The Lady and the Stableman

The Thanksgiving Day

Posted by Susybunbun, Released on September 10, 2023

⋙“I asked the mage, and he said a sacrifice is needed to bring back your memories, Walter.”⋘

⋙“…”⋘

⋙“He says if you find something that has your lost memories embedded deep within it and burn it, your memories will return. So, I’ll look for it. Instead, don’t forget this favor.”⋘

The Viscount had come in drunk and repeated the same thing several times with a faint smile on his face.

Walter couldn’t understand what that lunatic wanted by locking him up in the manor yet at the same time, he couldn’t comprehend why he wanted to find his memories.

『 He must have known that I’d kill him as soon as I get back my memories.』

If what the Viscount promised to return his memories wasn’t an object but Edith.

Walter imagined Edith struggling in the flames created by the Viscount. Her beautiful blonde hair turned to ashes in an instant, and her clear blue eyes gradually lost their luster because of the acrid smoke.

“…”

Thinking of the Viscount laughing like a maniac next to the dying Edith, he concluded that the Viscount deserved to be ambushed and killed.

Walter decided to put his thoughts aside and searched inside the carriage. It was very difficult for him to search through the wrecked carriage, which had one wheel missing and was wobbling precariously.

The sight of bloodstains splattered inside made him even more uncomfortable, but he managed to find a necklace stuck in a crack under the seat.

It was a necklace decorated with a small jewel of unknown identity in the middle. The color of the jewel was bluish, so it seemed to complement Edith’s eyes perfectly.

As he tucked the necklace into his pocket, Cassius took a few steps back and surveyed the entire carriage.

“By the way, it looks like our dear Viscount really has been through quite an attack.”

Walter listened to him and took a few steps back to look at the carriage. After examining it, the traces of the recent fight on the outside of the carriage were quite unusual.

“Cassius, do you know anything?”

“Well then, I was almost the top candidate to join the Fortrion Knights, you know.”

Cassius did not miss an opportunity to show off. Although Walter was far superior in actual combat ability and potential, Cassius was ahead in trivial knowledge about martial arts.

“Although you were an orphan who was chosen, you could have been knighted instead of being a gardener, if it weren’t for Sophia.”

When Walter mentioned Sophia in a sarcastic voice, Cassius reacted as if he had heard some curse words, annoyed.

“Darn it, as long as a knight can pass the entrance exam, why does she care so much about pedigree?”

That was something even Walter agreed with. Cassius was so skilled and efficient in handling tasks that he was the only one Walter would acknowledge.

“Anyway, the fact that the traces of the sword are left in this way means that the blade itself is bent… Do you think the Viscount and the people of the capital have any reason to bear a grudge against each other?”

“From the capital?”

“I’ve heard that the knights of Count Gerturk from the capital use curved swords. I heard that the ancestors of this family came from using such a sword.”

“And did the Imperial Consort Dowager’s Family send people to the Fortrion territory for that?”

“Well… One can truly feel alive when they can influence even those who hold grudges. The Gerturks probably don’t even know that there is a family called Fortrion.”

As Walter mentioned, House Fortrion was not powerful enough to influence the capital’s politics.

Nicholas, who almost ruined the family, as well as the previous Viscounts who led the Fortrion house to its heyday, would just be one of many provincial nobles if they went to the capital.

Besides, Count Gerturk is the head of one of the strongest families in the Empire along with the Duchy of Lexion.

“It might be those thieves who mimic the unique swords used by certain Knight Orders because they look impressive.”

Cassius suggested with a shrug, gesturing towards the entrance to the warehouse with his chin.

“Let’s go, Walter. There are plenty of other things to do apart from what the Fourth Lady ordered us to do.”

After making sure the necklace was safely in his pocket, Walter left the warehouse.

──────────✿◦•

Before they knew it, it was dinner time, and the hall where the banquet was being held was filled with people.

There were merchants who had been invited due to their ties with the Fortrion Merchant Guild, Nicholas Fortrion’s acquaintances, and journalists who had come to find stories among the upper echelons.

They chatted in hushed voices as they awaited the start of dinner. Their conversations touched on various subjects, but the content was all quite similar.

“The local newspapers say Nicholas had a minor carriage accident. The Viscountess Fortrion only said that it was a carriage accident…”

“I know someone who passed by the scene of the accident. It seems the carriage was overturned to the point where one wheel was missing.”

Since the Viscount was injured, rumors about the Viscount’s family have been abundant ever since the incident, providing plenty of conversation topics.

With the mansion’s doors now open, this was the perfect time to satisfy their curiosity.

“You know, there might be talks about the Fortrion inheritance soon. Rumor has it that some people are already getting greedy.”

“Who knows… Someone might already be stealing it. Someone familiar with the Viscounts told me…”

The whispered words continued to spread like wildfire. At a social gathering where conversation is necessary, it didn’t take long for idle gossip to start circulating.

Then, suddenly, as the voices of those conversing grew slightly louder:

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention, please. I would like to introduce Lady Sophia, Lady Elizabeth, Lady Isabelle, and Lady Edith.”

One of the servants guarding the door announced in a calm yet clear voice. All eyes were immediately drawn to the four exquisitely dressed ladies.

Every time people saw the wives, who hadn’t even been able to hold hands with the Viscount due to his peculiar sexual preferences, people could not help but think of the heyday of the Fortrion Merchant Guild.

The hundreds and thousands of gold that Nicholas spent on buying and collecting dolls to decorate his mansion were all earned by the previous Viscounts.

T/N: This is referring to Nicholas buying his wives for their beauty.

Among them, the one who captured everyone’s attention was the Viscount’s fourth wife, Edith, who appeared for the first time at this gathering.

『 That’s the woman who became the last wife of Viscount Fortrion…』

『 After gawking at women every day, he somehow managed to find such beauty.』

『 I heard that the Viscount’s obsession with Edith was so intense that Sophia couldn’t help but take her in.』

With her thick, crimson lips firmly sealed, she brushed aside her long, luxuriant golden hair. The Fourth Lady was instantly imprinted in everyone’s minds.

As the people’s gaze concentrated on Edith, Sophia silently rejoiced. It was the moment she had hoped for, where Edith would be recognized as the only woman capable of bearing a Fortrion child.

Sophia went to the prepared table and exchanged brief greetings with the guests who had come to the banquet.

“As you know, the Viscount is going through a difficult time right now. While I host this dinner according to the Viscount’s wishes to thank those who have supported us, I still can’t help but feel uneasy.”

People listened to Sophia’s calm and noble words, raising their glasses in a toast to the Viscount’s well-being.

Sophia then asked the musicians to play some soothing music, as previously arranged, and subtly glanced at Edith.

Edith had no choice but to follow the unspoken order to gradually disappear from the meeting.

“…I’m not feeling well, so I’ll have my meal in my room.”

“Edith, what’s wrong? You seem fine.”

Isabelle, who sat beside her, grabbed her hand in surprise. Edith gently released Isabelle’s hand and then made an effort to smile.

“I’m fine. I must have had an upset stomach because it’s my first time in such a situation.”

Actually, it was Sophia’s gaze that was suffocating.

“Isabelle, please stay… Until the end.”

Before Edith had risen from her seat, leaving behind Sophia, who feigned concern, and Isabelle, who was genuinely concerned, one of the musicians approached Sophia with an apologetic look.

“Pardon me, Viscountess. I’m sorry, but it seems like it will take a bit more time to tune the string instruments. I suspect someone deliberately tampered with the instrument tuning…”

“Hmm, it might feel empty without music.”

It wasn’t a children’s recital, and there was only a piano to accompany the start of dinner. Sophia muttered in contemplation, and Isabelle’s eyes shifted toward the empty stage behind her.

Edith tapped Isabelle’s hesitant hand under the table.

『 I didn’t think he would agree to it.』

Before parting at their last encounter, she had asked Walter a favor: to create an opportunity for Isabelle to sing. It was partly to gain her favor and check the ledger. Deep down, Edith hoped that Isabelle, like a canary in a cage, would escape from this place.

Isabelle, who cherished her dreams with a pure heart, was indeed too precious to be trapped in Fortrion Manor.

『 With a powerful father, she could live more freely once she leaves here.』

Walter looked at her for a long time to see if he could gauge her intention in asking for such a favor, then turned away silently. Although it was unclear what she was thinking at that moment, judging by the musician’s discomfort, it seemed evident that she had taken some action.

Walter knew that the best way to keep Sophia in check was to win the favor of Isabelle and her father.

‘Isabelle, the stage is empty.’

Edith winked at Isabelle and quietly left the hall.

──────────✿◦•

Edith went straight back to her room. Except for the minimum number of servants, everyone was in the central hall, so the east side of the mansion was remarkably quiet.

“Lady Edith?”

Vivian, who was tidying up the bedding in her room, greeted Edith with a surprised expression.

“Have you had dinner yet?”

“No. Sophia thought it would be better if I left.”

“Oh my. I thought you would at least enjoy the dinner. Just wait a moment.”

Vivian quickly went to the kitchen and returned with a tray full of madeleines.

“I’m sorry, M’lady. Everyone is busy, and there’s no one available to bring food to your room… But you can have these as much as you like.”

“Thank you, Vivian.”

Edith took a slightly crushed madeleine and put it in her mouth. It tasted delicious, but she felt a sense of sadness wash over her.

『 At least she should have let me eat. After all, it’s a special day today.』

Edith bit down on her lower lip to hold back tears. As she continued to eat the madeleines, feeling depressed, she remembered someone.

“Vivian, were you waiting for me in my room today because Sophia asked you to bring me there again?”