Episode 138: Wait for it. (1)
“I don’t have anything in particular. Once work is finished, I plan to return to the territory right away.”
I came to the capital not just to sell cosmetics but also to build a connection with the Marquis.
Now that I’ve achieved my goal, there’s no need to stick around.
After rescuing the slaves and setting a schedule for the migration of the territory residents, I intended to head back immediately.
However, it seemed that Marquis Branford had other plans.
“That’s great! I’ll be holding a feast soon. The quickest way to familiarize yourself with the nobles and build connections is to attend gatherings. It would be good for you to attend influential noble gatherings along with Rosalyn.”
“Thank you for your concern. But there’s really no need to.”
As for connections, just with Marquis Branford and Meriel, it’s more than enough.
After all, I’ve already achieved my goals—what would I gain from meeting other nobles? It would just be a hassle and a waste of time.
But Marquis Branford calmly brushed aside Ghislaine’s refusal and continued.
“Now that I’m your guardian, it’s only courteous to greet the nobles of the same faction. That way, they will help you in the future. It would also be beneficial to familiarize yourself with nobles from other factions.”
Ghislaine couldn’t help but scoff internally.
“Seriously, is there anyone in this kingdom who knows more about the nobles than me?”
It’s just that I didn’t know their faces well. I’ve got most information on the nobles who are doing well.
So, I really didn’t feel any need to build relationships with other nobles.
“I’m fine. I’ll just stay in the mansion…”
“Attend.”
With the Marquis’s forceful order, Ghislaine pouted with dissatisfaction.
When it came to this, there was no choice but to attend.
“Ugh, this is so annoying…”
Ghislaine grumbled internally but then changed her mind.
This insistence means he really intends to support me firmly.
The saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait,” and since I’ll be wandering around anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to take a look around to see if there’s something worth grabbing.
Kardania, being the capital of the kingdom, is more developed than other territories.
It might inspire me on things that can be applied to Penris Territory, or point out any shortcomings in plans I intend to implement.
You might find inspiration from what doesn’t exist.
“Alright then… I’ll take a break for a while.”
“I’ll send someone as soon as I can. Just sit tight and don’t cause any trouble.”
It seemed Marquis Branford was beginning to realize what kind of person Ghislaine was, judging by the warning to avoid causing accidents.
*
A grand banquet was held at the House of Marquis Branford a few days later.
Since it was an open banquet, nobles flocked in droves to attend.
The nobles who arrived first chatted amongst themselves, eagerly awaiting the start of the banquet.
In particular, the noblewomen close to Rosalyn were all busy discussing her.
“Did you hear? They say Rosalyn’s illness is completely cured.”
“I’ve heard that too, but isn’t it just a rumor? If she was fully recovered, she would have shown up at the gatherings by now, right?”
The rumor about Rosalyn’s illness being cured had spread throughout the capital.
However, with the person in question not showing up at the official gathering, they couldn’t confirm the truth of the rumor.
The noblewomen’s conversation shifted from Rosalyn to Ghislaine.
“I heard she used Baron Penris’s cosmetics and her skin condition was cured.”
“Come on, how does that make sense? If priests and doctors can’t cure it, how could cosmetics do it?”
“Still, the cosmetics have great effects, right?”
As soon as Rosalyn’s treatment finished, the siege around Crow Manor was lifted, and cosmetic sales resumed.
While sales were still doing well, nobody buying the cosmetics believed they could cure any illness.
The popularity of the cosmetics was so high that it merely became a topic of gossip.
“Isn’t today’s banquet held because of Baron Penris?”
“Right, they say Marquis Branford has agreed to be the guardian.”
“Isn’t that just another rumor?”
The nobles were all skeptical and gossiping about the latest news.
Why would the marquis lower himself to be a guardian for some village bumpkin?
But since it was mentioned by nobles close to the Crown Prince Faction, it was hard to dismiss it as a lie.
Most of the attendees were eager to confirm the rumors about Ghislaine and Rosalyn firsthand.
“His Grace the Marquis is here!”
The attendant guarding the entrance of the banquet hall shouted loudly. Everyone lowered their heads and stood respectfully.
Marquis Branford entered, drawing all eyes to him, and sat at the head of the banquet hall.
Soon various nobles approached to greet him.
The Marquis rarely attended banquets or gatherings.
So, there were countless nobles eager to take this chance to make a good impression.
“Your Grace, this is a token of my sincerity.”
“Heard it’s rare and famed from the western region…”
The nobles rushed to present their gifts.
However, Marquis Branford paid the gifts no mind, merely nodding his head.
“Thank you.”
That was the only response he gave. Yet everyone felt thrilled, thinking they had made a good impression.
On one side, gifts were piling up like crazy. Just the value of the gifts would equate to the budget of a decent territory for several years.
As the long and boring onslaught of gifts began to taper off, a servant at the entrance called out Ghislaine’s name loudly.
“Presenting Baron Penris!”
The people’s gaze instantly shifted toward the entrance. It was exactly as Marquis Branford had intended.
