Chapter 25 – It’s That Woman

There hadn’t been a ball at Fairmont House in decades.

The fact that this first ball was completely open to the people of not only Longfield but also Maybury was enough to make one doubt their ears.

The servants, who had to hastily prepare for the grand ball that would use the entire newly renovated grand garden and central hall, had to run around like beans on a hot pan.

Especially since there was less than a week left until the wedding.

Naturally, people were engulfed in anticipation. The only amusement in the vicinity was the occasional ball held by Mrs. Fulham.

But now, a party without invitations was being held at Fairmont House, a place they had always wanted to see!

Given the situation, it was only natural that the happy screams of women wondering what to wear continued until the morning of the ball.

“Oh my, look at this fountain! You could believe it’s something stolen from heaven.”

As expected, even before the ball started, people who gathered in small groups at the Earl’s estate were busy admiring the splendid garden.

Their open mouths showed no sign of closing.

“Oh! It’s too early to be surprised, madam. There’s a waterfall inside as well.”

“He must be really happy about his grandson’s wedding. I never thought a ball would be held here.”

People were curious about how the old Earl, known for being so rigid and isolated that he had no interaction with his surroundings, came to host this party.

It was because neither his noble grandson nor the eldest daughter of the Baileys seemed like the type to beg for such an event.

Although it was a fact that never got revealed to anyone, this ball was held solely because of Bianca Talbot’s letter.

Bianca sent a polite letter to the Earl of Longfield, whom she last greeted years ago at the royal palace.

In the letter, which began with a kind greeting, she mentioned hearing about Ansel’s marriage and asked if it was true that he had decided to bring his granddaughter-in-law to the mansion.

The Marquis of Talbot was a prestigious political family recognized even by the Earl of Huntington.

It was clear that Viscount Monmouth, who valued honor, had been eyeing the Marquis’s daughter as a match for Ansel for a long time, and she, too, had not hidden her desire for Ansel for a long time.

Bianca had never hesitated to express what she wanted since she was a young girl.

It was the attitude of the only daughter of a family that had been a steadfast supporter of the Wellington royal family for many years with her unique wit and boldness.

The old Earl had long recognized that this small woman with eyes like drops of water and an innocent smile was actually more daring and intelligent than anyone else.

Of course, the reason he didn’t build a wall against this young lady was also because, even in the pessimistic eyes of the Earl, she appeared lovely enough.

「I understand what you might be doubting, but I do not oppose that marriage.」

The Earl, who quickly grasped what the Marquis’s daughter might be doubting, immediately sent a reply.

He added that it was unfortunate for Bianca, but he only wished happiness for the woman his grandson had chosen himself.

Surprisingly, the Marquis’s messenger returned to Longfield the very next night.

The reply, which seemed to contain gratitude and a bit of cute grumbling, actually read as follows.

「I heard that the wedding will be held quietly with only the families of both sides invited.

I heard from Ansel that the townspeople are very fond of the prospective couple and are disappointed that they cannot see the wedding.

He respects and is somewhat afraid of you, so he probably couldn’t tell you this.

So, Earl, if you wish for your granddaughter-in-law’s long-lasting happiness, how about holding a ball to celebrate their marriage? I heard you skipped the engagement ceremony out of consideration for the other family, so this could be in its place.

It seems like a fantastic idea to me, but what do you think, Earl? If you thought I would be jealous of the woman who will be Ansel’s wife, I might be a little hurt.

Of course, if you do so, I will gladly attend. I am already looking forward to seeing you after a long time.」

Naturally, the part about Ansel expressing his feelings was entirely fabricated.

Her messenger, who went to send the first letter to Longfield, called the mansion’s maid to hear the detailed situation, and Bianca simply wove that information into the second letter.

Of course, if it weren’t for the report that “the woman named Sarah is so passive and from such a humble family that it would be difficult to meet her separately,” there would have been no need to go this far.

At that time, the Earl had no reason to refuse Bianca’s suggestion.

Although a noisy ball open to everyone was indeed uncomfortable, he did not want his grandson, who would someday inherit the mansion, to continue such an isolated life.

He secretly wanted to celebrate his grandson’s wedding in some way.

However, proposing it first was not the Earl’s way, and Ansel would not ask for anything beyond the minimum.

