Chapter 42
Chapter 42.
Esther Portoni retreated behind the nobles who had gathered in an instant. The figures of two people, already gone beyond the receding window, flickered before her eyes.
Among them, what captured Esther's eyes was a man with a haggard look.
Familiar blue hair and a strange scar, but still a handsome face.
‘…Enoch.’
The man she thought would die had survived and returned as a war hero.
The man she thought had married the continent's best catch and risen to a place beyond her reach, unlike the rosy rumors circulating in the capital, had a rather poor complexion.
‘Was the talk of them having a good marital relationship just a rumor?’
One of Aratus's collateral relatives who had contacted her recently came to Esther's mind.
Baron Thatcher, was it?
‘Don't you think about starting over with the head of the family?’
‘Honestly, why do you think the head of the family left his wife alone? It's because he still has feelings for her.’
‘This time too, we will do our best to assist with the madam's affairs. Perhaps beyond becoming the head of the family's lover, you could finally become the Marchioness, couldn't you?’
At the time, she thought it was absurd.
But after seeing Marquis Aratus a moment ago, a small courage began to well up in Esther's heart.
‘It’s shameless, but perhaps he is waiting for me too.’
Nobles were, by nature, people who married separately from their romantic pursuits.
Although she didn't like the idea of joining hands again with those who had tried to harm Enoch in the process.
“It’s fine to discard it once the task is done, right?”
Esther murmured coldly, unfolding her fan.
“Hm? Madam Esther. What did you say?”
“It’s nothing, madam.”
She thought it would be good to reveal that the events of that time were planned by relatives and seek his forgiveness.
‘When I return to the mansion, I must send word to Baron Thatcher.’
Esther smiled brightly as she looked at the beautifully decorated, old-fashioned mansion.
It felt like a dream that she might become the true mistress of such a prestigious family with such a magnificent mansion in the capital.
After the first tea party, Agatha held an informal salon at the Aratus mansion.
She held an auction to purchase paintings, sculptures, and liquors needed for the mansion, and invited nobles with a deep appreciation for art.
For nobles not interested in art, they also played chess or card games, or simply had tea time.
Today was the second day, when the first floor of the mansion was opened to visitors without an invitation.
“Oh my. The mansion is even more beautiful than I imagined.”
“It has a unique old-fashioned charm that comes from a venerable family. It hasn't even been a month since the Marchioness returned to the capital. Didn't the Aratus family have many internal problems?”
“It seems they weren’t as serious as rumored. The Aratus family is a prestigious one, isn't it? I heard their history dates back to the early days of the empire.”
Isabelle Aratus walked past the whispering nobles as she toured the first floor of the main mansion.
She had felt the family's transformation firsthand over the past few weeks.
Her brother was still a war hero and the empire's greatest knight, and the mansion had only been repaired without significant changes, but.
At some point, the family's fallen status had begun to change.
Isabelle knew.
All these changes had begun since Agatha Nobilis stepped forward.
As she left the corridor, she saw people enjoying tea time, reading, chatting, and playing chess in the main mansion's garden.
At the center of it all was Agatha, occasionally nodding as she approved documents handed to her by the butler, Ben, when she spotted Isabelle.
“Welcome, Isabelle.”
“Oh my. Lady Aratus. It is an honor to see you again today. How about a cup of tea together?”
Isabelle gazed at Agatha for a moment before moving to a seat offered by prominent figures in high society.
It was the second-highest seat, the right-hand couch, right next to Agatha.
“Has anyone heard any news regarding the Neuta Merchant Guild?”
At that moment, Marchioness Iris Domunia brought up an interesting topic.
“Are you talking about the fabric they released for the new autumn social season? I heard the response wasn't very good.”
The ladies and young ladies smiled with amusement in their eyes. The reason was well-known.
“Of course, it wouldn't be, since it wasn't chosen by Madam Agatha.”
“The colors were too somber. Well, it seemed to suit the tastes of older ladies, though.”
“It’s understandable, as she must have chosen it. I mean, the most senior person among those in the Neuta family.”
Agatha didn't say a word, but she didn't stop them from discussing the topic either. The ladies lowered their voices and asked.
