Chapter 60
From late afternoon, a bustle of activity filled the Ducal House of Descartes’ capital residence.
Preparations were underway for the evening’s banquet.
“Hurry, please! The shoes are inside! Careful!”
“What about the ribbon ornament and the dress?!”
“I’m on my way!”
Servants rushed about frantically, and each child had maids assigned to them.
Three maids also came to Lucillea’s room.
Among them was Mei.
Lucillea blinked her big eyes in surprise.
“M-M-Mei?”
Mei flashed her bright smile, her eyes curling in that familiar way.
“Yes! It’s Mei, Lady Lucillea! Didn’t you miss me?!”
“……”
Lucillea just stared at her blankly, unable to answer. Mei seemed a little thrown off by the unexpected reaction.
“Lady… Lucillea? Are you feeling unwell?”
Mei rushed over and pressed a hand to her forehead.
“No fever.”
Then—
“Mei!”
Pwaaah!
Lucillea threw herself into Mei’s arms and burst into tears.
“I missed you! I missed you so much!”
“…Lady Lucillea.”
Mei softly murmured her name, her voice sinking.
“Huuuhhh!” Lucillea clung tightly to Mei’s waist.
It was Lucillea who had sent Mei away.
Since arriving at the duke’s estate, Mei had stayed constantly by her side, so Lucillea had told her to go back to her duties.
She loved Mei dearly, but with Mei always nearby, she and Cookie couldn’t move freely.
But once Mei was gone, loneliness struck.
With no excuse or shame to ask her back, Lucillea had simply pretended she was fine.
Now, seeing Mei again after so long, all the hardship she’d bottled up came surging back, spilling out as tears.
“Just stay with me, Mei. Don’t serve the other kids. Don’t do other maids’ work. I’ll share my allowance for dignity maintenance with you… okay? Please?”
“……”
Mei silently stroked her hair before finally speaking.
“Why do you think I’m here at the capital residence?”
Lucillea lifted her head slightly to look at her.
“…You waited for me?”
Her eyes begged for the answer she wanted. Mei smiled faintly.
“Of course! This is your first entry into the Imperial Palace and your banquet debut—how could I not help dress you up?!”
“Hiiiing.” At those words, Lucillea burst into tears again.
I’m so happy!
Then suddenly she stopped crying.
“Wait. What do you mean, entry into the palace? Banquet debut?”
I’m only supposed to escort up to the palace gates, she argued. Mei tilted her head, eyes still smiling.
“Nope! All members of the Special Unit are to enter the banquet hall itself.”
“Eeeeh?!”
Thanks to Mei’s skillful and swift hands, Lucillea’s dressing was finished in no time.
“…Huh?”
Before she even realized it, everything was done.
“How do you feel, Lady Lucillea? Do you like it?”
“…Uh, yeah?”
Lucillea glanced between the mirror and Mei, replying shyly.
“Yes, I really like it.”
[So this is the fashion of the capital?!]
Fweee! Cookie whistled mischievously.
No wonder—Lucillea herself was surprised by her reflection.
Her hair was styled in soft waves, half-up with glittering gem pins nestled in.
Her pale yellow dress, somewhere between gold and lemon, made her snow-white skin glow even brighter.
[Luucy… I think it’s safe to admit it now. We’ve made it big time!]
Lucillea chuckled faintly.
Yeah, back in Mille village I could never have imagined this.
She studied her reflection with satisfaction.
Pink hair really does suit me better than brown.
Of course, to others her hair and eyes still appeared brown.
She sighed, knowing she’d probably never show her true appearance to anyone.
Dressed and ready, Lucillea walked to the front of the residence, escorted by Mei.
“See you at the palace.”
“Huh?”
Before she could ask what she meant, Lucillea was gently pushed toward the waiting carriage.
Outside, children dressed in fine clothes were already gathered.
Irnel wore a sky-blue silk gown, silver lace trimming her sleeves—perfectly matching her hair color.
Dressed like that, she really looks like a noble lady, Lucillea thought in awe.
Raiden and Serdian had also shed their training outfits for formal attire.
