Even if Demarcus’s governing style, which bordered on oppressing the nobility compared to the previous Emperor’s reign, was harsh, the reason he had been able to firmly secure his throne was that the power he wielded aligned with people’s common sense and moral values.
Conversely, it meant that the nobles he was punishing had been engaging in high-handed tyranny that defied all common sense.
“It’s not easy to pick out the pearls in this mud pit my father ruined.”
His sigh grew heavier.
For too long, the power of the Four Great Families had been too immense, and there were too many parasites clinging to them. The wise and diligent ones had erased their own presence, merely waiting for those violent days to pass.
“I wish they’d just crawl out now, but everyone is being so cautious.”
As Demarcus lamented while struggling to find allies to surround himself with, Count Tallon spoke up cautiously.
“Doesn’t it seem like the Celestine Marquis family is beginning to move?”
“Hm? The Celestine Marquis family?”
Demarcus asked, intrigued to hear that the family which seemed the most cautious of all was making a move.
“Count Krissus visited the Celestine Marquis family yesterday. I thought Your Majesty was already aware.”
“Laslo went there? I haven’t heard a word from him.”
Demarcus did not think Laslo would betray him. Since Laslo himself knew there were many informants and monitors attached to him, the fact that he visited openly in broad daylight meant he had nothing to hide.
*‘But why the Celestine Marquis family, of all places?’*
As Demarcus pondered alone, his faithful and capable attendant, Count Tallon, approached and whispered.
“There is only one thing that comes to mind: the friendship between the Dowager Marchioness Celestine and Edele Lancaster.”
“Ho. That fussy old woman had a deep connection with Edele Lancaster?”
“Yes. They didn’t go around spreading rumors, so not many people know, but as far as I know, the two shared a deep friendship. To the point that one might wonder if they were mother and daughter.”
Demarcus rubbed his chin and sank into thought.
“Does that mean… Laslo went there because of Edele Lancaster?”
“It seems the Dowager Marchioness invited him. Perhaps Count Krissus accepted the invitation as a way to survey the atmosphere there?”
“Yeah, that could be it. It could be, but…”
Yet, strangely, Laslo’s movements were suspicious. If it were the Laslo Krissus he knew, he wouldn’t be the type of person to voluntarily go around trying to recruit noble factions.
Nor did it seem like something he would do because he had feelings for Edele Lancaster. Two and a half months was far too short for someone as wooden as Laslo to be deeply smitten with anyone.
“It would be faster to ask him directly. Tell Laslo to stop by before he leaves the palace.”
“Understood.”
It might have been sorry to hold back a man leaving the palace early on a Saturday, but Demarcus only wore a face full of mischief.
* * *
“Marsha! Is the tea and refreshments ready? What about the tea?”
“It’s all prepared, My Lady. Please, calm down.”
“But my brother isn’t even here, and guests are coming!”
Lynnia, who had been hounding the chef and maids since the morning, couldn’t hide her anxious expression.
It was because Laslo, who had promised to bring a few knights from the Imperial Knights while leaving the palace today, had just sent an urgent message.
“His Majesty the Emperor called for him urgently, so Count Krissus will be a little late. He asked that if the guests arrive first, we should serve them tea and refreshments and give them a tour of the house.”
At the messenger’s words, Lynnia was horrified.
To have her welcome noble guests all by herself—her vision seemed to turn white.
Although she had prepared the refreshments by mimicking what she had seen at tea parties in other noble houses, she had no way of knowing if they were done properly. She couldn’t believe a word of Marsha’s reassurance that this was excellent.
*‘What if I become a laughingstock again!’*
Just as she was becoming frantic with anxiety, a person suddenly crossed Lynnia’s mind.
*‘That’s right! Edele Lancaster, that woman would know everything, wouldn’t she?’*
Edele was the only person in this house who had ever entertained nobles. And she had done it exceptionally well.
Lynnia hurriedly called a maid.
“Go and bring Edele here immediately! Make sure she’s properly dressed in her maid uniform! Hurry!”
“B-but, the Count said not to call for her for a while…”
“She’s all better now! Bring her here at once!”
Because Lynnia was practically screaming, the maid had no choice but to go and fetch Edele.
A short while later, Edele came down to the drawing room. Though a hint of frailty remained, she was no longer as pale as she had been when she collapsed.
With her hair neatly pinned up and her maid uniform worn without a single crease, she looked more like a lady-in-waiting from the Imperial Palace than the lowest-ranking maid of this house.
