Chapter 26

Winter had arrived in Helibet, the capital of the Ingénes Empire. 

It had only been six months since Graham Herbon’s death and just four months since Adrian Henrique had left as the commander-in-chief of the border defense forces. Yet the capital seemed to have forgotten them entirely, as it busied itself with preparations for the debutante ball of a new generation. 

Spring was approaching, and the deep winter was now the time for those preparing for their spring debut to make their mark. It wasn’t an official debut, but more of an opportunity to exchange information about which Lady from which family would be presented. 

In fact, it was even more lively than the official debut. 

A grand showcase of flowers. 

Even the grand banquet hall on the third floor of the Imperial Palace was abuzz with talk of the ball to be held that evening at the luxurious mansion of Lord Curzette, the Minister of Finance. 

Although it was a day for the court meeting, and everyone was reluctantly seated at Lady Jenna’s command, the atmosphere was unusually lively. Most of the attendees were fathers of daughters either preparing for their debut or of marriageable age. 

“This year, our Lady Regina is turning sixteen. It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but she doesn’t resemble me and instead takes after my wife, so her appearance isn’t bad. And I’ve personally educated her at home, always…”  

“Ah, no need to say such things! My daughter Rachel will also be attending this evening, won’t she? Haha… She’s usually so quiet and reserved, spending all her time in the library, so she’s feeling shy about attending this ball. She’s very quiet and well-mannered, and, well, so on and so forth…” 

The fathers, pretending to be humble while boasting about their daughters, were interrupted by Lord Curzette, the father of Lady Curzette, who had been the most dazzling jewel of the year. He began showing off in front of everyone, completely oblivious to the growing fury of Lady Jenna. 

“Ahem. In any case, I doubt anyone will gain as much popularity as Lady Curzette. Since her debut last spring until now, she has received no fewer than sixty marriage proposals, either directly or through my wife and me.” 

Sixty?! 

“Hahaha. At this rate, it’s as if every nobleman in Helibet has sent a proposal to our Ione, isn’t it? Hahaha. I don’t know who Ione will choose, but I feel so sorry for the noble daughters of other ministers who might end up as the second choice.” 

“…” 

“Hahaha. It’s almost embarrassing how my daughter’s beauty and talent are so outstanding. Oh hoho.” 

When Lord Curzette finally finished his tactless boasting, the reactions in the room were split. Those with even a shred of awareness glanced at Lady Jenna, whose expression was like that of an enraged dragon. The others, utterly oblivious, simply looked at Lord Curzette with envy. 

The shared thought among them was that there were noble daughters more beautiful and with larger dowries than Lady Ione Curzette. Her popularity clearly stemmed from something else. 

Truthfully, Lady Curzette wasn’t particularly ladylike. She was known for her lighthearted and careless behavior, flitting between men. The scandal she caused with the immature Prince Adrian Henrique at Lady Jenna’s engagement ceremony was still fresh in everyone’s minds. 

Lady Jenna, however, endured Lord Curzette’s boasting with remarkable patience. 

Clad in a blue cloak lined with white ermine fur and quilted with warm satin, Lady Jenna sat with her lips tightly shut against her rosy pink cheeks, presenting a serene and composed appearance. 

But as soon as Lord Curzette closed his mouth, the words that spilled from her lips were anything but kind. 

“Oh my… I tried to refrain from asking personal questions during such an important court meeting, but since the esteemed Minister of Finance, Lord Curzette, seems so deeply affectionate toward his daughter, surely, he wouldn’t mind if I asked a personal question?” 

“Of course not. Your Lordship, your personal questions are always welcome.” 

Lord Curzette had also been present at Jenna’s engagement ceremony. Surely, he wasn’t shameless enough to behave like this without knowing better. He likely understood that if he showed any shame over his daughter’s actions, Lady Curzette’s reputation would be ruined entirely. Thus, he plastered on a brave face and continued to prattle. 

“Well then, my personal maid has been curious about something, and I thought Lady Curzette might know the answer. If a thin, expensive spring ball gown gets badly stained with grass, how does one remove the stains? At my engagement party, Lady Curzette’s dress was terribly stained with grass. I’ve been curious ever since how she managed to deal with it, but I haven’t seen her since that day to ask.” 

The highest-ranking ministers of the Ingénes Empire, about twenty great nobles who had inherited their positions from their fathers and would one day pass them to their sons, all turned their eyes to the plump, petite girl with molasses-colored hair. 

Ah, that vicious woman… No matter how much she dislikes someone, to humiliate the daughter of the Minister of Finance in front of everyone like this… Unbelievable. Tsk tsk.

Each of them silently prayed that their own daughters wouldn’t become targets of Lady Jenna’s sharp tongue. Everyone remained silent, except for Lord Curzette himself, who trembled with humiliation, his thin frame shaking violently. Naturally, he couldn’t muster a response. 

Lady Jenna stared at the Minister of Finance for a moment. When he turned his head away without answering, she immediately moved on to the next topic. 

“Well then, debutantes are debutantes, but since we’re all gathered here in this chamber, shouldn’t we at least pretend to discuss matters for the Empire? I’ve heard there’s news from Fargone, a region we’ve so often ignored. Does anyone wish to speak on this matter?”  

The Minister of Military Affairs, Count Etienne, subtly raised his hand to request the floor. 

“It’s almost laughable to bring this up in front of the esteemed ministers. As our wise Lady has so astutely predicted…” 

That damned pig. Trying to curry favor with her by calling her wise and astute? Hah. 

