"Aren't they in love with the sweetness of newlyweds? There are rumors that the two are so hot together."
Another noblewoman covered her mouth with her fan and spoke subtly, causing a familiar laugh to erupt here and there. Some looked at the memos they had received and were amazed.
"By the way, they really are giving memos as souvenirs?"
"That's strange. It must be some kind of keepsake... It certainly seems to have created a buzz."
Someone answered while looking at the bustling guests.
"Oh, there are two words drawn on this memo."
"The memo I received has title candidates written on it. This is interesting."
As the invited guests gathered and friendly conversations began to bloom here and there, Edward, who was standing on the podium, cleared his throat and tapped his glass.
"I see that the souvenirs are a hot topic. I'm deeply moved that so many people still remember my grandfather."
Edward greeted the guests who had noticed him politely.
"Some people might not like it, saying that I carelessly scattered my grandfather's relics. However... I wanted to share my grandfather's footsteps with more people. If I kept it to myself, it would be just a simple longing, but..."
Edward's expression was filled with solemn sadness.
"If many people come together, it would be a memorial, and it would be a memorial."
As the handsome young man expressed his sorrow, a considerable number of nobles made pitiful expressions. After a while, Edward calmed his expression and spoke with a serious face.
"As those who know know, this year marks the 10th anniversary of my grandfather's passing. Therefore..."
As was the case with those who were about to make an important announcement, Edward looked around the room. Then, when everyone's interest was completely heightened, he opened his mouth.
"I'm thinking of releasing the third part of <Fantasy Butterfly> at the upcoming National Foundation Day."
There was a stir here and there.
"Did he just say <Fantasy Butterfly>?"
"It's the third part. It seems to be true that it was left as a posthumous work."
<Fantasy Butterfly> was the last and final masterpiece of the music master who had not yet been released. The series, which had captivated the hearts of the public and critics alike with its mysterious melody in Part 1, rose to the ranks of a complete masterpiece with the release of the more magnificent and abundant Part 2. However, Eduardo passed away before the release of Part 3, which should have been the finale, so it remained an unfortunate masterpiece.
"Of course, my maternal grandfather suffered an accident while composing Part 3, so it is not a complete version. I have completed the parts that are lacking, but I hope you will listen to it kindly."
When Edward greeted them politely, applause erupted from the audience.
Clap, clap, clap!
"There is one more reason to attend the National Foundation Day."
"That is true. I am very happy that I will be able to appreciate the unknown Part 3 in some way."
In a friendly atmosphere, the music lovers quietly exchanged glances and whispered.
"Well, the Count decided to sell the late master. It's not that I don't understand since it's his first time attending the National Foundation Day."
"But how long will he be able to live off the legacy of someone who has already passed away... Doesn't he have any original compositions of his own?"
"He's been releasing some pretty great compositions of his own lately. They're not polished yet, but the power they contain is so explosive that I was looking forward to what's to come, but it's too bad."
"Well, since that accident happened a while ago, he's probably taking a break for the time being. His talent won't go away, so let's wait and see. If he succeeds at this National Foundation Day, won't he try his own original next time?"
Some people were excited, some were disappointed, and some were excited. In the excitement, someone shouted,
"Oh. Isn't that the Heigenberg family's carriage?"
At that voice, everyone's eyes turned to the window on the right. Edward's expression cracked for a moment, but no one was paying attention to him yet.
"Oh my, are the Duke and Duchess attending?"
"Oh my! I'll finally get to see that famous couple with my own eyes!"
Soon the butler announced the arrival of a new guest.
"The Duchess Heigenberg is here."
***
"Lady Heigenberg, nice to meet you."
"We've met before. Do you remember me?"
A swarm of people swarmed around a woman. In the middle of them, Ariana Heigenberg greeted the countless greetings with a picturesque smile.
"Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. Of course, I remember you. Didn't you come to our wedding and bless us personally, Count Lenton?"
Each and every one of her fluid responses was impeccable. People were amazed by her elegance and grace, which was hard to believe for a lady who was only twenty years old.
"She is indeed the Duchess."
"His Highness didn't choose her as his bride for nothing."
