Episode 138 Wait (1)
“Nothing in particular. I plan to return to the territory as soon as the work is finished.”
Originally, I came to the capital to sell cosmetics and to establish a relationship with the Marquis.
Now that the purpose has been achieved, there is no need for anything more.
I was planning to return as soon as the schedule for rescuing the slaves and relocating the people of the territory was set.
But the Marquis of Branford seemed to have other ideas.
“Good. I will hold a banquet soon. The fastest way to get to know the nobles and become friendly with them is to attend a gathering. It would be good to attend a gathering of influential nobles with Rosaline.”
“Thank you for your concern. But you don’t have to.”
As for connections, the Marquis of Branford and Meriel are enough.
Since I’ve already achieved my goal, what’s the point of meeting another noble? It’s just annoying and a waste of time.
But the Marquis of Branford ignored Giselle’s refusal and continued speaking leisurely.
“Now that I have become your guardian, it is polite to greet the nobles of the same faction. That way, they will help you in the future. It will also be helpful to get to know the nobles of other factions.”
Jiselle snorted inwardly.
‘Well, who in this kingdom knows more about the nobles than I do?’
Although I didn’t know their faces well, I knew most of the information about the nobles who were doing well.
So, I never felt the need to become friendly with other nobles.
“It’s okay. I’m just at the mansion… … .”
“Attend.”
Giselle pouted her lips in displeasure at the Marquis of Branford’s coercive orders.
If it comes to this, I have no choice but to attend.
‘Oh, this is really annoying… … .’
Jiselle grumbled inwardly and changed her mind.
Doing this means that you really intend to push it forward.
Since good things are good things, if you’re going to be going around anyway, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to look around here and there to see if there’s anything to salvage.
As the capital of the kingdom, Cardenia is more developed than other territories.
You might get some inspiration on whether there’s anything applicable to the Fenris Estate, or if there are any shortcomings in what you’re planning to bring in.
“Okay. Then… I’ll rest for a while and then go.”
“I will send someone as soon as I am ready. Just wait quietly without causing any trouble.”
Now, the Marquis of Branford also seemed to have a vague idea of what kind of person Giselle was.
If you look at it, it says to stay still and not cause any accidents.
* * *
A few days later, a grand banquet was held at the Marquis of Branford’s residence.
Since it was a public banquet open to everyone, a huge number of nobles flocked to it.
The nobles who arrived first chatted with each other and waited for the banquet to begin.
In particular, the noble ladies who were close to Rosaline were all busy talking about her.
“Did you hear the news? Rosalind’s illness is completely cured.”
“I heard it too, but isn’t it just a rumor? If you were better, you would have attended the meeting a long time ago, so why haven’t you shown up yet?”
The news that Rosaline had recovered from her illness had already spread throughout the capital.
However, since the person in question did not appear at any official events, it was impossible to confirm the truth of the rumor.
The ladies’ conversation moved from Rosaline to Giselle.
“They say that her skin disease was cured by using Baron Fenris’ cosmetics.”
“Hey, does that make sense? How can cosmetics cure something that priests and doctors couldn’t cure?”
“But those cosmetics are effective, right?”
As soon as Rosalind’s treatment was completed, the siege on the Crow Mansion was lifted and cosmetics sales resumed.
Sales were still good, but no one who bought the cosmetics thought it could cure their illness.
Because cosmetics are so popular, rumors just spread as a curiosity.
“Isn’t today’s banquet also because of Baron Fenris?”
“That’s right, the Marquis of Branford has agreed to be your guardian.”
“Isn’t that just a rumor?”
The nobles were all half in doubt and went on and on about the rumors.
What’s wrong with the Marquis of Branford that he would become the guardian of such a country bumpkin?
However, it was difficult to dismiss it as a lie since it came from the mouths of nobles close to the Marquis and the prince.
Most of those who attended the banquet were anxious to see for themselves the rumors about Giselle and Rosalind.
“Your Majesty the Marquis of Branford!”
The attendant guarding the entrance to the banquet hall shouted loudly. Everyone bowed their heads and paid respect.
The Marquis of Branford entered the banquet hall, drawing everyone’s attention, and took his seat at the head of the table.
Soon several nobles approached to greet him.
The Marquis of Branford rarely attends banquets or gatherings.
As a result, there were countless nobles who did not want to miss this opportunity to get their eyes stamped.
“Your Majesty, this is my sincerity.”
“It is rumored to be rare in the western region… … .”
The nobles vied with each other to present the gifts they had brought.
But the Marquis of Branford did not pay the slightest attention to the gift and simply nodded.
“Thank you.”
The response was just this one word. Still, everyone was happy to have their face painted.
On one side, gifts were piled up like crazy. The value of the gifts alone would be enough to cover several years of the budget of a decent estate.
As the tiresomely long barrage of gifts began to die down, the attendant at the entrance called out Giselle’s name loudly.
“Baron Fenris, here you go!”
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People’s eyes instantly turned to the entrance. It was just as the Marquis of Branford had intended.
