Chapter 68
‘She deserves something better than that.’
If it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t have even considered changing himself. Rinia would still be enduring difficult days, and the wealth of this family would be slowly consumed by rats like Marsha.
It felt as though only Idel was properly holding together the dreadful state of himself and this family. Therefore, it was only natural to offer a suitable reward for that.
However, when she didn’t accept it, it made him feel indebted, which left him uncomfortable.
‘No matter what, why say that refusing would hurt? What an idiot.’
It wasn’t something a man should say, but for some reason, he felt strangely hurt by it earlier.
‘For some reason, I keep saying nonsense in front of her.’
Laszlo wiped his embarrassed face and belatedly untied his cravat.
At that moment, his eyes caught a painting on the wall.
When he first saw it, he had wondered, “Why would something like that be worth 20,000 Rington?” But oddly, every time he looked at it, his gaze lingered longer.
“It would look good in Count’s office,” Idel had said to him when he made a puzzled expression while looking at the painting. He hadn’t understood what she meant at that time, but now, he vaguely thought he understood.
‘It feels like the painting gives me strength whenever I look at it.’
It might look like a mess, but the painting definitely depicted a harbor scene at sunrise.
There must be many harbor paintings if you look for them, but this one felt like it captured the challenging energy of the harbor itself.
‘It’s as if the painting is pulling me in.’
So, when he felt frustrated at work, he would stare at the painting. Strangely, his heart would flutter, and he’d feel re-energized.
‘How did I end up liking this painting? The Duchess’s knowledge of paintings is truly impressive.’
He chuckled softly and got up from his seat.
A few days later, in the midday heat of August, a request for a visit from the lady came.
“Thank you for allowing me to visit, Count Krysus.”
“Since it’s a request from Count Erwin, I must oblige. Sorry, but may I ask your name again?”
“My name is Maia Bettenan. My husband is Baron Bettenan.”
Maia was in her early fifties. Her impression wasn’t bad, but the jewels she wore made her seem somewhat materialistic.
And her purpose for visiting was the same.
“Excuse me, may I ask how old you are, Count Krysus?”
“…I’m twenty-eight.”
“My goodness! And you’re still unmarried? Was there perhaps a wife in the past…?”
“No.”
Laszlo was puzzled as to why this stranger would suddenly ask his age and marital status. To be more precise, he was annoyed, but since she came introduced by Count Erwin, who was in charge of the palace guard budget, he couldn’t treat her disrespectfully.
Fortunately, she quickly revealed her purpose.
“Then, Count, I have good news for you. You attended a party at Count Bliss’s house not long ago, didn’t you?”
“That’s correct…”
“Well, Count Bliss’s second son, Sir Gregory Bliss, has a very beautiful daughter, and after seeing you at the party, he said, ‘I wish a man like him were my son-in-law.’ Ho ho ho!”
Laszlo frowned because he didn’t quite understand what she was saying.
“How strange. Well, enough with the jokes… What is it that you came here for?”
Maia had already mentioned her purpose, but now that Laszlo asked about the reason, she was at a loss for words.
However, Idel, who was quietly standing by and assisting him, knew exactly what was going on.
She whispered softly into Laszlo’s ear.
“Count, this is a marriage proposal.”
“What? A marriage proposal? For me?”
“Yes. Lady Bettenan has come to convey the intentions of Count Bliss’s family.”
Laszlo’s expression became even more incredulous.
“Truly, some strange people exist.”
Normally, someone would be embarrassed by Laszlo’s response, but Maia Bettenan had been around long enough in these circles.
She maintained a cheerful smile and mischievously rolled her eyes.
“Ah, you’re too modest. What girl would turn down such a handsome and distinguished man like you, Count? But among them, Miss Angela Bliss is the perfect match for you. I’m sure the butler here knows well.”
With a subtly condescending look, she involved Idel in the conversation. Before October of last year, she had never dared to look Idel in the eye, but now she was clearly treating her condescendingly.
Of course, Idel wasn’t moved by such behavior. Rather, she was focused on finding the right words to describe Angela.
