The Return of the Female Knight

CHAPTER 55

The man standing on the platform seemed very familiar with his position, and was of course chosen to host the ceremony to choose Madonna. He opened his mouth wide to speak, holding a piece of paper while pointing to the large voice box.

“Thanks to your participation, voting for Madonna went smoothly. ”

Elena looked at the paper in her hand curiously and Mirabelle quietly explained.

“When you leave, they share a ballot for each person. I heard the woman there is expected to be one of the candidates for Madonna. ”

"Oh so…"

Elena thought back to the dance in her last life. Her memory was dim, but she seemed to remember picking on a piece of paper in the past. Elena nodded in understanding, while Margaret explained it further.

“Because this is an imperial event, they changed the way we chose Madonna every time so it was fair. Last time, I heard that you can run and people will line up after you. ”

"…That's amazing . ”

He did not know that the method of voting changed each time, as he had only attended once in his last life. But whatever the draw, he already knew who would be awarded the honor tonight. Elena glanced expectantly at the young lady.

Yulia Necrensi's.

The family of Marquis Necrensi was very famous as a member of the nobility in the capital. Yulia in particular was a young woman who was considered the Capital Flower. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Yulia's fine clothes and jewelry led the fashion among Ruford's nobles. And in this sphere, Yulia was the most beautiful in Elena's eyes. She has a stunning feminine charm, and is called "Beauty without a smile" because of her proud face. Since she was a strong point of concern among the young nobles in the southern society, Elena had heard quite a lot about her.

The man on the platform spoke again.

"First, I'll announce three honorable candidates!"

"Oooh–"

Many people whistled and cheered.

"The first candidate was Lady Yulia, the Necrensi family treasure and the Flower Society!"

Everyone applauded and congratulated him as if they knew it was fate. However, Yulia stood on the stage with an indifferent expression.

“The second candidate is the pride of the southern community. Lady Helen, Marquis Selby's only daughter! "

"Wow!"

Sarah screamed next to Helen. Sarah is part of a scheme to deliver salted tea to Elena, and still appears to be on friendly terms with Helen. Sarah's screams caught Helen's attention. The latter, who had a sour face on his face, raised his head proudly and gave a satisfied smile.

"And the third and final candidate is–"

Elena looked puzzled as she listened to the host. It suddenly occurred to him that only one candidate for Madonna had been announced in her last life. Come to think of it, why are there three?

“Nobody expected this hidden gem to this day! This is Lady Elena from House Blaise! ”

Mirabelle shouted happily.

"Wow! I knew this was going to happen! Congratulations, sister! ”

“Oh, congratulations, Mrs Blaise. ”

Following Margaret and Mirabelle's congratulations, Elena could not help but be amazed. He already realized that the future would not always flow the same way, but he did not expect this to happen. Many eyes turned to Elena who was shocked. It seems that again he is attracting the attention of the nobility tonight. First because of her beautiful appearance, then when she was asked the first dance by Prince Carlisle. She is now nominated as Madonna of the Ball. Maybe she'll be the most talked about woman after tonight.

"Come, you three, get on the platform!"

Yulia, Helen and Elena boarded the platform. From her point of view, Elena could see Mirabelle and Margaret looking at her in a supportive manner. He also saw Carlisle standing some distance away. He was with Emperor Sullivan, who seemed to be immersed in an intimate conversation with the upper nobles. Perhaps Sullivan used this opportunity to make Carlisle even more interested in the imperial aristocracy.

Carlisle, however, was looking towards the platform where Elena was standing. He could feel his strong gaze from this distance, and he gulped. The predator's eyes were on his again. Elena always seemed nervous in front of Carlisle for some reason.

"Ah, Your Majesty looks at me …"

Elena turned her head, and she saw Helen staring at Carlisle. It felt a bit strange, and Elena suddenly wondered,

"Do they know each other?"

Helen noticed Elena looking at him, and she returned a cold look. He whispered in a loud voice.

“From now on you won't take anything from me. ”

Elena was confused by the meaning of Helen's words. He hasn't taken anything from Helen. But before he could answer, the host began to continue.

