Chapter 63 - Guest From Gallico
Sister, I'm The Queen In This Life
Ariadne didn't know it, but the Bolto mask and set of accessories that Cesare gave her were the work of the Collezioni costume shop. Isabella, who rode with the de Mare family in their carriage to attend the masquerade ball, recognized it right away. This was because Isabella failed to order the Fleur de Lys pattern this season.
Cesare had the Collezioni's general goods manager make an order a month and a half in advance, and threatened to not accept orders for similar items, so Isabella, who had contacted the Collezioni to ask for a mask, was rejected from the beginning
"Lady de Mare, I am sorry. I cannot take orders for the same product."
She asked if it would be okay to make another mask, even if it wasn't a Volto mask or at least an accessory with the Fleur-de-Lys pattern, but Collezioni's refusal was adamant.
"It will be difficult this season because it was carried out with a large amount of money. Please contact us in advance before St.Michael's Feast next year."
So the Fleur-de-Lys bracelet of red rubies and green topaz, which Isabella had trembled with lust for when she saw it in the catalog, was shining on Ariadne's wrist. Seeing her sisters riding in her carriage, Arabella stamped her feet with envy as she was too young to be able to attend the ball.
"Sisters! "You have to bring a lot of interesting stories!"
Ariadne smiled, but her warm smile was not revealed by the golden cheekbone mask that covered the tip of her chin. Conversely, Isabella, who wore a silver Colombina mask that revealed all of her mouth, pouted her mouth and made no reply. Ariadne waved her hand to Arabella, and the carriage soon set off.
The atmosphere in the carriage with the two sisters was cold. The two glanced at each other, but neither said a word. Ariadne was looking at Isabella and admiring how amazing she was. Her mask was a Colombina mask, elaborately crafted from sterling silver and covering only the eyes. Isabella's fashion sense was admirable as she first looked for and used items that were still 2-3 years away from becoming popular.
In addition, as Isabella always enjoys wearing bright clothes, the masquerade ball dress, which was a light silver satin dress that was almost white and studded with pearls, was so luxurious that only she could be seen from 100 yards away. It may have been difficult to supply dresses due to Cardinal de Mare's recent fiscal austerity, but it seemed like they had already paid for this year's bills in advance due to their ample reserves.
Even though she was wearing a mask, with the bright and extravagant clothes she loved to wear, and even the beautiful and slender mouth and jawline that were revealed under the silver Colombina mask, she was dressed in an outfit that anyone could see as Isabella de Mare.
Ariadne was the exact opposite of Isabella, who tried to reveal her identity and was dressed faithfully to the concept of the masquerade ball so that no one would be able to tell it was her. Although it wasn't her intention, she wore a dark golden dress that seemed to match the mask, and the lining and edges of the dress were all lined with pitch-black velvet. On the top of the mask was a golden headdress gifted to him by Queen Margarete, so not even his hair was visible. Ariadne was rather tall for her age, so with everything covered up like this, she didn't look like a girl at all. Especially since her young face was not visible, combined with her unique quiet atmosphere, she looked like a noble Lady of great stature.
The carriage she was riding alone with Isabella could have been a thorn cushion in some ways, but with her face completely covered with a mask, it gave her a subtle sense of stability. The trembling of Isabella's hands, the pouting of her lips, the sound of her breathing, and the rise and fall of her chest were all within Ariadne's field of view.
Ariadne, on the other hand, didn't have a single inch of exposed skin. Her face was completely covered by the mask, so no one could imagine her expression. This was a truly amazing feeling. Along with her sense of deviation, there is also a slight sense of omnipotence. Ariadne smiled behind her mask, even though Isabella couldn't see it.
The prestige of the de Mare family was so great that they gave their four-legged carriage, which was normally used only by members of the royal family, for their daughters' masquerade ball. With the cheerful sound of horses' hooves, the two soon arrived at the Royal Palace of San Carlo. With the voice of the palace servant announcing their arrival, Isabella got off the cardinal's silver carriage, escorted by her servant, and, relaxed as if she would not be defeated. She nodded and bowed her head to Ariadne. Ariadne thought Isabella was vain, but she smiled bitterly and nodded in her direction.
