Chapter 105: Improvisation
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105: Improvisation
One of the merchant leaders from Rondoris asked a question, oblivious to the tension.
“I assume you are aware that a new shopping district has been established in Blenheim?”
The merchant leader nodded. He had heard rumors that the Grand Duchess had contributed significantly to its creation.
“The scale of the district is quite large. We operate carriages that transport customers between the main gate, the west gate, the north gate, and the central gate, centered around the shopping district.”
“Does that actually make any money?” the merchant leader asked, his interest piqued.
“The circulating carriages are operated free of charge.”
“Why? Is it some sort of charitable activity?”
“Not at all. The operating costs are covered by the Shopping District Management Office.”
“And what is this ‘Management Office’?”
As the merchant leader’s questions continued, the other members of the delegation pricked up their ears.
“I will explain that in more detail when you visit the district,” Perel said in a light, cheerful tone as they reached the carriage. “After all, you’ll only have more questions once you see it for yourself.”
Perel, who had always maintained a cautious attitude during negotiations, was now radiating confidence. The merchant leader nodded, looking a bit sheepish.
Count Pacio clicked his tongue inwardly. Despite his efforts to seize control by forcing a change in the schedule, he felt as though the initiative had been snatched away.
His bewilderment did not fade even after entering the Grand Duke’s Castle. The interior had changed so much that not a trace of its former bleak and desolate landscape remained.
‘The Grand Duke of Blenheim is certainly not the type of man to care about such things.’
The guest rooms, in particular, were decorated to be both bright and comfortable, featuring soft bedding, airy lace curtains, and light-colored cushions. Furthermore, the preparation was perfect, down to the pre-arranged fruit and the chilled light wine he preferred.
Pacio swallowed his admiration as he looked out the window at the garden in full bloom. It was impossible for the Grand Duke to have suddenly become this delicate.
‘Could it be the Grand Duchess’s doing?’
Then again, she was the daughter of a Marquis; perhaps she had received enough education to manage these basic noblewoman’s duties.
‘I have underestimated the daughter of Frais.’
However, her shortcomings would surely be revealed at the formal dinner. It would be difficult for a young noblewoman who had never properly experienced high society to lead a diplomatic conversation.
‘Tonight will be the only chance to break the Grand Duchess’s spirit before the Grand Duke returns.’
Pacio thought to himself, wetting his throat with the pleasantly astringent wine.
*
Janet, who had been biting her lip alone in her room, cautiously locked the door.
‘The delegation is here already.’
She hadn’t even finished her plan yet. After confirming once more that no one else was in the room, Janet pulled a small powder puff containing a tan-colored powder from her luggage.
Black Caribane.
It was made from the dried and finely ground petals of a poisonous plant that caused severe abdominal pain. If she put this into the delegation’s meal, they would be bedridden for a day or two. If the offended delegation called off the negotiations and left, it would be a massive success.
‘Besides, the Grand Duke isn’t here tonight.’
The security would be less tight, making it the perfect time to act. Now, she just had to find a way to get this into the food…
Just then, there was a sound of the doorknob turning. When the door didn't open, an impatient knock followed. It seemed the annoying maid, who never gave her a moment of peace, had already returned.
“My lady, I have brought your meal.”
‘How irritating.’
Janet swung the door open. “It’s not even dinner time yet. What meal are you talking about?”
The maid, Reta, replied calmly without a change in expression. “The kitchen is busy this evening, so I was ordered to deliver your meal early.”
Janet’s mind raced at those words. If the kitchen was busy, it meant they were preparing the delegation’s dinner right now. This might be the optimal timing.
“Lead me to the kitchen.”
Reta’s face stiffened slightly at Janet’s command. “May I ask for what reason…!”
Slap!
Before she could finish, Janet struck Reta across the cheek.
“Do I have to report every little thing to a mere maid like you?”
Until very recently, Janet had treated even Annette with contempt. A maid like this was nothing to her. The guard stationed in front of the room looked at Reta with a hint of pity.
“You must receive permission from Her Highness the Consort first,” the stubborn maid said flatly, one side of her face flushing red.
“I have something to say to the chef regarding Lord Raphael’s meal. I will inform Her Highness later.”
“If you tell me, I will relay it to the kitchen.”
