(80) First Party (2)
Many people approached Russell and Ariana to offer their congratulations. Ariana greeted them with a smile, imprinting their names and faces one by one in her memory.
As the time for receiving congratulatory remarks was drawing to a close, Fellowes and Isabelle arrived.
"Hey, my niece. You're so pretty. Huh? You're really the prettiest in the world!"
“Dad, is she prettier than me?”
"You're beautiful, too. Our daughter is incredibly beautiful, but this dad is objective and fair. In my eyes, our daughter is the most beautiful in the world, but objectively, Ariana is better."
“Anyway, Dad doesn’t say nice things.”
Isabelle clicked her tongue in displeasure, then smiled brightly at Ariana.
“But you're really pretty. I thought that dress would look good on you.”
“Thank you, sis. I really like it. It fits perfectly.”
“The shoes are nice too. Who sent them?”
“Little Lord.”
"Oh, Geor has some sense. Averaster threw away your dance card. Your feet might hurt since you haven't worn shoes much."
At Isabelle's words, Ariana looked around the party hall to find Averaster. Averaster was surrounded by dazzlingly dressed young ladies.
Their eyes met, and Averaster smiled brightly and waved. The young ladies' gaze followed him, then turned to Ariana.
Ariana nodded slightly with a faint smile.
Isabelle asked.
“How are your feet? Do they hurt?”
“No, it’s still okay.”
"Then let's go for a walk. You didn't even get to eat breakfast properly because you had to wear a dress, right?"
It was only after hearing Isabelle's words that she felt hungry.
It was strange to feel hungry at a party. Until now, she been so nervous at every party she been to that she forgotten about hunger.
Led by Isabelle's hand, she headed toward the center of the party hall. Many eyes followed Ariana as she walked briskly.
Ariana knew that while some gazes were filled with affection or curiosity, others were aimed at finding fault with Ariana.
'But you won't find any fault with me.'
She hadn't expected that attending various parties under the Third Prince Harold's direction and becoming familiar with the manners of a noblewoman would be of such help. The efforts she'd made for him, whom she so desperately hated, were now serving as Arina's weapon.
“I think this is the most delicious.”
Isabelle spoke, beckoning to a passing servant. On the silver platter the servant was holding were several goblets the size of three fingers.
Inside was a dish of chopped cheese and grilled meat, topped with a light sprinkle of parsley powder.
Isabelle picked up two glasses and handed one to Ariana. Watching Isabelle down her glass with gusto, Ariana followed suit.
The dish was salty and savory.
“How is it? Is it delicious?”
“Yeah, it’s really delicious.”
While they were critiquing the dishes, Averaster approached, leading the women. He stopped next to Ariana and smiled brightly.
“You’re beautiful, Ariana.”
“You are also great, brother.”
Since she had a keen eye for him, instead of calling him ‘Little Duke’ as she usually did, Ariana called him ‘Brother’, and Averaster smiled happily.
“I want to dance your first song with you.”
"What's wrong, brother? You even put away her dance card because you were worried her feet would hurt, so why are you asking her to dance?"
"One song is fine. His Excellency, the Eastern Lord, and Uncle Fellowes are swaying their hips, eager to dance with Ariana. I can't let the first song be stolen from me. Oh, now that I think about it, Grandfather is the same way."
Seeing the jealousy flash in the eyes of some of the young ladies, Ariana could guess that Averaster was quite popular.
'Well, he's the little Duke of the White family, and he's tall and handsome, so it's only natural that they'd want to be next to him.'
A Young Lady, who was sticking very close to Averaster, said.
"Lord Averaster, before that, please introduce us to the Princess first. We, too, would like the honor of greeting the Princess."
Ariana stared quietly at the owner with a thin, charming voice.
'Wiona Obelius.'
With her crimson hair and green eyes, she looked just like she did in Ariana's memories.
Her kind, innocent eyes, a slender, delicate figure, and the fresh, light pink dress that perfectly complemented her appearance. The white neck and shoulders revealed above the dress's moderately plunging neckline made her look even more delicate.
Isabelle cast a disapproving glance at Wiona, but Wiona pretended not to notice her gaze and looked at Ariana. Her smiling face, devoid of any selfish motives, simply looked like a "young lady thrilled to welcome the Princess."
"Oh, right. Ariana, this is Princess Wiona Obelius. And this is..."
Every time Averaster introduced her, the young ladies would bow slightly and greet Ariana. Ariana nodded in return.
After the introduction of the ten or so young ladies was over, Averaster spoke.
"Hmm. Then I guess it'd be best to ask for the dance later. The young ladies will have something to talk about. Ariana, your first dance is mine, so even if His Excellency asks, you're going to refuse?"
“Yes, brother.”
Averaster may have allowed Ariana to socialize with other young ladies her age, but Ariana wasn't particularly happy about it. Dealing with someone like Wiona was tiring.
