Chapter 7 (Part 1)

The medicine given by Kelle, the medicine prepared by the family doctor, and the tea provided by Hernes had been taken consistently. Before she knew it, the day of the Gelleride banquet had arrived.

From the morning, it had been quite busy. Melin and several servants dressed her face and body, and it wasn’t until evening that she could finally catch her breath. 

When she stood in front of the mirror, it was as if the reflection wasn’t her own. She stared for a long time, feeling strange, until Melin cautiously asked, 

“Is there something you’re not satisfied with?

“No, it’s just fascinating.”

Then, belatedly, she turned her head.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. By the way, it’s time to leave now. Lady Hernes is waiting for you.”

“Mother is?”

“Yes, she said she’ll be accompanying you.”

She was taken aback, as she hadn’t heard this beforehand.

“Madam?”

She quickly composed herself and left the room. It was as she descended the stairs that she realized she hadn’t heard any news about Cardin. At that moment, Melin followed behind, adjusting the train of her dress.

“What about Cardin?”

“The master is busy with work, so he said he might be a bit late to the banquet. He will probably enter with Lady Hernes.”

Cardin being constantly late weighed on her mind. The uneasiness she had been feeling for some time refused to dissipate. As she descended the stairs with a hardened expression, murmurs echoed around her.

Lifting her head, she saw Hernes talking with the butler in the central hall. Hernes suddenly raised her head, and their eyes met. She quickly lowered her gaze and bowed. Hernes didn’t acknowledge the greeting, merely looking at her. Feeling awkward, she hesitated before approaching, at which point Hernes spoke.

“Straighten your shoulders.”

“……”

“There’s nothing worse to look at than someone cowering.”

Hernes turned away. She followed her and opened her mouth to speak.

“You look at me that way.”

Hernes stopped and turned back to face her.

“I think I was nervous because you looked at me so coldly.”

“Should I wait for you with a smile?”

“You don’t have to go that far, but if you had at least acknowledged my greeting, my shoulders would have naturally straightened.”

Since she believed her marriage with Cardin wouldn’t last forever, she had nothing to fear. Though her voice trembled slightly, expressing her thoughts cleared the heaviness in her chest.

Hernes furrowed her brows as if she found this absurd, then walked ahead. After a moment’s hesitation, she spoke again.

“Still, thank you. Thanks to you, I get to wear a dress like this.”

Hernes glanced at her briefly with a sharp gaze, then looked ahead again. She continued speaking as she walked alongside her.

“For someone like me, who couldn’t even properly attend social gatherings, when else would I get to wear a dress like this?”

They arrived at a grand carriage. The emblem of a dragon clutching an emerald engraved on its side exuded a commanding presence. At that moment, Hernes suddenly turned to her.

“Have you been practicing sarcasm on your own?”

“Pardon?”

“I thought you had no talent, but it seems you do.”

Hernes shot her a sharp glare before boarding the carriage. 

Talent?

‘I don’t think I’ve done anything noticeable to Hernes.’

Perhaps it was because I had spoken too candidly? 

Though she felt a bit concerned, she brushed it off and climbed into the carriage. Hernes gazed out of the window without facing her. She, too, had nothing to say, so she simply stared out the window. Many carriages passed by. Her heart, which had been pounding, now throbbed with nervous tension.

She vowed not to be looked down upon like at the wedding. Clenching her hands tightly, she steadied her resolve.

***

The carriage sped toward the resplendent royal palace, where numerous other carriages were already lined up. However, their carriage entered the palace grounds with ease, bypassing the long queue.

Soon, the carriage slowed to a stop. As Hernes stepped out, she spoke.

“You’ve memorized the etiquette and the names of the nobles I told you about, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

Hernes smiled at a woman approaching them. She noticed that the women around her wore dresses with minimal embellishments, much like her own, rather than extravagant ones. Hernes clearly had an eye for such things.

“Madame, it’s been a while. It’s so lovely to see you again.”

The woman with deep crimson eyes greeted Hernes warmly before turning to look at her. Hernes naturally introduced her, and only then did the woman smile and greet her as well. She greeted the woman as Hernes had taught her.

“Madame Oldrin, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

When she lifted her gaze, Madame Oldrin’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. As she gave a faint smile, Madame Oldrin’s expression softened somewhat.

