The social world got very excited as the summer festival began.
“I thought it wouldn’t open due to the delay, but I’m glad it opened safely.”
“Now that I think about it, Lady Luigi, I heard that you once again received an invitation from an imperial guest. Please show me quickly.”
The summer festival was a party held in the name of the imperial family. Therefore, the imperial family invited nobles to stay at the imperial palace under the name of ‘distinguished guests’. Since they did not invite any nobles, it felt very honored to be a VIP.
Luigi Carlstein elegantly took out an invitation from the imperial family. The noble ladies were amazed when they saw the imperial seal.
“As expected, the Count Carlstein family doesn’t miss out every year. It’s really amazing.”
“It’s not that much. The saint is greater than me.”
“The saint?”
The ladies around her were quite surprised by Luigi’s attitude, as she was famous for being arrogant. But Luigi didn’t care about the reactions of those around her.
“The main character of this summer festival will be the saint.”
“Does she also attend the summer festival?”
“In the first place, this summer festival itself was held for the saint. It has never been prepared for just one person before.”
They were well aware that Luigi had recently developed a special friendship with the saint.
‘But I never thought it would be like this.’
‘Anyway, is this really held by the imperial family for a saint?’
Somehow it felt like the summer festival had been delayed. A noble lady nearby spoke in a voice full of admiration.
“For some reason, I thought it was strange that it suddenly took place in Pescalos Forest, a cursed forest. So, is the saint performing a purification ceremony in the forest as rumored?”
“Yes, our saint has promised to purify the Pescalos Forest for her empire, and Her Majesty the Emperor, moved by her saint’s noble heart, has held a summer festival for her saint that was almost canceled. ”
“Oh my god. I heard that purifying the Pescalos Forest was something that all past saints refused…”
“That’s why Saint Stella is so great.”
Luigi answered proudly.
“Saint Stella is very busy right now treating sick nobles and opening a foundation for her orphans to support her. In the midst of all this, she is trying to force herself to go through a purification ritual.”
“My goodness, she was such an amazing person.”
At that time, a noble lady asked in a coy voice.
“But why did such a great person fall for Lady Mireyu Juti’s lies?”
“That’s right. Actually, I don’t understand it anymore because I was at the presentation in the Kingdom of Royam. The situation was different from what the saint said at that time that Lady Juti was pregnant…”
“Are you insulting the saint in front of me?”
Luigi reacted sensitively.
“Say it one more time. What do you think of the saint?”
As Luigi glared at the young lady with a sharp gaze, the young lady who was in the middle of speaking carefully changed her words.
“Lady Luigi, calm down. I just have some mild doubts to better understand her saintly behavior”
“It all means the same thing. I suspect Saint Stella because I have no one to suspect.”
The noble ladies fell silent at Luigi’s unexpectedly strong attitude. Luigi sighed lightly as the atmosphere became quiet.
“Still, the saintess is blaming herself a lot for what happened back then. I guess that’s why I reacted more sensitively.”
“Did she have any circumstances?”
“I can’t speak freely, but it seems like there was someone who tried to slander the saint by trapping her. That person…”
At first, the ladies understood that the person trying to lure them into the trap was ‘Mireyu’. But the more they thought about it in detail, the more it seemed like it wasn’t Mireyu.
‘Mireyu wouldn’t have tried to slander the saint, right?’
‘Could it be Duchess Blanchett?’
Luigi said firmly, putting down her teacup.
“Anyway, I hope everyone doesn’t have any misunderstandings about the saint.”
“If Lady Luigi says so much, then we believe it.”
“Well, even if I hadn’t said this, everyone would have believed in the goodness just by seeing the saint. She is the only human chosen by the god Atea.”
The noble ladies wanted to ask more about the saint, but Luigi changed the topic to something else.
“So, what designer’s dress are you wearing at this summer festival? This time I am wearing a dress by Viscountess Catherine Olbite, who is famous in the capital…”
* * *
“…Can you introduce me from the beginning?”
People have been flocking to Duke Blanchett’s residence since morning.
“Hello, Duchess Blanchett. I am Viscountess Catherine Olbite, and I have been commissioned to create a dress for the Duchess.”
“I am Viscountess Reina Fromberg of Fromberg Dressing Room.”
“I am also the designer Beckmann who has come to take charge of the Duchess’ summer festival outfit. It is an honor to meet you, Duchess.”
