IDIBC Chapter 53

Now, Here, Alive

The Duchess summoned both Ricardo and me to the main residence for the final selection of my dress. She was more meticulous about the dress for the reception than the one for the engagement ceremony.

As if she weren’t busy at all, she spent a long time earnestly choosing clothes, forcing me to change into six water-colored dresses that differed only slightly in shade.

“You, you look pretty too.”

“I already know that.”

Sabrina grabbed the hem of the dark green dress she was wearing with both hands and spun around in a circle. Her actions made me burst out laughing again. Thanks to that, the heavy emotions that had been clumped in one corner of my heart felt like they evaporated and flew away.

“So, Lienne.”

“Hmm?”

“Let’s remember today like this.”

“How?”

“If, in the distant future, we look back on this day’s memories. Let’s say today was our debutante day.”

“Ah……”

I could feel Sabrina’s thoughtful heart, and my head naturally lowered.

She was worried. About me after everything was over. About some days in my future when I would remember today and feel heartbroken.

Because just as I looked truly beautiful in Sabrina’s eyes, the me who would remember today as a day to miss would be too pitiful.

“A debutante attended by mother. How about that? Isn’t it too perfect?”

Instead of answering, I nodded my head.

“Plus, with the young lords of the three great ducal houses and the Crown Prince. Did you know that only people from count families and above can enter this banquet hall?”

It was a fact both she and I naturally knew, but I shook my head like an innocent maiden attending a debutante today.

“We have to do our best today. You and I will become the finest ladies of this banquet. I have a feeling you’ll dance with Young Duke Rochester today.”

Sabrina’s mischievous acting naturally made me laugh.

“What about you? Who will you dance your first dance with, you who will become today’s finest lady?”

“Me? Well……. I’ll dance my first dance with the bravest and quickest man in this banquet hall. As you know, I value fairness in giving everyone a chance.”

In the end, I burst out laughing loudly. Of course, Sabrina wasn’t satisfied with just that.

“Wait here. I’ll bring maids to dress you up again. Your current outfit…… looks like something you’d wear at an engagement ceremony.”

Leaving these words behind, Sabrina really did go out to fetch maids to dress me up again.

I had the absurd thought that when the maids came, I should ask them to dress me up like a young lady having her debutante, just as she said. Thinking that way, the reception hall that had only felt burdensome now seemed somewhat anticipated.

If I really had the chance to debut in Dermeier high society by coincidence, and dance with Young Duke Rochester that very day?

Perhaps I could live my entire life reminiscing on that single memory alone.

“Hah…….”

Before long, Ricardo came to fetch me.

He chose a piece I knew as the only song for the first dance. Following his gentle lead, I repeated countless times what Sabrina had said. That this place right now was my debutante, and that he was the fine young man who had asked me for my first dance.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Yes, because today is a joyful day.”

Leaving behind the spinning scenery of the banquet hall, I focused my gaze only on him.

The worried looks of the ducal household’s vassals, the displeased glances filled with anxiety—none of it bothered me anymore.

Now, here, and he and I were alive.

That alone was enough for today.

****

After the engagement ceremony, I moved out of the Hyacinth estate where I had been staying with Ricardo and relocated to where my family was staying.

No one had demanded I do so, but having gotten engaged, it somehow felt a bit embarrassing and didn’t feel natural to stay in the same space.

No, to be a bit more honest with myself, it was actually an excuse.

I hated myself for constantly waiting for him when he didn’t come, and there was also the reason that the longer I spent alone, the deeper my thoughts became.

After hearing that the saintess would appear at the ducal residence faster than the deadline Ricardo had set, even the slightest commotion in the estate garden would make my heart race with anxiety, which was exhausting.

After declaring she would elevate me to the same rank as the saintess, the Duchess no longer came to ask for my opinion. I also couldn’t give her any answer, and time just kept flowing by.

The cold wind that had only blown morning and evening also disappeared, and the color of the abundant leaves deepened.

Countess Corhena also returned to the Duchess after the engagement ceremony, so there wasn’t much difference from my previous life. Except that after becoming his fiancée, meeting Ricardo had become even more remote.

Hearing a low sigh from beside me, I snapped out of my pointless thoughts.

