Ch#65
As long as she could stand by Evangeline Rohanson's side, Marquise Kinder didn't care whether she was dressed glamorously or looked like a beggar.
Having quickly finished preparing, Kinder hurried down the stairs. At the entrance, the butler had already prepared a carriage.
"Ma'am."
Kinder gazed silently at the butler who had served the Totten Marquis House loyally her entire life. Even after her husband's death, he always treated her with respect. She was grateful for that and trusted him deeply.
It was regrettable that she had only recently learned his loyalty did not extend to her son. If Lady Evangeline Rohanson hadn't pointed it out and her son hadn't warned her, Kinder might never have noticed in her lifetime.
Evangeline's words echoed in Kinder's mind. The words about the devil resurrecting him. They felt like a single ray of hope. Even if Rider died, there was hope he could come back to life.
"When did Dies say he would arrive?"
"I heard tonight, though he might come earlier."
The butler seemed oddly pleased as he said it.
Yes, he must be thrilled. Kinder ground her teeth. The timing of this man, who never visited while her husband was alive, was exquisitely perfect. The butler must have secretly tipped him off. Did he think Rider was on the verge of death this time? He was much quicker to grasp the situation than Kinder—or perhaps he just had good instincts.
If Rider's death became known, the next marquis title would go to Dies, her husband's blood relative. Kinder, who bore the Totten name but not the bloodline, had no claim to the marquisate. That would mean failing to honor Rider's will as well. Absolutely not—she could never allow that.
"You'll head straight to the Imperial Palace, won't you, Ma'am? I'll inform the coachman."
Kinder, who had been staring at the carriage, instead ordered a horse to be brought.
"Prepare just one horse. I'm going to Rohanson Mansion."
"Ma'am, it's pouring rain—won't you take the carriage?"
"Butler, since when have you interfered with me like this? I'll borrow a carriage at Rohanson Mansion, so it's fine."
Perhaps because she now knew the full truth, her words came out sharp despite herself. Instead of apologizing for her unintended edge, Kinder mounted the horse the servant had hurriedly brought.
She needed a chance to speak with Evangeline. The Imperial Palace had too many listening ears, so a carriage from the Rohanson Count Family would be ideal. Of course, they might have already left for the palace, or they might refuse to lend her a carriage.
"Oh dear."
The butler sighed. There had been no time to stop her. Kinder pulled her robe's hood over her head, mounted the horse, and spurred it forward.
"Can you abandon the Rachel you love so much and rely on the devil? Even if the price is not your marquisate, but a human life?"
Lady Rohanson's voice still rang vividly in her ears. The devil. The devil... Now, Kinder finally had an answer to give Lady Rohanson.
She regretted the days she had agonized over it. Urging her horse on, Kinder ignored the near-accident when the rain-slicked ground made it slip. Her cheeks grew damp not from tears, but from the rain. She spurred it faster. Hurry, hurry—to where the devil awaited.
After Kinder rode off on horseback, the servants left behind whispered about the marchioness's unusual behavior.
"Why did Ma'am leave in such a hurry?"
"She said she'd chaperone Lady Evangeline Rohanson."
"Rider is ill, and she goes to chaperone? Riding a horse she hardly ever mounts?"
"Is Lady Rohanson that frightening?"
Instead of scolding the underlings, the butler decided to prepare what to report to the arriving noble guest. That would be more beneficial.
Moments later, another carriage arrived at the marquess's residence.
"Ha, my beloved home. It's been so long! Feels great!"
The man who stepped out of the carriage puffed out his chest and inhaled the scent deeply. It was Dies, the younger brother of the late marquis. Perhaps because of the rain, even the damp, rotten fishy smell from the Totten Marquis House felt refreshingly pleasant.
"What's this? Everyone came out to welcome me? Ugh, no need for all this fuss."
In truth, they had come out to see off the marchioness, but the butler corrected himself without revealing the facts and bowed deeply.
"Welcome, young master. You've arrived early."
"Yeah, well. Wanted to see my sister-in-law sooner. Is she riding in that carriage over there? Then why didn't she come out to greet me?"
Dies tilted his head at the carriage in front of the mansion.
