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Chapter 64
The news that Lucy would personally prepare the banquet reached the Countess of Layford, and she came to see her.
“I’m sorry for leaving you to handle what should be done by the lady of the family,” she said.
Since it was revealed that Lucy was Valencia’s daughter, the Countess had been more attentive to her than ever before.
“No, it’s fine. I’m part of the Layford family now, so it’s only natural for me to do this! I just worry that I might make a mistake since I’m inexperienced,” Lucy replied, her concern evident.
The Countess smiled warmly at Lucy’s words.
“You needn’t worry too much. The mere fact that you are preparing a banquet for His Highness will surely make him happy.”
Would Lucas, who often treated her coldly, really be pleased?
Lucy’s confidence faltered further at the Countess’s words.
“If you ever need my help, just say the word. By the way, the reason I wanted to see you today is that I wanted to give you this.”
“This…?”
Lucy looked at her in surprise at what the Countess handed her—a jewelry case.
“This belonged to your maternal grandmother and was passed down to me. Originally, it was meant for your mother.”
“Why… for me…?”
Lucy trailed off as she received the case. She suddenly remembered the last day she had met Lady Meriel.
Inside the case were a necklace and earrings set with pale pink gemstones.
“These are pink diamonds. Your great-grandfather received them from His Majesty the Emperor,” the Countess explained.
“I can’t accept something so precious!”
Lucy shook her head. She thought it right that such a family heirloom should go to the future Lady of Hayris.
“If I had had a daughter, I would have given it to her. But now, you are practically our daughter. How about wearing this at the banquet?”
Holding Lucy’s hesitant hands, the Countess spoke again.
“I would really like it if you did.”
“…Thank you.”
The Countess’s hands were so warm that Lucy nodded almost unconsciously.
Though she wanted to say much more, her throat felt tight, and she could not utter another word.
What Lucy had thought would be only a one-day affair of hosting guests turned out to be far more taxing than expected.
From selecting the menu and desserts to choosing tablecloths, every detail required her decision.
Just a day before Lucas was to visit, a letter arrived for Lucy.
The sender was none other than Bruno Allan.
“There’s no way his experiment has succeeded already. What could this be?”
Curious, Lucy opened the letter.
It was filled with Bruno’s long-winded updates about his recent life and descriptions of his newly developing inventions.
Among his still-hard-to-understand inventions, one caught Lucy’s attention.
“A new type of fabric?”
The letter explained that he was researching a thin, lightweight material with excellent thermal properties.
“New fabric…”
Lucy’s eyes narrowed as she thought deeply, then a small smile appeared on her lips.
Lucas returned from Colin before Lucy.
He had wanted to follow the merchant caravan and accompany Lucy again, but the situation had changed slightly.
Shan had suddenly started increasing security around Lucy.
‘It seems the mercenary Shan has noticed my presence,’ a report from the knight watching Lucy almost reported a confrontation.
‘Lucy hired Shan as a bodyguard, and he seems to be doing his job. Withdraw for now!’
Lucas didn’t know why Shan had become so alert, but a needless fight could expose the knights he had secretly stationed.
‘He must be a very capable mercenary. Unfortunately, it’s best to return to Cretain immediately.’
Lucas was always followed closely by bodyguards. Hiding in the caravan could risk exposure if Shan, highly perceptive, detected them.
Besides, he had far too many tasks awaiting him. With his assistant Melvin constantly complaining, he had no choice but to return quickly.
Shortly after returning, the Count of Layford personally came to see him.
“I hear you were of great assistance to His Highness in Colin. As a token of gratitude, I would like to invite you to our estate soon. Would that be acceptable?”
Though he had been invited to the Layford estate before, he had always declined.
But now, determined to win Lucy’s favor, he saw no better opportunity and gladly accepted.
On the day of the visit, the Layford estate, rebuilt and expanded after a fire, was larger and neater than before, though it carried a somewhat desolate atmosphere.
‘They said finances worsened after the fire; I see the staff has decreased.’
The once-small staff, already few for a noble household, was now limited to the butler and a handful of servants.
Yet the Layford family greeted Lucas warmly as before, and no one smiled brighter than Lucy.
“Welcome, Your Highness. I am Lucy Layford,” she said elegantly, bowing slightly in a pink dress.
“Hahaha! Let me introduce you properly. This is my niece, Lucy. More precisely, the daughter of my late sister Valencia,” the Count said.
Lucas’s eyes widened slightly at the word “niece.”
“Details can be shared over dinner. Today’s banquet was prepared by Lucy herself, so please enjoy it at your leisure,” the Count added with a hearty laugh, leading Lucas to the dining hall.
“…I still think meeting Lucy must be a blessing from the goddess,” Lucas muttered to himself.
During the meal, he learned the story behind Lucy’s birth and was briefly speechless, then furious at Baron Diallo for not only committing terrible crimes but also abducting Lucy.
“Why… why is that Mutto left unpunished? He must answer for his past deeds…”
The Count shook his head silently.
“I wanted to, but Lucy insisted I not intervene,” he explained, turning to Lucy, who had been quietly listening.
Only then did Lucy look up at Lucas.
“It’s not the right time yet. I will take revenge with my own hands! I will never forgive them!”
Her golden eyes flashed like a beast’s as she spoke, emphasizing “them.”
As dessert was served, Lucy kept glancing at Lucas, as if wanting to say something.
“I hope you enjoyed the banquet. It’s my first time personally hosting guests, so I may have been lacking,” she said shyly.
“It’s been a long time since I had such a delightful meal. It was a perfect banquet in every way,” Lucas replied.
Simply knowing Lucy had prepared it for him made the banquet perfect in his eyes.
A small sigh of relief escaped Lucy, and Lucas couldn’t help but smile at her charm.
As the late banquet ended, Lucas decided to stay the night.
“The estate’s gardens were newly designed after the expansion. It’s a lovely place for a nighttime walk—I want to show you, Lucas!”
Lucy naturally spoke, keeping an eye on his mood.
Her unusually proactive behavior made Lucas’s heart race as he followed her.
But he soon noticed Shan trailing behind and frowned.
“Why is he following us again?”
“Ah… well…”
Lucy turned around, looking flustered.
