Count Nicholas was afraid of the people.
'What's so important about a banquet held for the government?"
Well, what could Julian be afraid of?
He has powerful shadow knights.
Count Nicholas weighed the people's fears against Julian's.
Sensing his uneasiness in the silence, Julian gave the order.
"Instead, post guards. Tell them to disperse the people when they see signs of trouble."
"Yes! I understand."
Only then did Count Nicholas' face show his relief.
Julian opened the plaza with the intention of listening to the voices of the people for the sake of their well-being and peace.
It's not open for the mob.
Julian would rather have a riot break out so that he could close down the square.
Then they won't have to hear those protests for a while.
The shouts in the square were so loud that even while sitting in the office of the central palace, he could faintly hear voices saying things like, "The King's government has bewitched him," "The wicked woman must be killed," and "The King is crazy about the wicked woman and cannot come to his senses."
"Where is Bridget now?"
"Shee has been in the banquet hall since early in the morning."
"I see."
Fortunately, the banquet hall was located far away from the square, so the sounds from there would not reach.
He hoped Bridget wouldn't hear that.
***
However, Bridget was hiding in a high place in the palace, watching the protesting crowd.
She left the preparations for the banquet to Millea and the workers and maids dispatched from the Ministry of the Interior and took some time off.
There were more people gathered in the square than expected.
They were quiet for a while, but then they started to stir again whenever a wagon entered the palace.
At that moment, Bridget saw guards standing in line as if they were about to go out the main gate.
Bridget looked up at the sky once.
It rained until yesterday, but the sky was clear today. It was as expected...
It was a little windy due to the rain, but not bad enough to prevent them from holding an outdoor event.
When the time came, musicians played music inside and outside the banquet hall.
The nobles arrived one after another.
Not everyone was there because they were interested in charity events or anything, but they came to see Bridget.
They also wondered what kind of grand proposal gift she received from Julian.
The Marchioness Cavendish greeted Bridget very warmly.
"Mrs. Winston! I can't believe how long it's been! I've been looking forward to seeing you again, and I'm so glad we're here. This is a truly perfect banquet."
She praised Bridget with all sorts of embellishments as if she didn't remember anything like inviting her to a party to make fun of her.
The Marchioness Cavendish was the first to hear of Julian's rumors, through the Count of Hudson, Penelope's Father.
She was absolutely convinced that Julian was healthy.
It wasn't information that came from Bridget, it was information that came from Penelope's side.
Why would Penelope tell her lies that would be detrimental to her?
If Julian's throne was to continue, it would have been advantageous for her to stick with Brigitte.
Bridget welcomed the Marchioness Cavendish's obvious calculations, but she welcomed her.
"Welcome, Marchioness. I am grateful for your Invitation to the last party. It means a lot to me that you are here again."
This charity banquet was an Invitation-only event.
Charity banquets usually raise donations in that way.
The Marchioness Cavendish even bought invitations for her friends and distributed them here and there to impress Bridget.
"I was so curious to hear that some of the wedding gifts Hiw Majesty gave you were being auctioned off. I heard that among them was Queen Grace's necklace?"
Queen Grace, wife of Frederick I, was a person who devoted herself to the welfare and relief of the people...
It was the perfect jewel to be auctioned at a charity event.
The Marchioness Cavendish showed her willingness to participate actively by showing Interest in the auction.
She was a leading figure who moved like a migratory bird according to the shift of power, but she was definitely a strength when she was on Bridget's side.
'There's nothing wrong with keeping in touch with people like this, as long as you don't get too close.'
The Marchioness Cavendish introduced Bridget to several ladies.
The ladies surrounded Brigitte and flattered her appropriately.
After greeting the nobles for a while, Bridget frowned as she looked somewhere.
'That tooth.'
Isaac was entering the banquet hall.
As someone who amassed wealth by trafficking victims of war, he was incredibly shameless.
Isaac didn't know that Bridget knew about his business, which is why he seemed so confident.
Of course. Bridget knew he was coming. He was the first to buy the invitation.
The reason Bridget was surprised was because Chloe was next to him.
"Sister!"
A girl who just turned 17.
Chloe, who had a face that resembled Bridget's, approached Bridget with a bright face that seemed nervous but also excited.
Her gorgeous dress and sparkling accessories, which were no less than those of other nobles, stood out.
Chloe looked like a very wealthy noble lady. So much so that single young gentlemen who didn't know who she was would glance at her.
Chloe, who was wrapped up in things that Josh could never afford, held Bridget's hand and jumped around a little frivolously.
"Sister! Oh my gosh, I missed you so much!"
Not knowing that Bridget's heart was breaking.
"Do you know how surprised I was when I heard the news about you? You went to the palace, and you're even the King's mistress! You've really made it!"
Chloe whispered excitedly and shook Bridget's hand.
Bridget took a deep breath and asked Chloe.
"How did you get here?"
"How did I come? My brother-in-law invited me. He can't bring that shameless Penelope as his partner to the party, right? You're His Majesty's partner, after all."
"Did Josh let you come here?"
"At first, he didn't allow it, but eventually he did. It took a lot of effort to convince Josh. Neither he nor Mom was very happy about my sister becoming the King's mistress..."
"Don't talk so much, Chloe."
Chloe was still young.
She couldn't tell what to say and what not to say.
Unlike Bridget, who received proper etiquette education thanks to her father who paid a lot of attention to her children's education, Chloe did not receive any proper education.
Her father died when she was very young, and Josh had no interest in his siblings' education.
Chloe didn't belong here.
This was not a social gathering where young ladies would let their mistakes slide.
It was a place where silence gathered.
Just then, the attendant informed Bridget.
"The Count and Countess of Bramwell and the Count and Countess of Highbury have arrived."
They were the daughter and son-in-law of the Duke of Linchester.
Bridget stood next to Chloe and glared at Isaac, who was grinning wickedly.
"Let's talk."
After asking Millea to greet the guests, Bridget took Chloe and Isaac to the private powder room on the second floor of the grand ballroom.
Chloe whispered obliviously as she followed Bridget.
"I heard from my brother-in-law. He said he had a gift for me."
I'm sure you're talking about the blue diamond necklace.
"Chloe. Wait a minute in the next room."
Bridget was left alone with Isaac.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment