Chapter 31
"You are very beautiful, miss! Didn't I tell you before? If you use this powder called 'flower dust' you will become even more beautiful. Hahaha!"
"Really...? Don't my cheeks look extremely red?"
“This type of makeup is all the rage these days. Isn’t it nice to have radiant skin and look younger?”
Linnea began to look at herself in the mirror, turning her head from side to side, hesitant about the exaggerated redness of her cheeks.
Marsha stood beside her, cheering her on nonstop.
“You know I’ve been in line since dawn just to buy one, they can’t even keep up with the demand.”
"And powder that costs 400 ringgit? And they can't even meet the demand?"
“Do you think 400 ringgit is anything compared to the nobility? In a few months a new product will be released, and I will wake up early to get two; there is the dark pink one, so I will get the orange and purple ones.”
Linnea was surprised by Marsha's talk about her intention to buy two cosmetics that cost 400 ringgit.
"What? No, it's not necessary!"
"It's alright, miss. This is for you, what's the point of cutting back on my sleep for your sake? Hahaha!"
Marsha enthusiastically displayed her devotion, oblivious to Linnea's unease. Of course, all this was thanks to Idel, who had caused Marsha's perception of Linnea to change.
“But, miss…”
"Yes, what's up?"
"There is something that worries me."
"What's worrying you?"
Marsha approached Linnea, who was still busy admiring herself in the mirror.
“That woman who was the Duke’s wife, do you know who I mean?”
“That’s right, I heard that you caused her to fall to the point of near death. Why did you do that? Don’t you know that if you go near things that belong to my brother, the consequences will be dire?”
Instead of showing sympathy for Marsha, Linnea glanced sideways at her and asked her sharply.
Marsha tried with difficulty to suppress her urge to grab Linnea's hair and shake her, but a miserable expression appeared on her face.
“I am being wronged, miss. I barely speak to her, so how could I know she was sick? I think she only pretended to be sick to get me into trouble.”
"But isn't Mr. Ilan there? How can she deceive him?"
Linnea remembered how she had once tried to feign illness to get her brother's attention, but her trick was exposed by Ilan. Afterwards, Laszlo severely reprimanded her, and from then on, she resolved never to try to pretend to be sick again.
Marsha was angry that Linnea did not side with her.
'That's because you're stupid and can't act! What bad luck that I have to serve a lady like you! How pathetic!'
But of course, she couldn't say this out loud.
“Anyway, that’s not what worries me, miss.”
"So? What else?"
Marsha leaned close to Linnea's ear and whispered as if she were afraid someone might hear her.
“I think that woman, Idil, is trying to get close to the Count.”
"What?"
Linnea's face fell noticeably when she heard that. Marsha sensed that Linnea had fallen into a trap and began to speak in a sharp tone.
“Yesterday, when Mina went to place the drink on the Count’s table, she saw Idil enter his office.”
"Putting on the drink? It was late, wasn't it?"
"That's what I'm trying to say! Why would she enter a man's room alone at this late hour? Her intentions seem quite clear!"
If Marsha's suspicions are correct, Linnea will be upset.
“My brother must not be tainted by an inappropriate scandal!”
Linnea believed that Laszlo should marry a respectable and pure noblewoman, and she felt proud of him because of his impeccable reputation among the nobility despite living in a world full of rumors.
She could not accept the idea that her brother might get involved with a woman who had previously been the wife of an old man, let alone a maid from a family involved in infidelity.
"So, did that woman try to seduce my brother?"
“It seems to have failed so far. She left after a short time, but you know, if a woman tempts a man with her body, there aren’t many men who will refuse.”
Linnea clenched her teeth angrily.
“She acts innocent and pretends to be sophisticated, but when she has to, she resorts to using her body to seduce?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I was sure her insides were black. She’s a traitor after all!”
When Marsha noticed Linnea's agitation, as she had planned, she became even more fervent in her speech. Although Azlo was the master of the house, he was preoccupied with work at the palace, meaning that real power lay with Linnea. Marsha was confident that she would ultimately prevail as long as she could gain the trust of the true power holder in the house.
'Just wait and see. I'll make Idil and her followers kneel before me!'
