Chapter 101
Chapter 101. Welcome Banquet for the Envoys
The Baron clicked his tongue at the sight of his grown children acting like kids, scolding Henelone.
“What kind of rude behavior is that for a grown lady?”
“It was a mistake. The carriage shook.”
“Oh, really. You should’ve licked your lips before you spoke.”
“What? My lipstick is fading!”
The carriage was a comedy, carrying only the Baron, his wife, Henelone, and Declan. Milena had insisted on going to the welcoming banquet despite a fever, but her family had strongly opposed it, and she’d been unable to attend.
Henelone burst into laughter, remembering Milena gritting her teeth with resentment. Declan grumbled.
“I thought I’d be your dance partner since I felt bad for you decorating the wall alone. Now I can’t because of your naughty feet.”
“I don’t need it.”
Henelone’s face turned serious at Declan’s words, and she turned her head away. She hated the thought of dancing with her brother at this age. She’d rather decorate the wall. Declan laughed and folded his arms at her annoyed response.
“Stop it, Declan. Why doesn’t Henelone have a gentleman?”
“Huh?”
She’d been expecting a familiar scolding, but Henelone was pleased by the Baron’s unexpected words. Declan, who’d been shaking his fist behind the Baron’s back, and Henelone both opened their eyes wide.
“Why would she have a gentleman?”
“Well, that’s right. What kind of gentleman do I have…!”
Despite Declan’s pure doubt and Henelone’s awkward stammer, the Baron simply folded his arms and smiled vaguely. That same smile was on Diana’s face, and Henelone tilted her head uncomfortably.
‘Do they know about my relationship with Heinz…?’
Henelone’s doubts grew as she was asked a question she couldn’t answer.
***
“Oh, Baron Pallenberg!”
“Haha, you’re here first!”
The first to greet the Pallenberg family as they entered the banquet hall were Count and Countess Greta. Count Greta, with a wide smile, turned to the Baron, and Countess Greta greeted Henelone.
“It’s been a while, Lady Pallenberg.”
“Oh. How are you?”
Henelone, taken aback, bowed. When Countess Greta’s eyes lit up with an unpleasant light at her flustered greeting, Diana quickly stepped forward.
“It’s been a long time since you saw her when she was little. Hoho! Thanks to your teachings, our Henelone has become such a respectable lady.”
“I see, Baroness Pallenberg. She has become a very mature lady.”
“Hohoho…”
Their words were same, but their expressions didn’t match. However, Henelone, accustomed to that noble and sharp tone, pretended to smooth her clothes and brushed it off.
‘You’re still the same.’
She remembered shedding a few tears when she was little, but it didn’t bother her now. Since she’d run away during etiquette training as a child, they hadn’t really communicated much. So, it was strange that the Countess was acting as if she knew her now.
After pouring out such noble words in a letter, what was this sudden change in her feelings? This meeting was unpleasant for Henelone, who acted awkwardly with her eyes wide. Diana, with her eyes wide, fiercely pinched Henelone’s side.
“She’s still so shy, haha!”
The Countess stared blankly at Henelone, who clutched her side, and nodded insincerely. Unlike the men who were happily talking business, an awkward atmosphere lingered.
The strange confrontation between the shy Henelone, the timid Countess, and the bashful Baroness was ended by Adrian, Countess Greta’s nephew, who appeared late.
“Nice to meet you, Baroness Pallenberg.”
“Oh my! It’s nice to meet you, Count Russell! I’ve heard a lot from Henelone. Oh ho ho!”
“Haha. I hope it was a positive conversation.”
“Of course!”
Diana smiled with satisfaction, looking Adrian over, from his sparkling blond hair and golden eyes to his tall stature and handsome face. She was very pleased with his handsome appearance, as if he were a young man in a famous painting. When Henelone blushed at his candid reaction and nudged her, Diana smiled faintly and spoke to the Countess.
