The Return of the Female Knight
CHAPTER 52
The royal ball was held in the Palace of Freesia, which had the largest ballroom on imperial grounds. Elena and Mirabelle, guided by the maid, passed through the maze of beautiful rooms, and they could already hear the muffled orgies. Another doorman was installed at the entrance to the dance hall, and when he saw Elena, his eyes became wide. The waiter called him first.
"These are the two women from House Blaise. ”
The guard could not take his eyes off Elena when she opened the door.
Kiiiig–
The doors of the dance hall, as majestic as the gates, slowly swung open to open the shining hall. Elena and Mirabelle slid in, catching the eyes of the nobles and making them whisper to each other. It's the same for men and women. Those who did not pay attention to Elena were at first startled as she passed by them, and the buzz grew louder.
"Who is that young lady?"
"Oh, look at that necklace. It's a red diamond! "
"Where was the dress made?"
Just like outside the palace, Elena's shining appearance attracted the attention of the spectators. Maybe it's natural. Although Elena's clothes were simple, one could not help but admire the quality of her work. From her clothes to the jewelry that adorned her body, everything was beautifully curated to accentuate her beauty. While the other women were wearing excellent ball clothes for them, Elena and Mirabelle were the ones standing boldly amongst all of them.
The sisters' appearance quickly made the dance hall flutter with chatter. Suddenly attention entered from all sides, embarrassing Elena as she headed to the corner-most part of the room.
'… I dress carefully, so what's wrong with me?'
He wondered if there was something on his face, but he believed that Mirabelle would tell him first. He never received so much attention in his life.
Elena sat at the end of the dance hall, ignoring so many eyes staring at her and taking a glass of wine on the table. It was only a mild alcoholic, so he did not need to worry too much and politely took a few sips. Suddenly, he saw Mirabelle's smiling face next to him.
"Is the ball the way you expect it to be?"
Mirabelle had been looking forward to the royal ball and seeing Carlisle all this time.
“Well, I don't know yet, but I like everyone to see you. I don't know why it makes me proud of myself! ”
Mirabelle beamed enthusiastically, and Elena smiled at how cute her sister was. If Elena is a beautiful rose, Mirabelle is a delicate baby breath flower. Although the two were somewhat similar, Elena immediately attracted attention, while Mirabelle had a more refined grace. But roses are not the only beautiful ones. Mirabelle was young, but when she grew up she would definitely become a very beautiful woman as well.
Elena looked at her sister gently.
"That's because of you . Thank you for making me look beautiful. ”
“Hehe, you may really be Madonna of the ball. ”
“I didn't really expect it. ”
"Currently, don't you think so?"
While the two were engrossed in enjoying their conversation, a familiar woman approached them.
"Oh, Mrs Blaise. You look so radiant that I barely recognize you. ”
Elena's eyes turned to the approaching woman. That's Marissa Holland, a prominent figure of the southern community and the wife of the late Marquis Holland. It had been a long time since he had seen her last time at a tea party. Elena looked at Marissa kindly.
"It's nice to see you again, madam. “
“I also quickly attended the royal ball. Many people came from the south as well. ”
Elena looked around, and indeed she saw some familiar faces. When their eyes met, Elena bowed slightly to the other noble children, who also bowed their heads at *****. Marissa turned to Mirabelle.
“And this young lady became even prettier the last time I saw her. I felt it then, but I didn't realize how beautiful Blaises was. Let me know if you have any secrets to share. ”
Elena rejected the compliment.
"I'm flattered . ”
"Yes, the Marquess is still beautiful. ”
Marissa closed her mouth politely and smiled, then turned around curiously.
"But the necklace you're wearing .. It's a red diamond, isn't it?"
One thing no noble woman misses in meetings is dresses and jewelry. Elena nodded modestly, understanding that would be the topic of conversation. There is no reason to lie. Marissa may already know what kind of gem the necklace is, but conversation is a hallmark of social circles.
"I know I'm right. I know it's a precious jewel. It's perfect for you. “
While others may wonder where Elena bought the necklace or whether she received a gift from a man, Marissa made no further statement. He might think it disrespectful to pry so deeply. Due to his wise nature, he was a powerful figure in the southern society.
Elena replied timidly.
“I'm glad you think it suits me. It's actually a little heavier than I thought. ”
Marissa smiled at Elena's simple yet intelligent answer.
"Ho ho, young mistress. ”
While they talk to each other–
Chugchugchug.
A steady clattering sound, and soon the royal guard appeared on the platform. Their appearance stopped the activity that took place in the dance hall. The preacher proclaimed in a booming voice:
"His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress have arrived!"
It signified the appearance of Sullivan, the Twelfth Emperor of the Ruford Empire. He stepped forward, showing no signs of illness at all other than a somewhat pale face. His illness was unknown to many until the time of his death, and he did not look much different than usual.
Sullivan entered the dance hall with a gentle and gentle air, as opposed to the usual cruel aura of the previous emperor. The group of nobles resounded in the choir,
“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor and Empress! Eternal glory to the Ruford Empire! ”
Before he sat down, Sullivan spoke to the many nobles gathered here.
