Link in my bio for release schedules/status of my novels. I’ve tried a few different methods for keeping readers updated, and I’ve failed at them all. Hopefully this one sticks…
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“Flowers for sale!”
“Selling sweet honey waffles!”
“There are many amazing souvenirs here, come and check them out!”
As the Birthday Festival began, the entire royal capital was filled with a festive atmosphere.
The festival, held all week, was very grand. Colorful petals were sprinkled on every street, and colorful flowers were in full bloom in all the flower beds. Various decorations were hung on the branches of trees planted in the square and along the streets. Flags embroidered with the royal family’s emblem were flying everywhere.
“Wow, this is really amazing.”
Sophia, who was looking around from her horse, was impressed.
Duke Killiard and his party had arrived at the royal capital and were passing through the city center. The knights of Philres, who followed as attendants, were riding on horses and escorting the duke’s carriage.
Sophia Rozlis was also one of the people who’d come along. Elaine spoke, steering her horse alongside her.
“I know, right. There are so many people.”
Although she’d already expected it, the streets were literally packed. Residents of the capital, merchants, and people and carriages from all over were mixed together in the streets.
Hebron, the current capital, was a fairly large city, even 20 years ago, but now it looked much more developed than before.
They passed through the crowd and arrived at a luxurious-looking mansion. It was a mansion owned by Ash, and was used only when he visited the capital.
“Duke, you’ve arrived.”
The person in charge of managing the mansion greeted Ash and his group. For a building that was rarely used, the interior was very clean. It seemed that basic maintenance was carried out even during normal times when the Duke was not present. Elaine followed after the caretaker with Ash as they looked around inside.
The King’s birthday was the fourth day of the week-long festival. However, the banquet began that evening. Ash went into his room to prepare for the banquet as the knights unpacked their luggage in their assigned rooms.
While Ash prepared with the help of the employees, Elaine talked with Sophia. They were in a hallway with sunlight streaming in through the large arched windows. Sophia spoke, looking out the window.
“The banquet starts at 7 o’clock, right?”
“Yes, they said we would leave as soon as they were ready.”
There was still plenty of time before the banquet started. There were some congested streets on the way to the palace, but there would still be plenty of time to get ready and leave.
The two talked about the rest of their schedule and then had a small chat. It was mainly about things they saw while passing through the festival street. Meanwhile, Sophia rested her chin on the window sill and muttered regretfully.
“Anyway, that dress was really pretty. I wonder how much it costs?”
“That red dress from earlier?”
“Did you see it too? Wasn’t it really pretty?”
There were many different clothing stores on the street, and she was talking about a dress she saw while passing by one of them. Dresses of all kinds of different designs were hanging behind the glass of the clothing stores. Women’s clothing was more sensitive to current trends than anything else. As it was the center of fashion, the dresses made in the capital’s clothing stores were beutiful, even to Elaine, who did not know much about such things.
“Yes, I think it would suit you well, Sophia.”
The dress that Sophia fell in love with was a rose-colored dress with plenty of lace. Sophia blushed slightly at Elaine’s words. Elaine couldn’t quite hear her mumbling softly, it seemed she said something along the lines of such words were against the rules.
‘Now that I think about it, I heard that Sophia was the daughter of a count family.’
This was something Sophia had mentioned before. Maybe that’s why she was interested in fasion. Of course, she was also skilled at dressing up. It was Sophia who helped Elaine when she went to the Butterfly Festival with Ash.
Although she now looked like a knight wearing a neat uniform and a sword, she used to dress like this when she was a noblewoman. While thinking about that, her expression softened.
“But anyway, I’m not here to have fun. The most important thing is to focus on the mission.”
She smiled at Elaine, regretful. Elaine smiled at her, then a thought suddenly occurred to her.
“Oh, by the way, will you also be attending the banquet?”
She was also a noblewoman. When Elaine asked, Sophia paused and shook her head.
“No, I can’t go anymore.”
She shrugged lightly.
“Our house was completely ruined due to the failure of our business. So, our title was taken away. I can’t attend because I’m no longer a noble.”
Only nobles were allowed to attend the birthday banquet. Sophia’s family was in huge debt due to their failed business. Rumor was they’d had to sell their family’s land to pay off the debt, and without a certain amount of property and territory, a person was legally stripped of their title.
