Chapter 6 Part 3
“That’s too bad. I also want to show it off as I get it.”
“Me too.”
The other ladies expressed their disappointment, causing Lena’s pride to rise even higher.
Elia smiled ruefully at the confident Lena.
“I’m sorry, but the first order is reserved for someone special.”
Lena’s face stiffened momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure, as if she had anticipated this.
“Then I suppose it can’t be helped. Even the second order…”
“After that, I’ll be giving out invitations unofficially.”
Elia planned to distribute invitations to visit her salon, where advance orders could be placed. A second chance for Lena would be tantamount to a perfect rejection.
The other ladies waved their fans, expressing their schadenfreude at Lena’s expense.
“That’s a shame. I would love to receive an invitation.”
Lena gritted her teeth. Though her pride was hurt, she hadn’t given up yet.
Turning away from Lena, Elia’s gaze settled on a modest-looking lady.
“I would like to give the first order to Madam Forshe.”
“To me?”
Madam Forshe looked at Elia in surprise, as did the other ladies.
Forshe Levon had lost her husband and was raising two children alone. After returning to her family, she had started a small business to make a living.
‘That business will soon become incredibly successful.’
It was only a year away.
‘The Iron Lady.’
After successfully trading with the East, she would pioneer the Silk Road. Forshe would become a major player in business and a generous benefactor to the poor. Even when the sun disappeared, the villages supported by her never let their candles go out.
“Thank you so much. But why me…?”
“I saw potential in you, Madam.”
Curious glances followed her words. Elia only smiled without further explanation.
“Is there a specific type of magic you want? There are various kinds I can engrave. High-level magic might be difficult, though.”
“Then… I would like protection magic, please.”
Elia nodded. Moments ago, Madam Forshe had been standing alone, but now she was surrounded by ladies.
“I envy you, Madam Levon.”
“Do you have a connection with the princess?”
Madam Forshe blushed, feeling awkward with the attention. It was hard to believe that this shy woman would one day dominate the continent. Indeed, life was full of surprises.
The ladies and noblewomen crowded around Forshe, while Lena quickly turned and left.
‘That family is doomed anyway.’
Lena’s family would face major failures due to reckless investments. Count Olga, wounded in pride, would struggle and sink further into ruin. Eventually, the Olga family would vanish from the capital, the complete opposite of Forshe’s fate.
“I will deliver the invitations later.”
In the end, only Elia knew who would receive them.
Elia then began to turn away the people crowding around her. Some showed interest in Aksion, but most left when he did not return their gaze.
‘He’s so shy.’
Even now, Aksion’s eyes were fixed solely on Elia.
“Shall we take a break?”
“Sounds good.”
Elia moved with him to the upper floor of the banquet hall.
‘I like it here.’
The third floor offered a view of the entire hall and was a perfect spot to avoid people.
‘I used to hide here as a child.’
Violet often humiliated Elia in crowded places. Whenever that happened, she would hide here.
‘I need to catch my breath.’
With the business introduction successfully concluded, it was time to rest. Elia leaned against the railing, looking down.
“It seems successful, doesn’t it?”
“Of course.”
Attracting attention was easy. Now, it was time to create more connections with the invitations.
“It’s thanks to you, Aksion. I was looking into that place, but the owner was adamantly against selling. How did you manage to secure it?”
“Perhaps they changed their mind.”
Aksion downplayed his effort.
‘I thought they wouldn’t reconsider without a sword at their throat. How surprising.’
Elia wondered how Aksion had managed it, but she was just glad they secured the place.
As Elia smiled at Aksion, he averted his gaze.
“I’ll fetch some drinks.”
“Would you? I’m quite thirsty.”
All the talking had left her parched. Elia waved at Aksion as he headed downstairs.
Even two floors up, the hall looked different. As Elia observed, a voice interrupted her.
“What a lovely party. Don’t you think so, Princess?”
Turning, she saw a striking silver-haired woman. Her long hair flowed to her waist, and her golden eyes sparkled with the light of dawn as she smiled radiantly.
‘I didn’t see her earlier.’
Her appearance was so striking that it was odd she hadn’t been noticed before.
Searching her memory, Elia realized she hadn’t met her in her previous life either.
‘But why does she seem familiar… No way.’
Silver hair and golden eyes were an unusual combination.
‘Sharon Deias.’
The woman before her was the protagonist from the book.
“Hello. Excuse me, but may I ask your name?”
“Oh, I thought you’d know. I’m Sharon. But that will change soon.”
The lack of a surname was significant. At this time, Sharon was still a commoner.
‘Soon to be no longer?’
Elia’s gaze hardened.
Deias was a name hastily given by the temple after Sharon was chosen as a saint through divine revelation.
Sharon’s smile was full of confidence, like someone who knew the future.
‘Why now?’
Elia had seen Sharon only once, at the saint selection ceremony where all the royals attended.
In the past, Sharon should not have been at this banquet.
‘How did she get in here?’
Non-nobles couldn’t attend the Cherry Blossom Banquet. She might have entered as someone’s maid, but her dress was too extravagant for that.
While Elia was pondering Sharon’s presence, a trumpet sounded from the hall.
“Oh, something’s happening below.”
Sharon passed by Elia, smiling gleefully.
“It was nice meeting you. Goodbye.”
Suddenly, Elia felt a sharp pain on the back of her hand. She checked and saw a scratch left by something sharp.
Looking at Sharon’s retreating figure, Elia noticed the fan she was holding. The scratch must have come from an ornament on the fan.
There was no defect in noble items, meaning the scratch was deliberate.
‘Something is wrong.’
A sense of foreboding washed over her. At that moment, the emperor appeared below.
“Today, we announce the return of the prophet, Parmeo Pitecus.”
Elia’s face turned cold at the emperor’s declaration.
‘The prophet?’
The prophet had been absent for over five years. During that time, Parmeo had only communicated with the emperor, isolating himself from the outside world.
‘This didn’t happen before.’
The prophet’s return and the protagonist’s appearance were both new events. Something had changed.
Elia hurried downstairs. The area was already crowded with people eager to see the prophet.
On the platform stood the emperor and Parmeo.
The prophet was the only one besides the empress who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the emperor. His imposing appearance, with piercing eyes, green pupils, and a luxurious robe, made him look like a well-groomed sage.
Elia, blending into the crowd, watched him. For a moment, she thought Parmeo’s eyes met hers.
“What a meaningful spring. Our prophet has ended his long seclusion.”
The emperor laughed heartily.
“It is my joy to be received so warmly by Your Majesty.”
Parmeo smiled humbly. The empress, standing beside him, added,
“It would have been better if the Crown Prince were here.”
Crown Prince Varlan was on an extended tour of the empire, prompted by Parmeo’s prophecy that inspecting the empire was vital for his safety.
