Chapter 81

***

The corridors of Morte Castle were dazzling. The new blue carpet, as well as the displayed armor, had a wonderful luster. It was all thanks to the servants who swept and polished the castle with great enthusiasm and devoted themselves to the preparation of the banquet.

“I should give everyone a bonus after the banquet.”

Catalina laughed.

“Amarion, you are a very kind hostess.”

“Really?”

“Ordinary hostesses don’t give bonuses to their servants after every banquet.”

Amarion tilted her head.

If you did more work than usual, wasn’t it natural to pay more? Mercenaries got extra money if they hunted big game. A mercenary could break their contract, but it was difficult for employees to quit their jobs.

Amarion thought for a moment and looked at Catalina again. She was still smiling softly.

“Yesterday, I saw that you and the Grand Duke were on good terms… really close.”

“Yes…”

Amarion’s cheeks flushed red.

But Catalina didn’t seem to be teasing her. With her fan to her lips, Catalina looked serious.

“In the past, it felt like both of you were nervous. You look comfortable these days.”

“During subjugation, we talked a lot.”

Amarion laughed shyly.

The expedition for subjugation was where she finally got to know Victor better.

As Amarion and Victor matured little by little, their relationship became stronger than before. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had been terrified of him or quarreled with him.

Catalina laughed quietly.

“Good for you. So, are you happy?”

“Happiness… yes. It feels like every day is a dream.”

“I see…”

Amarion lowered her eyes.

Oddly enough, Catalina seemed lost in thought. She always resolutely spoke her opinion, but she seemed hesitant for some reason.

What could it be?

Doubts arose. Lately, she had been acting really weird. But Catalina quickly smiled.

“Then let’s go look around the garden. When I looked out my window this morning, I noticed the gardener had put out nice decorations.”

She put her arm through Amarion’s and guided her.

After looking around the garden with Catalina, they headed to the salon.

＊ ＊ ＊

The salon of ‘White Starlight’ was already crowded. Even though it wasn’t time for the party to start yet, the women gathered early and settled down. Before Amarion knew it, her maids were among the ladies in pretty dresses.

She didn’t dare to go in, so she watched the situation outside the door for a moment.

The young girls, who had not debuted yet, excitedly asked the ladies.

“Is the Grand Duchess’ swordsmanship really that great?”

“Of course. Haven’t you heard that she hunted dragons in Fidelburg? The giant carcass still remains in Fidelburg!”

‘It wasn’t a dragon.’

But Mary did not correct their words for some reason. She just smiled softly and listened.

‘Mary, why don’t you correct them?’

Another girl asked.

“By the way, how did the Grand Duke meet her? Rumor has it that they met at a swordsmanship contest…”

“I heard they met on the battlefield. His highness went all the way to the Northern kingdom in search of a great knight and met her.”

“The rumours are a bit wrong.”

Mary intervened coldly. The maid gripped her fan sternly.

“Obviously, he brought her here after their official marriage ceremony. It was arranged by the king of the northern kingdom.”

“Oh, really?”

“Of course. Born to a strong Count, she is a noble lady with dignity and fantastic swordsmanship skills. How could they have found such a fine lady if they had kidnapped her?”

That was such a blatant lie, wasn’t it?

Catarina caught Amarion trying to intervene, and held her back. She said with a chuckle.

“Your maids are very loyal.”

“Well, is this okay?”

“What do you think? It’s not so wrong.”

They knew everything about how she met Victor!

Catalina whispered quietly and gently nudged Amarion’s back.

“Now go in, Amarion. All the ladies are waiting for you.”

Amarion gulped down her saliva, then plucked up the courage to enter the salon.

＊ ＊ ＊

It wasn’t her first time seeing all the women in the salon bend their knees to her. She had seen this frequently during social season in the Capital, but she was always a bit nervous.

But the expressions on their faces were different. Everyone here was looking at Amarion as a lady worthy of her position.

“I greet you, your highness.”

Amarion smiled as they greeted her, then went to the head table and sat down.

Soon the band began to play soothing music. The attendants served tea and light snacks. It was a classic Imperial-style tea party.

