To The Traitor in My Bed - Chapter 28

Deirdre liked banquets.

Attending a banquet was enjoyable, but hosting one was even better.

Having lost her mother at a young age, Deirdre often took on the role of the head of the household. Her father and two older brothers, who were much older than her, were completely obedient to this little mistress of the house, so she always had the opportunity to host banquets and dinners.

At the Havisham mansion in Aspen, Deirdre’s childhood nickname was ‘Little Queen.’

The upcoming banquet was of a moderate size, with about 100 guests. Since the annex was completed, she decided to open it up for the event. Although it was still a bit cold, honestly, she didn’t care whether the military policies shivered from the cold or not.

For the banquet, a band, interior decorators, and ice sculptors were hired, and the Campbell family provided a pastry chef who was renowned for making exceptional winter strawberry pies. With the butler, Kingsley, handling most of the work, Deirdre only had to give instructions and check that they were being followed.

Frederick had gifted her another set of diamond jewelry. When she opened the blue box, the brilliant light dazzled her eyes.

“They’re so beautiful. Thank you, Frederick.”

“Not at all.”

He smiled.

Of course, Deirdre couldn’t be entirely pleased. The day of the banquet was also the day Ian Darnell was leaving for the Luska border. To ensure that Darnell could leave quickly and safely, and more importantly, to prevent him from disrupting the peace in Rochepolie any further, she had suggested to her husband that they invite the military police and host the banquet.

Frederick was thrilled with the idea.

“I’ve married a genius, Deirdre. That way, I can wear the new tailcoat then, right?”

The diamonds were prepared to accompany that very tailcoat.

Up until the day before the banquet, things remained quiet both at Edelweiss Heights and within the military police. In the meantime, Deirdre visited Lady Perpetua a couple of times. When she invited Lady Perpetua to the banquet, Perpetua elegantly nodded her head.

“Before my knees give out completely, I want to dance one last waltz with some of the young ones.”

“There must be a gentleman among the guests who catches your eye, Lady Perpetua.”

“All the decent men from Rochepolie and Landyke are already married. Don’t waste your time looking for a partner for this old lady, I’ll handle it myself.”

And on the day of the banquet, Lady Perpetua truly brought a young man along.

In the latest sled that Frederick had gifted his aunt, instead of a furnace, Viscount Ian Darnell was brought along in it.

* * *

Three hours before the banquet started, when Deirdre learned that the most important guest of the evening had brought a wanted criminal, her mind went completely blank.

Frederick’s expression darkened as well.

“Aunt, this person cannot come here today.”

“I said the same thing, but he wouldn’t listen…”

“Lady Rochepolie, I am Ian Darnell from the Upper Isle Counties. It’s a great honor to meet you…”

Ian Darnell was a young man with silver hair and striking sapphire-colored eyes that were undeniably charming. Originally, he had a slender build like Frederick, but after the hardships of prison life, he had become painfully thin.

When she saw his genuinely remorseful expression and the earnestness in his eyes, Deirdre concluded that she couldn’t bring herself to hate him.

‘He truly seems like someone Rosina would like.’

As she extended her hand, Darnell politely kissed the back of her hand.

“Welcome to Rochepolie, Viscount Darnell.”

Frederick was still watching Perpetua. Noticing this, Perpetua glared at her nephew.

“Freddy, it seems like you’re upset that I brought a guest you insisted on forcing on me.”

“Aunt, the guests at the banquet tonight will not be happy to see him.”

“I don’t think so. As far as I know, I believe the young lady from Marquisate Landyke is one of the guests.”

At the mention of the young lady from Marquisate Landyke, Darnell’s pale face suddenly lit up. The earnest glow made Deirdre’s heart sink.

Meanwhile, Frederick continued trying to persuade Perpetua.

“Aunt, it’s really not a good idea to let that young lady meet Darnell.”

“The noblemen of the kingdom are all dead!”

Perpetua interrupted her nephew loudly.

“Darnell, you too. As a so-called gentleman, you can’t just trample on the heart of a young maiden in love. For a woman to have a happy marriage, she must have no lingering attachments to the past. And Lady Rosina has the right to a happy marriage, just like Deirdre here. What right do you have to take that away from her?”

Next, Perpetua turned to glare at Deirdre.

“You too, child. Aren’t you Rosina’s friend? If you’ve ever been in love, you would understand the feeling of wanting to be with your lover at any cost. To support your friend’s love is how you’ll receive that same support in return.”

Deirdre couldn’t bring herself to look at Frederick.

As Perpetua said, she had never been in a love that would make her risk everything.

“…Frederick and I only wish for Rosina to be safe.”

“Well, Rosina’s a grown woman. Are you saying she has no choice in the matter?”

Perpetua said resolutely.