Chapter 43

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 43

Chapter Title: An Unexpected Escort

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She felt a gaze from beside her, but Agatha didn't turn her head.

Just then, the musicians filled the empty stage and began to play.

Dudung-

Listening to the resounding melody, Agatha raised her hand. Her attendant maid, waiting at a distance, quickly brought over a bottle of wine and a glass, setting them down.

It was one of the things Agatha had recently come to enjoy.

As she dismissed the maid and reached for the bottle, another hand approached first and pulled out the cork.

Glug glug glug-

Red wine filled the transparent glass. Agatha stared at Enoch's hand as he tilted the bottle, then took hold of the glass.

Until the performance ended, she silently downed her wine without a word.

The music came to a close. As Agatha clapped politely and rose to her feet, she staggered, and Enoch reflexively reached out a hand.

Slap-

Agatha, who had unconsciously swatted it away, widened both eyes. Enoch stared down at his rejected hand.

"Sorry. It was instinctive."

"......It's fine."

"Let's head out. I want to rest."

Agatha left the VIP lounge first. Trailing behind her were her attendant maid, wearing a dark expression, the First Vice-Captain of the Knights, Leon Takran.

Enoch let out a short breath and followed after them.

The corridor and hall were already filling with nobles who had finished appreciating the show and poured out, quickly surrounding Agatha.

"Marquis Aratus."

Enoch, too, found himself buried among the nobles approaching him.

Enoch's gaze flicked toward Agatha now and then.

And there was a gaze secretly observing all of it.

From the Aratus marquis couple exiting the VIP lounge separately, to now standing apart and forming their own clusters.

The gaze that had been keenly watching the situation vanished the moment Enoch looked up.

Enoch stared at a pillar on one side of the corridor for a time before lowering his eyes to the small warmth touching his arm.

"Let's go, Enoch. I'm especially tired today."

It had been days since she had touched him first.

Agatha looked up at him curiously, as he stood stock-still.

"Enoch?"

"Yes. Let's head back early."

The nobles surrounding them watched the scene before smiling and stepping aside.

"Farewell, Marquis."

"Marchioness, until next time."

Agatha departed Armand Hall on Enoch's arm.

The nobles still lingering in the hall pretended otherwise but kept watching them go.

Lately, an odd rumor had been making the rounds in high society.

Whispers that the Aratus marquis couple, who used to spark fresh gossip every day, had gone quiet of late, that it was hard to spot them together anymore, and that the volume of wine deliveries to their newlywed mansion had increased.

"Hmm, doesn't it feel like we'll hear some entertaining news soon?"

"Who knows. That scene just now makes it seem otherwise, somehow."

As faint whispers drifted from those around her, Agatha’s closest confidante, Marchioness Iris Domunia, quietly fanned herself.

Early morning.

Clop clop-

A four-horse carriage, escorted by the Aratus Knights, entered the grounds of the Aratus mansion in the capital.

The sight of the Aratus and Noblesse family flags fluttering side by side had become familiar by now.

The slightly unfamiliar part was the presence of Enoch Aratus, accompanying her for the first time since she had started coming and going from this mansion.

The carriage halted. Enoch dismounted and extended his hand toward the open door. Agatha took it and alighted gracefully onto the ground.

Standing in front of the main house to greet them was Isabel Aratus.

"Welcome, Lady Agatha."

"Good morning, Isabel."

"You came with my brother today."

Isabel wore a small smile. Agatha said nothing much and smoothly changed the subject.

"Our schedules happened to align. Thanks for seeing me home, Enoch."

"Not at all."

He was scheduled to go hunting afterward with some noble acquaintances.

It was meant to be a quick hunt and inspection ahead of the full fall social season, when hunting truly got underway.

The man paused briefly before adding,

"Today's business shouldn't take long. If you're amenable, we could time it to return together."

"Got it."

"......I'm not insisting."

Agatha lightly shook her head at Enoch's words.

"It makes sense to stick together for a while. If I wrap up early on my end, I'll come to the hunting grounds."

The reason Enoch had accompanied her today was a single letter from Marchioness Iris Domunia.

「Dearest Lady Agatha.

