CH 10

News of the reception hosted by the Crown Prince and Princess spread far and wide just as the Empire’s flowers were in full bloom.

Marquis Bennett’s ball held at the start of every social season was a good opportunity for young noble ladies and gentlemen to enter high society.

This year, with an event at the imperial palace being held even earlier, the excitement was naturally that much greater.

“Who was it……”

Delia, who had been scribbling letters on paper, put down her pen and fell into thought.

“Ma…… Mo…… Me……?”

Being an author didn’t mean she could remember all names perfectly.

Although the original work didn’t contain many stories about high society, important figures’ names were mentioned at least once, so it should be among those.

The social butterfly.

A woman who knew all the news and exercised influence with just a word.

“Ah, I remember.”

Mary Evans.

The reason she became a social butterfly was simple.

She had five daughters, and every social season she successfully raised them to be perfect and beautiful women and married them into prestigious families.

After all her daughters were married off, she occasionally went to other households as a governess, coaching everything from etiquette and precautions to art, history, and even trends.

Since all the young ladies Mary Evans taught and sent into society were capable, she was currently the most necessary person for Delia.

When entering society, most relied on their parents’ connections, but Delia’s parents, the Baron and Baroness of Averbit, were originally merchants. Though they had the title of baron from buying it with money earned through merchant activities, they had no notable connections or reputation to speak of.

Therefore, to successfully proceed with this matter, she needed someone to introduce and support her from behind.

And that person would be Mary Evans.

Delia began writing letters with great care.

She hadn’t expected that one letter would become two, and then many, until the ink bottle was nearly empty.

At first, Delia thought the replies were just delayed because she was busy, but as time passed, she began to consider other possibilities.

‘Could it be because I’m just an unknown baron’s daughter?’

If so, Mary Evans must be greatly misunderstanding her.

No, it wasn’t even a misunderstanding.

Even for young ladies from well-established families, shining in high society wasn’t an easy task.

If someone you helped and supported earnestly didn’t produce results as expected, your skills and reputation would gradually be eroded.

So Mary Evans couldn’t just accept anyone recklessly.

But…

‘I’m not just anyone.’

Though she might appear to be an unremarkable baron’s daughter on the outside, she knew more and could do more than anyone else in this world.

‘You won’t be disappointed at all.’

Delia changed into an outdoor dress and boarded a carriage, leaving the imperial palace for the first time in a very long while. It was quite fortunate that Kaiel was busy with matter regarding Floren.

* * *

“Again?”

Mary Evans stared blankly at the pile of letters on one side before setting aside a newly arrived letter without even looking at it.

For a week straight, without missing a day, letters kept arriving at her door, sometimes several in one day.

At first, she opened them out of surprise since they were sent from the imperial palace address. But the contents were too personal a request to be from someone at the palace.

Mary Evans thought someone who needed her help was using the imperial palace address to catch her attention.

“If this continues, I’ll have to report it. No matter how much they want my attention, using the imperial palace address is unacceptable.”

She hadn’t expected the sender of those letters to show up in person.

“Well……”

The housekeeper glanced awkwardly out the window.

“It seems they’ve come in person.”

It was unexpected.

“Since when?”

“It must have been over two hours.”

As Mary Evans was someone who took great care in maintaining her reputation, there was only one course of action she could take in this situation.

“……Tell them to come in. Before strange rumors start spreading.”

Shortly after, Delia followed the housekeeper and walked quietly into the reception room. To be honest, Mary Evans was quite surprised by the sender’s face, which was different from what she had expected.

In other words, she was quite to her taste.

“Hello, Lady Evans.”

At her warm and clear voice, Mary Evans lowered her cup and briefly examined Delia’s appearance.

“I hope you don’t think I’ve responded to your letters. I just couldn’t leave you standing at the entrance for too long.”

“Either way, I got to meet you.”

Delia approached with crisp steps and lightly curtsied.

“I am Delia Averbit.”

Mary Evans, who had scanned her overall appearance with her eyes, picked up her cup again.

