Ch#72
Spoils of War
Duchess
By Lemon Frog
Episode 72
'If he holds a party at that mansion, everyone will be reminded of his lowly origins once again. Who among the nobles would tolerate his vulgar tastes? He's probably in a bind because he knows that.'
But he couldn't let Laslo back out here. Edmund, armed with a kind smile, egged him on.
"If hosting a grand party feels burdensome, you could start small. Inviting just the Imperial Guard officers for a meal would be fine too."
"Indeed, throwing a big party right from the start would be tough. You should consider Sir Milton's suggestion, Lord Creaser."
With Viscount Bringen chiming in again, it became nearly impossible for Laslo to refuse hosting the party.
'What's their angle?'
When Edmund had suggested hosting a party, Laslo suddenly recalled an incident from a few months ago.
The heads of the Imperial Knights Order had been caught trying to molest Edel, and at their request, Edmund had visited. What had Nathan said then?
"He was looking around the mansion the whole time he was here. Was he trying to steal something?"
That meant Edmund had clearly been searching for something that could be used as a weakness. But no matter how much he thought about it, Laslo couldn't figure out why the mansion would be a vulnerability. Creaser Mansion was quite splendid, and now, thanks to an exceptional overseer, it was even more magnificent.
"Am I just being paranoid? Or do they think I'll cower in front of people?"
No matter how he turned it over in his mind, nothing was certain. In such cases, he usually chose the direct approach.
"If everyone feels that way, then sure, I'll arrange a small dinner gathering soon."
Laslo accepted surprisingly readily, leaving those who had pushed for the party looking puzzled instead.
But Laslo himself had no second thoughts.
*I can just grill some meat or something.*
.
However, the person in charge of the actual work saw things very differently.
"We have to host a party?"
Edel's eyes widened at Laslo's words that it seemed they needed to hold a party at the mansion.
Only then did Laslo feel a pang of guilt toward Edel. She had taken on the role of butler and handled so much already, and now he was burdening her with even more.
"No need to overthink it. They said just inviting a few acquaintances for dinner would suffice."
But Edel's reaction was completely different from what he expected.
"What are you saying? That would be a dinner, not a party."
"Huh?"
"How could we possibly prepare a party on such short notice...? Wait. Actually, this is perfect. Let's turn this into an opportunity!"
"An opportunity? What opportunity?"
Laslo asked, stepping back as if startled by the sudden spark of enthusiasm in Edel's eyes, which had gone from confusion to blazing determination.
"You've decided to become a pillar of the forces protecting His Majesty the Emperor, haven't you, my lord?"
"......I'd rather not admit it."
"Then we must use this chance to showcase House Creaser's solid foundation. Everyone dismisses you because of your background. We need to prove you have more than enough capability."
"I said I don't want to admit it... Are you even listening to me?"
No, Edel had clearly decided to ignore his complaints. She crossed her arms, lost in thought all by herself.
"It'd be best if we have about a month. How about October 10th? I believe there are no events at the palace around that date."
"You remember that kind of thing well."
"We need to start with the invitations. I'll make sure they arrive by October 1st."
"Uh, yeah, sure, whatever..."
- 3 -
"For the first party, let's keep it modest and invite about 150 people..."
"What? 150 people?"
Laslo realized that the party in his head and the one Edel was planning were worlds apart from start to finish.
As he subtly panicked, Edel flashed a bright smile, her eyes sparkling.
"All that effort decorating the mansion will pay off. Time is tight, so I need to draft the budget right away. I'll bring the ledgers and notes to your study after dinner."
With a polite bow, she left.
Laslo stared at the door she had exited through, feeling as if an unexpected storm had swept by, leaving him a bit dazed.
Then a hollow laugh escaped him.
"Is this what they mean by a fish in water?"
It had been nearly a year since Edel arrived at the mansion, but this was the first time he'd seen her look so genuinely delighted.
*Well, what reason did she have to be happy before?*
She had gone from duchess to spoils of war overnight, then fallen to the role of a maid.
At first, he thought she was just a woman who had married a man old enough to be her father out of lust for power. But as time passed, he realized that was a mistaken and rude assumption.
Edel had endured harsh, unfamiliar labor without a single complaint, bearing each day silently.
Yet she never abandoned her self-respect.
Even when tormented by Marcia or forced to kneel before Linia, that woman remained a duchess.
Her innate pride, which couldn't be hidden even in shabby clothes while doing laundry, and her elegant demeanor infused with consideration for others.
Laslo was always surprised, admiring, and respectful whenever he saw her like that.
But she shone brightest when commanding the mansion. Appointing her as butler had been one of the finest decisions of his life.
'This time, my role is simple too. Just support Edel so she can do things her way.'
A strange, contented hum escaped him even though he was alone. It sounded insane even to himself.
.
'Have I been smiling too easily lately? Am I getting soft with age?'
But Laslo didn't dwell on it. Dinner was soon, and after that, he'd meet Edel again, which hurried his thoughts.
The rumor that House Creaser would soon host a party quickly spread through high society.
"I heard they didn't send out many invitations."
"Who got them? No one's talking openly."
"Since it's their first party, they probably invited mostly Imperial Guard knights."
"As nobles' debut, they'd invite guests to elevate the occasion."
Speculation and curiosity about Laslo and House Creaser buzzed everywhere.
While everyone anticipated, Angela was burning with ambition.
"This is my chance."
Angela murmured as she checked her hair, neatly combed by her maid, in the mirror.
Camille, standing beside her, glanced at Angela's reflection with a slightly displeased expression.
"Angela. Are you really going to marry Count Creaser?"
"Yes. It's the best choice for me."
Suddenly turning to Camille, Angela grabbed her hand and spoke as if consoling her.
"Of course, I haven't forgotten how Linia treated you poorly, sister. Once I become Countess Creaser, I'll make sure to send Linia packing somewhere appropriate."
"Really?"
"Of course! Count Creaser won't care much about his married sister anyway."
Camille still looked dissatisfied, but she didn't oppose Angela's plan to marry Laslo.
"If you can wrap Count Creaser around your finger, it'll be great not just for you and your parents, but for House Bliss and our side too. Who would dare ignore us with the Emperor's closest confidant as in-law?"
"Exactly. So help me out."
After one last check of her appearance, Angela rose lightly from her seat.
The moment she heard Laslo was hosting a party, Angela had planned today's tea party. She had discreetly inquired and invited only those who had received invitations from House Creaser—people close to her.
'They're all the type who love meddling in others' love lives.'
Women and ladies whose eyes sparkled at romance talk, a bit immature for their age.
Truthfully, Angela didn't particularly want to ask others for help with her love affairs. Requesting it from even older matrons felt too childish.
But this wasn't the time to worry about face.
'There are plenty of women after Count Creaser.'
After Laslo attended House Bliss's party, more than a few women had fallen for him, and stories of marriage proposals to House Creaser being rejected weren't uncommon.
He seemed uninterested in marriage for now, but with him of marriageable age, no one knew how long he'd keep turning them down.
Angela had no intention of letting her pre-selected target be snatched away.
"Welcome! Oh, it's been so long, madam!"
At the parlor hosting the tea party, Angela greeted her guests with hugs as usual.
She started with talk of the cooling weather, served tea and sweets, and dragged out time with trivial society gossip. Once the mood had ripened and the second round of treats arrived, Angela got to the point.
.
