Chapter 68
'That woman deserves better than this.'
If it weren't for her, she wouldn't have made the decision to change in this way. Linnea would have lived through days filled with sadness and sorrow, and the family's wealth would have been slowly devoured by people like Marsha, who would have plundered it like rats.
In fact, Idil was the only person who brought this family, which was in dire straits, back on its feet. So, it was only natural that I should give her the reward she deserved.
However, she always refused to accept what I offered, which made me feel indebted to her, and my heart remained burdened.
'Even if that were the case, why did I say I would get hurt if I refused? What an idiot I am.'
This is not something a man should say, but for some reason I felt a kind of sadness at that moment.
'I always find myself saying strange things in front of her.'
Laszlo ran his hand over his blushing face and then slowly began to undo his tie.
At that moment, one of the paintings hanging on the wall caught his attention.
When he first saw it, he thought, "Why would this painting cost 20,000 ringgit?" But he found himself staring at it every time he looked at it.
“I think it would look wonderful in your office, Count.”
Idel said this to him as he stared at the painting with a bewildered expression. He hadn't understood what she meant then, but now he was beginning to understand a little.
'I feel that I draw energy from it whenever I look at the painting.'
Although it appears blurry, the painting depicted a scene of a port at sunrise.
Many paintings can be found depicting ports, but this one seemed to embody the challenging energy of the port.
'It's as if I'm being drawn inwards.'
Therefore, whenever he felt stressed while working, he would look at that painting. Feelings of excitement would surge in his heart and he would feel strong again.
'How could she know that I would love this painting? A duchess with exceptional taste in choosing paintings.'
He smiled as he stood up.
***
A few days later, on a hot day in August, he received a request for a visit from a woman he did not know.
“Thank you for accepting my visit, Count Crisis.”
“Of course, it was a request from Count Erwin, and I couldn’t refuse. Excuse me, but what is your name again?”
“Maya Petitinen. My husband is Viscount Petitinen.”
Maya was a woman in her early fifties. Her impression wasn't bad, but the excessive amount of jewelry she wore made her appear ostentatious and somewhat materialistic.
The purpose of her visit also seemed to be the same.
"I apologize for asking, but how old are you, Count Crisis?"
“…Twenty-eight years.”
“Oh my God! And yet, you’re still single? Have you ever been married before or anything like that…?”
"both."
László was puzzled as to why this woman, whom he had just met, was asking about his age and marital status. He was not only surprised but also somewhat annoyed, but he couldn't be rude to her because she had come on the recommendation of Count Erwin, who was in charge of the Imperial Guard's budget.
Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, she soon revealed her purpose.
"So, I have very good news for you, Count. You recently attended a party hosted by the Count of the Bliss family, didn't you?"
“Yes, that’s true… but…”
“Sir Gregory Bliss, the second son of Count Bliss, has a very beautiful daughter. When he saw you at that party, he thought, 'I wish that man were my daughter’s husband!' Hahaha!”
Laszlo frowned for a moment, not immediately understanding what she was saying.
“Oh my God, some people are really strange. Anyway, joking aside… what brings you here?”
Maya had already explained her purpose, but when Laszlo asked her why she was visiting again, she seemed confused for a moment.
But Idil, who was standing beside him and quietly supporting him, understood perfectly the nature of this situation. She whispered gently in his ear.
"It's a marriage proposal for you, Count."
"What? A marriage proposal? To me?"
“Yes, Mrs. Petitinen is here to convey the wishes of the Bliss family.”
Laszlo's face showed even more signs of surprise.
"Really, there are some really strange people in this world."
For an ordinary person, Laszlo's reaction might have caused him some embarrassment, but Maja Pettinen was used to the atmosphere of aristocratic society and did not lose her composure, but rather continued to smile slyly.
“Oh, the simplicity and modesty! Who would refuse such a handsome and wonderful man as the Count? But, of all women, Lady Angela Bliss is the most suitable for you, Count, and I am sure your maid knows this very well.”
