Chapter 44
This morning, the Madam made a firm resolution ahead of her meeting with Iree.
‘Yes. This is what’s best for her, too. The Ludian family isn’t just any family, and how could a commoner possibly handle being the duchess?’
Rather than sitting cluelessly in the duchess’s seat, messing things up, being scorned by everyone, and running away in disgrace—it would be better for Iree to quietly leave the ducal estate before the wedding ceremony was officially held.
‘I’ll give her such a harsh lesson that she won’t even dare glance in the direction of the duke’s mansion again—make her cry her eyes out!’
Unlike the last time she had summoned Iree to nitpick her posture and table manners, this time was different.
It was about hosting a ducal banquet. How much could a commoner like Iree possibly know about that?
‘One day? Two days? Watch—she’ll be gone bawling her eyes out in three days at most.’
Resolute, the Madam made her way to Iree’s quarters.
But there was one thing she hadn’t anticipated.
“Come on, say it. ‘Big sister.’”
“Uh… big sister…”
“That’s wonderful! It was my dream to have a younger sister just your age. Veronica’s cute too, but she’s still too little.”
“Hmmph, Veronica’s not little at all. She’s already five.”
“Hehe, if you want to brag about your age to your big sister, come back after you’re at least ten.”
To Iree’s left sat Veronica, and to her right, Vanessa.
The three of them sat side by side on the long sofa, giggling together in an incredibly warm and harmonious atmosphere.
The Madam, standing there stunned, could hardly believe those two girls flanking Iree were really her daughters. The first to notice her dazed expression was Vanessa.
“Oh, Mother. You’re here? Please, sit over here.”
Vanessa guided the Madam as naturally as if she were the host of the gathering.
Meanwhile, Iree had asked a maid to bring a teacup and tea snacks for the Madam. The pleasant scent of chamomile brought the Madam to her senses, and she asked Vanessa,
“Vanessa, what are you doing here? And Veronica?”
“You said you were going to teach Iree how to host a banquet today. I’m one of the main guests, and I’ll have to host banquets myself when I become a countess, right? I thought it would be helpful to learn by observing in advance.”
Smiling brightly, Vanessa then gently patted Veronica’s head and added,
“Veronica, too. She’ll get married into a good family someday, so it’s good for her to experience this early.”
“For the record, I only came because big sister begged and begged me to. I didn’t come to see you, Mother, so don’t get the wrong idea.”
With a pout, Veronica clung tightly to Iree’s side and shot glances at the Madam.
The child’s exaggerated sulking was her way of saying, “I’m sorry, I was wrong, let’s play together soon,” in hopes of a reconciliation.
Normally, the Madam would have caught on right away. But faced with this unexpected situation, she simply pressed her hand to her forehead.
“I see. So… you came here… to learn how to host a banquet, did you?”
“Yes. I got Iree’s permission in advance. Right, Iree?”
“Yes. And you’re not just anyone—you’re noble ladies.”
“Lady? Come on, we agreed you’d call me big sister!”
“Ah, yes. Vanessa unnie.”
“Me too! Call me Bell like I’m your real sister—not ‘lady.’ Speak casually with me too!”
“Well… that’s a bit…”
“Whyyy? I’m your big sister! Call me Bell! Not ‘Lady Bell,’ just Bell! Beeeell!”
“Okay, okay, I will. Bell.”
“Talk casually, I said!”
“Alright, sorry! I’ll speak comfortably from now on, so don’t cry.”
“Heehee, I wasn’t crying! I’m five years old now. I’m not a little kid who cries easily anymore.”
What on earth is going on? Her head throbbed.
Before the rowdy girls, the Madam picked up a fork and tapped the rim of a teacup.
Clink!—the sound rang out, and the three girls turned their attention to her. Seizing the moment of silence, the Madam let out a sigh and said,
“Very well then… Let’s proceed with the lesson.”
Her voice lacked strength.
She had a gut feeling—it would not go the way she wanted today.
* * *
“What do you think is the very first thing to do when hosting a banquet?”
“Hmm… finding a partner?”
“No way! You have to buy pretty dresses and jewelry first! Hold on a sec. I’ve already picked the dress I’ll wear for my first banquet. Let me show you what the design looks like…”
As Bell busily sketched in a large notebook, the Madam let out a long sigh and turned to me.
“You give it a try.”
“…Well, since the purpose of the banquet is already set, we should first decide on a date, then create a guest list and estimate the scale and budget, right?”
When I subtly turned my gaze, I caught Alicia winking at me.
A secret signal that I was doing great—just as she had taught me.
“…Yes, that’s right. In some cases, it’s better to first send letters to ask guests if they can attend, and then determine the size and budget accordingly.”
“But most of the guests this time are Ludian’s retainers. Unless there’s an unavoidable circumstance, they’ll all attend, so there’s no need to wait for responses… right?”
“Wow, Iree unnie is super smart!”
Before I could even finish, Bell clapped her hands in admiration.
Vanessa did the same.
Only the Madam sighed with her forehead resting in her hand.
“Smart, huh… This much should be common knowledge… Alright, Olvia.”
“Yes, Madam.”
With a blank expression, the maid placed paper and a fountain pen in front of me.
“Mother, don’t I get one?”
Instead of answering, the Madam waved her hand lightly to signal “wait” and turned to me.
“For the event announcing the engagement of Ludian’s lady, who should be invited and who should not? Try drafting a guest list.”
“Mother—”
“You stay quiet.”
Though Vanessa tried to protest, the Madam ignored her and fixed her gaze on me.
“I’m not forcing you. If you can’t do it, just say so.”
Her voice had a hint of frost to it, but I let it wash over me and looked down at the blank paper.
‘Wow. Just like Alicia said.’
‘The Madam will definitely tell you to make the guest list for the banquet. When she does, if she gives you the retainers’ roster, just copy all the names from that. If she nitpicks, tell her all the retainers have a right to know about the Ludian family’s joyous occasion.’
‘What if she doesn’t give me the roster?’
‘You’re not officially introduced to many of the retainers yet. So if she tells you to make a list without giving the roster, it’s clearly just bullying.’
Alicia had even told me how to deal with that bullying.
‘Say, “Since I haven’t been formally introduced to most of the retainers yet, I’ll get the list from the Duke,” and stand up.’
Blaming it on the Duke and storming out might make me look a bit brazen, but since I was already here with the Madam, I wanted to annoy her a little longer.
So instead, I said—
“Vanessa unnie, I think it’d be best if you made the list.”
And with that, I slid the paper and pen smoothly over to Vanessa.
