Chapter 93
The story continues off the page
The Last Dance Before Midnight
A masked dragon asks the lanternwright for one slow dance
Dandolo Mansion, family council chamber.
The chairperson’s seat in that room belonged to the head of the household.
In other words, it belonged to Rico Dandolo.
But now Tilda had taken that seat as though it naturally belonged to her.
She occupied it as though she had every right to use it.
“Henri?”
“He said there were matters concerning the trade that needed attention, so he won’t be back until tomorrow.”
“I know that. He was being so obnoxious. What I mean is, there’s no chance he’ll suddenly barge in, right?”
“That is correct.”
“Then that means this mansion is mine tonight?”
Tilda smiled.
“Before long, Dandolo Mansion will belong to you, Lady Tilda.”
“You will be able to stand proudly over this mansion as its head of household, not as its daughter-in-law.”
Those who saw their chance immediately began flattering her.
Every one of them was cooperating with Tilda after being promised a share.
“That is how it will be. So shouldn’t we focus on the work?”
Tilda prepared to intensify, one by one, the schemes she had set in motion between Stephan and Murchit.
“Stephan is currently at odds with Herman. He is trying to drive him out over the issue of management rights, but it does not seem to be going easily.”
“What about Murchit?”
“Murchit is, as they say, sharpening his sword. He is preparing to clash with Stephan.”
“Even so, he is more likely to reach for a sword than money. Wouldn’t it be better to intensify the pressure on Murchit?”
Tilda toyed with her lips before answering.
“No, we only need to pressure Stephan. The most important thing is to knock that bastard out of this game.”
“Understood.”
“We’ve already laid a solid foundation on the other side, haven’t we? If we send the Empire the evidence that the mercenary company is actually a band of thieves, it will collapse in an instant.”
“That is correct.”
“Then I will prepare as you instructed.”
The underlings moved briskly on their own.
Tilda smiled in satisfaction.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
It was like watching puppets dance on a small theater stage.
She was intoxicated by the ecstasy of feeling as though everything would soon be in her hands.
‘If I find the will soon, it seems everything will fall into place…….’
The will stated that after Rico Dandolo’s death, everything would be passed on to Henri.
It stipulated that no one was to be named heir until Henri’s child had turned nineteen and could fend for themselves, and that all the property would be handed over to the vice chairman.
It was the most devastating will imaginable for Tilda, who wanted Dandolo Trading Company, and that was why she was willing to go to such lengths.
Everything would unfold like dominoes.
It would start small, but by the end, it would create a ripple so enormous that no one would dare stop it.
She would become the master of everything.
At that moment, a servant of the mansion hurriedly opened the door, entered, and whispered in Tilda’s ear.
“Miss, I have good news. We have received word that the will has been obtained.”
“Is that really true?”
Could things in this world really go this smoothly?
Tilda’s eyes sparkled, and the servant nodded.
“The servants delivering the will are waiting outside the door right now.”
“All right. I’ll go.”
It was the icing on the cake.
Tilda headed for the main entrance with the servants in tow, her steps light.
“What?”
But there was no one at the main entrance.
She even walked all the way to the front entrance to check outside, but there wasn’t a carriage in sight.
‘They said they came to deliver the will, so where the hell are they?’
Just as Tilda’s irritation was about to flare up,
a sudden, powerful gust blew the windows wide open, then extinguished every light on the chandelier.
“Oh my?”
“What on earth was that gust?”
“What are you doing? Fetch a mage! Relight the chandelier at once!”
The servants panicked, while the butlers calmly gave orders.
The mages belatedly began chanting spells to relight the chandelier.
Then it happened.
The place that had been plunged into darkness suddenly lit up.
No, more precisely, only part of it lit up.
It was just like a spotlight on a stage.
The light illuminated the upper part of the central staircase and drew everyone’s attention.
A woman stood there.
She was a pink-haired woman wearing a mask.
Everyone who saw her blurted out a remark of their own.
“What is with that hideous outfit?”
“Oh my, how indecent…….”