Chapter 70
Eleanor was afraid of being entangled with him. If even the slightest scandal broke out with the Crown Prince of the Empire—famous as her younger sister’s man—she might really have to go live in Lairafl.
“No one will know that His Highness gifted it to you. He didn’t give it to you publicly, after all.”
Seeing Eleanor grow serious, Lisa quickly spoke.
If Eleanor truly disliked it, of course she would choose another necklace. But if possible, she wanted to adorn her lady with the one that suited her best.
Eleanor wavered under Lisa’s earnest gaze.
Just as her maid said, the chances of anyone knowing the necklace came from Leopold were slim.
Since Paul delivered it, the secret should be safe.
From what Eleanor knew, Paul was a man of few words—serious, dependable, and full of loyalty. There was a reason why Leopold, who as Crown Prince always lived warily among people, had never replaced him as his personal attendant.
Paul was never careless or rash. Even the smallest request, he handled with such caution that he was considered trustworthy.
After a long moment of troubled hesitation, Eleanor finally made up her mind.
“Lisa.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Bring it.”
She would wear Leopold’s necklace.
Even if no one knew, it was still a gift from the Crown Prince. Wearing it once was proper. And if Leopold asked about it, like he had at the opera, she would be prepared.
In fact, wearing it tonight—when she was supposed to make an impression—might draw less attention than saving it for a smaller occasion.
It wasn’t the sort of necklace she could wear to an ordinary tea party anyway.
“Yes, my lady!”
Lisa’s face lit up as she hurried off, practically flying into the dressing room. Eleanor let out a small laugh watching her go.
Lisa’s favorite saying—“Making my lady beautiful is the joy of my life”—really hadn’t been an exaggeration.
Lisa soon returned, carrying a glass case from the innermost part of the dressing room. With gloved hands, she opened the lid and carefully placed the necklace around Eleanor’s neck.
Even in dim light, the finely cut gems sparkled brilliantly, glowing as if lit from within. Lisa gasped in awe at the sight.
“It suits you perfectly, my lady!”
Ah—more precisely, she was marveling at Eleanor wearing the necklace.
“You shine brighter than a hundred rubies and diamonds.”
Smiling shyly, Eleanor gazed at the ruby necklace encircling her throat. It had been specially commissioned from the master artisans of the Southern Empire.
She still didn’t understand why Leopold had given it to her. For some reason, she hadn’t felt like asking him either—and when they met, she hadn’t mentioned the necklace at all.
Even after presenting such a precious gift, Leopold himself had never brought it up.
What on earth is he thinking?
Lightly brushing the teardrop diamond dangling at the end, Eleanor felt a little unsettled.
Still, she decided to be satisfied with being dressed more splendidly than on any of the previous three days.
As long as I can deal with the Crown Prince.
Her deep blue eyes shone with firm resolve. Being pushed into becoming the Crown Princess of Lairafl was something she dreaded more than death.
After applying a thin layer of edible oil to her lips, her preparations were complete.
When she heard of Cain’s arrival, Eleanor went downstairs.
Cain was waiting in the lobby, dressed in a dark indigo uniform trimmed with gold epaulettes.
“Cain.”
Recognizing her, Eleanor called his name. His eyes widened as he turned toward her.
Standing against the backdrop of the sunlit windows, she completely captured his gaze.
Her soft, honey-blond hair shimmered, and her blue eyes seemed even more vivid today.
Her crimson velvet gown, simple at the top but flaring naturally at the bottom, gave her a striking elegance.
Cain was utterly entranced until Eleanor’s light, graceful steps carried her right in front of him.
Tilting her head slightly at his dazed expression, Eleanor asked,
“Cain, what’s the matter?”
“Uh? N-no, nothing…”
The change in her aura made him stumble over his words. Flustered by his own stammering, he wished he could bite his tongue.
Watching him mumble “uh, well, I mean,” Eleanor couldn’t help but chuckle softly, her eyes curving into crescents.
Her smile, different from usual, only made Cain avert his gaze, his ears burning.
“I tried dressing a little differently today. Is it strange?”
“Uh? Oh, no, not at all…”
“Are you sure? Does it look odd?”
She had already received compliments from her maids and checked the mirror, but one never knew. Some might find it unappealing.
