Chapter 7
"Sasha, what's the matter? Are you hurt?"
No. But why are you suddenly so rough? I can't get used to this.
While I shook my head, Lethias seemed to hold my hand and looked at me, then suddenly cast a reproachful glance at the kind butler.
At this, the kindly Mr. Chaplin looked up at the head maid. And the boisterous head maid looked at the person who dropped the bucket.
The poor maid, who had missed the bucket while glancing at me while cleaning, was stunned.
"I'm sorry. I accidentally..."
"Chaplin."
"Your Excellency?"
"Get that person out of my house."
It was only natural that I doubted my ears for a moment. It seemed like it wasn't just the bucket, but don't tell me...
"People can make mistakes. Why do you want to fire them for that?"
Lethias asked in an astounding tone, showing that he, too, was astounded.
"Mistake? How do you know if it was on purpose?"
"Why would someone pick on someone they've never seen before?"
"Anyway, you almost got hurt! We barely met again after 7 years, and it's almost forever..."
"It's not like I'll die if a bucket stumbles into me."
"Why can't you die?! It is quite possible!"
Well, it seems that our "distrust towards servants" trend based on our experience applies to all of us. I understand, but this is a little too much.
"It's because I don't want to hear that someone got fired because of me as soon as I came back. It reminds me of my mother."
As I spoke in a soothing tone and tapped his arm, Lethias finally loosened his hardened eyes and turned into an apologetic face. Ugh, what a simpleton he is.
"I see. My thoughts were quite narrow-minded."
"Oh, as expected, our duke knows how to lament his actions."
"To say things that you don't mean...!"
A huge palm like a bear's paw pressed against my head. If so, it won't get smaller, you...!
"By the way, where are you going so early? Are you on a date?"
"Well, it's not like that! I have to meet someone for horseback riding."
Why is he so firmly denying it, even to the point of feeling embarrassed when they’re engaged? I wonder what kind of personality the young lady Orsini has, even though it's a political marriage.
It's difficult to predict what kind of woman she would be because she hasn't been mentioned much in the novel...
Once I meet her, I'll definitely know how to engage her in a conversation.
"Are you going with Benya?"
"No, he must have gone to take care of other matters."
Right. Our young master left early, not giving me a chance to see his face. Sheesh, the younger brother went to work, and the older brother went horseback riding.
"Anyway, my aide will take you to the hotel later and introduce you to the people you'll be working with."
"Am I starting today?"
"Well, do you want to rest a little longer?"
"No, everyone is busy, but I like staying busy too. It’s my payback for my meal expenses."
I said it jokingly, but as if he misunderstood something, a look of bewilderment passed through his eyes.
"We don't do that..."
"I know, I know. By the way, I'm not sure if I'll always give you what I bought. I forgot to give it to you last night..."
"What? Give me my present now."
"... I'll just give it to you on your birthday, along with another birthday present."
Compared to the gift I received upon my return, it felt like my gift was too meager. Maybe I should have used up my allowance and bought jewelry, earrings, and eye patches.
Who would have known such a luxurious place would be prepared for me?
Lethias glared at me suspiciously for a moment but soon laughed at his own thoughts.
"It's only a few days away. Since you're back, this birthday party is bound to be quite enjoyable."
"... Is that so?"
"Of course, it will be. You'll enjoy it too. Just make sure to have my birthday present ready."
I swallowed a bitter smile as I watched Lethias walk away with an animated gait that didn't match his physique.
It's Duke Serpente's birthday banquet, so it's bound to be fun. All the main characters I've never met, but I know, will gather at the same event.
Some relatives will also come, believing that their past debaucheries against their niblings have been forgiven a long time ago.
Whether voluntarily or on someone's advice, Lethias and Benya seemed surprisingly thorough in that regard.
By casually inviting extended family members to a main family event, they aim to put an end to rumors of discord among their blood relatives.
I could tell what kind of strategy they were implementing just by looking at it.
I have three goals right now.
One, is to make sure that Lethias doesn't fall for the original female lead - the Ducal Princess Parque.
Two, to make the Dallas Myer Club the dominant force in Cherkesha's underworld.
Third, to exact revenge for Estelle's blood with blood.
Like a majestic lily blooming under the summer sun, I never had the heart to fulfill my desires. They will come to fruition like a venomous snake that consumes even the last petals.
Only then that I will be able to visit the graves of all those I miss...
* * *
"Miss Sasha?"
"Oh, are you perhaps an aide?"
"Nice to meet you. I’m Pavel de Castro, the Chief Aide."
After lunch, I returned to my room and was flipping through the interior magazines I brought from Vibranto when the aide Lethias had mentioned came in.
He was a handsome man in his late twenties, with a gentle yet elegant demeanor. However, his unnaturally wide forehead made anyone who saw him suspect he might be experiencing hair loss.
"... It wasn't this noticeable until a year ago.**"
(**he’s talking about his receding hairline)
Well…? I didn't say anything. It seems that you yourself are quite concerned about that fact. Surprisingly, he is a very friendly person.
“Ahaha… You must be under a lot of work stress, assisting the Duke of Flame and Fury.”
"That's a terrible nickname, don't you think? I'm deeply troubled because His Excellency seems to be proud of it."
“I can relate to that sentiment.”
It feels like meeting a friend. The Chief Aide, who experienced hair loss at an early age, let out a deep sigh that felt truly depressing, but quickly regained his composure.
“Did His Excellency inform you already? If you need some time to get ready...”
"That's all right. Let's go now."
I had prepared to go out in advance, so I only took some magazines and left the mansion. Mr. Pavel kindly escorted me all the way to the hotel in the carriage.
“Oh, I heard that you went through a commotion as soon as you returned home yesterday. Are you okay?”
“As you can see, I’m all right. Thank you."
“His Excellency was furious. The police officers were at a loss, and they clung to him, asking for all the details.”
Oh right, that's why he’s angry at the officers.
They bothered him quite a bit, questioning why the security of the capital had reached such a level. The assailants who were shot to death would have been seen as self-defense by the high-ranking aristocrats.
“But what were the assailants doing?”
“They were wanted robbers. They were reckless because they had nothing to lose. In any case, security will be strengthened in the future, so you can rest assured.”
There was no way the Chief Aide was unaware of the relationship between Serpente and the Night Butterflies, but it seemed that he had been instructed to pretend not to know.
Did Lethias tell you to act that way? I guess Benya didn't tell you that they were already exposed. Tsk tsk.
“Welcome, Sir Aide. Hello, my Lady. It's an honor to meet you.”
As soon as I entered the lobby, a woman approached me with a friendly greeting. She was beautiful, as tall as I was, with curly caramel-colored hair and cat-like green eyes.
Even her smiling eyes looked quite similar to Yann's impression to me from the night before.
"Nice to meet you. But..."
“My name is Valentina. I'll assist my Lady with errands while you decorate this place.”
Valentina, as expected.
Valentina Fiest. The only family member of the head of the Dallas Myers Club and the woman who runs the biggest bar on Eldora Street.
It may be known as a bar, but it's definitely a money laundering shop, and she's one of the main executives who not only manages the organization's finances but also oversees all small and large businesses.
Attaching Valentina to me... I suppose this means I can do as I please, Benya.
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