Chapter 85
The social circles were in a frenzy for the National Day.
The social circles were usually noisy at this time of year, but this time they were even more heated.
“Will the Archduke of Halbern be attending the Imperial Ball?”
“It’s an Imperial Ball, so why not attend?”
“And will he be dancing?”
“Ho ho ho. I hope so, ladies.”
It was a frenzy of popularity, the marriage market’s most sought-after prize, the Albrecht Times’ number one best man.
This did not sit well with Madame de Velfart, who wanted Halbern’s downfall more than anyone else, but even her influence as a socialite could not stop the tide.
Moreover, the rumors about Arellin, which had spread like poison, had been put to rest.
“I thought you had no interest in your daughter, leaving her to the care of the Duke of Mehen, but I must have been mistaken.”
“Speaking of which, I hear the Archduke has robbed all the jewelers and dress boutiques for the Lady this time.”
“I heard about it because I have connections in Sperom, but they said he bought up all the rare jewelry in Halbern, so he has nothing to sell at the Dormel auction this year.”
“Oh, my God, your daughter loves you so much.”
These were all impulse buys by Mehen at the height of his stress, but the truth always gets buried.
“Ho ho, I went to the tea party this time and saw the Archduke in person…”
“Oh, really, what was he like in real life? Was he really as handsome as rumored?”
The lady who had seen the real thing smiled shyly. That was enough to answer the question.
“Kyaa, I’d like to see him in person too!”
“If only we could be lovers for one night.”
Halbern this way, Halbern that way. There was no place for the Marchioness de Belfort in this social circle dominated by talk of Halbern everywhere.
“Halbern, Halbern, Halbern…!”
Now confident, she doesn’t even bat an eyelid, but continues to talk about Halbern.
The Marchioness de Belfort was the first to leave, chewing on her handkerchief.
The Marchioness, unable to cut the minutes, grumbles and leaves.
It was time to leave.
“Madame.”
A strange voice approached the Marchioness de Belfort.
“Do you dislike Halbern, too, Madame?”
“What does that mean…”
The Marchioness de Belfort, who had hastily concealed her feelings, was about to interrupt.
“I have a proposition for you, will you listen to it?”
“…!”
***
Gun International.
The day the founding king proclaimed the kingdom of the ‘great man’, Albrecht, from the ruins of the ancient gods, and prayed for the ‘eternal glory of man’.
It’s an event to show off: ‘Man is supreme, man does not die, man is great! ‘ It’s an event to show off.
As such, there were no envoys from the Shugra Empire and the Yuuyo Union, two otherworldly nations.
“Today is the first day of the Gunkai International, so there will be many people.”
The Gunkai Ball was one of the main events of the five-day Imperial festival.
Only on the first and last day would Emperor Edward and Empress Ageni make an appearance, and the nobles who travelled to the capital were expected to attend, if only to say hello.
“Perhaps His Highness the Crown Prince will also make a brief appearance at the ball.”
Mehen said, looking well-dressed and glowing today.
“Arel can stay here with us, and then join us when His Highness moves on.”
“Yes!”
She was there to meet Pession in the first place, after all. Rather nice.
“Daughter, I’m with you.”
Valar stood there, a very handsome man in full regalia, his eyes drooping as if he were sorry.
That was all he said, and then a scream came from somewhere.
‘…A beauty to break the heart.’
It was said that he was as good with women as the Emperor Edward in his day, and he could understand why.
It’s even weirder that a woman with a face like that wouldn’t be attracted to him.
“Now you’re ignoring me, aren’t you?”
“Don’t bother Arel.”
“Darling, she’s ignoring me.”
“She ignored you because you deserve to be ignored, and I told you not to call me that!”
People gasped at the sound of ‘darling’ and the servant, who professionally wiped away the agitation.
“His Highness the Archduke of Halbern and his daughter, Countess Lebochgen, please enter.”
His face burned as they entered the ballroom.
This man has no shame.
“Why do you look at me like that? Are you so handsome?”
“…”
Honestly, he is handsome, but he don’t want to admit it.
