Chapter 64
Idil's eyes had been dry due to constant fatigue lately.
But she couldn't just sit around doing nothing. The Crisis family had a lot of work to do.
'But at least the quality of the food has improved a lot. Also, the tension among the servants has disappeared, and I think the distribution of tasks has become better.'
Mina, who was one of Marsha's henchmen, escaped in the middle of the night after packing her belongings.
When she said she was going to resign, Edel offered to write her a letter of recommendation, but when she ran away, it became clear that Mina had used the situation to make some money for herself. However, Laszlo wasn't interested in pursuing Mina.
“Leave her alone, she’ll fall apart on her own. If she prefers stolen money to a letter of recommendation, then that maid’s future is clear.”
Laszlo wished that the rest of Marsha's loyal maids would flee in the same way, but the other maids, who had not accomplished much, came to Idyll begging for a letter of recommendation and then left the palace.
As the number of maids dwindled, Edel turned to employment agencies to hire more people. Because Laszlo suspected spies, Edel carefully selected candidates, interviewed them, and even investigated their backgrounds through Calliope.
'But I will need more staff in the future, but no one is slacking off now, so there is no more pressure on some individuals. Efficiency has improved.'
She also improved the previously poor living conditions for the servants. She reassigned rooms, increased the quantity and variety of supplies, and decided to gradually replace the old furniture.
The old rooms that Edel and Daisy had been using had been completely emptied to be converted into warehouses, meaning that no one would feel cold in the winter.
'Orders for food, candles, and servants' clothing have been placed, although they were limited... but there are many other things that need to be ordered in the future. The situation is difficult.'
Even ordering basic necessities took a long time. The main reason was that she couldn't find reliable companies to deal with regularly.
'I need connections. Good companies need recommendations.'
Therefore, Barbara's upcoming visit was very important to her.
Visiting her old friend was important, but so were the shops where Barbara might meet her, now that she was in the manager's position.
'Would Barbara be disappointed if she saw me like this?'
Edel, the maid who was now the palace manager, was wearing a simple black dress, instead of a nobleman's dress; this was her new position.
As her anxiety about Barbara's reaction to her new look grew, these thoughts completely disappeared when Barbara met her.
“Idel! Oh, Idel!”
“Barbara!”
Idil forgot to call her “Duchess Celestine” and ran to Barbara, hugging her tightly.
When she noticed that her gaze had never changed, her heart was filled with overwhelming joy, and her tears began to fall.
“I can’t tell you how much I missed you, Edel.”
“Me too… Ah, how I wanted to see you…”
“I know, I know. I know how you feel. You’ve suffered a lot, Edel.”
Barbara hugged Edel tightly, while Edel moved nervously.
When Idil calmed down and wiped away her tears, she felt a desperate need to share everything she hadn't been able to convey through letters alone. The time they could spend together was extremely limited, no more than two hours.
“…So you became the manager of the palace. Really, I can’t understand this man, Crisis. He’s so strange.”
“If this had been an incident in another family, it wouldn’t have happened. But in the Crisis family, it was possible. They didn’t have a strong foundation to begin with.”
It was unusual for a woman to hold the position of director. One could argue that Edel was the first to do so. However, Barbara believed that Laszlo had been very clever in taking this step.
“Honestly, if he had any ability to understand people, this was the natural choice. He’s just lucky.”
Edel was grateful that Barbara still considered her better than she was, and yet she hesitated a little before asking for help.
“But the Crisis family has no contact with other families, and I am also in a difficult situation, which is why I cannot get a recommendation from a good store, and this is causing me some trouble.”
"A good store?"
“The stores that supplied goods to the Crises family were all of the same low standard. You’ll see for yourself when you watch.”
In fact, even without Idell saying so, Barbara had been very busy hiding her expressions ever since she entered the mansion, because of the family's low and deplorable standard in every respect.
“Do you think the stores that supply our family with goods will be good?”
“If you give me a recommendation, I would be extremely grateful.”
“If you need anything else, you can talk to me freely. I will help you with anything.”
In the past, Edel had politely refused these requests, but now she was in dire need of help.
She immediately expressed her gratitude and asked for help.
“So, can you help me find someone suitable for the position of head butler? Also, I need a skilled and tasteful maid to be a personal maid to Mrs. Linnea, but it is difficult to find a maid with these qualities.”
“If this is the job, it will be difficult to hire a suitable person, but since there are many people looking for work as servants at the moment, I can look for you.”
“Thank you. How can I ever repay you for this kindness…”
At that moment, Barbara's expression changed to a malicious one.
“Why would this be known as a favor to you? It is Crisis who should return the favor, not you.”
Barbara was then determined to collect this debt from Laszlo.
“If Edel’s name is no longer mentioned in high society, we will see when the time is right to take her to the lady. I will leave the rest to the lady.”
Barbara did not forget the promise that Laszlo had made.
Her assistance to Idil was solely intended to increase the debt owed by Laszlo.
Since Barbara was not treating Laszlo positively, Edel tried to defend him indirectly.
“The Count is a good man. Also, the painting I recently received was from the Count…”
***
“What? You’re saying Barbara Celestine went to the Crisis family alone?”
Isaac asked the person who had told him the news.
“Yes, she visited them at 2 pm yesterday, and stayed for two hours until 4 pm, then left.”
“They said that Laszlo visited Lady Celestine, so has the Celestine family finally decided what they want?”
Isaac clicked his tongue in frustration.
Of course, the Celestine family, despite their high title, were not among the influential families in the world of politics or high society.
But it was a strong and established family, and Isaac greatly appreciated Barbara Celestine because she was the one who made the family grow.
“But there is something strange. Marquis Celestine did not move, but the Grand Marquise did?”
“It appears she went to meet Adele Lancaster in the Crisis Family.”
"Idel Lancaster? Why?"
“It is said that their friendship is very deep.”
The name Edel came as a surprise to Isaac, and he tilted his head.
“Ideal Lancaster… Ideal Lancaster…”
He has been feeling something strange towards this woman for some time now.
But he did not expect things to move against him in this way, which made him feel uneasy.
"What about the Canyon family's movements?"
“His two sons have started to make a bit of an appearance in high society, but Canyon himself is still in the same place and hasn’t moved yet.”
“I don’t think he’s doing nothing. He’s definitely up to something behind the scenes. You need to investigate this further.”
It was not yet the right time to bring Canyon to his side.
Even if the Celestine family's moves toward the Emperor were due to Edel, involvement with the Canyon family, who aided in the treason, could also cast suspicion on the Winblayer family.
“Yes, there is nothing to worry about so far. Even if the Celestine family moves, it won’t be a knockout blow.”
After thinking about it, Isaac felt that he may have overreacted.
Idyll is nothing more than a powerless woman, and Barbara Celestine is nothing more than an old woman in the background.
Whatever friendship Edel shares with Barbara, it will not be of any great benefit to Laszlo Krejcis.
“In any case, Laszlo needs to be carefully watched. It bothers me when he suddenly starts boasting.”
At that moment, the servant approached and announced a visitor. Immediately, Isaac's expression changed from a frown to a calm smile.