Chapter 15:
The Invitation
The Royal Ball marked the beginning of the proper social season for the nobility of Rudenheim. In the indispensable society news, stories about the debutantes who gathered in the capital every day for their debuts were written. Families with daughters who had just turned eighteen, the foundation for the grandest event of the social season, the Debutante Ball, were already deeply involved in introducing their daughters to society.
Among them, the most talked-about debutante was undoubtedly Retina Cecilia, the hidden illegitimate child of the Deneuve family.
“So this is the number one-selling magazine in Rudenheim.”
Retina, who had been spending some rare quiet time in the mansion, took the magazine from a maid who was sorting through the mail. She leaned against the table, turning it round and round, and made a thoughtful humming sound.
“I didn’t think my brothers, even though their outfits might be light, would be interested in this kind of gossip.”
“Uh, when you say their outfits are light… Lordships do have an interest in various information in society. But they read these magazines every day to make sure they don’t miss any information. When they go to the battlefield, it’s essential to have as much information as possible about the enemy.”
Society as a battlefield Retina nodded as she pondered the maid’s words. It made sense. After attending a few parties, she realized that dressing nicely and carrying a sword were not the only things that mattered. The party hall was like a battlefield for the nobility.
When three or more people gathered, information about what each person wore, who they talked to for how long, and what actions they took would be discussed. And to avoid any negative talk in the weekly summary news, one had to remain vigilant at all times. Just like on a real battlefield, there was no time to let one’s guard down.
“Is there any mention of my brothers too?” Retina wondered what might be written in the gossip columns about her, even though she had only attended a few parties. Normally, debutantes would already know all the information through word of mouth, but since Retina had no friends, the only source of information about her brothers’ conversations was through the gossip columns.
“Surely they’ll write something about womanizers, right? If I find something, I’ll tease them about it until they’re sick of it.”
She had witnessed her brothers in compromising situations several times. Retina speculated about what might be written in the gossip columns and unfolded the magazine.
The magazine contained various stories, including events and incidents at parties she attended as well as those she did not. There were also discussions about relationships between men and women, the best salons chosen by noble ladies, and the latest fashion trends. However, there was only one brief mention in this week’s issue, and it seemed like they hadn’t found the woman connected to the Crown Prince yet.
“Keep searching.” It would be difficult to find her, as nobody would suspect that she was the one.
[The Woman Who Emerged Like a Comet, Retina Cecilia. Who is she?] As Retina continued to read through the magazine, her eyes suddenly stopped at one place. In the first paragraph of the third page of the magazine, an unexpected name was written prominently in bold and large letters.
“What’s this?”
Retina swallowed hard as she unexpectedly found her own name in the magazine. It was a surprising discovery, and she wondered what hidden corners might be exposed in the article.
The article was not just one or two sentences, making it difficult for Retina to speculate why she had appeared in the gossip magazine. With a sense of tension, she continued to read the text below.
“Ordinary hair color, ordinary appearance, and an ordinary demeanor—but with an extraordinary lineage—this ambitious woman monopolized Leblem’s finest dressing room. She even used the Deneuve brothers, taking advantage of their fame, and not stopping there; she aimed to capture the Crystal Gate, even dragging in the Crown Prince. Her influence is truly astonishing. One of the most telling examples of her ambition is her involvement in the events at ‘Very Max Fantastic Elegance,’ the salon in Leblem’s streets…”
Translator: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only
“Does the author have some kind of grudge against me?” Retina exclaimed as she read further. As she scrolled down, she couldn’t take her eyes off the gossip magazine. The anonymous informant who provided information to the newspaper was undoubtedly Misha. The article, filled with one-sided information and speculations that were completely different from reality, distorted the truth.
- “Lady Retina wore this season’s prestigious creation from Fongérian at the Royal Ball. As expected, the lady with the keenest eye chose my dress for the evening, and I only made some minor adjustments to fit it perfectly. (Laughs) The following interview with Fongérian sheds light on how systematically Retina planned her debutante season. Ironically, while the person involved had no intentions, the magazine exposed everything about Retina’s ultimate goals.
Retina’s face contorted as she continued reading. Despite her lack of any actual intentions, the magazine portrayed her as if she had meticulously planned her debutante season. It seemed like every detail in the gossip magazine was exposing her true ambitions, even though she had none.
- “Lady Retina is my top muse and customer. I’m currently brainstorming a dress for her upcoming debutante that’s unlike any other.”
“Is that so? Did that really happen? Have I become your muse without even knowing?” Retina muttered to herself. It seemed like Fongérian was quite excited about this.