Now that Isabella had left, no one at the party knew her identity. Ariadne had an appointment to meet Julia and her friends at the ballroom. But before joining her friends, she decided to take a walk around the Royal Palace of San Carlo, where she lived for the first time in a long time, to reminisce. It was rare for her to enter the palace, and even rarer for her to be alone.
***
"I've heard a lot about you."
Lariesa de Valoa, who spoke in stammering Etruscan language, was quite different from what Prince Alfonso had imagined. In the portrait sent by the Kingdom of Gallico, she was such a delicate and peerless beauty that it was believed that she had drawn Isabella de Mare with a different hair color. However, when he met her in person, she lived in Lari, and although she could not be called a beauty, she had a gentle impression. She was a Young Lady with a bright smile and true style.
Alfonso's first impression of her was better than he expected, or even objectively. While her Gallico envoys were overbearing and spoke Gallic, Lariesa de Valoa tried to use the Etruscan language as much as possible. She was speaking the native language as best she could, although she could not hide that it was a foreign language she had just learned.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Alfonso de Carlo."
“I am Lariesa de Valoa.”
She was a girl with light brown hair and dark brown eyes. Since she was a year older than Alfonso, she could be seen as more of a woman than a girl. She was of medium height, about 3 163 centimeters, very thin, with a slightly hooked nose, which made her look a bit nervous when she kept her mouth shut, but when she spoke, with her downcast eyes and friendly manner, she was very tall. He seemed like a friendly person.
"If you feel comfortable speaking Gallic, you can do that."
"No, that effort, Etruscan."
Lariesa, dressed in a golden dress, smiled brightly as she tried to put on her mask.
She, who was not that pretty, seemed to fall in love with the tall and handsome Alfonso at first sight. A smile never left her eyes and mouth, and she reacted greatly with excitement to Alfonso's slightest actions. Around her, adults were looking at the boy and girl, the Prince and the Grand Duchess, with happy faces.
"Quickly, help her."
Pointing to Grand Duchess Lariesa, who was struggling to put on her mask, Queen Margarete urged her son to listen to her. Alfonso quietly sighed inwardly and stood up from his seat, tying the strings of Princess Larriesa's mask behind her head. The Prince's hand brushed the edges of her hair. If her gold-adorned volto mask had not covered her entire face, the sight of the Grand Duchess of Lariesa smiling with her teeth bared would have been noticed by all.
"Now, old men, let's stand up. We need to allow young people to spend time with each other."
When Leo III stood up first, Queen Margarete followed him with a smile.
"You two have a good time."
Grand Duchess Larlesa cutely bent her knees and gave an informal bow before answering.
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Queen."
***
Queen Margarete opened the door for the two to naturally communicate in Gallico. Prince Alfonso's mother was Gallican, and he was thoroughly educated by a Gallican teacher from a young age, so he was able to speak Gallican freely.
"My father was passionate about my sisters' education. My sisters and are all well-versed in literature, embroidery, music, and art. My older sister, Suzanne, is especially good at poetry and painting."
Like a great gentleman, Prince Alfonso nodded and listened to the Grand Duchess Lariesa's story. He was kind by nature and very considerate even when he didn't mean to. From what Alfonso heard, the story of Grand Duchess Lariesa included a lot of stories about her dead older sister, Grand Duchess Suzanne.
"Suzanne was so beautiful. Her white and transparent skin was so outstanding that no one could compare it to her."
Alfonso looked at Lariesa and tilted his head.
"By the way, Grand Duchess."
Alfonso continued.
"The Grand Duchess also has beautiful, white skin. Why only talk about your late sister? Please tell me more about yourself."
Lariesa's face turned red under the Volto mask. It was the first time someone had told her to put herself before her sister. She grew up under Suzanne, who was more beautiful and superior to Lariesa in every sense of the word. Although she loved her sister, she deeply resented her. But outside of her, Lariesa seemed to envy her older sister, and it was ingrained in her that she was not at all jealous, praising her older sister with a bright face. It was Lariesa's way of being loved.
But now, there was a handsome blonde Prince in front of her who told her she didn't have to do that. It was a feeling she had felt for the first time in her life.
Comments
Post a Comment