His smiling face is so handsome that it makes him angry. Why is it that he beginning to understand Mehen’s feelings?
“Old man.”
“You should call me dad.”
“You’re clumsy.”
“…”
Valar looked at Mehen.
“Mehen, your daughter sounds just like you.”
“That’s because she’s my daughter.”
They both smiled at each other, and Valar, alone, smiled faintly.
“I feel left out…”
Or so she thought, holding Mehen’s hand tightly and staying close to him.
“Include me. Am I the only one you’re ignoring?”
“My lord, look at your own behavior.”
“Karma.”
She says, and her sparkling eyes turn to him.
“My daughter, do you know about karma? You’re smart. Do you look like your mum?”
No resemblance, human.
“Mehen is not my real mum.”
She blurted out, and Dad laughed.
“No, I was talking about your real mum.”
“…Huh?”
He paused. He squinted dumbly, and a steady hand stroked his hair.
“Pretty, nice, smart, and just like you, my dear.”
The wistful look in her eyes made his heart ache, and he reached out.
Wasn’t it taboo to ask about her birth mother?
He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t interested, but it didn’t seem like an easy question to ask, so he kept it buried.
His biological father, who looked so vulnerable and wounded, took her hand in his and pressed it to his cheek.
As if he was being silly.
“I hope you’ll continue to be like this.”
His voice and eyes could not have been more affectionate.
“I’ll be there for you.”
“…”
She stood stiffly, not knowing what to say, and just blinked, but Mehen shooed him away.
“Why don’t you say goodbye?”
“Alas, my wife is scratching his head.”
Mehen silently raised his decorative cane. Burinake’s father disappeared with a chuckle.
“Ha, really.”
Mehen and Arellin locked eyes.
“Aren’t you curious?”
The nervousness is palpable. Mehen knows who her real mother is.
She can feel the unease in their interlocked hands.
She shakes her head, still.
She’d know if she had to know, but she didn’t want to know if she didn’t have to.
“My mum is only Mehen.”
Apparently pleased with her whispered answer, Mehen’s mouth curved into a gorgeous smile.
“I can’t tell you right now, but I’ll tell you later.”
“You’ll tell me?”
“Because it’s important to Arel.”
She couldn’t hold it in.
She pulled Mehen into a tight hug.
“Mehen, I’m so happy for you.”
“Me too.”
The blunt display of affection was almost intoxicating.
“Let’s stop talking about this and have some fun.”
“Yeah!”
The imperial ball was more fun to watch than she expected.
‘Wow, everyone wore amazing dresses.’
This was a level of art, rave reviews.
Being a man was no different. She looked at the luxurious livery and the cufflinks and tie pins that flashed crystal colors and wondered how much they cost.
She can’t believe she is looking at something so pretty and thinking about the Prince… Is she too much of a dork?
“God of capitalism, let me go.”
It was fun to watch the pretty sister and the handsome brother dance together, just like the big four in the social world.
And finally, the royal family entered.
‘Pession-!’
Dressed immaculately in a white robe embroidered with gold thread, Pession shone as if he were the embodiment of what it means to be a Crown Prince.
“Wow.”
It’s beautiful, so beautiful. It’s really too pretty, shining, handsome, presence, and everything. His Highness the Crown Prince tore the Imperial Palace apart.
Even when she had no emotions, she could admire her appearance alone, but seeing him radiant presence from so far away made her feel sick.
Mm…
“Arel?”
Her immune-free heart was pounding so hard, it was hard to ignore what she was feeling.
Mum, she’s wrong, he goes first.
Is it okay for her heart to beat like this, like this? Is she going to die?
She buried her head in her arms and curled up into a ball. She feels heat rising in her cheeks.
“His Highness the Crown Prince seems to be moving on, shall I escort him?”
She frowned and considered it.
To think of seeing Pession up close now…
“No, I’d like to stay with my mum a little longer.”
Mehen patted her on the back, looking like he was thinking about something.
And after a while.
She had calmed down a bit, and she took Mehen’s hand and climbed down.
“Huh?”
Why is she here?
