Chapter 54

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 54

Chapter Title: The Grand Salon Before the Season

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After that, the tea party proceeded smoothly. The location for the next informal salon was set for Madam Iris's residence.

"How about holding the next gathering at my place? I've just brought in some excellent new tea leaves."

"Sounds good."

"Let's do that, Madam Iris."

Agatha saw off the guests, who had naturally made plans for the next one, and was turning away when—

"Madam!"

Her close attendant maid, Jessie, came running up with a letter in one hand.

Enoch's letter.

There was only one reason Jessie would come dashing like that with a letter.

Jessie arrived in a flash and respectfully presented the letter on her palms.

"A letter from the marquis has arrived."

As expected, it was from her husband. The familiar white stationery carried the faint scent of wildflowers.

「To my beloved Agatha」

The sincere opening line was followed by a striking sentence that immediately caught Agatha's eye.

"……With today's final territorial conquest complete, all that's left is signing the surrender documents, and then I'll head straight back home……"

"Ah……!"

Her soft exclamation drew glances from those around her.

"Is something wrong, Madam?"

"Has something happened to the lord?"

Her attendant maid and the first vice-captain of the knights, tasked with her protection, reacted swiftly. Agatha beamed.

"Looks like the territorial war is over. He's just coming home now."

"Wow, congratulations, Madam!"

"Congratulations, Madam."

Clutching the letter, Agatha hesitated for a moment before changing her mind.

She had considered quietly secluding herself until Enoch returned.

But why not throw a grand party to celebrate the complete victory in the territorial war, his return, and to let the neutral faction observe them up close?

"Good news should be shared far and wide."

"Of course, Madam. You're absolutely right."

The other attendant maid, Marie, quickly chimed in. Of course, a reply had to come first.

"Jessie, I need to write a response. And we'll invite guests for a grand salon."

"Naturally, Madam. We'll get preparations underway right away."

She should invite Isabel too. Smiling, Agatha headed to her study.

And so, just before the autumn social season—

The stunning victory of House Aratus swept through the capital like a storm.

Everyone had thought Cadun was the end, but it had been a massive territorial war involving five Noblesse bloodline families and even the second-in-line successor rights.

Yet it had all wrapped up in just one month.

Now the nobles were buzzing about how secure Agatha Noblesse would become, and just how immense the wealth House Aratus had gained would be.

In the midst of it all came Agatha's salon.

-I hear this is Agatha Noblesse's final salon before the autumn social season!

True to the season of patronage, the salon Agatha had prepared was an art viewing in the garden, featuring the debut of a promising new painter.

There was a young artist among those she sponsored who had shown real talent.

With Agatha Noblesse herself hosting the debut exhibition, the eyes of art-loving nobles were instantly drawn.

Of course, the undisputed hottest topic was House Aratus's triumph.

"If not now, we won't get a chance to even speak to the Marquis Aratus's wife before the autumn season officially kicks off."

"How far have the invitations gone? I absolutely have to attend this!"

"I hear the artworks Lady Agatha is exhibiting this time are incredible."

"I'm curious about how they've decorated their new mansion. Everyone will be modeling their own estates after the Aratus capital residence and the Noblesse second villa, right?"

Amid this unprecedented explosion of interest—

The day of Agatha's salon finally arrived. Not a single invitee showed up without bringing one companion.

Companions were usually debutantes or recently arrived relatives, but this time they were all nobles stationed in the capital.

Agatha greeted them with a smile.

It had unexpectedly ballooned into a massive grand salon, but that was exactly what she had intended.

Among the companions were those from neutral families suspected of leaning toward the Neuta faction, including Viscountess Admar.

"Welcome, Viscountess Admar. It's been a while."

Viscountess Admar greeted her cautiously.

"I didn't expect such a crowd. I hope my presence isn't an imposition."

"Nonsense. Let's stay close, Viscountess. I actually felt bad for forgetting to send you an invitation today."

