But then, her mother came between Odette and the Countess.
“Hello, Countess. How have you been? Hahaha. My daughter really hates talking to other people.”
Etiquette in social circles. A subordinate cannot speak first to a superior with whom he or she is not acquainted.
Countess Lilienthal hardened her lips at Odette's mother's rude behavior.
'Because my mother doesn't have the talent to meddle smoothly.'
Usually, in these situations, it was her father or Ferdinand who spoke on her behalf.
'Normally, I would have withdrawn from the conversation for fear that my mother would tell my father.'
But today, well... Her mother was at odds with her father and with Ferdinand.
'Besides, there will be no chance of this.'
Because after today, Odette won't have to worry about her mother's or Paula's feelings.
So there was no need to back out of the conversation.
“Thank you for your refreshing insight, Your Grace. I tried on the local socialite outfit from Meursault. Does it suit me?”
“Oh. Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that Young Lady grew up on the beach at Meursault. But isn’t it Young Lady's unique wit to add ribbons and azaleas?”
Her mother's face turned pale as she was completely ignored. Paula opened her eyes and glared at Odette.
“The more I look into it, the more I see that a lot of effort has gone into the details. It reminds me of my younger days.”
Of course, putting a lot of effort into the nobles means, 'You must have put a lot of money and people into it.'
Ribbons, flowers, lace. She must have realized that this designer wasn't the most talented. She even spent more money on ribbons than on a dress.
But the most important thing here is her.
“Thank you for the great compliments.”
It was like seeing Lilienthal in her younger days, Lani. It was the highest praise in society. So much so that all the guests who were eavesdropping on their conversation were shocked and stirred.
The reporters excitedly began to write down Countess Lilienthal's words, and Countess Albrecht and Paula's eyes also widened.
“I chose pants because I didn’t want to wear a corset. The young Lady chose a dress to wear without a corset. I like this kind of cheekiness.”
"Your Grace."
“Beauty comes from being yourself. You will become the symbol of the next generation of high society.”
People are full of vanity, reporters who come in to write articles. She knows better than anyone that many people are listening to this.
But the fact that Countess Lilienthal winked and said that was no different from openly giving Odette strength.
'This is beyond my expectations?'
A discerning Countess who never even persuaded Charlotte, who became the Crown Princess through <John Root>.
She was still the Empress's closest confidant and mentor. She was also still a trendsetter.
'It'll become popular much faster than I thought.'
Perhaps even without Lilienthal's words, the Odette style would have been popular, but her support changed its pace and impact.
Moreover, the reporters will add exaggeration to the conversation just now.
"Countess Lilienthal has designated Odette as her successor."
Something like that.
Just by looking at the illustrators and photographers already busy working, she can easily imagine what tomorrow's front page will look like.
'Except for the times when articles were sold out with the news of the awakening of an S-class Purifier, I think this is the first time reporters have praised me.'
Count Albrecht considers her fame among the ladies to be worthless and ridiculous, so she has no fear of getting in trouble. Odette has completely benefited from this.
“Then I will be going now. The Empress will be here soon.”
Countess Lilienthal smiled gracefully at her and left.
Then her mother secretly grabbed her wrist. She couldn't raise her voice because there were reporters and illustrators in front of her.
“What’s with your attitude just now? When did you say you could talk to others without my permission?”
It was funny how she whispered as if she was practicing ventriloquism. But in front of Countess Lilienthal, she couldn't say a word and only smiled cowardly.
“I’m sorry. But she is Her Majesty the Empress’s closest confidant. I thought it would be bad for Mother if I acted presumptuously and made you look bad.”
When Odette made some excuse, her mother blinked.
“It seems that you have found favor with Her Grace, so follow her. If you go with Her Grace Countess Lilienthal, wouldn’t it be easier for my mother to meet Her Majesty the Empress?”
If her mother knew anything about social circles, she would know how ridiculous Odette's words were.
Because Countess Lilienthal is famous for her strict and sarcastic personality.
“Don’t ever act like that in front of me again. It’s disgusting.”
