Chapter 65

“We’re doomed, Mother. How are we supposed to find all the servants again?”

In the glorious capital of the Rilt Empire, Luden, Eloise walked gracefully, dressed in a sparkling gown adorned with lace and ruffles, as if she had once again become the young lady of a duchy.

Though her dress was lavish enough to overwhelm its wearer, Eloise’s sharp personality always managed to outshine even the grandeur of the dress.

Next to her walked Odelia, no less splendid, moving with the elegance of someone who had once dreamed of being an opera singer. Her steps were light and graceful.

However, unlike Eloise, Odelia seemed completely unconcerned.

“How will they come back? They’ll return on their own, of course.”

“What?”

Eloise furrowed her brow deeply at her mother’s words.

It seemed Odelia had no doubt that the servants would return. But the Brent Duchy had now become the Wiltsbrook Barony, and their residence was a castle in the rugged, remote Grand Cali

The castle, known as Wiltsbrook, was so inaccessible that rumors even claimed Dracula lived there.

Eloise had already made up her mind that she would never set foot in such a place. Since only her brother and his wife would live there, she figured neither she nor her mother needed to go.

Besides, they had recently secured a townhouse in the capital, one that was just as grand as the old Brent residence, and she was quite pleased with it.

“How on earth are we supposed to find each and every one of those servants? Does Louise really think that’s possible?”

Eloise lamented again.

There must have been hundreds of them—cooks and bakers, stablemen, maids, butlers, attendants, and footmen.

There were even people assigned to manage just the wine and jam. How could they track down all those people and persuade them to return?

It was utterly unrealistic.

Eloise decided she would only find three, at most.

At that moment, Odelia spoke.

“Why bother finding them all?”

“What?”

Eloise’s eyes widened again. Her mother wore a genuinely curious expression.

“We just need to meet with the head maid.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Let’s meet the head maid, then stop by the opera house for a show. Isn’t the weather just lovely?”

“…”

Odelia’s face was so full of joy that Eloise was left speechless.

Surely, her mother wasn’t serious about only tracking down one maid? That didn’t seem like any real effort to bring the servants back.

“Won’t Louise be furious?”

“Why would she be? All the servants will come back eventually.”

“…”

Ah.

Her mother really didn’t think this through.

Eloise closed her mouth and followed her mother. Since Odelia had insisted on meeting only one maid, this technically wasn’t Eloise’s fault.

If her sister-in-law got angry, it wouldn’t be Eloise who bore the brunt of it, so it was fine.

Eventually, they arrived at the townhouse of a certain count’s family.

Louise had told them that Jane Moodmore, the former head maid, had started working there.

Odelia approached a young footman just leaving the house and asked, “Is Jane Moodmore working here?”

“Miss Jane? Yes, she is. May I ask why you’re inquiring?”

“Could you deliver this note to her?” Odelia held up the note and a few gold coins. The footman hesitated for a moment, but quickly answered upon seeing the gold.

“Ah, yes. I’ll take care of it right away.”

The footman pocketed the coins and rushed inside the count’s townhouse.

Odelia turned and began walking again.

The note she’d given to Jane contained the name of a dessert shop, where they would meet. It was a place Odelia had long wanted to visit before going to the opera.

Having lived in the north for so long, she hadn’t had the chance to go, but now that they would be staying in the capital, she was quite content.

Before long, Jane arrived at the appointed spot.

She was a head maid in her early forties, young and kind, with exceptional leadership skills and a knack for managing the household. Jane had been perfect for her role at the Brent Duchy.

In addition to her competence, her good nature and intuition had earned her the respect of all the other maids.

“Hello!”

Jane glanced around the dessert shop, and Eloise waved her over.

Eloise was in the middle of devouring a plate of sweet desserts.

Jane approached hesitantly, her eyebrows furrowing as if she’d just seen a ghost.

“Your Grace, Lady Eloise.”

Jane’s eyes widened in disbelief as she made her way over, and Eloise greeted her.

“It’s been a while. Please, sit.”

As Jane nervously pulled out a chair and sat down, Odelia, who had been savoring her tea, finally set her cup down.

Jane couldn’t even catch her breath before speaking quickly.

“How have you been? I was so shocked, I couldn’t help but run over here as soon as I got the note.”

“Thanks for coming. We’ve been waiting for a while,” Eloise replied, pushing the plate of beautifully arranged desserts toward her.

“Would you like some?”

Just then, a server placed a teacup in front of Jane before retreating again.

But Jane wasn’t in the mood to eat.

“I heard rumors that the Brent family has regained their noble status.”

“Already? That’s fast,” Odelia said, arching an elegant eyebrow in surprise.

“Yes. I have a friend who works in the Imperial Palace. She keeps me updated on important news. I’m so glad to hear you’re all safe. I was worried for so long.”

“I thought we’d die soon too.”

“It’s good to see you alive,” Eloise and Odelia said, one after the other. Odelia took another sip of tea before continuing.

“Louise tells me you’re the only one she can trust.”

“Pardon?”

Jane’s eyes widened at Odelia’s words.

Even Eloise was taken aback. Was her mother really jumping straight to the point?

“When we left the ducal estate, if it hadn’t been for the food you packed for us, we would’ve starved to death. Louise wanted me to tell you that it was thanks to you that we survived.”

“Oh… Your Grace…”

Jane’s eyes welled up with tears.

“As expected, Your Grace hasn’t forgotten about us.”

Odelia remained silent, pretending not to hear as she gracefully sipped her tea, her expression as calm as ever.

The sentimentality that Jane was showing made Odelia feel a bit out of place. She had relayed Louise’s words as instructed, but she couldn’t understand how this would actually help them win back their servants.

Feeling a sudden urge to change the atmosphere, Odelia quickly shifted the conversation.
“So, how much longer is your contract with the count’s family?”

“Pardon?”

“To be honest, I’m not one for trust and sentiment like Louise is. But…”

“…?”

“If you rejoin our household, I’ll pay you five times what you’re currently earning.”

“…!”

* * *

I wondered how my mother-in-law and sister-in-law were faring as I prepared to leave our new townhouse.

It had been three days since our visit to the Imperial Palace.

Like other nobles, we had secured a separate residence in the capital.

As for Alec…

“I’ll stay at Wiltsbrook Castle alone for a few days to sort things out. Please remain in the capital until I finish everything.”

…he had already gone to the castle.

As I dressed in my outdoor attire, I recalled his words.

“Could the castle really be as decent as he said? I wonder what it looks like…”

After Alec had gone to Wiltsbrook Castle, I’d taken a solo ride through the northern regions.

Of course, I hadn’t dared venture as far as the castle itself.

Instead, I explored Kanak, the most populated area in Grand Cali.

Perhaps this was the place where we would truly begin anew?

It was a snow-covered, unfamiliar, and daunting place, but I couldn’t help feeling a sense of cautious hope.

There was no point in being disheartened by this bleak situation—it wouldn’t solve anything.

One way or another, we had to make the north ours.

The key to taming the north was winning over the hearts of its people.

If they trusted their lord, paid their taxes, and became loyal, everything else would fall into place.

“When will Alec return? Hopefully, it won’t take too long.”

As I glanced at myself in the mirror one last time before leaving, I found my eyes lingering on my lips.

I could still feel the warmth there, as if they were tingling from the memory.

My lips didn’t feel like my own.

When I lightly touched them, memories flooded back—of kisses, dances, and Alec’s remarkable abilities, which surpassed even the extraordinary.

Alec was still Alec, yet…

Was the flutter in my chest due to unfamiliarity? Or excitement?

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories