The Lady and the Stableman

Since the banquet at Lexion Manor was scheduled to be held in just a few days, Fortrion was busy preparing to attend the event.

“Reinhardt, please convey my gratitude to your wife. Thanks to calling the designer in advance, I was able to get my dress tailored in time.”

As Helen spoke, Reinhardt also smiled broadly.

“It’s fortunate that quite a few dresses were canceled while they were being sewn. You almost went to a banquet attended by great nobles in dresses that wouldn’t have been appropriate.”

“If we were in Fortrion, we’d probably just go with whatever we had. I can’t believe we have to spend our precious money on something like this.”

“But if our Viscountess doesn’t show formality, our people back in Fortrion will be embarrassed, won’t they? The money you’re using is from your personal assets, not the budget, so it’s fine.”

“Is that so…” 

Helen recalled how Mrs. Gray had always emphasized the importance of attire and accessories in the capital’s social circles.

Wearing flashy clothes was not something she particularly enjoyed, but she was willing to endure a little inconvenience if it meant bringing good fortune to her estate.

“Then, please do a final check on the escort for the banquet.”

With those words, Helen entered the large drawing room.

Inside, there were mannequins brought by the designers, along with dresses and numerous pieces of jewelry.

Among them, the one that stood out the most was Edith trying on a newly tailored dress. 

“Oh my, M’lady. This dress looks great on you, this style is very trendy this year.”

“If you wear this shawl, you’ll surely leave a lasting impression in everyone’s minds.”

The designer apprentices were filled with satisfaction as they adorned her rich, golden blonde hair with various headpieces, including lace.

Even in Helen’s eyes, Edith looked so radiant that it was impossible to believe she had hastily bought and worn a dress that someone else had ordered but canceled. 

『 I think I know why Walter is spending money on Edith.』

He said it was compensation for the time Edith had spent at Fortrion Manor.

However, in reality, Helen, who had a difficult childhood and had never had the opportunity to play with dolls, was secretly indulging in her hidden desire by dressing up Edith as if she were a living doll.

“I’m glad to hear that it suits me. Thank you for making it comfortable to move in.”

In fact, Edith was relieved that her pregnancy hadn’t been exposed during the fitting process.

『 I guess it’s true that a first pregnancy doesn’t really show.』

Her lower abdomen had only slightly started to show, so she could casually mention how she enjoyed delicious snacks in the capital without raising any suspicions.

This way, she could deceive people until she reached the fifth month without taking the medication to hide the signs of her pregnancy or using the pregnancy-disguising potion she got from Sullivan.

When Edith lied and claimed that she almost fainted due to not being used to wearing a corset, the designers adjusted the dress to be loose-fitting and added a shawl instead of tightly cinching it.

Thanks to this, the dress she wore was relatively comfortable yet splendid.

『 How will Walter react when he sees her in that dress?』

Helen tried on her dress and discreetly stole glances at Edith.

Nowadays, some people in Fortrion Manor, including her, watched both of them as if they were reading a serialized novel in the newspaper.

It was a sort of shared hobby.

It was a lot of fun to see Walter, who, when he first joined the Militia, was as prickly and ferocious as a mortally wounded beast, transform into an entirely different person when interacting with Edith.

Helen would get to see the reaction she had been eagerly waiting for on the day of the banquet.

“It’s time to leave…”

Walter, who had been urging them to move quickly, stopped in place when he saw Edith wearing long-necked gloves and a shawl.

Edith was wearing a dress made of ivory-colored fabric with elaborate golden embroidery. As she carefully descended the stairs, the swaying of the full skirt resembled a blooming flower.

Walter couldn’t take his eyes off Edith, as if he were seeing a woman in a dress for the first time in his life. 

When Edith brushed her hair aside, he thought of thousands of things he could do while she was wearing the dress, to the point where it felt overwhelming.

“Walter, your hair looks different today.”

Edith said she was almost down the stairs when she noticed Walter.

This was because she had been extra cautious since she was worried about the baby getting hurt if she stumbled and fell.

But seeing him dressed neatly and with his hair combed, Edith couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t noticed him earlier.

The thick black hair that partially covered his face looked attractive, but with his hair combed, his sharp facial features gave him an even more dominant impression.

Even though he was dressed the same as the other knights, there was an illusion that Walter was the one shining more brightly.

“It suits you.”