But even as she said that it was clear that her mother believed her because she just kept staring at the Countess as she walked towards the reception room.
Just then, the attendant announced the arrival of the Emperor and Empress.
“His Majesty the Emperor, the majestic Sun of the Empire, and Her Majesty the Empress, the glorious Moon, are coming!”
The music flowing in the banquet hall suddenly stopped, and soon the two majesties appeared.
“Eternal glory to Barceha.”
All the guests invited to the ball bowed simultaneously.
“Everyone, raise your heads.”
As everyone in the hall raised their heads at the Emperor's command, the orchestra played the first dance number. As the Emperor and Empress held hands and headed toward the center of the dance floor, the mother whispered to Paula.
“Paula, I’m going to the drawing room to see Her Majesty the Empress. You must keep a close eye on Odette. Understood?”
“Of course. Don’t worry, I’ll be keeping a close eye on her.”
After hearing Paula's boast, the mother followed Countess Lilienthal to the Empress's reception room.
At any ball, the Empress would only have the first dance and then retreat to the reception room. Then, for the rest of the ball, she would be seen by the guests who had been waiting to see her.
Unlike the Emperor, who likes banquets and sits on the throne until the end, the Empress likes conversation.
So, it seemed like she was going to go to the reception room and request an audience before the first dance started.
Odette thinks her mother thinks it's a trick, but it's something she has to know one thing and not know the other.
'It's a courtesy that must be observed by those invited to the palace ball. To see the first dance of the imperial couple.'
She's Countess Lilienthal. She's like family to Her Majesty, so there's no problem going straight to the drawing room.
But Mother will be marked as extremely rude, and will be condemned by the Empress. Not only the Empress but also all of the Empress's maids and servants will be outraged.
'The Empress already harbors a grudge against the Counts because of the <Crown Prince's Reckless Incident>. Now that my mother has committed such an act of rudeness, the Empress will feel that they are completely ignoring her.'
Already, several of the Empress's maids were glancing at her mother as she headed to the reception room, smiling sheepishly.
Odett swallowed her laughter as she watched her mother's back as she headed toward the living room without a second thought.
'How long do you think Paula will stay, Mother?'
Paula has already set fire to the lab. It's not easy for her to do something like that without being properly possessed by Gisela.
'Gisela said she had already given Paula the following instructions.'
Well, then Paula won't have much time to stay by her side. She'll be busy following Gisela's orders.
Without even knowing that Odette was the one giving that order.
***
How many dance numbers have passed already?
It was more tiring than Paula thought to open her eyes and stare at Odette all by herself. It was also boring.
'When will Mother come back? She said she would come back as soon as she finished meeting Her Majesty... '
In such formal settings, there were always at least three people watching over and guarding Odette.
Originally, the Count, the Young Master, Mrs. Becker, Paula, and the maid Dolly.
Usually, five people would watch over Odette, so the situation of having to watch over Odette alone was too much for Paula.
'If my mother hadn't been so isolated, there would have been a lot more people here now.'
Paula felt slightly depressed. Her mother had been spending money like a rich person and walking around the mansion, but she could tell that it was actually because she was anxious and empty.
'It's all Mrs. Becker's fault. That damn parasite got away with it...'
Paula, who was sighing inwardly, suddenly felt a sense of discomfort in her thoughts.
'Is that so? Is it really because of Mrs. Becker?'
Paula looked again at Odette, who was decorating the wall with flowers as if in a trance.
A doll-like expression. Puckered lips adorn the wall.
Odette was silent as usual, but she looked different somehow.
Paula can't explain it clearly, but it doesn't feel like a marionette, but rather like a strange liveliness?
'When was the first time Odette spoke up to me? Wasn't that when things between my mother and Ferdinand got worse?'
Come to think of it, after the day Odette talked back to her, everyone except Odette got angry.
The madam was in prison, Mrs. Becker was locked up in a dungeon, the Count's business was ruined, and...
Wasn't Odette the only one who didn't get hurt?
It was at that moment that a passing Young Baron asked Odette to dance.
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