After the fireworks were over, we returned back to the auction house another scroll.
I was so mesmerized the night view and fireworks, that only when we arrived at the auction house did I realized that could barely stand.
'It is was like a wonderful dream.'
Even in the carriage on my way home, the wiew of the beautiful fireworks remained in my mind, and flickered in front of my eyes.
That ancient document that Isidor gave me did not catch my attention at all, I only looked briefly at the book and leaned against the window, continuing to reflect today's events.
'Honestly, both the ball and the fireworks were very enjoyable.
I also learned something new today, that social dancing can be surprisingly exciting and fun. Isidor's friendly smile and large hands are so fascina...'
I quickly shook my head when I realized where my train of thoughts was heading.
I was excited and my heart was beating fast because I didn't expect something like that to happen, I was truly happy tonight, for the first time since coming into this tragedy novel.
'Now I have to stop dreaming and come to my senses.'
I patted my cheeks lightly and got off the carriage.
"Princess Deborah!"
When I arrived home, Duke Seymour's aide looked at me exhausted and came forward in a fast pace, gasping for air.
"What is the matter?"
Unlike me, who enjoyed dream-like evening, the aide looked exhausted, like a person that just ran a marathon.
"Duke Seymour was very worried, because you are to late?"
"I came right after the fireworks were over. So why is he worried?"
'And I worried that I was behaving too upright all this time, not like a real ruffian.'
"Rightâ¦That's...Well...What I meant, is that the Duke cares about you very much so he was very worried."
The aide only mumbled nonsense, looking knackered.
"Since he is so worried, I should go see him right now."
I walked straight towards Duke Seymour's office.
"Father, I am home."
Duke Seymour was looking out the window with his hands behind his back.
'This feeling? I feel sense of disappointment looking at his large back.'
"It looks like you had a fun. It's good to see you with such a bright expression."
'He accepted my greeting a bit to late.'
The conversation wasn't awkward, but I could sense a hint of displeasure in his tone and expression.
'Maybe it is because I went out to have fun alone?'
The Spring Flower Festival was crowded and noisy, it was not a festival that the elderly actively participated in. And Duke Seymour blatantly disliked the Spring Flower Festival, always complaining that the atmosphere in the Wizard Association was turning slack, because of the Festival.
"Your aide told me that you were worried."
Duke Seymour cleared his throat.
"Why would I be worried about. You must have behaved well. I just asked at what time you are arriveing home, but it seems that that aide exaggerated."
"I see."
'Then why did he looked like that?'
"What are you holding in your hand?"
Duke Seymour pointed at the sage's ethics book that I was holding in my hand.
"Ooo, I went to the Night market andâ¦"
Before I could finish my words, he got angry and interrupted me.
"The Night market?! In that hectic and crowded place! Just as I expected from that sly Visconti guy, I knew he was going to act as he pleased. I can't believe he took my daughter to a place where lowly things go!"
I sighed as I watched the angry Duke Seymour move around, shouting angrily.
'I think you just don't like Isidor.'
....
Earlier today before the ball.
"... the dress, and the pink diamond suits you so well Deborah. After all, you are my daughter, so there is nothing that doesn't suit you."
Duke Seymour who was praising my ball attire, made a harsh expression as soon as he saw Isidor getting off the carriage with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers in his hands.
It was normal that when you pick up your ball partner to bring a bouquet of flowers, it was considered common courtesy for a gentleman of the Empire.
Seeing Isidor in a pink costume was to much for the conservative Duke Seymour.
The pink attire left a bad impression on Duke Seymour.
...
'He misunderstood!'
"Father, I went to the night market alone, after the ball. Sir Isidor had nothing to do with it."
"Why? If there was something you wanted to buy, you could have sent a servant to do that. Why did you have to go personaly?"
"I heard rumors that there was a rare item at the auction house today, and I wanted to check it out with my own eyes."
"So you mean to say that you went to the auction house where the ruffians gather, for that?"
Duke Seymour, took the sage's ethics book while and kept nagging, but after a moment he narrowed his brows and closed his mouth.
'Oooo...his face looks like he knows something.'
He looked at the old book with a serious expression, and then he took out a small mirror from a drawer and reflected the letters written on the page.
The foreign language was completely incomprehensible for me, but when the writing was reflected in the mirror the sides were reversed, and it looked like a bad but still readable handwriting.
The letters that I managed to read were 'by Bellemont'.
'Bellemont? I think I have heard that name somewhere.'
"This book was written by Bellemont Seymour, the sixth head of this family!
He was left handed and had the habit of writing like this, like a code."
'So this is why Isidor said that it may be useful to me.
Even though it was not an ethics book that belonged to a sage, it is a book of great value to the Seymour's family.'
"I can't believe Bellemont left behind such a memoir."
Duke Seymour's voice trembled because of the emotions.
'I know that look, it is the expression of a fan who came across new goods from his ultimate bias.
Perhaps Duke Seymour has the most respect for Bellemont, among all the heads of the family.
Isidor, thank you so much.(´^Ï^)'
"It's a gift for you, Father. The auctioneer seemed to be bluffing, but I am glad that I got the right item."
'Since he is so delighted about this book, there is no need to tell the truth.'
At my words, Duke Seymour scaned through the book with slightly trembling hands.
"Leaving from the Masquerade ball and going to that crowded place to buy me a presentâ¦"
'I am feeling guilty for no reason.'
"Y-yes, of course. Then, can I go?
As you can see, I don't look very good."
"You must be tired snd I held you back from redting."
"No, not at all. Have a goog night, Father."
'I feel like my acting skills and slyness improve day by day.'
I left Duke Seymour behind, so that he could enjoy the book in peace, like a true fan, and went to my quarter to screame in terror as soon as I took off the robe.
"Aaaaaaa!! Where is it?! This must be a dream! I am sure that I put it inside the skirt pocket! Why isn't it here!"
Since I couldn't bring unauthorized magic tools un the Imperial Palace, I didn't have the space magic pouch with me.
"P-Princess, what is wrong?"
The servants and maids who were waiting nearby rushed in confusion at my earth-shattering scream.
"My pink diamond! It is gone! I think I lost it at the Night market!
I am sure that I put it in my pocket! This can't be happening to me, my diamond...!!!"
'The price of one townhouse! More than 1 billion won in lottery winningsâ¦'( ´âï½ )b
I slumped down on the bed.
..........................