The Return of the Female Knight

CHAPTER 51

It was late at night when Kuhn arrived. He was more cautious than usual, when a man was seen sneaking into a noble lady's room would raise unwanted rumors. It was impolite to visit at that late hour, but approval was given in advance at the insistence of both handkerchiefs.

Kuhn quietly landed in the room and turned around to close the window. Elena, who was just about to fall asleep, opened her eyes with a slight disturbance. His hand slid to the dagger under his pillow. Then he heard a familiar voice.

"It's Kuhn. What did you call me for? ”

Elena loosened her grip on the dagger and got out of bed. It is impolite to accept guests while lying down. However, Kuhn turned her gaze politely so as not to see Elena in her nightgown, and when she realized she hurriedly put on a robe by her bedside. He's straight to the point.

“I received the clothes and gems you sent me today. You know about that, don't you? ”

"Yes I know . ”

"I'll be forced to accept a dress for the dance, but for jewelry-"

Kuhn.

"That's impossible . ”

He seemed to have anticipated the answer. When Elena tried to open her mouth to speak, Kuhn cut her off again.

"The general said that he would stab me in the neck if I took him back. ”

"W-what?"

Elena was struck by an unexpected answer. He spoke again, suspicion written on his face.

"Is that a joke?"

"Maybe not . ”

He was doubtful whether Carlisle would actually kill Kuhn, but Kuhn had answered very seriously. Carlisle seemed to have read his mind. In fact, he had also promised from the very beginning to receive the items he had sent him.

'… But how could I possibly do that?'

The cost of dresses and jewelry alone is huge, let alone the astronomical price of a red diamond necklace. He could not accept such things for no reason.

"Then please tell this prince. It's too valuable for me to accept. I'll return the dress after I use it at the dance, when I promise and I have to keep it. Hope you can get the jewelry back. ”

Elena was insistent, but Kuhn replied with an unperturbed expression.

"I'll tell him. But the General said, If he makes such a request, tell him this. '”

"…What is it?"

“She said she wanted to see you as the woman at the dance wearing the dress and jewelry she sent you. ”

Elena did not know why Carlisle wanted to give her such a precious gift. Then suddenly she remembered what her husband said the last time they met.

– “I don't like others to see you, but I don't mean to disappoint my women. ”

Did she say that she wanted her to be crowned Madonna of the ball?

It was not at all an honor given, but in the case of the Imperial Court there was a ceremony that chose the most beautiful woman of the night. The chosen woman was rewarded with a tiara, and while the tiara itself was more symbolic than worth the money, it was an honor coveted by many young noblewomen. There are even rumors in public that a humble woman crowned Madonna can find a suitable partner and rise to social status. That's why tailor shops are paralyzed from work during party season.

'… there is no possibility for me to be chosen for such a position. '

She had no hope for herself from the start, and she remembered who was chosen as Madonna in her last life.

“I hope Your Majesty doesn't expect much from me. ”

“I can't guess what he's thinking. ”

Elena continued with more forcefully.

“I'm still too much for me. Please tell him to take it back. ”

"I will give him a message, but the General is far from the capital on urgent matters. You may not be able to receive an answer before the party. ”

"…I saw . ”

Elena's face flared with anxiety. He was worried when Carlisle was away from him. His life was at risk on Flower Bridge, and he was worried that something would happen again.

"The General said if you won't accept it until the end, he told me to tell you one last thing. ”

"What did he say?"

“She said, 'Abide your words. 'If not, he will also not keep his promise … "

Elena's mouth opened in shock even before Kuhn was done.

"It is impossible . ”

"That's all I can tell you. ”

Kuhn's sterile and business-like attitude forced Elena to hold back her anger. There was no point in turning against the messenger.

'… It's not fair. '

That was the first thought that came to his mind. Carlisle tried to force her to accept expensive items, but from Elena's point of view, she couldn't allow herself to owe him anything. He was also afraid that one day he would get used to his help. In her last life, Elena lived a life alone with revenge as her only goal. Relying on others can weaken it. At first she liked that Carlisle treated her well, but now she felt stuck, and if she continued to accept, she would have to pay him one day.

Elena replied unhappily.

“I understand now. ”

There was no way to return everything, even if he wanted to do so. He is annoyed by Carlisle's statements against Kuhn, and the fact he cannot speak to Carlisle personally before the party. She accepted the dress and jewelry. There was no other way to attend the ball and meet him. He didn't like it very much, but he had no choice.

"If you don't have any more orders, I'll leave now. ”

“Thank you for your work this late. ”

Kuhn deftly lowered her head, then quietly went through the window. He saw his figure disappear from sight, then stepped onto his bed and sat down. It's hard to fall asleep again.

There is not much time left to prepare until the ball. When the time comes, there will be a lot to do. First, she would officially enter a relationship with Carlisle; then, the marriage would be held as soon as possible so that she could become a princess. Although this had been planned from the start, things changed around them more than he thought.

Elena looked out the window towards the blanket of stars in the night sky. Even in the darkness, their glittering dots looked extremely bright tonight.

“... Good luck, Elena Blaise. ”

He hoped that he would not regret this life.

Blaise's house finds herself busy the next day, as there are two dresses to fix before the party. The most excited about it was Mirabelle.

