Ch#77
Spoils of War
Duchess
By Lemon Frog
Episode 77
When Linia followed Laslo down, the changed reactions hit even harder.
"Wow!"
"Was Linia Creaser always that pretty?"
"How old is she this year? No marriage proposals have been exchanged yet, right?"
A woman always in tacky outfits, weighed down by oversized jewels, shrinking back and watching others' reactions—that had been Linia Creaser.
But today's Linia was confident and beautiful, utterly unrecognizable from before.
Straight back and shoulders, slightly lifted chin, a dress and accessories that suited her without being flashy, and sparkling turquoise eyes that paid no heed to anyone else.
*They're shocked out of their minds. Did the Imperial Palace intervene?*
Edmund wanted to burst with frustration at the sight of the Creaser siblings emerging amid everyone's admiration.
And that suspicion solidified into certainty around the time the party truly began, with the arrival of the Emperor's congratulatory message.
Amid blaring fanfare, the Emperor's envoy knelt on one knee before Laslo and read the imperial letter aloud.
"To celebrate the first party of my loyal Imperial Guard Captain, Count Laslo Creaser, I send these modest gifts. Distribute one to each attendee and may your party be a great success."
With those words, people witnessed two sturdy men wheeling in a cart bearing enormous flower baskets.
But the flowers densely packed in the baskets were all carved from crystal.
"Wow! Flowers made of crystal?"
"We knew His Majesty favored Count Creaser, but this is...!"
Thus, everyone grasped the Emperor's intent clearly.
*The nexus of next-generation power is Count Creaser!*
The eyes of everyone in the party hall changed in an instant. And so did Edmund's.
.
*Damn it! Isn't this cheating?*
Helplessness and defeat welled up. There was no way to oppose someone whose plans were thwarted so flawlessly by the Emperor himself.
Then, Edmund's eyes caught sight of another person.
"Huh? That...?"
The others seemed too distracted by the Emperor's gift to notice yet, but the woman checking the hall situation from the passage connecting it to the preparation room was unmistakably Edel. Even from afar, those beautiful features couldn't be mistaken.
What was surprising was that she wore a servant's uniform, but not that of an ordinary maid.
Suddenly, Marcia's words came to mind.
"...A woman blinded by power! 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?"
Edmund let out a hollow laugh.
"So that woman's words were true?"
Seeing her instruct what appeared to be the head maid, she seemed to hold the position of butler.
*A female butler... Well, pretending to manage her as a servant while keeping her closest longer than anyone—the butler role makes sense. I don't know why disguise a mistress as a servant, though.*
According to Marcia, when Edel first entered the mansion, she had assigned her to the laundry as per custom, but Edel faked illness and collapsed to draw Laslo's attention.
After that, an incident occurred where the Imperial Knights Order leaders tried to molest her, and feeling guilty, Laslo soon promoted her to kitchen maid. Not long after, he even assigned her as his sister's dedicated maid.
*And now she's not just head maid but butler... She certainly knows how to climb to power.*
Then perhaps Marcia's other words held true too.
"If you look tastier than Count Creaser, that woman will cling to you in an instant."
If she did, it would be cause for celebration. He could use Edel to uncover Laslo's weaknesses or leak false information, even plant assassins or spies in the house.
- 3 -
*And she's not bad-looking as a mistress either.*
Having been with a man over 60 and a mercenary was a flaw, but with that face, he could overlook it.
Edmund decided to wait until the party matured and Edel was alone. He never even considered the possibility that the one who transformed House Creaser was the former duchess herself.▲
Though Edel had worried Linia might be nervous, in truth, the one most terrified by the news of hosting a party was Edel herself.
*People will recognize me. And as butler, I can't avoid entering the party hall...*
Imagining that situation made her throat dry up and chills run down her spine.
Like Lucille from Portrait Street or Maia who came to express marriage intentions to Laslo, there would be many eager to insult or belittle Edel—whether from resentment toward Count Canien or House Lancaster, base curiosity, or buried inferiority.
...
She tried to remain detached, but she couldn't guarantee she'd smile indifferently if mocked by several people at once.
*I'd want to die.*
She had poured her all into preparing the party, training the servants, and teaching the Creaser siblings host etiquette, but separate from that passion, her tension grew daily.
Yet she couldn't run away. Edel repeated to herself like self-hypnosis every day.
*Think of myself as dead. No matter what they say, I'm dead, so it doesn't matter.*
As she steeled herself that way, Laslo, checking the final party preparations, tossed a casual remark to Edel beside him explaining things.
"You can't hide forever either. Plenty of people will recognize you, but..."
"I'll do my utmost not to draw attention and be a burden to you and the young miss. But once the alcohol flows, someone might pick on me... I'll handle it on my own somehow."
Edel replied, trying not to reveal her inner chill. But Laslo turned to her with a strangely crumpled face.
"You have a habit of misunderstanding people."
.
"I said don't hide, so why say you'll sneak around?"
Edel was momentarily speechless.
*How do I explain? That me working as butler is already a stain on you? That I don't want you seeing me mocked by old acquaintances? That you'll get annoyed if a fuss breaks out because of me?*
She couldn't voice any of it.
Then Laslo flicked her forehead lightly—not painfully—and said,
"Plenty will recognize you, but don't be scared—be confident. Anyone who picks on House Creaser's butler will be seen as disrespecting me, and I won't let it slide."
Edel burst into disarming laughter at Laslo's feigned stern face.
Bluff or not, it was the first time she'd heard someone say, "I'll protect you."
For her, who always bore everything alone, the sensation of someone having her back was entirely new. It was grateful enough to bring tears and thrilling.
Thanks to that, Edel's tension melted away like snow.
"Thank you just for saying so. I'll do my best to prevent issues, but if by any chance..."
"No, no. You still don't get it. No efforts from you. If trouble arises, come tell me right away. That's an order."
Laslo still looked dissatisfied, but Edel knew the warm consideration hidden behind his face.
*You have a habit of tacking 'order' onto reassurances for me.*
But now seemed the time to play along.
"Yes, I'll do that. And out of concern, but please never use profanity in the party hall. No, could you forget those words entirely? I can't exactly remove and wash your brain, so... goodness."
"Yeah, do it like that! Calmly dismantle them word by word—you're good at it."
Only then did a subtle smile rise on Laslo's lips.
Edel nodded, smiling along.
On the day of the party, feeling tension was a luxury.
Checking if guest reception was smooth, if no indoor decorations had fallen or shifted, food prep status, readiness to swiftly clear broken glasses, if music volume was right, if anyone felt unwell, if Laslo and Linia's entrance was perfect—her mind was fully occupied. To the point she didn't notice someone approaching.
"It's been a while."
Edel froze at the unfamiliar voice beside her. When her feared moment actually happened, her insides calmed instead.
"Ah, Sir Milton. Thank you for attending the party."
"You know me?"
"How could I not know the empire's finest knight? I've seen you a few times at banquets before."
Though she'd said they'd met at banquets, Edmund had never directly greeted Edel. He'd only glanced from afar.
Back then, that distance felt natural.
*Even adding that flimsy connection means he's probably after me too, right?*
Perhaps a leap, but not an unlikely one.
.