Count Etienne, ignoring how the other ministers were glaring at him, focused solely on Lady Jenna as he continued speaking. The rest of the ministers listened quietly, though inwardly they shuddered at the sycophantic display of the Minister of Military Affairs. 

“A rebellion has broken out in Fargone. The leader of the rebels was once the captain of Grand Duke Bruno’s personal guard. However, the new Grand Duke is none other than a former pirate turned merchant guild leader. Hmm… I believe Your Grace may have heard the name before—Kendrick O’Jear, a pirate originally from Lucus.” 

“…” 

“He’s a merchant guild leader who has traded with our Imperial Family on numerous occasions. Known for being able to procure anything, this man supplied the rebels with resources, captured Bruno, and usurped the position of Grand Duke!” 

Merchant guild leader, my foot. Of course, they wouldn’t dare utter words like brothel or pimp during a court meeting. They’re just maintaining appearances.

Kendrick O’Jear was the owner of a brothel called the “Pleasure Palace.” It was said he was a former pirate, which explained why he had a vast collection of rare women from other continents. 

By day, he conducted legitimate trade, but by night, he amassed tremendous wealth through prostitution and gambling. That was Kendrick O’Jear. 

Every one of the older men seated in the chamber, sneaking glances at Lady Jenna, had likely visited the Pleasure Palace at least once. So, they must have all seen Kendrick O’Jear in person, yet here they were, pretending otherwise! 

There was even a joke that while the Emperor of Ingénes ruled the continent during the day, Kendrick O’Jear ruled it at night. 

And now, that very man had claimed Fargone, one of the four pillars of the continent! Was this a matter to simply overlook? What could Kendrick O’Jear possibly want? This was an issue that required at least a week of deliberation to devise countermeasures. 

However… the only one who seemed truly alarmed was Lady Jenna. 

The ministers, stealing glances at Lady Jenna, silently conveyed their thoughts through their eyes:

What does it matter if some minor country has a rebellion? It has nothing to do with Ingénes. Besides, tonight is the first winter ball. Let’s wrap this up quickly. 

Lady Jenna sighed deeply and rose from her seat. 

* * * 

Preparing for a party was always a grueling ordeal for a plump young lady approaching her twentieth birthday. 

She could tolerate the ridiculous dress puffed out as much as possible, but having her broomstick-like hair braided and twisted into strange shapes and her face powdered pale—she hated it all. Her mouth stuck out in a perpetual pout. 

“Ugh, Magda, this is too much. Let’s just keep it simple. I’ve already lost what little popularity I had after getting engaged. Please, cut me some slack.” 

Magda would hear none of it. No matter what others thought of Lady Jenna, to Magda, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Furthermore, tonight was the first winter ball, a night when other ladies would also dress as extravagantly as possible. Magda couldn’t afford to back down. 

After an exhausting amount of time, and after Lady Jenna had threatened three or four times to tear everything off her head with her own hands, the preparations were finally complete. 

Lady Jenna, without even glancing at the mirror, pouted and glared at Magda before boarding the carriage to fetch Lady Biona, who had agreed to act as her chaperone for the evening. Cloud, as always, followed behind her without a word. 

Oh, you’ve poked the bear now. Poor Cloud, your ears are going to suffer tonight.

Magda stuck out her tongue playfully. Cloud, as if resigned to his fate, glanced at Magda, let out a sharp sigh, and climbed into the carriage. 

* * * 

The entrance of the grand mansion, which served as the venue for tonight’s ball, was, as always, packed with carriages. Tonight, the wait was so long that one might have preferred to walk instead of sitting in the carriage. It felt like an eternity before their carriage finally reached the mansion’s entrance. 

“The Chancellor, Lady Jenna Fleur Herbon, has arrived. Accompanying her is Lady Biona Fleur Maron.”  

The steward of the Curzette household announced Lady Jenna’s arrival to the hall, which was already packed with people despite the early evening. Lady Jenna tried her best to keep her greetings short, avoiding eye contact as she turned her head this way and that. Her cheeks were already starting to ache from forced smiles. What a bother.

A tiresome ball, tiresome people she had already seen plenty of during the day, tiresome… 

What?! Adrian? Adrian Henrique

Inside the spacious ballroom, a tall blonde man stood out, his height a head above the others. His deep emerald eyes sparkled as he walked toward Lady Jenna. 

“How… how are you here? Adrian!” 

It felt like a dream. His appearance, his scent. 

“Enough talking. Aren’t you going to kiss your fiancé, my lady?” 

A bright smile brushed against Jenna’s pale cheek. 

Adrian Henrique!

Adrian’s skin was darker than before, but his smile was as radiant as it had always been. Just like before—before Graham had died. Jenna’s gaze swept over the corners of his smiling lips. 

“It… it took you a long time.” 

He was alive. Unharmed. Just as he had been. 

Adrian awkwardly extended his hand toward Jenna, who wasn’t returning his smile. 

“I arrived yesterday. His Majesty personally ordered my return. On the way back, I thought only of you. But… I’m a little disappointed. I had hoped that when you saw me, you’d smile, maybe even be happy. Was I mistaken?” 

How could she smile when her eyes were burning hot with unshed tears? 

Jenna took his outstretched hand, not wanting to embarrass him, but her feelings toward him hadn’t yet softened. She snapped back sharply. 

“This time, will there be enough time to call off the engagement?” 

“This time, there will be enough time to marry, my lady.” 

Startled by his absurd reply, Jenna stared at Adrian with wide eyes. But Adrian avoided her gaze, leading her into the ballroom before she could say anything further. With so many ears listening, there was no way they could discuss breaking off the engagement here! 

<Continued in Volume 2>