Chapter 40
Chapter 40.
As Agatha's approval came through, construction began soon after.
Normally, she would have only seen and heard about it from their marital home and only visited after all renovations were complete, but this time was different.
Agatha sometimes had breakfast at the Aratus mansion in the capital and decorated the mansion daily, tending to the garden herself.
In the process, she naturally began to encounter Isabelle.
"The mansion must be noisy; isn't it inconvenient to stay here?"
"No."
Isabelle, with her long blue hair cascading down, shook her head, her light green eyes shining.
"Still, home is the most comfortable."
Isabelle, who had been unable to properly make her social debut due to the tyranny of her relatives, was preparing for her re-debut.
'Come to think of it, Isabelle doesn't have an adult to help her with her debut.'
Although Isabelle's position might not be the same as before with Enoch's return, a social debut still required someone to assist.
Agatha ordered simple refreshments from the butler, Ben, on a nearby terrace, then sat down with Isabelle.
"I heard you're putting in a lot of effort to re-debut in high society these days. May I ask how your preparations are going?"
"I've had a new dress made. I also bought a few new pieces of jewelry."
Isabelle, now eighteen, was doing everything she could, young but composed.
New clothes, new shoes, new jewelry.
These were undoubtedly essential preparations for attending social events. However, true high society required more than just these.
"How much experience do you have attending social gatherings?"
"Not much. I'm still clumsy with social etiquette."
It wasn't just social etiquette. In Agatha's view, Isabelle was severely lacking in aristocratic discernment and connections.
Invitations would surely pour in, but without a family elder to guide or protect her, she would merely become prey for other nobles.
She seemed aware of this and cautious, but that wouldn't make her social debut meaningful.
Organizing her thoughts, Agatha picked up the freshly poured warm tea and spoke.
"Once the mansion renovations are complete, I plan to open the mansion and host guests for an informal salon."
Though slightly bewildered, Isabelle listened intently to Agatha's plan.
"How would you like to be the second hostess then?"
"The second hostess?"
"Yes."
Isabelle, her eyes wide, clasped her hands together, surprised by the unexpected proposal.
"I thought it would be good for you to get accustomed to social activities before the autumn season by participating with me."
Though called an informal salon, the social figures around Agatha were all influential individuals with their own power bases.
By being among them, her discernment would naturally improve, and she would become accustomed to social etiquette.
With Agatha by her side, any mistakes Isabelle made would be met with leniency from those around them.
"What do you think?"
Isabelle, blinking rapidly, replied in a small voice.
"Will I be able to do well?"
"Everyone has a first time. This is how one starts, and later, one might even host their own salon."
Agatha was offering Isabelle an opportunity to fill the gaps in her experience and connections.
"Don't feel pressured. I'm stepping forward because I am the only remaining elder of the Aratus family by Isabelle's side."
After gazing at Agatha for a moment, Isabelle slightly lowered her head.
"Thank you for your consideration, Mrs. Agatha."
The head butler, Ben, watched her with a pleased smile.
The renovations of the Aratus mansion in the capital proceeded quickly.
The garden, once filled only with trees and plants, was artfully trimmed and adorned with blue roses. Then, paintings and sculptures were purchased to decorate the renovated mansion.
New furniture was acquired, along with heirloom plates, teacups, and tapestries. Good quality tea and fine wine, popular these days, were also procured.
Curtains and drapes, changed to white and blue to match the season, along with vases crafted by imperial artisans and elegantly refined decorations.
Sensual elegance was added to the classic, old-fashioned Aratus mansion in the capital.
As Agatha neared the completion of the mansion's refurbishment, she sat Isabelle, whose relationship with her had grown considerably closer, and began compiling the guest list.
"Do you have any close noble acquaintances?"
"No. I don't have anyone I'm close enough with to invite."
"Then, would you like to look at this list?"
Agatha showed Isabelle the list she had compiled.
It was a selection of young ladies of similar age to Isabelle, with good character and family backgrounds.
These were individuals with whom Isabelle could easily form friendships and safely settle into high society.
"Please tell me if there's anyone you dislike or have a bad relationship with."
Isabelle examined the list with sparkling eyes and smiled.
"They all seem like good people."
"Then, we will send out invitations according to this list."
"Yes, Madam."
Agatha pulled over a sheet of pre-prepared stationery and handed it to Isabelle.