Though it deviated slightly from custom, the title of the kingdom’s top power player was not something that could be easily shaken by such minor criticisms.
Thud!
The door swung open, and Ghislaine entered the banquet hall.
Upon seeing Ghislaine’s face, Marquis Branford couldn’t help but flash a sly smile.
A face that clearly showed discomfort—this wasn’t just a nervous look from fear, but rather an expression that screamed he found the whole situation extremely annoying.
Even with the gazes of countless nobles fixed upon him, he remained utterly unphased.
‘Truly, he’s an interesting one.’
Unlike the amused Marquis Branford, Ghislaine was struggling to suppress his annoyance and irritation.
‘How long is this going to last?’
He didn’t mind being the center of attention, but only when he willed it. Being dragged into a situation like this among nobles, where he had to keep up appearances, was not to his liking at all.
As Ghislaine walked up beside Marquis Branford, the marquis stood to survey the crowd.
“As some may already know, I have decided to become the guardian of Baron Penris. In the future, treat him as you would me.”
It was merely a request in words, but it was effectively a command.
Nobles around the banquet hall began to murmur amongst themselves.
“The rumors were true after all.”
“Even if he is the heir of the Perdium Marquis, isn’t that territory just useless?”
“He’s too young as well. What can a kid like that possibly know?”
While Baron Penris had gained a bit of fame for his cosmetics, that just meant he was ultimately just a merchant.
He lacked the pedigree to mingle with someone like the marquis.
Even some nobles from the Crown Prince Faction, aligned with the marquis, shook their heads in disbelief.
“At a time like this, pushing someone like him forward… there’s nothing better than Count Brivant?”
“I’m sure Marquis Branford has his reasons.”
“It seems he reluctantly agreed to help because of the treatment he gave his daughter…”
They clicked their tongues, looking at Ghislaine with disdain.
Because of that guy, the plans orchestrated by the royal family and the Crown Prince Faction had totally gone off the rails.
To support Perdium, which was greatly inferior to Brivant territory, was a conundrum.
In the end, the decision was made strictly according to Marquis Branford’s wishes, but beneath the surface, there were plenty of murmurings.
In other words, Marquis Branford found himself burdened with political challenges because of Ghislaine.
“As for the guardian issue… if we’re going to support someone, how many great family scions are out there?”
“I simply don’t understand. The favoritism is excessive for someone of such low caliber.”
“Hey.”
“Hey, can’t we just watch?”
Because of this incident, the Crown Prince Faction nobles frequently found themselves blushing at each other.
Thus, those who disliked Ghislaine had no choice but to simmer with resentment.
Marquis Branford continued speaking, unfazed by the murmurs of the crowd.
“Oh, and my daughter, Rosalyn, has recovered from her illness thanks to Baron Penris. This feast is also a celebration of my daughter Rosalyn’s recovery, so I hope everyone can enjoy it.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the doors to the banquet hall opened. A servant shouted out with a flourish.
“Presenting Lady Rosalyn Branford!”
Rosalyn slowly walked into the banquet hall.
People instantly turned their attention to her. They were obviously curious about whether Rosalyn had truly recovered.
With each step she took, admiration flowed from those who got a closer look at Rosalyn’s face.
“Ooh!”
“It’s true! She’s really better!”
“She looks just like before! No, her skin seems even better!”
The crowd was buzzing with excitement.
To think that a mere cosmetic could cure what even priests and doctors had given up on! What kind of amazing cosmetics were we talking about here?
“Wow, are you saying a simple cosmetic is better than a priest? I can hardly believe it.”
“Say what you will, but one thing is certain: Baron Penris’s technique is exceptional.”
“It’s legendary! That cosmetic is going to become a legend!”
As Rosalyn proudly lifted her chin, the crowd erupted into even louder cheers.
Meriel, standing with the other ladies, wore a broad smile as she clasped her hands tightly together.
‘She’s really better. Marquis Branford is quite the tease. Couldn’t he have just shown me a bit earlier to prevent any mishaps?’
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t at all disappointed, but her happiness at the prospect of reconnecting with Rosalyn outweighed that.
Rosalyn slightly bowed her head and greeted everyone.
Her cheeks flushed with overwhelming feelings.
‘To think a day like this would come again…….’
How long had she dreamed of standing here again before everyone?
Rosalyn turned her head to look at Ghislaine, who was gazing up at her.
The one who had brought back the joy she had given up after being forced to live in the shadows.
If it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t be standing here today.
Ghislaine, catching Rosalyn’s gaze, playfully shrugged with a smile.
As Rosalyn finished her greetings, Marquis Branford announced the start of the feast.
“Well then, everyone enjoy the banquet.”
Soon the orchestra began to play, but no one moved. Everyone was staring solely at Ghislaine.
The only sound echoing in the banquet hall was the music, not even a cough could be heard.
The reason was simple. The high-ranking nobles weren’t moving.
The lower-ranking nobles, unsure of what to do, took a step back, merely observing.
Though it was supposed to be a joyous feast, an air of tension lingered all around.
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