Chapter 55
Selakia was genuinely impressed by the servants’ efforts in decorating the banquet hall so perfectly. Merely raising their wages wouldn’t suffice; she felt they deserved a special bonus as well.
“Sigh… I wonder how many years it’s been since our last banquet. It would have been nice to invite other dignitaries too,” she mused.
“Indeed. Surely there will be another opportunity soon. Haha,” someone replied.
“On that note, I should inquire about the Duke’s future plans,” another voice added.
While Selakia admired the banquet hall in awe, the attendants swarmed Tenus like a school of squid drawn to the lights. He was soon caught and led away, trudging along with a strangely dissatisfied expression.
“Wow!”
At the back, Erika kept exclaiming in delight, curiously peeking at everything around her with eager steps.
Julien, showing no expression, focused on staying by Erika’s side, probably worried she might get into some trouble.
Selakia looked on fondly at their remarkable growth and said,
“Sir Julien, Erika, please enjoy the banquet to your heart’s content.”
“Yes. Ah, no… yes!”
Erika responded spiritedly and darted toward the table with the light banquet foods. Julien sighed, bowed to Selakia, and followed after her.
As Selakia continued to survey the surroundings carefully, her eyes fell on Marguerite. She was skillfully commanding the servants from a corner with flawless efficiency.
Selakia felt a complicated mix of emotions watching the experienced and competent head maid. She had yet to decide Marguerite’s fate.
“Madam, shall I bring some champagne?”
Nancy asked suddenly, noticing Selakia’s absent-minded gaze. Selakia tore her eyes away from Marguerite and shook her head.
“I think it’s better not to drink. We can’t let anyone see us lose composure.”
“There’s non-alcoholic champagne too. I’ll pick a nice one for you,” Nancy said and went to fetch a glass before Selakia could protest.
Meanwhile, young ladies from noble families approached Selakia, glancing at her from afar.
“Madam Duchess, it’s our first greeting since you arrived at the estate.”
“Indeed. Since the first night’s dinner, it’s been difficult to see your face.”
“I hoped to chance upon you in the garden, but I heard you were busy conversing with Lady Lashley.”
“Is that so? I should have taken the initiative; my thoughtlessness,” Selakia replied, forcing a stiff smile that made her neck tense.
“Was Lady Lashley troublesome?”
“Not at all. She was a very good conversational partner.”
“Lady Lashley? That can’t be…”
Before the conversation could continue, Nancy appeared, holding a glass of non-alcoholic champagne. Selakia felt a brief sense of relief, a comfort she only felt with familiar people.
Then, someone brushed past Nancy as she approached quickly. In the narrow moment before Selakia could react, Nancy staggered as if pushed by someone while extending the glass toward her.
“Ah.”
“Oh!”
The golden liquid sloshed dangerously close to spilling from the glass.
“Yup!”
Nancy crossed her legs and lifted her arm, balancing herself in a near-acrobatic maneuver. Not a single drop spilled. She narrowly avoided what could have been a disaster for Selakia’s dress.
“Oh, well done, Nancy. Your agility has improved, and your leg strength is impressive,” Selakia praised.
Roberta, who had intended to block Selakia, clapped her hands, and the surrounding young ladies awkwardly followed suit.
“Whatever it was… I’m glad the dress is safe.”
“Indeed, that could have been dangerous. The maid is quite charming.”
“Hehe,” Nancy beamed proudly, having successfully delivered the glass.
Selakia thanked her and watched Amy storm off in frustration. She still hadn’t discerned Amy’s intentions from the previous meeting with the servants. Given her antics at the banquet, it seemed Amy hadn’t yet achieved her goal.
What exactly was her aim?
Intuitively, it seemed she intended to ruin Selakia’s dress. But Selakia found it hard to understand Amy—such a shallow trick. Even if the dress were ruined, she could simply change. There was no shame in an unexpected accident.
There had to be a more sophisticated motive behind it…
As Selakia immersed herself in thought, someone spoke up.
“Ahem. I heard that not only your servants attended the banquet today, but also your guest? Apparently a commoner…”
“Isn’t that her? From the uneasy atmosphere, it’s obvious,” others whispered, glancing at Erika, who was examining the decorations seriously from afar.
Selakia furrowed her brows, forgetting to maintain her composed expression. This was clearly prejudice.
Erika’s dress might have shown signs of wear, but it was not shabby enough to be criticized. Coming from a baronial family, she understood proper etiquette and had done nothing to warrant blame.
Before Selakia could defend her, the conversation took another turn.
“I understand Madam mingling with a commoner. Her tutor in childhood was a commoner, a man at that,” one said.
“Is that true? I couldn’t believe it; I thought it was a rumor,” another added.
“Look over there. The uncomfortable truth is staring right at us.”
Someone pointed their fan toward Julien, who stood at the edge of the banquet hall like a wallflower. He stayed close to Erika but chose a position to remain unobtrusive.
Julien surely knew the suspicious stares aimed at him. Selakia felt a deep warmth from his watchful stance, even as he observed quietly from the corner.
Without him, enduring the lonely times at the baronial estate would have been far more difficult. Selakia had survived those harsh days not only with the love of her parents in her heart but also thanks to Julien’s dedication.
Her intention in inviting Julien and Erika to the banquet had been to enjoy a rare, pleasant time together—not to have them treated like this. She would not have been this angry had she been the target instead.
The smile on her face vanished in an instant.
“I understand the appointments were unusual, but Sir Julien is a graduate of the Military Academy and possesses all the qualities of a capable tutor. I ask that you refrain from inappropriate remarks,” she said firmly.
The young ladies, caught off guard by the sudden change in her demeanor, exchanged uneasy glances.
“We didn’t mean to offend. We just wanted to know the truth,” one said.
“You must know some of a person’s past if you are to serve them. Please don’t be upset,” another replied.
Then, someone seemed to realize something and clapped their fan sharply against their palm.
“Wait. A Military Academy graduate? Why would such an imperial talent volunteer as a tutor for a mere baronial estate?”
“Mind your words, young lady. ‘Mere’?!”
“Ah, excuse me. I only meant he can’t truly be considered a commoner; entering the Military Academy automatically confers a knightly title.”
A ripple of shock swept through those gathered around Selakia.
The Military Academy was famous for producing only the finest elite—its reputation unmatched. Unlike an academy accessible to all nobles, admission required passing rigorous tests in swordsmanship, history, diplomacy, literature, theology, and etiquette. Even commoners could enter if exceptionally talented.
Though Julien had abandoned his knighthood and left the academy on his own, Selakia carefully continued.
“As a Military Academy graduate, Sir Julien’s credentials are certain. I understand your concerns, but my and his innocence can be vouched for by the servants of the Rensh estate.”
The Rensh servants, who had whispered about Selakia and Julien, were impressed by his meticulous public instruction even back then. Selakia herself had followed him blindly as a child, but without his efforts, she could not stand as confidently today.
No one could doubt Selakia’s integrity when looking into her clear, transparent eyes. However, the atmosphere did not instantly turn friendly.
Unable to attack Selakia using Erika and Julien as excuses, someone spoke bluntly.
“Even a genius might not have the qualities of a great teacher. I suppose your attitude confirms that.”
