Episode 127
Everyone was busy preparing for the debutante ball, but Elonia was relaxed.
She had learned ballroom dancing at Lucid Academy, a mandatory course for graduating students, and her clothes and accessories had been prepared by Sarah and her maids. All she had to do was show up.
And yet, she had been studying the guest list for days.
“This viscount is particularly unpleasant. If he tries anything, use the spray Alberich gave you.”
“And this one. He’s clueless and has the social skills of a Gaia Academy graduate, so refuse if he asks you to dance.”
“This viscount is a notorious womanizer. He preys on young debutantes. Stay away from him.”
“…”
The endless warnings from Sarah and the Asta brothers had left Elonia feeling drained.
She was surprised by the sheer number of unsavory characters.
‘I thought Ravanta’s nobles were more civilized than Heilan’s.’
Perhaps it was the law of conservation of jerks.
The warnings then shifted from her peers to the older generation.
Sarah, her voice filled with indignation, said,
“This count is a snake. He won’t dare approach you directly, considering the age difference, but he’ll try to manipulate you, so you have to establish dominance early on.”
She seemed to have a lot of pent-up resentment towards them.
Elonia appreciated their concern, but her ears were starting to hurt.
She finally placed a hand on her forehead, interrupting them.
“You’re all being too overprotective. Am I a child?”
“You’re still young…”
“Everyone at the ball will be older than you…”
Damn it, they were right.
Because of the significant age gap, she was always treated like a child by her guardians.
But she was sixteen now. Still young in their eyes, but old enough to know right from wrong.
‘Well, I’ve always known right from wrong.’
Their worries were excessive.
“I can tell who’s creepy and who’s not. So stop worrying.”
“But…”
They were as unyielding as ever. Llewellyn, clasping his hands together, pleaded with her, his face a mask of exaggerated concern,
“Just one more.”
“…Fine, tell me.”
Llewellyn’s face lit up. He pointed at the last name on the list.
“The one you really have to be careful of is Young Master Luneus. No one knows anything about him. We don’t even know what he looks like, or what his personality is like. But he’s from one of the Four Dukal Families, so be cautious.”
Elonia, who had been half-listening, her eyes scanning the list, suddenly focused.
Cielun Luneus, 22 years old.
The same age as Llewellyn.
“…Young Master Luneus is the same age as you, Llewellyn? Didn’t you attend the academy together?”
“No. Brother hasn’t seen him either, right?”
“That’s right. Young Master Luneus couldn’t attend the academy.”
“…?”
Couldn’t attend? Not didn’t attend, but couldn’t?
How was that possible for a son of one of the Four Dukal Families?
Elonia raised an eyebrow, and Alberich explained,
“He was adopted by Duke Luneus three years ago. He’s a commoner, and he’s also in poor health, so he couldn’t attend.”
“Oh…”
Elonia suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for this unknown Young Master Luneus.
Ravanta’s social circles were a world of their own.
Only children from influential noble families could attend Lucid Academy. So whether or not you attended the academy greatly influenced your social standing.
Especially if you were a commoner.
“He must be having a hard time, even as an adopted son of a Duke.”
“That’s why he might try to approach you, Your Highness, to improve his reputation.”
“Exactly. And you’re so kind that you might try to help him. Don’t. You’ll regret it.”
“I agree with them this time. Be careful of Young Master Luneus.”
Even Sarah chimed in, but Elonia scoffed. She had been lenient at the academy because the students were young, and none of them had directly challenged her.
But she wouldn’t be so forgiving towards incompetent adults.
Elonia flicked the guest list dismissively.
“I guarantee I won’t have anything to do with him.”
She was naturally introverted and disliked forming new relationships. She had inherited that trait from Artius.
‘I have more important things to worry about, like finding Mother and Lucius.’
She couldn’t waste her energy on such trivial matters.
“That’s it! We’re done.”
Elonia, clapping her hands together, dismissed the topic.
“Cough.”
Meanwhile, at the Luneus Dukal Estate,
Cielun Luneus, the subject of their discussion, coughed softly, sitting on his bed.
Duke Luneus, watching him with concern, asked,
“Cielun, are you still not feeling well?”
“No, I’m fine. It’s just the cold air.”
“Are you sure you’re okay attending the debutante ball?”
Duke Luneus’s worry was evident in her voice, her wrinkled hand clutching his pale, delicate one.
Her concern was understandable.
Cielun Luneus, the sole heir to the Duchy, was twenty-two now, but his health was still poor.
Cielun, suppressing his cough, smiled brightly.
“Of course. I’ve been waiting for this day.”
But Duke Luneus wasn’t convinced.
Cielun probably didn’t realize how frail he looked.