But she kept her true feelings hidden, smiled, and waited for someone to start talking.
“Princess, it is truly an honor to greet you like this.”
It seemed as if Wiona was the leader of this group. As soon as she opened her mouth, the other young ladies also began to talk about glory.
Isabelle linked arms with Ariana.
"Well, now that we've said our goodbyes, is that okay? I have something to talk to the Princess about."
"Hey, Isabelle. Why are you in such a hurry? We want to get to know the Princess, too, but you're trying to monopolize her all for yourself?"
“Yeah, Wiona. That’s what I was thinking.”
"I understand you're lonely and don't want to lose the Princess. But don't you think the Princess needs a chance to make friends, too? She came all this way to the East, so there's no need for her to be alone like you here."
Wiona had a worried expression on her face, but Ariana sensed the barb in her words.
Isabelle's face turned red.
“Hey, I have friends too.”
"Oh my. Of course, I know. You must have friends. But they're not here right now."
She doesn't know the circumstances, but it seemed Isabelle didn't have many friends. Isabelle was glaring at Wiona with eyes that seemed to want to punch her.
Wiona smiled at Isabelle with her eyes folded into crescent moons, then spoke to Ariana.
"Princess, we meet once a week. Sometimes we discuss books, sometimes we listen to music and embroider, and sometimes we go see a good performance together. If you'd like to come, Princess, I'll arrange the best seats for you."
Reading discussions, music, embroidery, and a good performance. It was definitely not a gathering Isabelle would enjoy.
Ariana answered Wiona kindly.
“Where lizards play, dragons don’t join.”
The young ladies blinked, oblivious to the sharp edge contained in the sweet voice.
“I wonder if the baby lizards can provide a place for the dragon to stay.”
Only when Ariana added this did several of the young ladies realize the meaning and blush. Among them was Wiona.
The muscles at the corners of Wiona's mouth twitched. But she expertly concealed her anger and asked.
“Princess, what did I do wrong to you?”
“Why do you think so?”
“I think the Princess is offended by my invitation.”
"Don't feel bad, Princess. I was simply telling the truth."
To be honest, she felt worse. More so than when she was attacked.
But she didn't show it. Ariana's blue eyes were incredibly calm and kind.
Wiona gritted her teeth. Her cheek muscles twitched. Finally, she lowered her eyebrows and spoke.
"I heard you had a difficult life. I read about the trial in the newspaper, and it broke my heart. I cried so much..."
Tears welled up in Wiona's eyes. The other young ladies nodded, reached for their handkerchiefs, and dabbed their eyes.
Ariana enjoyed the sights.
“You’re a Princess, and you do laundry and cleaning there... and you even got sick from eating food waste?”
“Wiona, why are you talking about that here?”
Isabelle couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward.
Wiona said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.
"It's just a pity. It's amazing how you've become such a wonderful Princess after enduring such a terrible ordeal. I'm truly impressed, Princess."
"Is it so?"
"Besides, you're incredibly beautiful, Princess. Living like a maid, men wouldn't have left you alone. How did you endure that? If I were you, I'd rather die than endure unwanted men."
Wiona's voice was thin, but loud enough to reach the ladies listening around her.
A beautiful maid was often subjected to harassment by the master or other servants of the house. It was only natural that some would assume the same thing happened to Ariana, who had been deprived of parental protection.
Isabelle blushed redder than when she had been scolded and cried out.
“Hey, Wiona! How could you say something like that...!”
As Isabelle stepped forward as if to really strike, a soft voice grabbed her ankle.
“What an interesting and vulgar imagination, my lady.”
Isabelle stopped moving, and Wiona's eyes widened. The other young ladies held their breath and stared at Ariana's lips.
"I've never imagined anything like that in my life, but it seems like the Princess's mind is full of such thoughts. It's truly fascinating."
Ariana had a look of genuine surprise on her face.
“Even the people in the West who tormented me never said anything like that to me, so I never dreamed I would hear such things when I came to the East.”
The noble ladies who were listening intently blushed in embarrassment at the words that implied the Princess of the same age had such vulgar imaginings that even those wicked people wouldn't indulge in.
"Do women of the same age naturally fantasize about such things? Or are they taught to do so?"
Wiona's lips twitched, but she finally closed them, unable to say anything. Ariana smiled and took a step toward Wiona.
Wiona, already taller than Ariana and wearing high heels, was a head taller than Ariana. But at that moment, Wiona felt as if Ariana was looking down on her from a higher vantage point.
The cool air flowing from her blue eyes engulfed Wiona.
Ariana said in a soft voice.
“The Princess needs to be careful with her words.”
Ariana's fingertips brushed the corner of Wiona's lips.
"Put away those obscene fantasies that fill your head and behave properly. Then I will be polite to the Princess."
