Chapter 4 – Part 22

“Oh, um, I’m from Zenfield.”

Palman, who was caught off guard by the sudden change in the situation, quickly regained her composure and answered.

“Sorry, I’ve never heard of it before.”

Emily tried to recall the name but failed.

“No, it means news from our region did not reach you. It’s a place where information arrives late for everyone in the Luben Empire.

To avoid Emily feeling embarrassed for not knowing about their small town, she added quickly.

“But it seems you have a good etiquette teacher there.”

“Ah… Yes.”

Feeling defensive about being ignored again, Palman answered a bit defensively.

However, Emily’s question had a different intention.

Emily, raised by a strict teacher, could pick up even the smallest details. If anything, the high-ranking nobles who had looked down on Palman showed some shortcomings in fine points. Conversely, it meant that the etiquette teacher in Zenfield was quite skilled.

“It seems you’ve met a very good teacher.”

“Thank you.”

Palman felt that everyone would want to talk to her because of this. Feeling joyful, she thought she should write a letter to Ruby as soon as she returned. Laughter kept bubbling up in her heart.

“I’m Emily Grit.”

Seeing Palman not responding when she lowered her gaze, Gloria poked her in the side, giving her a meaningful look.

“Oh, I’m Palman. I don’t have a title.”

“And the lady next to you…”

“Gloria of Baron Obler.”

Gloria answered cheerfully.

“Nice to meet you, Palman, Lady Obler.”

“Being invited to such a splendid party is actually an honor.”

“Indeed, an honor.”

“Congratulations on your social debut, Palman. It seems we debut on the same day.”

Emily, recalling the conversation about Palman’s first party in the capital, pointed this out.

Although some people around them were surprised by the term ‘friend,’ Emily herself seemed nonchalant.

Suddenly, the atmosphere became restless. All eyes in the party hall were drawn to a man who had just entered.

The handsome man had not only good looks but also an overwhelming charisma. Instead of being gentle, there was a sharpness to him that captivated people’s attention.

“Nice to meet you all; excuse me first.”

Emily was the quickest to react.

Palman observed her approaching the captivating man with the same charm that she imagined between siblings.

“Brother.”

Emily was the first to run towards Eli.

“Emily.”

“You seem more like my brother today.”

Perhaps due to the strange circumstances surrounding the family, Emily felt uneasy.

When Emily last saw him, she had briefly visited the Grit estate during the peculiar masquerade ball, which marked the end of the events. At that time, he seemed disheveled, with unkempt hair and clothing. He appeared distracted, and the word ‘exhausted’ could aptly describe his state.

Remembering the last encounter with Emily, Eli just smiled.

“Where’s Leton?”

“He’ll be here soon.”

“Congratulations on your debut. Shall we dance before Eve arrives?”

Eli extended his hand like a gentleman, asking a lady for a dance.

Palman, not understanding the situation, quietly asked Gloria, “Who is he?”

“He’s the Marquis Grit, the elder brother of the debutantes tonight. He hasn’t been in the social circle much lately.”

Perhaps after Emily’s praise for Palman, Gloria’s voice explaining the situation sounded warmer than when they first arrived.

Palman, with an ‘Ah,’ acknowledged the information and admired the graceful dance of the beautiful siblings.

Eli and Emily danced in a way that made Palman think of a prince and princess from a fairy tale.

After Eli and Emily finished their dance, Leton, who had belatedly arrived, joined Emily for another round of dancing.

“Oh my, Eli. Thank you for coming.”

Marie greeted Eli, who was with Emily and Leton. Arlen was naturally standing beside her.

“Long time, no see, Mother.”

Eli, who scanned the two women with numb eyes, replied.

Marie, who was worried about ignoring her question, was relieved to herself.

“Having the family together is nice.”

Marie tried to be careful with her words to maintain a good appearance, but Eli, seemingly indifferent, casually turned his head away. Moreover, he didn’t bother to greet Arlen first, as if it wasn’t necessary.

“The Emperor has sent a gift for the Grit’s ladies.”

