006.

The Gate of Summer announces the beginning of each social season.

The qualifications to host this first banquet were naturally strict. A basic requirement was a record of successfully hosting numerous large and small banquets, and one had to be flawless both legally and morally.

Connections were also important. Since many people would naturally attend the first banquet of the social season, one needed to have an abundance of friendly acquaintances and few adversaries. One needed to have an excellent reputation in every aspect.

As demanding as the requirements were, the honor bestowed was equally abundant. The woman who became the host was called the Lady of Summer and could sit in the place of honor at all banquets held that year.

Except for members of the imperial family, she would be guided first wherever she visited and receive gazes of respect and admiration. Young ladies would rush to seek her guidance, and older ladies would whisper secrets to her, making her the center of that year’s social circle.

“While banquets hosted by the imperial family are considered the finest, the Gate of Summer can proudly claim to be second to them.” 

Lady Roud said in an excited voice.

“They say that beginnings are important in all things. The Gate of Summer is precisely the beginning of each year’s social season. Those who cannot set foot at that beginning will inevitably become somewhat… excluded.”

“You mean they get ostracized by people?”

“One year is fine. But two consecutive years makes it difficult to recover one’s reputation, and if one fails to attend for three years straight, the social circle itself becomes distant.”

Radilt half-listened to the explanation that the Gate of Summer was the most important banquet. After all, she wouldn’t be facing a second Gate of Summer.

“Of course, there are exceptions everywhere. First, those of imperial blood rarely participate in the Gate of Summer at all. Also, if one doesn’t have a mansion in the capital or has been assigned to another region despite having one, there’s naturally no issue. High officials are also exceptions, as national affairs take precedence.”

Besides other reasons like serious illness, childbirth, funerals, etc., the basic rule was that one should attend if circumstances allowed.

“This year’s Gate of Summer host is Marchioness Banar Bofarnin. Though not as wealthy as Lord Duston, she’s known as a famous person of means and outstanding character.”

“Marchioness Banar Bofarnin.”

Radilt murmured, repeating the name. It was essential to memorize the host’s name and face.

“I hear she will open the entire Bofarnin mansion by the lake east of the capital for the banquet. It’s a beautiful villa consisting of a main building with a spacious hall connected to the garden and a separate building built high up with a view of the lake.”

Lady Roud gave Radilt an envious look, saying it would undoubtedly be a splendid and elegant banquet.

“The banquet will start in two days and continue for three. Since it’s the important Gate of Summer and your debut in society, you must attend for at least two days.”

“Two days……”

Radilt swallowed a sigh that was about to escape. Fortunately, the banquet would begin as the sun was setting. So there was no need to miss work at the Langfiel Workshop.

‘……I’ll be exhausted.’

But between workshop duties, household chores, and attending the banquet, she couldn’t help but get tired.

A month after encountering Pendlore at the Plumen Party, Radilt’s body was already gradually withering. Fatigue continued to accumulate.

“Now, please listen until the end, Lady Brill.”

Radilt nodded slightly at Lady Roud’s energetic voice.

* * *

At last, summer began.

The air was already warm enough to be called hot, but perhaps because people recognized that the exact season had changed, they felt the sun had grown even hotter. They organized spring clothes and bedding that had been put off and cleaned their houses.

It was the beginning of summer, when one should be busy decorating the house to keep up with the changing season, but Radilt couldn’t do that. She had to go to the Langfiel Workshop during the day and the Gate of Summer banquet at night.

Was it because aristocrats could dump all such troublesome seasonal tasks on their employees? Radilt felt somewhat resentful of a banquet that lasted three days without concern during this busy period.

According to Lady Roud, attending for just two days would be fine, but it didn’t seem like Pendlore would allow that.

“Yes, good. Please turn slowly to the right.”

It was the day Radilt Brill would make her first appearance in society as Pendlore Duston’s lover. Naturally, she had to put much more effort into her appearance than usual.

“Now back to the left, a little faster. Hmm, the dress’s pleats don’t flow as beautifully as I thought.”

“……Do we need to worry about pleats too?”

In response to Radilt’s weary question, the madam brought in from the famous Lady Fond nodded, saying it was obvious.

