Chapter 83

“Oh, you really look like a fairy, madam.”

“Who do you want to show this to first?”

I thought that I didn’t hate the pouring of compliments. It was amazing to look at even with my own eyes.

The woman in the mirror smiling shyly was blinding, as if she were under magic.

And it wasn’t just because of makeup, not because of luxurious dresses and colorful jewels.

“Is that bracelet really okay with you?”

Lucille, who was closing the jewelry box, secretly asked.

All my jewelry was shiny, but she looked disappointed that only the bracelet was worn out.

“Yes, this is enough. Thank you. You all worked hard.”

I raised one hand and pressed my pounding chest tightly.

Thanks to the beautiful sleeve, this bracelet would not stand out.

If I had to insist on this, I don’t know, maybe it was because it was the first gift he gave me.

So when I wore this, I felt like I was getting stronger.

And I had to be very strong for a while from today.

“Ruby.”

Eleania was waiting ahead where the carriage was parked.

It was fantastic to see her in an elegant lace dress coloured in light lemon and cream, a jewel pin in her braided hair, but…… Oh, it’s awkward. It’s awkward.

Not only me, but she also had an awkward atmosphere around her.

It goes without saying that it was not like her.

It’s our first time meeting alone since the tea party incident.

Haa, that Freya.

“You’re so beautiful, Ellen.”

When I talked carefully, trying to suppress the awkwardness, Ellenia looked at me right away.

At first glance, her cold red eyes had a tinge of embarrassment.

“Ruby, you’re beautiful without words.”

During a short silence, we hesitated to see if we would continue the conversation for a while, but soon we closed our mouths and got into the carriage.

Surrounded by such an awkward silence, the wagon ran toward the royal palace.

* * *

Two flags were scattered in Elmos Port, pale sunlight and fog covering it.

The flag with the crown symbolizing Omerta and the flag with the Longinus symbol on it.

Below it, some priests of the Temple of Elendale stood, along with knights wearing blue capes, on display to greet the guests.

Finally, the Romagnan people came like a red wave.

The cardinal was among the crimson dressed people.

Cardinal Valentino was the only one in a tailcoat, at the forefront of the dogs, but aside from his outfit, his appearance was even more noticeable.

Was that the young cardinal Cesare de Borgia?

The Pope’s eldest son, Cardinal Valentino, Duke of Savoy, and governor of Romagna.

A silent disturbance spread among the welcoming groups.

Although the appearance of attracting attention at once may be the same, there was no figure that resembled Omerta’s Duchess in any corner.

“Yes.”

The Archbishop of the Elendale Temple, who got off the horse, approached the young cardinal and knelt on one knee.

Cesiare looked down on the archbishop of his father’s age for a while and reached out without a word.

The archbishop kissed the ring in his hand and drew a sign.

“Thank you for coming a long way. Thank you to the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father.”

As soon as the archbishop, who added this, stepped back, the sound of horseshoes rang.

Cesare rode a horse from the other side and stared quietly at the silver knight approaching.

The same eyes as the deep blue sapphire in the ring fluttered with cool light.

The insensitive eyes looking down at the eyes were a burning ruby color.

A thin ray of sunlight fell between the two men.

At the very moment when the people gathered at the dock were overwhelmed with unknown anxiety and passed the dry needle, his sister-in-law opened her mouth.

“Welcome, Lord.”

“Thank you.”

A sigh of relief spread like a wave.

It was the beginning of the festival.

* * *

“Dorias’ delegation is coming in!”

“Prince Visconti is entering!”

“The delegation of the kingdom of Pavia is coming in!”

The banquet hall covered with fresco paintings was crowded with people shining brightly and foreigners dressed exotically.

VIPs and delegates arrived one after another, all with a face that hadn’t recovered from a good laugh, drinks, and chatting.

It didn’t seem to be a very important matter whether they had a good relationship with Brittania or not.

It reminded me of a sports game in my previous life.

I had experienced several banquets attended by foreign VIPs in Romagna, but this was the first time here.

I guess I underestimated the international event called the gladiatorial match.

