Scarlett sat in the Withersworths’ parlor room, sipping out of a cup of tea that had been provided for her. Leon sat beside her, and opposite them were Lady and Lord Withersworth. The older couple was observing them with some interest.

“I heard that you and your group returned looking quite ragged early in the morning, Baroness,” Lady Withersworth said as she took a sip from her own cup of tea. “I also heard that this fool of a husband of mine tried to meet with you immediately after, to hear how things went. You will have to excuse his rudeness. He doesn’t quite know when to take others into consideration. Nonetheless, I hope you have had the time to get a proper rest since then.”

“That we have.” Scarlett gave a slight nod. “I am thankful for the accommodation you have showed me and my party in offering us to stay here for the time being as well.”

“It’s the least we could do. My husband might have forgotten what hospitality means—” A grumbling expression appeared on Lord Withersworth’s face. “—but that does not mean that I have.”

“Hmph. I was simply surprised,” the man muttered from beside his wife. “I was not expecting them to return so early, if at all.”

“Oh, I am aware, dear.” Lady Withersworth smirked at her husband. “It was quite amusing, seeing you run around the mansion like a headless chicken after our talks with the Baroness yesterday. Though I will admit to some disappointment that it took you so long to register what you had agreed to.”

He sent her an annoyed glare in return. “If you realized it back then you should have warned me, woman. Dagnabbit all! What would we have done if a noblewoman and the vice-captain of the Imperial Solar Knights went missing after visiting our estate? It would have been chaos if news got out! Ittar knows the commotion that Edita Delmon would have caused if she had heard about it as well…”

“But they did return, didn’t they?” His wife nudged his arm. “So stop with your fretting. It is because you always worry yourself like this that your hair is thinning.”

The man’s expression went stiff for a moment of a second, but he soon harrumphed as he tidied the collar of his suit.

“As you can see.” Scarlett gestured to herself and Leon in an attempt to get the conversation back on track. “We are all in good health.”

“I can see that, yes. Although I am still dubious whether I believe it.” Lord Withersworth eyed her. “…Are you certain that everything has been dealt with? This is a curse that has been plaguing my family for generations, so you will have to excuse my skepticism about it being resolved within twenty-four hours of our original discussion.”

“I am certain, yes. If you find it difficult to trust in my words, you can feel free to once more descend into this mansion’s cellar and ascertain the truth for yourself.”

The man scoffed. “I think not. I have been told I still have a few decades left in me, and I am most definitely not planning on doing anything that expedites the process of my death. My wife is already doing a fine job of achieving that by herself.”

“What Baroness Hartford says is true,” Leon cut in. “You have my word as a member of the Imperial Solar Knights, if that makes you feel more relaxed, my Lord.”

Lord Withersworth crossed his arms as he turned to look at Leon. “Hmph. Well, I suppose that will have to do until I have had the opportunity to perform some more thorough investigations.”

“What remains in the mansion now are simple undead,” Scarlett said. “They are a consequence of the negative energy that has been gathering in the region, but they will not propagate in the same fashion as before now that the root of Abelard’s curse has been removed. There is also nothing hindering you from entering the grounds any longer, so dealing with what is left should not pose an issue. If you are interested, I am sure that Sir Leon is open to discussing the matter in further detail. He has more experience related to the topic.”

One of Lord Withersworth’s hands moved up to the end of his mustache as he studied the knight. “Perhaps I will do that, then. We can speak after this, if that works for you.”

Leon gave the man a nod.

“With that settled.” Scarlett placed her teacup on the table and placed one hand on top of the other in her lap. “Perhaps we should proceed on to the subject of reimbursement. Not much time has passed, so I do not expect a decisive answer, but have you reached a conclusion yet?”

“Unfortunately, my husband has been preoccupied with other things,” Lady Withersworth said. “The fief’s finances aren’t my area of expertise, but in light of the sincerity you have shown us, I took the time to make some cursory assessments related to the service you have performed. Does four hundred thousand solars sound reasonable?”

Next to the woman, her husband almost blanched.

“Of course, that is only preliminary. The figure might change somewhat after further assessment,” she added.

Scarlett observed Lord Withersworth’s expression.

She didn’t trust for a second that Lady Withersworth didn’t know what she was talking about. While it was probably true that they hadn’t had the chance to make a proper estimation of things, the woman wouldn’t have given a number if she wasn’t sure that they would pay at least that much.

And 400 000 Solars was a lot.

“I see no reason to question your evaluation of your own affairs,” she eventually said. While she hadn’t exactly been aiming to get that much from what was essentially a side-quest to her, she wouldn’t say no to it. “When you are more sure of the exact figure, you can contact my household in Freybrook and we can handle the specifics at that point.”

She was expecting to earn perhaps even more from all the loot they took from the mansion, but this was a pretty pleasant bonus on top of that. It also went to show how wealthy some of the other noble households in the empire were if a mere barony—even if it was one of the more prominent ones—could afford to give away amounts like this, just like that.