“Three beautiful young women in one place is enough to make the whole room blind. Don't you? ”

The nobles who were watching laughed out loud, but there was truth in his words. The three different beauties looked radiantly radiant, as if a garden was blooming of ten thousand flowers.

“These are the three young women who have the most votes. Of the three, choose the one you think is the most beautiful that night. ”

The host pointed to a small crown.

“People chosen as Madonna will receive this tiara. ”

Many young women crave tiara not because of the price, but it is an honor. When Elena saw him, she heard a loud noise disturbing the room.

"I want to be the one to crown Madonna, if that's acceptable?"

From the direction of the voice stood a handsome man, red hair lit up like a sunset. Although she had only seen him a few times in the distance, Elena was able to recall him without any difficulty.

He was Redfield, the second prince of the Ruford Empire. She is the only one Carlisle mentioned in their conversation in the park and is likely the successor to the throne, supported by the Empress and House Anita, the greatest threat to Carlisle at this time.

"Why is he suddenly …?"

It was the first time in ceremonial history that a prince had ever crowned Madonna himself. The host was startled at first, but soon he bowed and spoke politely.

"Of course, Your Majesty. It would be a greater honor for the chosen Madonna. ”

He can't resist Redfield. There were some who could oppose her, knowing that the Empress and Anita's family were behind her.

“Fantastic. So which of these three young women will wear a tiara? "

She smiled cunningly at Elena, and she felt confused. In the past she has not been nominated for Madonna, let alone expected to be crowned as she is now. Has this all changed because of him? He felt a slight panic in that thought. Too many disappointing events after he saved Carlisle.

“Those three women will turn around. Everyone, put the rose on the back of the flower that you think is the most beautiful. He who receives the most roses will be crowned Madonna tonight! ”

"Waaa–"

Some nobles responded excitedly, raising the atmosphere in anticipation. The host tilted his head as a token of appreciation then gestured to a large group of roses prepared by the servants.

"Please get the flowers from here!"

He saw a sea of people soaring to pick up roses. It was always fun to participate in imperial events. He attended the same ball in his last life, and he knows better than anyone else.

"Let's get started!"

At the signal of the host, Elena, Helen and Yulia turned around. The sound of countless footsteps reached their ears. Since the guests passed each woman in sequence, it was impossible to tell which flower was the most even by the sound of their feet.

'… Is this really me?'

She will not deny Madonna's honor, but she does not want anything else to change from what she knew from her previous life.

"Oh! You all choose someone totally unexpected. ”

Each of the three young women used a different expression. Yulia looked disinterested, Helen was hopeful, and Elena looked puzzled.

"Now young ladies, please turn around!"

Elena slowly turned around and looked at the rose in front of her.

"Congratulations! Lady Elena of House Blaise is the star of the night! "

"Well…"

His jaw was open without him noticing.

Even at a glance, there were far more roses before Elena than Yulia and Helen were standing beside her. The expressions of the people clapping also varied. Some looked jealous, others looked bored, while others enjoyed celebrating such events. But the first thing Elena saw was Mirabelle's expression of pure happiness. Mirabelle shouted loudly, brandishing both thumbs in front of her.

"My brother is the best!"

Elena was very happy to hear her sister's words and said “thank you. ”

As Redfield said, he approached her while holding a tiara. He did not know the reason, but he wordlessly received the crown on his head.

“In my eyes too, Lady Blaise looks the prettiest tonight. ”

"…?"

The words he whispered caused his eyes to widen. If it was her innocent little sister who said this, she would not have thought of that. But he was Redfield, the second son of the Emperor. Somewhat doubting her to say this, unless she was interested in him? But there was one thing he could not understand here.

"Why on earth?"

There was no reason for him to be interested. Elena wore a tiara as she looked at Redfield with a complicated expression. He raised the corner of his mouth and whispered in his ear.

“Dance with me next time. I am better than my brother. ”

Suddenly a thought appeared to him. The reason why Redfield would pay attention to it …

"Is it because of Caril? '

Although they have yet to announce their marriage, the couple have been wandering the entire ballroom advertising their relationship. Was that the cause of his interest in the woman? Elena's deep red eyes shone with suspicion.

