Chapter 64
“Pardon me for speaking so suddenly, my lady. But the dress you’re wearing today left such a strong impression. A formal dress you can wear without a corset… I never thought I’d live to see one at an official event.”
But just then, Mother stepped in between me and the Countess.
“Countess Lilienthal, how have you been? Hahaha. My daughter really hates talking to strangers.”
High society etiquette dictates that someone of lower status mustn’t initiate a conversation with someone above them unless they’re familiar.
The Countess’s lips tightened at Mother’s breach of etiquette.
‘Well, Mother was never good at making graceful interruptions.’
Usually, it was Father or Fernan who would step in for me at events like this.
‘In the past, she would’ve backed off, afraid of what Father might say.’
But today was different. She had already fallen out with both Father and Fernan.
‘And besides, she won’t have another chance.’
After today, I wouldn’t have to tiptoe around her or Paula anymore.
So, I had no reason to back down from the conversation.
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace. I modeled it after the local social fashions in Moersault. Do you think it suits me?”
“Oh? Now that you mention it, I think I once heard you grew up on the Moersault coast. But those ribbons and the touch of hibiscus—surely, that’s your own creative flair?”
Mother’s face turned red from being completely ignored. Paula glared at me with dagger eyes.
“The more I look, the more detail I see. You put in a lot of effort. It reminds me of my younger days.”
Of course, to a noble, “a lot of effort” generally means, “Ah, so you burned through money and people for this?”
Ribbons, flowers, lace. She must have realized the designer wasn’t just anyone. I had poured more money into the ribbons alone than the cost of most dresses.
But what really mattered was her next comment.
“Thank you for your high praise.”
She said I reminded her of her younger self. In society, that was the highest of compliments. Even the guests eavesdropping around us were buzzing in astonishment.
The journalists, thrilled, scrambled to write down her words. Even the Countess’s wife and Paula were wide-eyed in shock.
“I hated wearing corsets, so I chose trousers. But you, my lady, chose a dress without a corset. I admire that kind of boldness.”
“Your Grace.”
“True beauty comes from being true to oneself. You’ll be the symbol of the next generation of the social world.”
She knew better than anyone just how many ears were tuned in—noblewomen full of vanity, journalists eager for headlines.
And yet she said that, with a wink.
It was as if she publicly pledged her support to me.
‘This is better than I expected.’
Not even Charlotte, who became Crown Princess in <The Johann Route>, ever earned the favor of the discerning Countess Lilienthal.
She was still one of the Empress’s closest confidantes and mentors, and remained a fashion leader.
‘This trend will spread much faster than I thought.’
Even without her endorsement, the “Odette style” would’ve caught on eventually. But her approval would amplify both the speed and the impact.
And the journalists? They’d exaggerate everything even more.
“Countess Lilienthal names Odette as her successor.”
They’d write something like that.
Just seeing the illustrators and photographers busily working already made it easy to imagine tomorrow’s front page.
‘Aside from articles about S-Class purifier awakenings, this might be the first time I’m praised in print.’
Count Albrecht dismissed women’s reputations as trivial, so I had nothing to fear from him. I came out of this with pure gain.
“Well then, I must take my leave. Her Majesty the Empress will arrive shortly.”
The Countess smiled at me gracefully and departed.
That’s when Mother grabbed my wrist discreetly. With reporters and illustrators watching, she couldn’t raise her voice.
“What was that attitude just now? Who gave you permission to speak without my approval?”
She whispered like a ventriloquist—how ridiculous. She hadn’t dared say a word in front of the Countess and could only manage a groveling smile.
“I’m sorry. But she’s the Empress’s closest confidante, isn’t she? I thought it would reflect badly on you too if I made a bad impression.”
I offered an excuse. Mother blinked.
“She seems to like me, so maybe you should follow her. If you go with Countess Lilienthal, wouldn’t it be easier for you to meet Her Majesty the Empress?”
If Mother really understood how society worked, she’d know just how absurd and laughable that idea was.
Countess Lilienthal was famously strict and sharp-tongued.
“Don’t ever act out like that in front of me again. It’s disgraceful.”
Yet, even as she said that, she kept staring at the Countess’s retreating figure. Clearly, she believed what I’d said.
Just then, an attendant announced the arrival of the Emperor and Empress.
“His Majesty the Emperor, the resplendent sun of the Empire, and Her Majesty the Empress, the glorious moon, are entering!”
The music in the ballroom abruptly stopped, and the imperial couple appeared.
“Endless glory to the Empire of Barche.”
All the guests invited to the ball bowed in unison.
“Raise your heads,” the Emperor commanded.
As everyone looked up, the orchestra began to play the first dance. While the Emperor and Empress moved to the center of the dance floor, Mother leaned in to whisper to Paula.
“Paula, I’m going to the drawing room to request an audience with Her Majesty. Watch Odette carefully. Understand?”
“Of course. I’ll keep a close eye on her, don’t worry.”
Hearing Paula’s bold declaration, Mother eagerly followed the path Countess Lilienthal had taken to the drawing room.
At every imperial ball, the Empress danced only the first piece, then withdrew to the drawing room to meet guests who had requested an audience.
Unlike the Emperor, who enjoyed the party and remained until the end, the Empress preferred conversation.
So Mother clearly intended to beat the rush and get her audience request in early.
She probably thought it was clever. But it was the kind of thing only someone with a partial understanding of etiquette would do.
‘There’s one thing all guests must do: observe the imperial couple’s first dance. That’s basic etiquette.’
For Countess Lilienthal, it was fine—she was practically family. No one would say anything if she went straight to the drawing room.
But for Mother? She had just committed a major breach of etiquette. The Empress would surely take offense. Not just the Empress—her attendants and maids would be furious too.
‘The Empress already resents the Count’s family over the <Crown Prince Rampage Incident>. And now Mother’s just confirmed her worst impression.’
Some of the Empress’s ladies-in-waiting were already glancing sideways at Mother’s retreating figure, snickering with disbelief.
I held back a sneer as I watched Mother obliviously march off toward the drawing room.
‘How long do you think Paula will stay loyal to you, Mother?’
Paula had already set fire to the research lab. Unless she was completely under Gisela’s spell, she wouldn’t have done something like that.
‘And Gisela said she’s already given Paula her next orders.’
That meant Paula wouldn’t be by my side much longer. She’d be too busy carrying out Gisela’s next command.
And she didn’t even realize those orders had come from me.