“There are young ladies famous for their beauty in high society, and Miss Angela is one of them. She has red hair and golden eyes, and many people want to invite her to their parties.”
“Ah, I see the butler knows well. But it’s hard to understand just from words. Here, let me show you. I’ve brought Miss Angela’s portrait!”
Maia took a small frame from the maid’s bag and placed it in front of Laszlo.
It was a much more professional painting than the pastel one they had done at the portrait studio. It was probably commissioned from a fairly well-known artist.
‘I’ve heard that name before, but was it this woman?’
Laszlo recalled Angela, who had pretended to be friendly with him and Rinia at the Bliss Count’s party. She had asked Rinia where she got her hair ornament from in Baltiche.
Laszlo’s expression as he looked at the painting was hard to read, and Maia, unable to tell whether it was a good or bad expression, brought up a conversation about Camille.
“By the way! You know Mrs. Camille Emerson, don’t you? She’s known for throwing the most splendid parties. She’s quite famous in high society. Miss Angela is Mrs. Emerson’s cousin and very close friend.”
The name “Camille Emerson” made Laszlo’s eyes grow cold. Wasn’t she the one who tried to embarrass Rinia? Seeing Bliss acting cozy with Angela at the party had been intolerable.
“Ah, Lady Camille Emerson? I’ve heard of her reputation.”
“Oh ho ho! I thought you would. Miss Angela is just as popular as Mrs. Emerson. She’s received so many proposals, I’m sure she’s got a whole stack of them.”
Although Laszlo didn’t care about such superficial qualities, Maia didn’t seem to notice the coldness in his gaze.
“Such a popular young lady suddenly becomes interested in me—what’s the reason?”
“It’s destiny, Count! After meeting you at the party, Miss Angela felt that it was fate!”
Earlier, Maia had said that Angela’s father had suggested a marriage proposal, but now she was saying Angela felt it was fate.
Idel believed that it was Angela who had requested the marriage proposal. Of course, her father must have agreed, but still…
‘For Sir Gregory Bliss, who can’t inherit the title, and his daughter, Count Krysus must seem like an attractive match.’
Until now, the only reason Angela hadn’t shown interest might have been because of Laszlo’s unpolished appearance.
Idel sighed a little.
Of course, she, too, had once felt distant from Laszlo, but having watched him up close, she realized that he was quite a gentleman with strong values.
Now that she understood him, she even felt that it would be a waste for someone to want to marry him just based on his outward appearance and circumstances.
‘Not that I’m thinking about becoming the Duke of Lancaster’s second wife.’
Idel smiled bitterly.
However, Maia’s words caused Laszlo’s face to twist in clear disdain, and he responded with a mocking tone.
“I’ve been guarding His Majesty the Emperor’s side for over three years, and now I’m only just supposed to feel ‘fate’? Isn’t that a bit too late?”
“Well, well, it’s because Miss Angela is thoughtful and careful. Some people fall in love at first sight, but others develop feelings after getting to know the person.”
“I agree with that. I, too, tend to trust others only after knowing them for a long time.”
With that, Laszlo pushed the portrait of Angela back toward Maia.
“Take it back. It’s a very expensive portrait, and I’m not sure I’m worthy of such an investment.”
“My goodness, Count Krysus! You’re not going to miss such a good opportunity, are you? Miss Angela is the one everyone is dying to meet…!”
“Well, that’s not the case for me.”
Laszlo, growing increasingly irritated, quickly finished his tea and slammed the empty cup down on the table.
“I believe you’ve finished your business here. Please leave.”
At the direct dismissal, Maia’s face turned red with embarrassment.
“You’ll regret this, Count Krysus.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
In the end, Maia was kicked out of the Count’s estate, unable to finish the tea she had brought.
As she left, Laszlo muttered under his breath.
“If we ever get a letter asking for a visit with such an agenda, turn it down on your end. I hate wasting time on this kind of nonsense.”
“…Yes, Count.”
Idel replied, though she felt strangely lighter now.
‘I wonder why I was in a bad mood earlier?’
She couldn’t remember exactly, but she didn’t have time to think it through now.
Deciding not to dwell on it, Idel chose not to think any further.
