Chapter 52
After her strained relationship with Vanessa was mended, the matter of Eleanor being appointed as a baroness-in-training progressed quickly.
The work she had diligently built up until now—participating in estate affairs and taking lessons from Kennith—was finally bearing fruit.
No one opposed Eleanor becoming the heir of Baron Pomfury and rising to the position of a junior baroness.
The baron first announced Eleanor’s appointment internally, and the very next day, made it public.
Two weeks after Eleanor officially became the junior baroness—
News spread that a delegation from the allied Kingdom of Lyrifle would soon arrive in the Tritan Empire.
Ever since the Emperor’s sister became Queen of Lyrifle through a political marriage, the two nations had grown close.
Though Lyrifle was only a kingdom, controlling the western trade routes made it a valuable ally to Tritan.
Every year, their delegation visited, deepening ties further.
But this year, there was a particularly special guest among them—
The Crown Prince of Lyrifle, Ilya, nephew of the Emperor and future king.
The mere announcement of his visit set the capital, Bayrn, abuzz.
The Emperor prepared a grander banquet than ever before in his honor, and the imperial invitations bearing the golden seal of the royal family spread across the Empire.
A week before Ilya’s arrival—
Invitations to the imperial ball were delivered to nearly every young lady of notable families.
Eleanor, as the junior baroness of the Pomfury household and the eldest daughter of the Count of Stikov, received one too.
The golden seal—used only by the imperial family—was pressed vividly on the invitation.
Holding it, Eleanor groaned.
The news that the Lyrifle Crown Prince would attend had reached even her rural estate in Oklama.
It was impossible not to know, with his name splashed across the newspapers daily.
Back when the Emperor was Crown Prince, his sister had been his staunchest supporter, and leaving for Lyrifle in marriage was a political move to strengthen his power.
The Emperor treated her generously for it—her children, from the moment they were born, were each awarded an imperial medal from Tritan.
So it was no wonder the entire Empire buzzed with excitement over the visit of the Crown Prince whom the Queen doted on dearly.
Rumors even spread that on the final day of the three-day banquet, the Emperor would reveal the “Blue Diamond Grasped by the Dragon’s Claw,” a treasure shown only at the founding festival.
“You have no choice but to attend,” Vanessa said coldly, watching Eleanor wrestle with the invitation.
Since becoming her aide, Vanessa wore glasses like Kennith—though hers had no lenses. Being small and youthful in appearance, she tried to look more dignified for the role.
Eleanor chuckled at how adorable Vanessa looked. She admired the girl’s efforts, even in such small things, to fit her role.
And truth be told, the silver-rimmed glasses from Kennith’s favorite shop did make Vanessa appear more mature—if a little sterner.
“A letter came from the Stikov household. Preparations are already in place. You should read it and get ready quickly,” Vanessa pressed firmly.
Lisa handed over the letter at Vanessa’s signal. Ever since Vanessa became Eleanor’s aide, the two had grown closer, working seamlessly together.
Eleanor quickly skimmed the letter. Her family in the capital had prepared everything ahead of time; all she needed was to show up.
“There’s no wriggling out of this…”
It hadn’t even been a month since she stubbornly refused to go to the capital in front of the male leads.
Now, her trip there was decided in such an anticlimactic way.
The thought made her feel strangely hollow—her argument with Sinclair, her moonlit farewell with Ernst—all of it suddenly seemed meaningless.
“…I suppose I’ll have to go.” Eleanor sighed in resignation. She had no excuse to refuse.
“But why would they invite all the noble young ladies of the capital, just because the Crown Prince is coming?” Lisa asked in confusion. In previous visits, noble daughters were often excluded.
Usually, only imperial princesses and women of the royal family attended, strengthening private alliances.
But now, suddenly, invitations were sent en masse to unmarried noblewomen.
“If I had to guess…” Eleanor set the invitation on her desk, leaned back, and tapped it with her fingertips.
“…they just want pretty ornaments for him to look at.”
It was ridiculous—inviting young noblewomen who had never once received an imperial invitation, just to make the reception hall brighter for the Crown Prince.
“How insulting…” Lisa whispered angrily. That her precious lady should be dragged to the capital under such shallow pretenses was infuriating—but ignoring an imperial invitation was unthinkable.