Hopefully, that someone will be the Crown Prince.
Praying that Ilya would lose interest, Eleanor waited for Cain’s answer.
If even he thought it looked odd, she wouldn’t mind—it might even be a relief.
“Not strange at all.”
His ears flushed red, but Cain spoke firmly.
“You’d look good no matter what you wore.”
Even now, she looked beautiful.
Embarrassed after saying that, he cleared his throat. Eleanor was satisfied enough—she didn’t actually want to look bad, only to fall outside Ilya’s taste.
“Thank you. You look good today too, Cain.”
“Th-thanks.”
“Shall we go?”
She casually linked her arm through his. Cain’s face turned red as though steam were about to rise from his head.
Still flustered, he escorted her toward the carriage, his steps awkward.
Eleanor had to stifle her laughter. If she laughed outright, Cain might trip over his own feet.
Lydia, with Vincent as her partner again, had already left for the Imperial Palace.
Now, with Eleanor, all three Stikoff sisters would be attending the ball.
The western palace, famous for its grand ballroom, was the venue for the final night’s ball.
Eleanor realized again just how much the Emperor cared for his niece.
Although welcoming the Lairafl delegation was an annual event, it had never been celebrated this extravagantly for three days straight.
Which made catching Crown Prince Ilya’s eye all the more unfortunate.
Not only had the Emperor personally opened the outdoor ballroom, he had even put one of the Empire’s national treasures on display—for her sake.
Ever since arriving in Bayrn, it seemed she hadn’t had a single day of good luck.
Standing with Cain among the crowd, she waited for the Emperor’s closing address. Lydia and Ernst stood with Vincent at the front, Stella with Daniel to one side, and Sinclair with his younger sister Clara diagonally across.
So today he’s partnered with his sister.
Just remembering meeting Clara the day before made her chest ache. Partnering with Sinclair had only confirmed her worry that she was a burden.
When the sound of the Emperor rising from his throne echoed, Eleanor lowered her eyes.
“Today marks the final celebration for the delegation from Lairafl, a nation as dear to us as a brother.”
The Emperor’s commanding voice filled the hall.
“For three days, you and the delegation have graced this place with your presence. On this joyful occasion, I cannot let the day pass quietly. I shall therefore present a special treasure: the ‘Blue Diamond Seized by a Dragon’s Claw.’”
At his signal, the doors opened wide. More than ten attendants entered, carrying something covered with golden cloth.
Holding the long, flowing fabric aloft so it wouldn’t drag, they processed into the hall and stopped in the center, bowing before the Emperor.
“Unveil it.”
At his solemn command, the attendants drew back the cloth.
With a sweeping motion, the golden fabric fell away—
Revealing the Blue Diamond seized by a Dragon’s Claw.
“Oh my!”
“Heavens…”
“How beautiful!”
Gasps filled the hall as the diamond’s blue radiance washed over everything.
Eleanor too was struck by its brilliance, feeling as though she stood amid the rolling waves of the sea.
“Throughout tonight’s ball, this national treasure will watch over us.”
In his roundabout way, the Emperor declared that the Blue Diamond would remain on display for the evening.
A gem so rarely seen outside the Founding Festival was greeted with excitement. Left behind by the first Emperor, it held deep meaning for Triton’s nobility.
Though no one could say for certain whether the claw clasping it had truly belonged to a dragon, for the sake of reverence, they all accepted it as such.
“May you all enjoy this final celebration.”
With his speech concluded, the orchestra struck up a lively tune, signaling the start of the festivities.
The first dance floor was cleared to the left of the displayed treasure.
“May I have this dance, Eleanor?”
Cain offered his hand politely. Since it was customary to dance first with one’s partner, Eleanor gladly accepted.
Amid the other couples, they danced together—spinning, turning, drawing close and apart with each lively beat.
As he turned her in his arms, Cain whispered softly in her ear,
“The Crown Prince is watching you.”
Eleanor barely managed to keep her expression from twisting. Spinning again, she caught sight of Ilya staring directly at her.
On the next turn, she asked quietly,
“Could you see his expression? How did he look?”
“Not sure whether he’s shocked by your different appearance tonight, or by seeing you dance with me. Either way, he looks shocked.”
“Really?”