“You dare suggest a maid should discuss the well-being of a son of a Marquis? Why should I trust you?”
As Janet made a scene, insisting she speak with the chef immediately, the powder puff she had grabbed earlier was tucked away in her clothes.
*
“Lord Raphael has a shellfish allergy? I haven’t heard anything about that.”
Berni, the chef of the Grand Duke’s Castle, said as he stirred a sauce with his thick forearms. “I recall serving him clam soup yesterday morning, and he finished the entire bowl…”
The kitchen was currently a battlefield. They were frantic, trying to handle the banquet that had been moved up and the increased number of guests.
‘Of all times to come here.’
Berni made a show of roughly agreeing. “Fine, I understand. I’ll make sure to exclude shellfish from the young lord’s meals from now on.”
However, the maid did not leave; she lingered, hesitating.
“Is there something else?”
With the guard and Reta standing by the maid, the flow of the kitchen was a mess. A pot of hot water, set aside for blanching vegetables, sat precariously on the counter. Just as Berni reached for it out of concern—
“No.”
The maid glanced at him, turned sharply, and shoved her shoulder into Reta.
“Watch out…!”
In an instant, Reta was pushed against the counter, and the water from the pot spilled over her. The guard quickly pulled Reta back, but the hot water had already soaked her hand and forearm.
“Ugh!” Reta groaned, clutching her arm.
“Oh no! Get some ice! Quickly!”
Berni hurriedly set down his sauce and checked on Reta. Her arm was turning a bright, angry red.
‘This is going to leave a scar.’
If the Grand Duchess had been there, she would have called the personal physician immediately, but Berni didn't have that authority. While he was debating whether to ask Whitley, he heard the maid’s nonchalant voice.
“See? You should have been more careful.”
There wasn't a hint of apology on the maid’s face; instead, she looked almost pleased.
“Guard, I’m going back now.”
Ignoring the furious glares from Berni and the kitchen staff, Janet left the kitchen without a second thought.
*
Loik furrowed his brow upon hearing the news delivered via magic messenger bird. The delegation had arrived earlier than scheduled.
“Pacio, that sly snake.”
It was obvious that he intended to put Annette in a difficult position while Loik was away. How dare he try to harass my Annette.
‘Of course, Annette is sharp, so she won’t just take it lying down.’
“Strike the tents. We’re returning to the castle immediately.”
The knights, who had just finished setting up the camp, felt their eyes twitch.
‘Even if we leave now, we won’t arrive until the middle of the night.’
‘Wouldn’t it be better to sleep for a few hours and leave early at dawn?’
The knights looked toward Demich with faint hope in their eyes.
Demich spoke with a firm expression. “If we ride at full speed, we should arrive around moonrise.”
The knights swallowed their curses. Demich took far too much pleasure in missions that tested the limits of the knights. Johas, who was senior enough to speak up in front of Demich, spoke cautiously.
“I’m not sure if the priest can keep up.”
He pointed to the priest, who was huddled in a corner with a dejected face. The priest, who had ended up staying at the Grand Duke’s Castle for the time being due to the Grand Duke’s ‘request’—which involved storming the temple late at night—still seemed unable to process the situation.
Officially, he was heading to Blenheim to ‘bestow a blessing upon the devout Grand Duke.’ However, after learning secrets about the Grand Duke last night that he wished he hadn't, the priest was gripped by the fear that he might be imprisoned in the castle for the rest of his life.
Just as the priest was seriously considering whether he should try to back out now—
“Someone put him on their horse and ride,” Loik said dismissively.
At those words, the knights all looked away simultaneously. Sharing a horse with another man for hours was something they absolutely wanted to avoid. Eventually, the Grand Duke called out a specific name, and the other knights, except for Leon, breathed a sigh of relief and began striking the tents.
“Oh, and put that on my horse.”
Loik pointed to a box sitting next to the priest’s luggage.
“What is that?”
“A gift.”
At that, the knights’ eyes all turned to the box. It was a long wooden box, about the size of a wine case.
‘A gift? For whom? Did he get it for Her Highness the Consort? What is it?’
Everyone looked on with curiosity, wondering what was in the box their lord had picked up while going to fetch the priest, but Loik mounted his horse without any intention of explaining.