The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 1.24

Several servants, including a valet, a coachman, and a few maids, arrived from the Rockwell estate to support the Wilcox household.

Hans, our steward, took charge of the valet, while Martha, our housekeeper, managed the maids. As discussed beforehand, the staff sent was kept to a minimum. Among them, one valet and one maid agreed to remain employed at the Wilcox estate even after I moved to the Rockwell household.

Two younger staff members, close in age to Percival and Jessica, were assigned to stay here at the viscountcy. Meanwhile, I was now attended by two personal maids: Cheryl, slightly older than me and dispatched from the Rockwell estate, and Vanessa, sent from the Russells Trading House.

Currently, these two maids and my younger sister Jessica were helping me prepare for the upcoming soirée.

“Sister! Really? You’re working while getting ready for the soirée?” Jessica scolded, noticing me reviewing documents and correspondence as my hair was styled.

“This soirée is filled with high-ranking nobles. I need to familiarize myself with the key families,” I explained, scanning the materials Percival had prepared for me.

Percival, my future brother-in-law and the next Viscount Wilcox, had been tasked with investigating the frontier estate owned by the Duke of Brocklebang. I wanted him to not only start building connections in noble society but also gain experience analyzing information and assessing situations. His gentle demeanor made him well-liked among our associates—unlike me, with my sharper reputation.

He had done an excellent job. For example, the Duke’s estate primarily produced saltpeter, the main ingredient for gunpowder. This explained how our kingdom maintained its use of firearms alongside magic and swords.

However, production had been declining over the past three years. Could Lord Rockwell’s newly acquired Yubashar territory also yield saltpeter? Was the land granted to him to address this decline? If so, it wouldn’t be surprising if the military pressured him to ramp up production soon.

“No noblewoman holds documents during hair styling,” Cheryl remarked with a slight frown.

I winced but didn’t stop. “This may be unorthodox, but preparation is my strength. I need every advantage I can get.”

Gathering information had always been my strategy, even if it meant enduring unpleasant situations. This soirée would be no different. As a former viscountess and future countess, I needed to prove my worth to both Lord Rockwell and those who doubted me.

Besides, knowing more about the Duke of Brocklebang’s estate might help me assess his relationship with Lord Rockwell during the soirée. Then again, he’s a high-ranking noble; I might not even get the chance to approach him. Given his connection to Lady Catherine and the ongoing drama over the crown prince’s fiancée, tensions were likely to be high.

Honestly, it might be easier to avoid the Duke altogether and focus on preparing for the Yubashar land survey.

“Grace, you’ve already mastered high-society etiquette. Do you really need to review it again?” Cheryl asked, her hands steady as she styled my hair.

“Thank you, Cheryl. But I’d like to speak with certain nobles about Lord Rockwell’s new territory. I can’t risk any missteps,” I replied.

I’d received a letter earlier confirming that Ada would also be attending the soirée. Her presence would undoubtedly be reassuring.

“Grace, Lord Rockwell is here,” Hans called through the door.

Cheryl gave me a nod in the mirror, signaling that I was ready.

“Understood,” I said, rising to my feet.

Jessica, her face lighting up with excitement, exclaimed, “Oh, Sister! You look stunning! That dress matches Lord Rockwell’s amethyst eyes perfectly. The hairpiece, necklace, and earrings—they’re all so elegant! The gold accents with the amethyst design are exquisite!”

I smiled faintly at her enthusiasm. Her compliments were heartwarming, even as my heart pounded in anticipation.

This was my first high-society soirée with Lord Rockwell as my escort. I silently hoped I hadn’t embarrassed myself during our recent date.

Descending the staircase to the entrance hall, I found him waiting.

Dressed in formal black attire with a silk yellow pocket square that gleamed like gold, it was clear his ensemble was chosen to complement my golden eyes.

Jessica, practically vibrating with excitement, looked ready to squeal but quickly composed herself after noticing my pleading glance.

“Lord Rockwell, this is my younger sister, Jessica Wilcox,” I said.

Jessica, realizing her overly enthusiastic behavior, quickly curtsied. Lord Rockwell chuckled softly at her flustered demeanor.

“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Jessica,” he said kindly.

Jessica’s eyes sparkled with admiration. She must have been thinking, The famous Lord Rockwell is here to escort my sister!

“Likewise, Lord Rockwell… Oh, my! Patricia and Trevor are amazing, but you and Sister are on a whole new level of glamour! It’s breathtaking!” she murmured.

“Enjoy the soirée, Sister! One day, I’ll attend one like this with Percival and do my part to elevate the Wilcox family even further!” Jessica added brightly.

Smiling at her determination, I let Lord Rockwell escort me to the waiting carriage.

Attending the soirée, I couldn’t help but be awed by its grandeur. The scale and sophistication of high-society events were on a completely different level. Though I felt nervous, I maintained my usual composed expression.

Sensing my unease, Lord Rockwell leaned closer and whispered, “If it gets overwhelming, let me know. I’ll ask you to dance, and we can slip away.”

“You don’t mean to use that line, do you?” I teased, recalling the infamous line he’d delivered in the play.

He chuckled. “If you’re expecting it, how can I disappoint?”

His playful nature eased my nerves, and I found myself smiling genuinely.

“There it is. That smile of yours is adorable,” he said softly.

Wait—what?!

“You smiled naturally just now. That’s rare for you, isn’t it?”

I faltered. He wasn’t wrong—his sincerity always caught me off guard. It reminded me of Jessica’s charm, making me inadvertently let my guard down.

“Even a small smile has every man in the room on edge. Maybe your usual composed demeanor is better after all,” he murmured, almost to himself.

“Pardon?” I asked.

“Nothing. Just let me know if you feel uneasy. I’ll be ready with all the over-the-top lines you want,” he said with a wink.

“Thank you,” I replied, grateful for his support.

As the evening progressed, I met several nobles, most of whom appeared to be military-affiliated—likely Lord Rockwell’s colleagues or superiors.

Among them was the Marchioness of Forster, whom I recognized as the one who had introduced my sister Patricia to her husband. Known for her matchmaking prowess, the Marchioness had been a close friend of my late mother and had quietly supported the Wilcox family’s future after my mother’s passing.