episode_0027

As the day she had to return to the estate drew near, Baroness Byungbaek’s days grew increasingly busier.

The slightly accelerating start of her day now began in the early dawn before the sun even rose.

The end of each day was always a late night, gazing at her daughter’s lovely face as she slept in her arms, breathing softly.

While the waking hours were getting faster, the time for sleep remained the same.

No, as the mysterious distance that her daughter held onto slowly disappeared, her bedtime was also gradually getting later.

She was not yet at an age where she could do without sleep.

Furthermore, carrying her almost fully grown daughter, who wasn’t much smaller in size, was quite a challenge.

Her body was starting to feel the limits of her stamina.

However, there was one thing she couldn’t give up.

Her daughter, whom she might not see again for who knows how long once she descended to the estate.

Seeing the still somewhat immature face remaining on her daughter, who had matured considerably, might be the last time.

In their next meeting, she could have a man by her side, claiming to be the promised partner in marriage.

And for such a daughter.

There was still much to take care of as a mother while staying in the capital.

Her daughter’s wardrobe, or rather dressing room, was still lacking even after these days.

Everyday wear and outing attire were now somewhat adequate, but the lavish dresses fit for a lady were still insufficient.

Putting back on a dress worn at a ball would be a disgrace for a lady. It felt like a wound on her dignity. Perhaps in regions lacking in seamstresses and tailors, they might not know, but at least in the capital’s social circles, it was so.

However, spending these past few days with her daughter made Etienne realize naturally.

That her daughter was not the kind of woman to cross the threshold of the dressing room alone.

It certainly wasn’t like this when they were at the estate.

She used to be a cute youngest daughter who always linked arms with her and urged her to go to the dressing room first, asking to try on new dresses.

Seeing her lovely youngest daughter becoming more and more like her eldest sister made Etienne feel conflicted in many ways.

It wasn’t just about the dresses.

If it were only about the dresses, she would have moved more leisurely.

She also needed to carefully select jewelry that suited her daughter, who had fair milky skin like her own.

Her daughter was reluctant even to go to the dressing room. To think of her in a jewelry store…

Which clothes matched which jewelry, and what cut shapes suited her.

In front of the displayed dazzling jewels, her daughter seemed to only roll her sky-colored eyes around.

For such a daughter, she had to pick out accessories that suited her one by one and explain the types and values of those jewels.

Distinguishing the value of jewels was one of the virtues a lady should possess.

Although she was still far from being a proper lady, Eleanor was particularly lacking in that aspect.

For the sake of her daughter who still shone brightly in society, she was preparing a small ball at the townhouse’s annex.

Of course, without Eleanor’s knowledge.

However, the most pressing issue at the moment was separate.

“For now, arrange for me to meet this girl and this one. Please do it as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, madam. I will try to expedite it as much as possible.”

Etienne neatly folded the papers in her hands and handed them to Manuela. Her voice was filled with exhaustion.

The paper handed to Manuela contained the personal profiles of Eleanor’s maid candidates. Manuela politely accepted the paper and hurriedly left the room at the lady’s command.

The biggest problem right now was the fact that Eleanor still didn’t have a personal maid.

The debutante ball was a disgrace for the daughter of the Marquis. She had no maidservant, not for her daughter, nor for herself, the mother. Even the prestigious Beauregard Marquis had none.

Although there were the housekeeper, Manuela, and the maid, Sophie, both were commoners. It was unreasonable to assign them the role of assisting Eleanor in noble society.

Thus, Etienne carefully selected a few candidates from among her long-time friends she had been close with during her maiden days.

However, as no one particularly caught her eye, she left the decision to Eleanor’s judgment.

Fortunately, the only solace was that a girl who had been close to Eleanor in the countryside was due to arrive within the week.

“Sigh. If only I had one more week…”

Stretching her arms wide and yawning, Etienne muttered to herself.

Time was running out for her.

With just over a week remaining, she had to manage everything.

She felt rushed in many ways.