But for now, Linnea couldn't touch Edel. Laszlo had been furious with anyone who touched Edel after Ilan diagnosed her as having been close to death. She was now recovering in the guest room, and any attempt to approach her could result in severe punishment from Laszlo.
“When she has fully recovered in a few days, my brother will bring her back to work. And I will make sure to take good care of her then.”
“As I said before, miss, you are the only one who can protect Mr. Count from women who are after money and status.”
“I understand, stop chattering. You’re starting to annoy me.”
Linnea, who harbored a grudge against Edel, was annoyed by Marsha's attempts to manipulate her, but she didn't intend to completely ignore Marsha's demands. As much as Marsha wanted revenge on Edel, Linnea felt just as much resentment toward her.
'She certainly expected to become my brother's mistress, but she was forced to work as a maid. She must now be planning to cling to my brother, taking advantage of what happened recently…'
Linnea decided to stay vigilant to protect her brother.
***
The Marquis of Celestine's house was located on Grania Street, the second district of Herona. Although the street was not on the same level as Herona Street, it was known as a residential area for the nobility, and therefore its streets were clean and well-maintained.
However, Laszlo did not feel comfortable with such areas reserved for nobles.
'Patrice Street is much better. It's less crowded, and it's also close to the palace.'
While he was reflecting on his good choice to receive a house on Patrice Street, Laszlo entered the gate of the Marquis Celestine's house.
Today was the scheduled date for the meeting with Duchess Barbara.
'A smaller palace than I expected.'
Although he had visited many palaces of high nobility in the company of the emperor, this was his first visit to the palace of the Marquis of Celestine. As one might expect from a family that rarely appeared in social or political circles, the house and its gardens reflected a certain order and simplicity. This was perhaps due to the touch of Duchess Barbara, who was known as "the woman who saved the family."
'Some people insult her and describe her as "the woman who controlled her husband," but I see her as a strong woman.'
Laszlo respected Barbara. After all, when a family is threatened with collapse, what's wrong with a woman taking the lead?
'People who live in luxury are the ones who invent strange rules that benefit no one.'
The vehicle arrived at the house and stopped quietly. They appeared to have reached the entrance of the house.
“Welcome, Lord Crises. Welcome to the home of the Marquis of Celestine.”
Laszlo was warmly greeted by the handsome servant and stepped out of the carriage. The servant led him to the reception room with utmost courtesy and respect, and while he admired the palace, he felt a pang of jealousy for the distinguished servant.
'Where do they get such exceptional servants from?'
Laszlo remembered the stacks of documents on his desk and felt a slight pain in his head. As he looked around the reception room, the Marquis and his wife entered.
"So glad to see you at last, Count Crisis!"
In his mid-thirties, Marquis Celestine warmly welcomed the younger László. However, László would need some time to discover whether this warmth was genuine.
“Thank you for the invitation, Marquis Celestine. And also… Madame Marquise.”
“Let’s not use formal, long titles,” Laszlo said, and the Marchioness replied with a calm smile. “Just call me Barbara.”
Barbara was a woman who seemed tough and uncompromising, just as Laszlo had predicted from the time he had seen her previously. She was said to have just turned sixty.
“I am Laszlo.”
“I know that. But you are the head of a family now, so I will simply call you Count.”
It was clear that she allowed him to use her personal name, while setting a limit for herself by not addressing him by his first name, as if she were drawing clear boundaries.
Lazlo laughed gently and said:
"Perhaps it's best to avoid using names that make us feel uncomfortable."
"You're right."
Each remained trying to read the other, neither willing to concede an inch. When they were seated, servants brought warm tea and an assortment of sweets to the table. The tableware wasn't overly ornate, but the arrangement of the tea and sweets, the water temperature, and even the way the tea was served all reflected a clear consideration for the guest. Laszlo quietly expressed his admiration.
'Is it acceptable to receive guests in our home in this manner?'
He thought for a moment and imagined both Linnea and Marsha, and his answer was clear.
'Absolutely not.'
Laszlo lifted his teacup and drank it as if washing away the bitterness in his mouth. From the other people's perspective, he would undoubtedly have appeared confident and self-sufficient.
When he had almost finished the first cup, Marquis Celestine began to talk about the main point.