Chapter 150
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 150
“Your Ladyship’s baby wolf suddenly bolted off somewhere. I thought about catching him, but…”
The maid spoke with a worried look in her eyes.
“I remembered you told me not to stop him if that happened, so I just let him go.”
“Mm-hmm. You did well.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The maid, who had been anxious, finally looked relieved after hearing my response.
I guess the delegation from the Lupinus Kingdom has arrived.
That was why I had pre-emptively told the maids not to bother catching my little pup—Cle-Cle—if he started running off somewhere.
I looked into the mirror and stomped one of my sharp heels firmly against the floor.
Thud!
The maids flinched at the menacing sound, which seemed loud enough to gouge the floorboards, but I was inwardly satisfied.
Perfect.
One way or another, I was going to wreck that Second Prince’s instep.
Thinking about that made me suddenly miss Leon Frezier.
That steel-like body.
That towering height.
That pitch-black hair.
The twins had returned to the Academy from the capital mansion just a few days ago—two days, to be exact.
Actually, they were kicked out.
By whom?
By me, Tulia Frezier.
Both of them had insisted on staying to see my debutante ball before heading back, but I had fought hard to stop them.
For one reason only.
“I’m going to crush the Second Prince’s foot at the debutante. You guys shouldn't learn stuff like that.”
“……Brother. I think her way of speaking is getting weirder by the day.”
Lisian just gave a short laugh.
“Still, shouldn't you practice dancing a bit? It’s not like you’re only going to dance with the Second Prince.”
“I practiced a lot with Brother Lisian, didn't I?”
“So that’s why you’ve been walking funny for the past few days, Brother.”
“Brother Lisian. Can I hit Leon?”
“D-do as you wish, Tulia. You can… hit him a lot.”
“Whoa, Brother! How could you do this to me?!”
Grandfather had also wanted to see my debutante, but an urgent matter had cropped up in the territory, and he had to leave to handle it.
Father was currently rushing up from the border.
Honestly, they didn't have to go that far.
Back when I was Han Ina, my family never showed up even for my graduation, so I didn't feel particularly lonely.
Besides, I had brought plenty of my own maids with me.
…Still, it would be nice if he arrived a bit early.
I looked down at the ring Father had given me.
A week before the debutante.
One of Father’s subordinates, who had arrived in the capital first, delivered a letter to me.
The letter said he was traveling as fast as possible but might be slightly late on the day of the debutante.
It was filled with such frantic worrying that it was hard to imagine it had been written by Marquis Aster Frezier, a man rumored to be heartless and cold.
Ironically, that was what made my heart feel heavy. My mood became restless, as if touched by the dampness of dawn.
So, this is what a normal family is like.
I realized that the reason I always felt so cold as Han Ina was because I had never experienced something like this.
Along with the letter came three carriage-loads of debutante gifts.
Out of all of them, the ring I chose to wear was exceptionally heavy and beautiful.
A sapphire ring with a dreamlike blend of turquoise and blue.
Perhaps it was because it was such a rare and expensive piece that even passing nobles stole glances at it.
Or perhaps it was because I wanted to savor this unfamiliar consideration—this celebration of ‘my special day’—for as long as possible.
I looked down at the heavy, glittering ring on my finger several more times.
* * *
The Second Prince, Dave, looked around the Grand Banquet Hall with confidence.
Every noble who met his eyes bowed their head slightly.
He was intoxicated by this power, and his mood soared.
“Where is Tulia Frezier?”
Despite being in a public setting, it was improper of him not to use the title ‘Lady’ for Tulia Frezier.
Empress Carmi gave him a low-voiced warning.
“Make sure to address her as Lady, Dave.”
“Imperial Father isn't even here, so why are you so concerned, Mother?”
“There are many eyes watching.”
“……I understand, Mother.”
Naturally, the Emperor and Empress were supposed to be present at a debutante ball, but Emperor Alexander had suddenly stepped away a moment ago.
Even Empress Carmi didn't know the reason why.
She sat high upon the dais, surveying the nobles.
Excited eyes.
Flushed cheeks.
Everyone dressed to the nines.
Among the many ladies whose excitement for the debutante had yet to fade, there was one noblewoman who shone exceptionally bright.
A color with the beautiful name of Rose Quartz.
Lady Francoise of Althorn, wearing a radiant dress made from the fabric her mother had received, was the star of the moment.
Francoise, who had been chatting excitedly with the ladies around her, sensed Carmi’s gaze and looked up, only to startle and quickly lower her eyes.
Empress Carmi’s smile deepened. No one except the Empress’s head maid knew that her eyes held clear traces of jealousy and displeasure.
So he ended up giving it to his daughter.
If it hadn't been for her, that girl would have married the youngest son of some lowly Baron and lived an insignificant life.
Yet, because they shared the same father, she had helped her marry the heir of a Duke.
“Mother! Lady Tulia Frezier has arrived!”
“Go on down.”
“Yes, Mother!”
Meanwhile, Tulia Frezier, dressed in a light green gown, didn't stand out as much as Lady Francoise in terms of the dress itself, but the jewels she wore were extraordinary.
As expected of the direct granddaughter who held the Grand Duke’s sole affection, she was draped in jewels as precious as those of the Imperial Family.
How dare she dress so ostentatiously for this occasion.
Tulia even wore a look of momentary annoyance the moment she saw Dave.
Empress Carmi wanted to go down and slap Tulia’s cheek right then and there, but as always, she maintained a warm smile.
What did it matter if the girl hated it?
After all, the highest-ranking young man in this Grand Banquet Hall was her son, Dave.
Tulia Frezier’s first dance belonged to him.
* * *
“Lady Tulia Frezier.”
Ugh. That jerk actually came.
I forced the corners of my mouth up into a smile and gave a polite greeting.
“Tulia Frezier greets His Highness, the Second Prince.”
“Don't be so stiff.”
Dave’s hand immediately pulled me toward the dance floor. I almost tripped from the unexpected force, but I managed to keep my balance.
“The fact that you picked my dance bead means you have feelings for me after all, doesn't it?”
“What blue blood would dare reject a red bead, Your Highness?”
“Exactly. What blue blood would dare reject the Imperial Family, Lady Tulia Frezier?”
Ugh, what a prick. Seriously.
At least he wasn't a complete idiot; he knew how to mock me by throwing my own words back at me.
I checked the sharp heels of my shoes once more as I walked.
“You know the custom, don't you, Lady?”
“Which custom are you referring to?”
“The Brillant Empire is full of romance. Surely you know how often those who share the first dance at a debutante end up getting married?”
“As far as I know, people marry the person they shared the first dance with at both the debutante and the Founding Festival.”
“Then you can just dance with me at the Founding Festival as well, can't you?”
Are you insane?
I’d rather marry Lady Francoise than do that!
…Since I couldn't actually say that, I just smiled.
“Well? Lady Tulia Frezier.”
Dave was acting as if he were obsessed with marriage, even going so far as to massage my hand while holding it.
This crazy bastard…!
Just as I was about to snap back and deal him a blow.
Suddenly, the surroundings began to buzz. It was a different kind of noise than before.
It was the kind of commotion that happened when someone truly special ‘appeared.’
What is it?
Did Klaus finally make his entrance dressed properly as a prince?
The moment Dave and I both turned around.
My eyes couldn't help but widen.
“H-His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Oh my god! Isn't that the Crown Prince?”
Ferdinand Cassel Ewigkeit.
The male lead with the intense red eyes was walking into the Grand Banquet Hall.