Lately, more and more eyes among the nobility have been watching the dynamic between you and Marquis Aratus.

It's still just suspicion for now, but if that's not your intent, wouldn't it be wise to show some affectionate moments from time to time?

If you have something in mind, I'd be delighted if you gave me even a slight hint.

Your eternal friend, Iris Domunia.

P.S. I hear Lady Cadin attended Armand Hall yesterday.」

'It's about time for an assault.'

Agatha resolved to stamp out the rumors while simultaneously bolstering her escorts.

If the Cadin family—one of her relatives—had caught wind of the gossip, they might probe for the truth from various angles or simply barge in unannounced.

That was why Enoch had come along today.

With him—an outstanding knight of continental renown—by her side, they would hold back from acting out like before.

"Is it all right if I do that?"

Agatha sought Enoch's permission. For an instant, his face seemed to stiffen.

"......You can seek me out anytime."

"I'm glad you see it that way. See you shortly, then."

The man briefly covered his eyes before gesturing. Leon Takran, the First Vice-Captain on escort duty today, stuck close by his side.

"Stay vigilant. Report anything unusual."

"Yes, my lord."

The man brushed a light kiss across the back of Agatha's hand and turned away.

The surroundings remained hushed in silence until he was gone. Soon, Agatha turned to Isabel with a much brighter expression.

"Well then, shall we start receiving guests for today?"

Isabel nodded quietly. What Agatha had prepared today was a modest art viewing centered on the garden colonnade.

They had turned the colonnade into a makeshift gallery, with simple drinks and dishes set out in the garden for guests to enjoy free time.

Guests began arriving just as preparations wrapped up.

"Welcome, Lady Iris."

"We meet again after yesterday. I rushed over the moment I heard we'd see your rare collections."

With no full mansion opening today, it was limited to a select group of invitees.

Agatha gave a light nod to the subtle glance from Lady Iris and led the guests further inside.

"Now, shall we head to the colonnade? Your artworks should be arranged by now."

"My heart's racing. I wonder what pieces the others brought..."

In the colonnade, dozens of artworks stood waiting—one per beautifully decorated section—each draped in white cloth.

Agatha took a glass of champagne from the table and stepped up to the first piece.

"The first one is mine. The work I brought is—"

The servants caught Agatha's gaze and swiftly lifted the white cloth. Gasps of held breath erupted from all around.

"Allow me to introduce it: 'Lady in a Dream,' by an unnamed artisan. I acquired it a few years back."

An artwork infused with the artist's soul carried an indescribable, overwhelming presence.

Dreamlike hues that evoked wandering through a reverie, and a woman in an idealized pose.

The painting, which filled the massive canvas to the brim, drew gasps of admiration. A torrent of praise followed.

"Heavens, so you're the one who snagged this at the secret auction!"

"I'd never have dreamed of seeing it here again. Up close, it's even more ethereal. Stunning."

"Isn't this its debut? Lady Agatha, what a bold choice."

Servants wove through the nobles, collecting empty champagne glasses and passing out fresh ones. The cheeks of marchionesses and ladies who had swiftly emptied theirs flushed red with excitement.

"I wonder what the next one is."

"From the layout, it looks like mine."

Countess Meckellen stepped forward next, smiling shyly as she introduced her piece.

"It may pale next to Lady Agatha's opener, but I did bring a decent piece from my collection."

From sculptures and oil paintings to sketches by great masters, and even artists funded by nobles creating works on the spot.

Not quite as striking as the first, but as the diverse artworks that followed were unveiled, the salon grew feverishly lively.

By the time all the pieces had been revealed and guests freely shared their thoughts and chatter,

Marchioness Iris Domunia approached Agatha, who had been attentively ensuring the food and drinks never ran low.

Iris naturally claimed the couch beside her and spoke up.

"I heard the marquis escorted you home today."

"All thanks to your advice."

Lady Iris smiled faintly, hiding her lips behind her fan as she asked,

"Is there any news I should know about?"

It was a question about the letter she had sent that morning. Agatha hesitated a moment, leaned back on the couch, and spoke quietly.

"Perhaps."

"......"

"It might be wise to prepare a little."