Fortunately, the maids, Catalina, and Julianna were all nearby. Catalina was the heir to Cataleon, and Julianna was the fiancé of the next Knight Commander, so she had sufficient support.

But she wouldn’t be able to talk to them alone during the party.

As expected, a middle-aged lady approached them. She was a woman beyond recognition. She said hello for the first time at the ball yesterday.

The first great socialite of the northern social circles. Recalling the story she heard from Mary and Leonard during subjugation, Amarion spoke to her.

“Countess Oxburg.”

“I greet you, your highness.”

The Countess of Oxburg greeted Amarion gracefully.

She was a woman who had led the social circles of the North for decades. Famous for her culture and wealth, she wore a relatively modest-looking dress, but her hands and wrists were full of jewels.

Oxburg owned several mines, so it was said that she was one of the richest people in the North. Amarion remembered Mary’s words and smiled kindly.

“Thank you for coming to my party, Madame.”

“It is my honor, your highness. I’ve only been to this salon when I was debuting in the social world, so I’m deeply moved to set foot in it again.”

The Countess replied with a friendly smile. It was perfect etiquette.

But Catalina and Mary covered their mouths with fans and whispered.

“That’s no good.”

“She’s reminding you that she made her debut here first.”

‘Is that so?’

Amarion thought it was just a polite greeting.

While she was confused, another woman appeared. She was a gorgeous beauty in a rose-colored dress that exposed her shoulders. Her lips, which were colored with bright red lipstick, were very prominent. Of course, Amarion knew this woman, too.

The second pillar of the social world,

“Count* Helvant?”

[*E/N: This isn’t a typo, she’s really a Count. The title was passed down to her directly, so she has ultimate power over her estate, making her a Count.]

“It’s nice to see you again, your highness!”

The woman smiled broadly, showing her teeth. Unlike Countess Oxburg, she had a very lively attitude.

The young Count of Helvant had appeared in the social world a few years ago. Northern nobles, accustomed to the elegant banquets of Countess Oxburg, said they felt freshness from her candid and unconventional attitude. It was said that her mother, the former Countess, handed down the title in advance, and that she could appear splendidly with her followers at any gathering in the North.

She came a step closer in an excited manner. The Count spoke to Amarion enthusiastically.

“Please call me Helena, Madame. If you can throw more great balls like yesterday, I want to be friends with you.”

“…You still have no manners, Helena.”

An elegant voice intervened. Count Helvant’s eyes chilled in an instant. She turned her head, and formed a very contrived smile.

“Oh, Diana! I didn’t notice you there.”

Countess Diana Oxburg smiled softly, but her voice was colder than Amari’s ice.

“I wonder when the Count will show behavior worthy of her name.”

“Oh? You are younger than my etiquette teacher.”

“It’s a surprise that Count Helena has an etiquette teacher. Why don’t you let her quit since she doesn’t seem to be doing her job properly?”

“Thank you for your concern! But my teacher is a good person. They say that a pretentious attitude is poisonous.”

A fight broke out between the two women.

Amarion sighed. Sadly, the big names who shook up the northern social circle were at odds. It was because Count Helvant’s unconventional speech did not please Countess Oxburg, who valued politeness. Because of such a disagreement, there was no end to their quarrel.

“Then who’s good?”

When Amarion asked in the lowest tone possible, Mary cut her off with a bewildered look.

“Neither!”

“What?”

“Northern banquets were always strained as the two of them fought on every occasion. If you don’t join a side, it’s hard to get invited to a banquet.”

Mary said softly.

“So Madame, you have to say something that will change the mood!”

Amarion nodded.

She looked at Catalina and Julianna eagerly for help.

No matter how she thought about it, she didn’t fit in. She could do anything with a sword, but in this place, where you fought with words and feather fans, she was helpless.

Surprisingly, Julianna stepped in.

She clasped her slender hands and stood up from her seat.

“Countess Oxburg, Count Helvant. It’s against etiquette, but may I say hello first?”

The two women who were glaring at each other looked at Julianna at once.

Their eyes softened.

***

New Kofi shop updated till chapter 88.