The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 64

< Chapter 64 >

The hand of Mabel, scrolling down the newspaper, trembled.

[As John Burning’s election team secured a majority in the House, the expectation that William Edmundstone, a nobleman of the aristocracy, would be appointed Deputy Prime Minister was overturned.

According to Westminster analysis, the deepening differences in opinions between Edmundstone and John Burning regarding the social security system have led to this.

However, according to reliable sources, it’s said that Edmundstone unilaterally rejected the deputy prime minister position proposed by Burning. Whether this is an act of moral responsibility surrounding recent rumors about Edmundstone’s private life remains to be seen…]

Before Mabel could finish reading the article, Irina exclaimed.

“Isn’t it more certain that Mr. Edmundstone will become the Deputy Prime Minister than John Burning becoming the Prime Minister? After all, wasn’t John Burning’s candidacy for Prime Minister due to the recommendation of Mr. Edmundstone, a nobleman in the House of Lords?”

However, Mary, with an expression suggesting it was too early to be surprised, shook her head.

“I mean, John Burning’s confirmation as Prime Minister has already been achieved. Wait, that’s not the issue right now. That article was yesterday’s news, and today there’s more shocking news.”

Mary pushed another stiff newspaper closer to the middle of the table, smelling of ink.

“Mr. Edmundstone’s consecutive actions…”

Irina’s voice reading the article gradually faded. Mabel, who hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of William’s resignation as Deputy Prime Minister, quickly followed Irina’s gaze to the front page article of the newspaper.

[Withdrawal of Deputy Prime Minister nomination followed by resignation from the aristocracy.

Edmundstone is known as one of the most influential families in British politics. As a nobleman with a peerage, Edmundstone, who has held various ministerial and deputy ministerial positions excluding the Prime Minister’s position reserved only for House members, has performed numerous duties.]

Mabel skimmed through the article, passing summaries of Edmundstone’s deep ties to politics and his wealthy household, and searched for William’s name.

[However, recent controversies surrounding Edmundstone, who has become a central figure in politics due to his recent personal life and radical social security system proposals, have sparked discussion following his successor William Edmundstone’s demand to withdraw the deputy prime minister nomination and his declaration to renounce the aristocratic position.]

“Renouncing the aristocratic position?!”

Mabel exclaimed in surprise.

“Wait, hold on. So, you mean Mr. Edmundstone is only relinquishing his position as a nobleman, the seat of a member of the House of Lords, right?”

Mabel asked alternately between Irina and Mary, sounding confused.

For nobility steeped in tradition and formality, not having a money-making occupation was typical. Instead, they took on the responsibility of being honorable leaders in society, one of which was being a political figure with noble status, known as a nobleman or a member of the House of Lords.

“Huh, it’s not just that. Renouncing the noble status that has been passed down through generations in the family is more than just leaving politics. This is essentially the same as Mr. Edmundstone abandoning his noble status.” 

Mabel’s mind went blank at Irina’s explanation. Why would someone with ambitions to change the world resign as Deputy Prime Minister and even renounce their noble status?

“Renouncing the status of nobility…?” 

Mabel asked in disbelief.

“Is it really because of Mabel…… that what Crosby feared to happen happened?”

Mary murmured in shock.

“What do you mean, Mary?”

Mary suddenly seemed to snap out of it and covered her mouth with a gasp.

“Mary?”

“Oh, no. It’s nothing!”

Mary blurted out in a panic at her inadvertent words. However, Mabel’s thoughts delved deeper as she had just read an article suggesting that the reason for William’s rejection of the deputy prime minister position might be related to rumors surrounding his private life.

“Mary, what on earth are you talking about? Are you saying I’m somehow involved in Mr. Edmundstone’s resignation as a Member of Parliament?”

“Mabel…”

“Mary, please tell me.”

“Vincent Crosby warned that no matter what happens, I must not speak about it…”

Mary sighed before speaking, and Mabel’s heart raced ominously.

“Surely, gossip about me couldn’t possibly affect Mr. Edmundstone’s activities…”

“No, Mabel! No one could threaten Mr. Edmundstone’s position with such trivial gossip. But… Crosby mentioned that he has been struggling a lot since you turned him down. He may not have the capacity to accept the deputy prime minister position anymore.”

