Chapter : 25
The sensation touching his fingers was soft, and the beige fur carried a pleasant scent. It felt soothing—almost drowsily comforting.
“Happy birthday again, Benjamin. I’m very glad to have met you.”
“!”
At that moment, the child’s eyes widened into perfect circles, as if he had heard something completely unexpected. Jacqueline smiled gently and turned away.
“See you later then. I hope you have a wonderful birthday party.”
“Thank you, Miss Somerset. …I’m glad I met you too.”
A late greeting came from behind her. Jacqueline simply waved lightly instead of turning back to look at the child.
As she crossed the corridor to return to her room—
“What do you mean by that?”
William’s restrained but sharp voice rang out. His tone was so tense that Jacqueline stopped without realizing it.
What’s going on?
For a butler as flawless as someone who had stepped out of a book, losing his temper meant something serious had happened.
Jacqueline looked around, then leaned her upper body over the railing and stretched her neck to look down. The sound was coming from the staircase below.
Beside William stood a man who appeared to be a band member. The baton in his hand wandered aimlessly in the air, having lost its direction.
No—he wasn’t just a musician. He was the conductor.
As William’s face grew redder with anger, the conductor lowered his head further and further.
“So you’re telling me this now? Do you even know what kind of banquet this is? It’s the birthday banquet of young Benjamin Preston.”
“I am fully aware, sir.”
“And yet you intend to ruin it like this?”
“I am truly sorry.”
“So what do you suggest we do? The banquet is about to begin, and you expect us to play without a pianist? Do you think the guests won’t notice? If you intended to tarnish the honor of House Preston, then congratulations—you’re succeeding.”
“We are trying to bring in a replacement as quickly as possible…”
“You should consider finding another profession!”
William’s threat lashed out like a whip. The conductor’s face turned pale, as if he understood it might not be an empty threat.
“What’s going on, William?”
At the sudden voice, William looked around in confusion until Jacqueline whispered, “Here. Up here.”
He slowly tilted his head upward.
“Miss Somerset!”
Jacqueline ignored the butler’s flustered shout and leaned further over the railing.
“Careful… you might fall…”
“What’s happening?”
William stepped back a few paces so she could see more clearly. Only then did Jacqueline pull herself back inside the railing.
With a relieved sigh, William muttered again, still irritated.
“The pianist was on his way to the estate and was hit by a carriage. Apparently, he broke his fingers. It seems the orchestra is determined to ruin the banquet.”
“Oh my goodness! Is he alright? Is he badly injured?”
At her question, William blinked slowly, as if only just remembering that fact.
“Ahem.”
He cleared his throat. To him, the pianist’s condition was less important than the upcoming banquet.
But Jacqueline looked genuinely worried for a man she had never even met.
Trying to hide his embarrassment, William spoke more stiffly.
“The bigger problem is that it will take at least an hour for a replacement pianist to arrive. The banquet must begin soon.”
“Oh dear.”
“The birthday banquet of young Benjamin Preston will become the subject of gossip. And not in a good way.”
“I understand your concern, William.”
Jacqueline nodded sympathetically. The conductor’s head sank even lower, as though he might dig himself into the floor.
Watching this, Jacqueline raised her eyebrows slightly. As if a thought had just occurred to her, her eyes sparkled as she looked down at William.
“Perhaps I can help.”
“What? You, Miss?”
William asked, completely bewildered.
Instead of answering, Jacqueline disappeared beyond the railing. Soon, light footsteps approached from nearby.
William’s expression grew more and more puzzled.
When Windsor entered the reception room, those who had already arrived stood up. He exchanged formal greetings and handshakes.
“Thank you for attending.”
“Not at all. This is the most important banquet of the season. The hosting family should be prepared to lose other guests.”
The room filled with the scent of cigars. After greetings, the men sat back down and exchanged subtle glances.
Windsor Preston rarely attended such gatherings. In truth, it was almost unheard of.
