Chapter 43
‘What is this? Does he design too? Just where does this man’s talent end?’
After finishing his design sketch, he handed the paper to me and spoke with a gentle tone.
“I wanted to give you a one-of-a-kind dress, Adeline. It’s not perfect, but I’ve drawn it with sincerity. Would you accept my gift?”
With a face full of emotion, I clasped my hands together in gratitude and looked at him.
“I’m so happy, Ilias. Truly.”
“Sharing with the people of the empire is important, but I thought we should keep at least one memory just for the two of us.”
“Thank you, Ilias. It’s the best gift I could ask for.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, I found myself momentarily confused about whether this was a real romance or still just a contractual one.
Unsurprisingly, this event made headlines the very next day.
Apparently, this was the first time in the empire’s history that a man had given such a gift to a woman.
Even before the party began, our attendance had already become the hottest topic, setting the social world abuzz.
People were eager to see the dress Ilias had designed for me, counting down the days to the party.
Some even went so far as to send gifts to the Duke’s estate, trying to secure invitations.
Thanks to the overwhelming interest in the party, I heard that the Duchess of Crothos, who initially disapproved of my presence, had changed her stance.
—
The day finally arrived to reveal the one-of-a-kind dress that others had been anticipating even more than me.
To meet the expectations and attention of so many, I prepared meticulously, ready to make an impression as I waited for him.
“Adeline,” he called.
Today, since it was a formal escort, Sir Zion and several knights accompanied him.
When Ilias saw me, he stopped in his tracks at the doorway, visibly amazed.
“I thought it would suit you well, but it exceeds my imagination. You look absolutely stunning, Adeline.”
It seemed like he was acting deliberately for the paparazzi and the crowd gathered around us.
Seeing how hard my contractual partner was working, I couldn’t just stand idly by. So, to match his effort, I twirled gracefully in place for everyone to see.
The square neckline of the bodice elegantly accentuated my neckline, making it appear long and delicate, while the voluminous bell-shaped skirt amplified a sense of charm.
With a radiant expression, I looked at him.
“I’m relieved it looks beautiful in your eyes, Ilias. I was worried.”
Ilias approached me.
“I was only worried about whether I would meet your expectations. For some reason, I can’t help but feel anxious about what you think.”
He gently brushed a strand of my hair.
Even though I knew it was just an act, his touch evoked a strange, indescribable feeling.
This method acting of his was messing with my emotions.
Pushing aside my swirling thoughts, I returned to the role I was playing.
“Thank you. I think it suits me even better because it was made by you, someone who knows me so well. This is a special dress, filled with affection.”
Ilias smiled brightly and extended his hand.
“When it comes to Adeline, I know better than anyone.”
As if. But I didn’t show my true thoughts and gently placed my hand on his.
“Shall we, Adeline?”
“Yes, Ilias.”
The carriage rode on for about thirty minutes before arriving at the Crothos estate.
After one last adjustment to my appearance, I nodded toward Ilias. It was the signal that I was ready for him to open the door.
Knock, knock.
Sir Zion opened the door, and Ilias stepped down first, offering me his hand once again.
Taking his hand, I stepped out of the carriage and froze in astonishment at the sight of the Duke’s estate.
Though smaller in size than the Imperial Palace, its grandeur and opulence surpassed it.
The wealth and power of Duke Crothos were evident, even to the untrained eye.
The blatant audacity of flaunting such splendor without regard for the Emperor sent chills down my spine.
‘Whether it’s inside a book or outside of it, why do the villains always live so well?’
I didn’t like it. This illusory mansion, built on the blood, sweat, and tears of others, deserved to crumble.
If Aiden were to ascend the throne, this mansion would only grow larger.
The desire to help Ilias grew stronger within me.
“Adeline?”
Ilias’s voice pulled me back to reality.
“Shall we go in?”
With his escort, I entered the Duke’s estate.
We had deliberately arrived a little late, ensuring we made our entrance after the party had already begun, to maximize attention.
The moment we ascended the stairs and appeared in the ballroom, all eyes turned toward us.
It was no surprise that Ilias, attending a party of his own volition for the first time rather than being forced as part of social obligations, drew enormous interest.
Add to that the curiosity of those eager to confirm the rumors about the dress supposedly designed by the prince himself, and we instantly became the center of attention at the party.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s do our best today.”
“You too, Your Highness.”
We exchanged smiles and stepped into the heart of the battlefield.
“His Highness Prince Ilias and Lady Adeline Senner have arrived!”
As our names echoed through the hall, there was a brief moment of silence as everyone’s focus landed squarely on us.
Ilias and I scanned the party and naturally made our way to the center of the room.
The ballroom, reflecting the Duchess’s taste, was blindingly extravagant and ostentatious. The sheer opulence screamed vulgarity, with real gold seemingly plastered over everything.
‘They’re practically throwing money into the air.’
The Duke and Duchess made no effort to greet us, despite it being customary for the hosts of a party to approach their guests upon arrival.
