Chapter 20
“It’s gone! Where on earth did it go?”
Iella cried out in despair.
While belatedly organizing the things she bought from Majello, she realized her sketchbook was missing. She had already searched several times but couldn’t find it anywhere.
“I can’t lose it… What should I do…?”
She was so flustered that she just paced helplessly when Betty came rushing into the room, breathless.
“Young Lady!”
“Oh, Betty. Were you in the carriage?”
“Well, I checked… but it’s not there either.”
Betty’s face clearly showed her confusion.
“No, this can’t be…”
Iella looked utterly lost, unable to hide her panic.
What if someone saw the sketches of Prince Franz inside the notebook?
If it were just the notebook missing, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. But the problem was that the leather cover had Iella Clarence—her full name—engraved on it.
It was more than enough to cause a major misunderstanding. People might gossip that she was secretly in love with Prince Franz while pretending otherwise.
And just looking at the sketches, it wouldn’t even be a misunderstanding—it would be blatantly obvious. There would be no way to explain herself out of that situation.
Maybe it would be easier to admit it, but her pride wouldn’t allow it.
“What do I do now? Betty, you know what’s in there… Ahh. No one else can see it. What if someone finds it?”
Iella was so flustered that she wasn’t even thinking straight. She didn’t even know what she was saying anymore.
“Wait! Oh—Young Lady! I remember now. Majello!”
Betty suddenly widened her eyes and shouted.
“Huh?”
“The art supply shop! I clearly remember you holding it when we went in there.”
At Betty’s words, Iella calmed herself and thought carefully. Then it came back to her—she had placed the notebook on a table in Majello and forgotten it.
“Yes! I remember! I put it on the table!”
A glimmer of hope brightened her weary face.
“I have to go!”
Iella jumped to her feet, ready to rush out, but Betty quickly grabbed her arm.
“Right now?”
“Of course.”
“It’s already past seven. Most shops would be closed by now, so going now would be pointless.”
Iella glanced at the clock on the console. It was already past 6:30.
“Sigh…”
She let out a deep sigh and slumped into her chair. She was relieved to at least know where the notebook was, but she wouldn’t be at ease until it was safely back in her hands.
“Don’t worry too much. We’ll find it tomorrow.”
“Yeah… It’s lucky we remembered, at least.”
Her voice had no strength in it.
“Even if someone does find it, it’s not like you did anything bad, right?”
Betty tried to offer some comfort, but Iella only looked more depressed.
Just then, there was a knock at the bedroom door. When Iella answered with a quiet “Yes,” the door opened.
“Young Lady, the Madam says if you’re ready…”
The maid, who had come to fetch her, trailed off and stared wide-eyed.
“What… You’re not ready at all, Young Lady!”
Sandy, the Countess Clarence’s maid, was stunned by Iella’s completely unprepared state. She stared as if to ask what on earth is going on, and Iella gave a sheepish “Oops” look.
“Young Lady, this won’t do.”
Sandy composed herself and spoke firmly.
“The Madam specifically told you several times this morning. If you skip out again, how do you expect to avoid her wrath?”
Before, she had always managed to wriggle out of it somehow, but lately, her mother wouldn’t stop pushing for marriage the moment she saw her. This time wouldn’t be so easy.
She remembered her mother’s repeated warnings from the morning:
“I’ve let it go until now because you hated it so much. But today, you absolutely must not miss it. Do you know what it means that the ball is being held at the Duke of Morris’s estate?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Ugh, you’re so carefree. All the top nobles of Lapland will be there. Isn’t it good to get your name out there?”
“I’m fine. And there’s always Louisa.”
“Louisa is Louisa. You need to find a good husband and get married soon, too. If you were even half as sociable as Louisa, I wouldn’t be this worried.”
“I’ll take care of it myself.”
“Take care of it? You’ve gotten nowhere on your own so far!”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Exactly. What’s wrong with her, Mom? She’s beautiful even without trying.”
“She needs to look beautiful to men! Ugh, forget it. I don’t know if it’s a lack of ambition or just thoughtlessness…”
She recalled her mother looking her up and down in a simple dress and sighing. If Louisa hadn’t stepped in, the nagging would’ve gone on forever.
“Just tell her I’m sick.”
Iella smiled apologetically at Sandy. But Sandy stood firm.
“That excuse won’t work. Not again. Especially when it’s the Morris ball tonight.”
“Sandy. Even if it sounds like I’m faking it, this time I’m really not. My head’s spinning—I can’t just go waltzing off to some ball. Sigh… And the Morris ball, of all things… This must mean the official ball season is starting.”
Her tone was full of exasperation. The Duke of Morris’s ball, timed with the Rose Festival, signaled the start of the true social season.
Her head was already aching at the thought. Thankfully, Louisa would take center stage this year, so maybe she’d finally escape her mother’s scrutiny.
A ball, of all things. Both Sandy and Betty inwardly sighed.
Other young ladies would do anything to attend a ball, yet Iella seemed to be doing everything to avoid one. They truly couldn’t understand her.
“You’re making excuses again!”
At that moment, the wrathful voice of Countess Laura Clarence rang out. She stood at the bedroom door with a furious expression, and beside her stood Louisa, looking uneasy.
“Mother…”
Everyone in the room winced, but Iella met her mother’s eyes calmly, as if expecting this. Her composure was almost impressive.
“I told you—absolutely no skipping tonight!”
“Mother, I didn’t mean to. Something unexpected came up and I completely forgot. I’m sorry.”
Her face showed not a hint of remorse, which only fueled Laura’s anger—but there wasn’t much time.
Having changed clothes after returning home, Iella wore only a chemise. Even rushing through her hair and makeup would still take considerable time.
A proper young lady was supposed to grow up demurely, find a good husband, and marry at the right time. But her eldest daughter, Iella, had no interest in men or marriage, and that deeply upset her.
“I’ll let it go for now—but we’ll talk after the ball.”
With a stern expression, Laura turned and left the room. Sandy quickly followed after her.
“The Madam seems really upset this time… What do we do, Young Lady?”
Betty looked like she might cry as she wrung her hands in panic.
“It’s fine, Betty. I’ll just have to explain myself again. At worst, I’ll get a few smacks on the palm.”
While she wasn’t unconcerned about her mother’s wrath, the truth was, she was far more worried about losing her sketchbook.
“Sis, I’ll talk to Mother. She’s just upset. Don’t worry too much, okay?”
Louisa spoke gently, trying to reassure her.
“Thanks, Louisa. I really was going to go this time, but everything got messed up.”
“Is it something serious? You don’t look well.”
Louisa studied Iella’s pale face with concern. Lately, she’d seemed unwell, and today she looked even paler than a few days ago.
“It’ll be fine. Don’t worry—just go on.”
“Alright. I should get going then.”
“Yeah, go ahead. I don’t want you to get scolded because of me.”
“I’ll tell you all about the ball when I get back.”
Louisa waved, and Iella waved back with a faint smile.
“Sure. Don’t worry about me—just have fun.”
Before her mother could shout again from downstairs, Louisa quickly left the room.
Iella stood by the window, staring out anxiously before letting out a deep sigh. The evening sky was darkening, painted deep red by the setting sun.
* * *
Under the intricate crystal chandeliers, the grand hall was already full. Nobles from the capital, as well as from the provinces, along with major figures from politics, finance, and the arts, had all gathered for the ball. Despite its enormous size, the hall was packed.
Thousands of lights cascading from the chandeliers scattered in all directions, creating a dazzling and elegant atmosphere. The dresses worn by the ladies attending the ball sparkled under the lights.
As the ball began, the musicians started to play a graceful melody.
Every year during the Rose Festival, whenever Countess Sylvia Winston visited the capital, Duchess Morris hosted a lavish ball.
Duchess Helen Morris was the youngest sister of both Sylvia and Hendrick, which meant this event was always attended by nobles eager to build ties with the royal family. It was one of the most prestigious balls in the kingdom—any noble house would be honored to attend.
Naturally, the most crowded corner of the ballroom was where Countess Winston and Duchess Morris were.
Among the dazzling jewels worn by the noble ladies, Countess Winston’s opal brooch stood out the most. Set against her deep green dress, the brooch sparkled, enhancing her dignified aura.
The opal gleamed with an iridescent light, its multicolored depths reflecting an almost mystical glow. Intricately cut diamonds surrounded it, making the opal shine even brighter.
