Chapter 183
“What will you do about the seal?”
At Sillian’s question, she melted some wax and poured it over the letter. Then she gathered a suitably hard and small object she had on hand and pressed it down firmly together with the round lid of an ink bottle.
It didn’t create anything that truly looked like a proper seal by doing it this way. Still, once it looked somewhat like a seal had been stamped, she rubbed it lightly against a rough surface. It was damaged to the point that the shape couldn’t really be recognized, but it was enough to make someone think, “Was a seal stamped here?”
“Will that be enough?”
“Well… we’ll have to hope she’s not someone who has all the family seals memorized.”
The man gave a bitter smile. It was risky, but there wasn’t a more moderate method than this.
‘It’s not like we can drag the lover out and threaten her.’
Lynette dusted off her clothes, then stood in front of the small mirror in the study and quickly braided and pinned up her hair. If she were a maid of a noble house, she had to look neat.
Her clothes didn’t really look like a maid’s, but fortunately they weren’t flashy. Still, she thought it would be better to cover them with a robe, so she fastened the robe and turned toward Sillian.
“How do I look? Do I seem like the maid of some marchioness?”
When he made a subtle expression, Lynette laughed quietly.
“But I could insist on it, right?”
“Yes… well.”
The man nodded, then stood by the door again and listened for any signs outside. Lynette followed behind him. But the moment she stepped onto the stairs leading to the third floor, a woman’s sharp voice rang out.
“How many times do I have to say it! Can’t you see this dust? Are your eyes just for decoration?”
It seemed someone was answering, but the voice was so quiet it could barely be heard.
“Clean? Does this look clean to you? Agh! This is so irritating!”
A shrill scream burst out, as if she couldn’t control her temper, followed by the sound of a heel striking the floor. Lynette glanced back at Sillian.
“I’ll go by myself.”
“If it seems dangerous, you must run immediately.”
“Alright.”
He stepped back slightly without a sound. She dusted off her clothes again and took a deep breath. Then, as if she had just entered the mansion, she looked around and raised her voice.
“Is anyone here?”
Perhaps the woman had heard Lynette’s voice, because her shouting suddenly stopped. Lynette called out loudly once more.
“Is anyone there?”
Then she muttered loudly to herself, as if someone were meant to hear.
“I need to ask whether the Countess will attend the party the Marchioness is hosting… This is troublesome.”
At those words, a woman suddenly appeared from upstairs.
“Who are you?”
“Hello. No matter how many times I called, no one came out, and since the door was open while I was waiting… I wondered if something might have happened and came in on my own. I’m sorry.”
Lynette smiled and gave a polite greeting.
She had never expected the day would come when she would use the etiquette she learned in the Imperial Castle again, but it was proving useful here.
“My name is Marie, and I serve the Marchioness of Mont. I came to see the Countess. Is she here?”
“I’m the Countess.”
The woman flicked her hand arrogantly.
‘Technically, that would be the former Countess.’
Maintaining her smile, Lynette slowly approached. The woman who was said to be Nosh’s lover was wrapped in flashy things. It wasn’t a dress like those worn by nobles in the Imperial Capital, but it still looked quite extravagant. Around her neck hung a necklace set with glittering jewels, earrings dangled from both ears, several rings adorned her fingers, and bracelets decorated both wrists.
The woman, who had dark brown hair so deep it looked almost black, had it twisted up and fixed with ornate pins, and her face openly showed her anticipation.
After reaching the top of the stairs, Lynette glanced down the corridor. It was cleaner than the second floor. It must have been the result of this woman nagging Edwin’s mother to clean.
“Allow me to greet you again, Countess. I am Marie, maid to the Marchioness of Mont.”
When Lynette bowed according to proper etiquette, the woman flicked her hand again. It was the sort of behavior that suggested she had never learned, or even thought about, the dignity or manners expected of a countess.
“What is it? A party invitation?”
It seemed she had heard Lynette’s earlier muttering properly. Instead of adding more polite formalities, Lynette simply took the letter from her clothes. It was the letter Sillian had written earlier.
“Yes. My lady is hosting a party and asked me to deliver an invitation to the Countess as well, so I brought this.”
If someone examined the seal closely, they would realize it was nothing.
Lynette felt slightly nervous, but the woman casually broke the seal and opened the letter. She seemed already distracted by the word ‘party’.
“If it’s alright, could I receive your reply right away?”
“Hm?”
“Our houses have been out of contact for quite a long time, so the letter was delivered rather late. Since the date of the party is not far away, I need your response immediately so I can deliver it to my lady.”
“I-I’ll go!”
As if there were nothing to think about, she shouted excitedly.
Lynette smiled awkwardly.
One thing was certain: this woman had never attended a noble’s party before. Otherwise she would know that replies were usually sent later.
“Yes. I have confirmed that you will attend. However, in order to properly register you for the party, we need a written reply from you, Countess.”
“I have to write a reply?”
“Yes.”
“Ugh… wait a moment.”
The woman went straight into the room. Because the door was wide open, Lynette could see inside.
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