Even when he held occasional banquets in his territory, they were few and far between, due to the mourning period for Geoffrey Preston.
But today was Benjamin Preston’s birthday banquet, so his absence would have been impossible.
Thus, this event was the perfect opportunity to confirm a rumor circulating through high society: that Windsor Preston was ignorant of noble etiquette.
No one knew who had started it, but the rumor spread quickly. On reflection, it sounded plausible.
He was the son of an opera singer and a former soldier. It didn’t seem likely he would be well-versed in aristocratic etiquette.
While conversing, they kept glancing at Windsor, watching his every movement like hyenas circling prey.
“Long time no see, Lord Preston.”
“Likewise, Lord Saltrein.”
Windsor greeted Count Saltrein and took his seat naturally. A teapot and cups were already prepared on the table. He poured himself a cup.
—Be careful not to let the tea make noise.
For a moment, he thought he heard Jacqueline’s voice. A faint smile slipped out before he quickly returned to a stoic expression.
Yet some had seen it. Their expressions turned astonished, as if they had witnessed the sun rising in the west.
Windsor leaned back in his chair and spoke calmly.
“The aroma is not bad.”
He brought the cup to his lips. His movements were flawless, without excess. The observers raised their eyebrows in surprise.
“It’s tea provided by House Preston, of course it would be good. Isn’t that right?”
“Imported tea is popular these days, but the best is still Noard tea, known for its tradition. This must be from Noard as well.”
“Indeed, though personally…”
—They’re people with too much money and too little to do. Just nod and they’ll talk endlessly.
—Isn’t that a rather careless explanation?
—I’ll prove how excellent a tutor I am through this banquet.
Jacqueline had been confident—and she was right.
Windsor simply nodded at the unfolding conversation, letting it flow from tea origins to cigars.
His tutor was sharp, ruthless, and extremely competent.
“Come to think of it, Lord Preston doesn’t smoke cigars?”
When the topic turned to him, Windsor answered evenly.
“I have not yet found their appeal.”
“How unfortunate. Truly a shame not to appreciate such a pleasure.”
Viscount Jephman shook his head as if genuinely disappointed.
“I’ve heard soldiers are all heavy smokers, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
A heavy silence fell over the room. Conversations stopped. Everyone was listening.
Lord Saltrein, who had sparked the comment, calmly exhaled cigar smoke.
The atmosphere grew tense—
Then suddenly—
“Hahaha. Tobacco from Slen has also become quite good lately. Investing in merchants importing it would not be a loss. You should trust me.”
Viscount Jephman smoothly changed the subject. Others quickly followed, easing the tension.
“Ah, I’ve tried it before. A bit light, but surprisingly good. Which company imports Slen tobacco?”
“Well, that would be…”
Windsor ignored the resumed chatter and turned his attention to Baron Hines, who had been sitting idly.
Feeling his gaze, Hines looked up.
Windsor spoke first.
“I hear your horses have been performing quite well lately.”
Hines’ eyes lit up instantly.
“How did you hear that? Thunderbolt is finally rewarding my faith. He had been out of form for a while, but has recovered in recent races.”
Just as he was about to launch into a long speech, faint music drifted through the door. A servant stood at the entrance announcing the start of the banquet.
Baron Hines reluctantly ended the conversation.
“Please visit my stables sometime.”
“I will.”
Windsor nodded and stood up. The men left the room in order, heading to find their partners.
Those attending alone proceeded directly to the banquet hall. Windsor followed at a leisurely pace.
Everything was perfect. The music was soft, the hall extravagant, and the guests smiled in satisfaction.
Children looked around curiously, barely resisting the urge to run around, restrained by their mothers’ stern gazes.
Then William approached quietly.
He whispered something briefly into Windsor’s ear before leaving.
“……”
Windsor’s calm gaze shifted slowly.
The destination of his gray-blue eyes was a thick brown curtain.
Behind it was the orchestra.