My dress with the sailor collar had received much praise from the ladies as well. Their opinions would be very useful when creating more items with similar designs.
A servant approached Lucas from the crowd. “My lord would like to speak with you,” he said. He handed Lucas a card with the emblem of Marquess Diascia.
Lucas immediately tensed. “All right,” he said. “Tell him that I’ll be there soon.”
“Most certainly,” the servant said, disappearing as swiftly as he appeared.
Lucas and I exchanged glances.
“It’s time,” I said.
“Will you come with me, Iris?” Lucas asked solemnly.
“Gladly,” I nodded.
I cast a sweeping glance over the hall, confirming the locations of Leik, Cano, Kiki, and Coldola. Should anything happen, I was sure that they could take care of things. Escorted by my husband, I walked to the designated corner of the venue. A single glance was all it took to understand the shift in the air. Everyone gathered in this spot belonged to the faction of the first prince.
This elegantly furnished space was dominated by a man in the center, relaxing in one of the corner sofas. Upon noticing Lucas, the man slowly raised his hand and stood up—he looked to be in his thirties with vibrant reddish-brown hair.
“Thank you for coming, Baron and Baroness Stock,” he greeted.
His sharp gaze narrowed as though he was trying to read Lucas’s thoughts. The two men exchanged a handshake, the air growing heavy as opposing forces clashed against each other.
“I thank you for making the long journey here, Marquess Diascia,” Lucas said.
The marquess gazed at Lucas like a mantis trying to catch its prey. “No need to act so stiff,” Marquess Diascia said. “Sit here. I shall especially allow it.”
“Pardon me,” Lucas replied.
The two of us obediently sat in the designated seats as the atmosphere changed again. Everyone around us was shrewdly vigilant. The marquess flashed a gentle smile while his sharp gaze sized Lucas up.
“Baron Stock, I’ve heard much about your efforts to create this railroad,” he said. “Not only did you improve the management of Westmierden, the city of coals, you even worked to advance the city of Solalitika as well. It was due in no small part to your tireless efforts.”
“I’m honored to learn you’ve heard of me, Marquess Diascia.”
“Ah, well, your canary-yellow hair tends to stand out. And I’ve heard that you’re quite skilled in charming others. Ah…” The marquess paused and turned to me, a faint smile dancing on his lips. “You’ve got a beautiful wife. Where is she from?”
We were both part of the Traditional Twelve. Surely, he had heard of me, a scion of the Karelias. Even if he didn’t know my face, news of a Karelia daughter marrying a new aristocrat had made its rounds throughout high society. By trying to make me seem worthless, he was trying to demean the value of Lucas as well.
“My wife hails from House Karelia,” my husband smiled back serenely, unfazed. “I’m truly blessed that she, a part of the Traditional Twelve, agreed to marry me.”
His words were chosen carefully. The mention of the Traditional Twelve utilized my former house’s name to raise his value. The only thing I could do here was to smile in acceptance of my husband. My quiet implication was that being married to Baron Lucas Stock was seen as of great importance to House Karelia.
The marquess gauged our reaction and casually changed his attitude. “Even in our house, we often talk about you. I’d like to hear how a commoner was able to work his way up in the world and build a track for success.”
“I’d love to,” Lucas replied. “There’s no greater honor than to speak with you.”
As the tense air loomed, the two engaged in a conversation without allowing even the slightest opening. A skillful discussion ensued, where both sides tried to steer the topic in their favor. Marquess Diascia aimed for us to become subservient and beg to hold relations with him. In contrast, Lucas spoke elegantly, trying to coax a suggestion of allowing trade to flourish from the opposing party. The conversation shifted to future prospects of the railroad, and Lucas found his opportunity.
“You see, to expand the railroad, the greatest obstacle is land,” Lucas said. “Once a plot of land has been deemed unsuitable, it’s quite difficult to overturn this decision and request a new investigation. As a result, there are quite a few places we unfortunately had to abandon.”
“So, to have a railroad, we must have a plan in place before the land is investigated,” Marquess Diascia muttered. He fell silent as he stared at Lucas. A few moments later, the marquess smiled and extended his hand. “Then I’d like to invite you to my manor, Baron Stock. Please take a look at my land and let me know if rails could be built upon them.”
Lucas shook his hand and smiled. “I’m very honored. I shall happily accept your invitation, Marquess Diascia.”
The conversation drew to a close peacefully, and we left. Lucas brought me to a discreet location, away from prying eyes, and hugged me tightly with a victorious smile.
“We did it, Iris!” he rejoiced.
“Well done,” I replied.
“It only went so smoothly because you were by my side.”
“You were very cool.”
I wrapped my arms around his back, and he only squeezed back tighter. We spent a few moments basking in this moment of victory.