Chapter 4 – Part 21

“Are you going?”

“Yes.”

Damon asked Bella, who had just left the reception room.

“How should we prepare the Marquis’s attire?”

“Prepare it as usual, please.”

“That consistency is admirable.”

Bella said with a light laugh. Damon understood the meaning and responded with a gentle smile.

“Does the Marquis’s wife won’t join in the fittings?”

Bella asked while observing Damon, who couldn’t answer. Damon’s face, unable to provide an answer, showed a somewhat embarrassed expression.

“I’m not asking to spread rumors. Usually, the lady of the house also participate in fittings, so I’m just curious.”

Bella quickly added, knowing that there were many rumors circulating. However, she swore never to spread any negative rumors about the Grit Marquis, especially since she knew who Eli Grit truly was.

“…I can’t say I have no personal curiosity.”

Bella spoke with a mix of sincerity.

“As for the attire, it’s enough to prepare the Marquis’s. I will guide you to the carriage.”

Bella followed Damon’s guidance, looking back at the reception room door.

To be honest, excluding the respectful titles exchanged, the relationship between Lady Marie and Lady Miles seemed quite amicable.

Amid the recent rumors, she wonders if it’s true that the Marquis Grit’s divorce and remarriage to Lady Miles are scheduled.

* * *

“The Marquis Grit’s two sister are debuting in high society?”

Emperor Shannua, who received an invitation from Lady Marie Grit, laughed.

It felt like the time had flown, seeing the children, who were once little, now making their debut in high society.

“Is Marquis Grit coming as well?”

“Yes. I heard he got his attire fitted by a designer.”

“He probably asked for it since he’s not in the capital.”

Shannua, as an old friend, quickly caught on to the situation with a few words.

“But it should be known that Marquis Grit fits his clothes in a way that suits him regardless. So, I guess people take cues from his neat style rather than caring about the clothing itself.”

The designer, with a good sense of style, was one thing, but even when wearing the same clothes, Eli Grit’s aura was different. It was not even surprising if some nobleman refer to his style.

The dedicated designer seems to make changes in her own way, so his eye for hiring her as a designer was also a talent in a way.

“But the two children are still young for debuting in high society, aren’t they?”

“It seems they want to do it while the rumors are calmed.”

“Well, if Marquis Grit returns, who knows what he’ll do next? The Dowager will also likely be in trouble.”

Shannua fell into deep thought for a moment.

“I should give them a present. It’s for his younger siblings, so he can’t refuse this time.”

He recalled how Eli Grit had stubbornly rejected a gift on his wedding day. Instead, he had asked for a favor whenever necessary.

“You seem to have a great deal of affection for Marquis Grit.”

“Hmm?”

Shannua, who was pondering what kind of gift to give, raised his eyebrows.

“Isn’t Lady Miles helping Lady Marie Grit by stepping forward? Seeing that, it seems like the three of you have a unique friendship.”

The old servant said it with a kind smile. He looked pleased.

“Lady Arlen Miles?”

“Yes. She attends parties with Lady Marie Grit and even recently accompanied her for dress fittings. It seems like she’s filling in for the absence of the Marquis Grit and his wife.”

“…Arlen helped too?”

Muttering to himself, Shannua once again fell into thought.

“In that case, I can’t just sit back. They are the lovely sisters of my old friend”

A subtly affectionate smile appeared on his face.

***

Invitations were sent to nobles of all ranks in the capital of the Luben Empire, regardless of their status. Among them was Baron Obler.

“Marquis Grit’s invitation has arrived!”

Gloria exclaimed while holding the invitation.

“Your first party is the debut party of Marquis Grit’s sister. You’re really lucky.”

Palman, who was pleased beside her, added.

Gloria, overall, ignored Palman. The fact that she hailed from an underdeveloped region unknown to most unless one had their roots there and the lack of proper education, were evident. Well, she seemed to know a bit about etiquette.

