Chapter: 17
“Ah… at this level, it might actually be okay for me to look at it.”
I reached out and unfolded the blueprint of the salon’s interior.
A buffet-style food table, the placement of the artworks to be displayed, plush sofas where nobles and writers could sit and debate, and floral decorations to brighten the atmosphere.
The overall layout itself was flawless.
However…
“Um, Your Grace.”
I spoke without thinking.
“This is just my opinion, but I don’t think we need quite this many flower arrangements.”
“Hm? Why not?”
“I think they might interfere with the visitors’ viewing path.”
I pointed at a massive flower vase, nearly as tall as a person’s torso.
“Take this vase, for example. If it’s placed here, won’t people’s attention naturally be drawn toward it instead of the artwork?”
…
Ah.
Her eyes widened like those of a startled cat.
But only for a moment.
Soon, the young duchess fixed the blueprint with a sharp, thoughtful gaze.
“You’re right.”
“So instead of placing this vase here, how about removing it and paying a bit more attention to the lighting?”
“The lighting?”
“Yes. After all, the true stars of the salon are the artworks on display, aren’t they?”
I continued explaining calmly.
“If we arrange the lighting with advice from a professional technician, the artworks themselves will stand out much more.”
“Hmm, that’s a good suggestion. Then should we increase the lighting budget?”
“I think it’d be better to reduce the flower budget a little and redirect those savings toward the lighting.”
I answered absentmindedly.
The young duchess suddenly fell silent.
Huh?
Confused, I slowly raised my head.
And then…
I saw it.
The young duchess was staring at me with sparkling eyes.
W-What’s with her all of a sudden?
This is making me nervous!
Unable to withstand that dazzling gaze any longer, I cautiously opened my mouth.
“Well… I may not be able to help with anything major, but I can at least assist with reviewing documents.”
“Really?!”
Unable to contain her excitement, the young duchess shot to her feet.
Of course, she quickly regained her composure.
“Ahem… ahem.”
After clearing her throat awkwardly, she gracefully sat back down.
“T-Then… go ahead and help.”
She really was adorable.
Chuckling inwardly, I picked up the guest list first.
The budget was a little too sensitive, so I intended to look only at the materials that an outsider could reasonably review.
As I quickly skimmed through the list, a sly smile spread across my face.
Just as I thought.
Well, it was only natural.
The guest list contained neither Seraphina nor Gregory.
Even Count Gusto’s family wasn’t on it.
Late at night.
Dietrich entered the townhouse with an exhausted expression.
“…Sigh.”
Letting out a long breath without realizing it, he irritably tugged at the cravat tightening around his neck.
Honestly… I don’t even notice how the days pass anymore.
Today had been another hectic day.
Yet the number of matters Dietrich had to handle only kept increasing.
“Welcome back, Your Grace.”
The butler happened to approach and bowed respectfully.
“Your bedchamber has been prepared. Please get some rest.”
“No, I still have work to review. Bring me a cup of coffee.”
Shaking his head, Dietrich glanced sideways at the butler.
“Come to think of it, how are the preparations for the salon progressing?”
Since many renowned artists emerged through the salon, the ducal house could hardly afford to neglect it.
Thus, despite his overwhelming schedule, Dietrich had continued making time to monitor its preparations.
“Your Grace… there is something I should report regarding that.”
After hesitating for a moment, the butler spoke carefully.
“Her Grace the Young Duchess reviewed the related documents for this salon and sent back her comments.”
Dietrich looked surprised.
“Eva did?”
Evangeline.
His one and only younger sister had always been the sore spot in his heart.
Dietrich had inherited the duchy after losing their parents at a young age.
Becoming the Empire’s sole duke while still a child, he had grown into an exemplary lord admired by all and a flawless grand noble.
But even he had his shadows.
He had simply been too busy to properly look after his younger sister.
Perhaps because of that, he never wanted her to suffer.
He had given her only the nominal position of lady of the household while making sure that capable people handled all the difficult work.
“Things may be fine now, but what will happen once Her Grace gets married?”
“If she becomes the mistress of another noble house, she’ll have to manage that household herself.”
His retainers had voiced such concerns.
Dietrich, however, replied without batting an eye.
“Then what are money and manpower for?”
“…Pardon?”
“If Eva gets married, we’ll simply send administrative officers along with her dowry to assist her.”
An enormous dowry that would leave the groom’s family speechless.
And no fewer than ten administrators.
The retainers had shaken their heads in disbelief.
But Dietrich had been completely serious.
Rather than letting Evangeline struggle, it was far better for his family to continue supporting her.
They certainly had the resources.
He had protected and cherished his younger sister that much.
And now Eva has reviewed documents…? She doesn’t need to concern herself with complicated matters like these.
Though he felt proud of her, he couldn’t help being dissatisfied that she had gone looking for extra work.
Clicking his tongue inwardly, Dietrich extended a hand toward the butler.
“Let me see them first.”
“Here they are.”
The butler respectfully handed over the documents.
Truthfully, Dietrich had no particular expectations.
She had never received any formal training in this area, so he assumed her work would be ordinary at best.
He casually flipped through the papers.
Then…
His blue eyes widened slightly.
“This is…?”
Eva prepared these documents?
The blueprint was, quite simply, perfect.
After studying it for a long while, Dietrich turned to the next set of papers.
It was the guest list.
Since the ducal family itself selected the guests, he hadn’t expected there to be many notes.
Hm?
Several pieces of advice had been attached regarding the invitations.
[Since many elderly nobles will be attending, extra care should be taken to ensure the seating is as comfortable as possible.]
[Several nobles are known to become troublesome when drunk. Wouldn’t it be better to serve lower-alcohol beverages?]
There were broad, practical suggestions like those.
And then…
[Lady So-and-so and Lady So-and-so are not on good terms. Their seats should be placed as far apart as possible.]
[Poetry and literature have recently become popular among the nobility. It would be beneficial to prepare a larger collection of related books.]
As well as meticulous observations that only someone who had spent years navigating high society could have made.
After reading those notes, Dietrich became certain.
There is no way Evangeline could have prepared these documents on her own.
The papers carried the unmistakable polish of someone who had accumulated years of training and practical experience.
And Evangeline possessed neither.
More importantly…
Evangeline holds one of the highest ranks in the entire Empire.
Someone of Claudia’s ducal princess’s status had never needed to pay such careful attention to petty interpersonal relationships or seating arrangements.
His younger sister, who had spent her entire life without worrying about how others perceived her, simply couldn’t be this meticulous.
“These documents… are you certain Eva sent them?”
“Yes, Your Grace. However…”
“However?”
Seeing Dietrich tilt his head in confusion, the butler bowed once more.
“It appears that Lady Ancy assisted Her Grace while the documents were being prepared.”
“…Lady Ancy…”
Dietrich slowly repeated the name to himself.