Therefore, Bianca’s suggestion was timely and convenient enough to reluctantly accept.

“I wondered if I was too pushy…”

Bianca, sitting across from the master of the mansion in the quiet study, smiled with her droplet-like eyes.

“You are indeed kind, Earl.”

It was the satisfied smile of someone who had achieved her goal of seeing Ansel’s fiancée before the wedding.

“Shall we go out now? It’s time.”

“Ansel hasn’t arrived yet. I want to hide a little longer and surprise him when he comes.”

Bianca answered like an innocent prankster.

It was clear that Ansel would not welcome her, but if he hardened his face and asked why she was here, she could answer that she had come at the Earl’s invitation.

‘You would never confirm the facts or question the Earl.’

Moreover, if she greeted Ansel directly, he might try to hide the woman out of caution.

In the worst case, Ansel might even make her leave. Given that he had kept her hidden for so long, it was a plausible assumption.

“He will arrive on time, so he will be here soon.”

“Is that so? Hmm.”

With a perfect smile, Bianca thought.

Should I go early and scrutinize the woman the moment she enters? Maybe I can figure out what’s special about this rural town by observing the people gathered here.

With that thought, she smiled brightly.

“Then, shall we go out as you suggested?”

“Make yourself comfortable.”

* * *

Unfortunately, Bianca couldn’t hide her disappointment.

Even though she hadn’t particularly expected anything, the state of the men was simply beyond words.

‘How can there be no good-looking men?’

Perhaps if they had dressed up neatly, it would have been different, but most of them were in terrible outfits and hadn’t even properly groomed their hair.

No matter how rural it was, to think they would come to a ball in such a state. If this was their idea of making an effort, it was a tragedy in itself.

Even though she had come in a thoroughly modest appearance, the Marquis’s daughter, who was the brightest star in the room, shook her head.

‘The women here must have been eagerly waiting for summer every year.’

Just then, with a light commotion, the entrance to the central hall became busy.

As the orchestra, which had been playing soft music, stopped their bows, everyone’s attention turned to the newly arrived couple.

‘……That woman.’

Even from a distance, it was impossible to ignore the dazzling presence of Ansel Blaine escorting a woman into the hall.

The woman, who bowed her head slightly, had a slender and elegant figure.

With light blonde hair tied up gracefully, revealing her delicate neckline, she looked quite elegant.

Her modest appearance, with only a ring that seemed to be a gift from Ansel as her jewelry, was not bad to look at.

The middle-aged couple following behind appeared to be the woman’s parents, and while they were commoners without any significant wealth, they were not as shabby as one might expect.

They must have put special effort considering the occasion.

She had heard that there were two daughters, but there was no sign of the younger sister.

‘Did they have a fight? Well, it doesn’t matter if I don’t see the sister.’

As Ansel and Sarah approached, Bianca quickly hid behind a lady standing nearby, planning to observe a bit more.

Unfortunately, the lady was dressed in the most eye-catching dress and adorned with numerous jewels among those gathered, causing Bianca to regret her choice, but there was no other person nearby whose physique she could hide behind.

Soon, the band prepared to play a dance tune, urged on by the excited crowd.

Young men and women hurriedly lined up, causing a commotion.

Ansel stood at the center of the splendid hall. His tall stature, a head above the rest, and his handsome features made his dazzling presence even more prominent.

‘I once stood in that spot too.’

While Bianca was lost in such thoughts, the dance began, and Ansel, moving gracefully like a swan on water, led his partner.

The woman, unfamiliar with such an occasion, still followed him with her head slightly bowed. Though her movements were awkward, they were quite beautiful.

Bianca narrowed her eyes, focusing on Ansel’s fiancée.

‘Not bad, but below expectations.’ 

She thought as she finally lifted her head.

‘Ah, yes……. She’s pretty.’

She didn’t know Ansel had a preference for such a faint atmosphere, but it wasn’t hard to understand falling for that woman suddenly one day.  It was an honest impression.

‘He said he liked blue eyes.’

Since the night Ansel whispered that he liked her blue eyes, Bianca had desperately wished countless times that she was the only woman in the world with blue eyes.

So, it was inevitable that her chest ached upon realizing that Ansel’s fiancée also had blue eyes like hers.

But as Bianca quietly watched them, she soon felt a strange sense of incongruity.

‘……What?’