Chapter 42
***
Ferdinand was taken aback for a moment. Theodore's question had skipped several steps beyond what he had expected.
Silence settled over the study. Twice Ferdinand opened his mouth, then closed it again. Theodore's eyes were straight and strong as he looked at him. It was clear that he was not a man to be persuaded by half-hearted answers.
He let out a light sigh and relaxed his body.
"Well.... I would have panicked if I hadn't been warned."
"What do you mean, a warning?"
"That Count Lutgard is not the kind of man to weigh Schwaben and Klaus on both sides of the scale."
Obviously, it was much easier to be honest than to use political rhetoric to weigh each other down. However, Ferdinand, who didn’t know Theodore very well, had his doubts about whether he would be able to speak so openly.
But he thought he could trust him. Theodore's questions were the right thing for a patriarch to ask, as he was responsible for the fate of his family. It would be foolish and irresponsible for a patriarch to dabble in something that had no future.
Conversely, he was certain that if he could show that there was a future, he would gladly take the offered hand. He only wanted to make sure of that. Without counting the price Duke Klaus could pay him, or the power he would gain if he succeeded.
Ferdinand spoke honestly.
"I don't think heir is the right word, but there is someone Duke Klaus would like to leave everything to."
Theodore tilted his head slightly.
"You won't tell me who that is?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you, because I didn't actually write to Count Lutgart as his agent, it just so happened that my secretary was connected to his aide."
"But Count Zepelin must be in a very important position, mustn't he?"
"Only a hand and foot."
Ferdinand spoke modestly, but being Duke Klaus's hand and foot was an important position.
But Theodore’s s suspicions were growing. If Duke Klaus had an heir, there was no reason he couldn't say so, and if he had a political successor, if not someone to inherit the family name, it would be to his advantage to reveal his identity.
"But I can't tell you to go back to the Count and wait to hear from him, so I'll give you this."
Ferdinand handed him a beautifully decorated envelope. Theodore took it and looked it over. The sender's name was on it.
[Lady Laila]
Inside was an invitation, and he could feel the texture of the stiff card even through the envelope.
"Got it."
He slipped it into his jacket pocket and stood up. He wondered if it was right to be secretive, but not knowing what was going on behind the scenes, he couldn't say much.
"Thank you for your hospitality on such short notice."
"No, it was a very rude letter, and I thank you for your understanding. Perhaps we can meet again in another capacity soon."
"I look forward to that."
They shook hands once more.
Theodore tipped his hat and walked out of the study, followed by Jan, then they disappeared into the dark street.
***
12. The night Salon
Theodore was a little puzzled when he realized that the invitation he had received from Ferdinand was dated the very next day. He hurriedly sent his aides to find out the information, but he didn't have time to learn the full story.
"The owner of the salon is a lady who has recently become very famous in social circles. Even before she was going to host a gathering in Duke Klaus's residence, she had a reputation among art lovers."
"She is said to be a great beauty from the Duchy of Raniere. She's a relative of Count Andex."
"Apparently quite wealthy. The recent success of the theater company she owns must have made her even richer."
Theodore muttered.
"Well, she's certainly close to Duke Klaus, and Count Andex is a close ally of his, so I suppose she's an ally."
"Are you going?"
Jan asked with concern.
Unless the host was the Empress, a salon was not the place to make his first social appearance as Count of Lutgard. Even if it was held at Duke Klaus's estate.
Theodore read the invitation again: it was anonymous.
"How odd. An invitation to a salon, and it's anonymous."
Unlike a banquet, a salon was a private gathering, small and intimate, and the status and prestige of the attendees was important. The invitees were carefully selected based on the theme, and no strangers were invited. This created a sense of privilege for a small group of attendees, instilled a sense of “being chosen," and fostered empathy and mutual solidarity.
The pride and goodwill of these high-status attendees was the greatest privilege a salon owner could have. An invitation that was sent out in a blanket fashion was giving up that effect.
Jan said.
"I think about half of the invitations were sent out anonymously, and it's a pretty big one, at least a hundred people."
"If it's that big, it's more of a banquet than a salon. I'll be there."
"But, Theodore."
"Count Zepelin would not have given me this invitation without thinking, and since it is not a formal banquet, I may be able to attend unnoticed."
The riddling was a bit off-putting, but if they felt it was necessary, so be it. He asked a question, and this was their answer. It wasn't something he could emotionally push away without checking.
***
The next evening.
Duke Klaus's side door to the Wisteria Annex was wide open, and a dozen carriages were lined up in front of it.
Well-dressed attendants opened the carriage doors and handed each guest a paper lantern of purple wisteria flowers. The invitations were acknowledged, but no one called out.
As the guests walked down the garden paths lined with wisteria flowers to the annex, it looked like they were walking in a procession of flowers. It was beautiful enough without all the lights and sparkling glass decorations of a fancy banquet, and it was easy to get lost in the world, to feel more than a little pampered.
Theodore stepped out of the carriage alone. He thought it would be less conspicuous to come alone than to be seen with an aide or escort.
And he was right. The staff acknowledged his invitation, handed him a lantern, and asked no questions.
He walked slowly along the path. The merry chatter of the guests ahead of him reached his ears.
"It's Lady Laila after all, nothing she does disappoints."
"I suppose Luna will be out today, since she said there would be music, though not opera."
"Lady Zilke will have to sit up and take notice, because up until now she's been ignoring Lady Laila, thinking she's no match for her, but now she's going to have to compete with her for the best salon."
Theodore furrowed his brow slightly, feeling like he was eavesdropping. But he did understand one thing.
Perhaps it was deliberately called a salon instead of a banquet so that she could compete with Lady Zilke.
Theodore knew the name Lady Zilke; she had been the owner of one of the most prestigious salons in society seven years ago, when he had entered the capital's university.
A salon's reputation was directly linked to the reputation of its owner. Lady Laila probably chose to send out anonymous invitations in order to grow her salon in one go. It was not easy to turn a small gathering into a coveted destination.
On the porch of the Wisteria Annex, the butler accepted the lanterns. There, Theodore met the first person who asked him to identify himself.
"I am Theodore Lutgard."
"Count of Lutgard’s house. Thank you for coming."
As he spoke, minus his title, an elderly lady greeted him with an expressionless face. Theodore stared at her with a frown. There was something vaguely familiar about her.
An old vassal of Duke Klaus's?
He had only been in the capital from the age of eighteen to twenty-one, when he had been a student at the university, and during that time he had not ventured into social circles at all.
***
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