Just knowing she’d startled him was enough to satisfy Eleanor. Hopefully, that shock would turn his gaze elsewhere—to someone like Lena Grace, with her dreams of being Crown Princess, or one of the other young ladies fluttering around him.
But unfortunately, Ilya did not lose interest.
When Eleanor stepped aside after the dance to sip a drink, he immediately approached her.
“Lady Stikoff.”
“Good evening, Your Highness.”
Eleanor politely greeted him, setting aside the alcohol-free cocktail she had been about to drink.
He looked her over with a dissatisfied expression before speaking.
“You look different tonight.”
“This is actually my usual style, Your Highness.”
Catching the displeasure in his tone, Eleanor replied quickly.
Usual style? Ilya muttered, unconvinced, as his eyes swept over her again.
On the first night, even with bare shoulders, she had looked elegant and pure. But tonight, in her crimson gown draped off the shoulders, she was alluring, almost sensual.
His gaze stopped on the ruby necklace around her long, pale neck.
“That necklace… did you buy it yourself?”
Eleanor hesitated. Considering what he’d said yesterday about simplicity and frugality, would it be better to say she’d bought it—or that it was a gift?
Deciding which would repel him more, she smiled brightly and answered,
“It was a gift from my parents.”
Sure enough, his face soured.
“So… you like such extravagant things?”
“Some may call it vanity, but I think of it as self-care. The more jewels and glittering things, the better.”
Even as she said it, Eleanor found it faintly amusing.
The Crown Prince of Lairafl, a wealthy nation with prosperous trade routes, surely had no shortage of riches. Yet he claimed to like modest, frugal women—and here she was pretending to be vain just to drive him away.
The Stikoff family might not be fabulously rich, but they had never lacked money. And Eleanor herself was not naturally inclined to luxury. The act felt strange, almost funny.
Especially since she hadn’t even owned an appropriate necklace, and had ended up wearing Leopold’s gift instead.
“I see… so that’s how you think.”
Ilya sounded displeased.
“Yes. That’s why I always ask for jewels as gifts.”
“From men…?”
“Who else would give me jewels? Certainly not other women.”
His expression twisted further. It stung to tarnish her own reputation, but if it meant escaping marriage to him, she would gladly do it a hundred times over.
“And which man gave you such a gift?”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m asking—who gave it to you?”
Why does he want to know that?
Eleanor kept her face calm, though she was unsettled inside. Why would he ask that? If he truly had feelings for her, wouldn’t it only hurt to hear the answer?
While she hesitated, someone else spoke up.
“I gave Lady Stikoff a topaz a few days ago, Your Highness.”
It was Ernst, dressed in white, his blond hair and bright eyes matching perfectly. He had slipped in smoothly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“You?”
“I’m Ernst Lerner, heir to the Lerner Marquisate.”
Ilya eyed him warily.
Handsome and tall, with a well-built frame—his presence was undeniable despite the soft, fox-like charm of his smile.
“And why would you give her such a gift?”
“Isn’t it instinct, to give something that shines to the brightest person in the world?”
Ernst’s smooth words rolled off his tongue with ease.
Eleanor marveled inwardly. He was addressing her, but it sounded just like how he’d speak to Lydia. Truly, Ernst was the hardest one to deal with.
“Your Highness, may I say something to Lady Stikoff?”
When Ilya made no response beyond a frown, Ernst pressed the chance.
“Ahem… go ahead.”
Granted permission almost begrudgingly, Ernst turned directly to Eleanor.
“I’d like to ask you for a dance, my lady.”
“What?”
Ilya’s brow furrowed. He had come intending to claim her second dance himself. He had only hesitated for a moment, struck by her transformation—and now someone else had snatched the chance.
If he had known, he would never have allowed it.
Before Ilya could interfere, Ernst shot Eleanor a glance, urging her to accept quickly.
Catching on, she spoke without delay.
“Of course, my lord.”
“Wha—”
“Thank you for accepting, my lady.”
“Wait—”
The two of them laughed lightly as they linked arms, leaving Ilya no opening to intrude.
“Then we’ll excuse ourselves.”
“We’ll greet you again later.”
With brisk but polite bows, they departed for the dance floor.
Left alone, Ilya’s face crumpled in frustration.
