“But my lady, it is unheard of for a lord to report to a retainer. Wouldn’t that diminish the prestige of the Keppel family?”

“The mayor is a servant of His Majesty, not a retainer of the Bailey family or the Keppel family. He’s simply someone we need to cooperate with.”

“I see. I misspoke.”

Vanon, with a look of sudden realization, bowed his head respectfully.

Feeling embarrassed by his overly formal reaction, I buried my face in the documents. It wasn’t as though I had said anything profound from a political standpoint. I’m just the acting lord, not the actual lord, so it was an easy decision for me since it wouldn’t diminish Ian’s authority.

Ian, concerned with appearances, couldn’t make such a choice, but I’m different. By supporting my busy husband, I can also maintain the image of a cooperative and kind lady with the retainers, all while easily turning the mayor into a puppet.

From now on, all decisions will go through me, and the mayor will only be notified afterward. The mayor, concerned with his own reputation, won’t be able to object, and even if he does, the emperor will likely support me. Probably?

“In any case, let’s leave it at that. How are the preparations for the party coming along?”

“The ingredients have been arranged with the merchants, and there’s plenty of wine leftover from the absence of recent parties, so no issues there. However…”

Vanon’s voice trailed off, prompting me to put down the documents I was reading and look at him curiously. It was rare for Vanon to hesitate over something, so I tried to put on a gentle smile.

“Is there a problem?”

“…”

“Feel free to speak, Vanon.”

“It’s nothing like that… I was just wondering what you plan to do about the New Year’s Ball.”

Ah.

“I apologize.”

There was the New Year’s Ball. Less than a month away now. It’s the ball that every noble in the empire must attend and it’s the one where I saved Ian and collapsed. The memory of that pain made me press my hand to my chest.

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for, Vanon. As the butler, it’s a question you have to ask. And… we should attend the New Year’s Ball, shouldn’t we?”

Ian would probably say I didn’t need to attend. Officially, I’m still recovering. But rumors have been creeping closer to the truth.

Quite a few people stayed behind the stage after the concert in the square, and many saw Ian holding onto me. That’s why rumors are already circulating that the missing Duchess is the woman with the red lips, and invitations have been piling up at the mansion like a mountain.

Normally, even if you decline an invitation, it’s polite to send a reply. But since I was away, I couldn’t respond, which made people certain that I had disappeared. The invitations, which had stopped coming, started piling up again, meaning the nobles suspected I had returned.

I’ve been delaying responses to all those invitations because I’m not yet ready to face people. But if I stay at home, who knows what new rumors will start? Maybe this time, people will say Ian didn’t just lock me up but actually killed me. Some guests at the Red Pub were already speculating that the Duke might have killed the Duchess and was just putting on a show.

“My lady, the master will certainly say you don’t need to attend. Considering the recent incident, His Majesty would surely understand.”

Vanon looked at me with pity. The reason all nobles must attend the New Year’s Ball is that the invitations come in the name of the emperor. Refusing an invitation from the emperor without a significant reason is a grave act of disloyalty. Cade wouldn’t blame me, but if I skip the New Year’s Ball and continue to act normally otherwise, it would damage the emperor’s prestige.

“I’m not planning to be in seclusion forever, so I can’t undermine His Majesty’s dignity. Even if His Majesty says it’s okay, it would still be a problem. If rumors spread that the Imperial Family favors one particular house, there will be discontent.”

But I really don’t want to go. I ran my fingers through my shortened hair. I heard a clearing of the throat and looked up to see Vanon hesitating, even breaking into a sweat as he tried to say something. I forced a smile to put him at ease and I spoke slowly.

“Vanon, please speak freely. You’re making me uncomfortable when you act like this. You must already know I’m much more at ease with you than before.”

“…My lady, I…”

Vanon wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, took a deep breath, and said,

“Should I summon a wig maker…?”

Vanon closed his eyes tightly, as if he couldn’t bear to finish the sentence. I see. I guess my short hair was quite shocking. I took the hand of the poor, sweating old man and led him to the sofa, pouring him some cold tea.

“Yes, we should. If I go out with this hair, it’s going to cause quite a stir.”

Despite my smile, Vanon didn’t laugh. He spoke with a resolute expression, as if he had made up his mind.

