Chapter 64
Recently, I had been overworking, and my eyes felt dry and sore.
But I couldn’t just sit idly. The Crissus Count’s estate had too many issues that needed fixing.
“At least the quality of meals has improved a lot. The servants have calmed down, and the work distribution seems better now.”
Mina, who had been Marsha’s lackey, secretly packed her belongings and fled at night. I had even offered to write her a recommendation letter if she resigned properly, but her escape made it clear that she, too, had been embezzling bit by bit. However, Laszlo chose not to chase after her.
“Let her be. She’ll ruin herself soon enough. If she values the few coins she embezzled over a recommendation letter, her future as a maid is predictable.”
It seemed like Laszlo wanted the other maids loyal to Marsha to flee as well, but unlike Mina, who had taken advantage of her position, the others shyly approached, begged for recommendation letters, and left the estate.
As the number of maids decreased, I immediately hired more through an employment agency. I personally conducted interviews to ensure no spies slipped in, keeping Laszlo’s concerns in mind, and even conducted background checks through Calliope.
“We’ll need more staff eventually, but at least now the workload isn’t burdening just a few people. Efficiency has improved too.”
The previously poor living conditions for the servants were also addressed. Rooms were reassigned, the types and quantities of supplies increased, and old furniture was set to be replaced in stages.
The shabby rooms once used by me and Daisy were completely cleared out and converted into storage, ensuring no one would shiver in the cold this winter.
“I’ve placed orders for food ingredients, candles, and uniforms for the servants for now… but there’s still a mountain of things to order. It’s a problem.”
Even ordering the basics took a lot of time. The main reason progress was slow was that I hadn’t found a trustworthy supplier for consistent transactions.
“I need connections. Good suppliers usually require introductions.”
That’s why I was looking forward to Barbara’s upcoming visit.
Meeting a dear friend was important, but the shops she could introduce to me were just as critical for my new role as a housekeeper.
“I hope Barbara won’t be disappointed when she sees me like this.”
I was no longer a noblewoman but a female housekeeper in a modest black dress. This new role still felt unfamiliar to me, and as the meeting drew nearer, I became increasingly anxious about how Barbara might perceive me.
However, the moment I saw Barbara, all my worries disappeared.
“Edel! Oh, Edel!”
“Barbara!”
I completely forgot to address her as Madame Celestine and rushed to hug her.
The realization that her gaze toward me hadn’t changed at all overwhelmed me with emotion, and I couldn’t hold back my tears.
“You have no idea how much I missed you, Edel.”
“I… I missed you so much too… so much…”
“Shh, I know. I understand. You’ve been through so much, Edel.”
Barbara gently held me, patting my back as I sobbed.
Once I calmed down and wiped away my tears, we hurriedly exchanged stories that couldn’t be fully conveyed through letters. We had only two hours to spend together.
“So you became a housekeeper? Honestly, the Crissus Count is truly unpredictable.”
“Such things would never happen in another household. Only in the Crissus estate, where there’s no foundation to rely on.”
Having a woman serve as a housekeeper was unprecedented. Edel was practically the first.
However, Barbara thought Laszlo had made a smart decision.
“Honestly, anyone with a keen eye would have made the same choice. He’s just lucky.”
Grateful for Barbara’s continued high regard for her, Edel cautiously brought up her request.
“But the Crissus family has barely any connections with other households, and given my situation, I’ve been struggling to find decent suppliers.”
“Decent suppliers?”
“The vendors who’ve been providing goods to the Crissus family so far are all subpar. You’d be shocked if you saw their quality.”
In truth, Barbara had been holding back her expressions since stepping into the estate. The entire place was so crude and shabby that it was exhausting just to keep her composure.
“Would the shops that supply our household be acceptable?”
“I’d be immensely grateful if you could introduce me.”
“If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll help with whatever you need.”
In the past, Edel might have politely declined, but now she genuinely needed help.
Expressing her gratitude, she immediately made another request.
“If possible, could you recommend someone suitable for the head maid position? I also need a personal maid for Miss Rinia, someone skilled and with a keen eye. Finding such a person has been difficult.”
“Someone for those roles might be harder to find, but there are plenty of people looking to become maids these days. I’ll look into it for you.”
“Thank you so much. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay this kindness…”
At those words, Barbara’s expression turned mischievous.
“Why would you be repaying this? The Crissus Count should.”
And she fully intended to make Laszlo repay this debt.
“Once Edel’s name is no longer mentioned in social circles, we’ll find the right time to bring her to the Countess. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
Barbara hadn’t forgotten Laszlo’s promise.
Helping Edel was merely a way to further deepen Laszlo’s debt.
Noticing Barbara’s lack of warmth toward Laszlo, Edel subtly defended him.
“The Count is a good person. The portrait you received before was commissioned by him…”
“Huh? A portrait?”
“Oh, no… I mean… nothing. It just slipped out.”
When Barbara appeared confused, Edel quickly changed the subject.
“The Crissus Count must have been busy. Perhaps he forgot to send it to Barbara.”
Edel felt it would be difficult to ask Laszlo to deliver the portrait, so it would likely remain forgotten and tucked away somewhere for a while.
“What a pity. I really liked that painting…”
Edel dismissed thoughts of the portrait, focusing instead on the numerous conversations she needed to have with Barbara in their limited time.
“What? Barbara Celestine visited the Crissus estate alone?”
Isaac repeated the news he had just heard from his informant.
“Yes, she arrived at 2 PM yesterday, stayed for about two hours, and left by 4 PM.”
“So, Laszlo did visit the Celestine Marquisate, and now it seems the Celestines have finally made up their minds?”
Isaac clicked his tongue in displeasure.
The Celestine Marquisate wasn’t a particularly influential house in either politics or high society, despite its lofty title.
But it was well-managed, and Barbara Celestine, who had elevated her family to this level, was someone even Isaac held in high regard.
“And there’s something unsettling about how they seem to hide their true strength.”
Though the Celestine Marquisate didn’t make much noise, they had their hands in several lucrative ventures. For Isaac, who sought to draw as many powerful noble families to his side as possible, the Celestine Marquisate was an attractive prospect.
“Still, it’s strange. It wasn’t the Marquis himself who acted but the Marchioness Dowager?”
“It appears she went to meet Edel Lancaster at the Crissus estate.”
“Edel Lancaster? Why?”
“Apparently, the two share a deep friendship.”
Hearing an unexpected name, Isaac furrowed his brow.
“Edel Lancaster… Edel Lancaster…”
Something about her had always piqued his interest, though he hadn’t expected her to become a potential obstacle. This development left him feeling uneasy.
“What about the Canyon Count’s movements?”
“His two sons have been quietly making appearances in high society, but the Count himself remains inactive.”
“He’s not doing nothing. He’s undoubtedly scheming something behind the scenes. Look into it further.”
It wasn’t yet the right time to involve the Canyon Count.
Even if the Celestines had shifted toward the Emperor’s faction because of Edel, reaching out to the Canyon Count—accused of aiding rebellion—too hastily might also draw unwanted suspicion from the Winblair Marquisate.
“Fine. It’s not a big deal yet. Even if the Celestines have turned, it’s not a significant loss.”
Reassuring himself with this thought, Isaac wondered if he had been overreacting.
After all, Edel was just a powerless woman, and Barbara Celestine was merely an aging aristocrat. Whatever heartfelt friendship they shared, it wasn’t likely to bring any substantial benefit to Laszlo Crissus.
“Keep an eye on Laszlo, though. Seeing him suddenly all polished up and flaunting himself is an eyesore.”
At that moment, a servant approached to announce a visitor, and Isaac’s grim expression softened immediately.
