Chapter 209

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After being closed for several months, today was the day the gates of House Bayern were finally opening again.

“…Wife, I heard you’ve been up since dawn checking every corner of the house. I think that’s quite enough. You should try to relax.”

Was there any stain on the carpet?

Any spot where dust had gathered?

As Nina’s eyes moved busily over the lobby, she gave Ash a sheepish smile.

“I guess I’m just nervous. It’s been a while since we’ve hosted a social gathering.”

From the lobby, halls, and dining room to the long gallery and garden, she had personally overseen every detail of the renovations, repairs, and inspections.

They had also kept a discreet watch on the repairmen in case Rebecca tried anything, and everything had been confirmed safe, but perhaps because today was such an important day, Nina still couldn’t shake the feeling that something might have been overlooked.

‘Guests should be arriving soon.’

Normally, the party would continue into the late hours, but today’s celebration was for Ian.

Since many children would be attending, the formal banquet was scheduled for noon, followed by a small musical garden party.

“There won’t be any problems with the rear garden, right?”

The garden would serve as the stage for the party.

If even the faintest unpleasant smell wafted through the air, it would ruin everything. Nina’s face was tense with worry.

Ash, noticing that she looked even more nervous than Ian, the day’s main star, smiled gently.

“The gardeners checked the drainage system several times. You don’t need to worry.”

“Still…”

She wasn’t an expert in construction or plumbing, but she’d heard that once a problem arose, it had a way of resurfacing.

Plumbing issues like leaks and odors caused headaches even in modern homes.

So she couldn’t quite relax.

“If it will put your mind at ease, I’ll have them check it again.”

Nina nodded.

The interiors and cleaning were perfect.

The banquet menu, the desserts and drinks for the garden party, the orchestra for the recital…

Everything had been prepared down to the smallest detail. All that was left was to welcome the guests.

As she mentally reviewed how the day’s events would unfold—

“Madam, the carriages are arriving.”

Jeffrey approached with a bright smile, clearly delighted by the prospect of the mansion coming alive with guests once more.

As the lady of the house, it was only proper that she greet them personally.

“Ian, come here.”

Ian, who had been straightening his appearance in front of a polished bronze ornament, came over.

“Aunt, how do I look today?”

Nina met his slightly nervous gaze and grinned.

“Whose nephew do you think you are? Of course you look handsome.”

As Ian smiled shyly, she leaned down and whispered in his ear.

“…By the way, is someone you like coming today?”

He seemed to be paying more attention to his appearance than usual, suspiciously so.

Nina’s eyes curved playfully.

“It’s the day your guests are coming, Aunt. I just want to make a good impression.”

She’d thought it before, that one day, Ian would surely leave a trail of girls in tears.

Smiling at the thought, Nina headed toward the entrance.

A long line of carriages stretched before the mansion.

It had begun.

There was no need to state the obvious. That a well-kept, beautiful home reflected the virtue of its mistress.

And the mistress of this house was none other than ‘Nina Bayern’, once the most infamous topic of high society’s gossip.

As she caught the subtle glimmers of admiration in the guests’ eyes while they took in the pristine interior, Nina’s chest swelled with quiet relief.

It would be a mistake to think that her mother’s acquaintances would be easy to entertain. If anything, it meant she had to be even more careful.

Any misstep of hers could be seen as a stain on her mother’s name.

After treating the hungry guests to a fine luncheon, and before the garden party began, Nina strolled through the garden with the ladies, chatting lightly to aid digestion.

“…I suppose there really was nothing to worry about after all.”

She murmured, looking around with a faint, relieved smile.

Nina’s purpose in hosting this party was clear and unwavering.

To build connections that would one day benefit Ian.

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