“Who dares to mess with you, my lady? Which rascal… I mean, which family’s young master is it?”
“Lena…”
“Just say the word! I’ll go handle it with Lu.”
“Handle it…?”
Why does it feel like Lena is becoming more fearless? She’s getting along so well with Lilian that she seems to be evolving in that direction.
Awoo!
Ludwin, eager to be called into action, let out a spirited howl, which only heightened my anxiety.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“Oh! It must be Boris.”
I quickly ran to open the door myself, hoping to avoid Lena catching hold of Boris.
In the hallway stood Boris, already finished getting ready. Dressed smartly in a sleek brown suit, his face lit up with delight when he saw me.
“Sister, are you ready…?”
“Oh! You look dashing today. Hmm?”
I waved my hand in front of his eyes when he suddenly froze as if he’d seen a Medusa.
“Boris? Boris, can you see this?”
He snapped out of it and quickly turned his now flushed face away.
‘What’s this? Am I missing something?’
But upon checking, I was indeed fully dressed in my evening gown. It had a slightly off-the-shoulder design, but with the bolero I was wearing, it was entirely appropriate.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”
I removed my glove, thinking he might have a fever, and reached to touch his forehead.
“No, no! I’m fine!”
Boris backed away in a panic.
“Fine? Your face is getting even redder. Are you sure you’re not coming down with something?”
“I’m really okay. It’s just that you look really, really beautiful today, sister.”
Was that a cold sweat I saw?
Even though his attempts to change the subject were suspicious, I decided to let it slide, admiring his effort.
“Thank you. Madam Mimon’s dress really is beautiful, isn’t it?”
The dress Madam Mimon made was a refreshing design with a light spring-like green color and gold decorations, and I thought it was very pretty.
“It’s not the dress, it’s you who’s beautiful…”
Boris muttered something under his breath, but it was so soft I couldn’t catch it.
“What was that?”
“Ah, nothing! Nothing at all.”
He sighed briefly, then cleared his throat and offered his arm to me.
“Shall we go, Lady Dilucia?”
Seeing Boris trying to act all grown up was so endearing that I chuckled as I moved to place my hand on his arm. But then I paused.
“Sister?”
I noticed Ludwin, sitting quietly and staring at us as we prepared to leave the room.
“One moment.”
I approached him and whispered softly so Boris wouldn’t hear.
“Lu, if anything happens, I’ll send a signal, so don’t worry too much and just relax.”
He tried to hide his increasingly gloomy expression, but it was impossible. His tail, after all, couldn’t lie.
Even though his drooping tail tugged at my heartstrings, rules were rules. I couldn’t bring Ludwin in his animal form.
“I’ll be back soon.”
I hugged him tightly before leaving the room.
I could feel Ludwin’s gaze on me until the door closed.
Since the Leon Marquisate was located near the mountain range in the northern part of the empire, the nights were still chilly despite spring’s arrival. Thus, the eve-of-the-festival banquet was held in an indoor hall, adorned with soft-colored spring flowers.
The banquet was grand, almost on par with an imperial gathering, and there were more people than I expected. Early attendees had already gathered in groups, engaged in lively conversations.
I scanned the room carefully from the entrance, my senses on high alert.
‘Didn’t the Duke of Rivolte come?’
I inspected every nook and cranny, from the entrance to the innermost stage.
But there was no sign of the black-haired Duke of Rivolte or his suspicious companions anywhere.
Since all the participants in the Spring Hunt are staying at Marquis Leon’s residence, it seems likely that they will not attend the eve of the festival since they have not come yet.
“Phew.”
Relieved, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I’d been nervous all afternoon.
Though I hadn’t had much interaction with the Duke of Rivolte before, I couldn’t guarantee that would remain the case with Ludwin around.
‘I hope I don’t run into him tonight. I’m not mentally prepared for that.’
In truth, I hoped to avoid a confrontation involving Ludwin and the Duke altogether.
Just as I sighed with relief, a flash of red appeared before me.
“Are you avoiding someone?”
“Ah!”
“Whoa, what are you so deep in thought about?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. Just that there are so many people here.”
I clutched my chest, trying to calm my racing heart, and offered a flimsy excuse, which made Boris raise an eyebrow in amusement.
“You know you’re really bad at lying, right? I could tell you were looking for someone from the moment we walked in.”
‘Why is this kid so perceptive?’
It was as if he had been watching me the entire time since we entered the banquet hall.
