Chapter 007
Judging by the fabric and design, that triple-look outfit must have taken a considerable amount of time to prepare.
At least a month, no matter how short the period.
This meant that this event—if it could even be called a circus act—was planned at least a month ago.
They must have prepared the banquet while grinning, thinking of the usual Evgenia—the fool blind with love for Raimund—but alas:
‘I’ve regained my sanity, unfortunately.’
Evgenia’s cold gaze was directed towards Lady Nagelsman.
Despite the distance, she instantly noticed it, greatly agitated, and turned her head away.
‘If she reacts this way just from a glance, what gave her the confidence to start this? She could have just cancelled it…’
It didn’t take long for the perfectly sensible question Evgenia held to be answered.
Clack, Clack—
“I think I’ve given everyone enough time to explore… it’s time to see the results, isn’t it?”
The voices of the nobles, who had been chatting amongst themselves about who suited whom, slowly faded.
Lady Nagelsman lightly waved her hand, and the servants standing like a wall approached the nobles, handing them paper and fountain pens.
Amidst the crowd writing down names with flushed faces, Evgenia’s expression began to harden.
She could clearly feel the sidelong glances sweeping over her, pretending to look around.
‘Ah, this… it seems this wasn’t an act pulled off by the Marchioness’s daughter alone.’
Not all those nobles could be in on it.
But at least two or three ringleaders must have been planted.
The problem was that the Marchioness’s daughter was also included among the instigators.
‘In that case, the main instigator behind this is not the Marchioness’s daughter, but…’
“Oh, I’ve just received the results… It seems these two weren’t the only ones who looked like a true couple to me. The individuals who will enjoy a cool summer at the villa of our Nagelsman Marquisate, famous for its golden beach, are the ones who received the most nominations…”
Her skill in rambling on for a long time, making people eagerly anticipate the announcement of the winner’s name, was considerable.
After milking the time, the Marchioness’s daughter swallowed hard, turned her back completely to Evgenia, and exclaimed in a bright voice.
“Raimund Larsen, the Prince’s son, and Lady Stella Ael, the Baron’s daughter!”
‘Does this lunatic Raimund have no sense of moderation?’
The nobles, perhaps quite wounded that they had been intimidated by Evgenia’s gaze, clapped conspicuously hard.
Raimund, whether lacking thought or manners, was happily accepting the applause with a satisfied smile.
Stella, while wearing a bewildered expression, blushed and clung tightly to Raimund’s arm, moving as he led her.
Everyone was doing their best in their respective places for a single purpose: to spite Evgenia.
In the gazes that stuck to her even more blatantly than before, she could sense the vile excitement of, ‘Please cause a scene so we can gossip about it forever!’
The situation genuinely warranted nothing but a scoff.
“…Ah. The beautiful luster that seems to shimmer with light, the silky smooth texture that makes one sigh just by touching it lightly, and even the subtle wave pattern. It is clearly precious Sahar Silk, which only a few bolts enter the country each month from that distant foreign land! Isn’t that right, Lady Ael?”
“Ah, I… I don’t know much about such things… it’s just that Ray gave it to me, saying he thought it would suit me… I thought it was beautiful, but I never imagined it was so precious.”
“Oh my, oh my. Some gentlemen are busy putting on airs even when gifting something far inferior to this, yet the Prince’s son, Raimund, hasn’t said a single word about it. You must be truly loved!”
Stella’s appearance—speaking gently and gently touching her slightly flushed cheeks as if embarrassed—was quite lovely.
Evgenia might have seen it that way too, save for the fact that the person bestowing the affection was Evgenia’s fiancé.
‘Are they all collectively insane, or am I the only one who is?’
Evgenia, who had been quietly watching the two exaggerate everything, let out a small laugh.
At that single, quiet laugh, the attention of the surrounding nobles immediately focused on her.
It was proof that they hadn’t been interested in the couple’s glorification at all.
“How interesting.”
She took a step forward without erasing her smile.
The clustered crowd instantly split in half with a swoosh.
Click, click, click.
With every step Evgenia took, the murmuring slowly subsided, as if the volume were being turned down.