Woooow…
[They were definitely born with halos at their backs!]
Cookie, not usually one to praise, couldn’t help but gush.
“Serdian! Raiden! Irnel!”
Lucillea waved enthusiastically and hurried over.
Raiden greeted her with a radiant smile.
“Lucillea, I almost didn’t recognize you. You look stunning.”
“Thanks, Raiden. You really look like a marquis’ heir today.”
“What? So usually I look like a fake heir?”
“When you open your mouth, kinda, yeah.”
“…What?”
Pffft, Raiden burst out laughing.
Then Lucillea glanced at Serdian.
“You look handsome today.”
“….”
Serdian frowned slightly, glaring at her as he muttered gruffly.
“You’re just… okay.”
“….”
Lucillea pouted.
Fine, fine. I didn’t expect much from you anyway. Just being friends is enough—I can put up with all your attitude.
At that moment, Elbadin appeared.
Gasp!
[Eek!]
Both Lucillea and Cookie sucked in a breath.
He always dressed neatly at the ducal estate, but never like this.
A cloak embroidered with the Descartes family crest draped naturally over his shoulders, set atop a jet-black banquet suit as dark as midnight.
Each step he took carried the majesty of a war hero, the cloak billowing grandly.
The tailored suit hugged his frame, emphasizing his strength, and the black gloves he wore lent an air of subtle menace.
Though he carried no sword, the oppressive aura was undeniable.
His very presence shifted the air around him—cold, heavy, commanding.
Wow… Lucillea swallowed her admiration.
At this rate, who’s the real protagonist here?!
[Duke! Duke! Duke!] Cookie chanted inside her head.
Elbadin stopped in front of her, lowering his gaze with a faint smirk.
“Are you wearing the dress, or is the dress wearing you?”
“…Eh?”
Lucillea’s admiring eyes immediately sharpened.
This guy… here we go again.
He seemed amused by her exasperated expression.
Don’t take the bait.
With forced composure, she spun lightly in place, the yellow dress fluttering gracefully.
“See? Not swallowed up. So stop worrying and get in the carriage already.”
She clenched her teeth as she added, “Everyone’s waiting!”
Elbadin suppressed a laugh and climbed aboard. Before the carriage door closed, he turned slightly.
“It suits you.”
“….”
“I thought it would.”
“….”
With that, the door shut with a thunk.
…What’s with him?
Lucillea stared blankly at his carriage, caught off guard by the sudden compliment.
Raiden gently took her hand.
“We should board too.”
“Oh—oh, right…”
Led by Raiden, she climbed into the carriage.
But Elbadin’s words lingered in her head as the wheels began to roll.
The closer they came to the Imperial Palace, the more brilliantly the capital night sparkled.
Lucillea gazed out the window, lost in the dazzling scenery.
It suits you. I thought it would.
Why had that cold, irritating duke said such things?
Pondering the riddle, she hardly noticed when the carriage slowed.
They had arrived.
“We’ve reached the palace.”
Jedd’s voice sounded from outside, and the carriage door swung open.
[Ooooh! This is the palace!!]
Stepping down, Lucillea lifted her gaze at Cookie’s cry.
No wonder he was excited.
The palace shone like a festival of light.
Thousands of magical lamps glowed, casting shimmering brilliance across the walls.
It looked like an immense work of art—like the goddess’ jewel box poured out all at once.
The palace truly is the palace.
This was the heart of the Serapium Empire.
And…
Her eyes slid to Serdian, standing beside her, gazing up at the palace.
The palace that will one day belong to him.
If the story followed the original, this empire and palace would become Serdian’s.
Of course, my life cannot follow the original.
But… would it really be okay?
Lucillea glanced quickly at Elbadin.
Right? You brought me here for a reason, didn’t you?
Unease gripped her chest.
What should have been a joyful banquet suddenly felt like being dragged onto a battlefield.
Then Serdian spoke, eyes still forward, his voice steady.
“Don’t be nervous. Nothing will happen.”
“….”
Lucillea squinted up at him.
Hey, this is all because of you!
