5. Nobility
“I thought this was the perfect chance to step back from everyday life and reflect on it all from a distance. But it was all for nothing. Even here in Eliyum, ten days away from Leysha by express ship, I keep running into the same faces I saw back home.”
As she returned the parting wave of a gentleman who had just passed by, Shaylin muttered while hooking her arm through Olivier’s. After breakfast, they had left Evril at the mansion, claiming she felt unwell and low on energy, and set out for a leisurely stroll through the Eliyum Art Museum and surrounding exhibits in Citéga, Eliyum’s bustling hub of commerce and culture. But in the short time it took to walk through the museum, Shaylin had already bumped into her fifth acquaintance.
All of them were nobles from Ashton. They spotted her from afar, hurried over for greetings, and insisted she attend the evening party without fail. Olivier watched as Shaylin, showered with invitations to soirées, dinner parties, birthdays, and celebrations of every stripe right to her face, deftly deflected with her dazzling social graces. But the others wouldn’t budge without a firm yes, forcing her to accept them all.
Finally, after the sixth invitation, Shaylin let out a sigh and irritably swung the clutch in her hand.
“At this rate, I’ll be touring every mansion on Poenneu Street every evening. Shall we head somewhere else? Eliyum’s cultural spots feel so cramped that all the nobles end up in the same places.”
Olivier nodded lightly at the suggestion of a new spot. Though she had visited a few times after moving to the western continent with her parents, the city of Eliyum still felt utterly foreign to her—everything was novel and exciting.
“Hmm, somewhere to rest these tired feet tortured by high heels, delight the eyes, enjoy a secretive drink without running into anyone we know...”
Shaylin pondered, gazing toward the museum exit. Then, as if struck by inspiration, her lips curved up and she tugged Olivier’s arm with a bright voice.
“One place pops into mind that checks every box. Let’s go.”
They exited the museum and walked a short distance to the heart of Citéga’s intersection. Last night’s arrival under twilight had hidden the view, but now, with New Year’s just days away, the streets buzzed with raucous year-end revelry. Lavish circular wreaths adorned every shop entrance, and colorful four-wheeled carriages rolled elegantly over the neatly paved stones, befitting this upscale commercial and cultural district.
At the most eye-catching spot in the central intersection stood a grand three-story building. Its first-floor facade facing the road was all showroom windows, and above the stately entrance, a small stone plaque bore the engraved initials PA.
Emily, trailing behind the young ladies, immediately recognized the Paralroma Workshop Eliyum branch from those initials.
Shaylin led Olivier toward the shop’s main entrance. A doorman greeted them politely and ushered them inside. As they approached the reception desk in the foyer, elegantly dressed nobles browsing the first-floor displays caught their eye, soon followed by a sharply attired male clerk.
“Welcome. What item are you looking for today?”
Shaylin pulled a round golden token from her clutch and showed it to him. The clerk bowed and guided them to the stairs leading upstairs.
The second floor opened into a wide hall lined with several small rooms. In the center of the rectangular hall, the workshop’s products were on display, with luxurious sofas arranged before them.
“The overall atmosphere and layout are identical to the Leysha branch,” Shaylin remarked as she looked around. The male clerk replied courteously while leading them down a labyrinthine corridor.
“At Paralroma Workshop, we strive for uniformity across all branches. We do our utmost to ensure the same service and prestige wherever in the world you visit. This Eliyum branch, in particular, is celebrating its successful first anniversary with a variety of events.”
Shaylin halted and asked curiously,
“Does that mean Lord Edelburir will attend the first-anniversary celebration?”
“Yes, he’s been staying in Eliyum since last week. This way, please.”
The clerk opened a door and showed them in. The room held comfortable, upscale sofas, a table, and large windows overlooking the open intersection.
Shaylin flopped onto the sofa. At her glance, Olivier sat awkwardly beside her, and the clerk knelt on one knee, awaiting orders.
With a bored expression, Shaylin dismissed him to fetch warm tea and next year’s new arrivals.
