Translator: Nox

Ch#80

Spoils of War

Duchess

By Lemon Frog

Episode 80

It wasn't because her appearance in a dress after so long felt strange.

'Why am I smiling?'

She was smiling.

Brightly, like someone anticipating something exciting.

That realization startled her so much it was frightening, so Edel slapped both cheeks firmly.

"Get a grip. This isn't my party."

Far from it being her event, after dancing with Laslo today, she had no idea what rumors would spread about her.

With resolve, she checked her attire one last time and took a deep breath.

She hurried back down to the hall. She'd thought the glares piercing her skin until she reached Laslo, but he spotted her immediately, approached first, and offered his hand.

"......You look much prettier than in your uniform, for sure."

"Later, I'll definitely arrange a study session on attire!"

"No need to go that far."

"There is."

Edel issued a warning with barely moving lips while smiling, yet didn't stop her steps toward the center of the hall.

Since most recognized Edel, the party hall fell into stunned silence, but Laslo shattered it loudly.

"The start of the first waltz was a bit delayed. Let's begin."

He nodded slightly to the conductor, who gathered his baton before him then raised it high.

And the moment the strings moved, Laslo and Edel's toes shifted naturally too.

To the slow thump-thump, thump-thump beat, a bright melody flowed as their clasped hands swayed them gently back and forth before they began spinning around the spacious hall.

People's surprise at Edel Lancaster's appearance was brief; they soon admired her still beautiful and elegant movements.

.

"Oh my....... She still dances so well."

"After all, she was once hailed as society's finest."

Even without naming her, everyone knew whom the praise targeted.

House Lancaster had been exterminated just a year ago.

Until then, Edel had been the most elegant and beautiful dancer in society.

Many were surprised by Laslo too.

"Count Creaser dances surprisingly well?"

"Indeed. Did he hire a separate teacher?"

"I haven't heard of any dance instructor in House Creaser......"

Laslo's lead was certainly smooth but carried an underlying strength. Stiffer than textbook perfect perhaps, but it suited his image well.

Of course, more whispers behind fans concerned the relationship between Edel and Laslo than the dance itself.

'Whispers from others don't bother me at all.'

Edel thought, stepping in sync with Laslo.

Having grown up at society's heart since childhood, she knew exactly what people were saying now.

It was more restrained than at her Lancaster Duke marriage, but could worsen soon.

Still, it was fine.

'I'll help with everything I can. Count Creaser has given me far more than that.'

Until dragged to the capital, she'd feared her miserable life so much she'd contemplated death. Recalling that, merely breathing and living now was thanks to Laslo.

Moreover, no longer a noble, she had no reason to fret over reputation.

Thus, standing as Laslo's partner before everyone held no fear. No, honestly, it was far better than watching him dance with Angela.

Miss Bliss was merely using Count Creaser to highlight herself.

Angela obsessed over her image in others' eyes, craving every woman's envy.

Thus, had Laslo not become presentable, she'd never have proposed first despite coveting his title and wealth.

- 3 -

Otherwise, how could she suddenly feel fate with Laslo, unchanged save appearance.

'Now that Count Creaser is handsome, she judged he'd look good on her arm. Only then did his title and wealth register.'

Of course, she knew she wasn't positioned to judge Angela. She simply hoped this still naive man met someone who truly respected and admired him.

Had he liked Miss Bliss initially, these thoughts wouldn't arise.

Edel smiled faintly at Laslo, dancing far better than taught.

He smiled back at her. It felt sweetly for a moment, yet oddly left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Oh my, oh my! What on earth is this?"

"Exactly. With Miss Angela here, why choose that woman to dance with?"

While the ladies aiming to pair Angela with Laslo whispered in dismay, Angela suppressed her boiling rage.

'Why show interest only now? Is he sulking or something?'

When rejected, she'd accepted it lightly. She'd hoped he'd succumb to her looks, but as the Emperor's confidant, yielding to the first proposal was unlikely.

She'd merely wanted to imprint first, ahead of all.

"It'll be me first, right? Firsts are hard to forget."

Preparing this party, Angela brimmed with confidence. Laslo's gaze would fall on none but her.

Yet expectations shattered.

Other men swooned at her mere acknowledgment, but Laslo seemed outright annoyed.

When pre-recruited ladies raised marriage or dance, he even appeared to restrain anger.

'Fine, that far is understandable. But rejecting me for Edel Lancaster? A criminal no longer noble?'

.

Staying silent would earn mockery from those she'd begged for help.

Angela whispered to them consoling her, feigning pitiful drooping brows.

"Count Creaser must feel burdened. Because of me, you ladies are embarrassed. I'm sorry."

"Oh my, Miss Angela needn't apologize. Count Creaser truly needs more noble etiquette."

"Aww, it's his first party, first dance with a non-sister woman. Flustered or shy, perhaps. So he grabbed the convenient butler."

They all tried smoothing the awkwardness. Angela basked in pity like a tragic princess before speaking at a fitting moment.

"But rumors can't be ignored."

"Rumors? What rumors?"

"Liking Count Creaser, I've always tuned to his news. A reliable source says...... Ah, would this harm the count......"

Even the disinterested perk up at trailing words.

The ladies pressed closer to Angela.

"Would we misconstrue Count Creaser? Speak freely."

"Yes. We'll judge."

Only then did Angela glance at Edel dancing with Laslo.

"That woman, upon arriving at House Creaser, was assigned laundry maid. Yet in a mere year, promoted to butler. Possible solely from ability?"

Generally, utterly impossible.

A treason-linked prisoner reappearing unscathed, laundry maid to butler in a year, butler as host's party partner.

"So another special reason?"

"Per that source...... Unlike looks, she's hugely ambitious. Seducing and using Count Creaser to reclaim her losses."

"Really? Who's the source?"

"House Creaser's inaugural head maid. Edel Lancaster ousted her and took the post."

As ladies gaped at Edel, Angela added finally.

"I'm truly worried for the count."

Not some other woman, but losing to near-obsolete Edel genuinely concerned Angela.

.