“As much as I love parties, I really don’t want to go to an imperial banquet.”

Sabrina looked over the items scattered everywhere with her face full of worry.

Four days ago, the clothes and accessories that Freddy had brought by the carriage-load were filling one of the drawing rooms of the estate where I was staying.

Today was the day of the regular imperial banquet, which meant I absolutely had to meet Ricardo.

The imperial invitation had arrived for everyone in the Fennel family. Unable to ignore the imperial invitation, at least Sabrina had to attend.

“What if I go and get done in without anyone knowing?”

“You met His Imperial Majesty himself and came back alive.”

“How could it be otherwise? You’re a phoenix.”

After hearing the story about meeting the Emperor, Sabrina often teased me by calling me a phoenix. She seemed to have forgotten that she was included in that phoenix designation. When I first heard it, it was horrifyingly chilling, but after hearing it continuously, I must have gotten used to it because now I felt nothing.

“So our young Duke went to the imperial palace first?”

Remembering Freddy’s troubled face as he conveyed that Ricardo had gone to the imperial palace first made me chuckle.

“Yes.”

“Let’s hurry too.”

No sooner had Sabrina gathered her resolve than maids from the main residence rushed in. It was time to start another act wearing ill-fitting clothes.

When we reached the main gate of the ducal residence, we could see the Duchess’s carriage standing there. Countess Corhena got down and told us there was no need for special formalities, so we headed straight to the imperial palace.

“I’m going to hide in the least noticeable place as soon as I enter the banquet hall.”

Hearing Sabrina’s futile resolution, I sincerely offered words of encouragement.

“Yes, do your best. Though it won’t be easy.”

If there was one issue heating up Dermeier high society most right now, it would undoubtedly be Ricardo. Sabrina, entering with his fiancée, would certainly attract people’s attention as well. Moreover, she herself stood out anywhere.

Even though she had only seen Sabrina once, the Duchess’s eye was remarkable. Every dress she prepared for Sabrina was admirably well-suited to her.

The carriage, oblivious to others’ feelings, ran swiftly along the well-maintained road without obstruction.

When the considerably lengthened day ended and the entire sky was dyed with sunset colors, we arrived at the imperial palace banquet hall.

Peeking through the curtain, I saw it was a completely different place from when I came last time.

I hadn’t expected to become familiar with just one visit to the imperial palace, but my heart beat unpleasantly at the unfamiliar scenery.

The carriage door opened, and we had to first encounter an unexpected person we hadn’t anticipated at all.

With brilliant red hair and sweet honey-colored eyes, bowing with exaggerated gestures—it was Julian Bow Paquin.

“Welcome, Ladies.”

Seeing that splendid figure, Sabrina had completely forgotten the resolution she had made just moments ago.

Ah, my head naturally shook from side to side.

Sabrina raised her lips beautifully and displayed that smile I knew so well.

“Who might this gentleman be?”

“I am Julian Bow Paquin, who came at Young Duke Rochester’s bidding.”

“Oh my!”

Though she must have known exactly who he was from the moment she saw him, Sabrina covered her mouth with her hand as if truly surprised and fluttered her long, thick eyelashes.

Ah…… that crazy thing.

“Aren’t you that magnificent lord I’ve only heard of in rumors?”

“My, don’t you remember me? We’ve already met at Young Duke Rochester’s engagement ceremony.”

“That day I was so busy praying for my younger sister’s fortune that nothing else caught my eye…….”

Younger sister? Me? Since when?

“Ah, what truly tearful sisterly love.”

“I hear that quite often.”

It was so absurd that I couldn’t decide what expression to make. After the engagement ceremony ended, Sabrina had given very detailed impressions about Walter and Julian. Several times, no less.

Sabrina took Julian’s hand and got out of the carriage. She didn’t forget to sway slightly as if her legs had weakened and lean her body against his chest.

“Oh my, be careful.”

“I’m sorry.”

During their long and verbose greeting, the two didn’t let go of each other’s clasped hands. As if they hadn’t even noticed they were holding them.

“By the way, why don’t I see Young Duke Rochester?”

Sabrina. Can you see me? I haven’t even gotten out of the carriage yet.

“His Imperial Majesty summoned him, so I came to greet the Ladies in his stead.”