“You seem much more composed now than at the wedding.”

She merely smiled in response, offering no reply. Hernes had advised her not to respond unnecessarily. Speaking too much could expose her nature and reveal her weaknesses.

Madame Oldrin observed her closely before turning to Hernes.

“I heard the Gardrea family put in a great deal of effort. Don’t you find it a shame?”

The Gardrea family was Foyne’s family. She recalled how Cardin had met Foyne at a hotel previously. Why was this woman bringing up such a topic in front of her? She pondered how best to respond to this veiled slight.

“It’s not a shame. Everything has its time.”

Hernes’ voice carried an elegant grace. The noblewoman, who had subtly tried to insult her, froze momentarily. Hernes smiled as she continued.

“Madame Oldrin, how is your wool business these days?”

With that, Hernes and Madame Oldrin delved into an in-depth conversation. She had no opportunity to interject, merely lifting the corners of her lips whenever their eyes met.

Eventually, Madame Oldrin excused herself to attend to other matters. Only then did Hernes turn to her.

“Madame Oldrin is one of the more straightforward members of the social circle. Just behave as you did now.”

It sounded like praise. Feeling slightly more at ease, she followed Hernes. People began to gather around Hernes. She recalled the names of the noblewomen she had memorized beforehand.

When she addressed them by name, most of them looked surprised, as if they hadn’t expected her to know. Hernes assisted her in seamlessly continuing conversations. Whenever someone tried to make disparaging remarks about her, Hernes would sternly reprimand them. Each time, they would apologize to her, cowed by Hernes’ authority. It was then that she realized just how much they had looked down on her.

After all, a woman from an insignificant family had married the head of the Messerode family. To them, it was both incomprehensible and offensive.

As the time to enter the banquet approached, she looked around. Cardin had said he would come, but he was nowhere to be seen.

‘When is he coming?’

At that moment, Hernes remarked.

“What are you looking for?”

“I don’t see Cardin.”

Hernes turned her head indifferently and said.

“There he is.”

Looking in the direction she indicated, she saw Cardin approaching. He stood out among the crowd, drawing her gaze immediately.

He was dressed in a sleek black suit, his neatly styled hair catching her attention. It was the first time she had seen him like this since the wedding, especially in such a public setting.

Cardin strode confidently toward her and stopped before her. Meeting her eyes, he smiled and kissed her cheek. Then, turning to Hernes, his expression grew cold, a stark contrast to the warmth he had shown her.

“You usually avoid such banquets, saying they’re tiresome, yet you’ve come today.”

“I need to see if the Messerode name isn’t being tarnished, don’t I?”

Cardin let out a laugh, as if he found her words absurd.

“Do you realize how revolting that attitude of yours is?”

Startled by his unexpected remark, she grabbed Cardin’s arm. Despite this, he spoke coldly to Hernes.

“I’ve let things slide since you haven’t particularly troubled Brienne, but if you make things difficult for her from now on, I won’t stand idly by.”

Hernes, seemingly accustomed to Cardin’s demeanor, replied indifferently.

“I look forward to it.”

With that, she entered the banquet hall first. Hernes’ name echoed loudly in the hall. At that moment, Cardin linked his arm with hers. His lips naturally brushed her cheek, and his warm breath lingered.

“Are you sure Mother hasn’t done anything?”

Cardin gazed intently into her eyes, as if that was the most important thing.

“There’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“Mother seems to be quite determined right now.”

“About what?”

“Seeing how much effort she’s putting into you, she must be serious.”

“I’ve never attended social gatherings or had experiences like this, so she’s been very helpful. And I didn’t want to tarnish your family’s name…”

Cardin furrowed his brows and turned to her.

“You can tarnish this family’s name anytime. You’re part of our family now, so don’t overthink it.”

“Still…”

Before she could finish her sentence, their names were called. The banquet hall suddenly brightened, as if flooded with radiant light. 

She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, Cardin whispered in her ear.

“They’re giving you a special welcome. It’s your first time attending such a banquet.”

Hearing this, her previously calm heart began to race. She unconsciously gripped his arm tightly, prompting Cardin to laugh and gently nibble on her earlobe.

“Relax. I’ll be by your side all day.”

The warmth of his breath brushing against her momentarily startled her heart. Though still nervous, the thought of Cardin staying by her side eased her tension slightly.