And with her daffodil-like beauty Elena, who had decorated all around with winter roses as if to show off the family's health, was a little tired because everywhere she looked was red. In the midst of all this, when she came across Ariana, who was wearing only an elegant cream gown and no flashy accessories, her eyes felt as if they were resting comfortably.
"Sister!"
Everyone turned around at the clear voice. Elena, adorned with bright red flowers and a bright red dress, pushed aside the people and approached Ariana with Adolf. Elena, who reached Ariana, smiled brightly like a rose in full bloom.
"You came. Thank you so much. You don't know how happy I am!"
Then as if showing off that she was her sister, she hugged Ariana tightly. People whispered quietly as they watched her.
"They're so close?"
"It seems that the Lucas Pedegreens affair has come to an end."
Instead of pushing away Elena, who was clinging to her, Ariana raised her hand and slowly patted Elena on the back. Elena smiled proudly without thinking at the touch.
'Then that's right.'
Last month, Elena waged her own fierce war like a swan splashing underwater. Because she went around all kinds of social gatherings and acted like a pitiful victim, there were now quite a few public opinions in the social world that pitied her.
Was that all? After she transformed into a completely mature and deadly image and went everywhere with Adolf, the men's gazes toward her seemed to have grown darker. They say that the prettiest woman is someone else's woman. In the end, she succeeded in using the crisis as a springboard to leap forward.
This was not the situation Ariana had wanted. However, Ariana did not throw Elena out and humiliate her but rather embraced her.
'I guess even my sister can't turn the situation around anymore.'
Elena tried hard to hide the laughter that was about to spill out. She thought of Ariana embarrassing herself on her wedding day by boldly telling her to report Lucas. At that time, Ariana must have been looking forward to seeing Elena step forward to report a high-ranking noble like Lucas and be humiliated. However, the God of fortune smiled on Elena. As if waiting for Lucas's immunity to be temporarily lifted, the 'anonymous accuser' reported a series of enormous suspicions.
As you can see, the traitor who insulted Elena was stripped of his proud title, and Elena was ready to rise again as the rose of society.
"But where is the Duke?"
Elena smiled lovingly and looked around.
"You came with him, right? I can't see him anywhere."
"Oh."
Ariana smiled lightly.
"I didn't come with the Duke."
The surroundings stirred slightly at the news that Dante had not accompanied her. Elena snickered inwardly. It was a well-known story that Ariana had been staying out of the house for the past month. There were rumors that she was having a hot honeymoon with the Duke, but if that was true, shouldn't the Duke not have been seen together with her?
However, Dante was still going out and living a good social life. The truth was obvious. Dante was a man with a reputation for being promiscuous and debaucherous. There was no way that such a man would settle down with just one woman, and a woman as boring as Ariana.
'He must have gotten tired of her.'
Swallowing her conviction, Elena tilted her head.
"Really? Why? You should have come with him. If you were apart since you were newlyweds, the Duke would have been lonely. Besides, today... isn't this the first official event you've attended since you became the Duchess?"
There was a grain of truth in her evasive remark. People exchanged glances quietly. Elena was enjoying the feeling of victory as she sensed the atmosphere with her whole body. Ariana smiled brightly. Elena suddenly felt an ominous premonition at the smile that was too refreshing to hide her defeat.
In the past, no matter how she laughed, Ariana wouldn't have even laughed... But recently, after being hit in the back of the head several times, there was nothing she could do.
"What's an official event when I'm just visiting my parents' house?"
".. Oh, yes. That's true."
She felt offended when the word 'just' was added to an event that she had worked hard to prepare for for weeks. However, Elena tried to maintain a smile.
"Anyway, His Highness the Duke-"
"By the way, Elena."
Ariana blurted out in a nonchalant voice.
"That tiara, it's been a while since I've seen it. It's mine, right?"
"... Ah."
Elena blinked, slightly flustered. It had been so long since she had used it as if it were her own that she had even forgotten that it had originally belonged to Ariana.
"It feels good to see you use it well. We still have similar tastes. Well..."
Ariana smiled like a spring flower.
"You've always liked to inherit things that I used to wear."
Ariana bowed slightly after saying that. A sweet voice tickled Elena's ears.
"Even men."
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