Chapter 23
The countess trembled under the cold, stern gaze of the Count. It was a day just like this toward the tail end of winter, with bleak winds brushing against the windows.
It was on such a day that they had found the Empire’s most accurate fortune-teller: Flau, the woman with the names of seven stars. She was known for reading constellations and predicting the future.
In utter desperation, they had sought her out, asking her to find a child who could save the crumbling Artemio Count family. Flau had pointed to a pair of twins. Born at the southern edge of the Empire, they were destined to be abandoned by their parents on the day of their birth.
From that day, the Countess feigned pregnancy and claimed to have given birth prematurely. Those twins were Ellice and Veloce.
But of course, a dying house like Artemio had no money to support two. So they chose the golden-haired child Flau had predicted, and discarded the dark-haired one.
“All things come with a price. No red flower blooms forever. Even the fullest blossom must one day fall,” Flau had warned.
Why was that warning coming back to her now?
The countess’s lips quivered.
“I’ll try to find the fortune-teller again.”
“…We need a new prophecy. If she could guide us this far, maybe she’ll know what comes next.”
The Count’s words made the Countess nod. He was right. She had no intention of giving up what she had gained. She wanted more… greedy, unrepentant.
“…And when is Andrew arriving?!”
“Tomorrow, dear. Don’t worry. Andrew was always the most gifted child. Flau will show us a new path.”
“She’d better.”
The Count nodded, deep in thought.
***
After a full night’s rest, I felt so much better. No point in wasting more days being angry over Artemio. Seriously, what nonsense. I decided to forget the entire encounter with the Count.
“Peekaboo!”
Delerone giggled at my antics, his little face blooming like a flower.
“Peekaaaaaaboo!”
“Kyaa!”
He laughed so hard his tiny fists waved excitedly in the air.
“What is it about this game that’s so funny to babies?”
“That’s why people say babies are like angels, don’t they?” Stellin said, her voice warm with a smile.
“Angels… Yeah, I believe it. Our sweet baby Delerone.”
“Kyahiung!”
As if in agreement, Delerone babbled happily.
“He’s drinking milk well and growing so fast. And he even sleeps peacefully.”
“You’ve been doing so well, Stellin.”
“Not at all. It’s all thanks to you, Miss Veloce. Thanks to you, even Alex is thriving.”
Alex was Stellin’s baby, born a couple of weeks before Delerone. I’d seen him a few times, definitely sturdier than Delerone. He had that weighty, solid feel to him.
Whenever the two lay side by side, Delerone always looked especially small, which only emphasized how big Alex was.
“I feel like they’re growing unusually fast. That must be your doing, Stellin. Keep taking good care of our Delerone.”
“Of course, Miss Veloce!”
Stellin clenched her fist with determination.
“But Stellin… has the baby’s father still not shown up?”
“No… he hasn’t.”
Her eyes dimmed. She looked afraid.
We’d talked a lot while caring for Delerone together, and I knew Stellin had been hiding from her baby’s father. I didn’t know the full story, but the fact she was running was reason enough to stay out of it.
“I’m glad. But still, if anything ever happens, tell me, okay? I’ll help however I can.”
“I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have met you, Miss Veloce.”
She dabbed at the corners of her eyes. I patted her shoulder and stepped out of Delerone’s room. Alright! Let’s start the day strong! Honestly, I was lucky to have Delerone around. He was the best emotional support I could ask for.
***
After breakfast, when I went to my workplace, Marten was waiting for me.
“A message came from the imperial palace this morning, Lady Veloce.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. His Majesty has invited you for dinner in connection to the National Healing Center.”
“When?”
“The day after tomorrow. An evening banquet. The message should be reaching the maids about now.”
As if on cue, screams erupted from outside.
“The day after tomorrow?!”
“What are we going to do about a dress?!”
“We can’t just put her in a patched-up gown for the imperial palace! It won’t do!”
Oh boy. I shut the slightly open door. No desire to get swept into that chaos.
“I don’t really care what dress I wear. As long as it’s respectful it’s not about fashion, it’s about meeting Their Majesties.”
“You’re absolutely right, Lady Veloce. No dress can ever dim your brilliance.”
…There it was. Someone even worse.
“Hahaha…” I gave a nervous laugh and quickly took my seat.
Honestly, clothes were the least of my worries. I didn’t have the money for a fancy dress. You think noble gowns are cheap? Not a chance. Buying one for a single evening would break my wallet.
It’s not like I had a credit card with an infinite limit.
No, I’d rather focus on something productive.
“So, have they set a date for the selection? I was planning to bring up the merchant guild issue with Her Majesty today…”
At that moment, I forgot something important. That I did have an unlimited black card, someone who would back me up no matter what.
***
Jewel Indique was nearly in tears as she clung to the head maid.
“Lady Veloce doesn’t have a dress to wear?”
“That’s right, Head Maid! What are we supposed to do? We can’t send her to meet Their Majesties in a patched-up gown!”
The head maid looked genuinely distressed. Jewel, being next in line for the head maid position, was known for her competence and keen judgment. If even she was at a loss, it meant this was a real problem.
“When is the palace dinner again?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Then yes, it’s urgent. Does the Duke know?”
“He’s never had a young lady in his care before. I doubt he realizes how important this is.”
“I’ll take this straight to the chief steward. Don’t worry, I’ll see to it.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Jewel’s eyes lit up with hope as she nodded. The head maid rushed off immediately. With so little time, every second counted. And when she spoke to the steward, he listened carefully.
Eden was still wearing the brooch Veloce had gifted him. That dress situation? It would inevitably reach Maynus.
Sure enough, Eden and Kahir eventually pushed him out of his chair.
“Is a dress really that important?”
“Sigh. This is why you’ve never dated anyone!”
“Kahir. That’s a line you shouldn’t…”
“Ahem! Your Grace, a man’s presence is shown through formalwear. Just as you have ceremonial robes to indicate your title. A lady’s dress signals her wealth, status, and respect. To show Veloce belongs to the Jeremias household, a red gown would be appropriate since that’s our family color. If she wore Artemio’s…”
“That’s nonsense.”
Maynus cut him off coldly. Red, huh? Veloce would look stunning in red. He found himself oddly excited.
“I’ll head out. Eden, send a message to the atelier. Let them know I’ll be coming.”
Since it wasn’t social season, most ateliers were in semi-hiatus. It shouldn’t be hard to get an appointment. As anticipation stirred in his chest, Maynus’s lips curled faintly.
It had been a long time since he’d gone to a tailor himself. The only person who used to take him there was the previous Duchess, the only light capable of softening the ice he inherited from his lineage.
After she passed, he’d locked himself away.
But now, with Veloce around, he was beginning to feel that same warmth again.
That fluttering… was probably because of her.