His pale skin, his colorless lips, the white bandage covering his right eye, the white clothes he was wearing, and the occasional coughs…
Cielun, chuckling softly, added,
“I can’t postpone it any longer. It would be rude to the younger debutantes if I attended at an even older age.”
A strange glint flickered in his pale blue-green eyes. Duke Luneus, with a sigh, nodded.
“…Alright. But don’t overdo it. Take your medicine, and come to me immediately if you feel unwell.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Cielun’s mechanical response only heightened her concern.
But her worry wouldn’t improve his health.
Duke Luneus, suppressing another sigh, stood up and said, as if remembering something,
“Oh, Caroline sends her regards.”
“Yes. Please tell Aunt Caroline not to worry.”
Cielun’s obedient and agreeable demeanor was almost unsettling. He never complained, never showed any sign of annoyance.
Duke Luneus smiled faintly and turned to leave.
But just as she reached for the doorknob, Cielun called out to her.
“Mother, wait.”
“Hmm?”
She turned around. It was the first time he had called out to her.
Cielun, still smiling, said,
“About ‘that medicine’…”
Duke Luneus’s eyes widened at the mention of “that medicine.” Cielun, his eyes closing, then opening slowly, continued, his voice soft and measured,
“Perhaps you should consult with the princess first, instead of His Majesty.”
“…The princess?”
“Yes. I hear she’s quite compassionate.”
Cielun’s eyes crinkled at the corners.
Duke Luneus swallowed nervously.
But she quickly composed herself, her usual kind smile returning.
“Alright, I’ll do that. Now rest.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Cielun smiled and waved. Duke Luneus left the room.
As soon as she was gone, Cielun’s smile vanished.
“Haah…”
He sighed softly, then got out of bed, draped a purple blanket over his shoulders, and sat by the window.
It was a contradictory action, considering his earlier coughs and the lingering chill in the air.
He leaned against the window frame, his fingers toying with a strand of his white hair, his gaze fixed on the distant Imperial Palace.
He traced a pattern on the fogged-up windowpane with his finger, the condensation dripping down, revealing the view outside.
“The debutante ball…”
He touched his neck, his fingers brushing against something cold. He fidgeted with the small silver object and murmured,
“It’s finally time.”
He hadn’t fully recovered yet.
But he couldn’t afford to collapse before achieving his goal. A faint smile touched his pale lips.
It was a forced, unnatural smile, even more so than the one he had shown his mother.
March, the month that heralded the end of the long winter.
Just like the blooming flowers, young nobles, dressed in their finest attire, blossomed in the Imperial Palace’s social circles.
Elonia was no exception. In fact, she had been subjected to endless fussing since early in the morning.
“Your Highness, don’t eat the face mask.”
“Ugh…”
Elonia, startled awake, blinked blearily.
Her mouth was filled with a sweet, sticky substance. She must have licked the pearl powder and honey face mask in her sleep.
She drifted back to sleep.
When she woke up again, it was late afternoon.
“…My face is puffy.”
“Here, use this.”
Sarah and her maids handed her a cold compress.
The puffiness subsided quickly.
After a light application of makeup, she put on the lavender dress and the purple cloak, her hair carefully styled. She stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Sarah and her maids also stared at her, their eyes wide with admiration.
“You’re so beautiful…”
“Truly…”
Elonia knew what they were about to say. That she resembled Philemon. She felt it herself, so it was natural for them, who had known Philemon, to notice the resemblance.
Elonia clutched the simple ring around her neck, its plain design a stark contrast to her elaborate gown.
‘…Mother, will I be okay?’
The resemblance was unsettling. She couldn’t ignore it.
“Elonia.”
Artius’s voice brought her back to reality. She turned towards him.
“Elonia, I’ve come to—”
“You’re here?”
Artius, seeing her, was speechless.
His jaw dropped, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock, longing, and something akin to awe.
Elonia, understanding his reaction all too well, forced a smile and approached him.
“What? Is it so surprising that your daughter is beautiful?”
“…Right.”
“Is that a yes or a no?”
“It means you’re beautiful. Truly.”
Artius’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.
Elonia, out of politeness, replied,
“You look good today too, Dad.”
It wasn’t a lie. He seemed to have put more effort into his appearance than he had for his own birthday.
“I’m honored.”
Artius placed a hand on his chest and bowed. He might dislike parties, but he was impeccable when it came to etiquette.
He straightened up and offered her his hand.
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Elonia took his hand. Today was the day she officially entered the social world.
‘…Did Mother feel like this too?’
She was nervous, even though she had no specific role to play.
But she was a princess. She couldn’t show her anxiety. She clutched the ring around her neck, took a deep breath, and then, hiding the ring under her dress, smoothed down her gown and cloak as she left the Imperial Princess’s Palace.