SOWD Chapter 75

Chapter 75

“Go on.”

“She’s a woman so blinded by power that she married an old duke! When I was there, she was just a low-ranking maid, but now she probably wields more power than when I was kicked out!”

Marsha, breathing heavily, was visibly agitated, yet her words seemed truthful.

“What was Rinia Chrysas’s relationship with that woman?”

“When I was there, Lady Rinia was wary of her. She despised her, calling her a wildcat targeting her brother. But after that woman, Edel, seduced Count Chrysas, she distanced me from the lady and even charmed Lady Rinia herself!”

“So, both Count Chrysas and his sister are favorable towards this Edel woman?”

“They’ve been devoured, that’s what. My lord, you should be careful too. If she thinks you’re more enticing than Count Chrysas, she’ll latch onto you immediately.”

Edmund nodded slowly and made a proposal to Marsha.

“Would you be able to testify in front of others, saying exactly what you just told me?”

“Wh-what? If I do that, Count Chrysas’s mercenaries will cut me to pieces! That man wouldn’t hesitate to kill someone!”

“Do you think I’d ask you to do such a thing without providing protection? I’ll ensure your safety, arrange a place for you to live, and pay you handsomely. If you want, I can even find you a decent job once it’s all over.”

For Marsha, who was strapped for cash, the offer was irresistibly tempting.

Pausing her frantic movements, she swallowed hard and asked cautiously, “Who… who would I have to testify in front of?”

“It wouldn’t even be proper testimony. I’ll get you hired as a maid at a noble family I know. All you’d have to do is talk about the Chrysas family whenever guests are present. Just… casually chat with them.”

Even so, Marsha hesitated, and Edmund coaxed her with a softer tone.

“You don’t have to make definitive statements. Just imply things subtly. Let the listeners draw their own conclusions. That way, if anyone confronts you later, you can deny it all, saying you never said such things.”

In essence, he was asking her to skillfully spread rumors.

Since it wouldn’t harm her directly, Marsha ultimately nodded.

“Alright. I’ll do my best!”

Her eyes glimmered with determination like never before.

---

The long-awaited day of Count Chrysas’s party had finally arrived.

The staff of the Chrysas household were on high alert but not fearful. While Laszlo and Rinia had dedicated themselves to practicing their dance, the servants had undergone rigorous training on etiquette and serving before noble guests.

Thanks to this, their performance had improved significantly compared to the time before Edel became the head butler.

“Phew, today’s the day!”

“Might as well get it over with quickly.”

“What if I mess up in front of the esteemed guests?”

“With all the practice we’ve had, how could we? I swear, I could pop open a champagne bottle in my sleep if the butler asked me to.”

Laughter erupted among the gathered servants in the hall.

The newly tailored uniforms, polished shoes, increased wages, and the improved state of the mansion fostered a sense of pride and loyalty among the staff. They were so excited that even trivial jokes made them burst into laughter.

But the moment Edel appeared, the room fell silent as if nothing had happened.

“Is everyone here?”

“Yes, ma’am,” replied Margaret, the head maid, in a composed voice, while the rest of the staff turned their attentive gazes to Edel with determination.

Edel, who had endured their complaints during the intense training, looked at each of them one by one. A pleasant tension filled the room.

“You all look wonderful today—truly befitting the servants of Count Chrysas.”

Her words brought proud smiles to their faces.

But Edel herself was stunning. Though she wore her usual butler’s uniform with just a pair of small dangling earrings, she exuded an aura that commanded natural respect.

With a serious expression, she spoke again.

“I’m well acquainted with the servants of high-ranking noble families. After all, I grew up surrounded by them.”

For the first time, Edel openly alluded to her noble origins, causing puzzled expressions among the staff.

As they exchanged glances, Edel smiled softly and continued.

“That’s why I can say this with confidence: you are no less than the servants of any noble household. You’ll do well today.”

