Chapter 38
Episode 38.
A shabby mansion, nearly half a day's journey from Aratus's existing territory.
The sky, having welcomed the rainy season, was overcast, and thick, pouring rain was falling.
Inside, the faces of the relatives holding a meeting were subtle.
"You've all heard the news, haven't you?"
"Of course. We can still pay attention to rumors from the capital."
"From what I hear, the relationship between the family head and Agatha Nobilis doesn't seem to be merely a marriage of convenience..."
The man who spoke last cautiously looked around.
"In this situation, can we truly make a comeback?"
"......"
A heavy silence swept through the meeting room. It had already been over half a year since they were forcibly removed from all affairs of the Aratus main family.
Their goal was to return to the capital and regain their influence within the family.
To do that, Agatha Nobilis and Enoch Aratus's relationship had to sour, or they needed to be able to influence Enoch Aratus, but the atmosphere was turning strange.
Just then, one of the relatives who had been silent raised a hand.
It was the newly appointed Baron Thatcher, the youngest among those present, who had forcibly inherited the headship of a collateral family a few months prior.
"Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity."
"What do you mean, Baron Thatcher?"
The Baron's eyes, filled with greed and anger, gleamed.
"You've all heard the rumors, haven't you? That the relationship between Agatha Nobilis and Enoch Aratus is unusual."
"We heard. That's why we're here now."
"Then, shouldn't we create a rift in that unusual relationship? I heard that at the recent Imperial ball, Agatha Nobilis herself drove away the young lady who was his former fiancée when she approached him."
"......!"
"We will use that fact. After all, don't we have the best card?"
None of the relatives failed to grasp the Baron's words.
Esther Portoni.
The faces of the relatives brightened as they recalled the name of the forgotten fallen noble lady, or rather, the woman who was now Viscountess Portoni.
"That's right! She was there!"
"It's perfect timing. Viscount Portoni died quite some time ago, didn't he?"
"Indeed. He had no children, so even if she becomes a concubine, there will be no problem. No, wouldn't just the news reaching Agatha Nobilis's ears create an opening for us to slip in?"
"Let's make a plan right away!"
"Baron Thatcher, you've done a truly great thing!"
The atmosphere heated up with the hope that had suddenly appeared at a moment when their return seemed completely blocked.
"Is Esther Portoni in the capital?"
"I heard she rented a townhouse."
"Then contacting her won't be difficult."
"I will go visit her myself, as we did before."
As someone full of enthusiasm stepped forward, another, more cautious individual intervened.
"There are no places in the capital where the Nobilis family's eyes cannot reach. We don't know if we'll be caught, so it would be better to send a letter first."
"In that case, wouldn't it be better to send a reliable messenger rather than a letter that leaves evidence?"
After deciding how to make contact, the problem became how to persuade the person.
"But will Esther Portoni cooperate easily?"
To the question thrown out by someone, one of the relatives who claimed to know Esther Portoni well stepped forward.
"It wasn't just the family head who had feelings for Esther Portoni. Amusingly, Esther Portoni also loved the family head."
If that weren't the case, why would the family head have kept her alive until now?
"It was mutual!"
Regardless of the truth, that assertion held considerable persuasive power.
"Love, after betraying him for money?"
"Wouldn't that mean she has more lingering feelings? That's what we need to touch upon."
A cold analysis followed the burst of laughter.
"When one's circumstances improve, one tends to think of love over money, don't they?"
"Besides, a prestigious family like Aratus is rare. Esther Portoni knows better than anyone how sweet it is to become a member of our family."
The grass is always greener on the other side.
"First, let's make her think that the position Agatha Nobilis holds was rightfully hers."
The operation, which preyed on desire, lingering feelings, and hope, was systematically completed by the hands of the Aratus relatives, each seeking their own benefit.
The newly appointed Baron Thatcher, watching the scene, couldn't suppress a smile inwardly.
'Family head. You couldn't have imagined a situation like this.'
Perhaps Enoch Aratus expected that by sweeping away three families and consolidating his household, the relatives would back down.
But that was not the case. Would greed disappear so easily?
'If you thought I would back down like this, you were greatly mistaken.'
