episode_0092

As the dusk of the night sky gently settled on the green-tinted trees, the Bearen Ga Town House placed in the midst of that darkness was emitting even more dazzling lights.

Beyond the balcony, the hallway below the stairs was still bustling.

The loud and varied laughter bursting out.

Intermittently mixed with the careful and subdued voices.

Even the crisp sound of clinking glass cups.

The end of the Geon-gukje.

Rather, the party commemorating Eleanor’s grace was spreading elegantly and beautifully across the dark and deep midsummer night sky, where even the moonlight had faded beyond the open doors of the annex.

And Eleanor, the protagonist of the party, was standing slightly apart from the crowd.

The balcony on the second floor, specially arranged for Eleanor in the center.

The curtains on the balcony were only partially drawn to cover the lady with ivory-colored hair lying next to her, using her thigh as a pillow.

Inside that balcony, Eleanor was absentmindedly looking down at the bustling hall on the first floor.

Eleanor’s time down there had already come to an end.

The formalities had already ended before the sun had set.

Whispering the name that was difficult to pronounce, Eleanor became like a beautiful automaton, bowing and smiling graciously to the people coming towards her.

Then it was Albris’s turn.

For Eleanor, who was not particularly involved in the complex politics, her role as the Bearen’s beloved princess ended there.

Even her dear friend and princess, Dominique, had long since returned to her home, the White Lily Palace.

As if she were the star of the party.

After the dusk had settled, Dominique, who arrived late at the mansion, stuck closely by Eleanor’s side throughout the party.

Not even letting go of Eleanor’s arm in front of the people approaching to greet the princess, she seemed to be showing off her precious doll to others.

Upon hearing the escort knight’s words that it was time to leave, Dominique, like a child passing by a toy corner, threw a tantrum for quite some time.

“Really… Dominique can’t be stopped.”

Eleanor softly smiled at the memory of that cute face.

But surely… when Dominique left, she left a meaningful smile and a word of farewell, right?

What was the meaning behind that smile?

Eleanor brought the thin, long cylindrical glass to her lips. The sparkling champagne, with its strong carbonation, had a taste similar to the cider she used to enjoy during her childhood.

“But really, what is Dimitri doing that he’s not even showing his face.”

Eleanor muttered to herself again. The following thoughts did not need to be voiced beyond her lips.

Yes, Dominique…

Even if I try my best, there’s no one to compete against.

Eleanor placed the glass she held in her hand on the small table next to the sofa. There was still half of the champagne left in the transparent glass, but her face was gradually turning red.

“Well, this is all because of the champagne.”

Fortunately, there was no one to hear Eleanor’s muttering. All she had by her side was her foreigner, Venezia, who was sleeping soundly with her thigh as a comfortable pillow.

A warm midsummer night breeze blew through the wide-open window. Eleanor absentmindedly gazed up at the night sky, pushing her swaying bangs back.

Through the wide-open window, a warm midsummer night breeze gently blew in. Eleanor absentmindedly gazed up at the night sky, her bangs swaying.

The twinkling stars embroidered on the black canvas under the fading moonlight. At that sight, which was rarely seen in Seoul, an inexplicable loneliness tickled Eleanor’s heart.

“Ugh, hm.”

However, that loneliness did not last long.

At the cute sound coming from the ivory lady on her thigh, Eleanor shook off the clinging nostalgia and looked at Venezia’s face.

Was she having a nightmare? Or was she here to replace Eleanor’s longing?

Watching her furrow her brows and sway her head, it seemed like she was having a rather distressing dream.

Eleanor brushed her disheveled bangs aside while pondering.

By the way, is he okay… Just from drinking two glasses of champagne…

I didn’t know foreigners were this weak with alcohol.

Eleanor called out to a passing servant from behind the half-drawn curtain.

“Oh, there.”

“Yes, Miss. Did you call for me?”

The man, who was neatly walking with a silver tray in hand, cautiously approached Eleanor.

“Do you want another glass to be served?”

“Mm, no need for champagne. Could you go to the main hall and bring Sophie and Ailey here? There’s a lady who needs to be moved.”

“Understood. I will deliver the message, Miss.”

Nodding his head respectfully, the man turned and disappeared outside the balcony without showing his back. And right after him, a familiar voice was heard.

“Long time no see, Eleanor.”