Although it was a bit against convention, the title of the highest authority in the kingdom was not something that could be shaken by such petty accusations.
Kuung!
The door opened and Giselle entered the banquet hall.
The Marquis of Branford raised the corners of his mouth when he saw Giselle’s face.
An expression that makes anyone who sees it uncomfortable.
It wasn’t an expression of fear or nervousness, but rather an expression that clearly showed that he was very annoyed and dissatisfied with the current situation.
Moreover, even though the eyes of numerous nobles were focused on him, his attitude was not at all intimidated.
‘He really is an interesting guy.’
Unlike the happy Marquis of Branford, Giselle was struggling to contain her annoyance and irritation.
‘Oh, when will this end?’
He doesn’t mind having attention focused on him, but only when he wants it.
It was not to my liking to be dragged into a situation like this, where I had to be forced to be polite among the nobles.
As Giselle approached the Marquis of Branford, the Marquis stood up and looked around at everyone.
“As some of you may have heard before, I, the Marquis, have agreed to become Baron Fenris’ guardian. From now on, whenever you see him, treat him as you would treat me.”
It was just a request in words, but in reality it was more like an order.
Here and there in the banquet hall, nobles were murmuring among themselves.
“The rumors were indeed true.”
“Even though he is the successor to the Ferdium throne… … isn’t that territory a useless place?”
“You’re so young. What does someone so young know how to do?”
Baron Fenris may have become somewhat famous for his cosmetics, but otherwise he is nothing more than a merchant.
He lacked the fundamentals to associate with the Marquis of Branford.
Even some of the nobles from the pro-Prince faction, which was the same faction as the Marquis, shook their heads.
“At a time like this, when time is of the essence, you are pushing someone like that. Isn’t he no better than the Earl of Brivant?”
“I’m sure the Marquis of Branford has some thoughts.”
“I guess I had no choice but to grant your request because you treated my daughter… … .”
They looked at Giselle with white eyes and clicked their tongues.
Because of that one guy, the plan led by the royal family and the prince’s faction was completely ruined.
Let’s abandon the Brivant domain and support the far inferior Ferdium.
In the end, the decision was made according to the will of the Marquis of Branford, who had pushed through to the end, but there was still much talk behind the scenes.
In other words, the Marquis of Branford ended up bearing the political burden because of Giselle.
“The same goes for guardianship. If you’re going to push someone, how many children from good families are there?”
“I can’t understand it at all. The favor is too much for the bowl.”
“Oh, I said let’s just watch?”
Because of this incident, there were frequent instances of the pro-Prince nobles blushing among themselves.
So, those who disliked Jiselle had no choice but to continue to seethe with anger.
The Marquis of Branford continued speaking, heedless of the commotion among the people.
“Oh, and my daughter Rosaline has recovered from her illness thanks to Baron Fenris. This is also a banquet to celebrate my daughter Rosaline’s recovery, so I hope you all enjoy it.”
At those words, the banquet hall door opened. The attendant belatedly shouted out loud.
“Young Lady Rosalind Branford!”
Rosalind slowly entered the banquet hall.
People’s attention turned to her in an instant. Everyone seemed to be curious as to whether Rosalind had really recovered from her illness.
As she walked, exclamations of admiration erupted from those who were observing Rosalind’s face up close.
“Oh!”
“Really! I’m really all better!”
“It’s the same as before! No, my skin looks even better.”
People were busy getting excited.
It is said that this cosmetic product is so excellent that it can cure skin diseases that even priests and doctors have given up on!
“Huh, you’re saying that a single cosmetic is better than a priest? I can’t believe it.”
“I don’t know about anything else, but it’s clear that Baron Fenris excels at that one skill.”
“It’s a legend! That cosmetic will become a legend!”
The crowd cheered even louder as Rosalind raised her chin proudly.
Meriel, who was with the ladies, had a bright face and clasped her hands together.
‘That’s really good. The Marquis of Branford is really mean. What good would it do if you showed him a little bit in advance?’
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad, but I was more excited to be able to interact with Rosalind again.
Rosalind bowed her head slightly and greeted everyone.
My face turned red with excitement.
‘I never thought a day like this would come again… … .’
How I have dreamed of standing before everyone like this again.
Rosalind turned her head and looked at Giselle, who was looking up from below.
The person who gave me back the joy I had given up after being forced to live in hiding in the dark.
If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be standing here now.
Giselle smiled playfully and shrugged her shoulders as her eyes met Rosaline’s.
As Rosaline finished her greetings, the Marquis of Branford announced the start of the banquet.
“Then, everyone enjoy the banquet.”
Soon the orchestra began to play, but no one moved. Everyone was just looking at Giselle.
The only thing that resonated through the banquet hall was the sound of music, not even a cough.
The reason was simple: the high-ranking nobles were not making any moves.
The nobles of lower rank than them didn’t know what to do and just stood back and watched.
Although it was clearly supposed to be a fun banquet, tension was palpable everywhere.
