Chapter 8
Chapter 8
“You won’t stay in the capital?”
“There’s nowhere for me to stay there. The Elpertz count’s estate must’ve already been taken.”
It must’ve been taken long ago. Probably around the time her grandfather passed away.
“You can stay at the Lambroiche estate. There’s always a place for you to stay.”
Well, of course—if she became his mistress, that’s where she would end up. Kashika looked at Noah as if the idea were absurd. Surely he wasn’t mad enough to suggest she be his mistress without even providing a place to live?
“You could use the space the Count of Elpertz used to live in. It’s not a manor, technically—more of an immeuble.”
“…That doesn’t sound too appealing.”
“It’s actually quite nice. César II had decent taste. Just like the previous count, he only surrounded himself with the finest things. Wouldn’t it be a shame to leave it all untouched?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to sell all that and pay off the debt?”
“Even the finest things lose value once they become secondhand.”
If he’d inherited the refined eye of Count Elpertz, the value shouldn’t have dropped—in fact, it should’ve risen. Something about his reasoning felt off. But in the end, what did it matter who used to live there—César Elpertz II or a jester? The point was, it was a place she could live for free. Staying at a hotel in the capital would cost her a commoner’s monthly housing fee every day.
“I can decide after I arrive in the capital, right?”
Kashika replied.
“Yes, as you wish.”
Only then did Noah seem relieved, his face softening slightly.
“Since you’ve accepted, I should return first. You’ll need time to prepare before coming to the capital. When do you think you’ll arrive? Including travel time, I suppose a month should be enough?”
“Two weeks should do, shouldn’t it?”
“Two weeks?”
That’s all? Noah looked at her, puzzled. But it should be enough. She’d just need to pack the essentials, transfer valuables from the local bank to one in the capital, and give the staff a few months’ wages in advance. Lydia would come with her to the capital, but the married couple would be staying behind for a while.
The social season began after the autumn festival and lasted through the winter.
Around All Spirits’ Day, families spent a short time together before returning to society until late spring.
Then came summer, and everyone went off to their vacation homes. It was late summer now. Once the autumn festival ended and the social season began, people would gather in the capital again. And they would remain there until late spring.
Now that Kashika had accepted, she too would spend about half a year in the capital.
“There isn’t much to sort through. I don’t have many belongings.”
“But…”
You won’t be coming back in just a month or two. That’s what Noah was thinking, but Kashika’s expression remained indifferent.
“It’s better to prepare once I arrive. If I go into society wearing what I’ve got here, I’ll just be laughed at. I’ll need to get a feel for what’s in fashion in the capital. And if my uncle, Count Elpertz, bought some fine things with his good taste, I can just use those.”
“You’ll need to bring your household staff, too.”
“I’ll just take one maid. The other maid and the butler should stay here and take care of the estate.”
“I see.”
Noah replied.
Only one maid? Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen any servants in this house. Not even someone to serve tea in the parlor.
Just three servants in total. Even though she held the title of Marchioness.
Noah hadn’t expected Kashika to be living like this.
“Understood.”
To this extent…
“Then I’ll see you in the capital in two weeks.”
With that, Noah stood up. Kashika rose as well to see him off.
But even then, she didn’t follow him out of the drawing room. Lydia, who had been waiting outside, guided Noah the rest of the way.
Kashika watched the two of them standing side by side with an unreadable expression.
With her eyes slightly downcast, Lydia looked quite pretty.
Yes, Lydia needs someone too.
Of course, someone of similar rank would be more suitable than becoming a noble’s mistress. But if she went with them to the Lambroiche estate, it might not be such a bad situation after all.
Once the parlor door closed, Kashika was left standing alone before slowly taking a seat on the sofa. Once he was gone, silence settled in the room. The visit had been so brief, the expensive flowers she’d ordered just for the occasion felt like a waste. She glanced at them, then turned her eyes away. Hoofbeats echoed through the open window. It seemed Noah was leaving. Soon after came the sound of wheels turning.
Sounds she usually only heard during food deliveries—yet today wasn’t one of those days. It all felt strangely out of place.
“The capital.”
It’s been a long time.
“In two weeks.”
She wondered how much it had changed. Would it still be the capital she remembered?
Kashika closed her eyes. The tall-ceilinged mansion floated into her mind as vividly as if she had seen it just yesterday.
The house she had hated so much it made her feel like she’d die—yet still hadn’t wanted to let go of. The grandfather who never treated her like family. The husband she’d kissed just once before he was laid in his coffin. The uncle who died before she even got to know him.
Expectation, resentment, and bitterness toward the capital swirled together.
Like black ink dropped into clear water—slowly spreading until her whole mind was stained.
Kashika opened her eyes again.
“The capital.”
* * *
Noah Lambroiche stared at the letters addressed to him.
Without even reading the contents, he checked only the senders on the envelopes. After glancing at the back of one, he tossed it straight into the fireplace.
They always said the same thing.
That damned engagement, political marriage, the Lambroiche bloodline, or family connections.
Or perhaps it was about the position Noah Lambroiche currently held.
“You’re really just going to burn them like that?”
“Is there a problem?”
Noah responded with a face devoid of concern. His expression was even a little cold, enough to make the man fall silent. Loosening his tightly clenched lips, the man spoke with a troubled look.
“There was even a letter from a duke’s house among them.”
“Was the content any different this time?”
“It was the same as always. Asking you to visit and meet their daughter.”
“Then they must also know I never respond.”
“I’ll send a reply for you.”
That, unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to attend this time due to scheduling issues. And truthfully, Noah Lambroiche was indeed busy. Being a legislative official left little time for rest. He had used up his one and only vacation to come all the way to this small town on the northern edge of the kingdom. All because the Marchioness of Ramfley was here.
Noah showed no interest in the man’s words. From the beginning, he hadn’t considered any other option. And the man knew that very well. He had been watching since the academy days—Noah had eyes only for one person. Though no one knew exactly who that person was.
“Nils.”
The man had only recently figured it out.
“Yes.”
“Is there any new information on César II?”
“Not yet. We’re still looking.”
“Keep searching. Check the list of people who left the country. And…”
Noah furrowed his brow as he continued, looking like he was deliberating something. Then, relaxing his expression, he said,
“Spread a rumor in the capital.”
“What kind of rumor, sir?”
Nils asked. Noah turned away. With the fireplace behind him casting light only on part of his face, only half of it was visible in the dim room. But the curve of his lips was perfectly clear.
“That I’m the Marchioness of Ramfley’s lover.”
Noah said.
“…Pardon?”
“She’s finally given her consent.”
“Sir… are you saying…”
“Yeah. She’s finally agreed.”
So the threat finally worked, Nils thought. Still, to spread a rumor before anything had even visibly happened—what was he thinking? Nils noted it down in his ledger, deciding he’d act when the timing was right.
“The Lady says she’ll be returning to the capital.”
With that, Noah pulled a sheet of paper from inside his coat and threw it into the fire.
“I’d better go and get things ready.”
Noah watched the burning paper in the fireplace with a satisfied look.
It was a document listing Kashika, Marchioness of Ramfley, as a joint guarantor of a debt totaling 2.8 million gold.