“When walking, dancing, sitting. If you wear a dress with improperly formed pleats, each of those movements will lose its luster.”

She explained that especially for the first dance, which tended to be fast, the way the pleats spread wide during turns and then folded back was extremely important.

“Come now, we don’t have time. Let’s change into the next dress, Lady Brill.”

How many dresses had it been? After the fifth one, she gave up counting out of exhaustion. As soon as she finished work at the Langfiel Workshop, she was practically kidnapped and made to try on countless dresses.

“Well done, madam.”

Even the time that seemed endless finally reached its conclusion. The maids seated the exhausted Radilt in a plush chair and brought her a cool drink. Meanwhile, Lady Fond’s staff made final adjustments to the coordinated dress and accessories.

After a brief rest, all sorts of things were once again placed on Radilt’s body. The dress was a fresh light green. The Gate of Summer generally had a dress code that evoked early summer. This time was no exception.

A blue lake cast in the early summer forest.

To highlight Radilt’s vivid green eyes, the dress was light and fluttered like water shadows. It swayed gently with every movement, reminiscent of a cool lake breeze brushing through abundant tender leaves.

The shoes and gloves were blue with a hint of green. The bracelet and necklace featured cool, transparent diamonds, and her golden hair was swept up with platinum decorations adorned with mother-of-pearl.

The earrings were pale aquamarine sapphires, and when their light occasionally harmonized with her green eyes, they evoked the leisurely feeling of willow branches in sunlight reflected on lake waves.

“Perfect!”

Lady Fond’s madam clapped her hands and smiled broadly.

“I’m confident no lady will outshine you, Lady Brill. Above all, those two eyes of yours are the perfect jewels that best match the Gate of Summer.”

“You flatter me.”

Radilt briefly shook her head. Still, she was slightly pleased to be complimented on her eyes rather than her beautiful attire.

Lushen, too, used to often praise her, saying that just looking at her eyes made him feel at ease. As the old memory spontaneously surfaced, Radilt lowered her eyes thinly.

* * *

Shadows had fallen outside the window before long. As summer approached, the days grew longer, and now even in the evening, the sky remained bright red.

When the scarlet velvet of midday blended with the deep purple satin hem of midnight—at that very moment when day and night met and danced—the banquet began.

Radilt left the dressing room and entered the reception room. As someone making her first appearance in society, she was not permitted to walk out and board the carriage by herself.

Typically, inexperienced and young ladies and gentlemen were always accompanied by skilled partners. Thus, all mistakes made at one’s first banquet would be graciously accepted as the partner’s responsibility, easing the tension that filled young hearts.

‘Don’t worry too much. The Empire’s social circles are more flexible compared to other countries.’

Lady Roud’s voice echoed in Radilt’s mind. Nevertheless, she naturally couldn’t relax.

The large window of the reception room was dyed with the evening sunset. Radilt stood before it, waiting for the man’s visit.

With her back and waist straight, neck er*ect, chin slightly tucked, eyes lowered just a bit while looking straight ahead, beyond the window.

In this short time, she had learned much, and her posture was that of an admirable lady by anyone’s standards.

At last.

Click, the handle turned and the door opened. The sound of shoe heels tapping the floor approached.

Radilt remained motionless, standing with her back to the door, facing the window as she had been taught. Behind her, the footsteps stopped a couple of paces away.

“Lady Radilt Brill.”

An exceptionally courteous voice gently brushed against the exposed nape of her neck.

“I humbly request that you accompany me to the banquet being held today to mark the beginning of summer.”

Those making their first appearance in society could refuse a partner’s request up to twice. But this was an old custom meant to display shy modesty, and had largely disappeared in recent times.

So she should simply turn around and gladly take his hand, but…

“……”

Radilt remained silent. She pressed her gloved hands together tightly, keeping her lips sealed.

It wasn’t that she now wanted to refuse attending the banquet. She simply wanted to pretend, just in this permitted opportunity, to be a woman who wasn’t easily won over.

Because Radilt Brill had accepted Pendlore Duston’s dry confession in a dark, narrow carriage without a single flower or light. Because she had been so shabbily seated in a position that was a lover in name only.