This was a law that did not exist 20 years ago. At that time, no matter how ruined the family was, its noble status was maintained. There was even a saying that someone was ‘noble in name only’.
Therefore, even though she’d known about Sophia’s situation, she didn’t know their current circumstances. Elaine apologized with a sorry look on her face.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say anything…”
“No! It’s the truth anyways. It would have been embarrassing to attend like this. It’s actually more convenient not having to go.”
Sophia waved her hand quickly and shrugged her shoulders.
“And I have no regrets about my status. I am satisfied with serving here now.”
Her eyes shone as she spoke, she was being sincere. She was as determined as she was honest. She was a person who followed the light, looking cool and dignified.
“I’m glad Sophia became a knight.”
She’d said she worked tirelessly to become one of Ash’s knights. No matter how talented she was, it would have taken a lot of effort for an ordinary noblewoman to become a master.
Elaine was grateful that she made such an effort to be on Ash’s side and that someone like her became his knight. Elaine closed her eyes.
“I’m sure he agrees. Because you work harder than anyone else.”
“Elaine…”
Sophia’s eyes wavered. Her face held a mixture of emotions. She buried her face in her hands and mumbled in a sigh.
“Because you are like this, I…”
“Huh?”
Elaine tilted her head. Sophia shook her head and said it was nothing.
“Oh, come to think of it, Elaine, you know what?”
“Yes, what is it?”
When Sophia spoke, she seemed hesitant. When Elaine gave her a puzzled expression, Sophia rolled her eyes and pursed her lips.
“Well, actually, I had something to ask…”
At that moment, Ash’s door in the middle of the hallway opened. Elaine and Sophia’s gazes moved naturally.
The employees who’d left the room passed by them as they’d finished their task. After them, a tall man walked out. and…
“… Your Grace?”
Elaine muttered blankly after seeing Ash.
His hair was combed back, slightly exposing his smooth forehead, and his formal attire fit perfectly along his broad shoulder line. Wearing a jewel-studded cravat and clothes embroidered with gold thread, Ash was stunning enough to catch anyone’s attention.
Among the clothes introduced by the tailor, this was the one that kept attracting her attention. She thought the cold-toned dark red fabric would go well with his cool demeanor and purple eyes. The combination of white on the cuffs and other areas gave it a stylish look rather than being dull. He was impeccably dressed, and he turned his head nonchalantly.
“Elaine?”
He approached her slowly as she stared at him mesmerized, unable to answer.
Ash fiddled with his collar as he approached. He’d purposely worn something she liked, but he wasn’t sure it would look good.
He didn’t expect her to fall in love with him just because of this. Considering Elaine’s usual attitude toward him, he wasn’t sure if she even considered him a member of the opposite sex.
But still, he wanted her to look at him little different. He wanted to be special to her, just as she was special to him.
As he approached Elaine, he suddenly noticed that her gaze was strangely different from usual.
Something about her face seemed dazed, and she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
He knew that his appearance captured people’s attention, therefore, he knew how people who saw his face usually reacted.
And now, Elaine’s reaction was…
“Well, you look good, Your Grace.”
Elaine, who had come to her senses late, smiled awkwardly and averted her gaze. She realized she’d been staring too hard at him. She’d expected it would look good on him, but it was so much nicer than she thought and was momentarily distracted. She was worried that he might’ve noticed.
Because of that, Elaine didn’t realize that Ash was staring at her. The purple eyes become even deeper.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Elaine raised her head at his soft voice. Ash was still looking at her. Her heart pounded when their eyes meet, a subtle undercurrent passing between them.
“…”
And Sophia, who was watching from a few steps away, made a strange expression. She glanced at Ash and Elaine secretly. It’s was almost like…
While Sophia was making an ambiguous expression, Ash slowly turned his head.
“Dame Sophia.”
“Oh, my Lord! You look truly amazing.”
When their eyes met, Sophia quickly spoke. It was a sincere compliment, but also half a formal greeting.
“Thank you.”
Sophia tried hard to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, taking a step back, she spoke.
“Then I’ll tell them to get ready for departure downstairs.”
“Okay.”
It was already time to leave for the banquet. After a brief bow, Sophia turned around and went down the stairs, Elaine and Ash following behind her. After a while, they got into the waiting carriage and departed smoothly.