Many people approached Russell and Ariana to offer their congratulations. Ariana greeted them with a smile, imprinting their names and faces one by one in her memory.
As the time for receiving congratulatory remarks was drawing to a close, Fellowes and Isabelle arrived.
"Hey, my niece. You're so pretty. Huh? You're really the prettiest in the world!"
“Dad, is she prettier than me?”
"You're beautiful, too. Our daughter is incredibly beautiful, but this dad is objective and fair. In my eyes, our daughter is the most beautiful in the world, but objectively, Ariana is better."
“Anyway, Dad doesn’t say nice things.”
Isabelle clicked her tongue in displeasure, then smiled brightly at Ariana.
“But you're really pretty. I thought that dress would look good on you.”
“Thank you, sis. I really like it. It fits perfectly.”
“The shoes are nice too. Who sent them?”
“Little Lord.”
"Oh, Geor has some sense. Averaster threw away your dance card. Your feet might hurt since you haven't worn shoes much."
At Isabelle's words, Ariana looked around the party hall to find Averaster. Averaster was surrounded by dazzlingly dressed young ladies.
Their eyes met, and Averaster smiled brightly and waved. The young ladies' gaze followed him, then turned to Ariana.
Ariana nodded slightly with a faint smile.
Isabelle asked.
“How are your feet? Do they hurt?”
“No, it’s still okay.”
"Then let's go for a walk. You didn't even get to eat breakfast properly because you had to wear a dress, right?"
It was only after hearing Isabelle's words that she felt hungry.
It was strange to feel hungry at a party. Until now, she been so nervous at every party she been to that she forgotten about hunger.
Led by Isabelle's hand, she headed toward the center of the party hall. Many eyes followed Ariana as she walked briskly.
Ariana knew that while some gazes were filled with affection or curiosity, others were aimed at finding fault with Ariana.
'But you won't find any fault with me.'
She hadn't expected that attending various parties under the Third Prince Harold's direction and becoming familiar with the manners of a noblewoman would be of such help. The efforts she'd made for him, whom she so desperately hated, were now serving as Arina's weapon.
“I think this is the most delicious.”
Isabelle spoke, beckoning to a passing servant. On the silver platter the servant was holding were several goblets the size of three fingers.
Inside was a dish of chopped cheese and grilled meat, topped with a light sprinkle of parsley powder.
Isabelle picked up two glasses and handed one to Ariana. Watching Isabelle down her glass with gusto, Ariana followed suit.
The dish was salty and savory.
“How is it? Is it delicious?”
“Yeah, it’s really delicious.”
While they were critiquing the dishes, Averaster approached, leading the women. He stopped next to Ariana and smiled brightly.
“You’re beautiful, Ariana.”
“You are also great, brother.”
Since she had a keen eye for him, instead of calling him ‘Little Duke’ as she usually did, Ariana called him ‘Brother’, and Averaster smiled happily.
“I want to dance your first song with you.”
"What's wrong, brother? You even put away her dance card because you were worried her feet would hurt, so why are you asking her to dance?"
"One song is fine. His Excellency, the Eastern Lord, and Uncle Fellowes are swaying their hips, eager to dance with Ariana. I can't let the first song be stolen from me. Oh, now that I think about it, Grandfather is the same way."
Seeing the jealousy flash in the eyes of some of the young ladies, Ariana could guess that Averaster was quite popular.
'Well, he's the little Duke of the White family, and he's tall and handsome, so it's only natural that they'd want to be next to him.'
A Young Lady, who was sticking very close to Averaster, said.
"Lord Averaster, before that, please introduce us to the Princess first. We, too, would like the honor of greeting the Princess."
Ariana stared quietly at the owner with a thin, charming voice.
'Wiona Obelius.'
With her crimson hair and green eyes, she looked just like she did in Ariana's memories.
Her kind, innocent eyes, a slender, delicate figure, and the fresh, light pink dress that perfectly complemented her appearance. The white neck and shoulders revealed above the dress's moderately plunging neckline made her look even more delicate.
Isabelle cast a disapproving glance at Wiona, but Wiona pretended not to notice her gaze and looked at Ariana. Her smiling face, devoid of any selfish motives, simply looked like a "young lady thrilled to welcome the Princess."
"Oh, right. Ariana, this is Princess Wiona Obelius. And this is..."
Every time Averaster introduced her, the young ladies would bow slightly and greet Ariana. Ariana nodded in return.
After the introduction of the ten or so young ladies was over, Averaster spoke.
"Hmm. Then I guess it'd be best to ask for the dance later. The young ladies will have something to talk about. Ariana, your first dance is mine, so even if His Excellency asks, you're going to refuse?"
“Yes, brother.”
Averaster may have allowed Ariana to socialize with other young ladies her age, but Ariana wasn't particularly happy about it. Dealing with someone like Wiona was tiring.
