Chapter 65

65. Circumstances in the South

“Are you tired? You’ve been through a lot.”

Adelaide soaked in the bath as soon as she returned to the mansion. Her muscles were tight and sore from the strain of the day.

“Let me massage you.”

“No, don’t touch it. It hurts.”

Zatia withdrew her hand from her shoulder. Adelaide leaned her head back against the tub. Margaret rubbed her body with a soft towel and frowned.

“I thought you were going to the party, but you got into a fight?”

“That’s a pretty way of saying it.”

“Then what did you do to get so badly bruised?”

“There was an incident.”

Adelaide fumbled for an answer.

“He didn’t make this…… by any chance, did he?”

Adelaide opened her eyes softly. A worried gaze met hers.

The ‘he’ Margaret was referring to must be Elkius.

Elkius had never been particularly violent with her, but Margaret had always felt uneasy about Adelaide being with him.

‘Her eyes see more than mine do.’

Adelaide shook her head with a thin smile.

“By the way, Margaret, do you remember the white handkerchief I entrusted to you years ago?”

“The men’s handkerchief you told me to wash and put away because it was borrowed?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“I must have put it in the handkerchief drawer…… I’ll look for it.”

“When you find it, bring it to me.”

“Yes.”

She might not find it since it was so long ago. Thinking so, Adelaide leaned back in the bathtub.

“Shall I add more oil?”

“No, I just want to rest quietly, so go wait outside. I’ll call you if I need you.”

“Okay.”

Margaret poured hot water into the tub and left the bathroom. Adelaide closed her eyes.

There was much to think about.

The Marquis of Flanders would be expelled from the Imperial Council now that the Duke of Howard had stepped forward. Elkius would have to find someone to take his place, and if so, who would that be…….

‘Most likely, Cardinal Orland.’

Cardinal Orland is a much easier target than the Marquise of Flanders.

She smiled as she remembered the consecration of Regalia. She eagerly awaited the outcome of the next meeting of the Imperial Council.

‘We’ll have to cultivate relationships with the southern nobility. ‘

The South was easy to win over once you won the heart of the Hayward Changeling.

‘I think we should start with Lady Roella.’

Adelaide sighs as she ticks off her to-do list. Her hair was fuzzy from soaking in the hot water for so long.

Gingerly, she opened her eyes and lifted herself out of the tub. Her legs wobbled as if she had tried too hard. She rang the bell to summon the maids, and the bathroom door opened as if waiting.

“Have you finished bathing?”

“……Ahh!”

Adelaide covered herself and jumped into the tub. Callion grunted and unfolded the towel he’d brought with him.

“Are you not done yet?”

“I-I’ve finished. C-can you give me the towel?”

“Come out when you’re done and I’ll dry you off.”

Callion smiled shamelessly. Adelaide shook her head, blushing bright red.

“Oh, no.”

“What are you ashamed of, my dear?”

“Come out,” he urged, and she scrambled to her feet, a large towel draped over her body. Callion picked her up and carried her out of the bathroom.

“Put me down, Your Grace!”

“Hold still before I drop you.”

Adelaide stopped struggling, knowing why he was doing this.

He was like this on the day she met Elkius and on the day of the memorial service.

If it was a day when she met Elkius, Callion was always like this.

She didn’t hate his jealousy and obsession, even though Callion knew Elkius wasn’t the one she desired.

Adelaide, who had been hesitating, cautiously leaned her head against Callion’s chest.

He, too, emitted a sweet fragrance.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

A few days later, Adelaide sent an invitation to Roella Changeling. Her reply arrived in half a day. She was happy to accept the invitation, so Adelaide gave the garden a makeover.

“Jensen, make sure there are no leaves or stones on the ground and lay out the carpets.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“Margaret, since the weather is nice, prepare the refreshments in the pavilion.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Having completed her preparations, Adelaide left in time for the carriage to arrive. The carriage carrying Roella Changeling was pulled into the mansion.

“Welcome, Lady Roella.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Your Grace.”

Roella returned the greeting, her face brightening. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of a spacious, beautiful mansion after being confined to the estate.

“Thank you for coming; let’s go inside and talk.”

Adelaide took her hand and they slowly made their way to the pavilion, where a fountain spouted cool water in the centre of a flowering garden. Roella swooned at the picturesque scene.

“My God, it’s so pretty,” she said.

“I thought we could enjoy the flowers together here. Is that alright with you?”

“Of course.”

Roella replied, unable to take her eyes off the flowers. As they sat down, Margaret brought out sweet desserts and tea.