Edith discreetly walked towards the carriage so he wouldn’t notice her pounding heart.

Vivian and Cassius, who were watching from afar, enjoyed the tickling sensation on her behalf.

──────────✿◦•

“Your Grace, the invited guests are arriving one by one.”

Vane stood in front of the door and reported politely.

Inside Duke of Lexion’s study, there was a secret space that was not well known even to most of the servants.

Franz’s right-hand man, Vane, never dared to knock or enter the room carelessly, aware of the nature of what was contained inside.

Once a year, today, the Duke would enter this secret space and consume an entire bottle of cheap wine that didn’t suit Lexion’s dignity in any way.

『 I guess that wine is my Master’s way of commemorating his firstborn daughter who passed away.』

Vane knew what that cheap wine meant to father and daughter.

⋙“Father, I know you’re busy, but isn’t tomorrow my birthday? I need to impress my friends by drinking elegantly in front of them. Can you please teach me how to drink?”⋘

⋙“… What?”⋘

⋙“I brought some practice wine with me. Vane, don’t stand there so stiffly. Bring some glasses, and let’s have a drink together.”⋘

⋙“La-Lady Leah…”⋘

Vane vividly remembered the moment when Lady Leah, who was extremely bold, entered the solemn office of Franz Lexion after sneaking a peek at what the servants were drinking.

The eldest lady, despite being diagnosed as terminally ill, had a rebellious side, but no one in the manor could help but love her.

Franz Lexion, too, loved his daughter dearly, which was why he regretted more than ever making Leah leave the manor.

Vane spoke in a subdued voice, knowing full well the complex circumstances.

“Fortrion’s carriage has just passed through the main gate.”

At that moment, a noise emanated from the quiet secret room.

The Duke took heavy steps and opened the door himself.

With a creak, the face of Franz, who remained completely sober despite the wine, and the interior of the room were revealed.

The walls of the secret room were entirely covered with portraits of his first daughter, Leah Lexion. From the time she was in the arms of the deceased Duchess to the present day, portraits had been painted every year on her birthday.

“The Fortrions have arrived?”

“Yes, they have. Elizabeth Fortrion declined the invitation, but Viscountess Helen Fortrion, Lady Edith, and Lady Isabelle accepted the invitation and have arrived.”

Franz’s eyes darkened at the news of the arrival of the rural nobility involved in his daughter’s death.

“Vane, as soon as they arrive, approach the lady who you felt Lexion’s magic and reexamine her.”

“Yes.”

“If you still feel Lexion’s magic in her…bring her to me.”

Franz had no intention of letting go of matters involving his deceased daughter.

──────────✿◦•

『 The banquet at Fortrion Manor wasn’t even a real banquet compared to this.』

Edith was involuntarily amazed as she watched Lexion’s luxurious banquet.

The magnificent hall was decorated so splendidly that it made her momentarily forget the fear associated with the name ‘Lexion.’

Not only she, who came from a rural territory but also the capital’s nobles could not help but be amazed at the scale of the banquet.

“To be able to get this many fresh flowers in the middle of winter, it must be because it’s Lexion, right?”

“Look at that! The chandelier design is different from last year’s party celebration.”

There was no one in the capital who did not know how much money the Duke of Lexion spent on hosting the end-of-year celebration.

When people looked up at the ceiling painting, which the previous Duke had hired an artist to paint for 10 years, they could understand why the Duke of Lexion was second in line to the imperial throne.

“How did they paint on that high ceiling?”

Edith, while examining the intricate ceiling painting, suddenly noticed a familiar face looking around as well.

“Isabelle?”

“Oh my, Edith!”

Isabelle, who was bored because she didn’t know anyone, came to Edith’s side.

“I was worried, Edith. I knew that a militiaman was delivering the letter to Viscountess Helen, but still!”

“Thank you for your concern, Isabelle. I’m currently working, um, temporarily, in the Militia Force.”

“I see.” 

Having escaped from the confines of Fortrion and arrived in the capital city, Isabelle was brimming with even more vitality.

“Are you sure you weren’t forced to join the Militia Force? My father was extremely worried, you know. He said that if you had nowhere to stay or needed a job, you should let us know anytime.”

Isabelle, who was trying to secretly recruit Edith for a management position, felt the stinging gaze right next to her.

『 This man, was his name Walter?』

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