Chapter 102 – Transformation
“So Hadius had no choice but to leave Eleonore immediately and accompany Viscount Erdua, the person in charge.”
“What! How could such a thing…”
Hannes sighed and lowered his head.
“What could be the reason? Why is it said that the workers there cause trouble at the slightest provocation?”
“It seems they couldn’t clean up that incident properly two years ago.”
“That incident?”
As soon as he asked, Hannes nodded immediately, saying, “Ah, that incident.”
“The guy who was the ringleader at the time was released from prison not long ago. Didn’t you know? Those kinds of troublemakers always gather around them, making noise about freedom and equality.”
Caitlyn clenched her fist, as if to crush something.
“It seems that the recent movement to destroy machines in various parts of the continent has also had an impact. Those failures must have joined forces to plot this incident.”
“Yeah, there are always hidden forces behind riots.”
Hannes lit his pipe and clicked his tongue.
“I would really like to cut off all those who participated in the previous strike, but it won’t be easy. Especially with Eleonore’s steelworks, the strike wasn’t just about wages, so it’s even more troublesome.”
“Yeah, it’s not something that can be easily resolved. Even if the parliamentary faction hadn’t repealed the unity prohibition law, the thugs wouldn’t have gone so far… I’m worried about how Duke Meyer will handle this.”
Caitlyn pressed her temple and then straightened her posture, releasing the tension in her fingers.
“Don’t worry. It’s not like I have no experience in negotiating. I’ll handle it well. Actually, I could send someone else to take care of it, but I’ll personally step in and resolve it. Just trust me and wait.”
Hannes nodded, but he couldn’t completely hide his uneasiness.
“If it becomes impossible to watch, I’m prepared to step in personally.”
“…You?”
“Yes, I couldn’t shake off the thought of giving the executive position to Hadius so hastily.”
Strangely, Caitlyn’s face as she said that seemed a little excited.
“Since it seems like I haven’t gained much trust among the management, it wouldn’t hurt for me to step up and take charge this time.”
Ah, so you’re going to tighten the reins on your son like that?
Hannes concealed a smirk behind the smoke of his cigarette.
The fact that Caitlyn Meyer was wary of and jealous of her successor was a well-known secret within the club house.
It might have been natural for her to feel that way, especially since it was her own son whom she had those feelings toward. Of course, Hadius was the legitimate successor after all, born between Drake and Caitlyn.
He had inherited a precise blend of his father and mother’s features, right down the middle of his face. If anyone had seen a younger version of Duke Meyer and Hadius standing side by side, they wouldn’t have dared entertain such impure thoughts.
Above all, the previous Duke Meyer vouched for his grandson’s lineage. While he might not have been easygoing about anything else, he would never have allowed Bianca to marry Hadius if he had any doubts about his birth.
“Well, that seems fine.”
Hannes quickly concealed any internal thoughts that might have inadvertently revealed themselves with a casual response.
In his opinion, there was nothing wrong with the two hats colliding. After all, when two dogs fight, the bone ultimately becomes the possession of another dog standing nearby, doesn’t it?
“By the way, it’s a pity you couldn’t attend Elfort’s graduation ceremony. Bianca suggested that we all attend together to demonstrate the strength of our alliance… It’s truly unfortunate.”
Hannes tapped his cane on the floor before uncrossing his legs.
“Oh, before you go, please meet with Bianca. She insists it’s nothing, but lately, she doesn’t laugh as much and seems burdened by something. She says she has something important to discuss with you.”
“Yes, that was my intention.”
“It eases my mind to see that you take good care of my daughter, and that Bianca also follows your lead. Thank you.”
“Please, don’t mention it.”
The two of them smiled at each other as if they were true friends.
The atmosphere in the household had been as heavy as a tomb for several days, weighing down even Emilia.
At any opportunity, her stepmother would circle around like a mother hen, asking, “Emilia, are you okay?” while Charlotte remained completely silent. She never expected to see her stepsister coming into the house.
Nevertheless, they still carried out their household chores and meals as usual, each taking care of their own tasks and helping one another.
Emilia found it strange and would ask, “Why is everyone acting like this? Is something wrong?” And they would consistently shake their heads, maintaining that nothing was amiss.
Observing her family members, Emilia felt a sense of “one mountain after another.”
She thought that peace would return to the household once her stepmother quit her job and Mitch started attending school…
As she lost herself in her thoughts, Emilia blinked rapidly, trying hard to gather the disappearing numbers and letters on the ledger, as if they were dissipating smoke.
One advantage dishwashing had over keeping a ledger was that the work was less affected by worries and distractions.
Emilia forcefully gripped the pen that kept slipping away and made every effort to refocus on the ledger.
The ledger Emilia organized received a passing score that was exactly half of Ingrid’s father, Mr. Engel.
Still, she wasn’t greatly disappointed. After all, even though she wasn’t an official manager, she had been entrusted with ledger management for a year.
