“I will put a pin made of pearls in my hair.”
“Something more eye-catching than that.”
“Hmm…”
Wouldn’t a necklace work? That’s usually the safest way to dress up.
Then Mother snapped her fingers and spoke.
“Instead of accessories, you need to adorn the dress. Someone go and get some quartz powder.”
One of the maids quickly left the room.
I asked Mother with a puzzled look.
“What are you going to use the quartz powder for?”
“To apply it to the dress.”
Gasp! I couldn’t help but be astonished!
Quartz powder is mainly used to create a sparkling effect in paintings, and she wanted to apply it to a dress? Even though it’s quite expensive and used sparingly in paintings, she wanted to put it on that huge dress?
As expected of Mother! Her scale of thinking is completely different from mine. I’m learning so much today. Haha.
Mother boldly applied the quartz powder to the dress. A dress that had just a bit of sheen quickly transformed into something that glittered like a jewel under the sunlight. Under the chandelier in the banquet hall, it would be truly mesmerizing.
As I stood with my mouth agape, watching the transformation of the dress, Mother snorted nonchalantly.
“Hmph. It has to be at least this much to compete with Princess Ariel.”
“But using all that quartz powder…”
“Money isn’t the issue. Pride is what’s important.”
I truly respect my mother. Wow…
With the dress being so extravagant, it seemed better to keep the accessories relatively simple. I decided to use the earrings and hairpin that Ares had given me, and I chose a simple pearl necklace as well.
Finally, it was time to style my hair.
At a banquet, an elegant hairstyle is as important as the dress itself. Mother and I had a long discussion about how to style my hair. In the end, we decided to braid it finely and twist it into a round bun slightly above the nape of my neck to complement the black dress. This style beautifully accentuated my graceful neckline.
Adorning myself in a way that isn’t overly flashy actually looks more sophisticated. Given that my dress is already striking, I opted for a simpler hairstyle. The pearl hairpin from Ares should be more than enough.
The banquet was set to begin in the early evening, so Ares would come to pick me up around that time.
I finished getting ready, timing it so that I would be done just as Ares was expected to arrive. Shortly after, the butler came to find me, as I was sitting in my room enjoying a light tea.
“Prince Stanley has arrived.”
“Alright. I’ll be there soon. Please show him to the drawing room.”
I didn’t rush to move immediately; instead, I lingered in my room a bit longer, giving Ares some time to catch his breath in the drawing room. When I felt enough time had passed, I leisurely stood up.
“Whew, time to go to battle.”
I murmured to myself as if casting a spell.
I wasn’t going to the banquet to enjoy myself, nor was I going on a date with Ares. From now on, I was going as the ‘villainess’ of this story, ready to face the heroine Lea and her helper, Princess Ariel.
If I’m going to be seen as the villainess no matter what, I might as well make sure they recognize me. With the stakes this high, there’s no point in holding back. Hehe.
Before leaving the room, I opened my diary. Turning to the last page, I made a simple note.
[Imperial Palace Banquet. Possible appearance of a new ‘pillar’.]
No matter what ‘pillar’ appears today, I will stand firm. I refuse to break down in panic in front of Ares like I did at the last cherry blossom festival.
I closed the diary, practiced a confident smile in the mirror, and slowly made my way to the drawing room where Ares was waiting. I carefully lifted the long hem of my dress to keep it from dragging on the floor as I walked gracefully.
After lightly knocking on the drawing room door and waiting for about a second, I opened it. Ares, who was sitting on the sofa, was just standing up.
“Ares.”
“Ah… Bianca.”
Ares paused for a very brief moment, looking slightly surprised. However, a smile started from his eyes and gradually spread across his entire face until he beamed at me. I couldn’t help but smile back at him.
“Did you wait long?”
“No, I haven’t been here long. More importantly…”
I raised my eyebrows slightly, asking silently. His smile grew even wider.
“You’re wearing the earrings I gave you.”
“Hehe… And the hairpin too.”
He laughed out loud and showed me his sleeve.
“We’re in sync.”
Sure enough, the cufflinks on the end of his suit sleeves were the ones I had given him. Then I noticed his tie pin. It was also from me.
The thrill and satisfaction of realizing we were in sync warmed my tense heart. Before the battle today, this small comfort from him was exactly what I needed.
Ares extended his hand to me.
“It seems like you’ve made a firm resolution today. Honestly, you took my breath away the moment I saw you. Haha…”
I placed my hand on his and replied coyly.
“Of course. I’m going to face Princess Ariel today.”
“I’ll be with you.”
“Thanks for saying that, but as I mentioned before, this is a matter between women. You just need to watch over me.”
“…If that’s enough for you, then so be it.”
