Chapter 68
Eluana looked around the banquet hall where the tea party was being held. The hall was so vast that it couldn’t be taken in at a single glance, filled with people gathered in small groups, chatting. Tables were present, but most preferred to stand and mingle freely.
“This is different from what I read in books. I heard it was supposed to be a small gathering.”
Eluana, who had turned a 30-seat tea party into one that could accommodate 200, thought that to herself as she walked toward one side. The long table was lined neatly with foods that were both delicate and charming. A smile spread across her lips as her eyes fell on the lace decorating the table.
“Mother’s dearest friend was so skilled at lacework. She used to make lace ribbons as birthday gifts, and they were more beautiful than anything from a boutique, so everyone envied me.”
Her mother’s friend.
Eluana recalled Countess Rabia, whose face always looked as though she might collapse any moment, and she accepted a drink from a passing servant. Wearing lace gloves made her hand movements clumsy.
Rosette had sent matching gloves for every dress, without giving any reason, but Eluana assumed it was because of the calluses covering her fingers.
“Are calluses really that unsightly?”
The burns she had once received in Arden had disappeared thanks to treatment, but the calluses remained. Perhaps calluses weren’t considered injuries, but rather the marks of effort.
Awkwardly lifting the glass to her lips, Eluana took a sip. The pink drink tasted both sweet and refreshing.
“What’s this called? Louis would love it.”
She savored the drink and moved closer to the wall. Though she could feel glances being cast her way from all directions, no one approached her. As she took another sip, her tension eased, and the noise of conversation began to reach her ears.
“Did you hear the news? Prince Regis supposedly turned into a dove—such a disgraceful incident, they say.”
“Oh my, was it true?”
“The Imperial family is trying to suppress the rumors, but many people saw it.”
“How embarrassing.”
“More than that, what was Duke Spes thinking, adopting country bumpkins? That young lady’s younger brother has become first in line for succession now.”
“Well, awakening alchemical powers makes Spes very valuable.”
“Still, no one knows how they’ve lived until now. I’m worried it’ll tarnish the dignity of the high nobility.”
“I heard they were even imprisoned once.”
“That was Prince Regis being excessive. Locking up children just for searching for their father? They’re still nobles, after all. It was too much.”
“Exactly. It’s not like dealing with mere servants. They must have suffered a lot. Though in the end, it turned out well.”
“They say Duke Spes adopted her because she resembled Princess Stella. Do you think that’s true? If it were just about her alchemical powers, he could have had her adopted into a vassal family. She’ll marry out eventually anyway.”
“Maybe he wanted to raise her value.”
“That could be it.”
“But she really does resemble her.”
“It’s like Princess Stella has come back to life.”
“Oh, don’t say that. I heard the Empire is still sending people everywhere, searching for her.”
“She must have passed away long ago. It’s been years since the kidnapping.”
“They should give up on the princess and welcome a duchess instead.”
These were words no one would dare say if Duke Spes himself had been present, but people spoke recklessly. To them, Stella was believed to have been kidnapped or killed. Their feelings toward Eluana were mixed.
“With this much attention, I don’t need to try to attract more.”
Pretending to sip her drink, Eluana searched for her next target—girls of her own age. Among the tea party attendees, there were three main groups. One clearly showed hostility, likely the faction of the noble party. Another group regarded her coldly, as if weighing her.
“And this group? They look… favorable?”
About half a dozen young ladies were glancing at her shyly, stealing glances.
This was a good sign.
As for the young men, Eluana scanned them briefly and realized she didn’t even need to bother. Most of them blushed furiously when they looked her way.
“Well, I do look pretty.”
When she had looked in the mirror earlier, even she couldn’t close her mouth in surprise. She had been transformed, like by magic, into a fairy-like girl. She had always been pretty, but the touch of a professional was miraculous.
And since Ling remained at the ducal estate learning the skills, the magic would continue. Eluana moved as Lady René had taught her—perfect posture, perfect tilt of the head.
“Here, I should sweep my hair back once.”
Paying attention even to the angle of her fingers, Eluana caught the eyes of the young ladies huddled in a corner. Their faces twitched with curiosity.
When she smiled faintly, one of them finally gathered the courage to approach.
“Perfect.”
If she could blend into that group naturally, she would succeed.
The approaching girl had a long, slender neck that brought to mind a deer. Her wide, gentle eyes made her seem meek, like a herbivore.
Just as Eluana moved forward to meet her halfway, a square, yellow face suddenly blocked her view.
“Lady Spes?”
“Yes?”
“I am Kudas, of the Count Crow family.”