“Please enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

Roella politely took the tea, the flavours of the petals floating in the air. She savoured the flavour, listening to the sound of water from the fountain.

“I felt bad for leaving without even saying goodbye that day.”

Adelaide, dressed in long sleeves, deliberately lifted her hand to show the bruises.

“No, I’m sure you were in a hurry.”

“Did you hear any gossip after I left in such a hurry?”

“People were talking behind your back, which was quite odd considering you were the victim.”

Roella shook her head.

“How could a man called the Marquis do such a rogue thing? You don’t know how angry my father was too. He said that if he had done something like that to me, he would have killed him on the spot… … oh.”

Roella covered her mouth, thinking she had said too much.

“It’s okay.”

“He was permanently dismissed from the Council. He won’t be able to do such things again.”

“Ah.”

So the Marquis of Flanders has been kicked out of the Imperial Council.

Callion must have missed the news because he’s on probation at the manor.

It was good news to receive while he was holed up in the mansion, pretending to be on a ten-day vacation to avoid suspicion.

Adelaide smiled wryly and changed the subject.

“Oh, I saw you talking with a gentleman for a long time at the party. Is he your lover?”

“What? No! He’s not!”

Roella exclaimed, throwing up her hands.

“He looked so affectionate towards you, so I misunderstood. What family does he belong to?”

“He is the eldest son of the Count of Owens, whom I met by chance when I stopped by the temple…….”

Count Owens?

Adelaide’s brow furrowed slightly.

“I beg your pardon, but isn’t Count Owens…”

“He’s different from Count Owens!”

Roella interrupted, knowing the rumours about Count Owens.

“He’s kind and gentle. He even thought about proposing, but I discouraged him…”

Roella, who had been rambling on excitedly, trailed off.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude…….”

“It’s okay.”

Adelaide assured her that it didn’t matter. Then she scooped up a piece of cake and popped it into her mouth. Roella picked up her fork. She had been holding back her appetite out of politeness.

“I’ve met the Countess of Owens a few times, but I haven’t had a chance to say hello to his son, so I don’t know him very well. Perhaps Lady Roella can introduce us next time.”

“Of course.”

Roella, now meeker, sat down and devoured the entire cake. Adelaide summoned a maid to bring more cake.

“I’m full,” she said.

“Don’t be shy, eat more. If you need more tea or cake, just let me know.”

“My father told me not to be a burden and to behave quietly…”

The way she bit her lip and mumbled was cute. She pretended to be nervous, but she couldn’t hide the spunk of an eighteen-year-old girl.

“Okay, I’ll keep it a secret.”

Roella smiled wryly at Adelaide’s reply. When the maid brought a new cake, Roella picked up her fork again, this time with a cold bite.

“I’ve never had such a delicious cake before.”

“I’ll pack some for you to take home when you leave.”

“No, I can’t. My father will scold me.”

“You can just tell him that you brought it because you wanted him to taste it.”

“Wow, you’re so clever, Lady Adelaide.”

Such innocence in her demeanor. Adelaide smiled at the pure innocence that couldn’t be found in the nobles of the capital. After sipping her tea, Adelaide asked.

“Are you planning to stay in the capital for a while, Lady Roella?”

“Yes. My father said he would not come down until he had settled the affairs of the estate, so I think I will stay here as well.”

“What’s going on with the Changeling estate?”

“Actually…….”

Roella said with a heavy sigh.

“There’s been a severe drought in the south since last year, and the Slani River has completely dried up.”

“The Slani River dried up?”

“Yes. So they’ve been borrowing water from neighbouring estates, but this year that’s not an option. There’s also a shortage of food, so my father said he’s been going around asking for help.”

The Slani River is the only source of water in the south. It’s so small that it’s more of a creek than a river, but even that is precious in the desert south.

“Viscount Valyev’s territory was particularly hard hit, and there were many deaths.”

“Viscount Valyev’s territory has groundwater…….”

“What?”

Adelaide’s mouth dropped open as Roella repeated the question with a puzzled look on her face.

As she recalled, the source of the Slani River was in Viscount Valyev’s territory. She had heard that the entire south had rejoiced, as the water was enough to quench the thirst of all the drought-stricken southerners.

Had they not yet discovered the water source?

If so, it’s a golden opportunity for Callion.

“No, I was mistaken. I imagine Lord Changeling is deeply worried.”

“Yes. He said he’d appeal to His Majesty, but things aren’t going well.”

“I’ll see if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“Thank you, Lady Adelaide.”

Adelaide’s eyes softened.