“Thank you, Ares.”
His expression seemed a bit sad, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. Sorry, but I’m not like Lea; I don’t need unnecessary help.
Ah… Come to think of it, it might be good to tell Ares in advance. After all, I might end up having a confrontation with Lea as well today.
With his escort, I boarded the carriage adorned with the Jupiter family’s crest. Once the carriage started moving, I spoke to Ares, who was sitting beside me.
“Ares, there’s something I want to tell you in advance.”
“What is it?”
His eyes, filled with warm light, looked straight at me. Encouraged by their warmth, I mustered the courage to speak.
“I will face Princess Ariel today, but I might also end up clashing with LeIa. I know she’s your close friend, but I can’t be friends with her.”
“I understand. I get it. What should I do?”
To my surprise, Ares nodded and accepted my words readily.
I looked at Ares seriously. I couldn’t quite read what he was thinking, but at least his response showed no falsehood in understanding my position.
“Are you really okay with this? You might end up in an awkward position between us.”
“Haa… There’s something you seem to be misunderstanding. Don’t forget that you are my partner. Sure, LeIa is my friend, but I know how to handle this situation.”
I pursed my lips and looked back at him.
I must admit, deep down, I don’t fully trust Ares.
The thought that he might leave me someday keeps me from giving him my heart completely. I realized now that his response highlighted this self-defense mechanism to minimize the pain if he ever chooses Leia over me.
Ares might have sensed that I don’t rely on or open up to him much. I’m sorry to say, but that’s probably the truth.
After reading so many romance novels stacked at home, I began to think that men often lean more towards women who evoke their protective instincts, like the heroine Leia.
Maybe, unconsciously, I wanted to emphasize to Ares that I am different from Leia, which is why I held my pride and acted so independently. I handled everything on my own without letting him share even the slightest burden, just like now.
…Can I trust him? Even if, within this novel, he is destined to end up happy with Leia, will Ares truly be on my side, not hers?
…Will he be able to accept me fiercely opposing Lea? After all, he was originally Leia’s man…
“Bianca.”
The sound of my name cut through my spiraling thoughts, and I looked at Ares. In a serious tone, devoid of any hint of a smile, he spoke to me.
“You… have no idea how anxious I am right now.”
“…?”
“Every time you look at me with those eyes, I feel like you could leave me at any moment.”
His words hit me hard.
He was right. I had been preparing myself to let him go whenever necessary.
“I’m your partner. You can ask more from me. You have every right to.”
Right. If I have any right, it’s to be the necessary evil that ultimately leads to your and Leia’s happy ending. In the love story of two protagonists overcoming adversity, I am that ‘adversity.’
As I continued to remain silent, Ares let out a deep sigh.
“And that thing you never talk to me about. I have a feeling it’s creating a gap between us, but I’ll wait for the day you finally tell me. I’ll wait until then.”
Huh, in moments like this, Ares has an intuition as sharp as any woman’s.
Come to think of it, Ares had already seen the ‘author’ twice. Each time, I lost my composure. He must have remembered and been concerned about it all along.
No matter how much he pleads, I can never tell him about the ‘author.’ This is a truth of this world that I must carry to my grave.
“…Alright. I’ll tell you someday. I’m sorry, Ares.”
That was the only way I could respond.
Despite my vague answer, Ares seemed somewhat reassured. A gentle smile curved his lips, and he gave a brief kiss to my fingers. His small gestures of affection pained my heart.
To lift my increasingly melancholic mood, I forced a bright smile and spoke to him.
“When we enter the banquet hall, you’ll probably be amazed.”
“Why?”
“This dress has a secret.”
“…?”
Ares looked completely puzzled.
In the drawing room earlier, the dress adorned with quartz powder didn’t shine as much, but under the chandeliers of the opulent Imperial Palace banquet hall, it would be different. Hehe.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the main gate of the Imperial Palace. Ares handed the invitation to the palace guard and said,
“The lady beside me is my partner.”
“Ah, I see. Please proceed, Prince Stanley.”
The carriage passed through the main gate without any issues.
We arrived at the location of the grand banquet hall and stepped out of the carriage.
“Phew…”
I steadied myself, preparing to enter the banquet hall. Ares quietly watched me.
“…Because I’m going into battle.”
I forced a smile and briefly explained the reason for my deep breath. He softened his eyes and wrapped my cold fingertips with his warm hand.
“Don’t forget that I’m by your side.”
“Thank you.”
I expressed my gratitude briefly.
Ares’ black suit and my black dress complemented each other well. We would undoubtedly be the most striking couple at this banquet.
Finally, we entered the banquet hall. And then, I saw something so astonishing that even I was taken aback.