By the time she finally stood in front of Stella, the silence was so complete that she could hear the breathing of Lady Nagelsman beside her.
“…”
“Ah, Duchess Martyre! What brings you here?”
“Oh, nothing, I was just curious since they said it was so pretty. It is certainly pretty, this dress.”
Her indifferent gaze swept over Stella’s dress, up and down.
The red wine sloshed in Evgenia’s glass.
Tense eyes clung to her hand.
Stella, smiling broadly as if completely unaware of the tense atmosphere, said:
“Isn’t it? I was so surprised when I first received it! Honestly, he surprises me every time.”
A light chiding that was no different from an expression of affection.
Knowing the target of that affection, Evgenia’s smile could only grow colder.
“Truly, he surprises people, every time.”
‘In variously atrocious ways, that is.’
Just as the sloshing wine made a light turn inside the glass.
A sky-blue suit inserted itself between the hems of the dresses.
“…Oh my, Prince’s son Raimund. You are not so young as to be unaware that interrupting women’s conversations is rude, are you?”
“That mannerism is only necessary for those who deserve courtesy.”
“Ah, I suppose so. A Duke’s heir would hardly register in the eyes of the distinguished Prince’s son, Raimund.”
Raimund’s face stiffened at Evgenia’s sarcasm, which popped out without any restraint.
She scanned Raimund, who stood firmly in front of Stella like a protecting knight, with an unenthusiastic gaze.
A tie made of Sahar Silk, sapphire-studded cufflinks, and shoes the same color as Stella’s.
It seemed there was nothing from his neck to his toes that wasn’t matched with Stella.
One side of Evgenia’s mouth twisted upwards savagely as she took in Stella and Raimund alternately.
Just as a small smile was about to grace Raimund’s lips, who was keenly observing her change.
Splaash—!
“…Ev, Evgenia! What are you doing?!”
The red wine brilliantly soaked the light blue fabric.
The outfit, which had been so beautiful, was instantly ruined.
Lady Nagelsman, who had been staring blankly, suddenly regained her senses and cried out.
“Duchess Martyre! What on earth…!”
Evgenia’s chilled eyes turned toward Lady Nagelsman.
Lady Nagelsman promptly clamped her mouth shut, unable to complete her sentence.
Evgenia, curving her eyes noticeably, said nonchalantly:
“It seems there is one person here who no longer fits this party. Don’t you agree, Lady Nagelsman?”
“…”
“Having someone who isn’t properly dressed at your party, which is so well-regarded in high society… I fear it would only reflect poorly on your reputation, and that of Marquess Nagelsman.”
Evgenia quietly lowered her eyes and handed the empty glass directly to Lady Nagelsman.
It was an action that clearly treated her as a subordinate, yet officially, no one could contest it.
Lady Nagelsman, pondering for a long time while looking between the wine glass and Raimund, soon bowed her head deeply.
Her trembling hand carefully, and courteously, took the glass.
“…You are right. I feel much clearer now, thanks to the Duchess Martyre’s advice.”
“Wait, Emily, why are you suddenly…”
Clap— Clap—
“You two, this gentleman seems quite intoxicated, so please escort him gently out of the banquet hall. And call a carriage for him.”
“Emily Nagelsman…!”
“Prince’s son Raimund, I truly hope you had a good time today. As for your companion… well, it would be best if you took her with you.”
Lady Nagelsman’s dry eyes turned towards Stella.
Stella, greatly flustered and unable to grasp the changing situation, quickly grabbed the edge of Raimund’s sleeve.
Raimund’s choice, as he looked between his sleeve, Lady Nagelsman, and Evgenia, was…
“…Evgenia!”
SMACK!
Evgenia’s fan struck the back of Raimund’s hand, which was extended towards her wrist.
“Oh, what a scare. I almost got something dirty on me.”
On Evgenia’s face, as she shrugged lightly and prepared to leave, there was no sign of wavering.
In that instant, the expressionless facade Raimund had maintained until then cracked.
As if Evgenia’s indifferent attitude towards him was even more shocking than the reality of being expelled.
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Notes:
1. Sahar Silk: A rare and precious fabric, implied to be imported from a distant foreign country.