“Jewelry sets shaped like Luben Blue, the symbol of the Luben Empire.”

Admiration and compliments filled the room.

“Congratulations.”

The two ladies were soon adorned with the necklaces.

While everyone marveled at the beauty of the jewelry, Palman, still fascinated, turned to Gloria and asked, “Is that a remarkable gem?”

“It’s a gift from the Emperor himself. It’s a jewelry set that can only be made in the Imperial Family. It’s a clear indication of how much the Emperor values them.”

Palman nodded appreciatively at Gloria’s explanation.

“Is it the first time for the Emperor to give such a gift to someone who is not part of the imperial family?”

“Not exactly. Lady Miles also received one.”

“Where is she?”

“Next to Lady Grit.”

Even though she was an attendee at the party, Gloria’s explanation made Palman notice a beautiful lady standing among the Marquis Grit’s people.

“She’s beautiful…”

Even among the stunning people, she blended in effortlessly. She looked well-matched with Marquis Grit, who had captured everyone’s attention.

“I heard they’ve been close friends with His Majesty since childhood. She was the only one to receive His Majesty’s Luben Blue jewelry set at her debut party.”

She was a person with extraordinary beauty, a family background, and even remarkable friends.

“Then, is she going to marry the Marquis?”

“What?”

Gloria looked at Palman as if asking what kind of question that was. Not understanding anything, Palman raised an eyebrow, forming a silent “Why?” with her expression.

Having heard only the explanation, Palman couldn’t help but think that the only person suitable for such a beautiful lady was the Marquis Grit.

“The Marquis is married.”

Gloria whispered carefully.

“Really? I didn’t know…”

Only now did Palman close her mouth and look around. Fortunately, due to the lively atmosphere, it seemed that no one had heard their conversation.

“Then where is the Marquis’s wife?”

Palman became curious about who this wonderful person had married.

“She’s not here today. She rarely attends social events.”

“If His Majesty sent a gift, it must be an important day, right?”

“That’s true,” Gloria agreed.

“There are rumors that the Marquis is getting divorced and remarrying Lady Miles after that. It’s not completely baseless, seeing that she’s absent even on important days. The Marquis mother is also taking her around like a person from her own family.”

Gloria said, leaning in and speaking in a lower voice, in case someone overheard.

“Do you think everyone sees it that way?”

“Yes.”

“Then what happened to the original Marchioness?”

“If the Marquis desires it, she has to accept the divorce. Their marriage was already challenging due to the significant differences between their families, and the Marquis’s mother didn’t like it.”

With that, Gloria focused back on the party.

Palman wanted to ask more about the Marquis’s opinion, but she restrained herself. She continued observing the indifferent face of the man, who still showed no interest.

Fortunately, ever since Emily Grit’s compliment, Palman has received better treatment, allowing her to enjoy the party a bit more.

The Marquis Grit’s story was soon forgotten by the end of the party.

***

“Are you going to leave like this?”

Eli was about to leave the mansion, thinking he had exposed enough of his face.

There was a voice stopping him. When Eli turned around, it was Arlen.

“It’s hard to see your face these days.”

Arlen’s steps, which had seemed urgent, slowed down when she realized Eli had given him an opportunity to talk.

“Are you busy enough to miss our regular gathering?”

“Oh. I’m sorry about the luncheon meeting.”

He seemed to have guessed, to some extent, why she came after him.

“His Majesty spoke well about you, but it seems he hasn’t received any news from you.”

Arlen said so, knowing that he would not exchange news with the emperor separately unless it was a luncheon meeting.

“Is it too difficult for you to come out even now?”

“Yeah.”

His answer came with a faint sigh

“If you’re trying to say something about the luncheon meeting, I understand it as a friend’s broad generosity.”

Eli didn’t even show any signs of being sorry when he said so. On the other hand, it seemed as if he didn’t care how he was perceived, whatever his friend might think.

In reality, his actions—turning away without any lingering emotions after uttering those words—gave her a sense of certainty about her thoughts.

“Are you really getting divorced?”