For a moment, the servants were overwhelmed with emotion, unable to speak. Most of them had been born into poverty, working tirelessly without ever daring to dream of a better future. This was the first time they had been recognized and inspired to strive for excellence.

Understanding their sentiments, Edel gently advised them.

“If you try too hard, you might make mistakes. Just do things as you usually would. And even if you do make a mistake, don’t be too scared. The count will protect you.”

“Yes, ma’am! We won’t mess around!”

“We’ll stick to what we’ve practiced, ma’am!”

 

Some replied loudly, and the hall once again filled with cheerful laughter.

“Alright, everyone, back to your positions. Let’s do our best today!”

Edel offered one last round of encouragement to the servants before heading to Rinia’s room, where preparations were likely nearing completion.

Rinia mustn’t get too nervous, she thought.

Hosting a party in one’s own home was vastly different from attending someone else’s.

Laszlo, owning a vast mercenary guild, would surely be unfazed by such an event, but Rinia was a different story. Though she had grown much stronger than before, Edel still worried that she might have been quietly fretting. As Edel was no longer her dedicated maid, she couldn’t check in on her as often.

“Miss Rinia, it’s Edel,” she called softly.

“Edel! Come in!”

To her surprise, Rinia greeted her with a cheerful demeanor, entirely contrary to Edel’s expectations.

“Are you ready?” Edel asked.

“Yes! Colette worked herself to the bone today.”

And indeed, Rinia looked dazzling.

Her makeup was flawless, and her hair, curled meticulously with an iron, had not a strand out of place. The earrings, necklace, and bracelet set Laszlo had gifted her recently were understated yet elegant, perfectly suited to her youthful charm. Her peach-colored dress complemented her beautifully.

But more than any of that, it was her confident expression and straightened posture that truly made her stand out.

And most striking of all were her eyes.

Those teal eyes, once dulled by melancholy, now sparkled with a vibrant light, reflecting the transformation she had undergone.

“You look… truly stunning.”

Edel felt an unexpected lump in her throat as she blurted out the simple compliment, pressing a hand to her chest to steady herself.

Rinia, noticing this, wrinkled her nose playfully.

“What’s with that ‘mother sending her daughter off to get married’ look?”

“Please don’t say that. You’ll make me cry for real.”

“Hahaha! Edel, you’re so randomly funny sometimes.”

Edel chuckled along and stepped closer to Rinia, giving her a once-over to ensure every detail was perfect. Finally, she met Rinia’s gaze.

“Are you nervous?”

“No.”

The immediate response caught Edel off guard. But Rinia was sincere.

“I’ve been observing things objectively, and nobles aren’t all that special. There’s no reason for me to be intimidated.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

“Besides, I have a duchess as my tutor. Why should I feel inferior to those girls?”

Rinia lifted her chin proudly, and Edel smirked, nodding lightly.

“Although I’m no longer a duchess, I’ll share all the knowledge I possess with you. And when it comes to that knowledge… yes, I am confident.”

“Sometimes, Edel, I think I might just fall for you when you talk like that. Don’t you think so, Colette?”

“Oh, please,” Colette interjected. “All the maids are smitten with the butler. They’re mimicking her walk, her speech, and everything else. It’s ridiculous.”

The blunt remark drew hearty laughter from both Rinia and Edel.

Suddenly, Rinia’s laughter faded as she stared intently at something. She stepped closer to Edel.

“Miss?” Edel asked, puzzled.

“Edel, those earrings—did you buy them yourself?”

Rinia’s gaze was fixed on the teardrop-shaped diamond earrings glinting on Edel’s ears.

Caught off guard, Edel stammered, “Oh, no, I received them as a gift from someone I know.”

Rinia’s eyes sparkled as she leaned in, hitting the nail on the head.

“It’s from my brother, isn’t it?”

“What? N-no, that’s not—”

“Come on, who else would give you something that expensive? Unless… have you secretly gotten a lover?”

The latter suggestion startled Edel even more, and she shook her head vigorously. The earrings swayed merrily, drawing further attention to themselves.