“Madam Agatha. They will probably return for the autumn social season.”
“They will. They enjoy importing their own fabrics, you see.”
Though not intentionally.
Agatha, setting down her teacup, offered a measured comment.
“Well, the quality was fine, but I wasn't particularly fond of the colors. It’s a shame that a new product they launched with such ambition after a long time didn't do well, though there’s no malice. Of course, it’s a merchant guild that no longer concerns me.”
“Hahaha. Madam Agatha, you are truly something.”
After that, major social news continued to pour in.
As Agatha occasionally responded and approved the last document, the butler, Ben, appeared. This time, he brought something other than documents.
“Madam. The master has arrived.”
Today was the day of the first performance by the Abrum Orchestra, which Agatha was sponsoring.
As promised, Enoch had come to pick Agatha up.
“I must be going now, everyone.”
“Oh, madam.”
As Agatha prepared to leave, sighs of regret erupted from various places. However, no guest actively tried to detain the newlywed Marchioness Aratus.
“I’m going to the concert with my husband after a long time. It’s the opening performance of the orchestra I sponsor.”
“You had such plans.”
“And wouldn’t it be nice for Lady Isabelle to have time to get to know everyone?”
“Of course, it would be a pleasure to build friendships with Lady Aratus. Hohoho.”
The time that followed was Isabelle Aratus's.
Isabelle, who had gained some leisure after several informal salons, smiled and saw her off.
“Have a wonderful time, Madam Agatha. I will handle the rest here.”
“Certainly. See you tomorrow, Isabelle.”
After bidding farewell to the guests, Agatha left the garden, with the butler, Ben, leading the way.
As she crossed the corridor, occasionally greeting visitors touring the first floor of the mansion, she began to see a man standing in front of the main mansion.
“Enoch.”
A man who had lost a little weight in a few days greeted her with a slightly softened expression.
He naturally took her hand and kissed the back of it.
“Let’s go.”
Agatha didn't look at him. The carriage door opened.
She got into the carriage, relying on his hand, which he offered naturally.
He followed her in, and the carriage, escorted by knights, departed. Silence filled the carriage, which was bright with sunlight and lamps.
Agatha, who had returned to the newlywed mansion first to prepare for the concert, headed to Armand Hall with Enoch.
At Armand Hall, the largest hall in the capital, carriages of nobles interested in the arts, as well as those who held sway in high society, were coming and going.
The Abrum Orchestra, sponsored by Agatha, was one of the top orchestras in the empire and served as an indicator of the future direction of the music scene.
As the performance time slowly approached.
The conductor of the Abrum Orchestra, Louis Morales, rushed out as the Aratus family's carriage approached Armand Hall.
“Marquis Aratus. Marchioness Aratus. It is an honor to have you grace us with your presence. I am Louis Morales, conductor of the Abrum Orchestra. Do you remember me?”
Agatha, who had alighted from the carriage with Enoch's escort, nodded lightly.
“It’s been a while, Conductor Morales. I haven’t been able to contact you except by letter due to being busy. Have you been well?”
“Yes. Thanks to your kind care, madam, both I and the orchestra have been doing well.”
The conductor led the Marchioness and Marquis Aratus into Armand Hall.
As they entered close to the performance time, there weren't many people standing in the corridors and stairs outside the performance hall.
Agatha exchanged greetings with nobles she knew casually and was led to a balcony seat on the second floor, overlooking the hall and the orchestra.
“If you need anything, please pull the bell at any time. Staff will be on standby.”
“Thank you, conductor.”
With a tak*, the door closed, neatly shutting out the murmuring noise.
The floor, covered in green satin, had large, plush sofas and a wide table.
Agatha sat on the sofa and gazed at the orchestra's seats, still empty beyond the railing. Enoch, sitting beside her and looking down together, spoke.
“Your face looked quite worn.”
“……”
She didn't know who was talking about whom. Agatha lowered her gaze silently.
“Has anything happened in the past few days?”
“No. And, Enoch.”
“Yes.”
“There are no eyes watching us now, so you don’t have to talk to me. Let’s go back to the mansion after the performance.”