“I'm glad to see so many of you present. Tonight we will officially introduce our Crown Prince. ”
Perhaps because of Sullivan's pleasant way of speaking, the atmosphere in the dance hall seemed even brighter. Next to Sullivan was a middle-aged woman standing in a grand pose. Although Empress Ophelia grew older, she was still admired for her beauty.
"Your Majesty, you should be happy to have the crown prince back. ”
However, Ophelia looked sour on her face.
“I'm glad to hear that your heart is calm. ”
On the surface, they looked a harmonious couple. Sullivan spoke to the nobles again.
“Now, let me introduce the Crown Prince, the star of today's dance. Forward ahead!"
When his words ended–
Tubug, tubug.
Carlisle walked steadily inside, dressed in fine clothes in a tailcoat uniform. He took his place next to his father, Emperor Sullivan.
Everyone stopped breathing. Elena is too. He knew Carlisle was attractive from the moment they met, but today he seemed to fill the room. His cold blue eyes showed no signs of worry despite the nobles' attention to him, and his expressionless face and haughty arrogance only helped move the hearts of the women. Soon many nobles spoke in unison.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince. ”
Emperor Sullivan looked proudly at his son then turned to speak into the room again.
"Everyone, please enjoy the ball!"
Music and conversation continued, and Elena saw Emperor Sullivan introducing Carlisle to the highest ranking nobles. The prince looked a little different when viewed from a distance. Elena immediately caught the gossip from the other part of the room.
“I didn't know the Crown Prince would be so handsome. ”
"I know, I could faint. ”
"Didn't you know the prophecy about the Crown Prince? The first woman to marry him will suffer for the rest of her life. “
"That's why I'm going to be his second wife, pig. ”
All of the young women exclaimed to babble about Carlisle, and Elena inevitably felt a little strange about his popularity. Not just another woman. Mirabelle had a puzzled expression on her face as well.
"Wow, I wish the Crown Prince to be like a prince in a fairy tale, but. ”
Elena nodded stiffly at Mirabelle's admiring words. Carlisle was more popular than he thought. But regardless of that, Elena was quite relieved.
'…Thank you God . '
In his last life, Carlisle was killed before the ball. The grieving Sullivan greeted the nobles in a very different way than he did now, and told them that he would not join in the debauchery. He remembers Mirabelle's disappointment. Now, however, Carlisle is here and gets everyone's attention. He felt a little hopeful about experiencing a future that he changed himself.
Marissa, who was nearby, approached Elena again.
"There are a lot of men today who want to be introduced to you tonight. Should we go to the dance floor? I assure you that these men come from good families. ”
Establishing personal connections was a must in aristocratic society. Elena knew that Marissa's intentions were fine, but she felt uncomfortable leaving Mirabelle alone. Marissa spoke again with a smile, perhaps noticing her hesitation.
"The dance is about to begin, and we need to find our partner. ”
Often times the ballroom partner often turns into a lover later. And the more often a woman is asked to dance, the more people notice her. Elena recalled that she was asked to dance by one or two men in her previous life, but once again she refused because she did not want to leave her sister alone.
Mirabelle seemed to know what Elena was thinking and pushed her forward.
"Come, brother! I'll watch from here. ”
"But-"
He was about to speak when, suddenly, Marissa and Mirabelle's eyes widened in shock. They're not the only ones. Everyone around him turned to him with shocked expressions.
"…?"
Elena was about to ask what happened, when suddenly everyone bowed in unison.
"This is the Crown Prince!"
He turned around and saw Carlisle standing tall behind him.
"Well…"
Elena froze like a statue.
Carlisle looked at the beautiful young lady in front of him, then extended his hand towards her.
"Will you dance?"
"…Huh?"
Elena was surprised by his unexpected request. Even more shocking were Mirabelle and Marissa, their eyes looking as if they were about to pop out of her pocket. Elena quickly calmed down and grabbed Carlisle's prodded hand.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It would be an honor. ”
They headed to the dance hall. It was too early to dance, but the music changed as soon as Carlisle and Elena exchanged bows.
The dance between Carlisle and Elena begins in the full view of the room. Elena was taught palace dance when she was young, but Carlisle had a talent for a man who spent his life on the battlefield. Carlisle brought Elena's waist closer to him and she whispered in his ear.
"I thought you'd be taken from me if I was late. ”
"Of course not…"
Even if she were to dance with another man, it would be an exaggeration to say that she was taken. Ballroom dancing is fully enjoyed even by married people.
“I'll tell you first. If someone else dances with you, he will not have a good life in the future. ”
"…Why?"
Carlisle replied with a sly smile.
“Remember that. ”
The two figures were swaying under the huge chandelier as if in a painting. The other nobles immediately stepped in with their partners and started dancing as well. Soon, the center of the dance hall was filled with male and female waltzing, however …
Among the grandest constellations of nobles, the most amazing ones were Elena and Carlisle. Everyone was blinded by the beauty of the couple.
