Chapter 64: An Exhausting Gathering
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: An Exhausting Gathering
At Cecilia’s words, the tips of Perel’s ears turned beet red.
“I—I wouldn’t know about such things...!”
In truth, he did know, but he couldn't possibly discuss such matters with an unmarried lady-in-waiting.
Cecilia’s expression hardened, as if Perel’s reaction had confirmed her suspicions.
“Goodness, the problem is more serious than I thought, isn’t it? It’s not that the Grand Duke has some kind of... issue, is it?”
“An issue?”
“You know, like... not being able to perform his duties as a man...”
“W-what on earth are you saying?!”
Perel’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he gasped for air.
The aide hurriedly craned his neck to scan their surroundings again before shouting at Cecilia in a harsh whisper.
“How dare you speak of the Grand Duke’s... succession in such a disloyal manner! Do you not realize that those words alone constitute lèse-majesté?”
“It’s just us, so what does it matter?”
Cecilia rolled her eyes as if he were being overly dramatic.
Just us? What kind of relationship do we have for you to say that?
Of course, they shared the commonality of serving their respective masters, but... Perel had absolutely no desire to be lumped together with this excessively free-spirited woman.
“Anyway. Is it really not that?”
“It is not!”
Perel cut her off firmly as she tried to pry further. No matter how much his master got on his nerves at times, he couldn't let such a misunderstanding stand. Beyond his loyalty as a subordinate, this was a matter of pride he had to defend as a fellow man.
Seeing the skeptical look on the lady-in-waiting’s face, Perel swallowed a sigh.
It couldn't be helped. Back then, the problem between the two wasn't just about their first night together. It was a miracle in itself that Her Highness the Consort hadn't been sent back immediately.
Of course, even now, it seemed the Grand Duke wasn't making any headway at all.
“The Grand Duke is also trying very hard,” Perel said, defending his superior with a hint of resentment, having offered his own faithful advice on marital relations over the past weeks. “You have no idea how much he looks after Her Highness behind the scenes.”
As far as Perel was concerned, it was only a matter of time. To begin with, the way the Grand Duke looked at the Consort was entirely different from how he looked at anyone else. He might not have gifted her a bouquet of flowers, but he had opened the glass greenhouse—which had been locked away for years—at a single word from her.
Furthermore, not long ago, hadn't he caused a scene in the middle of the night, breaking the locks on the lakeshore and waking up the mage just because the Consort wanted to see it?
At any rate, their first date ended successfully.
“That’s not enough! Do you have any idea how grim the atmosphere was when we went outside the castle last time? Her Highness didn't show it, but she was very depressed.”
The corners of Perel’s eyes drooped slightly. While public opinion of the Grand Duchess was slowly shifting among the people of the fief, there were still many who viewed her with hostility.
“What if Her Highness just ups and leaves because she feels she can't live here? The Grand Duke needs to shower her with affection so she can grow attached to this place.”
She wasn't wrong, but...
I feel like getting involved with this woman is going to lead to a lot more exhausting work than I already have.
As Perel hesitated, he met Cecilia’s sharp, expectant gaze as she stood with her arms crossed. He quietly lowered his eyes and spoke.
“This matter is... well, rather than me... isn't Sir Norton serving both the Grand Duke and the Consort? Perhaps you should consult with your brother...”
“He already shot me down,” Cecilia said, wrinkling the space between her brows. “He told me not to do anything unnecessary.”
As expected, Sir Norton is a wise man.
“Then following Sir Norton’s advice would be—”
“Sir Perel, it would be in your best interest to cooperate with me.”
Cecilia’s eyes flashed from within the cool shadows.
“Whose life do you think will become the most miserable if Her Highness leaves the Grand Duke’s Castle?”
“Th-that...”
Perel’s face darkened as he imagined the scenario. He asked gloomily, “How can I help?”
*
It was a day of perfect spring weather.
The lakeshore, which only a few days ago had echoed with the laughter of children, was now filled with the quiet, rhythmic clinking of teaspoons stirring in porcelain cups.
The protagonists of today’s tea time were the noblewomen of the Northern families.
The ladies sat at the table with their backs ramrod straight. Among the nobility, rumors had been spreading that the Grand Duchess’s failure to invite them despite having been at the castle for quite some time was a slight against the North.
Still, thanks to Cecilia giving me a heads-up, I was able to send out the invitations before the criticism got any worse.
The noblewomen maintained a stiff demeanor throughout, as if they had no intention of bowing down to a young lady from the Capital. I was inwardly breaking into a cold sweat at their lukewarm reactions when it happened.
