Chapter 92

“Oh my! Lia, it seems your dancing skills have improved a lot overnight.”

When Lia finished the dance without stepping on Alfred’s foot even once, Isabella clapped her hands, her face overflowing with joy.

“Did you perhaps receive the blessing of Goddess Hecate in your dreams? You could go to the birthday banquet right now and not be lacking at all.”

At Isabella’s compliment, Lia blushed.

“It seems I improved because I received help from the Duke last night.”

Lia, looking embarrassed, touched the bridge of her nose with her hand.

“Johann gave you advice? My son did something commendable even though he’s busy.”

Isabella, with a subtle smile, gently stroked Lia’s back.

“Now. Then, let’s stop practicing the dance here and go to your room to quickly try on the dress.”

“Has the dress arrived?”

“Just a little while ago, Madame Evelyn brought it herself.”

Evelyn’s Salon, the most popular in the Capital, was extremely busy as the ball approached.

Probably, until the day before the ball, not only Evelyn but even her staff would be making dresses while catching short naps.

It was very grateful that Evelyn herself came to deliver the dress despite being so busy.

Lia, having finished her shower, went to the parlor with Isabella.

“You’re here! I’ve been waiting for you, Miss Lia.”

Evelyn, who was sitting on the sofa, approached with great delight.

“You’re so busy these days, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

Lia responded as she received Evelyn’s greeting.

“No, not at all. I came because I wanted to personally help you put on the dress, Miss Lia. That’s all.”

Evelyn took out a lilac-colored dress from the box placed on the table.

“Wow.”

The dress, with short sleeves to stay cool in the hot summer and made of a light, flowing fabric, was very beautiful.

“Evelyn, you’ve made another wonderful dress this time.”

Isabella praised highly.

“Thank you, Duchess Dowager. I truly put my heart and soul into making it.”

“It certainly shows.”

Isabella agreed, smoothing over the dress.

“Miss Lia, now, would you like to try it on?”

With Evelyn’s help, Lia put on the dress, and as it was made from the finest fabric, it was so comfortable it almost felt like she wasn’t wearing anything, though that might be an exaggeration.

“…Hmm, hmm.”

Evelyn walked around Lia, carefully checking to see if there were any mistakes.

Lia, with her head slightly bowed, saw Evelyn’s satisfied expression and felt relieved that the dress seemed perfect.

“Truly, you are really beautiful.”

Evelyn, standing a few steps away from Lia, clasped her hands together in admiration.

“With makeup and jewelry added, you’ll be so perfect that no one will be able to take their eyes off you.”

Evelyn’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Lia.

“I think so too, it really suits you well.”

Isabella, standing by, commented with a contented smile.

“I thought from the first time I saw you at the salon that you would look great in a glamorous dress, Miss Lia.”

“…Thank you so much for thinking so kindly of me.”

Lia was at a loss at the flood of compliments from Evelyn.

“That’s why I always wanted to have you wear a dress that I made, stitch by stitch, with all my heart! Today, my wish has finally come true.”

“Hearing that, I’m the one who’s honored, Madame Evelyn.”

“No, I’m the one who’s honored.”

After exchanging heartfelt thanks, Evelyn, who still had much to do, left with a look of regret.

Now, there were only two days left until the birthday banquet.

Lia spent the remaining two days making every effort to prepare for the banquet.

* * *

Finally, the day of the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet dawned.

Although the banquet would begin in the evening, Lia hadn’t been able to eat anything since morning.

‘I’m so nervous, I feel like I’m going to throw up.’

Isabella said she would have to eat, even if she had to force herself, in order to dance and talk to people at the ball, so at lunchtime Lia forced herself to shovel the food in front of her into her mouth.

In the afternoon, she was finally dressed up with the help of the maids.

“Mom, you really look like a princess from a fairy tale today.”

Rafaella stuck closely to Lia’s side and said.

“Really, Sister. You’re so beautiful.”

Penelope, who was nearby, also gave a thumbs up.

“Hoho, you’ll be the most eye-catching at the birthday banquet.”

Because of her pounding heart, Lia could barely hear the voices of Rafaella, Penelope, and Isabella as if from far away.

“Miss Lia, you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Paula.”

Having finished all preparations, Lia left the room with everyone.

‘Ugh, I just can’t calm down.’

She gripped the stair railing with trembling hands and walked down to the entrance hall.

There, Johann, who had been waiting for Lia, stood up abruptly.

