Chapter Five

1

The news of Audrey's imminent return was not a cause for celebration for Ivan. Herbert had long ago told him that Audrey's return meant Ivan would face a test. In fact, Ivan was not mentally prepared to become an accomplice to a fraudster.

As breakfast was halfway through, Audrey suddenly walked in. Most people were delighted to see Audrey's return, and Ivan had no choice but to feign "joy" along with everyone else.

Soon, Ivan understood why Audrey was so popular. She had brought a gift for everyone.

The butler received a beautiful black-edged silk soft-brimmed hat, the perfect accessory he had long desired to complement his black silk collar suit. The housekeeper received a silk scarf, slightly different in color but undoubtedly quite expensive.

Mr. Hyde received a walnut wood-carved cane, not worth much but exquisitely crafted, with a small lamb head on the handle and a circle of maple leaves in the middle, a simple yet elegant walking stick for an elderly gentleman.

Apart from Mr. Hyde's inexpensive handicraft, everyone else received expensive items they had long coveted but hesitated to purchase.

Ivan received a sailboat model, a majestic West Bay sailboat with a colorful and lifelike appearance.

"This sailboat model, is it something you've always dreamed of?" Audrey asked with a smile.

"Yes, I saw a similar model in Southport, but the price was too high for me to afford. Thank you, Audrey, this is one of the most precious gifts I've ever received," Ivan replied excitedly.

The servants, each pleased with their gifts, returned to their positions, and the housekeeper soon brought out a plate of fragrant fried lamb legs, originally prepared for Audrey.

Herbert never came to the dining room for meals, Mr. Hyde disliked greasy food, and Ivan had his strict dietary regimen, having been punished in the past for eating recklessly.

Breakfast was thus extended.

After a long and tiring journey, Audrey, clearly feeling hungry, sat down at Mr. Hyde's dining table. Ivan was not used to the lack of conversation at Mr. Hyde's table, unsure if it was a deliberate habit or simply the norm. Meals used to be lively when he dined with Aunt Jenny.

Once their hunger was sated, Mr. Hyde and Audrey retired to the lounge, where the butler was instructed to prepare strong tea, indicating a lengthy discussion ahead.

With nothing to do, Ivan went to the backyard to practice shooting. The backyard, originally a lush green lawn, had targets set up by Herbert at varying distances.

Ivan practiced his three-shot technique, using specially crafted bolts with steel heads. Despite his efforts, he struggled to hit the bullseye within thirty meters.

As Ivan practiced, the butler called him back inside. Mr. Hyde and Audrey had finished their discussion.

Entering the lounge, Ivan was greeted by the strong aroma of tea. Tea, a beverage originating from the far east and brought to Francia by traders, was a luxury few could afford.

Mr. Hyde and Audrey enjoyed tea, but it was only prepared for important discussions. "Please, have a seat," Mr. Hyde instructed Ivan.

Ivan sat down on a chair with thick animal fur, finding comfort and warmth in the luxurious seat. Mr. Hyde then addressed Ivan, acknowledging his progress in learning but emphasizing that true competency could only be tested through experience.

Audrey then presented Ivan with an invitation to a grand ball hosted by Baron Lorna of Piton, celebrating his twenty years of marriage. The invitation bore the noble crest of a shield and two flowers, a symbol Ivan recognized but couldn't place the lineage.

Baron Lorna's invitation addressed Mr. Hyde as "Lord Kewellay Egret Hyde." Confused, Ivan asked if this was his new identity.

Mr. Hyde chuckled and clarified that "Kewellay Egret Hyde" was his full name. Audrey explained that Mr. Hyde's public identity was as Lord Kewellay Egret Hyde, a renowned navigator and naturalist, honored with the title for his diplomatic contributions.

This revelation astonished Ivan. While the title of Lord was the lowest among nobility, non-hereditary and without land, it was still a rare and prestigious honor in Francia, reserved for exceptional individuals.

In the entire south, Ivan had only heard of two commoner nobles, aside from Mr. Hyde. The other was Mr. Merle Daven, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Southport, a companion who had once shared life and death experiences with Mr. Hyde.

"Mr. Hyde, are you and Mr. Merle Daven both commoner nobles?" Ivan asked in astonishment.

"It's a bit different. My noble title is hereditary," Mr. Hyde explained. "I purchased a foreign noble title and a land grant from a fallen noble family, the Ileres. The land had already fallen into the hands of the Torians and was practically worthless, but it served its purpose for me. This way, I became a bankrupt hereditary noble who fled to Francia. I also managed to acquire a baron title, which makes certain matters much easier. As a result, the baron title can now be passed down through generations, although inheriting it requires a substantial payment to His Majesty. But it's worth it."

"Do you know Baron Lorna?" Ivan inquired.

"I've never heard of this person," Mr. Hyde replied.

"Baron Lorna is a hereditary noble residing in Piton. His ancestors were honored for their military service in the Banan War and were ennobled as barons for their military merits, which can be passed down through generations. Initially, his ancestors worked hard and were highly esteemed, having been tasked with guarding Tarenburg, hence the shield on the crest."

"Baron Lorna takes great pride in his ancestors, recounting their achievements for generations. However, despite their efforts, they remained barons, and their lineage did not elevate further until one of their ancestors, a libertine, seduced a duke's daughter, bringing fortune to the family. After three generations, they rose to the position of baron, but subsequent descendants seemed content with their status, leading to a decline in notable figures. Now, they are just idle nobles among the leisure class."

