Chapter 21
“Countess, your brooch is so mysterious.”
“It’s truly beautiful.”
“My goodness. How can something shine like that?”
“It suits you so well, Countess Winston.”
The noble ladies gathered there showered her with compliments. They weren’t just saying it to be polite—everyone genuinely meant it.
“Is that so? Thank you for the kind words,” Sylvia replied with a smile.
Every year, the gift Franz prepared for her was very popular among the nobles.
“Oh my! This brooch—isn’t it from Blanc Mer? I had a feeling, and I was right!”
“Yes, yes! Judging by the prong setting, it’s definitely Gabriel’s work!”
Blanc Mer‘s products were known for their distinctive prong setting. Unlike the common bezel setting, which enclosed the entire stone, Blanc Mer was the only brand to use this setting. Gabriel’s technique involved securing the gemstone with ‘claws,’ leaving much of the stone exposed, which enhanced its clarity and brilliance.
“The craftsmanship is truly exceptional.”
Once it was revealed that the brooch was Gabriel’s work, admiring gasps spread through the crowd. Sylvia, the Countess, didn’t bother to hide that it was a gift from Franz, which only made the crowd buzz even more.
The women at the ball turned their eyes toward Prince Franz with interest. Every woman attending was eager to catch his eye, but unfortunately for them, Franz had arrived early, greeted the royal elders, and was now chatting in the gentlemen’s lounge with familiar young nobles like Marco, Andrew, and Richard.
Unlike others who had danced several times by now, Franz hadn’t moved from his spot. Since dancing the first waltz with his aunt, Countess Sylvia, he had either played cards in the lounge or smoked cigars on the terrace.
“Franz, everyone’s waiting for you. Why don’t you go out and dance?”
“Yeah, I bet many ladies are hoping to see you.”
“There’s a crowd of women outside who like you—why are you hiding in here instead of enjoying yourself? Makes all the rumors seem exaggerated.”
Each of them threw a remark at Franz. Though they themselves were also hiding in the lounge to avoid the swarming ladies, they acted as if they weren’t.
Franz responded indifferently, aware they were just teasing.
“You know it doesn’t work when we’re all in the same boat.”
He calmly met their gazes and took a sip of whiskey. His slow movement was elegant and poised. Setting down his glass, he cast a glance toward the noisy entrance.
The ball, already lavish, had become even more lively thanks to the presence of Lady Clarence and Lady Zibermann. The young men were all visibly excited, their gazes burning as they looked at the two women. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you could almost hear them swallowing their admiration.
“I’ll finish this drink and then disappear somewhere.”
Franz’s words made Richard widen his eyes.
“Already? The party’s just getting started.”
“Even so, you should have at least one more drink.”
Andrew tried to stop Franz from leaving.
One glass would become two, two would become three, and the inevitable drinking spree would begin. Followed, of course, by bitter regrets the next morning.
“One more drink?”
Franz looked at Andrew as if questioning whether he was serious.
Among the four members of their F4 group, Franz and Andrew could drink the most. The other two could hold their liquor reasonably well, but not on the same level.
Franz didn’t particularly enjoy drinking, but he could handle it. Andrew enjoyed it and drank often. Both of them could consume large amounts without getting drunk, though Franz was more moderate.
“Did you develop a sudden health obsession or something?” Andrew asked, surprised.
Franz smiled slightly and shrugged.
“When you have a lot to lose, you start worrying about your health. Can’t let this body wear out.”
It was a convincing explanation, enough to satisfy everyone present. The others nodded as if they understood.
It was customary to stay at least until midnight, but since Franz wasn’t the main host of the ball, there was no issue if he left early.
As the conversation lulled, Marco suddenly brightened, as if remembering something.
“Come to think of it, Franz, you haven’t danced with anyone since your waltz with the Countess.”
Raising a mischievous eyebrow, Marco grinned slyly.
“What, no one you want to dance with?”
