"I don't have any talents," Rebo said, confusion etched on his face.
"No, you do," Hyde responded firmly. "From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I noticed it. Eckert and Kayler can both attest to it. Over these past four months, we've worked hard to cultivate your talents. You're graceful, composed, humble, eager to learn, and now well-educated. These are talents, Rebo—talents that can captivate anyone."
"Yes," Eckert chimed in, "all you need to do is win over the people at that gathering, just as you've won us over. This will be easy for you."
Hearing the confidence in both Hyde and Eckert's voices, Rebo began to feel a flicker of confidence himself.
With a thick stack of documents in hand, Rebo wasted no time once he returned to his room. He immediately started meticulously reading through the information. It was clear that Eckert had spent considerable effort gathering and organizing every detail about Baron Lonna.
Patiently, Rebo analyzed the documents using the methods Eckert had taught him, trying to understand what kind of man the baron was. From the data, it became evident that Baron Lonna was a man deeply rooted in his aristocratic heritage. Despite his lack of wealth, the baron was determined to maintain the appearance of nobility, no matter how superficial.
The baron's most valuable assets were limited to two properties: an ancestral mansion that spoke of a time when the family was prosperous, but now, its upkeep required significant financial resources. If it were up to Rebo, he would have sold the mansion, using the proceeds to invest in ventures in Southport. With some luck, he could have bought back the mansion after a few years. But selling the estate was something the baron had never considered. His only cost-saving measure was to claim ill health and live in a villa on the outskirts of Peyton, leaving a few family members to watch over the empty old mansion. The mansion only saw use during grand events, like balls or other significant occasions.
The villa was the baron's true home. The documents made it clear that the baron's financial situation was dire. One of the papers detailed the household's monthly food expenses—mostly vegetables, with meat served only occasionally on Sundays. It was clear that organizing a ball and a subsequent banquet was a major undertaking for this household.
Rebo found this obsession with maintaining a false image baffling. The baron wasn't unique; many impoverished nobles in Florans clung to their titles despite having little else. Some found work as private secretaries for wealthier nobles, preserving their family's legacy while hoping for a chance to rise again. But most would rather endure a life of hardship than give up the meaningless trappings of nobility.
The baron was certainly one of these people. Despite the hardships, the baron seemed to find great happiness in his marriage. His wife was the daughter of another impoverished noble family, making their marriage a "match made in heaven." The couple's deep affection had carried them through twenty years, a milestone they felt was worth celebrating. However, it was clear that the guests at this event would likely be a parade of Florans' fallen nobility.
If the baron and his wife had any truly precious possession, it was their daughter. The documents mentioned that the baron had an eighteen-year-old daughter. It seemed that beyond celebrating their two decades of marriage, one of the ball's key purposes was to find a suitable match for their daughter among the young men from other noble families.
The documents provided detailed descriptions of the baron's tastes, preferences, and temperament. Like most impoverished nobles, the baron was highly knowledgeable. With no money for entertainment, reading had become the most affordable pastime for him. And, as with other nobles in similar situations, he was a polite and mild-tempered man. Given the difficulty of finding and keeping servants, these nobles couldn't afford to lose staff by acting out.
As Rebo reviewed the documents, he began to consider how he might draw the baron's and the guests' attention. If many of the attendees were young men of similar age, with solid educational backgrounds, it would be difficult for him to stand out, especially since his knowledge, crammed into just over four months, couldn't compare to their years of study. If someone brought up a topic he wasn't well-versed in, it could spell disaster.
The only thing Rebo could truly take pride in was his experience with the rare and valuable goods he had seen during his time in the shop, and, of course, the priceless treasures in Hyde's private collection. When it came to being well-traveled and discerning, the other young nobles would have a hard time matching him. If he wanted to make an impression, this might be the angle to take.
A plan began to form in Rebo's mind.
All night, Rebo turned the plan over and over in his head, considering every step, every potential pitfall, and how he might address any unforeseen complications. These were the strategies Eckert had taught him, and now, they were coming into play. By the time he had thought everything through, dawn was breaking. Despite having stayed up all night, Rebo felt invigorated. He went for his usual morning run around the estate, following the route Kayler had once set for him, before returning to the house.
In the parlor, the butler and Eckert were already waiting for him. On the sofa lay a finely crafted suit, without any unnecessary decorations or gaudy embellishments. With the butler's help, Rebo went through the routine of grooming and dressing. His face was washed repeatedly, with the water scented by an extract from an unknown flower.
The task of fixing his hair was left to the housekeeper, and though his shirt got slightly soaked in the process, the transformation left Rebo feeling it was all worth it. After changing his shirt and putting on the suit, Rebo felt a bit uncomfortable with the ruffles that extended well beyond his cuffs.
The boots had already been prepared—a pair of bright red, spotted leather boots, made from the hide of some unfortunate fawn. With everything in place, Rebo asked, "Mr. Eckert, could you prepare a brick of tea for me? The kind you and Mr. Hyde drink."
Eckert paused for a moment, then quickly understood Rebo's request and even began to guess each step of the plan Rebo was formulating. Pleased, Eckert felt that their education had been a success.
"Bring out a large block," came a raspy voice from behind. "The small ones are wrapped in gold foil, making it obvious they're valuable. The large ones, however, are not meant for gifting, so they're sealed in wax. Anyone unfamiliar with them would never guess how expensive they are."
Rebo didn't need to turn around to know that Mr. Hyde had risen early today, an unusual occurrence. Realizing that his carefully devised plan had been easily seen through by both Eckert and Mr. Hyde, Rebo felt a pang of discouragement. Perhaps his plan wasn't as perfect as he had thought; perhaps Baron Lonna would see through it just as easily.
Eckert, sensing Rebo's unease, considered offering some words of comfort. He knew that Rebo's plan was excellent and had a high chance of success. However, after a moment of hesitation, Eckert decided to remain silent. Rebo would inevitably face situations where he would have to make decisions on his own, without Eckert or Mr. Hyde there to guide him. It was crucial for Rebo to learn how to think independently and make the right choices.
With everything ready, the carriage was waiting outside. The driver was the same one who had brought Rebo here, but the carriage had been changed to a different one.