According to Ingrid, Mr. Engel said, ‘Just by making a hard-headed person like you recognize the importance of double-entry bookkeeping, you are more than qualified to manage the Lathan ledger.’
“That’s exactly what Father wanted. The ‘achievement’ he wanted to see within a month wasn’t money, but that kind of effort. Thanks to you, Elaine, I saved a year. Father postponed the capital recovery for me. It’s all thanks to you!”
Ingrid spoke as she prepared a desk and accounting books for Emilia in her own office.
“To be honest, I have no confidence in studying. Instead, I want to borrow your intellect and insight. I don’t know what methods you used to manage the household finances and cultivate refined tastes while mingling with the aristocracy… I hope you can advise me not only on organizing the accounts but also in all areas related to running the La Thrang Estate. It’s like the role of a head steward in a noble household.”
Ingrid chuckled, and Emilia thought of Tobias from the Basilion family.
“If you need anything like books or newspapers, just let me know. Through Father, I can get you whatever you want.”
Since then, Ingrid sought out Emilia whenever she had a chance. Whether it was buying tableware, ingredients, or decorations, Emilia was always with her, and she took care of almost all matters related to the accounts and the bank.
“At least when it comes to the safe and the accounts, you have to take care of them yourself. If you entrust them to someone else just because you don’t understand, you could get scammed.”
Even though Emilia said that, it was useless.
As time went by, Ingrid seemed to trust Emilia, or rather, Elaine, completely.
She even offered to lend Emilia her father’s house when she expressed her desire to settle in Reinsburgh.
During their conversation about the house, Emilia naturally opened up about her family, and thanks to that, the two of them quickly grew close.
“Why? Is there something bothering you?”
Ingrid handed Emilia a cup of tea as she rested her chin in her hand, deeply lost in thought.
“…It’s because of my family.”
“Why? Don’t you want to move?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Ingrid swallowed a sigh of relief. She wished for Elaine to live close to the restaurant.
“You know… It might sound selfish, but I just want you to focus on your work. So if you have any worries, just tell me everything. I’ll do my best to help you.”
Ingrid furrowed her brow suddenly.
“Is it because the rent is too expensive? Should I talk to my father?”
“No, please don’t. I know he already gave us a considerable discount. It’s not about the money.”
“Then why?”
Emilia suddenly revealed her frustrations about the silent family members and the gloomy atmosphere at home. She expressed her desire to reconcile them but didn’t know how.
Ingrid listened silently then suddenly sighed.
“You know what? You’re too much of a control freak.”
Emilia’s eyes widened, as if asking what she meant.
“It’s great that you have an attitude of trying to solve problems on your own when they arise, but you can’t live your life trying to control everything in the world. Haven’t you heard this saying before? ‘Happiness doesn’t come from order, but from trust.’”
Upon hearing the phrase, strangely enough, Nathan came to mind. He had also said something similar to Emilia.
“That’s how families are, aren’t they? They growl at each other every day as if they’re going to devour each other, but in the face of crisis, they come together and support each other. What’s wrong with arguing and fighting? Just let it be.”
“….”
“And if what you say is true, then it seems like we can’t help but argue. Your family, I mean.”
“Why is that?”
“Think about it. Your mother suddenly resting due to illness, your teenage brother on a hiatus from school, your sister confined to the house all her life. With the three locked up in one house all day, can you really avoid arguments? No, of course you’ll end up fighting.”
Ingrid jokingly said, and Emilia found herself laughing along, unaware of why.
“Stop worrying about trivial things and just take this.”
Ingrid suddenly tossed something. It was a bundle of keys.
“Hurry and move, Elaine. You and your family need a change.”
Since Bianca returned from the convent, the installation of canopies in Tobaro had become increasingly frequent.
It was because she enjoyed reading books or drinking tea outdoors.
Today, as always, a table and chairs were set up beneath the canopy, and a cozy fire was lit. There was even a small bed and a blanket on one side.
There, Bianca spent her days basking in the warm fire, reading books or playing chess to pass the time.
“What book are you reading so intently?”
Ruth was braiding Bianca’s hair and briefly glanced at her before asking.
“This?”
Bianca showed the cover of the book.
“The Secret… Window? Is it a detective novel?”
“No, it’s a dreadful tragedy. The female protagonist goes to her husband’s mansion and slits her own throat with a knife.”
A sudden twitch appeared at the corner of Ruth’s gentle smile.
Bianca casually reached out and grabbed a cookie, while Ruth shook her head, seemingly trying to dispel an odd feeling, and focused solely on her hair.
A little while later, a beautiful amethyst pin adorned the owner’s coiffure, glowing a sunset red. It was one of the jewels gifted by Duke Meyer.
“All done.”
The moment she called out, a maid appeared with someone. It was Caitlin Meyer.
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