Chapter 39
Episode 39.
‘Do I really need to define our relationship?’
They had already formed a good marital relationship. Nothing would change whether he liked her or not.
He unconsciously gripped the reins tightly, then consciously relaxed his grip and touched his temple.
Enoch was also fully aware that he was drawn to Agatha.
But when it came to saying he liked her, for some reason, his words wouldn't come out.
"-I wish Lord Enoch would like me."
“……”
Enoch slowly traced the scar on his face and let out a low breath.
‘I can't believe I developed a trauma.’
Enoch recalled a woman who had confessed her love to him long ago.
The woman who desperately clung to him had betrayed him and never returned.
After that, he buried the incident. He had focused on ending the war to survive and return, but he also didn't want to recall it.
Even after returning, Enoch did not look for Esther, and he thought he had forgotten her.
As Enoch delved into the trauma within him, his horse reached the Imperial Palace.
“Welcome, Marquis Aratus. Your entry into the Imperial Palace has been confirmed.”
Enoch smiled wryly and accepted the greeting of the Imperial First Knight who saluted him, then entered the palace.
In any case, he couldn't stay like this.
If he couldn't utter the words "I like you" or mention that incident, he would have to find another way.
Agatha, who left the dining hall first, tried to drive Enoch's face from her mind.
‘There's nothing I can do about this situation.’
The moment she confessed, the ball was no longer in her court.
‘Thinking about it will only give me a headache. Let's work.’
If she immersed herself in work, she would forget all her troubles.
“Jessie, call the First Aide.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Agatha headed straight for her office. The First Aide, Ethel, who received the summons from the maid, came to the office.
“You summoned me, Madam.”
“I intend to undertake a large-scale renovation of the Aratus mansion.”
Although Ben, the head butler of the Aratus family, had done repairs before her marriage, it wasn't enough.
The mansion was magnificent, but it lacked the decorations and artworks essential for a noble family, and the sculptures needed more refined finishing.
In preparation for the subtle season between the summer and autumn social events, matters such as curtains, draperies, tapestries, vases, and garden maintenance.
These were issues that the lady of the house had to attend to.
“As you can see, it only meets the basic requirements.”
“I heard that His Majesty offered to lend us Imperial artisans. Should I request them from the Ministry of the Interior today?”
“That’s right. And we also need to procure materials, so please contact the Aratus side and the merchant guilds to coordinate.”
“I will contact them immediately.”
While the aide made the preliminary arrangements, Agatha began preparing to go out.
“Madam, what dress will you be wearing today?”
“Since I'm not attending a social gathering, nothing too flashy.”
At Agatha's command, her personal maid, Marie, selected a few outfits.
“I have chosen some practical outfits for you today.”
Most of them were modest designs without puffed petticoats.
“I’ll wear this dress.”
Agatha’s final choice was an apricot-colored dress.
The dress, cinched with a green sash at the waist, had a layered skirt made of embroidered sheer fabric, making it rather unique.
Today, she would opt for a hat rather than a hair ornament.
Standing before the mirror in low-heeled shoes, she looked quite good, exuding a lively aura.
“Good, I like it.”
Agatha finally left the room, a fan in her hand. By then, the aide, Ethel, who had finished making calls, followed her.
“You will need quite a bit of stone and timber to renovate the mansion.”
“Are there no items brought into the capital?”
“I have contacted the merchant guilds. It will take at least two days.”
“That should be fine. Also, tell them to bring plenty of fabric for the draperies.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Agatha exchanged a brief nod with the First Commander, Leon Takran, who was waiting in front of the main residence, and got into the carriage.
The knights assigned to escort her surrounded the carriage without a gap.
The carriage sped towards the Aratus mansion in the capital. Before she could even finish her conversation with the aide, they passed through the mansion's main gate.
“Welcome, Madam.”
Head Butler Ben of Aratus and the Administrator, Conrad Lanzel, were waiting in front of the main residence to greet her.
“It’s been a while, Ben.”
Agatha alighted from the carriage, escorted by the Commander.
Ben's face lit up with anticipation, as if he had heard about the mansion's renovation, while the administrator appeared tense.
