Odelia would not have known. As she looked around the mansion, saying things like, "Wow, these expensive-looking things are just lying around like this," and "Oh... Is this Countess Herdel? The portrait is very large and beautiful." What was Judith thinking?
'Oh, how can a much older woman be this cute...?'
Odelia looked exactly like a proper woman, but her speech was stiff, like that of a recently discharged soldier. Judith suppressed her surging heart, feeling a sense of distance from her imposing, slender figure, but then a strange sense of humanity radiated from her occasional awkwardness, such as a twisted ankle.
This is a secret no one knows, but in fact, she managed to obtain a crude book, a commoner's book, containing the story of the Golden Lion Hero, which she hid under her bed and read. Judith's original goal was to marry the Golden Lion Hero. However, because the hero was a woman, she failed before even starting.
The reason she acted so harshly towards Odelia was that she was afraid that the nobles who ridiculed the old maid's debutante would find out about her feelings and catch her in the act... But from the time Odelia shook the eclair, all those guards disappeared.
Even though she was a little different from what she'd imagined, the Golden Lion Hero was indeed a wonderful person. Some people still ridiculed Odelia, but as she continued to impress, more and more people began to develop a liking for her.
'In this new social circle, I absolutely have to become friends with Lady Odelia.:
...Judith was also full of selfishness.
***
As they took their seats one by one on the garden terrace, the tea party began in earnest.
The desserts each person brought were carefully placed on ornate plates by the servants, and a sweet and fragrant smell filled the entire garden.
Among them, what particularly caught the eye was a cake of exquisite beauty, decorated with various rare fruits. The women's eyes were wide open at the dessert, which included apricots, white grapes, and even silver-plated leaf decorations.
"Who brought this?"
When Judith asked in surprise, the butler standing nearby answered quietly.
"Lady Odelia brought it."
Then a small gasp arose among them.
"Then, surely not. That cake that only the royal family can eat?"
"This is my first time seeing it in person...!"
"You brought this. Really?"
The cake, with its high-quality ingredients, exquisite decoration, rarity, and buzz, became the center of attention. All eyes instantly turned to Odelia. Everyone stared at her, unable to hide their admiration.
Only then did Odelia understand the meaning of Calix's words, "You'll know when you get there." While she felt grateful to Calix for taking such good care of her, a simple thought suddenly crossed her mind: 'By the way, that cake... looks really delicious.'
Then, someone opened her eyes wide and whispered while tapping her elbow on the friend sitting next to her.
"Lady Odelia has a ring on her little finger."
A tiny ring that fits perfectly on the little finger. It was a secret, yet quite serious signal in Imperial society.
Although it wasn't a relationship as explicitly announced as an engagement, it was a sign that "I'm seeing a man with the intention of marriage." It acted as a kind of fence, while also stimulating a subtle sense of competition.
In other words, it was like an unspoken declaration that 'if you're going to ask me out on a date or propose to me, you have to be great enough to make me take this ring off myself.'
In an instant, several people's eyes cautiously lingered on Odelia's fingertips. However, the owner was still absorbed in admiring the cake.
And finally, it was time to taste the cake.
Haaa~
Without exception, everyone's eyes widened at the cake's rich flavor, their expressions ecstatic as if they had experienced a heavenly taste. The younger ones, without even wiping the cream from their lips, carefully scooped up the cake, their faces beaming with happiness.
Their appearance was endearing to Odelia. Without realizing it, she found herself looking at them with a pleased expression. She, too, nodded, slowly savoring a piece.
"...It's really delicious."
At that moment, Judith spoke with sparkling eyes.
"Thanks to Lady Odelia, I get to enjoy such a precious cake. Thank you so much."
Then one of those nearby asked.
"Since His Highness the Crown Prince is your patron, do you often eat things like this?"
“It’s not like that.”
Then another woman tilted her head and asked.
"I've always wondered, Lady Odelia, why is your speech so stiff? It's exactly like my eldest brother's speech."
Odelia answered, holding back a laugh.
"I see your eldest brother also went to war. He was a truly admirable man, risking his life for his country."
At that warm response, the person who had spoken hesitated, her pale face turning pink.
"...You are cooler than my brother..."
From that moment on, interest in Odelia grew even more intense. One of them cautiously opened his mouth.
"Excuse me, Lady Odelia... may I ask why you went to war? We were all curious about that last time at the debutante."
The sudden question caused silence to fall around them.
Those who participated in the war would usually boast about their achievements, but Odelia answered in a calm voice.
"Actually, it's nothing special. I just went because I didn't want to starve."
"Yes...?"
"...As you all probably know, my parents were from the lowest class. When I was young, I almost died from famine. But they said they'd give me food if I enlisted. So I went. I didn't want the villagers to starve. That's all."
Odelia added, lowering her eyes.
"There's no grand intention or any other reason. When I think of those who went out with a greater cause, I feel ashamed."
Judith quickly shook her head at her humble words and made a face of extreme anger.
"You're embarrassed! The Golden Lion Hero!"
"It was solely thanks to the efforts of those far more accomplished than I that I became a hero."
People stared at each other in silence, each with a different expression. Some expressed quiet admiration, while others bowed their heads with a look of admiration.
Then, someone opened her mouth.
"His Highness the Crown Prince personally bestowed upon you the title of hero..."
Before she could finish speaking, someone else quickly interrupted.
"His Highness Calix actually went to war to forget the pain of separation, didn't he?"
As those words fell, several people exchanged meaningful glances and glanced at Odelia. They were Fabiana's close maids.
"The pain of separation?"
When Odelia asked with a blank expression, the woman who had spoken smiled brightly.
"Oh, you didn't know? I thought you knew, since you said it was a sponsorship relationship, but His Highness Calix and Her Majesty the Empress were engaged to be married. It's an open secret among the nobles... but, understandably, Lady Odelia wouldn't know."
Then, as if she had been waiting, she began to bring up old stories between Calix and Fabiana, one by one.
The Empress and the Crown Prince were once considered one of the most beautiful couples in the empire, and their engagement was a famous scandal that everyone took for granted.
But in the end, the Empress chose the current Emperor, and it was even said that the Crown Prince, who had been heartbroken, left behind the legendary words, "If I return alive, please look at me again" before leaving for battle.
Hearing this story, Odelia felt a strange sense of unease. It was as if she had learned something about Calix's past she had never wanted to know.
She tried to recall the Empress's face on the day of her debutante, but she couldn't quite recall it. Perhaps it was because she was so nervous, but only the moment she met Calix was vivid. She couldn't recall the Empress's expression at all.
Just as her expression was about to darken slightly, Judith, who was quick-witted, turned the conversation.
"What's the point of such talk now? Let's stop with the irrelevant talk."
Some of the people who had been talking about the Empress and Calix began to shake the chair with a displeased expression and whisper.
"Oh my, it's just something everyone knows~."
Odelia thought to herself.
'Is this a story that everyone knows?'
Although she felt bitter, she smiled as if nothing had happened.
Judith, seeing that sight, suppressed her rising anger as she thought to herself, 'Those bitches... Look how they're bringing it up on purpose.'
If they fought openly like they did during the last debutante, it was clear that only Odelia would be left feeling uneasy.
Judith, who had suppressed her anger inside, smiled again with a cheerful face and skillfully changed the subject.
"Now, have you all thought about what you're going to put up for this bazaar?"
Comments
Post a Comment