Banquet preparations

Just as Erick was about to say more, a knock came at the door.

"Come in," Lucas called.

The butler stepped in, bowing politely. "Dowager Duchess has come to see you, my lord."

Lucas gave a small nod. "Bring her in. Erick, you may go for now."

Erick hesitated, glancing at Lucas with mild suspicion before bowing. As he opened the door, he found Serena already standing there. He offered a polite smile and a bow. "Your Grace."

Serena returned a calm nod, her expression unreadable as always.

"Come, sit, Mother," Lucas said, "Are you all right?"

Serena paused before replying softly, "I'm fine."

Lucas looked away, exhaling. He seemed distracted—lost in thought.

Serena sat quietly, watching him. All this time, she had assumed Lucas held some quiet resentment for her—for stepping into a role that once belonged to his mother. But at the banquet, and even now, he showed nothing but a quiet sense of care. It puzzled her.

Why doesn't he hate me? she wondered. Why doesn't he blame me for taking his mother's place?

She couldn't decide if his kindness was a blessing… or a silent curse wrapped in an unfamiliar warmth.

Serena finally broke the silence. "I've seen the newspaper." Her eyes lowering on her hands. "I think it was wrong of me to leave like that."

Lucas was pulled from his thoughts. "But you didn't do it on purpose, Mother."

Serena gave a faint shake of her head. "That may be true, but people don't think that way, Lucas. If we don't act, they'll continue to blame you—and insult House Selwyn."

Lucas's jaw tensed, but before he could speak, Serena offered a soft smile. "Don't worry. I know how to take care of it."

"You do?" he asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.

Serena met his eyes. "How about… holding a banquet?"

"Are you certain about this? Will you be handling everything yourself?" Lucas looked concerned.

Serena nodded calmly. "I've heard you rarely host banquets, so if I take the initiative, it might shift the nobles' attention away from what happened at the imperial banquet. They'll see it as a gesture of respect. We can subtly spread the word that I left early due to poor health, but you remained until the very end to uphold our house's honor."

Lucas let out a soft sigh before offering a small smile. "Alright. If that's what you want, I'll support you. Let me know if you need anything—I'll help."

Serena's eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement. "Then… I'll need to use your hall to prepare the banquet. Can I ask the servants for help?"

Lucas chuckled softly. "You don't need to ask, Mother. You're the Duchess—did you forget that?"

Serena blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected such words from him. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she gave a small smile. "I suppose I am."

At the study, Serena let out a soft sigh. The invitations had finally been sent, and the preparations for the banquet hall were well underway. Among the names on the guest list, one in particular left a bitter taste—Helena Ashford. Serena had no desire to invite her, but omitting the Marchioness would only stir rumors of pettiness and pride.

There were four families in the empire one could not afford to offend: the Duchy of Bellafort, the Duchy of Selwyn, the Marquessate of Ashford, and the County of Orlando. Their presence was not a courtesy—it was a necessity.