CH 73

I couldn’t keep calm in such a situation.

After all, my divorce from Raymond went smoothly, and I thought that my loved ones wouldn’t meet with great adversity.

As usual, if the Empress is forcibly excommunicated from the throne, her closest associates also fail, but I surrendered everything, and there were no sins behind me.

So I thought my people wouldn’t be touched. But this was only an illusion.

Both my father and Celine’s family were thrown to the wolves.

“Lady Croft, your concerns are uncomfortable for me. We haven’t seen each other for a long time, so let’s just talk about pleasant things.”

Even if it’s too late, from this day on I will stand as a shield for my people.

The Celine family can still be pulled out of the pit.

I looked at the Marquise and smiled.

“Oh sure.”

“Would you like to sit down? Sorry, our house is small, there is no separate living room here.”

The Marquise took me to a sofa in the hall. She smiled sweetly, as if in embarrassment.

The maid, who was bustling around, suddenly looked at her anxiously.

If an imperious nobleman come to them, he would get angry and raised his voice, taking such a simple trick as an insult.

Nobles are people who have lived and died with dignity.

And when I looked at this face covered with anxiety, I felt that the servant was expecting harsh words from me.

However, I didn’t lose my manners while I was on the distant shores.

“It’s so comfortable here.”

I laughed and sat on the couch.

“This pillow is the Marquise’s creation, isn’t it?”

“Oh yeah. I have nothing to do now, so I am embroidering and knitting.”

“The style isn’t as simple as you are trying to say. In the old days, the Marquise was famous for her ability among all aristocratic wives.”

“You flatter me. This is nothing more than a hobby.”

Only then, having relaxed, the Marquise and her daughter sat down on the sofa.

The Marquise Celine sat down opposite, while Rose remained by my side.

When the maid put the cups on the table, the Marquise spoke:

“Is the young lady okay?”

“Yes. I’m doing just fine. But what kind of trouble has come to your house?”

“At first we had a really hard time… But we learned to cope. Don’t worry, Lady Croft.”

“What a relief.”

“Would you like to tell us about the Lund Kingdom? I haven’t been abroad, so I’m curious.”

The Marquise changed the subject as if by chance. It seems that she was decidedly not going to share her tragedy.

I knew that she was as stubborn as my father, so I was in no hurry to continue.

The Marquis’ wife suddenly coughed sharply in the midst of laughter.

“Are you feeling bad, madam?”

“I’m… Kha!”

The Marquise’ daughter looked at the maid.

“Mary, take her upstairs. Mom, you need to take your medicine.”

“It’s okay, no need to worry.”

The coughing Marquise only said this because she was uncomfortable in front of me.

But still she gave in and walked away, bowing her head.

As soon as she disappeared behind the stairs, Rose smiled awkwardly beside me.

“Don’t be afraid for her. She will take the medicine and everything will be fine.”

“Is it for sure that she will be okay? If this is something serious, I want to help.”

“She had asthma for a long time. From all the vicissitudes of fate, her health only worsened. But now it is really easier for her.”

The young lady Celine just avoided my urge to help.

I really wanted to send an experienced doctor here, but I retreated because I knew that unsolicited help was inconvenient for them.

“Then if you need help, let me know right away. I owe the Marquise, so I want to repay her.”

“Oh sure.”

“When I think about it… At the tea party, I couldn’t even say hello to you. A bit late, but nice to meet you. I have often heard that the Marquise has a good daughter.”

“I am honored to meet you, Lady Croft. Please call me Rosaleen.”

Rosaleen smiled. Her cheeks glowed red.

“Rosaleen. To be honest, the reason I visited the Marquis’ house today is all about you.”

“Me?”

Rosaleen’s eyes widened in surprise. In the letter I indicated that it was the wife of the Marquis that I wanted to visit, so it was understandable.

“Yes. I have something to offer you, Rosaleen.”

“Offer?”

“Yes. I want to interfere and sell your perfume…”

“My perfume?”

Rosaleen looked stunned, as if it was too sudden.

I was filled with nostalgia for my simple life in the Lund Kingdom, and Rosaleen came to me as a blessing.

The nobles applied perfume several times a day, almost every day. Thus, eau de toilette was an indispensable commodity for the nobility.

Perhaps, if Lumont and Jed were present at the tea party then, they immediately jumped up and dragged Rosaleen with them.

“I was surprised to hear that perfumes are effective for insomnia.”

“I just made them as an experiment…”

“I’m also interested in flowers and medicinal herbs. I thought how great it is that Rose understands this.”

“I just love perfumes, but I have severe asthma… I made them only out of the desire to use perfumes that are safe for me. It’s not so good for trades…”

Rosaleen’s blue eyes trembled as if in panic. I smiled gently at her and said to calm her down:

“Don’t worry about anything. I’m only here to propose. I don’t expect an immediate response.”

Actually, I wanted to dispatch Lumont to send the seal contract immediately, but Rosaleen will be alerted.

If Rose has inherited the Marquise’s character, it will take time for her to decide.

“Ah…”

“Of course, if Rosaleen gives the go-ahead, I’ll take care of all the preparations. You can completely forget about the lack of money.”

I smiled softly, pretending that our enterprise wasn’t a burden to me.

Fortunately, a slight smile appeared on Rose’s embarrassed face.

As I watched her drink tea, I thought for a moment.

Shouldn’t I ask why the Marquis’s house is having its worst days?

The Marquis’ wife made it clear that she didn’t want to discuss this.

Anything… about the Marquise’s intimate life?

“My lady, is there something you want to tell?”

Rosaleen noticed my gaze and hid her eyes.

It looks like it will hurt her to dig up this story, which the Marquise also wanted to hide.

I’ll need to find out through Lumont.

“Rose is so pretty that I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I’m sorry if this embarrassed you.”

“You’re pretty too… Lady Croft is much prettier than me.”

Her cheeks were blushed again.

“Thank you for the praise. But Rose, I think I have to go. Can I ask you something?”

“Yes, whatever.”

“Perhaps… Do you have any extra perfume left?”

When I asked her carefully, Rosaleen burst into enthusiasm.

“Of course. Wait a minute.”

Rosaleen got up and went into the room on the first floor. And she returned with several perfume bottles.

“Here are a couple of flavors. Relieves runny nose, helps with insomnia, reduces muscle pain. And one more thing, Mrs. Croft. If you go to the market, look around there, you will understand that my perfume isn’t special at all.”

“Don’t say that. Rose’s perfume is special, no matter what is on the market. No need for self-flagellation.”

Rosaleen opened her blue eyes a little wider.

She seemed to have a habit of belittling her dignity. How much this reminds me of the past me.

“Thanks, Ellie.”

“I just say it as it is. But I have to go, Rosaleen.”

I smiled and left Celine’s house.