"In Piton, Baron Lorna has over thirty acres of land adjacent to his estate as his fiefdom. It seems the harvest is not great, but being able to afford the annual taxes for the title is commendable. Therefore, I suspect not many nobles will grace his ball with their presence," Audrey elaborated on her knowledge.

"So, as long as I don't get exposed at the ball, that's all I need to do?" Ivan asked.

Baron Lorna's most valuable properties were only two: his ancestral mansion, which offered a glimpse of the family's former prosperity but had since fallen into disrepair. Maintaining such a grand estate required a significant amount of money. If it were Ivan, he would have sold the mansion long ago for a substantial income, invested in Southport, and repurchased the estate within a few years if necessary.

However, the Baron had never considered such a course of action. His only means of saving expenses was by claiming poor health and residing in a villa on the outskirts of Piton, leaving a few family members to watch over the empty ancestral home. The vacant mansion only served a purpose during grand events or significant occasions.

The villa on the outskirts was the Baron's true home. The dire financial situation of the Baron's family was evident from a monthly food purchase list, consisting mostly of vegetables, with occasional meat dishes only on Sundays.

For a family in such circumstances, organizing a ball and banquet was indeed a challenging task. Ivan found the pretense of living beyond one's means perplexing. The Baron was not an exception; there were many fallen nobles in Francia who, apart from an empty title inherited from their ancestors, had no wealth to speak of. Some of them, willing to set aside their pride, sought employment as personal secretaries in wealthy noble households to maintain their lineage and await a chance for a comeback.

However, most preferred to endure hardship while clinging to their meaningless noble status. The Baron was undoubtedly one of these individuals. Despite the frugal lifestyle, he believed his marriage was fulfilling.

The Baroness was originally a daughter of another fallen noble family, forming a unique class of their own. They neither wished to marry commoners nor found it easy to wed into wealthy families. Marrying a commoner was deemed undignified, and marrying into a wealthy family posed challenges, especially during extravagant weddings that the fallen nobles could not afford. Even presenting a decent gift could bankrupt them.

Hence, fallen nobles sought partners within their own ranks. The marriage of the Baron was considered a perfect match. The couple's deep affection had seen them through twenty years, a milestone worth celebrating.

It was easy to imagine the attendees at the celebration, likely a grand display of the fallen nobles of southern Francia. If the Baron and his wife possessed any precious asset, it would be their daughter.

The records mentioned the Baron's eighteen-year-old daughter. It seemed that besides celebrating the couple's twenty years together, selecting a suitable match from the offspring of many fallen nobles was also a significant reason for the ball.

The records detailed the Baron's personal preferences, tastes, and temperament. Like most fallen nobles, the Baron had a broad knowledge base. With limited funds for entertainment, reading became their most affordable leisure activity.

These fallen nobles are also very polite and mild-mannered individuals because it is often difficult for them to find people to work for them. Losing their temper drives away their servants, a loss they absolutely cannot afford.

Ivan, while looking at the documents, pondered how to attract the attention of the Baron and others. If there were many fallen noble offspring of similar age present, it would be quite difficult for him to stand out with his limited knowledge acquired in just over four months, especially if the conversation veered into areas where he was not proficient.

The only thing he could be proud of was having seen countless precious goods from around the world during his time at the shop, with Mr. Hyde's private collection being the cream of the crop. When it came to broad knowledge and appreciation, Ivan believed he surpassed the fallen noble offspring. Focusing on this aspect seemed like a good choice to make a remarkable impression.

With this in mind, a plan slowly emerged in Ivan's mind. Throughout the night, Ivan repeatedly contemplated every step of the plan, every possible contingency, and how to handle such surprises. All of this was what Audrey had taught him.

Now, Ivan was truly putting it into practice. By the time he had everything planned out, the sky had already begun to lighten. Despite a sleepless night, Ivan still felt mentally invigorated.

Following his daily routine, Ivan jogged around the estate along the route Herbert had previously set before returning to the house. In the living room, the butler and Audrey were already prepared. A meticulously crafted formal attire lay on the sofa, devoid of excess decoration or ostentatious embellishments.

With the help of the butler, Ivan completed a full grooming routine, washing his face multiple times with scented water extracted from unknown flowers. The female housekeeper took care of his hair, even wetting his shirt in the process. However, after completing these tasks, Ivan felt rejuvenated and believed it was all worth it.

After changing into a shirt and donning the formal attire, Ivan felt somewhat uncomfortable with the lace protruding from the cuffs of his shirt. The leather boots, with their red and spotted leather, were already prepared, sourced from an unfortunate small roe deer.

Everything was in order. Ivan asked, "Miss Audrey, could you prepare a brick of tea for me? The kind you and Mr. Hyde often drink."

Upon hearing Ivan's puzzling request, Audrey pondered for a moment and immediately understood. She could even guess each step of Ivan's plan. Audrey was quite pleased; it seemed that her education had been successful.

"Bring a large block. The smaller ones are wrapped in gold foil, making it obvious they are high-quality. The larger blocks, without packaging, are not suitable for gifting. They are simply wrapped tightly in wax, making it impossible to tell how valuable they are at first glance," a wise voice came from behind.

Without needing to turn around, Ivan knew that Mr. Hyde had risen unusually early today.