Rubbing her tired eyes due to accumulated fatigue, Etienne let out a groan.

As she was going through another busy day today,

Another invitation arrived from the palace.

#

It was undoubtedly a peaceful morning.

As usual, Eleanor energetically started her meal at the splendid dining table of the Beauregard family and finished it with a sense of exhaustion.

She bid farewell to her father heading to the military camp and her brother leaving for his office downtown at the front door.

Her mother, who seemed preoccupied in various ways, and Eleanor enjoyed a peaceful morning tea time.

“Here is the letter that arrived last night, miss.”

“Oh. Thank you as always, Jeffrey.”

Approaching silently, the butler handed Eleanor a neatly tied envelope.

Smiling politely at the kind old man, Eleanor accepted the thick stack of envelopes.

However, the bright smile on her face didn’t last long.

Within the thick bundle of envelopes.

In the familiar envelope adorned with elaborate golden decorations along the edges, Eleanor’s expression began to stiffen gradually.

With her sky-blue eyes fixed on the royal lily emblem, Eleanor spoke in a subdued voice.

“The Queen’s Palace… I see.”

The returning voice sounded similar.

“Well, well. Unlike during the Princess’s time, this time the Queen calls for me too.”

And across from her, Etienne also held an invitation similar to her daughter’s.

The royal invitations flying to the mansion were not just one. The red-haired Queen sent invitations not only to Eleanor but also to Lady Beauregard.

What could this mean?

The two women faced each other.

It was clear that the Queen’s target was Eleanor. There was no need to call Etienne to the palace. It would be easier to manipulate Eleanor, who was still lacking in many ways without Etienne.

Soon, a harmonious sigh escaped from both women.

“I suppose refusal is not an option?”

Eleanor asked softly, glancing at Etienne.

Honestly, she really didn’t want to go. Her feelings were different from when she was the Princess Dominique.

The meaning behind the Queen’s invitation was obvious. Even without going to the palace, she could figure it out. The red hair from the debutante ball… They would somehow link it to that Louis person.

In fact, Eleanor had received several invitations from Viscount Edmund before. However, as always, upon receiving the invitation, Eleanor would take it straight to the incinerator behind the mansion and throw it into the blazing fire.

Etienne looked at her daughter with a firm expression, offering a slight smile as if to reassure her.

“It can’t be helped. But since we’re going together, try to relax a bit.”

That’s what she said, but…

Honestly, the red-haired woman, Etier, felt quite burdened.

The Queen’s extraordinary presence, especially her ability to manipulate high society, had spread even to the remote corners of the western countryside.

While formal, marriages between nobles required approval from the royal family.

Queen Anne Rose skillfully wielded this formality to control the capital’s social circles.

A certain countess somewhere in society was ostracized for commenting that red hair looked cheap without a proper suitor.

Due to her blocked noble marriage prospects, her daughter was married off to a wealthy commoner family.

Also, the reason behind Princess Eleonore’s popularity in society.

The high regard for Prince Felix among the capital’s noblewomen was also orchestrated by Queen Anne.

Unbeknownst to Etier, the lack of favor towards Eleanor in society was also due to Anne’s influence.

#

Upon returning to the palace, Eleanor was greeted in a different manner than before.

It wasn’t just the change in the silk curtains.

“You’ve come a long way. Both of you.”

The red-haired Queen, Anne Rose, welcomed them with a gentle smile, personally greeting them at the palace entrance.

“I’m grateful for your warm welcome.”

Etier stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Following suit, Eleanor also curtsied after her mother.

“Don’t be so formal. Come inside quickly. I have a guest waiting whom I’d like you to meet.”

The Queen approached the bowing pair, lifting them up gently.

Hurriedly, she led them to the garden filled with spring flowers.

Under the parasol in the garden, saturated with the fragrance of blossoms, they were met by a familiar figure.

“You’ve been missed, Lady Byungbaek. And Eleanor, you’ve become even more beautiful since we last met.”

A man with red hair, as expected, greeted them, not deviating an inch from expectations.