Franz turned his head toward Marco. His expression was unreadable.
“What are you getting at?”
When Franz pretended not to understand, Richard asked curiously.
“Huh? What does that mean?”
“Franz never dances much anyway,” Andrew pointed out.
“True,” Marco nodded. “I was just wondering if maybe there was someone tonight you wanted to dance with.”
“You’re no fun,” Andrew chuckled.
“To be honest, tonight’s not about Countess Sylvia at all. The real stars are Louisa Clarence and Ellen Zibermann. Even your mother seems amused.”
“So, how did it feel to dance with them?”
Andrew and Richard had danced with the two women earlier, thanks to introductions from their mothers.
“Should I feel honored?” Andrew replied dryly to Marco’s teasing.
“What’s with the attitude? Of course you should! Lady Louisa hasn’t danced with anyone else after you.”
Richard looked him up and down with a face full of disbelief.
Right. That was true.
Encouraged by this, Andrew had asked Louisa for another dance after some time had passed. But she turned him down on the spot. He had assumed she was waiting for him and got cocky—but his ego was crushed in an instant.
Andrew laughed bitterly and downed his whiskey in one go. It was a night that made him crave alcohol.
“Oh, that’s right! Everyone was disappointed that tonight’s betting target didn’t show up.”
Richard suddenly changed the subject.
“Who? Oh… Iella Clarence.”
“At this rate, there’s not even going to be a bet.”
Andrew sounded disinterested, and Richard muttered in a deflated voice.
“The entire Clarence household came… except for Iella. I noticed earlier that Lady Linton is the sister of the Viscount Clarence?”
Bernie Linton. She had become a wealthy widow after five years of marriage to Admiral George Linton. After inheriting his trading company, her business had continued to thrive.
When she was younger, many men had pursued her, attracted by her wealth, but she turned them all down and remained single.
“Does her sister admire her so much that she’s planning to live alone too? Unless she’s seriously thinking of never marrying…”
Andrew sneered, and Marco chuckled.
“I doubt it. I heard the Lintons had a good marriage. Same with the Clarence couple. She’s probably just being cautious.”
“Still, I expected Iella Clarence to attend tonight. In a way, it’s impressive.”
Not showing her face in society would usually lead to being ostracized or ignored, but it didn’t seem to matter to Iella at all.
Though each person’s tone revealed their thoughts, Franz simply listened in silence. With an expressionless face, he stared at his whiskey glass, not saying a word.
Marco tilted his head in confusion. Could it be I was wrong earlier? Was I imagining things?
He couldn’t say for sure. Franz always kept his emotions hidden behind a poker face, so it was hard to tell what he was really thinking.
Just then, a servant came looking for Andrew and Richard.
“The Duchess is requesting your presence.”
“What girl is she trying to introduce me to this time? Tsk.”
“I’ll be back.”
With a quick word, the twins left. Not long after, Franz also stepped out of the lounge.
Soft music filtered out from inside. Once outside, the cool night air brushed against his skin. Franz walked slowly, letting the gentle breeze wash over him.
✦ ✦ ✦
For some reason, she had felt uneasy all night and barely slept. As soon as the sky lightened, Iella opened her eyes. Since the days were short this season, it was still before six in the morning—an early hour.
She got ready right away. Normally, she couldn’t do anything on an empty stomach, but today, she planned to skip breakfast.
Even Betty, who had arrived late, couldn’t stop her—because she knew why Iella was acting like this. When the Countess of Clarence came looking for her, all Betty could do was say, “The young lady has gone to the academy.”
Arriving at Mazello, Iella had been pacing in front of the shop for over an hour. She knew the opening time, but she felt more at ease waiting there.
“Please be here. Pleeease… If you’re here, I promise I’ll live a good life from now on. I’ll even consider getting married, like my parents want…”
Hands clasped, she looked up at the sky and whispered. Passersby glanced at her curiously, but Iella didn’t care in the slightest.