“Stand here a minute, Sister. ”

Mirabelle started to measure Elena by hand. The dresses Carlisle sent were so beautiful that they seemed to rekindle Mirabelle's inspiration for making them. Elena had never seen her brother's blazing eyes, and Elena looked at him curiously.

"Do you want to study abroad at Freegrand?"

"What's? Studying abroad?"

Freegrand is most famous on the continent for fashion. And unlike the Ruford Empire, which still balked at women's economic progress, Freegrand was a free empire without any discrimination in that regard. As a result, it was also a place where many enterprising women gathered.

Mirabelle gave a surprised expression as if she had never entertained the idea before, but soon she smiled gently and shook her head.

"If you don't have to worry about tuition and if Dad allows you to leave, will you?"

She could not be honest about her circumstances with Mirabelle now, but Elena would be able to afford the tuition once she became the crown princess. No matter what life her beautiful little sister chooses, Elena hopes Mirabelle will be free to do what she loves as much as possible.

"Well .. I haven't thought about it before so I can't say it. ”

"Think about that . I'll do anything for you. ”

"Yes I understand . ”

Mirabelle smiled thanks as she held the pin in her hand. Elena warmed up to her brother's expression.

Mary, the waiter behind them who was working on the sewing machine, turned to Mirabelle in a hurry.

"Young Miss, what should I do with this?"

Mirabelle headed straight to check the engine that was jammed.

"Oh, this …"

As Elena watched Mirabelle take over in fixing their dresses, it occurred to Elena that Mirabelle looked a lot like their mother.

*

The rest of the day flew as fast as light. Elena, Mirabelle and the servants in the mansion worked together to finish the dress on time.

"It's over, brother! Come and see . ”

"really?"

Elena followed Mirabelle into the dressing room in anticipation.

"Well…"

He could only look at her with his mouth open. Although he had seen the transition process, this was the first time he had seen the end product of their hard work.

"This is our dress?"

Elena's voice shook and Mirabelle nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes! Aren't they pretty? We didn't do much for the overall design, but just made a few adjustments to fit our shape. The original document is perfect, but I think it would be better to customize it to fit ourselves. ”

“Mirabelle, this is perfect. ”

Elena's cry flushed Mirabelle's cheek.

“We all work hard together. The result was better than I expected. ”

Mirabelle is humble, but she has created a completely stylistic reinterpretation. Mirabelle's black dress was unusual, with a large ribbon around her neck and a fancy gold pattern decorated in her skirt.

Elena's dress is pretty pink. Her shoulders were open, emphasizing the allure of her femininity, and there was a multi-layered skirt, giving off a floating and elegant feeling. She was sure their real dresses were not this perfect. With Elena's slim figure and Mirabelle's petite body, more parts of the dress were newly made than expected.

“... Amazing. ”

"Your dress was made to feature a red diamond necklace, especially considering how valuable it is. ”

Elena for a while forgot the necklace. He followed with a shocked expression on his face.

"Necklace?"

"Yes, the one you're going to wear at the dance. I'll try it sometime, but not now! I'll take care of it even if it's a loan. ”

Mirabelle was not wrong, so Elena nodded awkwardly. Actually she didn't have to go to the dance with the necklace, but she promised to accept whatever Carlisle sent her without complaining. Since he would wear it just once before returning it, he decided to accept his sincerity and not worry too much about it anymore. They will create a love scene at first sight at the dance, and she must look beautiful to make it convincing.

“You've done an amazing job on these dresses. Thank you for your efforts, Mirabelle. ”

Mirabelle smiled happily and took her brother's hand to pull him away.

“Now after we finish the dress, let's skin care. ”

"Skin care?"

"of course! I want my sister to be crowned Madonna of the ball. ”

"I don't think that's possible …"

Despite Elena's pessimism, Mirabelle only sped it up.

"Come on!"

"I understand . ”

Both of them walked with smiles.

*

*

*

The night of the dance.

A line of large carriages flowed through the gates of the imperial palace. One of them was emblazoned with House Blaise stamp.

Dalgulag, dalgulags.

The carriages entered in quick succession, until Blaise's carriage finally arrived at the entrance. A reporter announced the names with a booming voice.

“Kids Count Blaise. ”

When the voice of the preacher died, a servant opened the door of the carriage. There was a red carpet from the carriage to the entrance of the palace.

Elena's feet were gently dipped into the carpet.

Tuk.

The man with the invitation did a double take on Elena then dropped the list she was holding. The crowd about them, trembled by the excitement of the ball, stopped all action to see the woman appear.

Hair like liquid gold and skin as white as snow. Exceptionally beautiful red diamond necklace twin with eyes like red gems. The young lady appeared completely from the carriage, her movements as smooth as water and wearing a dress so stunning that it was enough to catch everyone's breath. It was like seeing the beauty of another world.

Elena, who came out first, extended her hand to Mirabelle.

“Be careful when descending, Mirabelle. ”

The appearance of a new girl caught people's breath again. Elena turned to the reporters and found him staring at them.

"Can we come in?"

“O-oh yes! Please come in . ”

He appointed a servant to be their guide, and Elena and Mirabelle immediately entered the palace, holding hands warmly.