The Murderous Duke's Domestic Affairs - Chapter 69

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 69
If what she said was true, I could pursue a business venture on an entirely different scale from what Father had done. And I found myself drawn to Baroness Flagwind’s unvarnished honesty. I decided to invite her to the Estate soon. Though I would need to consult with Aster on the date.
I spent some time conversing with the Baroness, who graciously expressed her anticipation for the invitation, sharing tea together. Not long after, an Attendant announced the arrival of the Empress. The people throughout the Exhibition Hall rose from their seats and bowed toward her.
At the Empress’s permission to raise their heads, the sound of rustling fabric echoed across the venue. Yet that flurry of movement ceased almost instantly. The Empress and Imperial Princess still wore the very garments that the nobility had mocked as commoner’s clothing.
“I heard it was made for wounded soldiers, and it truly is comfortable. Warm as well.”
The Empress’s emerald eyes curved beautifully. I bowed toward her. That garment was not what wounded soldiers had worn. I murmured this silently to myself.
Dresses, honestly speaking, were beautiful to behold but neither particularly warm nor comfortable. In my childhood, I had dreamed of entering High Society in an elegant dress, but that remained merely a seasonal fancy.
What I typically wore was not a dress. I thought I had forgotten all about it, but then the sound of Butterfly’s wings—those that had fluttered into the Duke’s Mansion last summer—echoed in my ears. They had said it was the sort of garment a governess might wear, not something a noblewoman would don.
I had abandoned my entry into High Society and forgone the opportunity to wear dresses. That was a choice I made myself. I had never once regretted trading the lace fans of noblewomen for a pen. That remained true even now, as I bore the title of Duchess Lilywood. Had I been an ordinary noblewoman’s daughter who knew nothing of work, I would never have dared stand in this place.
That the Duchess—Aster and other soldiers—wore a cardigan to this gathering of noblewomen hosted by the Empress, merely tailored smaller, was something I did not regret. I could bear the disapproving gazes of the noblewomen well enough.
Their mockery that what I wore was commoner’s clothing was, after all, factually correct. But for catching the eyes of others, theirs would certainly have been superior. My gaze could not leave the cardigans worn by the Imperial Princess and Empress.
A cardigan made with beautiful-colored yarn, just as Jasmine Aloria had said. With the waistline extended in a curve and sleeves widened, adorned with elaborate ruffled pleats at the hem, it had already diverged considerably from the original form.
But it would seem more natural for women of noble houses to wear this version. I laughed hollowly to myself. Clothing for those who do not work. Garments for people whose sleeves need not bear ink stains, who can rely on the hands of others.
The people in the Exhibition Hall did not regard Baroness Flagwind with the same disapproving looks they had given me upon seeing the ornate cardigan worn by the Empress and Imperial Princess. Rather, some nodded as if to say “now that’s something,” while others scrutinized the garments worn by the Empress and Imperial Princess as though they might immediately seek out a designer.
“When you teach me, please use the garment the Duchess is wearing as your reference.”
As I was lost in thought, the voice of Baroness Flagwind reached my ears. I turned to her in surprise. The Baroness smiled warmly at me.
Ah, I see.
I returned her smile. In this gathering of noblewomen, it was not only I who was “out of place.”
“Now we shall announce the Grand Prize.”
At the Attendant’s clear voice, the people in the Exhibition Hall turned their attention back to the Empress. Ah, that’s right. This gathering did not end with the presentations. Among today’s presenters, the Empress and the senior noblewomen of the Imperial Court would deliberate to select the Grand Prize winner. Having participated, I realized the Winter Gathering had both more history and a more established system than I had initially thought.
The Empress picked up the golden rose placed before her. The bloom alone was the size of an adult man’s fist, and the leaves bore diamonds fashioned as dewdrops, reaching the pinnacle of magnificence. The noblewomen’s gazes fixed upon that flower. The golden rose, the flower of the Imperial Court, was itself an honor. Everyone here would covet it, I thought, observing not the golden rose but the Exhibition Hall itself.
The Empress descended from the Dais, holding the flower. She walked slowly. Her steps halted before me. Though everyone covets it, I had not expected to receive the Grand Prize myself, so I was somewhat startled. It must be a mistake. I glanced sideways at Baroness Flagwind standing beside me, preparing to offer congratulations.
“Duchess Lauren Lilywood.”
But the Empress called my name. Staring blankly at her, I suddenly started and bowed deeply.
“It was a meaningful and wonderful gift. I am truly grateful.”
“Your Majesty is most gracious to recognize it. I am deeply honored.”
The Empress extended the golden rose adorned with an ornate ribbon toward me. I carefully accepted it. Modest applause filled the venue. I produced an awkward greeting, feeling quite bewildered.
“Forgive me for speaking of business so directly, but is the only thing we can produce from this the cardigan you’re wearing?”
I did not immediately understand the Empress’s words and tilted my head to one side.