Emily and Laura quietly took seats on chairs by the door.
“Lord Edelburir...” Olivier ventured the question she’d been mulling over. Shaylin nodded lightly.
“I hear he proposed this Eliyum branch himself. Being from Templton, you might know more.”
“No, it’s news to me.”
“He’s so popular, I never dreamed we’d cross paths here. Those party invites from earlier suddenly feel welcome. Eliyum’s social circle is small—who knows, we might run into him hopping from one to the next. I’ve only glimpsed him from afar at the Ashton imperial balls myself.”
Shaylin’s face lit up radiantly.
“The rumors about his devastating good looks are endless. Word is he graduated from Academia this year and is stepping into heir management full-time. Still single, no fiancée—quite free. Templton seems far more liberal about marriage than our empire. Our own empire’s next heartthrob duke? As you know, someone’s had him locked down since birth, leaving us all bitterly disappointed.”
The clerk returned, setting down tea in pretty cups and light refreshments on the table. He announced the product introductions would begin shortly, bowed politely, and exited.
“We’ll need to shine at these parties. To captivate those mysterious green eyes, you know. My shopping urge is surging out of nowhere. Who knows? If I drape myself head to toe in Paralroma pieces, he might even say hello.”
Shaylin giggled, clearly picturing it.
The two sipped their black tea while chatting about the nobles they’d encountered earlier. Then, Shaylin glanced at Olivier and spoke up.
“By the way, Evril felt bad that you didn’t get one of your handmade handkerchiefs as a gift. Apparently, last visit, Lord Belpharos showed her one you made. She raved about the exquisite embroidery.”
“Ah... I see...”
Olivier’s brow furrowed slightly. Noticing her mood dip, Shaylin fell silent and quietly drank her tea.
As their cups emptied halfway, the door opened and a slender female clerk entered, trailed by others pushing small trays. After a courteous bow, she began presenting items handed over by her colleagues—next year’s hot trends: women’s handbags, leather travel accessories, shoes, scarves, and handkerchiefs, with only a few left in stock. She smiled as she displayed them.
Shaylin ordered several she liked on the spot. Olivier, stunned by the prices, hesitated. One bag would wipe out her allowance. Still, the luxurious items tempted her; after a moment, she called the clerk and ordered two handkerchiefs.
The clerk shook her head politely.
“The handkerchiefs you saw are popular items and sold out. A shipment arrives in Eliyum by ship in a week—you can purchase then. New arrivals are sold on-site only, so you’ll need to visit the shop in person. We can note you on the waiting list to secure stock until closing that day, but you’ll be removed the next, so please keep that in mind. Would you like to order?”
“Yes, two of this design, please.”
With swift movements, the clerk jotted the order on a form, handed it to Olivier for her signature, and collected it.
Once the clerks left, Shaylin looked at Olivier with a concerned expression.
“If what I said earlier made you feel burdened...”
“No, not at all. I brought embroidery thread and tools to pass the time during our Eliyum stay. Intricate patterns would take too long, but initials should be doable within the period—that’s why I ordered them. It’s also my way of repaying Evril’s kindness. Don’t worry, it’s not because of you.”
Olivier smiled warmly, and Shaylin returned it with relief.
“Whew, tonight kicks off the party marathon again. I came to the western continent to escape the tiresome social scene, but now old connections I rarely saw in Leysha are tripping me up. Evril’s unwell, so starting tonight, you’ll have to handle things, Olivier. As you see, I’m a plain beauty—without a dazzling ally sparkling beside me, I fade into the background.”
Olivier nodded brightly at Shaylin’s joking tone. Having dreamed of parties every day in her dull rural confines, she had no reason to refuse now that her Eliyum schedule was packed.
“Then let’s rest here before heading back to dress up. The silver lining? Hopeful encounters with Lord Edelburir and other social luminaries scattered about. Let’s recharge fully before tonight’s fierce battle of charms.”
United in excitement for the evening party, the two leaned deep into the plush, luxurious sofas, sipping tea while gazing at the hectic year-end streets beyond the window.