Chapter translated by Loulou.
Windell’s hostess.
Former Duchess Cyrille.
She was a huge celebrity.
Before marrying the previous Duke Windell, she was renowned in the capital’s social circles, and after her marriage, she became a leading figure in the northern society.
Both noblewomen and young ladies alike made every effort to impress the former Duchess, and never did anything to offend her.
She was like a king.
Apart from that, there were no words to describe Lady Cyrille Windell.
‘I’m sure she doesn’t like me… … .’
Normally, nobles didn’t host such impromptu gatherings. They took time to prepare, select guests, send out invitations, and so on. Several preparations had to be made beforehand.
‘But Lady Cyrille didn’t do that. She skipped all the procedures.’
Etisha seemed to understand the lady’s thoughts.
‘She must be upset because the Duke and I suddenly announced our marriage. There’s no doubt about it.’
While ignoring procedures and laws, and disregarding the opinions of their respective families, Duke Kaiyen and Etisha announced their marriage as they pleased, which must have upset Lady Cyrille.
Hence, by hosting a sudden party in the same manner, she was aiming to crush Etisha’s spirit.
‘I did expect it to turn out this way….’
Etisha could understand Lady Cyrille’s feelings.
Anyone would have found it strange for Etisha Heinz, a lady who couldn’t even make a name for herself in society, someone as insignificant as a pebble on the side of the road, to dare to become Duke Windell’s wife.
And what about Lady Cyrille, mother of Winsell? How could she feel about marrying her son, who was always in the spotlight, to a lady of unknown origin?
‘Since the Duke announced the marriage himself, she couldn’t simply refute it. She must be testing my qualifications by organizing such a sudden celebration.’
Etisha lightly touched the wedding ring nestled on her left ring finger with her fingertips. The smooth surface of the platinum ring held the chill of the northern weather, cold and unforgiving.
‘I will handle it properly,’ she thought.
As the new lady of Windell, she would present herself flawlessly to everyone.
Of course, Etisha had hardly ever attended parties or gatherings. She had never experienced the subtle atmosphere of high society or the silent wars waged among the noblewomen there.
‘But… … .’
Etisha’s step-sister, Larienne, was different.
Even a hunting dog can learn to shoot a bow in three years, and Etisha had several years alongside the mischievous Larienne Henz, who held sway over high society. The stories casually dropped by Larienne over time had accumulated to form a strong foundation.
Now it was time for Etisha to rise above that foundation.
* * *
The ballroom was bustling with people.
The three-tiered cylindrical chandelier shimmered brightly, and a plethora of luxurious foods adorned the tables.
There were gratinated onion soup with three kinds of cheese, warm brioche topped with nuts and jam, local delicacies of blood sausages, creamy mashed potatoes with a velvety texture, and finest fillet steak and rib-eye grilled to perfection drizzled with lemon butter sauce…
These fantastical dishes, worthy of being depicted in a painting, yet no one at the gathering dared to reach out for the food.
The nobles who held sway in the north, along with the young lords and ladies who would become the next leaders, all waited in anticipation for the arrival of today’s main character.
“Etisha Heinz, is it? The future lady of Windell.”
“I’ve never heard of such a name before. And if it’s Heinz, isn’t she from viscount noble family? Not a marquis or a count, a young lady from a viscount family……”
“Seems like everyone is behind on the news. Now she’s no longer a Hines, but rather Baroness El. His Majesty has supposedly bestowed her with a title.”
“What? Bestowed with a title…? How sudden”
“That’s right, don’t be startled. It seems Duke Cayenne himself has even gifted her with a territory.”
The murmurs grew louder gradually. Everyone seemed unable to bear the curiosity about who would be marrying Duke Cayenne.
Some of the swift nobles discreetly conveyed information obtained through various means, and the events Etisha experienced at the capital’s founding party spread like wildfire.
“But how on earth did Lady El end up marrying the duke?”
“That’s what I’m saying… It seems like that part remains an unsolved mystery.”
“The Duke isn’t someone who frequents the capital, and until three years ago, he was on the battlefield. There wouldn’t have been any chance for him to meet Lady El.”
“It sounds like there’s more to it. Perhaps someone knows something?”
While much had been speculated about Etisha, no one truly knew the real details behind this marriage. Naturally, it had to be that way.
Then, the gossip-loving Countess Montmartre was the first to raise the issue.
“…What about Lady Cyrille? Surely, she must know more than us?”
“..….”
At the center of the gathering,
A middle-aged lady with black hair and gray eyes slowly turned her head. She exuded a powerful charisma, with a fair and cool complexion, giving off an aura of strength from head to toe.
Former Duchess Cyrille was so formidable that it was difficult for anyone to approach her easily.
“Countess Montmartre… I’m not sure what you’re asking of me.”
As the former Duchess opened her mouth, the ballroom instantly became silent.
