Chapter 42

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 42

Chapter Title: The Returning Hero

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Esther Portoni stepped back behind the nobles who had suddenly gathered. Beyond the window as it receded, the figures of the two people who had already vanished flickered before her eyes.

Among them, what captured Esther's gaze was the man with a haggard look.

Familiar blue hair, a new and unfamiliar scar, yet still a refined face.

"...Lord Enoch."

The man she had thought was dead had survived and returned as a war hero.

She had assumed the man—who was said to have married the continent's top catch and risen to heights beyond her reach—looked far from well, contrary to the rosy rumors swirling around the capital.

"Were the stories about their happy marriage just idle gossip?"

Esther's mind flashed to a collateral relative of the Aratus family who had approached her not long ago.

Dache Baron, was it?

-Do you have no intention of starting over with the family head?

-Honestly, why else would the family head leave his wife alone? He's still hung up on her.

-This time, we'll do everything we can to support you. Who knows? You might go beyond being his lover and actually become the marchioness for real.

Back then, she'd dismissed it as nonsense.

But after seeing Marquis Aratus just moments ago, a tiny spark of courage began to well up in Esther's heart.

"It's shameless, but maybe he's been waiting for me too."

Nobles were a breed that kept marriage and romance separate, after all.

She didn't like joining hands again with those who had tried to harm Enoch in the process.

"Once it's done, I can just discard them."

Esther murmured coldly, unfolding her fan.

"Pardon? Lady Esther, what did you say?"

"Nothing at all, my lady."

This seemed like a good chance to reveal that her kin had orchestrated those past events and beg his forgiveness.

"I'll send word to Dache Baron as soon as I get back to the estate."

Esther gazed at the beautifully adorned antique mansion and flashed a radiant smile.

It felt like a dream that she might become the true mistress of such a prestigious house with a splendid estate in the capital.

After the first tea party, Agatha held a casual salon at the Aratus mansion.

She held an auction to acquire paintings, sculptures, and wines needed for the mansion and drew in nobles with a deep appreciation for the arts.

For those uninterested in art, she offered chess or card games, or simply enjoyed tea times.

Today was the second day, with the mansion's first floor open to visitors even without invitations.

"My, the mansion is even more beautiful than I imagined."

"You can feel the old-world charm unique to a storied family. Hasn't the marchioness only been back in the capital for less than a month? I heard the Aratus family had serious internal issues."

"It must not have been as bad as rumored. The Aratus are a renowned house, after all. I think their history dates back to the founding of the empire."

Isabel Aratus walked past the nobles whispering as they toured the first floor of the main mansion.

In these past few weeks, she had felt the family's changes firsthand.

Her brother was still a war hero and the empire's finest knight, and the mansion had only been repaired without major alterations.

Yet at some point, the family's prestige—which had plummeted to rock bottom—had begun to shift.

Isabel knew.

All these changes had started when Agatha Noblesse stepped forward.

Stepping out into the corridor, she saw people in the main mansion's garden enjoying tea times, reading, chatting, and playing chess.

At the center, Agatha—signing documents handed to her by the steward Ben and occasionally nodding—spotted her.

"Welcome, Isabel."

"My goodness, Lady Aratus. It's an honor to see you again today. Care for a cup of tea together?"

Isabel stared at Agatha for a moment before moving to a seat offered by the social heavyweights.

It was the right couch, the second most prestigious spot right next to Agatha.

"Has anyone heard the latest about the Neuta Trading Company?"

At that moment, Marchioness Iris Domunia brought up an intriguing topic.

"You mean the new fabric they're releasing for the autumn social season? I hear it's not doing well."

The ladies and young misses smiled knowingly. The reason was well-known among them.

"Of course it wouldn't, without Lady Agatha's approval."

"The colors are a bit too subdued. Hmm, they might suit the tastes of more mature noblewomen to some extent."

"It's only natural since she chose it. I mean the eldest lady in the Neuta family."

