SOWD Chapter 78

Chapter 78

“Since I can no longer address you as the Duchess, may I call you ‘Miss Idel’ instead?”

“Of course.”

At her cheerful consent, Edmund felt certain his assumptions were correct.

“Ahem! To be honest, I’ve always thought the circumstances Miss Idel endured were far too cruel. It’s only been, what, two years since you got married?”

“Not even that long, but it hardly matters now. Thank you for your sympathy. Then…”

“Less than two years, and yet you were stripped of the title of Duchess as if it were some kind of war trophy. His Majesty was too harsh.”

Idel tried to end the conversation at this point, but Edmund ignored her attempt and continued speaking.

“And to think you were handed over to Count Chrysus, of all people… It must have been difficult for you, no?”

“No, not at all. I’m doing very well here. The Count is a truly gentlemanly person.”

“Are you worried that someone might overhear us? Rest assured, I’ve already ensured we’re alone.”

At those words, Idel felt a chill run down her spine. The fact that Edmund had approached her and checked their surroundings meant he had some ulterior motive.

But it was precisely at moments like these that one must remain composed.

I need to figure out what he’s up to.

Changing her mind, Idel decided not to cut the conversation short but to prolong it and draw him out.

“In that case, I suppose I can speak a little more freely as well.”

“Please do! For someone who was once a Duchess to now serve as a household servant—how much emotional turmoil you must have endured!”

“Well… I wouldn’t say there was none at all.”

“I can imagine. Forced to wash in cold water even in the dead of winter, with no one to truly listen to you…”

It was true that conditions had been harsh, so Idel gave an awkward laugh.

“With all due respect… Is there a particular reason you’re telling me all this, Lord Milton?”

At Idel’s prompt to get to the point, Edmund smiled inwardly.

Impatient, are we? Well, who wouldn’t be when a better opportunity has come along?

With a look full of sympathy, Edmund gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I only wish to help you, Miss Idel. I have no ulterior motives. I simply feel a moral obligation to aid someone who has been made a victim of political strife.”

“It’s not something you should feel responsible for, my lord.”

“It’s the guilt of a nobleman who stood by and did nothing to protest what happened to you. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

Idel hesitated, glancing at Edmund’s hand on her shoulder, before murmuring softly.

“Help, you say? In what way…?”

Edmund’s smile deepened.

“Whether materially or emotionally, I want to support you.”

“But as you know, I am a captive granted to Count Chrysus. My movements are restricted.”

“I understand. But I heard you’re allowed brief outings. How about meeting during one of those?”

Pretending to consider his suggestion, Idel lowered her voice and asked, “Hearing you go this far makes me think you must want something from me.”

Edmund was now certain she had fallen into his grasp.

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Why is that bastard hanging around Idel?

Laszlo had been glancing at Idel and Edmund for a while now.

When he noticed Edmund approaching Idel earlier, he had wanted to rush over and yank him away by the scruff of his neck. But he restrained himself, worried that any action on his part would draw attention to Idel.

It doesn’t look like he’s insulting or threatening her…

Edmund, with his mask of the “polite, elite knight and true gentleman,” was unlikely to commit any overtly rude acts. Still, it irked Laszlo.

Perhaps it was because the two of them—Idel and Edmund—seemed to complement each other so well.

Even in her housekeeper’s uniform, Idel was more beautiful and elegant than anyone else at the party. Edmund, who had clearly dressed up for the occasion, looked exceptionally dashing—even to someone like Laszlo, who disliked him.

Above all, the two of them exuded a sense of refinement and grace befitting well-educated individuals. And that irritated Laszlo.

What’s the point of all that refinement and grace? It’s just a tool to hide one’s true intentions.

Laszlo recalled the time when Edmund had visited the Imperial Knights, insisting on apologizing to Idel. Laszlo had long doubted his motives, and now those suspicions felt validated.

As he dwelled on these thoughts, an unpleasant memory resurfaced: the sight of those knights dragging Idel away, pushing her against a wall. At the time, he had held back, waiting for concrete evidence to confront them. Now, he deeply regretted his hesitation.

I should’ve rushed in and dealt with them the moment I saw them shove her! She was terrified, and yet I just stood there, watching…!

Even though he had intervened in the end, Idel had thanked him, bowing her head. She hadn’t shed a single tear, remaining calm and pale-faced.

And she had even asked if he would punish her for the incident.

That was how harsh she was on herself.

It was the same today. He had told her to report anything that happened, but Idel would never do so. She would endure as much as she could, even if it left scars on her heart.

…This won’t do. I need to send someone to bring her here.

Resolving himself, Laszlo called over a passing servant and whispered to them.

“Quietly bring the housekeeper to me. Tell her it’s about the progress of the party.”

The servant nodded silently and moved away, casually picking up glasses and greeting guests on their way toward Idel.

They say he’s been strict in training the staff—anyone would think they’re working for a duke’s household.

Even as he watched the servants skillfully perform their duties without drawing attention, Laszlo could sense Idel’s influence.

Did I make the right choice entrusting her to Grand Duchess Celestine? I’m starting to doubt it…

He sighed wistfully, clicking his tongue, when someone called out to him. Turning, he saw a middle-aged woman beaming at him.

“It seems your first party is a great success. Congratulations.”

“Ah, Lady Galli. Thank you for coming.”

It was Adela Galli, the Countess of Galli, and a lady-in-waiting to the Empress. Though they had exchanged greetings many times in the palace, they had never spoken privately.

I didn’t expect her to approach me like this.

As it turned out, she had a reason for doing so.

“Since we’re here, I’d like to introduce someone to you. Angela!”

At her call, a young woman who had been hiding behind her stepped forward shyly. The Countess of Galli gazed at her affectionately, as if she were the most charming person in the world.

“You must be familiar with the Bliss family, yes? This is Miss Angela Bliss, the granddaughter of Count Bliss. She came as the family’s representative and was worried about not being able to introduce herself. Ho ho ho!”

Angela blushed at the Countess’s words, but Laszlo didn’t believe them entirely.

She doesn’t seem like the type to fret about that sort of thing.

Angela Bliss stepping forward wasn’t something he had anticipated. In the social circles of the nobility, being rejected in a marriage proposal would have been a significant blow to her pride.

While Laszlo hadn’t spread any rumors, no one knew she had made the proposal first. Regardless, her poise in acting as if nothing had happened suggested she had nerves of steel.

Angela held the hem of her green dress and curtsied lightly.

“It’s been a while. I’m Angela Bliss.”

Her appearance was flawless.

Laszlo could see she was beautiful. Her confident demeanor was slightly irksome, but he didn’t dislike self-assured people.

Then why do I feel nothing? Is it because it seems so obvious why she’s suddenly interested?

Chuckling at his own blunt thought, Laszlo smirked.

“Laszlo Chrysus. Thank you for attending the party.”

“The pleasure is mine. I’ve been wanting to see you again, but the opportunity never arose.”

“There aren’t many situations where someone like me would meet someone like you.”

His words carried layers of meaning, though it was unclear if Angela caught on.

At that moment, Laszlo became aware of a subtle gathering around them. It wasn’t a crowd, but there was a palpable sense that others were encircling them. It felt like he’d have to navigate through layers of invisible barriers just to hold a private conversation.

As Laszlo noticed this shift, someone finally spoke.