Ch#78
Spoils of War
Duchess
By Lemon Frog
Episode 78
"Since I can no longer call you Duchess, may I have permission to address you as 'Miss Edel'?"
"Of course."
Edel readily agreed, convincing Edmund that his guess was correct.
"Ahem! To be frank, I've long thought what happened to you was too harsh. You'd only been married for two years, hadn't you?"
"Even less than that, but now it hardly matters. Thank you for your sympathy. Well then..."
"To be called spoils of war after just under two years as duchess—His Majesty went too far."
Edel tried to end the conversation there, but Edmund pressed on without acknowledging it.
"And of all people, to Count Creaser... You must have suffered greatly."
"No. I'm doing very well here. The count is quite the gentleman."
"Worried about eavesdroppers nearby? Rest assured—no one's around. I've checked."
His words sent chills down Edel's spine. For Edmund to approach her and confirm no one was watching meant he had ulterior motives.
But in such situations, she knew she mustn't show agitation.
*I need to probe what this man's after.*
Changing her mind from wrapping up quickly, Edel decided to engage him in a longer conversation.
"In that case, I can speak a bit more freely too."
"Of course! For someone who was once a duchess to live as a servant in a household like this—how much heartache must you have endured?"
"Well... I can't say there was none."
"I understand. Working in a place where you had to wash with cold water even in midwinter—how grueling it must have been. And without anyone reasonable to talk to..."
Everything he said rang true about the harsh conditions, so Edel gave an awkward smile.
.
"If I may be so bold... Is there a particular reason Sir Milton is saying all this to me?"
At Edel's urging to get to the point, Edmund smirked inwardly.
*She's eager too. Of course—a chance at better prey isn't to be missed.*
With eyes full of sympathy, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I simply want to help you, Miss Edel. No ulterior motives. It's just a moral obligation toward a victim of political strife."
"That's no reason for you to feel responsible."
"Guilt as a noble who couldn't protest what happened to you. Please don't think ill of it."
Edel hesitated, glancing at his hand on her shoulder, then murmured softly.
"Help... of what sort?"
Edmund's smile deepened.
"To support you, materially or emotionally."
"But as you know, I'm a captive granted to Count Creaser. I don't have freedom of movement."
"I know. But I hear short outings are permitted... How about meeting then?"
Pretending to consider his proposal, Edel asked in a low voice.
"For you to go this far, it seems you want something specific from me."
Edmund was certain Edel had fallen into his grasp.
*Why is that guy sticking to Edel?*
Laslo had been stealing glances at Edel and Edmund from earlier.
He'd been checking on her intermittently, and when he saw Edmund approach, he wanted to rush over and grab him by the collar.
But moving would draw eyes to Edel, so he held back.
*Doesn't look like mockery or threats.*
Edmund, who wore the mask of a kind elite knight and true gentleman, probably wouldn't act rudely, but it still grated on him.
Perhaps because Edel and Edmund looked like a picture-perfect pair.
Even in her butler uniform, Edel was more beautiful and elegant than anyone at the party, and today's impeccably dressed Edmund was strikingly handsome even in Laslo's biased eyes.
Above all, they overflowed with the refinement and poise of the well-educated. Laslo found it infuriating.
*What's the point of all that refinement and poise? It's just tools to hide one's true intentions.*
Laslo recalled when Edmund had visited regarding the Imperial Knights Order leaders. He'd long suspected his motives for insisting on apologizing to Edel personally, and today it felt confirmed.
Lost in those thoughts, the scene of the leaders dragging Edel away flashed vividly, turning his stomach. Back then, he'd watched until the moment to catch them red-handed, but now he regretted it.
*The instant I saw them pin her against the wall, I should've charged in and beaten them... Edel was terrified, so why did I stand by so calmly...!*
Even after he intervened, Edel had bowed in thanks without shedding a tear, her face pale but composed.
And not only that—she'd even asked if he wouldn't punish her separately.
She was always so harsh on herself.
Today was the same. He'd told her to report any issues, but Edel wouldn't. She'd endure as much as she could. Even if it left scars on her heart.
*...This won't do. I need to send someone to bring her here.*
Deciding that, he beckoned a passing servant and whispered.
"Fetch the butler quietly to check on the party progress."
The servant nodded silently, took guests' glasses, and lightly greeted them while heading toward Edel.
*They've been drilled well in servant training—anyone would think they were from a ducal house.*
.
Even in the servants efficiently handling their tasks without drawing attention throughout the hall, Laslo felt Edel's touch.
*Now I'm doubting if entrusting Edel to Lady Celestine was the right call...*
Sighing with regret, someone called him. Turning, he saw a middle-aged woman beaming.
"Your first party seems a great success. Congratulations."
"Ah, Lady Galley."
It was Countess Adella Galley, one of the Empress's ladies-in-waiting. He often exchanged greetings with her while by the Emperor's side, but they'd never had a private conversation.
*Didn't expect Countess Galley to approach me.*
Sensing awkwardness, sure enough, she had an agenda.
"Since we have this occasion, let me introduce someone. Angela!"
At her call, a young woman stepped forward shyly from behind. Countess Galley looked at her fondly, as if adoring her.
"You know House Bliss, of course. Miss Angela Bliss is the granddaughter of Count Bliss. She came representing House Bliss but was fretting about leaving without greeting you, hehe!"
Color rose to Angela's cheeks at her words. But Laslo didn't quite buy Countess Galley's story.
*She doesn't look the type to fret that much alone.*
Honestly, he'd never anticipated greeting Angela. For a woman of her standing in society to have her marriage proposal rejected would wound her pride deeply.
Of course, no one knew she'd proposed first since he hadn't spread rumors, but for her to act as if nothing happened showed remarkable nerve.
Angela grasped the hem of her green dress, curtsied slightly, and greeted him.
"It's been a while. I'm Angela Bliss."
Flawless poise.
Laslo wasn't blind—Angela was beautiful. Her confident face was a tad infuriating, but he didn't dislike confident people.
*Then why no spark? Because it's too obvious now that she likes me?*
Finding himself brazen even in thought, Laslo chuckled inwardly.
"Laslo Creaser. Thank you for attending the party."
"The pleasure's mine for the invitation. I've wanted to see you again for so long but lacked the chance."
"Chances for someone like me and a lady like you to meet don't come often."
The words carried layers of meaning, though whether Angela grasped them was uncertain.
Somehow, people seemed to be gathering around. Not crowding, but creating loose barriers one would have to weave through to speak to others.
As Laslo realized it, someone spoke up.
.