But she kept her true feelings hidden, smiled, and waited for someone to start talking.
“Princess, it is truly an honor to greet you like this.”
It seemed as if Wiona was the leader of this group. As soon as she opened her mouth, the other young ladies also began to talk about glory.
Isabelle linked arms with Ariana.
"Well, now that we've said our goodbyes, is that okay? I have something to talk to the Princess about."
"Hey, Isabelle. Why are you in such a hurry? We want to get to know the Princess, too, but you're trying to monopolize her all for yourself?"
“Yeah, Wiona. That’s what I was thinking.”
"I understand you're lonely and don't want to lose the Princess. But don't you think the Princess needs a chance to make friends, too? She came all this way to the East, so there's no need for her to be alone like you here."
Wiona had a worried expression on her face, but Ariana sensed the barb in her words.
Isabelle's face turned red.
“Hey, I have friends too.”
"Oh my. Of course, I know. You must have friends. But they're not here right now."
She doesn't know the circumstances, but it seemed Isabelle didn't have many friends. Isabelle was glaring at Wiona with eyes that seemed to want to punch her.
Wiona smiled at Isabelle with her eyes folded into crescent moons, then spoke to Ariana.
"Princess, we meet once a week. Sometimes we discuss books, sometimes we listen to music and embroider, and sometimes we go see a good performance together. If you'd like to come, Princess, I'll arrange the best seats for you."
Reading discussions, music, embroidery, and a good performance. It was definitely not a gathering Isabelle would enjoy.
Ariana answered Wiona kindly.
“Where lizards play, dragons don’t join.”
The young ladies blinked, oblivious to the sharp edge contained in the sweet voice.
“I wonder if the baby lizards can provide a place for the dragon to stay.”
Only when Ariana added this did several of the young ladies realize the meaning and blush. Among them was Wiona.
The muscles at the corners of Wiona's mouth twitched. But she expertly concealed her anger and asked.
“Princess, what did I do wrong to you?”
“Why do you think so?”
“I think the Princess is offended by my invitation.”
"Don't feel bad, Princess. I was simply telling the truth."
To be honest, she felt worse. More so than when she was attacked.
But she didn't show it. Ariana's blue eyes were incredibly calm and kind.
Wiona gritted her teeth. Her cheek muscles twitched. Finally, she lowered her eyebrows and spoke.
"I heard you had a difficult life. I read about the trial in the newspaper, and it broke my heart. I cried so much..."
Tears welled up in Wiona's eyes. The other young ladies nodded, reached for their handkerchiefs, and dabbed their eyes.
Ariana enjoyed the sights.
“You’re a Princess, and you do laundry and cleaning there... and you even got sick from eating food waste?”
“Wiona, why are you talking about that here?”
Isabelle couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward.
Wiona said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.
"It's just a pity. It's amazing how you've become such a wonderful Princess after enduring such a terrible ordeal. I'm truly impressed, Princess."
"Is it so?"
"Besides, you're incredibly beautiful, Princess. Living like a maid, men wouldn't have left you alone. How did you endure that? If I were you, I'd rather die than endure unwanted men."
Wiona's voice was thin, but loud enough to reach the ladies listening around her.
A beautiful maid was often subjected to harassment by the master or other servants of the house. It was only natural that some would assume the same thing happened to Ariana, who had been deprived of parental protection.
Isabelle blushed redder than when she had been scolded and cried out.
“Hey, Wiona! How could you say something like that...!”
As Isabelle stepped forward as if to really strike, a soft voice grabbed her ankle.
“What an interesting and vulgar imagination, my lady.”
Isabelle stopped moving, and Wiona's eyes widened. The other young ladies held their breath and stared at Ariana's lips.
"I've never imagined anything like that in my life, but it seems like the Princess's mind is full of such thoughts. It's truly fascinating."
Ariana had a look of genuine surprise on her face.
“Even the people in the West who tormented me never said anything like that to me, so I never dreamed I would hear such things when I came to the East.”
The noble ladies who were listening intently blushed in embarrassment at the words that implied the Princess of the same age had such vulgar imaginings that even those wicked people wouldn't indulge in.
"Do women of the same age naturally fantasize about such things? Or are they taught to do so?"
Wiona's lips twitched, but she finally closed them, unable to say anything. Ariana smiled and took a step toward Wiona.
Wiona, already taller than Ariana and wearing high heels, was a head taller than Ariana. But at that moment, Wiona felt as if Ariana was looking down on her from a higher vantage point.
The cool air flowing from her blue eyes engulfed Wiona.
Ariana said in a soft voice.
“The Princess needs to be careful with her words.”
Ariana's fingertips brushed the corner of Wiona's lips.
"Put away those obscene fantasies that fill your head and behave properly. Then I will be polite to the Princess."
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