“That’s true.”

However, Palman didn’t mind Gloria’s disdain.

“Will you help me choose a dress? Your taste is much better than mine.”

Gloria accepted the reasons Palman had mentioned because they were all true.

In her mind, she only had the fact that she was participating in a party hosted by high-ranking nobles, something she had only heard of in the high society.

“Of course. Who else would help you if not me? I’ll introduce you as my relative, so make sure not to be embarrassed.”

With her nose held high, Gloria spoke.

Despite the apparent disdain, Gloria and Palman, aware of the need to guide and teach each other, got along well.

“Change your clothes and come out.”

“Yeah!”

Both hummed their way into the room.

***

“Stop looking around. Are you making it obvious that it’s your first time at a party?”

Gloria scolded Palman. However, she herself had been glancing around the mansion non-stop. The flushed cheeks expressed the excitement and anticipation she felt.

Responding to Gloria’s critique, Palman changed her openly looking gaze to a more discreet one, just like her.

‘It’s incredibly splendid.’

She had been surprised when she first visited Baron Obler’s mansion, but this mansion surpassed it by far in size and grandeur.

Palman seemed to understand why Gloria had been excited and thrilled for the past few days.

“As much as possible, don’t talk; just stay by my side. Got it?”

Gloria once again requested, as if looking at a child in a market. Palman silently nodded.

As they walked towards the crowded area, a spacious hall unfolded before them.

There, dazzling lights and equally sparkling people were gathered. Palman’s heart began to tremble with a mix of anticipation and excitement.

“I’ve never seen her before”

A young lady who quietly noticed Palman following Gloria asked.

“Oh, she’s my relative.”

Gloria replied while looking at the young lady who inquired about Palman.

Palman, who suddenly found herself mentioned, had a slightly bewildered look but refrained from initiating the greeting.

According to what she learned from Ruby, in a first meeting, it was customary for the person of higher status to initiate the greeting or wait until an introduction was made before becoming more familiar.

Observing Palman’s natural waiting, there was a hint of surprise in the eyes of the young lady. The deduction from her conversation with the Lady Obler suggested that the young lady probably didn’t hold a high rank. Yet, her accurate knowledge of etiquette was unexpected.

However, that was the extent of it. The young lady changed the topic without introducing herself, indicating that she didn’t consider it necessary.

“Don’t be disappointed from the first party. People don’t approach warmly from the beginning. Everyone experiences it, so there’s no need to be discouraged. Just smile as if you don’t care when it happens. That’s all you need to know.”

As Palman was about to wear a visibly disappointed expression, she recalled Ruby’s advice and composed her expression.

Despite the initial disappointment, Palman was able to engage with some nobles later.

“Is there meat there?”

“Do you eat wild vegetables from the mountains?”

“Is this your first time trying cheese? What was the most fascinating thing about it?”

Most of the questions that followed were strange, but Palman could have encountered these things if she had the inclination.

“There are people living there too.”

She rarely got to eat them, but the things they asked about were things she could encounter if she wanted.

“How did you learn etiquette?”

“Surely you didn’t learn from books? The authors of the available books aren’t nobles. There probably isn’t proper information.”

While Palman hesitated to answer, an intervening voice came.

“Lady Emily Grit.”

The intruder was Emily Grit.

“Thank you all for attending.”

Her greeting seemed natural, as if she had interrupted the conversation for the sake of a greeting.

“Thank you for inviting us.”

“Of course, it’s an honor.”

“It’s the most splendid and beautiful party I’ve attended.”

People who had been sending Palman disdainful glances throughout were now getting closer to Emily as if wanting to befriend her.

However, Emily only showed a beautiful smile to those approaching her, as if she were inviting them to be close. Most of them, just like with Palman, didn’t ask who she was.

“Where did you say you’re from?”

Surprisingly, Emily’s question was directed at Palman.

“Oh, um, I’m from Zenfield.”