Speaking informally upon first meeting—such rudeness. His eyes roved up and down her figure in a way that made her skin crawl. But as this was her first appearance in an official setting, she kept her displeasure hidden.
“Eluana Vita Spes,” she replied, lifting the hem of her dress and curtsying gracefully.
Her perfect manners earned approving looks from some of the noblewomen watching. In their eyes, she had risen from a “country bumpkin” to at least “a rustic who was still nobility.”
“Good. You should consider it an honor that I’m showing you interest.”
Eluana’s lips twitched.
“What is with this complete idiot?”
Even Prince Kazar had never spoken to her so condescendingly. Since arriving at the ducal estate, the only one this rude had been Regis. Eluana forced herself to maintain composure.
“And why should I consider it an honor?”
“Because I am the heir to Count Crow’s house. Someone like you, a mere country girl, could never dream of standing beside me.”
“Though he’s actually shorter than me…”
She swallowed the remark. Today, she had a goal. Instead, she answered,
“I wasn’t aware that a duke’s daughter was forbidden from looking up to a count’s heir. My etiquette teacher must have forgotten to mention it.”
That much roundabout mockery felt suitably aristocratic.
Lady René had said the difference between looking kind and looking weak was important. Smiling sweetly at the fuming Kudas, Eluana turned as the deer-like young lady finally arrived.
“Hello. I am Daije, daughter of Viscount Oreaon.”
Eluana pivoted toward her with a radiant smile.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Eluana of House Spes.”
“Would you care to spend time with me and my friends?”
Eluana was about to accept eagerly when Kudas shoved Daije’s shoulder.
“Do you not see I’m speaking with Lady Spes? How dare you interrupt?”
Daije staggered, then recognized him and bowed slightly.
“Ah, I didn’t realize. My apologies.”
Though her face showed distaste, she tried to avoid trouble—clearly Kudas had a reputation as the neighborhood troublemaker. Not frightening, just… disgusting.
“If he’s filthy, best to avoid him.”
Eluana stepped closer to Daije.
“No, Viscountess. Our conversation ended long ago. Let’s go together.”
“My words aren’t finished,” Kudas cut in.
“No, they’re finished. I’ve understood fully how much contempt you hold for me. I won’t let you ruin my mood further, so there’s no need to continue.”
Drawing a clear line, Eluana took her place beside Daije.
“I’m so glad you came to me first. I’d love to meet your friends as well.”
“Of course, this way.”
Just as Daije was about to lead her off, Kudas grabbed her shoulder roughly.
“How dare a mere viscount’s daughter ignore me? I said the conversation isn’t over.”
He scolded Daije while leering at Eluana.
“Ugh, he’s like another Regis.”
Stepping in for Daije, Eluana said firmly,
“Release her, Crown heir.”
“It’s Crowda!”
“Your pronunciation was so unclear, I must have misheard. Yes, then—Crowang heir, let go. You look disgraceful.”
“What? Disgraceful? You dare judge me? And it’s Crowda!”
Pathetic. He didn’t even realize everyone in the hall was watching his tantrum.
“Do I look like one of your family’s servants? I’m curious why the count’s heir feels entitled to belittle and insult me.”
Realizing he had gone too far, Kudas looked down awkwardly and cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Rather, I only wished to ask why your house rejected our marriage proposal. Perhaps you don’t know, but my family owns both diamond and iron mines. We are no ordinary count’s house.”
“Quick work. They already proposed and got rejected?”
“Oh, I didn’t know. My father must have declined.”
Eluana smiled sweetly. It meant, How dare you question a duke’s decision? Fortunately, he seemed to get it.
“Ahem. Yes, of course, you couldn’t have rejected me. I shall speak to His Grace again.”
“No, thank you. I don’t care for rude men.”
“I’ll overlook your faults with a generous heart. You may bear the title of duke’s daughter, but your origins won’t change. Outwardly they’ll respect you, but behind your back they’ll laugh at you and look down on you.”
“Like you, Lord Crowang? Ah, no—worse than you. Because unlike you, at least they’ll pretend to respect me to my face.”
Bested verbally, Kudas raised his voice.
“A woman talking back so much—clearly you weren’t taught properly. Growing up in the sticks, you wouldn’t know how great our house is. I’ll personally enlighten you.”
Eluana wondered whether she should just abandon her careful plan and crush him directly. But before she could decide, a chilling voice came from behind.
“How dare you behave this way toward my daughter?”
For Eluana, it was salvation. For Kudas, disaster.
“Father.”
Duke Spes stood there, Countess Rabia at his side, both glaring at Kudas with eyes like burning flames.