Anyway, at the moment, I was rather distracted and had no thoughts, so I diligently wandered around as Omerta’s Duchess, greeted the VIPs, and exchanged fruitless conversations.

Among them were faces I saw in Romagna a few times. For example…

“It feels new to see you here, Lady Rudbeckia.”

Whether it was my old partner or anyone else.

Ugh, I knew this would happen, but it was embarrassing to actually meet him again.

In the original, I remember that the people who broke up with me were busy avoiding Rudbeckia.

“Nice to see you too, Prince Osorel.”

“It seems that the cardinal has not arrived yet, seeing that you are alone for some reason.”

This jerk… I smiled at the man who smiled provocatively.

“Yes, thanks to that, you won’t be able to push me by the back of my neck again.”

Osorel immediately looked like he chewed something bitter, but nevertheless calmly responded.

“Well, luckily, I won’t be the man who will hold my lady’s neck this time. I heard that you have a good relationship with your husband, and I think it will be a pretty fun festival.”

“I’m very lucky. My husband is not an ugly man who takes his anger out on his wife after hearing false rumors.”

If you become suspicious after hearing false rumors, go to Cesare and talk to him.

However, none of them did.

This was just a bluff anyway.

If Cesare was determined to provoke Izek…….

Oh my god. Get a hold of yourself, get a hold of yourself! You have to behave properly.

No matter what you do to me, I will never…….

“I’m ugly?…”

Osorel, who was about to spit out something, soon shut up again about what he was thinking.

Then he murmured as if whispering.

“Yes, I admit I was mean. Because of that, I paid a great price, from your brother.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Actually, my lady, today I’m…”

“Excuse me, I’m thirsty”.

He seemed to want to tell me something more, but I turned around and left.

See, I went around to relax, but I happened to run into that person.

“Are you okay, my lady?”

“Oh, Sir Andymion.”

“Taste this, please. It’s very refreshing.”

Phew, nice. Just in time, I was thirsty, so I gently accepted Andymion’s yellow drink.

Thank you, but is it just an illusion that you feel like you’ve been wandering around me since last time? Your boss told you to keep an eye on me.

“By the way, I’m really blinded by your beauty today, my lady.”

“Thank you. The same goes for you. You look taller than last time.….”

“Oh, really? Are you serious?”

Of course, I meant it. I think he’s a few centimeters taller than when I last saw him.

That’s true. He’s at an age where he grows fast too.

What if he becomes like his brother?

“Wow, but there’s really a lot of people. I think more foreign VIPs came this year.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I was a kid then…Oh, look, they must have come from Rembrandt.”

I almost dropped the cup I was holding while turning my eyes inadvertently.

Oh, I should’ve just begged my husband to pick me up!

“My lady?”

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Why was he here today?

I remember that he didn’t come to Elendale in the original!

Whether Andymion looked puzzled or not, I quickly grabbed the hem of the dress and took some steps forward.

I should avoid bumping into these people.

Moreover, Rembrandt’s Duke Vishelier was not comparable to any of my old suitors.

He’s still often ridiculed as an eunuch, and if he’s holding a grudge against me like Prince Osorel, there’s a lot to care about.….

“My lady, my lady!”

Once I thought I had to go to the bathroom and reorganize my mind, someone jumped out of my way.

It was Leah, the doll-like little girl in a cute pink dress.

“Oh, Leah….”

“Why do you look so pretty today?”

“Ahahaha, thank you. You’re prettier.”

“Lies. Do you want to go to Princess Arien with me? I’m sure the princess wants to see that crown, too.”

“It’s not a crown, it’s a corona. First, I’ll go to the bathroom…….”

Leah opened her eyes wide as I tried to rush back, a weird look on her face.

I stopped because this was unusual for her.

“Young Lady Leah?”

“My lady, do you hate me?”

“What?”

“It’s all because of my stupid brother, right? Do you hate me because of him?”

Oh no. Leah seemed to think that I had a bad relationship with Ivan because of the incident at the tea party.

That was why I didn’t want to fight in front of the kids.