We didn’t let it bother us, though. For Ilias, it was actually a favorable outcome.
The nobles aligned with the religious faction were too wary of the Duke of Crothos to dare approach us. Instead, they could only steal furtive glances our way.
What would the Duke and Duchess’s blatant disregard provoke from the prince?
Their curiosity was hardly concealed, as though they were watching a caged animal at the zoo.
The Duke of Crothos did not invite lower-ranking individuals to his parties. This strict rule applied even to those within the religious faction.
Given this context, the presence of a commoner like me must have been particularly galling to them. Just imagining their displeasure sent a rush of endorphins through me, fueling my determination.
As I indulged in the thought of irritating these elitists, Lady Hyacinth and her husband, the Count, approached us as the first to greet us.
The couple ensured they showed proper respect to Ilias.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
“It’s a pleasure. I’ve heard much about you from Adeline. She’s spoken of you as a trusted friend.”
Lady Hyacinth turned to me with a bright smile.
“And she is a dear and precious friend to me.”
After exchanging pleasantries with Ilias, the Count addressed me with gratitude.
“Lady Adeline, it is a privilege to meet you in person and finally thank you. Without your advice, I dread to think of the consequences we might have faced. We are sincerely grateful.”
“And I’m grateful that you trusted and acted on my advice.”
At that moment, Grinia approached us.
“Your Highness, it is a pleasure to meet you. Lady Adeline, it’s been some time.”
Ilias looked slightly surprised as he asked,
“Do you know Lady Grinia Beizen?”
Since she had visited me as a guest, I hesitated momentarily, but Grinia laughed heartily and answered for me.
“I am also one of Lady Adeline’s guests.”
Several other acquaintances of mine approached to exchange greetings, and we engaged in light conversation.
Most of them were nobles who remained neutral in political matters.
Even Marquis Lint, a prominent supporter of the imperial family, made his way toward us. Despite the dwindling number of imperial loyalists, he steadfastly commanded the Imperial Guard as the empire’s sword.
With his resolute demeanor and solid physique, Marquis Lint presented a stark contrast to the idol-like presence of Paulian.
“It is an honor to see you, Your Highness.”
“Marquis, it’s been a while.”
Marquis Lint also acknowledged me with a polite nod.
“Lady Adeline, I hear you are a friend of my son’s.”
“Yes. I share a good relationship with Lord Paulian.”
‘Knowing how rigid Marquis Lint is, he must have been displeased with the idea of Ilias associating with a commoner like me. For him to initiate conversation with me is unexpected.’
Understanding Marquis Lint’s background, I couldn’t help but feel astonished.
‘This must be Paulian’s influence at work, changing his father’s perspective.’
In the original story, Marquis Lint was a man who never once doubted that all three of his sons would inevitably join the Imperial Guard to protect the royal family.
However, his youngest son, Paulian, chose magic over the sword. This decision always disappointed Marquis Lint, and the relationship between the two was strained.
Unlike his upright and humble elder brothers, Paulian stood out with his flamboyant and unconventional behavior.
While the Marquis acknowledged his youngest son’s extraordinary talents, he couldn’t help but find him frustrating.
Paulian, with his dazzling appearance, the prestigious status of being a Marquis’s son, and his exceptional abilities, was destined to become the leader of the Magic Tower, ensuring a lifetime of success. He was, in short, perfectly equipped to be insufferably arrogant.
And Paulian embraced this position with ease and grace, exuding an almost unbearable conceit.
Though outwardly kind and amiable to others, Paulian always considered himself above them.
‘For a son who thinks so highly of himself to call me a friend, it’s only natural that the Marquis’s feelings toward me would change.’
I figured Paulian’s interest in me must have sparked when the scandal involving me and Prince Ilias broke out.
Perhaps Marquis Lint, displeased by the rumors, was further intrigued when Paulian referred to me as a “friend.”
‘After hearing that, the Marquis likely shifted from mere displeasure to curiosity.’
Understanding these characters in depth gave me a significant advantage in building relationships. Professionally, it went without saying how beneficial this knowledge could be.
To capture the heart of the first prince, who had never cared about romance, and to earn the recognition of a conceited youngest son—it was only natural for someone like me to pique the Marquis’s curiosity.
With that in mind, I decided it was time to fully showcase my charm.
Just then, the music began to play, and Ilias turned to the Marquis to excuse himself.
“I don’t think I can miss the first dance. Will you wait for me here?”
“Of course, Your Highness. I’ll remain here. Please, go ahead.”
Ilias took my hand and led me to the center of the ballroom, where we began to dance.
During our public appearances so far, Ilias had always made a point of holding my gaze longer than necessary.
But dancing like this, locking eyes with him, felt entirely different.
The closeness, so near that our scents mingled, made the intensity of our exchanged glances all the more disarming, sending a flutter through my chest.
Of course, it wasn’t because I liked him.
Still, the warmth radiating from his hand resting on my waist, combined with his subtle fragrance, created an undeniably alluring atmosphere.
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