“It looks like the dance will start soon, so we should find a separate seat!”
Then the men who were busy talking business also nodded.
While Henelone hesitated, bewildered by the sight of her family disappearing as if by magic, Declan, who had been giggling constantly as if he was having fun, turned around, leaving only Henelone and Adrian on the dance floor.
“The envoys haven’t even arrived yet, so what…”
Henelone muttered with a bewildered face, watching her family move away. Not only had the dance not begun, but the emperor, the envoys, and other important figures had not even shown up. The musicians played only gentle songs.
Henelone blushed in embarrassment at her family’s obvious actions and glanced at Adrian.
“It’s nice to see you again, Henelone.”
“Ah…”
Henelone awkwardly closed her mouth, unable to answer Adrian, who greeted her with a bright smile. She remembered how the end of their last meeting had not been pleasant.
‘I don’t know what kind of face to make…’
That day, she’d been so sensitive and tense to Adrian’s words. She felt embarrassed and sorry. Adrian’s face had clearly shown his bewilderment at her sharp reaction. She bit her lips and hesitantly opened her mouth.
“Hey, Adrian. That day…”
“I’m sorry about that day, Henelone.”
“Uh, yes…?”
Adrian apologized before she could. Embarrassed, Henelone lifted her head and looked at him. Adrian, with his eyebrows furrowed sullenly, continued to speak, looking down like a scolded puppy.
“I was too hasty to spread unconfirmed rumors. I never intended to hurt you. It was just that I was so upset with you for coldly rejecting me. That’s why I said something out of frustration. I’m sorry, Henelone.”
“Adrian…”
Her heart ached with guilt at the sight of Adrian honestly revealing his feelings with a sad face. It was never easy for Henelone to reject the favors she was receiving. But it had to be done. It was rude to both Heinz and Adrian to waver between them.
Henelone, who tried hard to control her guilt-ridden heart, clenched her fists and stared at Adrian with firm eyes.
“I’m the one who should apologize, Adrian. I think I was too sensitive that day. I’m sorry. But… I don’t think that’s changed. I think it would be better for us to keep our distance a little longer.”
“But Henelone… You promised me that you wouldn’t forget this poor man who was waiting for you.”
Adrian carefully released Henelone’s small fist, which she had clenched so hard that her blood drained. Henelone was speechless for a moment as his sweet honey-colored eyes, moist beneath his trembling eyelashes, sparkled under the banquet hall’s lights.
“Oh, no. That’s…”
“I’ve been thinking only about you during this boring summer vacation. Can’t you be a little more pitiful to me?”
“That’s, so…”
‘What should I say?’
Henelone stuttered dumbly at the pitiful man’s plea that made her forget what she was going to say. It was truly a face that was beyond desire.
‘Was I this weak to handsome faces?’
She felt like the world’s greatest fool, but she couldn’t shake her head.
The moment her sharp and determined eyes began to blur, the gatekeeper’s thunderous shout woke her up.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”
The tightly closed door opened wide, and Emperor Dietrich, dressed in magnificent attire, strode into the banquet hall.
As the people who had been gathered in groups pulled away and bowed, Henelone, who had also woken up, quickly shook off Adrian’s hand and bowed hurriedly.
‘I-It was dangerous…’
She didn’t know exactly what was dangerous, but somehow it was. Her irregularly pounding heartbeat was closer to the fear of being swallowed by a dangerous beast than excitement. She slowly took a deep breath and tried to calm her flushed cheeks. But before she could, her cheeks sank coldly at the gatekeeper’s shout.
“Princess Marie-Jose of the Kingdom of Honfleur and Duke Heinz Woodward have arrived!”
Silver hair glittered brilliantly under the chandelier, and jet-black hair that swallowed all colors. A navy dress embroidered with gorgeous silver thread, and a dark blue suit that matched. Henelone’s heart thumped as if it would stop at the sight of the two walking slowly, holding hands.