"Why don't you try writing the wording for the invitation?"
This was a necessary experience for Isabelle, who had likely never written an invitation before.
"How about this?"
"That's good. What kind of scent would you like to imbue the invitation with?"
"We planted roses in the garden, so perhaps rose perfume?"
They also decided together on what kind of tea to serve and what dishes to prepare.
It was as if she were being shown from the very beginning how a tea party began.
With the first social gathering after the renovation of the Aratus mansion in the capital decided to be a tea party.
Agatha, returning late to her marital home, was met with an invitation to the first concert of the orchestra she sponsored, to be held in late summer.
"Madam. It seems the Abloom Orchestra has been chosen for this year's first concert as well."
"Is that so?"
Agatha, who had just finished washing, accepted the invitation handed to her by her close maid, Jessie.
The Abloom Orchestra was an orchestra sponsored by Agatha.
The sweltering heat had subsided, and autumn had not yet arrived.
This was the season when artists sponsored by various families showcased their achievements through concerts and exhibitions.
The first concert was an event where not only sponsored nobles but also influential social figures were invited.
Unless there was a special circumstance, she would have to attend.
"I'll need to adjust the schedule."
Even as Agatha placed the invitation on the table, Jessie did not retreat and hesitated.
"What is it?"
"Shall I ask the butler to request the Marquis's attendance?"
"..."
Agatha walked silently to the bedroom window. Her careful hand brushed her still-damp hair.
"Just in case," Jessie added softly. First concerts were usually attended by couples.
Art patronage was one of the significant endeavors for aristocratic families.
Though unspoken, many servants, like Jessie, had noticed the awkwardness between the couple lately. The knights who accompanied her as guards would feel the same.
Agatha closed her eyes and murmured.
"He'll handle it himself."
He wouldn't go out of his way to cause rumors of discord by not attending. That was the kind of man Agatha perceived Enoch to be.
'...Though I'm not sure about now.'
Hee-haw-
The sound of a horse neighing and the butler greeting someone could be heard from outside the window.
She opened her eyes. In the darkness, she could see familiar blue hair.
"It seems the Marquis has returned."
"...Indeed."
The moment her gaze met his deep, ash-grey eyes, Agatha instinctively pulled the curtain to cover the window.
"Madam?"
"I'm going to sleep now. Everyone, please leave."
Marie, another close maid, glared at Jessie without Agatha's knowledge and left.
The surroundings emptied, and her flustered heart calmed, but Agatha could not bring herself to open the curtain again.
Outside the window, Enoch, who had just dismounted, looked up for a while in the direction of Agatha's bedroom.
"Marquis?"
"...It's nothing."
Enoch handed the reins to the butler, who looked at him with a puzzled expression, and entered the mansion. Before turning left at the central corridor on the fourth floor, he glanced towards his wife's quarters opposite him and asked his aide, John.
"You said a tea party would be held soon at the Aratus mansion, correct?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Clear my schedule for that time."
His aide, who looked up in surprise, quickly bowed his head.
"Yes, I will do so."
Only then did Enoch turn his steps towards his own chambers. His retainers, their faces visibly brighter, followed him.
On the day of the tea party held at the Aratus mansion in the capital.
Even though the salon had not yet begun, visitors had been flooding in since morning.
This was because, even those not invited to the salon were allowed to visit the first floor of the mansion by appointment. Visitors poured in, perhaps due to it being the first day the mansion was opened to the public and the news that Agatha Nobilis had been decorating it while remaining reclusive.
The nobles who toured the mansion, even for a short time, spoke in unison.
"It's most regrettable that we can't see the sponsored garden up close!"
This lament arose because the garden, decorated with rare blue roses, was only accessible to salon guests.
As the midday sun began to dip, casting shadows.
As intended by Agatha, perceptions of the Aratus family were slowly beginning to change. In the garden, inaccessible to visitors, guest reception was in full swing.
Agatha, smiling, welcomed Marchioness Vanessa Beatrice, her closest confidante, along with Isabelle.
"Welcome, Marchioness Vanessa."
"Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Agatha. The mansion is very beautiful. Truly befitting the care you've put into it."
"You are too kind. Oh, and this is Lady Isabelle Aratus."
Isabelle, stepping forward slightly, bowed her head.
"Hello, Marchioness Beatrice. I am Isabelle Aratus."
