Chapter 45
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***
Alone, Theodore stood there for a long time.
'Why would Via....'
An indescribably heavy mixture of emotion and anger settles in the pit of his stomach. He wasn't even sure if he was really looking at Olivia right now. But he couldn’t doubt his eyes, and from the moment he came here, he had wondered if it was all a hallucination.
He wondered why Count Zeppelin had sent him here, and now he resented even that.
He stood where he was for a long time, feeling as hopeless as if he were sinking into a swamp with heavy lead weights on his hands and feet. A million questions come and go in his mind.
Why was she called Lady Laila? What was her connection to Ezekiel Schwaben? Why was she here? What was she doing…
Was it her in his arms that night? The real her?
Did that night mean anything to her?
The music coming from the annex, the lights, all seemed to be an illusion. But he couldn’t run away like this. If he left here, he was certain he would never see her again.
He turned and headed back to the salon with heavy steps. If he hadn't met the Marquis of Berg, he could have slipped away without anyone noticing, but now he had someone who knew who he was. It would be no good if word got out that the new Count of Lutgard had slipped away unceremoniously at the first social gathering he attended.
He'd finally met Olivia, and it irritated him that he should care about such things under the circumstances.
But he stepped back into the building out of a sense of duty.
The salon was still dimly lit, and a young musician was playing the piano. Theodore returned to his seat, keeping his face expressionless. Never had he been so grateful to be used to hiding his emotions.
The Marquis of Berg beckoned him to come to his side. Theodore moved toward the wall so as not to interrupt the performance.
"Where have you been? I was almost drowning in people asking to be introduced to you."
"I went for some air."
Theodore replied calmly and slowly looked away.
Olivia was close to the stage, looking like an impeccably dressed noblewoman who'd spent the intervening hours touching up her makeup and smoothing out her outfit.
He didn't want to look at her, but he couldn't help but stare. It was strange to see her like that.
Olivia grew up alone in Lutgard Castle. He had heard that she sometimes played hostess when guests came to visit, but she had never experienced such a lavish social gathering, not even as an attendee, and he didn’t know she was able to play hostess so effortlessly.
"Oh, are you interested in Lady Laila?"
The Marquis of Berg asked, leaning toward him, realizing that his gaze had been on Olivia the entire time. Theodore shook his head in denial, but the Marquis didn't listen and chuckled.
"I thought you were made from stones, but you just have high standards. No, no, you needn't deny it, she's beautiful."
"I am enjoying the performance, Marquis."
"When she has the patronage of Duke Klaus, her low status is no longer an issue. It's not a barrier to friendship...."
Theodore gestured for him to be quiet. He wanted to think of nothing for a moment.
He wasn't much of a musician, but the tune was easy on the ears. He tried to clear his head by consciously focusing on the sound.
But he couldn't keep it up.
Soon it was over. Olivia tapped the crystal goblet of water with her silver cutlery, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"How did you like Mr. Duvier's new song?"
Those seated closer to the stage chimed in.
"'The Curtain Rises’ was simple and beautiful in its melody, and this one is just as good."
"But easy is not always good. I think it's more dignified...."
Olivia smiled, making eye contact with those who spoke actively, and then glanced at those seated farther away.
"I've prepared champagne and light refreshments, so why don't you take a moment to appreciate them."
Her words were barely out of her mouth when servers entered with trays filled with flute glasses. Guests accepted their glasses and moved around the room, chatting happily with those closest to them or standing up to join in the lively discussion.
In truth, not many people were interested in the topic of today's salon. The most important thing was that this was Duke Klaus’s residence, and the second most important thing was whether Lady Laila could bring such a large gathering to a quiet end.
But the performance was excellent, and satisfied most everyone.
Olivia took the composer around to the various tables, greeting people, checking to see if they were uncomfortable, and shuffling around after brief chats with different groups.
Theodore watched, but was soon surrounded by people who wanted to greet him. Being a young, wealthy earl, newly heir to the title, was enough to attract the attention of socialites, and he was a handsome young man, unmarried. He was sure to be the hottest bachelor on the marriage market this year.
"I've heard of Lord Knox from time to time. When on earth did you come to the capital? I had no idea."
"I came for a brief business trip, so I didn't bother to spread the word."
"But still! If you hadn't attended the salon today, I would never have been introduced to the Count."
"I am very glad to see you, sir; I am very glad."
"Please do come to my family's ball next week. We'll welcome you with open arms."
"If my schedule permits, I will certainly attend."
"It's been a long time, Count Lutgard. Are you staying in the capital for the time being?"
"Good to see you, Lord Deir. I'm not sure yet."
Theodore returned the nonstop greetings and questions with polite but measured answers. He occasionally stared at Olivia, trying to organize what he was going to say first when she came to him.
But in the end, Olivia never approached him again.
***
The salon was a success.
The guests, who were not active music lovers but had a good enough experience, went home with happy faces. The Marquis of Zalier deliberately caught Olivia before he left and greeted her with a beaming face.
"A fine gathering, Lady Laila."
"You are welcome."
"No, I was being silly. When I think about it, there's no way a gathering you organized could fail. I hope we have more of these in the future."
“Don’t expect too much, because Mr. Duvier doesn’t always have new songs.”
"I'll help you with anything you need. Too many people don't know what good music is these days."
The Marquis of Zalier said he would help in any way he could, maybe twice more, and left the salon. Music salons were commonplace, but rarely did they attract such a large audience of non-music lovers unless they were held at the imperial palace.
Tired as she was, Olivia smiled, feeling grateful and amused at the Marquis’s kindness.
When most of the people had left, the salon was left with empty bowls and glasses and rumpled tablecloths, which the servants scrambled to clean up.
Adelinde, Viscountess Munchausen, approached her with a languid stride.
"Lady Laila."
"Thank you for your help today, Grandmother Adelinde, and now...."
"The gentleman has been escorted to the study."
At those words, Olivia sucked in a breath. Adelinde reached out to her.
The touch on her cheek made Olivia still. It was only after Adelinde's touch that she realized she was trembling.
Her face showed no joy or sense of accomplishment at the successful completion of the salon. Without pointing out the vulnerability beneath the mask, Adelinde gently asked,
“Did you do something wrong to him?”
"...Yes...."
"But it was something you had to do, wasn't it?"
Olivia nodded.
Even now, her thoughts hadn't changed. She shouldn't have dragged Theodore into this. He had already done everything he could for her. She had taken his mother and father from him, destroyed everything he had, and finally forced him to throw away his life.
So this time, she wanted to keep him safe.
Adelinde said.
"Then go and tell him so. It's painful to not know anything."
Olivia nodded. She took another deep breath, inflating her lungs, and strode out of the salon.
***
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