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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kie]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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Chapter 41: Debutante Partner
"It's an incredible honor, Your Majesty," Leila Anderson expressed her gratitude after receiving the first gift from the Empress upon their meeting. The Empress smiled brightly.
"I've been so busy lately preparing for the revival of a meaningful event that I've neglected my interactions with various families. I heard about the lovely young lady in the Anderson Marquis family far too late. I should have invited you to the palace sooner."
"Not at all, Your Majesty. Just being invited here is such a great honor for Leila. She always thinks of Your Majesty's achievements and reflects on the conduct and mindset of a true noble. You've been Leila's role model since she was young."
The Empress continued to smile with satisfaction as she listened to the pleasing words of the Marchioness Anderson.
'She's definitely well-taught.'
From the moment she entered the palace, Leila hadn't shown a single misstep.
The Empress's maid, Viscountess Bolton, had observed Leila from the moment she stepped out of the carriage and secretly reported back.
Even the discerning Viscountess couldn't find any fault in Leila's impeccable manners and knowledge of royal etiquette.
The Empress continued to give Leila high marks.
Leila's black eyes remained fixed on the rim of her teacup, not daring to look up.
She looked like a young lady nervous in the presence of someone she greatly admired.
Since they hadn't made eye contact, the Empress didn't know what Leila was thinking at that moment.
She simply nodded along as the Marchioness Anderson indirectly praised Leila.
"But you haven't had your debutante ball yet, have you?"
Finally, the Empress brought up the main topic, albeit indirectly. The Marchioness Anderson responded as if she had been waiting for this moment.
"Leila is still young, so she's only having her debutante ball now. Her 14th birthday is coming up soon, so we're planning to hold a birthday banquet and debutante party at the Marquis's residence."
"It will be the biggest social event before the Red Jewel Tournament. What should we prepare from the imperial family? Oh, I know. Let's have Crown Prince Eric visit as a representative and deliver a gift. What do you think?"
When the Empress expressed her intentions so openly, the Marchioness Anderson couldn't hide her joy and repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
'The Crown Prince as my debutante partner. She definitely sees me as the future Empress.'
Leila understood the Empress's intentions but remained composed, keeping her gaze fixed on her teacup.
"Lady Anderson, no, Leila. This birthday seems like it will be very meaningful. Is there any gift you'd like?"
"I'm just overwhelmed by Your Majesty's benevolent heart. Your interest alone makes me incredibly happy. Moreover, the Little Sun of the Empire will come to congratulate me. What greater gift could there be?"
The Empress smiled brightly as Leila gave the perfect answer, as if she had read her mind.
"So intelligent, and yet only 14 years old? The future of our Sephian social circles is indeed bright."
'And the future of the imperial family will be bright as well.'
Leila continued to interpret the Empress's words internally but never showed it on the outside.
"I'll tell Eric to escort Lady Anderson well. Marchioness Anderson, do you have any particular style in mind for the attire?"
The Marchioness Anderson once again expressed her gratitude and then described in detail the dress Leila had prepared.
"I'll have the Crown Prince's attire coordinated accordingly. I'll send Eric before the banquet starts, so he can escort her from the moment she arrives."
* * *
"I refuse."
At Eric's refusal, one of the Empress's eyebrows shot up.
"What did you say, Crown Prince?"
"I said I refuse."
Ever since Eric turned 15, the Empress had decided to address him as the Crown Prince.
Although he was her son, she never forgot to use honorifics and refrained from openly scolding him even when he didn't readily comply with her orders.
Eric, too, having spent more time with his mother than his father, understood the weight of the Empress's words.
So, even if he initially declined a few times, he would eventually follow her commands.
But this time was different.
Despite speaking clearly and even turning his face away, Eric immediately sensed the Empress's displeasure.
Still, he couldn't back down this time.
'This is a matter I can't compromise on. I have Ingrid. Is there anyone in the social circles who doesn't know that? Mother knows this too, and yet she's saying these things.'
Recalling their first kiss at the mansion not long ago, Eric hardened his resolve.
'Escort Anderson or whoever. I absolutely won't do it. Even if Ingrid isn't there, she'll hear about it through rumors. And when she does, she'll burst into tears. How can I do that to her?'
He remembered Ingrid crying when he mentioned marrying Selina.
'I can't do that to Ingrid, who loves only me. A debutante partner? That's practically announcing to the world that I'm going to marry her.'
Seeing her son lost in his own thoughts, the Empress sighed inwardly.
'He's my son, but he's so different. So drastically different from Christa's son.'
Although the Empress hadn't spent much time with Janus, she knew he wouldn't make such a pathetic expression over a girl.
She decided to try coaxing her naive son.
"Crown Prince, this is your duty as the Crown Prince. It's not like I'm asking you to go to the Marquis Anderson's house right now and marry Lady Anderson. Can't you even escort her at her debutante ball?"
"No, I can't."
"Is it because of Lady Hazel?"
The Empress hit the nail on the head, but Eric didn't even flinch.
"Since Your Majesty already knows, let's not beat around the bush. We have a deep connection. We're just not officially engaged yet. The term 'unofficial lover of the Little Sun' didn't come out of nowhere. Even in social circles, everyone acknowledges..."
"Social circles are not that simple. It's not a place where even the Crown Prince can assert that everyone approves. Haven't I repeatedly warned you to be careful with such remarks?"
The Empress spoke sharply, causing Eric to stumble over his words and mutter to himself.
"Never underestimate the capital's social circles. It's not a place where easygoing people gather. The reputation you've built up so far can crumble in an instant."
It was evident that Eric was only half-listening to her sincere advice. The Empress sighed inwardly.
"I'm also keeping an eye on that young lady. Since you've taken a liking to her, I couldn't just ignore her. However, based on what I've heard recently... She seems like someone who doesn't appreciate the good fortune she has."
Seeing Eric's confused expression, the Empress explained further.
"There's talk that Lady Hazel cherishes a gift from someone other than the Little Sun."
This news struck Eric like a lightning bolt.
"Who... What did they do?"
Ignoring her son's shocked state, the Empress continued her relentless attack.
"It happened at a recent party that you didn't attend. Lady Hazel admitted that the eye-colored jewelry she often wears was a gift from someone else. It's something she's worn quite a few times, so even people around her recognized it."
"She has so many pieces of jewelry, she could have gotten confused... It was a gift from me, but she couldn't openly say that in front of others, so she must have said that."
Eric, in denial, came up with an absurd excuse for Ingrid.
"She said a gift from the Crown Prince was from someone else? And what's there to hide? You said it's a relationship acknowledged by social circles, didn't you?"
When the Empress questioned him, refusing to fall for his flimsy excuse, Eric couldn't respond.
The Empress, aiming for her goal, delivered the final blow.
"The craftsmanship of the jewelry was said to be on par with Arsene Merchant Group's specialty, so much so that even Selina was surprised. So, I'm sure you can imagine how heartfelt the gift must have been."
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kie]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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