She looked at Idil with a haughty gaze, as if trying to draw her into the conversation. Before October of last year, she wouldn't have dared to look directly at Idil, but now she was acting with obvious arrogance.
Of course, Idell didn't pay much attention to these petty insults. She was focused on choosing the right words to describe Angela.
“She is one of the young ladies in society who are famous for their beauty, with red hair and golden eyes, and many people want to invite her to their parties.”
“As I expected, your maid knows her very well. But talking alone is not enough to form a clear picture, so I brought a personal photograph of Mrs. Angela.”
Maya took a small frame out of the bag her maid was carrying and placed it in front of Laszlo.
The painting was more professional than the pastel picture they had seen in the studio recently, and she had probably commissioned a well-known painter to paint it.
'So, it was her, the girl who pretended to be friends with me and Linnea at the Bliss family party?'
Laszlo remembers Angela, who was acting overly friendly and asking Linnea where to buy her decorations from a shop in Baltic.
Maya couldn't understand whether Laszlo's gaze as he contemplated the picture expressed admiration or displeasure, so she began praising Angela in her own way and mentioned Camille.
“Ah! You know Mrs. Camille Emerson, don’t you? She throws wonderful parties and has a great reputation in society. Angela is close to her and a good friend.”
Upon hearing the name “Camel Emerson,” László’s eyes turned cold. Camille was the same woman who had tried to humiliate Lena. He had also been uneasy about Camille’s attempts to get close to Angela at the Bliss family party.
“Ah, the wife of Viscount Camille Emerson? Yes, her reputation is well known.”
“Haha! I knew you knew her. Angela is very popular, and she has many suitors who have proposed to her.”
This meant nothing to Laszlo, but Maya did not notice his coldness.
"But why did this young woman, who has so much interest, suddenly show interest in me?"
"It's destiny! When she saw you at the party, she felt that you were the one meant for her!"
Initially, she claimed that Angela's father had proposed the marriage, but now she asserts that Angela felt destined to be with him. In Edel's mind, it was clear that Angela herself had expressed the desire for this marriage, with her father's approval, of course.
'For Sir Gregory Bliss and his daughter, Count Crissis was a good opportunity, especially since Gregory did not have a title that could be inherited.'
Edel took a deep breath. She herself had not been comfortable with Laszlo at first, but after getting to know him, she discovered that he was a noble man with firm principles, and saw that he deserved more than just a woman who cared about his outward appearance and title.
'Although, as the ex-wife of the Duke of Lancaster, perhaps I shouldn't be thinking about this.'
Edel smiled bitterly, while Laszlo's face showed signs of mockery and he responded in a sarcastic tone.
“I spent three years working close to the Emperor, and yet I felt destined after all this time? Doesn’t it seem a little late?”
“It’s a matter of caution and deliberation. Some people fall in love at first sight, while others need time to get to know the other person well.”
“I agree with you. I also tend to trust others after a long period of getting to know them.”
Then Laszlo pushed the picture that Maya had placed in front of him back towards her.
“Take it with you. It looks like an expensive photograph, and I don’t think it’s worth wasting it on me.”
“Oh my God, Count Crisis! Don’t you think of seizing this golden opportunity? Many people wish to meet Angela, not the other way around!”
“But I am not one of those people.”
Laszlo could not bear Maya's presence any longer, so he finished his cup of tea in one gulp and slammed it down on the table.
“I believe your purpose for the visit has been fulfilled. Please go on your way now.”
Maya felt embarrassed and her face turned red with shame.
"You will regret this, Count Crisis."
"It's none of your business, madam."
In the end, Maya left the palace without even finishing her tea.
Laszlo looked back and said sharply to Idel.
“If a letter comes in requesting visits for this kind of thing, refuse it from the start. I don’t like wasting my time on things like that.”
"Very well, Count."
Edel answered, but she felt a strange sensation. Just a moment ago she had felt resentful and annoyed, but now she felt somewhat relieved.
Why was I feeling so bad a little while ago?
She needed to think about it to figure out why, but she decided not to think about it now.