In comparison, the Hartfords might even have had issues paying all of their staffs’ salaries—which probably didn’t exceed 40 000 solars yearly—if things had continued as they were.

Lady Withersworth smiled. “I’ll have our people contact your household when everything has been dealt with.”

[Side-Quest completed: Complete the Withersworth’s request to clear Abelard’s Doll Mansion]{Skill points awarded: 6}

Scarlett read over the quest completion message that appeared before her with a bit of satisfaction. Yet another reason it was better to do this through the Withersworths instead of trying to clear Abelard’s mansion on her own.

When she returned her attention to Lady Withersworth and her husband, the woman held a curious expression on as she studied Leon and her.

“I must say,” Lady Withersworth said as she put down her cup. “This really is quite the sight. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected for this matter to be dealt with in this way. A baroness, of all people, comes whishing in like the wind, along with her fiancé-knight, and successfully takes on a curse that has persisted for generations. It is the sort of tale minstrels sing songs about and that ladies gossip over at their gatherings. I can only imagine how excited the young women of the empire would get if word were to spread.”

Scarlett looked at her. “Are these events something you intend to share with those outside of this room?”

The older woman eyed her for a moment. “Is that something you wish for me to do?”

Scarlett knitted her forehead together. Did she? It probably wouldn’t hurt if rumors like that started spreading about her. It might even work to improve her image a bit. Maybe.

She glanced over at Leon.

“…For the time being, I would prefer if you could keep quiet about these proceedings,” she said.

Lady Withersworth raised her eyebrows. “Truly? And why is that, might I ask?”

“I believe Sir Leon would prefer if his apparent dealings with me were kept to a minimum to the world at large. As you are aware, at present, there are many who do not view me in the most positive of lights. This also goes for those associated with me, to a certain extent. I see no reason as to why he should be forced to bear more of that burden than necessary.”

The corner of the woman’s mouth rose. “Not the answer I was expecting.”

Scarlett didn’t respond to that.

The truth was that, considering her inexperience with the workings of the empire’s nobility, she didn’t feel certain enough about what people’s reactions would actually be. She couldn’t be sure that any rumors that surfaced would truly be beneficial to her. She was also set to annul the betrothal with Leon in the future, so deepening her ties with him might also not be the best of ideas. At least if she wanted to avoid complications in the future.

“And what do you think of that?” Lady Withersworth asked Leon.

The man had a furrow on his brows, though Scarlett doubted he actually thought she was telling the truth. “What others think of me isn’t important as long as it doesn’t interfere with my duties as a knight, but if Baroness Hartford wants to keep quiet about things, then I won’t stop her.”

“What a distant response, coming from her betrothed,” Lady Withersworth said. Then she let out a sigh. “Yet I’m sure it’s still more romantic than anything my husband has said about me ever since we had our youngest.”

“Wha—” Lord Withersworth turned to her. “Is your only purpose to besmirch my name, woman?”

“Are you going to say that I am wrong?” she stared daggers at him. “Don’t think I’m not aware of you referring to me as ‘that old hag’ behind my back, you dolt!”

“That was only once!” The man shook his head, muttering. “By Ittar, sometimes…”

The woman glared at her husband for a moment longer, then a small laugh left her as she turned back to Scarlett. “You will have to excuse me. Nowadays, with our children only visiting on occasion, an aging lady only has so many joys left to appreciate. Unlike my husband, I try not to take pleasure in harassing our guests.”

“I…see.” Scarlet didn’t know how else to reply to that.

Lord Withersworth was grumbling next to his wife.

Was this how they usually acted in front of others, then?

“I’m curious,” Lady Withersworth continued. “What will you be doing from now on? While you youth certainly tend to be more ambitious than us old fossils, it is rare to encounter a young noblewoman with such zeal in her eyes. One would almost think helping our house was only a minor stopgap for you before you move on to grander things.”

“I do not think ‘stopgap’ is a fitting description,” Scarlett said. “But I do indeed have other goals that I am working towards. Some of my current ventures involves a collaboration with members of the Elystead Tower in researching the Zuver.”

“The Zuver?” Lady Withersworth looked genuinely surprised by that.

“So the news that you’d found a Zuverian ruin was true?” Leon asked.

Scarlett turned to look at him. “Yes, that was the truth. I will admit I am surprised that you had heard of it, however.”

“Your sister mentioned it when I last met her.” He frowned, staying silent for a couple of seconds. “Since when have you had an interest in…” He trailed off, then shook his head. “So you’re working with the Elystead Tower now? Which of their members are you working with?”

“A wizard named Adalicia Mendenhall,” she answered. “Do you know of her?”

“I think I’ve heard the name, at least.”

“Mendenhall, you say?” Lord Withersworth asked.

Scarlett turned to look at the man, who held a thoughtful expression.

“I recall meeting with that woman once or twice, some years ago,” he said. “If I’m not mistaken, Dean Godwin told me she was quite dependable. Although knowing him as I do, I was never certain whether he meant as a wizard or as a gopher to clean up his messes.”

