Chapter 86
'Has this woman gone mad?'
But it was too late for the surprise.
Angela began to examine Idil from head to toe and uttered increasingly shocking words.
“I’ve heard a lot of rumors about the ‘maid’ in this house. The one who worked as a maid in the laundry room was promoted to head maid in one year, and when she became housekeeper, she changed all the servants to suit her taste… She really seems to have an amazing skill.”
"What are you saying…?"
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. But if you’re being honest, everyone has extramarital affairs, so there’s no need to lie and pretend you’re a housekeeper. As far as I’m concerned, I can overlook my husband having a mistress.”
This time, Laszlo laughed mockingly. It was the first time he had smiled since his meeting with Angela.
That was because he didn't believe the situation, and there was nothing interesting about the conversation.
“It seems you misunderstood from the start, so I will be clear in my answer. First, she is not my lover, but rather a very competent housekeeper. Second, when I danced with her at the party, it was because I did not want to be the target of criticism for dancing with another woman. Third, you need not worry about my condition, and you never will.”
Angela's face froze at these words. But Laszlo didn't care; he put the letter back in its envelope and gave it to Angela.
“I will refuse Count Bliss’s offer. Even if he wrote it politely, his suggestion to buy the relationship with money does not seem like a pleasant thing.”
"What? Buying a relationship with money? My grandfather never meant that!"
“Yes, that’s exactly what it means. Even Count Bliss made me a proposal he had nothing to lose. How stupid of me to make me this offer, as if he were pretending to be generous.”
At the end of his speech, Laszlo clicked his tongue in disapproval.
Only then did Angela's shoulders tremble.
“He really didn’t mean it that way. My grandfather was just thinking about how to make the most of a good horse.”
“So why should my relationship with the Count Bliss family be close? This ‘close relationship’ you’re talking about seems very obvious.”
“It’s only natural that they would look for a trustworthy person to oversee important family assets! Who could be more trustworthy than the family?”
This was purely selfish thinking, but Count Bliss and Angela saw no problem with it. Of course, if there had been a man captivated by Angela's beauty, he might have gladly accepted the offer, but László was not one of them.
He took a deep breath, trying to control his anger, then looked at Angela and said:
“In the end, Count Bliss wants to have it all without losing a single horse, and he runs things around as if I’m the one who’s losing. That’s ridiculous.”
"K Count! You're exaggerating!"
“Who exaggerated in their words here? You are the one who brought the rumors and got them here, then you insulted me and my family in front of me.”
At this point, Laszlo showed no further emotion.
"It's best if you leave now. And I hope we never meet again."
"What…?"
“Oh, and tell Count Bliss that I will never forget how he humiliated me and made me look like a fool.”
Angela, who grew up pampered and revered, could not cope with Laszlo's transformation into an enemy.
She felt as if something bad was going to happen to her at that moment, so she got up quickly.
But she stopped at the door of the hall and said one last thing.
“I will never forget this either. Ever.”
Then it disappeared quickly.
In the room Angela left, there was an atmosphere of tension and uneasy comfort.
“To them, I am still just a hunting dog who knows nothing but carrying a knife and fighting… Even Count Bliss, who belongs to the Emperor’s class, behaves like this, so what about the others?”
Sarcasm filled with anger was pouring out of Laszlo's mouth.
Edel also understood Laszlo's bitterness.
If Laszlo had been just a nobleman of ordinary origin, Count Bliss would not have made him this mocking offer.
'They overestimated Angela's worth. And Angela also looked down on Count Crisis.'
In addition, it was likely that considering her merely as a mistress had upset Laszlo's feelings.
'How much anger does a person feel when they mistakenly classify her as a mistress, and he doesn't care about her? As far as Count Crisis is concerned, there is no point in him keeping me.'
While overseeing Linya’s changes and modifications to the palace, he thanked her repeatedly for her efforts, but she knew that this was just a simple matter that the emperor could arrange with whomever he saw fit.
These were recurring thoughts in her head, but she realized that being Laszlo's prize was really her own luck, while she was just a burden to Laszlo.
Of course, she wasn't going to say this out loud, so Idell brought up another issue.
“It hasn’t been long since the changes began in Count Crisis’s family, so everyone is trying to test you. Perhaps after this incident, they will take things more seriously.”
"Do you really believe that?"
“Yes. Count Bliss is very sensitive about changes in power. Someone like him wouldn’t send out such an offer to start a fight.”
"He didn't know he would make me angry. Do you think he was planning this mess?"
“I think Angela didn’t know that, but Count Bliss was somewhat aware of it. So, soon, he will try to make contact again under the guise of an apology. And then, their offer will be close to their true intentions.”
Upon hearing this logical explanation, Laszlo realized more than ever who Idyll was.
“Certainly, not just anyone can be the master of a manor. Count Bliss knew very well who he was, and what he was planning…”
Laszlo began to realize that Edel, which complemented his shortcomings, was indeed a powerful and useful tool.
Idil had made a great effort to become a star in aristocratic society, studying and actively participating in social activities, and therefore she was able to interpret information relating to noble families more accurately than simply memorizing it.
As a result, she was able to anticipate many things and provide solutions for them.
'That's why she was the most likely to be the first bride.'
These fools who think with their lower minds may have been impressed by Idil's appearance,
But the men who were expected to become heads of their families had a greater appreciation for Idel's skills in helping and advising.
At this moment, Edel highlighted another point that Laszlo had not considered.
“Soon, marriage proposals will start coming your way, you should be prepared for that.”
"Do you really think so? Just because I managed to organize one party?"
“Noble people have a talent for finding promising investment opportunities.”
“Ha… I feel like a truffle, and pigs will come swarming to dig up the earth looking for me.”
Idil could only smile hesitantly at this statement.
“You don’t have to see it as a bad thing. Within that, you can find the person who is perfect for you.”
"How can someone I've never met know if I'd be a good match for them or not?"
“Ah… what I mean is that you, Count, can choose a woman who meets the conditions you need.”
Marriage in aristocratic circles is like this.
If they are like Linnea or Ian, who have no heirs to their families and not many burdens, they might consider love as a condition for marriage.
But for heads of families or heirs, the other conditions are more important.
It is essential. In aristocratic society, marriage serves as a blueprint that determines the direction in which the family will move.
But Laszlo was thinking with a frown, then he said to Idel in a tone that carried some objection.
“I will not get married just to compromise on political interests. I do not want to live like that.”
“But if you do that, it will be difficult for you to achieve your goals. Doesn’t the Emperor hope that you will choose someone from a family with strong loyalty to marry?”
“Political matters are one thing, and my life is another. I don’t want this palace to become a prison for anyone, and I don’t want to feel like I’m in someone else’s house.”
It was difficult for Edel to respond to this statement.
Everyone wishes to live like Laszlo, but combining the dream with reality is extremely difficult.
Achieving political dominance is not something that can be accomplished alone. Therefore, people build their power through marriage.
'I have seen many people who married for love and then fell behind in politics…'
In addition, love wasn't always permanent. More often than not, relationships that began with intense love ended quickly.
While Idil was thinking deeply and silently, Laszlo suddenly asked her:
“But why do I feel like you’re pushing me to get married? If I get married, what will happen to you? Will there be any benefit for you?”
Idil was deeply affected by these words, as if they were a dagger in her heart.