The reason Demarcus was able to consolidate his position on the throne, despite his almost repressive treatment of the nobility compared to the previous emperor, is that the power he wielded was in line with the common sense and moral standards of the general public.
In other words, the nobles he was punishing were abusing their power excessively, far beyond what was considered reasonable.
“It is not easy to pick pearls from this mud hole that my father left behind.”
His sigh deepened.
The power of the four great families was immense, and a great many parasites clung to it.
The wise and hardworking had erased their presence, waiting for that violent era to pass.
“It would be great if they started crawling now, but they are all very cautious.”
DeMarcus, who was struggling to find allies to surround himself with, expressed regret for his position, to which Count Tallon responded cautiously.
"Do you think Marquez Celestine might start making moves soon?"
"Hmm?
The Marquis Celestine?"
DeMarcus was puzzled by the mention of the family that seemed the most cautious.
“Didn’t Count Crises visit the Marquis of Celestine yesterday?
I thought His Majesty would know.”
"Did Laszlo go there?
I haven't heard anything from him."
DeMarcus didn't think Laszlo would betray him.
Laszlo knew there were informants and spies around him, so if he visited in broad daylight, it meant he had nothing to hide.
"But why suddenly the Marquis Celestine?"
Count Tallon, the loyal and capable servant, approached Demarcus, who was perplexed.
“There is only one thing that comes to mind: the friendship between the widowed Marchioness Celestine and Edel Lancaster.”
"Oh?
That stubborn old woman was close to Idyll Lancaster?"
“Yes.
They weren’t the type to spread rumors, so not many people know, but from what I’ve heard, they had a deep friendship.
It’s almost as if they were a mother and daughter.”
DeMarcus slapped his chin as he thought deeply.
“So, you’re saying… that Laszlo went there because of Edel Lancaster?”
“It seems the widowed Marchioness invited him.
Perhaps Count Crissis accepted the invitation to take the weather.”
“Yes, that makes sense.
But…”
However, there was something suspicious about Laszlo's actions.
The Laszlo Crises he knew was not the type to voluntarily try to win over the nobility.
Nor does it seem that he was doing this out of affection for Edel Lancaster.
It seems unlikely that Laszlo would fall in love with someone in just two and a half months.
“It’s better to ask him directly.
Tell Laszlo to stop before leaving the palace.”
"concept."
Although he may have felt bad about stopping someone who was leaving early on a Saturday, DeMarcus wore a sly smile.
“Marsha!
Is the tea ready?
What about refreshments?”
“Everything is ready, miss.
Please calm down.”
“But we have guests and my brother isn’t here!”
Linnea, who was pacing anxiously, could not hide her nervousness.
Laszlo, who had said he would bring some knights from the Imperial Order after leaving the palace, had just sent an urgent message.
“His Majesty summoned him suddenly, so Sir Crissys will be a little late.
He said to serve tea and refreshments and to show the guests around the house if they arrive first.”
Linnea was horrified by the messenger's words.
Were she supposed to host the noble guests alone?
She felt like she was about to faint.
She had imitated what she had seen at other tea parties, but there was no way to know if it was true.
Marsha's assurances that it was wonderful offered no comfort.
"What if they make fun of me again?"
Just as she was about to lose her mind from worry, someone suddenly came to mind.
'That's right!
Edel Lancaster, she knows everything, doesn't she?'
Edel was the only one in the house who had ever received the nobles, and she did so excellently.
دعت لينيا على عجل للخادمة.
“اذهب وأحضر إيديل على الفور! تأكد من أنها ترتدي زي خادمة بشكل صحيح! بسرعة!”
“لكن الكونت أمر بعدم استدعائها لفترة من الوقت…”
“قال إنها تعافت تمامًا! اذهب وأحضرها الآن!”
Linia's nearby screaming left the maid no choice but to bring Edel.
When Edel finally reached the lobby, she still looked a bit pale, but not like the ghost she was when she collapsed.
In fact, with her hair carefully tied and her maid uniform perfectly pressed, she looked more like a palace lady-in-waiting than a lower-ranking maid in the house.
“لقد اتصلت بي يا آنسة؟”
“Look, she's fine now.
My brother won't mind.”
رفعت لينيا صوتها محاولة تهدئة الخادمة التي كانت قلقة من عصيان سيد الأسرة.
