Chapter 46 - Partner for the Banquet

When Jubelian fell asleep, the maids turned off the lights and left her room. They were startled to find someone waiting for them at the door. 

“Master!”

They soon heard the duke’s indifferent voice. “Where’s Jubelian?” he asked.

Merilyn, who was expected to answer as Jubelian’s head maid, gulped nervously. ‘Master rarely comes all the way to Lady Floyen’s room. He must have something urgent to tell her.’

“Please wait a moment. I will let the lady know that you’re looking for you,” she said after coming to this conclusion. Merilyn was about to go back into Jubelian’s room and wake her up, but the duke shook his head. 

“No, just leave her be.” 

In response, Merilyn lowered her head and asked politely, “Could you tell me what kind of business you have to discuss with the lady, Master? If it’s something I can answer, I will.” 

At the word ‘business,’ the duke looked at the door to his daughter’s room blankly. “Did she choose a partner for the banquet?” he asked. 

Merilyn nodded with a cheerful expression. “Ah, yes! She has decided to go with Mister Edmund, the esteemed son of Count Rowen. Isn’t that great?

At the name of the handsome man who was well-known in high society, Regis murmured to himself for a bit. “I see…” he finally said. When he returned to his room, he recalled how uncomfortable his daughter looked during dinner. 

“There are quite a few people who wrote to me, asking to be my partner. They’re all wonderful, so it’s been difficult to make a decision.”  

Regis sighed, recalling how she had used the word ‘wonderful.’ 

‘I’d better check him out myself,’ he decided.

* * *

It was late in the day. Count Rowen was tense due to the appearance of an unexpected visitor. Even his second son, a usually arrogant boy, had no choice but to be polite in front of the visitor. After all, he was the father of the lady he fancied and the hero of this empire, Duke Floyen. 

“W-what’s your purpose for visiting us this late at night, Your Grace?” 

Regis coldly glared at the young man in front of him.

“I’m not going to marry someone unless he has everything. I want the most wealthy, famous, and competent man there is.” 

As he observed the young man, the duke pondered over what his daughter had said. “You fall short of the standards, Edmund Anshan Rowen,” he finally said. 

* * *

The next morning, I woke up in a groggy state. ‘Ugh, my back hurts.’ Although I had solved yesterday’s problem and avoided talking about the marriage list, something felt a little off. I tried thinking about the cause of this unpleasantness, but I could only focus on my empty stomach. ‘It must be because I didn’t eat breakfast.’ 

I pulled the line to summon an attendant, and Merilyn soon entered my room. “Good morning, Lady Floyen.” 

“Could you help me get ready for breakfast?”

“Of course.” 

I washed my face, changed into casual clothes, and braided my hair. After doing so I felt more refreshed and looked more suitable to go downstairs for breakfast. Even so, the unpleasant feeling did not go away. ‘What’s wrong with me? There must be something…’

At that moment, Merilyn said, “A package arrived from Fyodor’s workshop, my lady.”

I nodded. ‘So that’s why I felt uncomfortable.’ Rose’s birthday was coming up, but her gift just arrived. “Could you bring it to my room?” I asked her.

“Yes, my lady.” Merilyn left my room to get the gift. I waited for her to return with high expectations. 

‘I wonder how it turned out. I hope he did what I instructed him to do…’ Not long after, Merilyn entered with a box in her hands. 

“Here it is.” 

When I opened the box, I found an object that perfectly replicated my spoken order, as well as another item that had a different color next to it. ‘I’m satisfied with my order… but why is there another object? Is this like a one plus one thing?’ I looked at the object with bewilderment, then found a note inside the box.

For you, my muse. 

Although it was merely a note, the word ‘muse’ made me feel uncomfortable. I pondered over the meaning of the note, then speculated that it was simply an exaggerated phrase used by most artists. ‘Well, a good thing is a good thing.’ As I looked at the objects with satisfaction, the maids started asking questions. 

“What is this, my lady?”

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I’ll tell you its purpose soon,” I said to the maids, who were looking at the objects with curiosity. Then I placed the gifts in my drawer.  ‘I have something more important to do now.’ 

At that moment, I heard someone speak from outside my room. “Breakfast is ready, my lady.” 

I quickly left my room with a cheerful expression. ‘I’ll have breakfast first.’