"No. She rode off on horseback."
"What! Don't confuse me like that!"
Dies kicked toward the carriage, making the hastily attached wheel rattle.
"What's this? Why is it so shabby?"
"Who knows."
Dies cleared his throat awkwardly and changed the subject.
"Sister-in-law better enjoy herself. This might be her last banquet? Once I become the Marquis of Totten, she won't have any reason to attend those. She wouldn't remarry me just for a title, right? Blech."
Watching Dies act like the master of the house already, Rak reconsidered his choices. But the dice had been cast. For now, he could only pray for a high roll.
"It's raining, so please come inside. Young Master Sion has prepared a room for you."
"The nanny's been a while too."
Rak led Dies inside. Dies, strutting like he was returning to his own home, suddenly stopped.
"Right, what about the kid? Did sister-in-law take him along?"
Dies was referring to Rider.
"No. Rider is ill and resting in his room. Since Ma'am attended the banquet, he must have improved significantly within a few days."
The butler, unaware of the child's death, spun his speculation. With such improvement, the devoted mother must have left him to attend. Unaware that the marchioness had fabricated the story of the dead child merely sleeping, it was a perfectly logical deduction for the butler.
"Tch, if he's gonna die, hurry up and croak. What a tenacious little life."
Dies clicked his tongue mockingly. Rak agreed. Rider was supposed to not last past five, yet he had surpassed it and clung to life. The thread-thin lifeline showed no sign of snapping.
To make matters worse, there was now a precedent of breaking free from the curse unexpectedly. Rak had planned to wait leisurely until the child died, but things had changed. What made Rak anxious was the sudden appearance of Evangeline. He feared she might actually improve Rider's condition. That couldn't happen. A cursed child could never sit as marquis.
As Rak pondered, an unexpected ally appeared. Not the foolish Dies, of course.
"Really? He won't even greet his uncle because he's sick? Fine, I'll let it slide. Shall I check on his face after so long?"
Dies smirked and ascended the stairs. He looked utterly delighted—like a child about to throw a stone at a frog, in the butler's eyes.
***
"……."
"……."
Wow... Who knew such heavy silence could pass between father and daughter during a meal? Only the clinking of silverware breaks it.
Right now, the count said he had something important to discuss before the banquet, so we're eating together. I took time out from debutante preparations for this, and this is what I get? It's choking me.
The count had impeccable table manners, even by my standards as a beginner in etiquette. No wonder Evangeline's mom fell head over heels. Ugh. People aren't always what they seem.
My mood soured, and I tossed aside the etiquette Dolly taught me, stabbing the steak viciously. Was it rare? Blood oozed out, pooling on the white plate. Eww, appetite gone. I prefer well-done. My taste vanished, so I just minced the meat without eating.
With my displeasure obvious, the count finally set down his utensils. What? Uncomfortable with your daughter's shitty manners, mister? Well, guess what—I'm not comfy either.
Of course, the real lightning strike hit the kitchen staff, who panicked at the sudden dinner summons. The one serving the course trembled so much that when our eyes met, he nearly spilled the wine. I'd been watching the scared servants for mishaps and swiftly caught the tipping glass, righting it. Phew, not a drop spilled.
"Be careful."
"Y-yes. Sorry, so sorry."
After that, Yulma was pushed forward to serve all my plates. She handled cooking at Daisy's Orphanage and worked in the kitchen here too. Wondered why they sent a kitchen helper to serve, but they whispered from behind that she'd be the safest bet.
"Yulma's the only one who won't tremble in front of the lady."
"Kitchen's hope! Go!"
"So glad you're in the kitchen."
"Why's everyone so scared? It's not like the lady kills you for mistakes."
"What's your heart made of?"
Quiet down with the gossip—it was so loud I had to pretend not to hear desperately. Glanced over; the count was calmly eating, feigning ignorance too. Well, ignoring what you see and hear is a noble virtue.
Yulma finished serving and bowed politely. It's been a while. Well, I never come to the dining hall, so yeah. Still, since I rescued her, I wanted to ask how she was.
"You look like you're doing well."
"Yes. Thanks to you, Lady Evangeline."