Even if they disliked it, there was no opposing the Emperor.
“All we can do is lean on what Stikov prepared, get through the ball quickly, and return,” Eleanor thought.
“Vanessa, you’ll come with me.”
“Me?” Vanessa blinked, pointing at herself.
“Of course. You’re my aide.”
Though an aide had little to do at a ball, Eleanor wanted her along—for half the reason of letting Vanessa see the capital for the first time, and half to solidify her standing as aide despite lingering objections.
“T-then I’ll prepare too!” Vanessa flushed with excitement and nerves. It was her first trip to the capital, and her heart swelled with anticipation.
“Lisa, pack my things lightly.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Since she already had belongings at her family estate, she didn’t need to bring much. At least that was convenient.
Eleanor stared again at the invitation.
How ridiculous—that a single sheet of paper had overturned her resolve never to return to the capital. But such was life.
Unexpected turns were beyond her control.
With little time to prepare, her luggage was packed within a day, and departure was set for the next morning.
While Eleanor busied herself with preparations, Yahin sat staring endlessly at the notebook she had given him.
His dark eyes, black as a panther’s fur, were clouded with turmoil. He had gripped it so tightly that the soft lambskin cover was marred with scratches.
“It’s none of your concern.”
“This isn’t our business.”
The voices of the two women echoed in his mind. He hated how much they haunted him, how much his chest ached each time they did.
Was there anything of Eleanor’s that he had the right to care about?
His gaze fell sadly to the notebook and pen. From the moment she gave it to him, he had carried it everywhere, checking its presence every few minutes as though afraid to lose it.
His large, rough hand stroked the cover. The soft texture instantly reminded him of Eleanor—her pale face he hadn’t seen since the last day of the festival.
He sighed, fingers brushing the apricot-stone necklace at his throat. That day, in his twisted mood, he hadn’t even said goodbye properly, and weeks had passed without seeing her again.
If he’d known, he would never have acted so cold.
As he sat drowning in regret, Yasmin burst in cheerfully.
“Brother! Lady Eleanor is leaving for the capital!”
“……!”
Her words turned him pale.
He recalled Vanessa’s warning—of guests who came to take Eleanor away. They had left without her then, but the unease he’d felt surged up now, threatening to choke him.
He dropped to his knees in front of his sister, demanding more.
“I just met Lady Eleanor at the lake,” Yasmin said, tilting her head. “She said she’s going because a prince is coming to the party!”
“……”
“Since she’s a fairy, she must be going to meet the prince! Fairies always marry princes, you know.”
Yahin clenched his teeth, fighting the rush of anger and despair. He could never be harsh with Yasmin.
She’s at Lake Nifla?
His lips went bloodless as he bit down. He wanted to run straight there, to see Eleanor’s face and hear it from her own lips.
But before he reached the door, Vanessa’s words stopped him cold:
“Yahin, we must never cross the line Lady Eleanor has so graciously drawn for us.”
This was that line. Running to her now would cross it.
He froze, unable to move, unable even to answer Yasmin’s questions.
Because he knew—he could never stand proudly before Eleanor.
Not when—
“Live quietly. Don’t let anyone notice you.”
He was nothing but an ex-slave from Haitar.
For the first time, he truly hated that fact.
Not even when he begged on his knees to save Yasmin. Not even when he entered Oklama, knowing he’d never escape.
But now—it felt unbearably cruel.
He laughed bitterly at himself. Once, he had been grateful for the safety Oklama gave. Now it felt like chains.
Even if he wanted to, he could never follow Eleanor to the capital. Revealing himself would only endanger Yasmin too.
So he forced himself to swallow the urge, no matter how it tore at him.
“Brother, what’s wrong?” Yasmin tugged at him with wide eyes.
He looked down at her, his one irreplaceable treasure. Eleanor had to come second.
He stroked her hair gently. “When does she leave?”
“Tomorrow!” Yasmin chirped after thinking.
Not even a day left. Yahin gave a faint, bitter smile, patted her head, and told her he’d step out for a while.
“Be careful, Brother!” Yasmin waved brightly.
Yahin walked toward the mountains. There was nothing he could do for Eleanor.
Nothing he was allowed to do.
All he could do was kill his feelings, bury them deep, and never let them show.