Behind the departing servant, the silver-haired handsome man with red eyes flashed a bright smile.

“Good evening, Marquis Julian Valatier.”

Why is it you coming out instead of Dmitri!

Eleanor hid her feelings and returned a bright smile.

#.

The grand and ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The chandelier, which was not easily seen even in the imperial palace, displayed the power of the Baron Beaurne, who challenged the authority of the royal family.

The gentle waltz melody slowly spreading under the huge chandelier flowed leisurely and smoothly enough not to disturb people’s conversations.

Amidst the waltz rhythm, the sound of people’s conversations and laughter filled the large hall.

However, the silver-clad man in a neat white uniform seemed out of place in the glamorous and sophisticated atmosphere.

In the corner of the hall where the light from the chandelier did not reach, Julian was hiding his shining silver hair in the shadows.

In fact, Julian was very uncomfortable in the current situation.

In a way, this large hall felt like the middle of enemy territory to Julian. No, it wasn’t exactly enemy territory, but it was definitely not a friendly environment for him.

The people laughing and chatting in the distance were mostly nobles from the west or those closely associated with the west.

Unlike them, Julian had nothing to do with the west.

The farthest Julian had gone to the west in his life was to check the state of the capital’s western gate as a security officer.

Except for Eleanor, who personally sent him an invitation.

Julian raised the glass to his lips. Feeling the tingling carbonation in his mouth, he looked at his friend, Christian, in the distance.

His cheerful friend was mingling with people he didn’t even know, laughing and enjoying himself.

A small sigh followed. Julian gently placed the glass he held in his hand on the table.

Julian was different.

Throughout his life, he never had to approach anyone first.

Even if he was called the emperor’s illegitimate child. Even if his birth was scorned. His veins carried the blood of Galatea.

The blood flowing through his veins made Julian the one who was approached by others, not the one who approached others.

Moreover, after growing up to a certain extent, thanks to his handsome appearance, there were always women around him.

But here, it was different.

The royal blood was useless here.

The men here, even if they were nobles, seemed to have a slightly different standard of beauty from the west. Many women passed by him, but none of them came close to him.

“Well, I didn’t come here to have fun anyway.”

Julian muttered to himself as he stood up from his seat. Dmitri’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

So, now was the perfect opportunity to talk to Eleanor.

Stepping out of the shadows, Julian walked towards his friend Christian, who was surrounded by people.

“Christian.”

“Ah, Julian! Everyone, here. Let me introduce our group! This handsome young man here is Julian Valatier! He’s the newly appointed Marquis succeeding his father!”

The following applause was led by Christian.

It seemed that Julian was not the only one who didn’t like Christian’s introduction.

The atmosphere surrounding him turned cold. The friendly glances towards the unfamiliar but amiable young man were now filled with discomfort.

“Enough. Hurry up and come.”

In response to Yulrian’s irritated voice, Christian scratched his head and approached him.

“Yulrian, did you do something sneaky behind my back?”

“Hah. Westerners naturally dislike the royal family.”

“Even so. Why did they seem to be eyeing you like they had a grudge against you?”

“Plus, those country bumpkins are obsessed with lineage and bloodlines. They’re narrow-minded folks who get worked up over the word ‘bastard.’”

Yulrian’s voice, which he spat out as if annoyed, sounded no different from usual. However, Christian could sense the underlying simmering anger.

“So, are you hiding like a thief and planning to do something when you come out?”

“I have to find Eleanor.”

“Hey, that’s your love affair. Why did you drag me into this?”

At Christian’s whining, Yulrian paused in his tracks.

“Christian, that lady is a bit strange.”

The red eyes met Christian’s. Under that serious gaze, Christian couldn’t help but recall mischievous memories.

“Ah… you mean that ivory-skinned lady? She was quite stunning, wasn’t she.”

“Her gaze and tone towards me seem different. Sharper than the usual teasing.”

Thinking back, Christian couldn’t recall anything significant, so he looked at Yulrian with a clueless expression.

Finally, the two headed up the stairs to the second floor.

“So, I just need to come up with a decent excuse to separate that woman, right?”

Yulrian nodded slightly at Christian’s words.

“By the way, do you know where Miss Eleanor is?”

“She’s probably over there, on that balcony.”

Having already scanned the entire hall while blending into the shadows, Yulrian was confident in his answer.