The hardships of Baron Thatcher, who had suddenly become the family head after his family was swept away by Enoch's example a few months ago, were indescribable.
Of course, it was good to be elevated from an insignificant second son to a Baron, but he had not forgotten the loss of his father and brother in an instant.
Moreover, the thought that the family head he had underestimated had married well and was even backed by the Emperor's favor made him feel sick enough to wake up in a cold sweat.
In that sense, Esther Portoni was the best move he could have conceived.
If she were to become the family head's concubine, he could exert influence over the Aratus main family through her. At the very least, if her mere existence caused conflict with Agatha Nobilis, it would create an opening to shake the family head.
Perhaps Agatha Nobilis, who so enjoyed divorce, might even dump the family head.
Then, the family head, whose foundation was not yet solid, would have no way to endure.
"I will be the one to contact Esther Portoni."
The relatives were moved by his humble words, spoken while hiding his true intentions, and praised him.
"A Baron who offers such a good plan is trustworthy. Then, we will entrust this matter to you, Baron."
"Leave it to me."
The Baron Thatcher, who had subtly guided the relatives to create the current situation, had eyes that gleamed with malice.
As secret schemes stirred in the border territories.
The Imperial ball, which had lasted for two days, had ended. Since that day, the Marquis Aratus couple had been living different days than usual.
Agatha, waking up in the morning, glanced briefly at the empty bed before getting up. After calling for maids to wash her, she put on an indoor dress and a light robe and went to the dining room.
"You're here, Madam."
It was still early.
In the dining room, Enoch, who had arrived earlier, was having breakfast.
'Madam.'
The title, which had always been 'Agatha' in private, had changed.
"Good morning, Enoch."
Agatha sat opposite him without making a fuss. They were at the head of the long table, at opposite ends.
Creak-
A chef carrying a tray appeared and placed the food directly.
"This morning's-"
"You can skip the introduction."
"...Yes, Ma'am."
Agatha quietly chewed the fresh salad and swallowed.
The dining room, always filled with conversation, was now echoing only with the clinking of cutlery and the faint footsteps of the servants.
After putting down her cutlery, Agatha spoke to Enoch.
"What's your schedule today?"
Even though she spoke first, the answer was similar to yesterday.
"I have a court meeting followed by a social gathering."
"So, you'll be back late again today?"
"Yes. Don't wait for me and go to sleep first."
Agatha broke the yolk of her soft-boiled egg and muttered inwardly.
Frustrating.*
She was already in a bad mood, feeling that she might have misjudged his feelings.
Having lost her appetite, Agatha put down her fork and downed her juice.
"I'll be busy from today as well."
She decided to take care of things she had planned to do slowly. Now that the Imperial ball was over, it was time to look into the Aratus family.
"I plan to reorganize the Aratus mansion."
At Agatha's words, Enoch raised his head.
"Coincidentally, His Majesty has agreed to provide artisans."
His gray eyes, whose thoughts were inscrutable, were calmly settled.
"I will be returning late for a while. You also don't have to wait for me and go to sleep if it's late. If you need to contact me, send someone to the Aratus mansion."
Agatha got up first and left the dining room. The man who gazed intently at her retreating back slowly put down his cutlery.
His plate, too, had its food left untouched.
Nobillis Second Mansion.
Knights who were waiting in front of the main mansion, now more famously known as Agatha's marital home, looked back.
The man who strode forward and grasped the reins of a magnificent War Horse was their lord, Enoch Aratus.
"You have arrived, my lord."
"Let's depart."
Enoch immediately mounted the horse and turned its head towards the mansion's main gate. Behind him followed his tight-lipped aide, John, his adjutant, Ched, and the knights.
Enoch said nothing as he headed towards the Imperial Palace.
All that occupied his mind was the awkward air that had flowed between him and her this morning, despite her outwardly appearing the same as usual.
The soft and gentle atmosphere, unlike a marriage of convenience, was nowhere to be found.
Though his taste turned bitter.
Unfortunately, Enoch had no intention of moving from his current position. Or perhaps, he might even be hoping that the situation would pass and the former atmosphere would be restored.
