Chapter 51: Really Can’t Stand It! part 2
‘These obstacles to my glorious future are swimming around like filthy fish, and it’s driving me insane!’
This debutante ball was meant to be all about me. I was supposed to be the star. But now, everything was ruined.
And to make matters worse, the focus of every conversation had shifted to the newly arrived Lady Lâtel. Duchess Klein, standing nearby, remained composed despite the shocking turn of events.
“Lady Lâtel has arrived.”
“Indeed. Quite unexpected.”
“Well, after nearly three years in seclusion, it was bound to happen eventually.”
Dott ’s bloodshot eyes fixated on Lady Lâtel as she moved through the hall. She didn’t approach the Crown Prince or seek his attention. There was no escort by her side, no knight accompanying her. At least she had that much sense. But the entire room was now watching her and the Crown Prince with great anticipation.
And the ones most taken aback were, as expected, the members of House Orleans.
“… Unbelievable.”
“She dares.”
“This can’t be happening!”
The hushed voices, low enough to be heard only by those gathered together, carried a distinct hostility.
Watching the scene unfold from the back with an obvious gaze was Raphael Orleans. He pursed his lips slightly, about to produce a whistling sound, when a sharp, intense pain shot through him. He couldn’t openly whistle, but he had at least wanted to do this!
Thwack!
“Ugh.”
It was Kassel. Having struck Raphael’s calf faster than anyone else, Kassel delivered a stern admonition as if nothing had happened.
“Compose yourself, Raphael. This is the imperial palace.”
“Ugh… So you’re finally acknowledging me as a close friend instead of just a knight and calling me by my name?”
Though Raphael’s words were playful, his eyes were sharp. It was a clear testament that he did not share the same ambitions as his family’s schemes.
‘Good.’
Kassel let out a quiet sigh of relief and warned in a low voice.
“I want to believe that you are different.”
“Sir Kassel, I also think our relationship is quite different from that of other knights…”
“You do know humans have two calves, don’t you?”
“Tch.”
Not a chance. As Kassel bluntly crushed his hopes, Raphael clicked his tongue in frustration. It wasn’t like he had been hit that hard, but if both legs took a hit, even a knight would have to limp awkwardly. Even though he usually walked around with a bright smile, he had no intention of making a fool of himself in front of others.
Despite his grumbling, his gaze quickly swept over the people, not the Lady Lâtel, but the others. His father and mother, the Duke and Duchess, and the vassals and knights of their estate, who were particularly close to them, all had grim expressions.
Meanwhile, on the other side, there was someone discreetly observing the reactions of the Orleans faction.
“…”
So far, everything was going smoothly.
Fay, who had been watching the flow of events unfold ever since entering with Prince Astein, let a small smile curl on her lips.
The Crown Prince was treating Lady Klein with such special favor that even Duke Klein’s household would find it hard to object. This was the first move.
Then, Fay successfully entered the Arcadnia Hall with Prince Astein. As Lady Morgana, she made her debutante appearance, and the people within the hall accepted it without much resistance.
After the first dance with Astein, she exchanged greetings with Kassel, Raphael, and other familiar faces. She even had brief yet meaningful second encounters with others. Most of them responded with warmth and a sense of camaraderie toward Fay, the Crown Prince’s close subordinate.
And finally, the last piece of the puzzle…
The appearance of Lady Lâtel had concluded without a hitch. Now, the only thing left was to gauge the reaction of the Orleans Ducal House.
Alright. The official matters are all wrapped up. Now, it’s time to handle my own business.
Her gaze finally shifted, ‘at last’, to someone standing at a distance. A person she had not met eyes with even once since stepping into Arcadnia Hall.
— — —
“I need to clear my head for a moment.”
Lady Klein, trembling with rage, spun around toward the terrace.
The Duchess, who cared for her daughter’s well-being more than anyone else, instantly understood the source of her anger. Rather than stopping her for acting rashly, she offered her a ladies’ maid and added,
“Don’t go to the terrace. Use the garden path and rest comfortably in the Hall of Verdure. I’ve arranged for it to remain empty all day, so you can even close your eyes for a bit if you need to.”
“…Alright.”
Dott’s response was barely above a groan.
“You are the most beautiful person in this entire hall. I love you, my precious daughter.”
The Duchess meant every word, but Dott, who was on the verge of boiling over, barely registered them.
With the indifference of someone nodding to a superior, she gave a half-hearted tilt of her head and strode toward the Hall of Verdure without looking back. Her shoulders trembled violently as she all but fled.
She hated everything.
What is this? What the hell is this?
Why should I have to lose the attention I rightfully deserve to someone like that?!
“Hah…!”
Leaving the maid stationed at the door, Dott entered the Hall of Verdure alone. But instead of calming down, her frustration only burned hotter.
How could this happen?
How could they do this to me?!
This was supposed to be my moment!
From tomorrow, all of the capital should have been buzzing about the grand return of Lady Klein!
And yet, they’ve ruined it! Completely!
“This can’t be real.”
Even Dott, who usually held herself together, couldn’t contain her fury and muttered aloud, voice shaking with disbelief.