They were so famous that everyone had already heard their names. In particular, Viscountess Catherine Olbite was famous for not making dresses for just anyone.
‘They probably aren’t people you can call just because you want to.’
She tilted her head and slowly opened her mouth.
“Who on earth called you…”
“They arrived just in time.”
At that time, John opened the door to the living room and appeared. The designers who saw John quickly bowed their heads and said hello.
‘The discipline is very good?’
What on earth had he done?
‘He must have done something incredible that I don’t know about.’
John asked, ignoring the designers and approaching her.
“Do you like my gift?”
“As expected, they were sent by John.”
“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think one dressing room will be enough.”
“Oh, that can’t be possible.”
No matter how great a lady was, she usually only had one or two dedicated designers. Money was money, but having too many designers was considered excessive spending. In fact, she hadn’t even finished wearing the dress she had made yet. This was especially true because she rarely went to parties.
“I know how much you need a dress, right?”
“This isn’t going to go over easily.”
John grinned and affectionately stroked my hair.
“That’s right. I just wanted to give it to you as a gift.”
“I have received a lot so far…”
“I keep wanting to give you something.”
Then John glanced back at the designers.
“Isn’t this enough?”
The designers nodded enthusiastically.
“You’re right!”
“Others may not know this, but I think a designer of this caliber is needed to embody the dignity of Duchess Blanchett.”
“In fact, right now we are wondering whether we can make a dress suitable for the beautiful duchess.”
John said to her while gesturing towards the designers.
“You heard that, right?”
“You probably say this because you are a person who spends money.”
“Is it?”
It was a light conversation, but the designers’ complexions turned blue.
“Well, definitely not! Rather, it makes me more curious that it was not known that the Duchess was so beautiful.”
“Maybe I did before I saw the Duchess in person, but definitely not now. I really want to make a dress for someone as beautiful as the Duchess.”
“Give me a chance to make the Duchess’ dress! It’s my wish!”
Honestly, she didn’t believe it at all.
“Okay, I’ll believe it.”
“Thank you, ma’am!”
John must have done something.
‘He said it’s a gift, so I have to accept it.’
The designers were quick to notice and had their subordinates bring their own dresses.
“Then, as I assume you have given permission, I will show you our dresses. This dress design is made using flowers with a lovely summer feel.”
She guessed they were all famous designers, because all of the dresses were pretty.
‘I won’t miss out on the place I reserved.’
She was attended to by Betty, and together with John we chose several dresses and talked about the changes we wanted to make. While the designer was sorting out the requests for a moment, she sat down next to John. John asked, putting his arm around her shoulder.
“Do you like the dress?”
“Huh. John prepared it.”
“It’s a reaction that makes me feel rewarded for giving it as a gift.”
A pleasant smile appeared on John’s lips. She placed her hand over John’s.
“So now, tell me honestly.”
“What?”
“There must be a reason why John brought the designers.”
John shrugged his shoulders.
“There’s nothing like that?”
“You really brought them all here to give me a gift?”
She knew because she had looked into the dressing room several times to make a reservation.
“Those designers are all people with reservations. Besides, I heard that in the case of Viscountess Olbite, she doesn’t come to visit in person like this.”
“Hmm. Well, it had a purpose.”
“I knew it would be like that!”
When she pouted her lips, John pressed his head as if he thought she was cute.
“But it wasn’t a big deal. I guess they were just trying to punish me in a trivial way?”
“Punish?”
“There are a few people who were annoying.”
A faint light flashed through John’s red eyes.
‘What crime did they commit that warrants bringing in a designer?’
“But this is something I want to give you as a gift. I want you to be the most beautiful and attract attention at the summer festival.”
“Why?”
“Well, why?”
John smiled, his eyes curled up like a half moon.
“Because I want you to be happy?”
“…”
“When you return from the imperial palace, there will be another gift prepared at the mansion. I look forward to it a lot in the future. The gifts will keep coming until it’s boring.”
A feeling of shame continued to wash over her, starting from her toes.
‘Oh, I think my face is really red.’
Even though she felt her face getting hot, John didn’t bother to say it. So she felt even more strange.
‘I do not know.’
After looking at John’s face, she leaned her head into his arms.
“Well, okay. I should just assume it was a gift from John.”
“Weren’t you asking because you were curious?”