“Actually, I suggested to the master that we should restore your hair. The master said to do so if you wanted, but it seems he didn’t ask you directly… so I’m asking you myself.”

I had a bad feeling.

“My lady. If you command it, I will retrieve your hair for you.”

“Vanon…”

As expected, I was put in a difficult position by Vanon, who knelt before me. He spoke with a determined voice.

“Please tell me where it is, and I will go in utmost secrecy. Even if you don’t remember exactly, just give me a rough idea. Just tell me the location.”

“Vanon, please stand up.”

I felt extremely uncomfortable seeing an elderly man, one who had loyally served the Keppel family for so long, kneeling before me. Even when Ian knelt before me, I didn’t feel this uncomfortable.

“Please don’t do this. Why should you go through such trouble for something as trivial as hair? We can just call a wig maker and have one made in a similar color.”

“How can you call your hair trivial? It’s something you’ve cared for your entire life! I may be old and not understand a woman’s heart fully, but I do know that a woman’s hair is her pride. I can’t fully comprehend how you must have felt when you cut it off, but…”

“Vanon, are you crying?”

Oh no, don’t cry! I was so taken aback that I began to panic. What do I do? What do I do?

“I will retrieve it for you, I promise. So please, just tell me. I will protect your pride and your secret with my life, so don’t worry and…!”

“No! No, it’s not about pride or a secret, so please don’t risk your life!”

Vanon’s resolve was so intense that I had to shout in desperation. I couldn’t even wipe away the tears streaming down his face like a child, and asking him to stand up was useless. In my panic, I started babbling.

“You see, having short hair is actually really convenient. It’s not heavy, it’s cool, and it’s easy to manage…”

“My lady, I know that you gave Miss Isabella a pension in exchange for that magic necklace. That day, you went out without wearing even a light piece of jewelry. I understand your intention not to take anything from the Keppel family. I am the one who has watched over you in this household for the longest time!”

His words hit home, leaving me speechless. Vanon continued as if he might cough up blood.

“I know that you haven’t been able to feel at home in this family. But paradoxically, you are the most affectionate person I have ever known. So I believed that, with time, you would come to think of this place as your home, just like the great lady before you.”

I sat down in front of Vanon, who was sobbing.

“Unaware of the passing time…”

The elderly butler, who had always stood so tall, now trembled pitifully.

Unable to find words of comfort, I could only wait for his sobs to subside. Suddenly, I noticed the feet of other servants peeking through the slightly open door of the study. In the past, I would have been fearful of what stories those who overheard me might spread. But now, for some reason, I wanted to see their faces.

I looked up and spotted Mrs. Merloy, the housekeeper, who was looking in this direction with red-rimmed eyes. She had always seemed strict and overly stern, yet now she was stubbornly holding back tears. Behind her, two maids, who took care of my bedroom, were dabbing at their eyes with their aprons. There was so much I hadn’t seen all this time.

They were always respectful, never showing a hint of disdain, even though I was just a country-bred lady. I used to think that employees of a noble house were just on another level of perfection. I had constantly resolved to become a perfect mistress who could meet their standards. I could have lived more comfortably. If I had, maybe Vanon wouldn’t be crying like this.

“Mrs. Merloy. Could you please help Vanon up?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Though Vanon wavered for a moment, he quickly straightened up, standing tall like the butler of the Keppel family, and said,

“I have shown you an unseemly display.”

“No, Vanon. And…”

I said with an awkward smile.

“Thank you.”

Was it just my imagination, or did Vanon’s expressionless face look as if he was trying to hide his embarrassment? No, judging by his eyes, I wasn’t mistaken. Despite the situation, I couldn’t help but feel a bit amused. Suddenly, I felt as though I could understand everything, and that everything would turn out alright. So… I decided to voice a thought that I had been putting off.

“Vanon, come to think of it, I don’t think we need to call a wig maker.”

“…What?”

“I like my current hairstyle.”

“…”

“So there’s no need to retrieve my hair or call a wig maker.”

Vanon looked at me with worried eyes, but I grinned at the maids.

“What do you think? Doesn’t it look good?”

The two maids clasped their hands together and gushed.

“You’re beautiful, my lady.”

“Yes, you’re so lovely.”

To my surprise, even Mrs. Merloy nodded in agreement.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories