Chapter 44
After basking in the attention of all the young lords and carefully comparing each of them, deciding slowly and prudently would have made sense.
Yet, how did the fiancé of such an inexperienced young lady get decided so easily?
Before Anne could respond to the whirlwind of thoughts in her head, Victoria grabbed her hand and began bouncing with excitement.
“Anne! Sir Sandor is such a wonderful and kind man. He saved me earlier when I was overwhelmed by all the young ladies!”
Victoria had gone beyond fondness—she was already a girl in love. Anne, after some hesitation, carefully suggested,
“How about having tea time with the Lord tomorrow?”
“With my brother?”
“If the young lord is visiting, he’ll need to greet the Lord. It would be a great opportunity for you to spend time together and grow closer.”
After all, a young lady’s courtship required the head of the household’s permission. Without a father, the older brother effectively served as her guardian.
“Alright! I’ll go tell my brother now!”
“The Lord is in his office.”
“Got it!”
Anne started to stop her, seeing her flutter off so cheerfully, but held back.
Who was she to interfere, especially when she was the one who encouraged Victoria to find a suitor?
She hoped her suspicions were unfounded, but she had to confirm it.
Anne got up from her tired rest.
In the party hall, nobles were still gathered in small groups chatting. But with the Lord gone, some guests began to leave.
In a lingering party atmosphere, Dello Sandor and his friends were still drinking and laughing loudly.
Anne stepped into the hall under the pretense of tidying up.
“You were serious about proposing to Lady Clayde?”
Maids were usually invisible, so even as Anne cleared empty glasses, the nobles’ conversation continued without pause.
“Why not? She’s pretty.”
There was no affection in his words or expression—only amusement or opportunism. It reminded Anne of the cold, calculating expressions of those with ulterior motives.
“Right. I just realized she looks a lot like the Lord.”
“I should’ve made a move first. Could’ve become Clayde’s son-in-law!”
“As if that face of yours would cut it. Didn’t you see how Lady Victoria looked at Dello? She’s totally fallen for him. How’d you manage that?”
When Dello lowered his voice, Anne pretended to clean a nearby table and casually eavesdropped.
“She was so naïve, she trembled just from holding hands. I rushed in and got her seal quickly. Heh.”
That bastard.
Anne clenched the tablecloth so tightly it nearly tore, barely restraining her fury.
“Guess all those girls who used to chase after Dello are out of luck now.”
“It’s our chance now. We can finally start thinking about marriage prospects.”
“Thanks for clearing the way early!”
They were already treating Dello Sandor as Victoria’s fiancé.
Arrogant and smug, Dello raised his glass with the others.
“Congratulations on becoming part of the Clayde family.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I merely proposed a courtship to Lady Victoria. I haven’t even gotten official permission from the Lord yet.”
“Who else could handle that wild young lady? Plus, didn’t you secretly meet her in the lounge? And there—”
A drunken noble’s voice suddenly grew louder.
Unfortunately, not all the ladies had left yet.
Just before the man could say anything scandalous, Anne purposely dropped a dish.
Clatter!
The loud noise immediately drew everyone’s attention to her.
“I’m so sorry. I was careless and made a mess. My apologies.”
Anne bowed repeatedly in apology to those around her.
“Be more careful.”
“Seriously.”
With scolding gazes bearing down on her, Anne quickly bent down to pick up the shattered plate.
The conversation ceased, and the drunk noble who had mentioned Victoria forgot what he was trying to say.
As the party atmosphere returned to normal, Anne once again faded into the background like a shadow.
Victoria’s birthday party had been a success. She had even received a proposal.
In other words, Anne had completed her mission promised to Hannibal.
But Dello Sandor’s involvement left an uneasy feeling in her heart.
The Day After the Party
“Anne! Good morning~!”
Despite being the guest of honor, Victoria was up early, energetic and bright.
“Sir Sandor said he’d be visiting for tea this afternoon, right?”
“Mm-hmm!”
Victoria was easy to read—simple and honest.
She had her moody and sensitive moments, but her true nature was cheerful and lively.
“Please don’t move your face.”
“Mm-hmm! Ah—mmm.”
“You don’t have to answer.”
As Anne applied a milk-and-flour facial mask, she gently urged her to keep her lips closed. Victoria simply nodded.
She was a sweet and lovable girl. No doubt men found her charming.
Although Anne didn’t trust Dello Sandor, it wasn’t unusual for young men in their twenties to show off or act recklessly at the end of a party.
Victoria had looked stunning last night, beautiful enough to make anyone fall for her at first sight. Anne hoped Dello’s feelings were sincere.
Since they’d be meeting again today, Anne resolved to carefully observe and confirm everything.
Matching Victoria’s bright smile, Anne made her own determination.
By the time Victoria finished her skincare and changed into a bright summer dress like a fairy, Sir Sandor arrived.
“I’ve come to see Lady Victoria Clayde.”
Thanks to Hannibal’s preparations, the elite staff—Butler Patrick, attendants Jack and Oliver, and the finest knights—lined up to greet him at the entrance.
“A mere bouquet? Is the viscount family struggling financially?”
Hannibal sneered down at the flowers Dello brought.
“Not at all. I’d give Lady Victoria everything I have.”
Anne, standing discreetly by the butler, shook her head slightly.
So much for pretending not to care. Hannibal was still a brother with a younger sister.
He was glaring at Dello Sandor with such intensity it looked like he might burn him to ashes.
“Brother!”
“Go back inside.”
Victoria, who had been eavesdropping at the door, couldn’t hold back and ran out.
This romance was doomed from the start.
“Sir Sandor, welcome!”
“Next time, I’ll bring a gift more befitting of Lady Victoria. I wasn’t thoughtful enough.”
After offering that excuse to Hannibal, Dello slowly approached Victoria, trying to read the room.
He’s no good.
Instead of complimenting Victoria’s new hairstyle, dress, or radiant smile, he focused on explaining himself to the Earl. What kind of man prioritized fear over admiration?
As the three headed to the parlor, Anne clicked her tongue.
“Anne.”
The butler approached her from behind.
“Yes, sir?”
“We need to discuss preparations for the Witch’s Night Festival. Do you have time now?”
“Yes!”
Anne answered clearly, trying not to look flustered.
Every year, on the full moon of mid-August, the West held its largest festival in honor of the Witch’s Day.
It was a symbolic event in the West, and Anne felt proud to be directly involved in its preparation as the head maid.
Being entrusted with such responsibility meant she had earned their trust.
“How is the event conducted exactly?”
That’s why Anne had been borrowing books from the Lord’s castle library whenever she had a break, even while working all day.
With her limited knowledge of the West, it was a valuable and informative time for her.
“Did you read the two books I recommended?”
“I finished The Life of Assad Clayde, but I’m still working on the family genealogy and timeline.”
To understand the West, you had to understand Clayde.
The tale of their ancestor Assad meeting a witch while wandering and creating an oasis and the fortress city of Tegenes was essential reading for locals.
Even those who couldn’t read knew it by heart, passed down orally like a legend.
“To think that the Claydes still personally go to the Witch’s Forest to offer a ritual in honor of Assad and the witch Moira… it’s amazing.”
Witch’s Night was a tradition over 500 years old.
It even predated the Empire’s annual ceremonies in the temple by the Pope to bless the Emperor—by 300 years.
“Only those of Clayde blood can enter the Witch’s Forest. All we have to do is prepare. During the festival, free food and drinks are provided throughout Tegenes. Homeless people are given a place to sleep and rest. Even the sick receive medicine, and physicians treat patients for free.”
“No wonder the commoners love the witch.”
Witch’s Night lasted a full week—until the Lord returned from the Witch’s Forest.
While the Clayde family prayed and paid tribute, those outside the castle enjoyed a non-stop festival.
Especially near the oasis, people joked that even beggars feasted and rested like emperors during that time.
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