“I’m serious, it’s nothing…”
As I stammered through my excuse, a familiar voice reached my ears.
“Lady Dilucia!”
Our Crown Princess, adorned with diamond accessories that complemented her blue hair, approached me with a bright smile.
Instinctively, I thought.
‘Should I run?’
Lilian, who had swiftly made her way over, was followed by a group of glittering noblewomen.
“Lady Dilucia, it’s been a while.”
Though we had met privately that morning, this was our first official meeting since her wedding.
Like a graceful swan, she glided towards me, extending a greeting.
Her posture was perfect, with a straight back, raised chin, and a soft expression and tone—truly befitting a Crown Princess.
Still, her eyes sparkled just as they had in the old days, making me smile a little.
“It’s been too long, Your Highness.”
I responded with a formal bow, following the royal etiquette. Seeing this, Lilian smiled brightly behind her fan, as if receiving praise.
But then her gaze shifted to Boris standing beside me.
“So, your partner is Lord Leon.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Boris nodded, and I added an explanation.
“My father had an urgent matter come up, so I came alone. Thankfully, Lord Leon offered to accompany me so I wouldn’t have to attend the banquet alone.”
The noblewomen behind us nodded in understanding, but Lilian subtly raised her chin and looked displeased. I could see her lips slightly pout behind her fan.
At that moment, a noblewoman with brown hair stepped forward.
It was the Countess of Bamellon, whom Lilian had recently taken in as a companion.
“Come to think of it, His Highness the Crown Prince was looking for Lord Leon a little while ago.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Instinctively, I scanned the room and spotted Marquis Leon and Pedro engaged in conversation.
Was there still something to discuss regarding the event?
“It seemed urgent, so you should hurry, Lord Leon.”
Before Boris could react, Lilian urged him to go. It felt like she was trying to chase him away.
‘No way. The Leon family supports the Crown Prince, so why would she do that?’
Boris seemed reluctant, but with the Crown Prince summoning him, he had no choice. He stepped back, bowing politely.
“Then, please excuse me for a moment, Your Highness, Lady… Lady Dilucia.”
“Go ahead.”
“Don’t worry, take your time.”
I waved at him reassuringly, but Boris seemed a bit disappointed as he walked away.
As I watched him go, Lilian suddenly grabbed my hand. Her energy had returned, unlike just moments before.
“Lady Dilucia. You haven’t had dinner yet, right? Over there, the royal chef has prepared a special cream stew. It’s made with fresh cream from Baon, and the flavor is simply exquisite.”
‘Cream stew!’
I instantly perked up.
It was one of my favorite dishes, second only to cheese tarts. Lilian, as always, remembered that I never turned down cream stew, no matter how busy I was.
“Shall we?”
With Boris gone, there was no reason to refuse her offer.
Finger foods were usually the standard at banquets, but it seemed Lilian arranged for cream stew as a special dish.
I readily followed Lilian and the noblewomen to a specially prepared table.
It was a seating area where anyone enjoying the cream stew could sit.
Perhaps because of the chilly weather, many people were already seated, savoring the stew.
As soon as we sat down, the servants quickly set the table for the meal.
“Lady Dilucia, I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s such a pleasure.”
“I’m so glad to see you too, Lady. I’ve heard so much about you from Her Highness that I’ve been eagerly looking forward to meeting you.”
“My husband has mentioned you a lot as well. I’ve heard that you have an exceptional business sense for someone so young.”
The compliments and flattery from the noblewomen, who knew I was close to Lilian, came at me like a barrage, leaving me with no chance to respond. I caught a glimpse of Lilian’s face, which looked proud.
As I tried to withstand the onslaught of praises without running away, the dish I had been eagerly waiting for finally arrived.
“This is a cream stew, slow-cooked with veal.”
The creamy yellow stew, served in a white dish with gold trim, smelled so delicious that it made my mouth water. After one bite, I was glad I had come to the hunting festival.
Everyone seemed to share the sentiment, as one by one, they praised the dish.
“Oh my, this is simply divine.”
“The weather is chilly, so this warm stew is just perfect.”
Once our plates were about half empty, the conversation I had been hoping for finally began to flow.
“I was worried the hunting festival wouldn’t be held this year, but thankfully, those concerns were for nothing.”
“That’s right, with all the unsettling rumors in the Northeast lately, everyone was worried.”
“Oh my, what’s been happening?”
Lilian, feigning ignorance, asked, and the conversation began to flow freely from all directions.
