered why this stranger was suddenly asking his age and marital status. More precisely, he was annoyed, but since she came on introduction from Earl Erwin, who handled the Imperial Guard budget, he couldn't treat her rudely.
Fortunately, she soon revealed her purpose.
"Then I have very good news for you, Count. You attended House Bliss's party recently, right?"
"Yes, but..."
.
"Sir Gregory Bliss, the second son of Count Bliss, has a very beautiful daughter, and at that party, upon seeing you, Count Criserus, he thought, 'I wish such a man were my son-in-law.' Hohoho!"
Laslo frowned, not immediately grasping her words.
"There are all kinds of strange people. Anyway, enough joking... what brings you here?"
She had already stated her purpose, but when Laslo asked her business, Maia was at a loss for words.
- 3 -
However, Edel, standing quietly beside him to assist, knew exactly what this situation was.
She whispered softly in Laslo's ear.
"A marriage proposal has come for you, Count."
"What? Marriage proposal? For me?"
"Yes. Madam Betenen is here to convey House Bliss's intentions."
Laslo's expression grew even more absurd.
"Truly, there are all kinds of strange people."
A normal person might be flustered by Laslo's reaction, but Maia Betenen was seasoned in these circles.
She kept her cheeky smile and playfully rolled her eyes.
"Oh, how modest. What lady would refuse a handsome and wonderful man like you, Count? But among them, Miss Angela Bliss is perfect for you. Your house's steward probably knows her well too."
With a gaze that subtly looked down on her, she dragged Edel in. A person who couldn't even lift her head before Edel last October, now clearly condescending.
Of course, Edel felt nothing about that. Rather, she pondered how to describe Angela.
"She's one of the famous beauties in high society. Red hair, golden eyes, and many want to invite her to their parties."
"As expected, the steward knows well. But words alone don't convey it. Here, I brought Miss Angela's portrait!"
Maia took a small frame from her maid's bag and placed it before Laslo.
It was far more formal than the pastel they had drawn at the portrait studio recently. Probably commissioned to a quite famous painter.
"I think I've heard that name before. This is that woman?"
Laslo recalled Angela who had acted friendly to him and Linia at House Bliss's party. The one who asked Linia where she bought that hair ornament from Baltchi.
Unable to tell if Laslo's expression looking down at the painting was good or bad, Maia brought up Camille to boast about Angela.
"Oh! You know Baroness Camille Emerson too, right, Count? She hosts truly splendid parties. Famous in high society. Miss Angela is her cousin and very close friend."
.
At the name 'Camille Emerson', Laslo's eyes oddly cooled. Wasn't that woman also the one trying to humiliate Linia? How distasteful was seeing Bliss cozying up to Angela and her at the party.
"Ah, Baroness Camille Emerson? I've heard of her fame."
"Hohoho! I knew it. Miss Angela is just as popular as Madam Emerson. The marriage proposals she's received could fill a bundle?"
It was no plus point for Laslo at all, but Maia didn't notice his cooled gaze.
"Why has such a popular lady suddenly become interested in me?"
"Fate, it's fate! She felt fate upon seeing you at that party!"
Earlier she said her father proposed, now it's Angela who felt fate.
Edel believed Angela requested this marriage proposal. Of course, her father agreed too.
For Sir Gregory Bliss, who can't inherit the count title, and his daughter, Count Criserus is quite an attractive match.
No interest until now was naturally because of his unmanaged appearance.
Edel felt a slight sigh coming on.
Of course, she too had felt vague rejection toward Laslo without knowing him well before, but watching closely, he was quite gentlemanly with proper values.
After knowing that, she even felt it a waste to give him to someone marrying just for his looks or status.
'Not that I, who became Duke Lancaster's second wife, should say that.'
Edel smiled bitterly.
But at Maia's words, Laslo's face twisted unmistakably, and he replied in a sneering tone.
"I've been guarding by His Majesty the Emperor's side for over three years now, and only now she feels fate? Isn't that too late?"
"Th-that's because Miss Angela is cautious and thoughtful. Some fall in love at first sight, others develop feelings after getting to know them."
"I agree. And I too only come to trust someone after a long time."
Then he pushed Angela's portrait, which Maia had shoved toward him, back to her.
"Take this back. It's an expensive portrait; can't waste it on a guy like me."
"Good heavens, Sir Criserus! You won't let this great opportunity slip, right? Everyone is dying to meet Miss Angela...!"
"Not me."
Unable to tolerate Maia any longer, Laslo downed the remaining tea and slammed the empty cup down noisily.
"You've seen to your business, so please leave now?"
At the direct send-off, Maia's face flushed with humiliation.
"You'll regret this, Sir Criserus."
"Not for you to worry about, Madam."
In the end, Maia had to leave the count's residence like being chased out, without finishing her tea.
Watching her back, Laslo spat out one line.
"If a letter comes saying they'll visit for such business, reject it on your end. I hate wasting time like this."
"Yes, Count."
Edel felt strange even as she answered.
Because her earlier bitterness and stuffiness felt lighter now.
'Was I in a bad mood because of that earlier?'
She'd have to think back carefully to know, but no time now.
Edel decided not to think deeply.
.