But now that Edel was standing before her, it was difficult to ask for her help directly.
‘ماذا لو نظرت إليّ بازدراء؟’
It was bad enough to mock her at every party, but she didn't want to be seen as a fool even by the palace maids.
Meanwhile, the clock kept ticking.
Marsha, who was staring at Edel with disapproval, whispered in Linia's ear.
“If you show the guests that you are making the former Duchess work as a maid, they will admire you, Miss.”
“أوه، هذا صحيح! هذه فكرة عظيمة!”
Linia smiled as if her fears had been resolved.
She thought that by skillfully requesting Edel, she could protect her pride and get the help she needed.
حاولت لينيا إخفاء قلقها وأمالت ذقنها للأعلى أمام إيديل .
“Edel, you have fully recovered, so it's time to start working again, don't you think?
But since you are still recovering, I'll ask you to serve me today.
That shouldn't be too difficult, right?
“
“Thank you for your concern, Miss.”
Edel bowed obediently, which made Linia sigh with relief as she slumped onto the sofa.
“In a little while, three Imperial Knights will visit.
My brother will be late, so we must greet them.
When they arrive...”
“نعم.”
“Um... should I greet them at the door?”
سألت لينيا بشكل غير مؤكد، وهي تختبرها.
Edel responded calmly, whether she knew Linia's intentions or not.
“Usually, this is the butler's duty, but since there isn't one, isn't it better for a head maid to receive them and accompany them to the reception hall?”
“هل يجب أن أنتظر في الصالة إذن…؟”
“نظرًا لأنك تقفين بدلاً من سيد الأسرة، سيكون من المناسب دخول صالة الاستقبال بعد جلوس الضيوف. الفرسان عادة لا يحملون الألقاب، بعد كل شيء.
“
“Ah, yes, maybe that's true.”
شعرت لينيا بالارتياح لأنها لم تضطر إلى الوقوف عند المدخل في انتظار الانحناء للضيوف.
“When guests arrive, please bring refreshments in a timely manner.
Make sure to set the table well in advance.”
“مفهوم. سأذهب إلى المطبخ إذن…”
“Wait!
Should I stay in my room until they arrive?”
“نعم. سآتي لإحضارك عندما يكونون هنا “.
“حسنًا، عظيم!”
شعرت لينيا أخيرًا بالراحة وأرسلت إيديل إلى المطبخ. نظرًا لأنها طلبت عشر حلويات مختلفة، فمن المؤكد أن إيديل ستجهز طاولة رائعة.
After ordering Marsha to wait at the entrance, Linia returned to her room, waiting impatiently for Edel's return.
After what felt like an eternity, there was a knock at the door and Edel entered.
“My Lady, the guests have arrived.”
“Oh?
R-really?
Then… should I come down now…?”
Linia, her nerves exhausted, stumbled in panic.
Edel approached and straightened her clothes, gently removing stray hairs from her forehead and cheeks.
“هل يمكنني الحصول على منديلك؟”
“هاه؟ هذا، ماذا ستفعلين؟”
Idyll used the tissue to wipe the oil off Linnea's face.
"Where's the powder?"
“Powder?
Here it is.
This is just white powder, this is pearl powder, and this is the flower-dyed powder that’s all the rage now.”
Although all the cosmetics were expensive, Idell put the others aside and used only basic white powder, lightly dusting Linnea’s face.
The white powder, applied over Marsha’s previous makeup, gave Linnea a more minimalist look.
“Everything is done.”
Linnea, who had been expecting more, was surprised when Idel stopped there.
“No, since we started, continue and use the flower-tinted powder to add more color to my cheeks.”
"I won't."
"What?
What do you mean, I won't?"
Linnea's expression quickly turned sour.
However, after a moment's hesitation, Idel spoke cautiously.
“This powder… I regret to say, but it is not appropriate for a young, unmarried lady of noble birth to wear it.”
Renya's expression froze.
"Why?
Why is it unsuitable?"
“The young lady’s natural skin is sufficient in itself.
Adding artificial blush might look rather embarrassing.”
“What would happen if a young woman like me put on this type of powder?”
“People might start talking, saying that a very young person is actually trying to seduce men.”
"Is this true?
Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Linnea's face turned red with despair and shame.