Ch#75
Spoils of War
Duchess
By Lemon Frog
Episode 75
"Keep going."
"She's a woman so blinded by power that she even became the wife of a decrepit old duke! When I was there, she was just a lowly maid, but now she's probably wielding even more power than when I got kicked out?"
Marcia huffed indignantly, but there was no hint of her lying despite her excitement.
"What's the relationship like between Linia Creaser and that woman?"
"When I was there, Miss Linia was wary of her too. She hated her so much for eyeing her brother like a predator. But then Edel seduced Count Creaser, got me separated from the miss, and even bewitched Linia herself...!"
"She got devoured. You should watch out for that woman too, sir. If you look tastier than Count Creaser, she'll cling to you in an instant."
"So both Count Creaser and his sister are favorable toward Edel?"
Edmund slowly nodded before making a proposal to Marcia.
"By any chance, could you testify just like this in front of others?"
"What? If I did that, Count Creaser's mercenaries would chop me to pieces! Killing a few people is nothing to that monster!"
"Do you think I'd ask you to do something like that without any protection? I'll ensure you're fully protected and provide you with a place to stay. I'll pay you handsomely for your trouble, and if you want, I can even find you a decent job afterward."
To Marcia, who was desperate for money, it was an irresistibly sweet temptation.
Stopping her fidgeting hands, Marcia swallowed hard and asked.
"Wh-who do I have to testify in front of?"
"It's not really testifying. I'll get you a job disguised as a maid in a noble household I know, and whenever guests come, you just talk about House Creaser. Just... have light conversations with the guests."
When Marcia still hesitated, Edmund coaxed her in an even gentler voice.
"You don't need to say anything definitive. Just give off the nuance. It's up to the listeners to make their own judgments. That way, if anyone questions you later, you can just deny it by saying, 'I never said that.'"
In short, it was to subtly spread rumors.
But if she wouldn't lose anything by it, spreading rumors was no big deal. Marcia finally nodded.
.
"Got it. I'll do my best!"
Her eyes shone with more passion than ever.
The long-awaited day of House Creaser's party arrived.
The servants of House Creaser were brimming with determination, but they weren't afraid.
While Laslo and Linia focused on dance practice, the servants had been trained in etiquette and serving in front of nobles.
Thanks to that, their skills were incomparably better than before Edel became butler.
"Phew, today's finally here!"
"Better to just get it over with quickly."
"What if we make a mistake in front of the high nobles?"
"After all that practice, you think we'll mess up? I could jump out of bed in my sleep and pop a champagne bottle if the butler ordered it."
Loud laughter erupted in the hall where the servants gathered.
The new high-quality uniforms and shoes, increased wages, appropriate workloads, and the completely transformed mansion had greatly boosted their sense of belonging and loyalty.
In this inexplicable excitement, they burst into laughter at even the smallest jokes.
But as soon as Edel appeared, they fell silent as if it had never happened.
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes, butler."
Head maid Margaret answered in a crisp voice, and the rest of the servants watched Edel with eyes full of resolve.
Edel took in each one carefully—they hadn't complained once during the intense training. A pleasant tension flowed among them.
"Everyone looks wonderful today. Just like the servants of House Creaser should."
At her words, they all smiled with pride.
But Edel herself was the most beautiful. Even in her usual butler uniform with just small dangling earrings, she commanded obedience effortlessly.
- 3 -
With a serious expression, she spoke again.
"I know well what high noble household servants are like. They were always by my side from birth."
Edel, who had never openly mentioned her noble past before, suddenly brought it up, leaving puzzled looks on everyone's faces.
As the servants exchanged glances, Edel smiled faintly and added the main point.
"So I can confidently say this: you are not inferior to the servants of any noble house. You'll all do great today."
The servants were momentarily speechless, their chests swelling with emotion. Most had been born poor commoners, drifting through grueling labor without ever dreaming of a future.
For the first time in their lives, they were acknowledged, igniting a will to do even better.
Knowing their feelings well, Edel gently urged them.
"Don't try too hard to the point of mistakes—just do as you always have. And even if you slip up, don't be too scared. The count will protect you."
"Yes! We won't get cocky!"
"We'll do just like always, butler!"
As some shouted back loudly, laughter filled the hall once more.
"Then return to your posts. Let's make today a success!"
After one final encouragement, Edel headed to Linia's room, where preparations should be nearly complete.
*I hope Linia isn't too nervous.*
Attending someone else's party and hosting one herself were entirely different matters.
Laslo, owning a massive mercenary guild, wouldn't tense up over this, but Linia was different.
Though much improved, Edel worried she might have fretted alone. Unlike when she was her dedicated maid, she couldn't check on her often now.
"Miss, it's Edel."
"Edel! Come in!"
.
However, contrary to Edel's expectations, Linia greeted her brightly.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah! Collette squeezed out every last bit of strength she had nursing today."
It wasn't an exaggeration—Linia was dazzling.
Her makeup was perfect, her curling-ironed hair flawless. The earrings, necklace, and bracelet set Laslo had recently bought suited her young age without excess, sparkling brilliantly as befitting their price, and the apricot dress fit her well.
No, perhaps more than that, her confident expression and straight posture made her shine.
Above all, those eyes!
Unlike before, when they were clouded with gloom, her turquoise eyes now sparkled vividly, symbolizing her change.
"You look... truly beautiful."
Edel choked up unexpectedly, blurting out a clumsy compliment and pressing her hand to her chest.
Startled at first, Linia soon winked playfully, wrinkling her nose.
"What's with that 'mother sending off her daughter' face?"
"Don't say that. It might really make me cry."
"Hahaha! You always crack me up out of nowhere, Edel."
Edel laughed along and approached Linia, checking her appearance once more and peering into her eyes.
"Are you nervous?"
"Nope."
The immediate reply surprised Edel instead. But Linia was sincere.
"I observed them coolly, and nobles aren't all that special. No reason for me to be scared."
"You're right."
"Plus, I have a duchess as my tutor. No way I'll lose to those ordinary girls."
Linia lifted her chin. Edel chuckled softly and nodded.
"I'm no longer a duchess, but I can pass on all the knowledge I have to you. And as for the level of that knowledge... yes. I'm confident."
"I kinda fall for you every time you're like this, Edel. Right, Collette?"
"Don't even get me started. All the maids admire the butler. They mimic her walk, her speech, everything—it's embarrassing."
At Collette's blunt revelation, Linia and Edel burst into laughter.
But suddenly, Linia's laughter stopped, and she stared intently at something before approaching Edel.
"Miss?"
"Edel. These earrings—did you buy them?"
Her gaze was fixed on the teardrop diamond earrings sparkling at Edel's ears.
Caught off guard, Edel stammered evasively without thinking.
"Oh, no, a friend gave them to me."
Linia, eyes gleaming, hit the nail on the head.
"My brother, huh?"
"Pardon? Oh, that's..."
"Come on, who else could gift you something this expensive besides my brother? Or did you secretly get a boyfriend without telling me?"
Frightened by the misunderstanding, Edel shook her head vigorously. The earrings dangled excitedly, asserting their presence.
.