It only took one sentence.
Just a simple response carried such weight.
Caught off guard, Countess Montmartre immediately lowered her gaze and closed her mouth. She couldn’t bear Lady Cyrille’s icy gaze.
“It seems everyone is mistaken about something.”
The Lady lifted the corners of her lips into a smile. Although she was incredibly beautiful, instead of being captivated by her beauty, people felt a sense of fear.
“The purpose of today’s ball is to celebrate the Duke’s marriage announcement. With a new person entering Wintel, I wanted to share in that joy with everyone.”
“…..”
“There is no need for unnecessary words in a congratulatory gathering, wouldn’t you agree?”
The noblewomen cautiously observed Lady Cyrille’s mood. However, her face stayed flawless, revealing no emotions. In that regard, she was just like the Duke.
“I believe everyone understood my words.”
“Yes, Lady Cyrille. Of course.”
“It’s truly an honor for Lady Cyrille to host such a gathering and share the joy.”
“Indeed. Just being invited is a great pleasure for me.”
Lady Cyrille, who easily controlled the nobles, wiped the smile off her face. Then, as if she had nothing more to say, she quietly closed her lips.
Without touching the prepared banquet food or even taking a seat, she simply stood straight in the center of the ballroom, gazing at the closed doors.
As the highest-ranking she stood there like a pillar, the other guests couldn’t dare to touch the food or take their seats.
Everyone awaited the arrival of the main characters.
The banquet had not even begun.
At that moment, the closed doors of the ballroom opened, revealing the figures of a man and a woman standing side by side.
It was Duke Kaiyen Windell and Lady Etisha El.
Kaiyen, wearing a black uniform, and Etisha, clad in a white dress, looked like a perfectly matched couple as they entered the wedding venue.
The guests who had been gossiping about Etisha fell silent. Amidst the quiet, only Lady Cyrille stared at the two with a stern expression.
“Mother. I hope you’ve been well.”
Kaiyen approached and offered a polite greeting. Etisha also greeted Lady Cyrille respectfully.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Cyrille. I’m Baroness Etisha El.”
But the former Duchess silently scrutinized Etisha without offering any words of acknowledgment. She simply staring intently without responding. Then, her fingertips began to tremble slightly.
Etisha interpreted her demeanor as outright anger.
‘This is not good. If she already dislikes me so much, there’s nothing I’ll be able to do.’
Etisha cautiously glanced at Cayenne. If his mother harbored such animosity towards her, it could spell trouble for their future marriage.
‘I wonder what the Duke is thinking,’ she said inwardly.
However, Kaiyen’s face revealed a surprisingly calm expression, much calmer than she had anticipated.
Despite his mother not reciprocating the greeting and only trembling slightly, Kaiyen seemed absolutely unperturbed about any future concerns.
‘Does the Duke have something else in mind? Etisha thought as she turned her attention back on Lady Cyrille.
And she could see that the Lady’s expression had changed from simmering anger to a dignified and charismatic demeanor, her face tinged with red. There was a sense of imminent danger, as if she might expel Etisha from the ballroom at any moment.
After a long silence, Lady Cyrille finally parted her heavy lips.
“…Alright, Lady Etisha El. You intend to marry my son?”
“Yes, Madam. Duke Kaiyen has accepted my proposal.”
“A proposal? Directly from the Baroness?”
“Yes. I proposed marriage first and the Duke accepted.”
This revelation caused a stir in the ballroom. Everyone looked astonished.
Of course, Lady Cyrille herself kept a stern gaze.
“Unbelievable… How could she….”
Kaiyen’s mother was now grinding her teeth.
So much so that Etisha promptly looked back at Kaiyen once again.
But just like before, he remained motionless, standing there.
No, upon closer inspection, Etisha could see a faint smile playing on his lips.
‘Why is the Duke smiling?’
Since she wasn’t going to het any help from Kaiyen, Etisha decided to make an even bigger impact by herself.
She remembered something Larienne had said once.
[You just need to make yourself known.] She had said.
[Whatever it takes, whatever you do, in society, if you become famous, you win.]
The actions of a famous person were always noticed, and everyone listened to what they say.
[Etisha, you really don’t know anything, do you? Once you become a famous figure in high society, everything else naturally follows. Friends. Enemies… And even men.]
Although Etisha disliked Larienne, she acknowledged her ability to lead people.
Without it, as just a viscount’s daughter, she wouldn’t have been able to establish herself in society.
So, following her step sister’s advice, she reached out quietly towards Lady Cyrille.
“Lady Cyrille,” she said politely. “Would you dance the first dance of the soiree with me?”
It was a surprising proposal.
In the Ignivan Empire, the first dance at a ball held a huge significance.
It was only reserved for family while the second one was for a lover.
Right now, Etisha intended to publicly declare through this dance that she and Lady Cyrille were becoming family.
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