“I'll send you an invitation to my party next time. ”

He gave her a secret blink then stepped down the platform, leaving her the frozen one. He could not understand it and just stared at his backward back. Helen, who lost the title Madonna, also got off the platform, but not before leaving it as a memorial.

"Mrs Blaise, laugh while you still can. ”

They never had anything good to say to each other, but there was an ominous tone to his tone. Wrinkles formed on Elena's brows, while Yulia looked at him with strangely glowing eyes.

Finally only the host and Elena were left on the platform. He was distracted by the sudden happenings, but he returned his gaze towards Carlisle at the end of the room. His expression was sharp. He suspected it was because of Redfield, but he did not come to this position willingly.

'… I can't help it. '

Elena stood on the platform, complaining with her eyes. The host next to him spoke in a bright voice.

"Well, what about a few words about how you feel?"

"Ah, um …"

He was confused for a moment before calming down.

"An honor was chosen as Madonna. I hope you all will continue to enjoy this evening. ”

It was perfect, but very short. In other cases, the young women were usually emotional and happy to cry, but Elena found herself deeply embarrassed.

"Oh yes . So that's the end of this show. Everyone, enjoy the rest of the ball as Lady Blaise said. ”

The Madonna ceremony ended successfully. Elena tiredly returned to her seat next to Mirabelle.

"Wow! Brother! L like it. ”

Elena smiled at Mirabelle's joyful innocence. Her happiness was her only entertainment.

"Thank you . It's all because of you. ”

“When we return home, I will customize all the dresses that suit you. ”

Mirabelle, with all her grand ambitions, is still very cute.

*

*

*

The ball ended and before long the nobles began to leave the dance hall. They all came out like the tide, and Elena, Mirabelle, and Margaret were waiting together in the carriage. Elena saw the carriage with Lawrence's emblem approaching first.

"Please watch your step as you go inside, Lady Lawrence. ”

At Elena's farewell, Margaret hesitated then spoke as if she had decided something.

"Mrs Blaise. ”

"Yes?"

"I think you should be careful of Lady Selby. ”

Elena looked at. Margaret's words had a compelling reason but were rather unexpected. He continued, his voice slightly shaking.

"I-I've felt for a long time that Lady Selby is very envious of you. ”

Mirabelle nodded in understanding.

"Yes . I feel that every time he sees my sister. ”

While it was true that the atmosphere between them at the tea party was not good, Elena's memory of Helen was unclear now.

"Is that so?"

"You had a fight with Lady Selby at every party you went to, and now you've forgotten all about it?"

Elena did not answer. There is no such memory for him. But it is true that Mirabelle seemed reluctant about Helen from the start, and that the two did not get along well. Margaret spoke carefully to the troubled Elena.

"Lady Selby probably felt that .. that Madonna's position was taken by you. I think you have to be careful for a while, because he's not the type to shut up after this. ”

Margaret looked around them as she spoke, in case anyone listened. How scared she was of Helen. An innocent Margaret has been convicted of making the wrong friend.

"Thank you for your advice . I will be more careful in the future. “

"Yes . Then I'll go first. See you around. Oh, and congratulations again for being chosen as Madonna. ”

Margaret leaned over and took the train. He waved his hand out the window as he was taken away, and Elena and Mirabelle waved back. The carriage disappeared from sight, then Mirabelle spoke with a serious expression.

"Lady Lawrence is right. Lady Selby is always jealous of you, so you should avoid her as much as possible. ”

"…I will . ”

He remembered the unpleasant feeling he felt in the dance hall tonight. A train she knew now approached the two.

"Mirabelle, let's go back now. ”

“Yes, I'm tired. Let's go home and rest. ”

"Do you feel nauseous? If you are not feeling well, let me know immediately. ”

"I understand, Madonna. ”

Elena chuckled at Mirabelle's mischievous little mouth. As Elena held the tiara in her hand, she suddenly recalled the strange way Helen said, "Laughter while you still can. "Elena put that thought out of her mind. Worrying about things that haven't happened is not going to solve it.