“I only accept young ladies who show promise. I absolutely cannot forgive anything that would tarnish my reputation.”

“I know.”

After seeming to read something in the air for a moment, Delia smiled gently.

“But Lady Evans, contrary to your words, it seems you quite like me.”

Mary Evans put down her cup at those words and stood up.

“You’re quite bold, young lady.”

“And you view boldness favorably.”

Mary Evans nodded slightly.

Of course, there were many flaws in her gait, greetings, speech, and demeanor, but her beautiful smile and soft, youthful face would be enough to catch others’ attention.

However, there were still many things lacking.

“I will absolutely not affect your reputation, Lady Evans. You won’t regret it.”

A faint smile appeared on Mary Evans’s seemingly stern lips. She was a stubborn and brazen young lady. However, she had no intention of accepting the young lady before her so easily.

“If you cared about my reputation, you shouldn’t have played tricks with using the imperial palace address for your letters, Miss Averbit. Many have tried various schemes to catch my eye, but my, this is a first.”

“Pardon?”

But contrary to Mary Evans’s expectations, instead of apologizing embarrassedly for her wrongdoing, the young lady before her only tilted her head from side to side.

After seeming to think about something, Delia opened her mouth again.

“Pardon?”

Mary Evans shook her head.

“It would have been better if you had been honest with me. What is your real address?”

“Well, Lady Evans. I have never deceived you. It’s just that…… due to certain circumstances, I’m currently staying at the imperial palace.”

Mary Evans narrowed her eyes and carefully observed Delia. She didn’t seem to be lying, but it was difficult to believe.

For a young and beautiful lady to have reason to stay at the imperial palace, she would either have caught the Crown Prince’s eye or the Emperor’s. If not that, then she would be a lady-in-waiting to the Empress or Princess.

But as the social butterfly she was, there was no way she wouldn’t know the ladies-in-waiting of the Empress or Princess. Then did that mean this young lady had truly caught the attention of the Crown Prince or Emperor?

If that were true, it would be dangerous to push too forcefully.

“I see.”

At the very least, the fact that this young lady currently needed her help and had connections to the imperial palace was a sweet opportunity for her.

Even if it were a lie, the decision had already been made.

“Come back here tomorrow. I’d like to see what qualities you possess, Miss Averbit. May I make my decision after that?”

Since this child had caught her eye from their first meeting, when she was known to be particular, this young lady must surely be a gem.

Delia smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Lady Evans.”

Delia once again felt grateful for her high charm stat.

* * *

“So how did it go?”

When the maid who was arranging the bedding asked, Delia proudly puffed out her chest and hugged a pillow.

“Lady Evans seems to really like me. She said she’ll help me for the next week!”

“That’s wonderful, Miss!”

The maid, caught up in the excited voice, moved to step forward but suddenly stopped.

“But what about the Grand Duke?”

“What about Kaiel?”

“Did he give permission?”

“I didn’t ask?”

At Delia’s response, the maid looked at her with suspicious eyes.

“Are you still not reconciled?”

“Reconciled?”

“These past few days…… weren’t you fighting?”

Delia’s previously excited expression fell as she spoke.

“We weren’t fighting. I just now realized that I was very lacking in Kaiel’s eyes.”

“Miss…… That’s absolutely not—”

“Well, it’s fine! These things happen! That’s why I asked Lady Evans for help now, and she accepted me! Hahaha! What more do I need?”

Delia was determined to win the role of Ashlene’s stand-in. Only then did she feel she could proudly show herself to Kaiel.

Apparently, his words from before had wounded her pride more deeply than expected.

The next morning.

It was the usual breakfast setting.

“Eat slowly.”

Kaiel spoke up, unable to watch any longer as Delia emptied her plate as if she was in a great hurry.

Usually, she would have continued eating with a happy expression whether she heard such words or not. But Delia suddenly paused, slowly put down her spoon, and replied.

“Yes, Kaiel. I will.”