Of course, she hadn't really forgotten. It was a gentle reminder that their relationship had grown distant enough for her to overlook it.

Viscountess Admar quickly bowed her head.

"Not at all. It's my fault for not visiting more often. I'm the one at a loss with your warm welcome."

"You, too. Come on in. With so many guests, you're sure to have a wonderful time."

Viscountess Admar, bowing repeatedly, passed through the gate into the beautifully adorned garden.

Her close aides nearby exchanged subtle glances.

-We'll keep an eye on her.

Agatha nodded imperceptibly and flashed a brilliant smile as she welcomed the next guests.

"Welcome, Madam Meckellen, Lady Meckellen."

Nearly every noble in the capital was there.

Having greeted the guests and their equally numerous companions, Agatha, as the host, opened the salon.

As she ascended the platform, the nobles—busy admiring the mansion or the garden—turned their attention to her.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you all for joining me at this salon, the grand finale before the autumn social season."

She called it the grand finale herself, but no noble objected.

Agatha Noblesse's salon had every right to claim that title.

Agatha smiled gracefully and signaled behind her.

"My husband has won victory after victory and will be returning soon, so my heart is filled with joy. I hope you all enjoy the salon with the same happiness."

Snap—

With the clap of her fingers, the white cloths covering the artworks placed throughout the garden were simultaneously unveiled.

"Let the viewing begin."

The nobles, who had turned toward the garden behind the platform, let out gasps of admiration in unison.

Among the low blue-green trees.

Dozens of oil paintings vividly captured the moment light poured in, leaving an overwhelming impression.

Delicate yet bold primary colors.

A vibrant multiplicity like glaring sunlight beating down.

"It's truly magnificent!"

The nobles filed into the garden paths one by one, and the art exhibition began.

In the now-empty space, dozens of chaises were arranged, along with low wooden tables and wine buckets.

Chefs appeared to cook on the spot, transforming the scene into something like a banquet.

"Make sure there are no mistakes."

"Yes, Madam. No need to worry."

The experienced head steward, Allen, bowed reliably.

Having pre-selected the artworks herself, Agatha strolled through the garden and open space with First Vice-Captain Leon Takran and her attendant maids.

The salon seemed peaceful and elegant at a glance.

But a closer look revealed factions conversing, clashing amid the elegance.

One new face that caught Agatha's eye was Baroness Lott.

For a fleeting moment, she had exchanged subtle glances with Viscountess Admar.

Come to think of it, Baroness Lott is a distant relative of the Neutas.

She had lived quietly since marrying into the neutral House Lott, but before that, she had been quite close to the Neutas, or so Agatha had heard.

Engraving Baroness Lott's name in her mind, Agatha smiled sweetly.

Her aides, ever vigilant even amid the salon, smirked knowingly and fanned themselves.

Not long after the salon ended.

"Madam. A letter has arrived."

As if to prove he was on his way back, the letters came more frequently now.

This one had returned via carrier pigeon in just two days.

He's that close now.

Heart pounding, Agatha opened the letter.

"……On the third day of the first week of the Golden Fields Moon, I should arrive at the city gates in the morning."

At the end of the usual exchange came the news she had been waiting for.

The third day of the first week.

……That's tomorrow?

"Allen!"

She called urgently for the steward, who rushed over, and shared the news.

"Enoch will be back tomorrow morning."

"The marquis is finally returning. Congratulations, Madam."

Enoch, who had gone to war for Agatha's sake. A warm smile spread across Head Steward Allen's face.

"No time to waste. We need to prepare a banquet. How much meat and wine do we have in the mansion?"

"……!"

The first night's feast was when the lord lavished returning victorious knights with abundance.

Mountains of meat and wine, plus rewards galore!

In his 23 years as head steward, this was the first knightly victory banquet, and tension rose on Allen's face.

"I'll check the pantry right away!"

Allen hurriedly gathered the other stewards and under-stewards before dashing off.