Come to think of it, wasn't the Aratus administrator sensitive about cash flow?
It was the same during the wedding preparations, and she recalled hearing that the administrator had rejoiced upon receiving 500,000 Car from the Second Commander, Hubert Karwen.
Agatha smiled and extended her hand.
“Lord Conrad? I think I saw you at the First Residence before the wedding, is that correct?”
“Yes. It is an honor to see you again, Madam. I am Administrator Conrad Lanzel. Please feel free to call me Conrad.”
Conrad, who lightly kissed the back of her hand, raised his head with a face mixed with joy and anxiety.
“I heard you were coming to inspect the mansion today.”
“Yes. I think it’s time we announced the Aratus family's prosperity. External prestige is important, but a strong foundation is essential to maintain the reputation of a prestigious family.”
Conrad let out a soft sound and straightened his posture. Agatha gestured to the butler, Ben.
“Well then, shall we take a look around the mansion before the Imperial artisans arrive? Please lead the way, Ben.”
“Yes. This way, Madam.”
Agatha, followed by her retinue, began touring the Aratus mansion in the capital. The old mansion, with its unique antique charm, was just as she had seen it on her wedding night.
“Good. It will only need a little work.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
After commending Head Butler Ben, Agatha added,
“We will only be touching up the mansion's sculptures. Please note their locations and convey them to the artisans when they arrive.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Please write down anything else that is needed and submit it as a report. First, we should decide on the direction of the decoration.”
“Understood.”
Following Agatha’s plan, the retainers of Nobilis and the retainers of Aratus put their heads together.
Skilled artisans were already prepared, so the mansion's renovation would be successful if only the direction was set correctly.
As Agatha was calmly touring the mansion under Ben's guidance, she sensed movement from the top of the stairs.
It was Isabelle Aratus, Enoch's sister.
“Isabelle, you're home.”
“Yes, hello, Madam Agatha.”
Isabelle Aratus looked at Agatha and her following retainers with curious eyes.
“I plan to undertake a large-scale renovation of the mansion.”
Agatha explained to Isabelle the reason for bringing people and coming here.
‘Will she object?’
While the internal affairs of a family were the purview of the lady of the house, not everything always went according to rules.
Moreover, Isabelle had been in charge of the internal affairs before Agatha arrived, so she might try to assert her authority.
“I see.”
Unexpectedly, Isabelle Aratus did not seem to oppose the mansion's renovation.
In fact, she seemed somewhat pleased.
“So, will the hall also be newly decorated?”
“That is the plan.”
Isabelle, who had descended the stairs by then, calmly looked around the hall and ceiling before nodding.
“Ben and I did some work, but there are still many shortcomings. After being invited to other noble houses in the capital, I realized how many areas were lacking.”
“Ah.”
Having seen the grand mansions of other noble families, she might have noticed the deficiencies in this mansion.
“Please do a good job with the mansion repairs, Madam Agatha. If there is anything I can help with, please let me know. I will do my best.”
Thanks to this, it was a great relief not to have to clash unnecessarily with her sister-in-law.
“...I am glad you said that. Isabelle, if there is anything you desire, please tell me as well.”
Agatha proceeded with the mansion renovation with a much lighter heart.
Soon, the Imperial artisans provided by the Imperial Palace arrived. Agatha was familiar with many of them, as she had often borrowed Imperial artisans to renovate houses or castles.
“Noble lady. It has been a while.”
“Yes. Please do your best this time as well. There will be quite a bit of work as there are many areas to address.”
“Do not worry. We will do our utmost to ensure your satisfaction.”
The Imperial artisans, possessing both artistry and skill, examined the mansion from corner to corner and identified areas needing repair without needing Agatha's specific instructions.
Butler Ben took notes of the points indicated by the artisans and selected any additional items needed.
Agatha, who was waiting while drinking tea, read the report prepared by the two groups, signed it, and gave instructions.
“We will soon have to invite guests to this mansion. I will procure the artworks myself, so please pay special attention to the garden layout.”
“Yes, Madam.”