The lilac dress sparkled under the chandelier, and the dew-shaped diamond necklace and earrings made Lia’s appearance stand out even more.

There was an engagement ring on the ring finger of her left hand.

As soon as Johann saw Lia descending gracefully, his heart pounded wildly.

He thought,

‘I bet my face is really red right now.’

Whenever he saw Lia, every organ in his body would escape his control and move on its own.

He had always lived controlling everything, and that was comfortable for him.

It was very unpleasant when someone else broke his control, but strangely, it was different only with Lia.

He liked being swayed by her, outside of his control.

Only she could make him this way.

“The dress suits you very well.”

It was only after Lia approached that Johann came to his senses and spoke.

“Thank you.”

Escorting the shyly responding Lia, he led her to the carriage.

Perhaps because she was nervous, Lia held Johann’s hand tightly until she got into the carriage.

“…Phew, it feels like my heart is going to jump out of my mouth.”

Lia said, lightly covering her mouth with her hand.

“Telling you not to be nervous probably won’t help right now.”

Johann looked at her with a worried expression.

“…I just wish the birthday banquet would end quickly.”

“Once you’re there, maybe your nerves will calm down a bit.”

“I don’t think that will ever happen….”

Lia shook her head.

“…….”

He closed his mouth.

“But I’ll do well, so don’t worry.”

Lia forced a smile.

“That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m worried you’ll have a hard time because you’re so nervous.”

“…Ah.”

A bit of heat rose to Lia’s face.

His gentle voice and the concern in it tickled her heart.

“Thank you for your concern.”

To avoid showing her flushed face, Lia turned her head slightly toward the window.

Johann didn’t say anything more, letting her relax until they reached the Imperial Palace.

The carriage soon arrived at the entrance to the palace’s ballroom, which was even more splendid than usual.

“Shall we get out?”

“…Yes.”

Lia took a deep breath and held Johann’s fingertips.

As they got out together, the brightly lit palace, glowing even in the dim evening, came into view.

Lia calmed her trembling heart and walked up the palace stairs with Johann.

Gulp.

When the huge doors in front of her opened, all the nobles inside would be looking at them.

‘Don’t be nervous, if I get too nervous, I’ll just make more mistakes.’

“Ahem, Johann von Blumhart, Duke, and his fiancée Lia von Blumhart are entering!”

As the doors to the ballroom opened, the attendant called out loudly.

When Lia and Johann appeared, a moment of silence fell over the ballroom.

“…….”

Among the nobles who had arrived early and were laughing and talking, some glanced sideways, while others openly stared at Lia next to Johann.

Lia felt very burdened by those gazes, but she straightened her posture so as not to shrink back.

“It’s all right, you’re now the Duke of Blumhart’s fiancée. There’s no need to lose confidence.”

Johann’s gentle, kind voice eased her tension a little.

“…Yes.”

When Johann entered the ballroom with Lia, people’s voices began to rise again.

Everyone hesitated, unable to approach easily, but then a middle-aged gentleman approached Johann and Lia.

“Duke Blumhart, it’s been a while.”

It was Duke Eisner, one of the five great Dukes and the father of the Crown Princess.

For the past week, Isabella had been giving Lia detailed lessons on the appearance and characteristics of key nobles, so she recognized him immediately.

“You haven’t left your domain at all, so it’s been a while since I’ve seen you,”

“I haven’t been able to attend the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet for several years, so I made some time this year.”

“I see, this is my fiancée, Lia von Blumhart.”

“Nice to meet you for the first time, Your Grace, Duke Eisner.”

Lia greeted Duke Eisner with proper etiquette.

“Very pleased to meet you, Miss Lia.”

Despite his fierce and blunt appearance, Duke Eisner received Lia’s greeting with a gentle tone.

“I heard you’re the one who saved the Duke of Blumhart’s life. Is that true?”

“Yes, if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be here now.”

Johann answered in Lia’s stead.

The nobles nearby, who had been eavesdropping, widened their eyes at Johann’s gentle voice.

‘Is that really the Duke of Blumhart I know?’

‘We didn’t hear wrong, did we?’

They exchanged bewildered glances.

As the conversation with Duke Eisner was drawing to a close, the doors to the ballroom opened again and the attendant raised his voice.

“Narcissa von Valerius, the Interim Empress, Her Highness Princess Patrizia von Valerius, and His Highness Prince Florian von Valerius are entering!”

Hearing that, Lia stiffened and turned her head toward the Interim Empress.