Chapter 25. The Master’s Room.
“Then… Master, about that Maltina… the person we saw earlier.”
“Maltina? Why?”
“His Majesty wishes for you to marry her, right?”
“And why do you think that?”
“Well, if you’re not against the idea, wouldn’t it be good to somehow win her favor and get married?”
That way, Sigelion would have a mistress to solidify the family, you’d have less to worry about regarding an heir, and it would provide a more stable environment to raise the little one.
Not to mention, even a chance at her own freedom.
“That would be ideal.”
Rakalt chuckled at Adelen’s overly transparent suggestion, humoring her.
If it was Maltina, she was an ideal match. There was no harm to Sigelion. On all fronts, it was positive. If done right, it might even elevate the family to a duchy in one leap.
But advancing his family through marriage, relying on someone’s status and abilities, wasn’t his preference. It didn’t motivate him to act… at least, not until now.
Now, with the King himself pushing for it, and his most trusted confidant, Adelen, going out of her way to encourage him, he wondered if he should at least give it a try.
Adelen’s eyes sparkled as Rakalt’s mild agreement fueled her enthusiasm.
“Of course, right?! Then how about writing her a love letter right away?”
“…Write what?”
“A love letter! They say feelings need to be expressed to be understood!”
Even though Rakalt had little interest in romantic relationships, he knew that wasn’t the right approach.
He was speechless at her overly innocent method—one even a ten-year-old might find outdated.
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“Really?! I trust you, Master! If you need, I’ll help you as much as you’d like!”
She wasn’t a reliable advisor by any means.
If he ever did need advice, he firmly resolved never to consult Adelen.
***
Hope could keep people going, no matter how dire the situation.
For Adelen, that hope was her master’s marriage.
Seeing the light of hope in Maltina, she shook off her despondency and started tackling the tasks before her.
“What do we need to prepare for the party?”
The moment they returned to the Sigelion estate, Adelen began addressing the King’s command.
Although the King’s birthday party was still three months away, there was plenty to prepare in advance.
First, she needed to teach the little one how to greet the King for his birthday. Next…
She had no idea.
So, she asked.
Having no experience with royal parties, there was no way for her to know what was required.
Had Adelen been a senior maid who directly attended to noble families, she might have known. But she wasn’t, so she hadn’t even seen the faces of such lords and ladies often.
“For the party preparations…”
Rakalt started to answer Adelen naturally but stopped mid-sentence.
“Master?”
“…Call the butler.”
Rakalt, too, had never prepared for a party himself and didn’t know what to do.
Moreover, he hadn’t attended many parties, spending more time on battlefields.
The royal parties he was obligated to attend didn’t focus much on formality.
He’d either show up in luxurious attire or, sometimes, even in armor. That was a privilege granted to him as a general and the King’s sword.
Not caring for socializing also allowed him this flexibility.
However, this time was different.
It wasn’t about showing his face to the King; it was about presenting the crown prince to society.
This required thorough preparation according to the refined, unspoken rules of the social world.
The problem was, none of them knew those refined, unspoken rules.
“I’ve also prepared more for battles than parties…”
The summoned butler stammered, flustered.
It was a moment of personal disgrace.
To be a butler yet unable to properly assist in party preparations! But it couldn’t be helped.
The Sigelion family had only actively participated in parties during the previous generation.
The previous count, a loyal and renowned warrior under the old King, had elevated the once humble knightly house to the rank of a count.
However, emerging powerhouses often attracted both envy and admiration.
The previous count wanted to establish Sigelion as a prestigious noble house. To achieve that, he did everything a noble could.
The one who managed all those efforts was the former butler. The current butler had been a junior servant back then, responsible for chopping firewood, sweeping yards, and cleaning windows.
“I should’ve worked harder to learn back then… I’ll look for the former butler’s records!”
The butler almost wept as he ran out of the room.
“Are party preparations… really that complicated and difficult?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but there are certain must-haves for a first party, like attire rules and such.”
He vaguely understood but wasn’t confident.
Gathering people who knew nothing wouldn’t help much.
“To get proper help from someone knowledgeable…”
Without realizing it, a name flashed through Adelen’s mind as she muttered to herself.
“Ah! That person from before! Lady Maltina!”
The very picture of perfection in Adelen’s eyes, and the woman His Majesty had been trying to pair with her master.
A sudden, brilliant idea struck Adelen, and her thoughts started racing.
“Why not ask her for help?”
“…Maltina?”
“Yes! Of all the noblewomen I’ve ever seen, she was the most flawless. And the way she carried herself so confidently before His Majesty! She must be knowledgeable about etiquette to act like that, right?”
“That’s because she’s a relative of His Majesty.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Maltina is the daughter of the Duke of Norwan. The Norwan Duchy is a branch of the royal family.”
Adelen’s eyes widened.
Good heavens, not only did she have perfect looks, manners, poise, voice, and speech, but even her lineage was impeccable. Truly, wasn’t she born to be with their master?
Learning this only solidified Adelen’s resolve.
“She must be the one. Please, invite her!”
Not just for herself or the child, but for her master as well!
Such an extraordinary partner couldn’t be allowed to end up with someone else.
“…I’ll send her an invitation.”
Rakalt could clearly see through Adelen’s intentions, but he went along with it anyway.
After all, from any angle, it wasn’t a bad suggestion.
If Maltina were to become the mistress of Sigelion, it would only bring benefits, not harm. As the head of Sigelion, he should actively pursue such an opportunity.
“When will you send it?”
“I’ll handle it later.”
Adelen’s overly enthusiastic push made him feel resistant, reducing his willingness to act.
“And, Master….”
Having experienced the end of her patience at the royal palace, Adelen started pouring out requests non-stop.
She had bottled up her frustrations, telling herself to hold on for just a little longer, but now the thought of this situation becoming permanent was unbearable.
“I overheard earlier… it seems there may not be any more attacks….”
“And?”
“Well… could I perhaps… finally return to my own quarters?”
What now?
Rakalt’s face hardened.
There was already so much to manage, and now she wanted to change something that had been working just fine?
“Why?”
“Well, up until now, there was the risk of attacks… and because you didn’t trust me, you kept me locked in the room, right?”
“And?”
“But now, His Majesty knows who I am… and there probably won’t be any more attacks… so I don’t really see the need for me to stay in your room anymore….”
It was clear she desperately wanted to leave his room.
Rakalt rubbed his temples with his fingers.
“Did Morn promise never to attack again?”
“No….”
“Did General Kias sign a contract saying he won’t come back?”
“No….”
“Then why are you so relaxed? This concerns the fates of Teplan and Sigelion, yet you treat it so lightly?”
“That’s not it….”
Under Rakalt’s sharp questioning, Adelen could only mumble and chew her lips.
She often pouted or bit her lips, but today it stood out even more.
It was probably because of the bright red rouge she had borrowed from another maid to match her dress.
The vibrant red on her lips pricked at Rakalt’s nerves once again.