“I’ve heard so many rumors about Your Highness’s tea times; I’m glad to finally experience it for myself.”
Viscountess Terito, the mother of Cecilia and Norton, spoke with a bright expression. It was clear she was trying her best to save face for the Consort her children served.
When Viscountess Terito launched a supportive offensive, mentioning how the "Grand Duchess’s tea time arrangement" was currently all the rage among the young ladies of the North, a few of the older women finally seemed to lower their guard and chimed in.
“I hear that these days, serving refreshments buffet-style is considered quite provincial.”
I had worried that the conservative noblewomen might prefer the traditional tea service, but I had followed Cecilia’s advice—that the older the lady, the more obsessed she was with trends—and served individual sets today as well.
I was right to listen to my lady-in-waiting.
“Your Highness, if it isn't too rude to ask, may I inquire where you had your dress made? Was it from a boutique in the Capital?”
One of the younger noblewomen asked tentatively, sensing that the atmosphere had softened.
“No, I had it made at Couter.”
At those words, several of the ladies’ eyes widened.
“Couter... you mean the dress was made here in Blenheim?”
“Did you perhaps use a fashion plate from the Capital as a reference?”
“No, it is entirely Madame’s design.”
The revelation of the boutique’s origin seemed quite shocking. The noblewomen who had been keeping their mouths shut began to join the conversation one by one, unable to contain their curiosity.
It seemed that because there were fewer boutiques in the North compared to the Capital, there were often subtle power struggles over dresses. When one of the ladies mentioned she had her dresses made in Rondoris, the others nodded in agreement.
“In the end, if you want to spend money properly, you have to go to Rondoris.”
My lips tightened involuntarily. Regardless of the circumstances, was that really something to say in front of the Grand Duchess of Blenheim? Especially when the Grand Duke was working so hard to invite their delegation.
“Is Rondoris truly that beautiful?”
I had intended the remark to be a slight reproach, but perhaps it sounded like a genuine question. One of the noblewomen began to boast about the scenery of Rondoris without a hint of tact, and others joined in, even reciting specific place names.
Good grief, do none of them have any sense?
“It’s only because so much of it remains undeveloped. In terms of sheer beauty, Blenheim is far superior.”
Just as I was about to interject, Viscountess Terito stepped in with perfect timing.
“Indeed. Even the famous Lake Minaret is nothing special compared to this place.”
When one of the administrative officials' wives agreed, the other ladies nodded submissively, as if there were no room for argument on this point. It seemed they all quite liked the scenery of Valpid Lake.
Is that so?
I looked out over the lake. Certainly, the vista of the vast lake framed by the Northern mountain range was magnificent. If it could be properly linked with Gold Lane, which sat just above the lake, it could become a tourist destination that offered both relaxation and shopping in one go.
Of course, there’s a long way to go before that happens.
“Gold Lane’s atmosphere seemed a bit more stagnant than I expected,” I remarked.
At my words, the ladies’ gazes shifted collectively to one side. At the end of their line of sight sat a woman with a flamboyant appearance, her entire body shimmering in the sunlight from the jewels she wore.
It was Baroness Gelfry, who was attending the tea time thanks to her husband, the President of the Merchant Association.
Baroness Gelfry’s red-painted lips moved.
“That is because Gold Lane is home to many high-end shops. Your Highness likely felt that way because it is a place difficult for commoners to frequent.”
Several noblewomen frowned openly at her rude tone, but none actually rebuked her.
I heard the President’s influence is quite significant because so many families receive benefits behind the scenes...
The brazenness of her answer made the back of my neck stiffen. It wasn't that; Gold Lane was in that state because they were pouring their energy into things like sabotaging the business of inns.
“I wonder. I know many people who say that rather than buying goods at Gold Lane, it’s better to buy directly from the Rondoris merchant guilds,” Viscountess Terito said pointedly. “The prices at Gold Lane are often quite outrageous.”
“That’s true. Actually, I also recently...”
Once the floodgates were opened, several ladies began to recount instances where they had overpaid at Gold Lane or received their goods far too late.
“Isn't that all because the fees the merchants have to pay the Association are so high?”
When one lady subtly shifted the arrow of blame, the skin beneath Baroness Gelfry’s eyes twitched with irritation.
“Are you suggesting that this is the Association’s fault—!”
Just as a sharp retort was about to burst from her lips...
“More importantly, Your Highness, how are you finding the spring in Blenheim? If it were the Capital, it would already be approaching early summer.”
Countess Arbor, who had been quiet until now, elegantly cut her off.