Mary quickly responded, trying to dispel Mabel’s misunderstanding before it deepened.

Since their reconciliation with Irina, Mabel had confessed to both Irina and Mary that she and William had feelings for each other but had rejected his proposal due to their difference in status.

She didn’t mention her thoughts that it might have been just a moment of curiosity during their time on the Isle of Wight.

Yet, despite Mabel’s confession, Irina and Mary weren’t as surprised as she expected. Unlike Mabel, they had heard frequently in London’s social circles about William’s standing and character, and they already knew that his interest in Mabel was not a passing fancy.

Mary continued her explanation in a trembling voice.

“I just thought he needed some rest, not that he would renounce nobility… Maybe Crosby didn’t even think that far. After all, Mr. Edmundstone is the sole heir of the Edmundstone Dukedom and already holds the title of Earl, his father’s peerage. There’s hardly anyone in Britain with as much power as him…”

Mabel’s mind seemed to go blank for a moment. Titles like Duke or Earl, she didn’t quite understand the difference, but she knew that someone had to sacrifice their life, abandon their family, and engage in unwanted marriages and deals for those titles.

But for William Edmundstone, born and raised as a nobleman, to renounce those titles… What kind of state was he in?

Instead of Mabel, who was shocked, Irina, who had read all the articles, spoke up.

“I’ve heard of the sadness of unmarried men and women at marriageable age, but him renouncing his noble status just doesn’t make any sense. This is about his identity and the survival of his family.”

Even Irina, who always remained calm in crises, couldn’t hide her astonishment.

“Um, then… Mr. Edmundstone… wanted to become like… a commoner, like me?”

Mabel stuttered, looking at Irina. From her friends’ embarrassed attitudes, Mabel could already guess the answer without needing to hear it.

If he did this because of her rejection, if he was so despondent because of her sharp words that he gave up his beliefs, Mabel couldn’t forgive herself.

* * *

‘Did I cause him to become ill because of rejecting his proposal? To throw away everything he had built up until now? It’s all my fault… No, Mabel Willis. Let’s stop jumping to conclusions.’

Mabel finished her dinner somehow and found herself climbing the dormitory stairs. She shook her head to clear her mind. She knew she had a habit of blaming herself and feeling anxious, as Irina had once pointed out.

But despite her efforts, she couldn’t easily shake off the shock of William’s renunciation of the dukedom and refusal of the deputy prime minister position.

‘Mr. Edmundstone is the smartest person I know. So instead of feeling unwarranted guilt, I should think, consider…’

If his illness was indeed the reason for rejecting the deputy prime minister position, Mabel could understand.

But if he was resigning from nobility, giving up his aristocratic status, it was hard to believe it was just for a break. It would bring more questions, media attention, and even potential family rifts. It was difficult to believe it was simply a move for rest.

‘Surely not…’

Mabel didn’t want to entertain arrogant thoughts about William, but a fleeting idea crossed her mind.

‘If titles and family names torment you so much, then my beliefs and ideals, whatever it takes to…’

The words William had uttered at Lord Alfred Gate came to mind as Mabel swept her neck. Come to think of it, he had said something similar when she harshly rejected his proposal in the meadow.

As this thought dawned on her, Mabel, climbing the dormitory stairs, suddenly stopped in her tracks, struck by the absurd idea that perhaps he had renounced his status to propose to her again.

“To think that Mr. Edmundstone might still have feelings for me after I said such harsh words. I must truly be losing my mind, just like Lady Margaret said.”

Mabel murmured to herself alone. However, in a corner of her heart, a small voice flowed, questioning if William had any reason to give up the highest power outside the royal family of Britain other than her rejection over class.

Lost in thought as she climbed the stairs for quite some time, Mabel was called out by a newly familiar voice from the floor just above hers.

“Ma, Miss Mabel?”

When Mabel raised her eyes, Julia, who had been waiting all dinner time in front of Mabel’s dormitory door, was looking at her with a pale expression.