Chapter 4
Chapter 2. Lionel
Gervais’s strengths? He had common brown hair, but his hair quality was so remarkably good that even Annette R. Bonnel, who got regular treatments, sometimes felt envious. He was of average height for his age but had quite broad shoulders. His face was pleasantly good-natured, like a Golden Retriever, but when he dressed up, he looked a little more handsome, like a prince. Ah, though he couldn’t be compared to His Royal Highness Prince Désiré, the third prince, who was currently wildly popular in Beloff.
She only spoke of his looks, but his personality was good too. He had the drawbacks of being a bit immature and loving to party, but for a Lenore native, he was neither prickly nor calculating. He was, perhaps, pure. Holding the arm of such a Gervais, Annette R. Bonnel entered the Yorkshire family’s mansion, Cheboteteu, with confidence.
The party hall was enchantingly delightful. The high ceiling, enclosed by steep slopes like a cathedral, and the infinitely wide hall were decorated with sophisticated, non-cluttered embellishments, creating harmony.
Typical Yorkshires. To prevent guests at the summer party from suffering in the heat, statues of astonishingly large ice were placed beside each table. People naturally gathered around the ice sculptures to converse.
‘It’s just this good.’
Excluding a few decorations presumed to be cathedral-themed due to their religious overtones, the total score was about average.
Gervais whispered in a slightly more refined voice:
“Perhaps because Sir Lionel Yorkshire was injured… it seems simpler than usual… but Annette R. Bonnel, even you must be impressed by a party like this, right?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Gervais was referring to the scale of the party, but what impressed Annette R. Bonnel was actually something else.
From the entrance, she spotted many prominent figures.
The Marquess and Marchioness Valtier, known as the two great pillars of Beloff’s wine market, and Norbert K. Buchanan, known for his famous media family. Beside him, the actress Isolde Longchampbon, who was sensationally popular in theater, and her stage director were ha-ha-ho-ho (flattering, no doubt). High-ranking officials like the Minister of Finance and the Commander of the Imperial Guard, whose names she vaguely knew or had seen once or twice by chance, were also scattered throughout the hall.
Should one say the human caliber was so high that famous people lost their sense of self because everyone was famous? It was worthy of a party hosted by the Yorkshires, the most prestigious nobles in Lenore.
“It is Valsa Rogonoi, vintage ’23.”
Even the wine flowing freely at the party was a high-priced item, costing over 100 livers per bottle.
Annette R. Bonnel received two wine glasses from the hired staff, briefly set a mood with Gervais, and took a sip. How much profit did the Marquess and Marchioness Valtier make per year selling this wine? According to Giralde, the economic journal published twice a year, their income ranked within the top 30 in Beloff about four years ago (unfortunately, the Bonnells’ ranking, announced in the same year, was 56th).
‘But that will be nothing once the central bank deal goes through.’
That was what mattered.
Ignoring a slight feeling of envy, Annette R. Bonnel scrutinized the people, one by one. She was full of the intense desire to spot Baron Cobain‘s stick-like, long body. Gervais, who was looking at her fondly, as she sparkled her eyes like a meerkat, leaned his face closer.
“Try to smile a bit.”
“Why should I?”
“You look like an honor guard soldier ordered to look straight ahead. You’re not planning to just find the man and leave, are you?”
“Of course not.”
I need to find him and take his gallery.
“Look. Even the numerous women of Lenore can’t match your confident beauty. In a way, this place is good enough to show you off.”
“Gervais, the strategy for a Platypus entering the Lion’s Den today is to be as inconspicuous as possible. Not to show off.”
“Wearing such a pretty dress? You don’t want to stand out?”
Gervais’s gentle flattery made her feel good, even if it wasn’t true, and allowed for a small moment of composure beyond her obsession with the man of shallow loyalty, Baron Cobain. Gervais was just an incorrigible man.
“If Baron Cobain comes, I’ll let you know. For now, come with me. Some of my father’s acquaintances I want to introduce you to are here.”
Looking back, this was how he had charmed her, too. He’d urge and plead and plead and plead again, without overthinking, with a good-natured persistence.
Even when she didn’t want to date, it was, ‘Should we date first and then discuss that matter?’ Even when she didn’t want to marry, it was, ‘You’re right, marriage is important. So, should we get engaged first and then put our heads together to worry about it?’ That sort of thing. While he didn’t seem to assert himself normally, in important moments he was of the ‘do it first, think later’ school of thought, which often made things troublesome. However, it was also that personality that made their engagement possible.
In any case, Annette R. Bonnel and Gervais were planning to hold their engagement ceremony soon, so circulating and greeting people wasn’t a bad option. Furthermore, considering the problems they would face while staying in Lenore, it was better to have more connections than problems.
“Well, alright. If it’s just for a moment.”
Gervais led Annette R. Bonnel around and introduced her everywhere. As their courtship was already known, she didn’t have to explain her relationship with Gervais in detail often.
Gervais was happier when someone was friendly to Annette R. Bonnel than when he met his own friends. How could one like people so much? Annette R. Bonnel mingled appropriately. Yet, she could not completely abandon her obsession with Baron Cobain. There were about two instances where she was about to follow, as if hypnotized, someone who resembled Baron Cobain‘s description. It would have been embarrassing if Gervais hadn’t quickly grabbed her and explained, ‘That’s so-and-so.’
Now she realized that Gervais in Lenore was a slacker who knew how to do a somersault.
But the relationship between people cannot always be as simple as an impartial ledger.
Many people were interested in Annette R. Bonnel, who had never shown her face at an official Lenore function, and surprisingly, many people recognized her. If one were to classify them in jest, they could be divided into the ‘Those Bonnells’ faction and the ‘That Chavin’ faction.
The ‘Those Bonnells’ Faction.
“Heavens! I never expected to meet the daughter of Bonnel here. I’m surprised and pleased. I’ve often heard rumors across the drawing rooms that you are a beautiful lady, but seeing you in person is even more astonishing. I heard you’ve permanently moved to Lenore, and I’ve been curious if the stories of your activities are true. How…”
The ‘That Chavin’ Faction.
“Bonnel? You mean the one from that provincial city, Chavin? …How did you manage to get an invitation here? And why is Sir Gervais escorting a woman from Chavin? Ahem, ahem…”
Can’t you get a sense of the atmosphere?
Oh, no, there was one more group. The third group was the ‘Haven’t We Met Before?’ faction.
She appeared when Gervais was cornered by a gray-haired middle-aged woman who was a Lion Party supporter. The meticulous-looking middle-aged woman looked at Annette R. Bonnel with an unusual gaze, and Gervais, who had reverted to a typical slacker, was busy trying to appease her. Annette R. Bonnel decided to quietly slip away and look for Baron Cobain to avoid the unpleasant situation of having to justify herself to a stranger. Just then.
“Miss Annette?”
A woman in a dandelion-colored dress with a V-neckline stood there.
