Chapter 52
Even if Helene’s image had improved, it had only been two years since her husband passed away, and bringing a new partner to a ball would be like pouring fuel on a dying flame.
On the other hand, appearing alone would openly signal the decline of the Emeldia family.
The only person who could attend with Helene, sending a signal of the Emeldia family’s revival, was Blaine—the godfather of the three sisters and the wealthiest man in the world.
If she appeared with him, it was certain that Liriana would attract all the attention of the nobles.
Blaine would be the most reliable ally for the Emeldia family.
A man who disliked women, Blaine always struggled to find a partner for social events.
Taking Helene as his partner would free him from that worry, and few noble young ladies would approach Blaine with confidence in front of the dazzlingly beautiful Helene.
It was a good proposal for both of them, avoiding an awkward situation entirely.
“…….”
However, contrary to Helene’s expectations, Blaine didn’t say anything.
He was deeply troubled.
Helene was a dangerous person who could paralyze his reason.
Attending a party with such a person…
He realized he might have to refuse.
After much deliberation, Blaine spoke.
“……Jo, that’s a good idea. I was just having trouble finding a partner anyway.”
But the moment his eyes met Helene’s, they sparkled with expectation.
Before he knew it, words different from what he had intended slipped out.
Fael hoped he had misheard.
When he said, “I want to be in a relationship,” he had mentally scanned all the noble young ladies, not just nationwide, but worldwide.
He had believed firmly that he would meet a compatible woman during the arranged meetings and attend this ball with her.
He had imagined several times how he would escort the future lady of the house, dressed in a fine tuxedo.
But now, everything had been ruined because of that woman, Helene.
However, a proper butler never interferes with the affairs of their master.
At least, not openly.
Fael exhaled softly.
“Thank you! Actually, Liriana will be attending this debutante ball. If the godfather accompanies her, it will be a great help.”
Excited, Helene moved closer to Blaine.
At the same time, Blaine stepped back.
“L-Liriana? Th-That’s really… excellent!”
Even with such good news, Blaine couldn’t focus because of Helene right in front of him.
And despite being her godfather, he didn’t even know that Liriana had never attended a debutante ball before.
It wasn’t that Blaine didn’t care; he was simply ignorant about such matters.
He remembered every event he attended merely as a “social event.”
“Yes, I’ll become Liriana’s support alongside you!”
Strangely, the word “together” rang loudly in his mind, repeating over and over.
It wasn’t just attending the ball with her—it was forming a team with her—and that thought made Blaine’s heart race.
“Th-Then… is there anything I can help with?”
Blaine had said after the previous dinner with Helene and the three sisters that he would help in any way he could.
It would be a lie to say he hadn’t been looking forward to it.
Helene spoke cautiously.
“G-Godfather, there are many things you could help with……”
She trailed off.
Of course, she couldn’t openly demand anything.
While Helene was considering how to phrase it, Blaine cut in.
“……Do you already have a dress for the ball?”
Blaine was an astute man.
He asked directly what Helene had been too shy to bring up.
“W-Well……”
“As I said before, I want to properly support the three sisters from now on. That goes for you as their guardian as well.”
Blaine couldn’t forget the state of the Emeldia mansion that day.
The mansion, seen for the first time in over ten years, felt as if it had been a century.
The once-beautiful garden was overrun with weeds, and the mansion that had been bustling with staff now seemed haunted.
All the artworks and expensive decorations that had displayed the Emeldia family’s prestige were gone.
It was hard to imagine that either Liriana, the star of the ball, or Helene, who wished to support her, would even have a dress to wear.
“The Blanc Street in Lepia is FM (Flymoon)’s private property. I hear there are excellent clothing shops there.”
Blanc Street, located on 10th Avenue in Lepia, was one of the Empire’s top luxury shopping districts.
He had heard that even paying millions wouldn’t guarantee a spot for a shop—but it belonged to Blaine’s company, Flymoon.
The stores were full of brands favored by nobles and sold only high-quality goods for the royal family.
He had also heard that a former royal designer had opened an independent dress shop there.
“I’ll make the arrangements. Have Liriana’s dress made at your preferred boutique. You’ll also need jewelry and shoes, right? If you have a preferred salon, I’ll reserve it for you.”
Even while offering such an enormous favor, Blaine did not sound condescending.
It was as if he were simply performing a duty.
“Is… that really alright?”
Helene’s voice trembled.
Fitting hair, dresses, and accessories at the Empire’s best stores on Blanc Street could easily cost the price of a modest mansion—per person.
Though Blaine was paying, Helene felt tiny.
“Would you prefer somewhere else? Other properties owned by our company include…”
“N-No! Blanc Street is sufficient. I won’t forget your generosity!”
Truly fitting for the world’s wealthiest man, he didn’t just own buildings—he owned entire streets.
Hearing him say that made Helene feel more at ease, as if it were no trouble at all for him.
Blaine mentally calculated that a simple trip to Blanc Street would be enough to prepare both Helene and Liriana perfectly.
Beyond dresses, jewelry was also crucial for the ball.
“…Do you need a tiara?”
Blaine was suddenly reminded of a long-forgotten childhood memory.
When parties were held at the Emeldia mansion, he would secretly watch the ballroom from the attic.
Among the glamorous attendees, the late Countess had always stood out with a tiara called the “Breath of the Goddess.”
Though she had been cold to Blaine, who had been taken in as an orphan rather than her own son Raoul, when he heard the word “mother”—awkward and distant as it felt—he strangely thought of her face.
He had envied everything about Raoul, but most of all, the warm way Raoul addressed the late Countess.
She wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, but she was elegant and dignified.
Her presence, enhanced by the “Breath of the Goddess” tiara, earned admiration from all.
From the attic stairs, looking down at the sparkling scene, that tiara shone brightest.
“…Are you referring to the Breath of the Goddess?”
The tiara, once offered as collateral promising a return of 200,000 gold within six months.
Though it might seem shameless, it was the first major social event in a long time for the Emeldia family.
There was no way they wouldn’t need the tiara.
“Yes, it would take too long to commission a new gemstone now, and finding a suitable sample would be difficult… The Breath of the Goddess should be perfect.”
“Th-That tiara will suit Liriana perfectly!”
Helene’s delight left Blaine flustered.
Why had he imagined Helene, not Liriana, wearing the tiara?
When Blaine thought of the tiara, he subconsciously pictured it sparkling on Helene’s head.
The “Breath of the Goddess” was a tiara traditionally worn only by the noble and chosen women of the Emeldia family.
Even the collateral branch women of the family longed to borrow it for their weddings.
It was only natural for Liriana, a direct descendant making her debut at the ball, to wear it.
“Y-Yes, of course.”
“I know it’s presumptuous, but I’ll accept your kindness and borrow it for Liriana for that one day.”
‘Borrow.’ Blaine secretly wanted to return the tiara to Helene.
“…Th-That’s fine.”
But for a businessman like Blaine, giving something to someone without reason was unprecedented.
If Helene asked why, he didn’t know what he would say.
He accepted Helene’s wish.
