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Chapter 68
And Carte wrote a letter to Kiera as well. Kiera clutched the letter, trembling all over.
“That senile old fool…!”
Rage hissed through Kiera’s clenched teeth.
Apparently, Tyburn had declared that he would hand the family over to a Sword Master. If Kiera had been there, she would have said something—anything—but Carte didn’t have the guts for that.
If Heder awakened as a Sword Master and Carte didn’t, that massive ducal house would fall into the hands of that cursed maid’s son.
“That filthy half-breed brat…!”
Damn Amy!
The traces that woman left were still clinging to Kiera like shackles.
“Could it be that wretched spirit still haunts us?”
Kiera shuddered, brushing off her shoulders as if to shake something away. She glanced around, then shot to her feet.
She would have to visit the temple and see High Priest David for a blessing.
And… I need to look for that drug.
Back when she realized Carte would never show any talent for the sword, Kiera had searched for every possible solution.
They said there’s a drug on the black market that can boost physical abilities and make someone into a Sword Master.
It cost an obscene amount and came with severe side effects, which was why she had hesitated until now—but the situation had changed.
Losing everything without a fight was far worse.
Of course, there was another option: eliminating Heder. For now, he was under Tyburn’s protection within the ducal estate, but that wouldn’t last forever.
And Kiera knew exactly who to call for a job like that.
Let him die at the hands of the same people who killed his mother.
Kiera began making plans to go out, leaving the room with determined steps.
* * *
Tyburn summoned me and Lady Luella together. Me and Lady Luella, of all combinations. I had no idea what this was about.
“Lani. And Luella.”
“Yes, Lord Tyburn!”
“What is it you wish to say?”
“The Imperial Court is making an annoying demand.”
Tyburn dropped the luxurious stationery he’d been holding with a sharp flick.
The page was adorned with intricate golden patterns, clearly from the Imperial Palace.
“They’re telling me to either attend the victory banquet they’re hosting and play court jester, or hold my own victory banquet.”
Tyburn spoke like a man plagued by headaches. Well, he never seemed like the type who would enjoy such things.
“The banquet the Imperial Court is proposing will last for a whole week.”
Tyburn clenched his fist and lightly slammed it against the desk.
“This is blackmail! They’re forcing me to hold a banquet!”
The aide standing beside him disagreed.
“I don’t believe that’s the case, Lord Tyburn. It seems to me they’re trying to show respect for you.”
“Nonsense! This is a threat! You know how much I despise those suffocating formal outfits! A whole week?!”
So, basically, he was throwing a tantrum because he didn’t want to go.
Still, this was the Katieron Ducal House. No servant could refuse what they decided—not unless they were spouting nonsense like Kiera.
Tyburn scratched his chin awkwardly.
“Anyway, Luella, Lani—we’ll have to hold the banquet here in our estate. There’s no way I’m being dragged around for a week, you understand? Of course, I know you’re both busy relocating the garden, but this just became urgent.”
“…This will take a lot of time.”
Lady Luella’s expression turned grave. Understandable. We didn’t have enough staff to host a banquet immediately—and the ballroom had been abandoned for years.
Not only did it need a deep cleaning, but also food preparation, decorations, garden restoration… The list of things to fix was endless. Even if Tyburn handled the invitations, one mistake could tarnish Katieron’s prestige.
“The Emperor says the banquet must be held within this week.”
Tyburn pointed to a line in the letter.
What? That’s insane!
That sounded more like an order to just attend the Imperial banquet instead!
Lady Luella went pale. The only one smiling in this situation was Tyburn.
“I… I can’t…”
Lady Luella staggered, her eyes clouded with confusion.
At that moment, Tyburn’s gaze turned to me—expectant. I puffed my cheeks out, giving him a sulky look.
Honestly, it wasn’t impossible. I had more than a few skills up my sleeve. And sure enough, my status window practically burst into fanfare as new skills were announced:
[>>> Banquet Master Lv. 1 <<<] [>>> God of Interior Design Lv. 1 <<<]
“Lani?”
When I didn’t respond, Tyburn called me again in a coaxing tone. But what kind of look was that? What did he take me for?
“What will you give me in return? I was taught to always confirm the price before making a deal.”
“Oh-ho. Well taught indeed.”
“Of course! I’m eighteen now!”
Tyburn stroked his chin with a pleased smile.
“Rest assured, I’ve always believed I owed you a great debt. Don’t worry, Lani. I’ve prepared a reward worthy of you—something you’ll never regret. Something priceless.”
Whatever it was, if Tyburn was this confident, it had to be incredible. Honestly, I already knew the level of his rewards was extraordinary.
I nodded.
“All right!”
“L-Lani! That’s no easy task. This isn’t farm work, you know. Sure, you have remarkable talent for agriculture and impressive strength, but this is something entirely different.”
Lady Luella shook her head, convinced it was impossible.
“Don’t worry—just leave it to Lani. All you need to do is provide any support she asks for.”
Tyburn declared his unwavering support for me, and I shrugged, feeling a little smug.
* * *
“All right, everyone, listen up!”
I gathered all the remaining staff in the estate. When the gates opened, I thought many would leave—but most stayed. Only three footmen and Dania left. We still had three maids, plus Lady Luella herself.
They’d be the ones continuing to tend the herb garden in the Forbidden Forest. In other words, this was our elite team.
All of them were already registered as my assistants.
I asked Lady Luella to recruit more staff—people who could start working in the estate within three days.
“We need to move the garden as fast as possible.”
“The garden?”
“We have to finish it today.”
“Oh, well, if it’s you and Dania, that shouldn’t take long!”
Dania lowered her head shyly.
“That’s Dania’s job. Meanwhile, we have five days to completely transform this estate. Lord Tyburn’s victory banquet will be held here!”
“What? That’s insane!”
The servants’ faces twisted in shock. Clearly, they all thought it was impossible.
All right, time to assign roles efficiently.
We had three maids left: one would handle cleaning, another laundry, and the last sewing. They’d repair the worn-out fabrics and refurbish all the rooms.
The three remaining footmen would take care of repairs, garden design, and interior work.
Thankfully, after years of living together, we had built enough rapport that I could transfer my skills to them easily.
I’d oversee everything.
Kind of like a commander. Call me Maestro Lani.
“…Somehow, I feel like we can really do this.”
Damn right.
I nodded confidently. Of course we could—my skills made anything possible.
“You’re really strange, you know. Lani, it’s a little late to ask, but what exactly are you?”
“Just a maid. A perfectly ordinary maid!”
They all shook their heads, unconvinced. Still, as they dispersed to their assigned tasks, moving in perfect order, I couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.