“Did you call for me, My Lady?”
“Look, you’re all better. My brother won’t say anything.”
Lynnia raised her voice unnecessarily as the maid who had disobeyed the head of the house’s orders looked on in agitation.
However, once Edele was actually standing in front of her, it was difficult to make any demanding requests.
*‘What if she thinks I’m pathetic?’*
She didn’t want to be made a fool of by her own maid, especially when she was already being mocked at every party she attended.
But even as she hesitated, the clock was ticking away.
At that moment, Marsha, who was looking at Edele with disapproval, whispered in Lynnia’s ear.
“If you show the guests that you are commanding the former Duchess as a maid, they will think highly of you, My Lady.”
“Ah, right! There was that way, wouldn’t there?”
Lynnia smiled brightly as if her dilemma had been solved. She figured that if she gave orders as her superior rather than directly asking Edele for etiquette advice, she could preserve her pride.
Lynnia hid her nervousness and held her chin up in front of Edele.
“Edele. You’ve recovered, so it’s time to start working again. But since heavy labor will be too much, you are to serve me by my side today. That shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”
“Thank you for your consideration, My Lady.”
Edele bowed obediently, and Lynnia let out a sigh of relief as she plopped onto the sofa.
“In a while, three knights from the Imperial Knights will be visiting. My brother said he’d be a bit late, so we have to welcome the guests ourselves. At that time…”
“Yes.”
“Um… should I… welcome the guests at the front door?”
Lynnia asked in an uncertain voice, trying to gauge Edele’s reaction.
Whether Edele really didn’t know Lynnia’s inner thoughts or was simply pretending not to, she replied calmly.
“Usually, that is a task for the butler, but since there is no butler… perhaps the Housekeeper should welcome them first and escort them to the drawing room?”
“Should I be waiting in the drawing room…?”
“As you are the deputy head of the house, it would be proper for you to appear after the guests have been escorted to the drawing room. Since the knights usually do not hold titles.”
“Ah, that’s how it should be, right?”
Lynnia, who had been moments away from groveling before the guests at the front door, wiped the sweat from her brow.
“When the guests arrive, serve the refreshments at the appropriate time. Go and set the table beforehand.”
“Understood. Then I will go to the kitchen…”
“Ah, wait! Then, I should be… in my room, right?”
“Yes. I will come to get you once the guests arrive.”
“Right, good!”
Lynnia felt relieved and sent Edele to the kitchen. Since she had ordered ten types of desserts, Edele would surely set the table magnificently.
After telling Marsha to wait at the entrance, Lynnia returned to her room and waited anxiously for Edele to come for her.
How much time had passed?
Knock, knock. A neat, rhythmic sound of knocking was heard, and Edele entered.
“My Lady. The guests have arrived.”
“Oh? I-is that so? Then… should we… go down now…?”
Lynnia was so tense that she didn’t know what to do with herself.
Edele approached her, adjusted her clothes, and brushed away the loose strands of hair clinging to her cheeks and forehead.
“Could you give me your handkerchief?”
“Hm? T-this one?”
Edele used the handkerchief to gently dab Lynnia’s face, removing the excess oil.
“Where is the powder?”
“Powder? It’s here. This is just white face powder, this is pearl powder, and this is the floral powder that’s popular these days.”
All of the cosmetics were expensive items, but Edele set the others aside and took out only the basic white powder to lightly dab onto my face.
As the powder settled over the makeup Marsha had already applied, the look became somewhat plain.
“You are all finished.”
I had expected her to do something more, and Lynnia looked flustered when she stopped there.
“No. Since we’re doing this, try dabbing a bit more of the flower-petal powder on my cheeks.”
“I cannot.”
“What? You cannot?”
Lynnia’s expression soured in an instant. However, Edele seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking cautiously.
“This kind of powder… if I may be so bold, it is inappropriate for a young, unmarried noble lady to wear.”
At that, Lynnia’s expression froze.
“Why? Why is it inappropriate?”
“Young ladies are beautiful enough with their natural complexion. Anything more, creating an artificial flush, looks quite unnatural.”
“W-well, what happens if a young noble lady goes around wearing this?”
“She would surely be the subject of gossip, with people saying she is trying to seduce men at such a tender age.”
“Is that true? Can you guarantee it?”
“Yes.”
Lynnia’s face was washed in despair and shame.