Agatha said nothing, nor did she stop the conversation on the topic. The ladies lowered their voices as they asked her.

"Lady Agatha, do you think they'll return for the autumn social season?"

"They probably will. They enjoy importing their own fabrics, after all."

It wasn't intentional.

Agatha set down her teacup and offered a measured opinion.

"Well, the quality was fine, but the colors didn't quite appeal to me. No hard feelings, but it's a shame their ambitious new product flopped after so long. Of course, it's their trading company now, nothing to do with me."

"Hohoho. Even Lady Agatha..."

The key social gossip continued after that.

As Agatha occasionally responded and signed the last document, Steward Ben appeared. This time, he wasn't carrying papers.

"My lady, the master has arrived."

Today was the day of the first performance by the Avroom Orchestra, which Agatha sponsored.

True to his word, Enoch had come to pick her up.

"I must be going now, everyone."

"Oh, my lady."

As Agatha prepared to leave, disappointed sighs rose from all around. But no guest tried to hold back the newlywed Marchioness Aratus.

"I'm heading to a concert with my husband after so long. It's the first performance of the orchestra I sponsor."

"Such a schedule you have."

"And wouldn't it be nice for Lady Isabel to spend time getting to know all of you?"

"Of course, bonding with Lady Aratus sounds delightful. Hohoho."

The time that followed belonged to Isabel Aratus.

With a few casual salons under her belt giving her some leeway, Isabel smiled and saw Agatha off.

"Have a wonderful time, Lady Agatha. I'll handle the wrap-up."

"Of course. See you tomorrow, Isabel."

After bidding farewell to the guests, Agatha left the garden with Steward Ben leading the way.

Exchanging occasional greetings with visitors touring the first floor, she crossed the corridor and began to see the man standing in front of the main mansion.

"Enoch."

The man, slightly thinner after a few days, greeted her with a softened expression.

He naturally took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

"Let's go."

Agatha didn't look at him. The carriage door opened.

She leaned on his hand supporting hers and boarded the carriage.

He followed, and the carriage departed under the knights' escort. Silence filled the brightly lit interior, illuminated by sunlight and lanterns.

After first returning to the newlywed mansion to change into concert attire, Agatha headed to Armand Hall with Enoch.

In front of the capital's largest concert venue, carriages of nobles interested in the arts and social luminaries came and went.

This was because the Avroom Orchestra, sponsored by Agatha, was one of the empire's top ensembles—a barometer for the future direction of the music world.

As the performance time approached,

the Aratus family carriage pulled up to Armand Hall, and the Avroom Orchestra's conductor, Louis Morales, hurried out.

"Marquis Aratus. Marchioness Aratus. It's an honor to have you here. I'm Louis Morales, conductor of the Avroom Orchestra. You remember me?"

Agatha, descending the carriage with Enoch's escort, nodded lightly.

"It's been a while, Conductor Morales. I've been so busy I could only contact you by letter. I hope you've been well?"

"Yes. Thanks to your gracious care, both I and the orchestra have been thriving."

The conductor led the Aratus couple into Armand Hall.

With the performance time nearing, there weren't many people in the outer corridors and stairs.

Exchanging light greetings with familiar nobles, they ascended to the second floor and were shown to a balcony seat overlooking the hall and the orchestra pit.

"Please pull the cord if you need anything. A staff member will be on standby at all times."

"Thank you, Conductor."

Click. As the door closed, the murmur of the crowd was neatly shut out.

The floor was carpeted in green silk, with a large, plush sofa and a wide table.

Agatha sat on the sofa, gazing at the still-empty orchestra seats beyond the railing. Enoch, sitting beside her and looking down as well, spoke up.

"You look quite worn out."

"......"

She wasn't sure who was in a position to say that. Agatha lowered her gaze without a word.

"No issues these past few days?"

"None. And, Enoch."

"Yes."

"No one's watching us now, so you don't need to talk to me. We'll head back to the mansion after the concert."