TMOWM~70

Chapter 70

Carte smacked his lips.

He thought of all the things he could make Lani do.
He would have her wash his feet, feed him, and brush his hair.

Those were the thoughts running through his mind.

And he would make sure she never left his side.
He wanted to touch that beautiful hair as much as he pleased.
The thought that he could do all that made him feel even better.

[Carte, the banquet begins at five o’clock. Sneak out around seven and open the door the servants use. Make sure there’s no unnecessary commotion. Do you understand?]

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Carte nodded as if the Marquis of Aites were standing right before him.

[Burn this letter.]

Carte burned the letter and grinned wickedly.
Soon, he would have Lani in his hands.

He couldn’t wait to see the stupid look on Hider’s face when he lost her.
Lani was far too good for that guy.

Fortunately, preparations for the banquet were going smoothly.
Well, of course they were—because I was here!

Those who inherited my skills were happily performing their duties.
The newly hired servants were brought in during this time, and the banquet hall was sealed off.

With knights standing guard so no one could approach, we finished a magnificent banquet hall with Hider’s help.

“Wow…! Lani, this is absolutely amazing! You did this yourself?”

Dania gasped in awe at the sight of the hall.
The others were no different.
Lady Luella, who had entrusted everything to me so far, covered her mouth in astonishment.

“Lady Luella, what do you think?”

“T-This… This in just five days… Impossible!”

“I think we can open this up to everyone now!”

“Lani, just who in the world are you…?!”

I shrugged. Just an ordinary maid, really.

“No one will be able to say a word about this now, right?”

“Of course, Lani! Anyone who does is just jealous.”

My body practically buzzed from the endless wave of compliments.
Skills are the best.

We were admiring the completed hall, me basking in the glory, when—

An uninvited guest appeared.
A maid I’d never seen before burst into the banquet hall.

“Lady Luella!”

“Careful! What if you knock something over?!”

“Ah!”

Lady Luella glared daggers at the maid, who flinched and began walking more carefully.

“What is it?”

“Well… A guest has arrived outside. Um, are they even a guest? Anyway, Lord Tybern is away, and His Grace won’t open the door.”

The maid looked troubled.
Where had Tybern gone again? Lately, he was popping in and out like some sort of phantom.

And for some reason, Sir Hilden had also been away a lot.
Hider was busy training alone these days.

Right now, Hider was probably training.
As for Sornea and Carte, who knew where they were in the mansion, so the maid came to Lady Luella.

“So, who is this guest?”

“…It’s Duchess Kiera.”

Now I understood why the maid looked so troubled.
And if it was Kiera, she was probably forcing her way in as she pleased.
Tsk. If you’ve been kicked out, you should just stay out.

I shook my head.

“What did she say about coming in?”

“She said she heard about the banquet and came to fulfill her duty. She brought Aites’ maids and footmen, along with decorations and things for the banquet hall. But…”

The maid glanced around the hall.
Then gave an awkward smile.

“It looks like what she brought won’t be needed. What should we do?”

Lady Luella scanned the hall and smiled with satisfaction.

“Let her in by all means. If any problem arises, I will take responsibility.”

“Yes, Lady Luella!”

The maid beamed and ran off.
Lady Luella looked like a proud parent eager to brag about her accomplished child.

Well, I had to admit—it was impressive.
I had poured my entire artistic soul into this.

My shoulders squared with pride.

Kiera strode into the duke’s mansion with great confidence.
This was her chance to assert her importance and secure her place here.

She hated leaving Herden here alone. It made her anxious.

That wretched Amy spirit might cling to him again.
And then there were all those other women who might try to snare him.

They’ve hired new maids, haven’t they? What if those wretches flirt with Herden?

The thought of never having Herden’s heart gnawed at her.
After Amy, it had to be Kiera.
But what if it was another woman again? The thought kept her up at night.

She had told Carte and Sornea to keep a close eye on their father, but they didn’t seem to care.

So Kiera had to get inside, no matter what.

Lady Luella greeted her.

“You’ve truly endured so much, my lady. It must have been hard without a mistress here. Leave this banquet to me.”

Kiera lifted her lips in a smile.
She had waited until now so they would feel her absence keenly.
No matter how skilled Lady Luella was as a head maid, she could never measure up to a duchess.

Their learning, sense, and discernment were on entirely different levels.

“Thank you for your concern. However, the preparations are already complete, my lady,” Luella said with a sweet smile.

Already complete? That’s impossible.

Kiera’s expression soured.
No way.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. Once the flowers arrive tomorrow for the decorations, and the food is finished, everything will be ready. Luckily, we have an excellent chef, so the menu is nearly done as well, my lady.”

Kiera clenched her fists.

Impossible. In such a short time?

“Still… I should take a look. You know as well as I do, Luella, that Cattieron is Cattieron for a reason. If things are sloppy, we’ll be the laughingstock.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Kiera stomped toward the hall, fists tight, while Luella followed with calm grace.

Luella walked behind her as if she were the true mistress here.

But her gaze was icy.
She knew full well that Duchess Kiera was no boon to the household.

During the entire time the Cattieron estate had been closed, Kiera had been like a rat gnawing at the family from within.

Luella intended to use this opportunity to her advantage.

Lani. When the duchess is in the banquet hall, bring His Grace. Tell him the duchess forced you and that you had no choice.

Yes, my lady!

Just thinking of Lani’s bright smile lightened Luella’s heart.

She had heard that Herden had been ignoring Kiera’s letters all this time.
She didn’t know what had happened between him and Tybern, but after that, Herden had gone into seclusion.

Leave him be, Luella. Give Herden time until he opens the door himself.

That was what Tybern had said.
But when it came to kicking out the duchess, no one was better suited than Herden.

Forgive me, Your Grace.

It always took great resolve to open a door that had been shut for so long.

Luella was ready to take full responsibility for what was about to happen.

Of course, her resolve was laced with malice toward Duchess Kiera.

They arrived at the banquet hall.

The servants who followed Kiera murmured among themselves.
The hall sparkled from the entrance onward.

Kiera’s lips twitched.

…What is this?

The moment she stepped inside, her mouth fell open before she could stop herself.