Ch#81
Spoils of War
Duchess
By Lemon Frog
Episode 81
There was one more person besides Angela seething inside.
'Even the duchess's discernment can't be trusted.'
Edmund clicked his tongue while watching Edel dance with Laslo from afar.
Edel, who had seemed within his grasp, had pulled back at the crucial moment.
"...It seems you want something else from me."
"Nothing like that. I just want to treat you to some delicious food and wine. To chat casually about how you're doing."
"How I'm doing...?"
"If anything burdensome or difficult happens here, let me know. I'll help however I can."
Edel nodded slowly.
To tempt her further, Edmund lowered his voice and whispered near her ear.
"It must be tough, right? For someone as noble as you to be made a laundry maid—Count Creaser went too far!"
"Thank you for your concern, but in fact, I'm living here more at peace than at any other time in my life."
"Pardon?"
At first, he thought he'd misheard. Or that there was some hidden meaning.
"Count Creaser is a gentlemanly and courteous man. His sister, Miss Linia, is bright and kind. The servants I work with now are all good-hearted, diligent, and follow me well."
But Edel stared straight at him with unwavering eyes and said it plainly.
"Of, of course it would be. But you belong in a much higher place. Not somewhere like this."
"A higher place?"
Edel suddenly burst into laughter. But it somehow felt hollow, as if she were suppressing anger.
"After tumbling down and getting badly hurt once, do you think I'd want to go back there?"
.
"I know you have many emotional scars. But you suit being the flower of society far better. I'll help you. Don't be afraid."
"No, I don't want that. Edel Canien and Edel Lancaster have already served their purpose long ago. I'm satisfied living as Edel, the butler of House Creaser."
And right then, a servant approached and informed Edel that Laslo was looking for her.
"I must be going now. I hope you enjoy the rest of the party."
Edel gave a perfectly poised bow and turned away without a hint of lingering.
Edmund offered a formal "I hope to see you again," but he felt toyed with and was in a foul mood.
And when he saw her go to Laslo only to suddenly dance with him...
*Damn it, did that wench conspire with Laslo to mock me? Insolent bitch. When Laslo falls, I'll personally drag you through the mud too.*
Edmund ground his teeth, then flashed a soft smile as if nothing happened when someone approached nearby.
The party didn't end until 2 a.m.
However, the lights of House Creaser did not go out right away.
"You did well, my lord. The young miss worked hard too."
At Edel's words, Laslo chuckled and surveyed the hall.
The hall, where so many had lounged, eaten, and drunk, was astonishingly clean. He'd thought it would be a mess by the end.
The nobles wouldn't have cleaned their own seats before leaving, so it meant invisible efforts had continued throughout the party.
"What did I do wandering around pretending to mingle? The hard work was all you and the servants!"
Laslo addressed the lined-up servants sincerely.
"Everyone truly worked hard. I'll make sure to reward you properly for this. The butler will inform you of the details, so just tidy up urgently and get some solid rest."
- 3 -
Knowing he wasn't stingy with rewards, proud smiles spread across their tired faces.
Then head chef Oliver poked his head out from the prep room and shouted.
"Aren't you hungry? How about eating something first?"
Only then did Laslo realize the servants probably hadn't eaten properly today.
"Thanks for not abandoning and fleeing from such a thoughtless master. Let's eat like Oliver said. I'm a bit peckish too."
At his words, everyone burst into lively laughter and headed to the dining room used as the prep room.
The large table and small temporary ones were neatly set with leftovers from the party—enough bread, butter, and jam for all to fill their stomachs.
Edel whispered to Laslo from the side.
"I know it's against etiquette, but may I have your permission for the hardworking servants to dine in the same room as you, my lord?"
"Even if you refuse, our loyalty won't waver. Carrying food to another room or eating on the floor is no big deal. Your mood is far more important."
It felt like sly coaxing...
"It's already set, so refusing would make me the villain?"
Laslo teased playfully before nodding.
"Everyone who worked hard today deserves to be treated by me. Don't squeeze onto those small tables—sit around this big one. Come on!"
Under the master's generous permission, every member of House Creaser sat around the large table without exception and filled their plates.
The noble dishes they'd only watched being served were surprisingly delicious even if cooled or aged, making the servants forget their fatigue in happiness.
But the most excited was Linia. For her, today's party had been a complete rebirth.
"Miss! Tell us about those dance requests you got today."
As Collette poked her side, Linia's face flushed red.
The other servants who had served food and drinks joined in.
"Who was that tall, handsome gentleman?"
.
"Did you know him?"
"Was it love at first sight that made him ask you to dance?"
Laslo answered the barrage of questions.
"Love at first sight? Hardly. He's the son of Count Talon, the Emperor's chamberlain. The young master whined that I was the only one who could partner him, so Count Talon must have asked him to."
"But it didn't seem just like a favor..."
"Exactly. You two looked quite intimate..."
Linia waved her hands in embarrassment, more flustered by the servants' testimonies than her brother's teasing.
"I-Intimate? Brother's right. The Talon Young Master just asked me to dance for my brother's sake."
But her flushed cheeks refused to return to normal, and her giggling lips betrayed her.
The older maids watched with fond expressions.
"It's such a nice time."
"Sigh, I remember when just eye contact made my heart soar."
Laughter erupted around the table.
But Edel offered practical advice.
"In any case, the important thing is that Miss Linia received dance requests from men other than the count in front of other nobles. You'll likely get more at the next parties you attend."
"Rea...lly...?"
"This party will draw new attention to House Creaser. So, out of concern, not all requests need accepting. I'll teach you how to refuse tomorrow."
Linia nodded vaguely, unsure of her expression—seemingly lost in thought—but Laslo tapped his spoon on his glass, preventing Edel from observing her closely.
"Everyone truly worked hard today. And I mean it—I never imagined we could host such a splendid party in this mansion."
The usually taciturn family head spoke at length, silencing the servants.
"I know some of you suffered for quite a while due to my neglect in managing the mansion. I want to apologize using this opportunity."
A noble apologizing to servants was a rare sight.
But the real surprise came next.
"Chef Oliver and assistant Philip, and Charlotte, May, Bianca. The dishes you made today were truly excellent. You worked hard at the stoves."
"Th-Thank you."
"Head maid Margaret. You kept the vast hall and all the guest paths remarkably clean. I know Daisy, Dina, Elliot, Lily, and even Dito and John worked hard. Good job."
He called each servant by name, acknowledging their specific efforts and expressing thanks. Just three months ago, he'd only known the names of former head maid Marcia and coachman Marco.
"My lord...!"
"Thank you for remembering my name."
"Ugh, making me tear up like this."
People feel greater self-loathing and loss not from the hardship itself, but from no one recognizing it.
Yet now Laslo was saying he knew of their efforts and was truly grateful.
At the end of the moving praises that swelled everyone's hearts, Laslo's gaze turned to Edel.
.