Retina clutched her head in frustration. She had been quietly staying in the capital, and now, without even having her debutante ball, she had already occupied an entire page in the gossip magazine.
“My lady…”
“Lena. It won’t work. I need to keep a low profile from now on.”
“But, my lady, there are people who believe in you, like me. I trusted you from the beginning. You’ve just been lazy about attending events, right?”
Behind her, Lena, who had been reading the magazine with her, looked at Retina with bright, shining eyes.
“Huh?”
“You pretended not to care, but you were always thinking about it, right? For the perfect debutante. While I, your humble maid, could only wait for you. Lady Retina, I’ll make sure you shine more beautifully than any other young lady in society. Please trust me, my lady!”
“You don’t have to push yourself too hard. Relax. I’m fine.”
“Our first goal is to become the Crystal Gate at the debutante ball. Fongérian is designing the most magnificent dress, and we can’t fall behind. We need to go to Leblem Street immediately and look at the jewelry!”
Lena, who seemed completely unfazed by Retina’s distress, clenched her fists as if she was about to take on the world.
“I’m really fine!” Retina insisted.
Retina tried to dissuade Lena, who had already made up her mind, but her voice fell on deaf ears. Lena had decided and left immediately to discuss the jewelry that would complement her dress with Fongérian.
‘What about me, Lena?’ Retina’s hand, unable to catch Lena, who had disappeared quickly, gripped the empty air. Although there were many servants in the mansion, Lena was the only lady’s maid left in the drawing room.
The mansion is now empty with Lena and her brothers gone, was silent. Except for Lena, none of the other servants approached Retina, perhaps they were wary of her silvery hair.
‘Ah, it’s quite a tiring ordeal.’ Retina folded the newspaper and placed it on the table.
When she thought about it, the reason she appeared in the newspaper was ultimately because of her name, which followed her everywhere. Even without bearing the Deneuve surname, it was already this much trouble; she wondered how much worse it would have been if she had her name attached to Deneuve.
Even if a commoner married into nobility, they could receive a title, but the choice was theirs. However, Mom didn’t let me use my father’s surname. When I was young, I couldn’t understand it, but now I’ve decided to follow Mom’s surname. Even though I don’t completely understand Mom’s feelings, as I get older, I think from Mom’s perspective. Even the things I thought were a given were only possible because of the efforts of those around me.
Translator: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only
‘I’d rather return home than stay in the capital.’
Even if she successfully debuts and makes a name for herself in high society, she can’t see herself adapting to this place. Wearing a wig and pretending forever was not a viable option. She didn’t want to live while deceiving even her future husband.
‘I as a cursed child is enough.’
I don’t want my child to go through the same ordeal. There’s no guarantee that my child will turn out just like me, but I can’t say for sure that they won’t.
‘In the North, this hair color is considered a blessing from the goddess. Maybe I should head up north?’ Retina thought as she recalled her conversation with the prince.
It’s interesting how different countries have different views about the same hair color. In Rudenheim, she was considered cursed, but in Raglaras, she would become someone blessed by the goddess. Retina ran her fingers through her long, silvery hair. The estate’s servants, who had seen her since she was a child, thought her hair, as white as snow, was beautiful and rare in the Eastern lands. However, the people in the capital couldn’t help but gossip, even if they whispered behind her back.
‘Still, it’s fortunate that it hasn’t leaked outside.’
The difficulty of finding good jobs with such conservative attitudes and treatment made everyone keep their mouths shut. Thinking this way, Retina once again felt nostalgic for everyone back on the estate.
“Miss, an invitation has arrived.” As Retina was lost in thought, reminiscing about the estate’s residents, a well-dressed butler approached. He handed her an elegantly designed envelope containing a signed invitation.
“A tea party?” The invitation, with a subtle pattern and a red seal, had a brief message written on it:
“You are invited to the Duchess Vi’s tea party, hosted by the Grand Duchess Vi at this time every year. Those invited here have either attracted attention since the beginning of the social season or are considered to have influence in society, according to the Grand Duchess Vi.”
“Really? If my brothers are attending, then I’ll go.”
“Only unmarried young ladies over twenty are allowed to attend the Grand Duchess Vi’s tea party. The invitation is also addressed to Miss Retina Cecilia, not to the Duchess of Deneuve.” Upon the butler’s words, Retina checked the back of the envelope. Indeed, the recipient of the invitation was listed as Retina Cecilia alone.
“Since you are going to be the belle of this debutante, you should at least go and grace them with your presence,” the butler added.