“That’s true, but it’s better to remember it as a gift that John gave me.”
Perhaps because of her memories of being abused at Libertan, she didn’t like gifts very much. Because the Duke and Duchess of Libertan exploited and harassed her under the pretext of gifts.
‘But John is different.’
Everything John gave was good.
She couldn’t even remember the things that the Duke and Duchess of Libertan had forced on her. John’s large hand gently caressed her shoulder.
“By the way, John, what gift did you prepare?”
“What do you think I have prepared?”
“Don’t do that, just tell me. I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear.”
John poked her cheek with his index finger as if he was joking. John’s body scent, soft and affectionate warmth felt in his wide and firm embrace.
“Well. What do you want me to give you?”
“It’s too abstract.”
“Anything beyond that is a secret. Please continue to look forward to and think about what gifts you will receive in the future.”
“Why does John keep hiding it like this?”
When she grumbled, John pressed his lips to her ear. And he whispered lazily.
“But am I the best?”
The last one was too embarrassing to answer.
* * *
The designers looked at the Duke and Duchess Blanchett spending time affectionately on the sofa.
“They are such a nice looking couple.”
“I know, right. Who would have thought that the scary duke would have such a side…”
The designers were threatened by John, just as Estelle expected. So they knew what a fearsome person John was.
“From now on, the trend will be Duchess Blanchett.”
“Well, Duchess Blanchett was not at all like the rumor. It’s so beautiful and atmospheric that I get a lot of inspiration…”
Then the designers looked at the quiet Viscountess Catherine Olbite without saying a word.
“So, what do you think of Viscountess Olbite?”
“I can’t do it right now because my hands are itching.”
Viscountess Olbite’s eyes were excessively bright as she looked at Estelle. The designers gulped their saliva when they saw her like that.
‘W-what is that force?’
“I never thought I would find the muse I’ve been searching for so long here. This is a dream opportunity.”
Viscountess Olvitae snorted and rushed to her dressing room. The remaining designers nodded to her.
“Well, looking at the Duchess reminds me of a dress I want to make.”
“As expected. I’ve seen many other beautiful people, but I think your vibe is unrivaled. I think I know why Duke Blanchett cherishes her so much.”
“That’s right. The lady’s atmosphere is unrivaled.”
Betty, who had naturally joined in among the designers, nodded cheerfully.
‘Among these people, there will be no one who stands in the way of my lady.’
* * *
A few days later.
Together with John, she arrived at a small forest created near the imperial palace. It seemed to be a gathering place for VIPs.
‘What kind of person is the emperor?’
He didn’t seem like a very good person, considering he wiped out an innocent family for treason.
“Hello. Welcome to the Imperial Palace Forest. I will guide you to the barracks where His Majesty is waiting.”
The emperor was waiting for them in the barracks.
The emperor was a middle-aged man with blond hair and golden eyes who looked as splendid as a crown prince. Perhaps because of his profound but sharp features, he gave off a different feeling of pressure than John.
As soon as the Emperor spotted them, he gave them a friendly look.
“The Duke and Duchess Blanchett have finally arrived.”
“Hello, Your Majesty. It is an honor to see the glory of the Empire.”
She followed John and gracefully lifted the hem of her skirt and greeted the emperor. Perhaps thanks to the etiquette she was forced to learn at Libertan, her elegant posture appeared flawless.
“Raise your head. This is a place where we can get together comfortably, so don’t feel pressured.”
The Emperor, who was looking at her face closely, slowly smiled.
“This is my first time seeing Duchess Blanchett.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to greet you since I’m not feeling well.”
“Yes. I know well that the lady is so weak that she needs the help of a temple.”
…Even the emperor knew?
‘Everyone in this world might know about my physical condition.’
She blinked slightly and smiled slightly because she had no idea what to say in response. The emperor slowly turned his head and looked at John.
“There is a custom that a saint who performs a purification ceremony is given a guardian nobleman who is her guardian. Does Duke Blanchett know about that?”
“It must be an uncultured custom.”
“But it is not a stated custom. According to that custom, the saint requested that role to be given to the Lady of the Duke of Blanchett.”
John’s face stiffened slightly. Life spread from the smile on his lips.
“So, what is your opinion, Your Majesty?”
“But I rejected it out of my line.”
The emperor answered with a grin.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released tomorrow.
Want to read more?