“You are acquainted with the Dean of Elystead Tower?” she asked.

“I am familiar with most of the empire’s prominent figures, Baroness.” The man only let some of the pride in his voice show through. “Dean Godwin happens to be an old lounge companion of mine, even.”

“‘Lounge companion’, he says.” Lady Withersworth scoffed. “That is too tasteful a word to describe those rendezvous you always used to have. All you did was drink and gamble on your stupid games.”

Her husband let out a long sigh, as if this wasn’t a new complaint, and the conversation entered a brief lull.

Soon, however, Lady Withersworth turned her attention back to Scarlett with a scrutinizing gaze. “I have met all sorts of people throughout my life,” she said. “However, if I am to be frank, I am having a hard time placing you, Baroness. Although I am not too involved in those circles anymore, I had heard enough mentions of you from other ladies to think I had a decent grasp of your character, yet what I learned does not even come near to paying you justice. You are very different from what the rumors say.”

“…Do I truly differ that considerably from your expectations?” Scarlett asked.

“Oh, to be sure, I can see why you garnered the sort of reputation that you did.” The woman nodded as if evaluating a piece of art. “But there is a very notable distinction between outward appearances and a person’s character, one I expect anyone with enough experience to notice.”

“I will have to defer to your judgement on the question. I am far from as distinguished or reputable as you in these matters.”

Lady Withersworth smiled. “The pleasantry isn’t necessary with me. No, I just felt like it was something I should mention. I find it rather curious that reality would differ so much from the rumors, that is all. While many noblewomen do love their gossip, one shouldn’t underestimate how much can be discerned from just that alone.”

“…I will take that into consideration.”

The woman nodded her head once more. “See that you do.”

Another few seconds of silence followed as she picked up her cup from the table again.

“While we are on the topic,” she continued. “There has been quite some talk about you suddenly ceasing to attend gatherings lately. I believe the last time this much attention was placed on the actions of a single baroness was back when the late Lady Hildom absconded with a Luciean commoner, leaving a nine-year-old relative to take the reins of the barony. The speculations on your unexpected hiatus have turned rather creative, though I imagine no one would have expected the truth to be that you were occupied with dealing with cursed mansions and researching old ruins.”

Scarlett blinked at that. She supposed she hadn’t really considered what those kinds of people would think about her sudden change.

The original Scarlett had been pretty active in noble society, hadn’t she? At least in the same cliques that Lady Withersworth might be familiar with. There was no telling what those groups were saying about her now. Especially after what happened at the Elysian Proclamation and the Providing Ceremony. Even if they had heard about Scarlett finding those Zuverian ruins, there wasn’t much to go on about what she was doing at the moment.

“It is an amusing thought to contemplate that you are almost certainly amassing more attention and interest now, when you apparently do not even care for it much, than you ever did before when you regularly took part in these gatherings,” Lady Withersworth said. “Is it your intention to continue ignoring such matters forever, or are you planning on making a return at some point? If you want, I could arrange an invitation to some of the upcoming functions for you, if that is what’s stopping you.”

Scarlett stared at the woman. She wanted to help her?

That was…unexpected?

She certainly wouldn’t have thought that to be where this conversation was going. Still…

“While I appreciate your kindness, that will not be necessary.”

Involving herself in the same cliques as the original wasn’t part of Scarlett’s plans. She had neither the experience nor the time to deal with all that. She didn’t even know if what she could gain from it would be worth investing any effort.

“Truly? A shame, that. But you know your interests best.” Lady Withersworth tapped her finger against the porcelain in her hands before returning the cup to the table. “Do you have no plans to make any significant appearances at all in the future, then?”

“I will be attending the Tyndall Ball held in Windgrove next month, but that is all.”

The woman arched a brow. “You will be attending, you say?” A glimmer of amusement showed in her eyes. “Well, you wouldn’t say so without reason, would you?”

She turned to her husband. “Doesn’t that sound exciting? What do you say, dear?”

He looked back at her with a look of disgruntled confusion. “You’re saying you want to attend as well?”

“Why, of course.”

“Hmph. Why should we? We haven’t bothered with that for years.”

“Then now would be a fitting time, would it not?”

“What are you on about, woman? Don’t tell me you have taken a liking to the girl this quickly? She’s a grown adult! I would expect her to be able to go by herself without you holding her hand.”

“I am sure that she can, but that is not what I am asking, is it?” Lady Withersworth sent her husband a sharp look, but her expression quickly mellowed out into a smile. “So, what do you say, dear? It’ll be a great opportunity to surprise our children. I’m sure they will be delighted to see you leaving that study of yours as well.”

Lord Withersworth met her eyes only for a moment before turning away, sending an accusing glare Scarlett’s way.

“…As you wish, my dear,” he eventually let out in a defeated sigh.

Scarlett simply watched all of this with an uncertain expression. She glanced over at Leon, who was also wisely choosing not to interfere. Yes, perhaps it was best to just smile and nod.