“This garment is beautiful to look upon and warm, but it seems there would be no demand unless worn by noblewomen. I find myself coveting the cardigan you are wearing.”
My lips parted slightly. The Empress is truly a remarkable person. She is right. The nobility are few in number. Of course, among commoners there are newly wealthy who purchase dresses and jewelry, but those who comprise this Empire are mostly common folk.
Those bearing noble names have no interest in machine-made fabrics. Handcrafted work, especially labor-intensive pieces, are considered the finest. The knitwear the Empress mentioned—that is, knitwear woven by machines designed for mass production—holds virtually no demand among the nobility. So the Empress intends to distribute this cardigan to commoners at affordable prices.
“Ah, but I have already made a promise regarding this cardigan with Baroness Flagwind…”
“That’s quite all right, Duchess. I intend to add patterns to this cardigan, so it will differ from what Your Majesty envisions!”
As I hesitated, Baroness Flagwind spoke cheerfully. Would that truly be acceptable? As I wavered in my response, the Empress answered first.
“Oh, Baroness Flagwind. Your work was also quite excellent. The deliberations between myself and the senior noblewomen of the Imperial Court were so divided that selecting the Grand Prize was quite difficult.”
“Thank you for viewing it so favorably, Your Majesty.”
My eyes widened. Baroness Flagwind was entirely unintimidated even before the Empress. She was far bolder and more remarkable than I had thought. The Empress, too, showed no displeasure at the Baroness’s familiar manner. The Empress, who had been murmuring “patterns, patterns” softly, clapped her hands together.
“How fortunate this is. Since things have worked out this way, I would like to discuss this further in the Inner Chamber after the gathering concludes. Would both of you be amenable?”
It was the Empress’s command, after all, so there was nothing for it but to comply. Both the Baroness and I bowed our heads in ready acceptance. The Empress, seeming delighted, departed with a soft laugh.
* * *
The Winter Gathering concluded in splendid fashion.
As promised, Lauren invited Baroness Flagwind to the Duke’s Mansion. Aster Veil Lilywood, who I’d expected to make a fuss about it just as he had when I mentioned hiring more staff, surprisingly acquiesced without protest. Since Baroness Flagwind—who preferred to be called Tila—was someone I could converse with pleasantly, I felt far more joy than concern. In fact, considerably more joy.
If there was any concern, it lay elsewhere.
I sat across from Tila with the tea table between us, yet hostile eyes fixed upon me surfaced in my mind. Ilita Enbail—the woman who had harbored affection for Aster in childhood. She had glared at me until the very end before departing. That she would leave behind an invitation to the Charity Party hosted by House Enbail was something neither I nor Tila had anticipated.
“Leaving behind a fan? Isn’t that excuse rather flimsy, even for something hastily contrived?”
Tila, seated across from me at the table, laughed mischievously, noting that there was no fan—nor anything resembling one—upon the surface. Her words held truth, and I found myself chuckling softly as well. I had worried whether waiting for the Empress might prove tedious, but it was nothing of the sort. Perhaps all seafaring folk possessed this quality. Her forthright manner could have been off-putting, but honest Tila made conversation effortless.
“It must be because of the Golden Rose.”
Tila’s voice grew hushed as she continued. I laughed bitterly. Her words seemed to have drawn out the very thoughts dwelling in my own heart.
The Winter Gathering’s highest honor—the recipient of the Golden Rose was deemed an indispensable celebrity in High Society that year, regardless of personal acquaintance. Even with the knowledge Jasmine had hastily taught me, I possessed no confidence to answer otherwise, if only out of propriety.
Well, setting that aside.
“Will you attend?”
Tila posed the question to me. Lost in thought, I took a moment to comprehend, but soon realized she was asking about House Enbail’s Charity Party. What should I do? I wished to ignore it, yet it was a formal invitation received at the Winter Gathering itself. As the wife of the Lilywood Dukedom, shouldn’t I participate?
“I would prefer you did not attend.”
“Why do you feel that way?”
“Something troubles me about it.”
Tila crossed her arms with a serious expression. Lavender eyes met eyes dark as the midnight sea. An invitation cast down with such anger and irritation—it frightened me somehow.
“I’m told I have good instincts.”
Tila pulled her lips into a smile. Her entire expression transformed in an instant. I merely blinked.
“Truth be told, even without the cardigan, I would have spoken to you. You seem like someone I would get along with quite well.”
“That brings me joy.”
Tila was born a noble and married a commoner; I engage in “work.” Perhaps we are two anomalies who do not fit in a world where nobility is considered the standard. Others might mock us for not belonging with our own kind, but I did not mind. Tila treated me as an old friend would, and I harbored no dislike for her. “Truly,” I added.
Then, having deliberated whether to broach the subject, I opened my mouth once more. It seemed Tila would prefer direct inquiry to my keeping thoughts locked away. Though perhaps that was merely my own assumption.
“Tila, I…”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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