Chapter 41
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Loella was waiting for Sophia in the living room, looking quite calm. She respected Sophia, not because she was her mother's handmaiden, but because the previous Duke of Schwaben had recognized her competence and made her the Empress's handmaiden himself.
"Sophia’s here to see you, Princess Loella."
Sophia bowed politely. Loella allowed her to take her seat and then spoke bluntly.
"I want to ruin Laila’s performance."
"Princess!"
No such words had been spoken during the wait, so Caroline called out in surprise, as if to restrain her. But in the meantime, Loella's mind was made up.
Sophia calmly explained.
"Lady Laila’s true identity is that she is the daughter of Gisela, a former handmaiden of the late Empress. Lady Laila was born out of wedlock, presumably illegitimate, and although she claims to be related to Count Andex, she is technically the Countess's niece."
"And?"
"It means that her connection to Duke Klaus isn't so great. The Duke is overly preoccupied with anything that might remind him of the late Empress, his dead daughter, so I guess you could say he’s fond of Lady Laila because of that.”
Loella bit her lower lip, even though that meant Lady Laila was insignificant.
"I don't care about that. I want Laila destroyed."
Even if she were a lowly maid, Loella would have done it.
Every time she remembered the heat in Ezekiel's gaze that night, she was filled with rage and humiliation. She couldn't accept that the woman was being looked at with the kind of desire and passion she'd never received, not even in bed, the kind that could melt his heart.
Sophia lowered her head for a moment and fiddled with her collar.
"When a performance’s reputation is ruined, it usually takes the owner with it."
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"Are you aware that the Marelle troupe has been growing in size lately?"
Loella looked at Sophia as if she should know such a thing. She explained calmly.
"With the success of 'Curtain Rises,' there are a lot of men interested in the supporting cast as well as the lead actresses, especially Luna, the main character."
"Dirty."
Loela's reaction was immediate.
Performers were looked down upon. The more popular ones were praised and invited to noblemen's salons, but only a few patrons truly respect them. Unlike patronizing a theater, troupe, or band itself, patronizing an individual actor or actress usually meant lover’s contracts.
Sophia ignored Loella's retort and continued.
"I know that neither Luna nor Zion, the lead actors, are sponsored by anyone yet. Everyone I've personally contacted at Marel’s troupe has been unsuccessful."
"So?"
"Some have sent Lady Laila directly with the actor's name and their own contact information. In other words, they asked the owner directly to sell them an actor. I'm told they were all ignored."
Loella was impulsive, but not stupid. Having heard the story this far, she realized Sophia's plan and leaned forward.
"Perhaps members of the Marel troupe are often invited to the salon for short performances, as if Laila were showcasing her troupe to secure secret contracts?"
"It's not uncommon for the owner of a theater company or band to be a middle man.”
A middle man for sexual contracts was not something a proper nobleman would do.
The Marel Theater Company's rapid rise to fame was due in large part to the success of The Curtain Rises and the active involvement of its aristocratic owner, but it was also due to the dignity with which the company itself was run.
But if Laila was to sell her performers directly from the salon, the salon's reputation, Laila’s reputation as a lady, and the reputation of the Marel Theater Company would all be tarnished at once.
Tantalizingly tempted, Loella licked her upper lip and looked at Sophia.
"Do you think you can do this?"
"I've lent you my wisdom, leave the practicalities to someone else."
"Okay. Sophia's busy, thank you."
"If you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to work."
Sophia stood up, bowed politely, and left, returning to her office.
With that, her own worries were eased. If Loella could overthrow Laila safely, the Marel Troupe would be disbanded, and Zion Miller would be out of the world's eye.
Take it or leave it, the rest would follow.
***
Benjamin Fischer, Count Zepelin's secretary, was just leaving work when he received a visit from Jan Zomer.
When he heard that he had a visitor, he went to the drawing room, and there stood the man he missed. Benjamin called out to him happily.
"Jan!"
They had known each other in college, but hadn't seen each other much since they'd gone their separate ways.
Benjamin wasn't surprised, though, because he had written to him a while ago. He knew the contents of Count Zepelin's letter, which he had enclosed in his greeting.
He shook Jan's hand, thinking it was important enough that the man had come in person instead of sending a reply.
"It's been a long time. You look well."
"I've heard you're well. I hear you're in Count Lutgard’s good graces?"
"I'm not from a vassal family, but he's taken good care of me."
With that, Jan glanced at the man standing behind him.
Benjamin finally looked at the man properly. The man, with his wide-brimmed hat pressed down, was a large man, wearing a jacket and pants that were wrinkled and made of poor quality cotton. He must be a servant, Benjamin thought, a servant who had followed Jan.
Then he removed his hat to reveal a strongly defined, stern face. The sharp black eyes were intelligent, and the straight lips were set in a line of determination.
His back and neck were straight and dignified, as if he had never bent before. This was a man who wouldn’t have to bend. That alone was enough for Benjamin to recognize who he was dealing with, and he quickly bowed.
"I apologize for not recognizing you. I was not expecting Count Lutgard himself to come in this form."
Now Benjamin knew why Jan hadn't been sitting in the parlor. He couldn't sit with his master standing up.
Theodore spoke in a calm voice.
"I'm sorry if I startled you. I thought it would be better to come to the capital than to write a letter. But if I announced my visit, I would never know who the real Count Zepelin might be….”
"I'm sure he would have welcomed you in whatever guise you came."
"Yes. It is kind of you to say so."
Theodore said with a bitter smile.
He had entered the capital quietly, with only a few henchmen and a concealed identity, for fear of being discovered, which would have made his visit all the more difficult for Count Zepelin.
Benjamin spoke quickly.
"Please wait a moment while I break the news to Count Zepelin."
"Please."
Theodore replied and pressed his hat back on his head.
He didn't have to wait long. Benjamin soon returned to escort him, and Theodore and Jan were able to enter Ferdinand's study without encountering anyone.
Ferdinand greeted them warmly and extended his hand.
"It's been a long time, Count Lutgard."
"Since I have not yet held the ceremony of succession, please call me Theodore."
"Of course not, the ceremony is a mere formality anyway. Please, sit down."
The two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
Ferdinand ordered the tea to be served as Theodore took his seat, and then sat himself down. Theodore was the first to speak.
"I'm not good at politics or anything like that. You might call me unsophisticated, but let me ask you straightforwardly: does Duke Klaus have any intention of appointing a successor?"
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