For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 77

In Hermeland, the major social events take place in the summer.

This is mainly because most noble children attend academies that have their break during this time, and it’s the season with the best weather for outdoor events. It’s also a perfect excuse to arrange marriage proposals for sons and daughters.

However, above all, the biggest reason is that the birthday of Crown Prince Tristan falls in mid-summer. Isn’t it the time when Empress Silvea gave birth to the angel who would forever suppress the Emperor?

Alfred, gazing out of the automobile window at the largest avenue leading to the palace, couldn’t help but chuckle.

“It’s amazing every time I see it.”

From the golden confetti fluttering in the daylight to the giant pink flower decorations the size of a child’s head, it was hard to imagine what the street had originally looked like.

“It seems to get more extravagant every year.”

“Of course. This year, the Crown Prince finally turned twenty.”

Magnus looked displeased as he squinted at the decorations, his eyes stinging from what he considered tasteless embellishments.

“The future of the Empire is clear.”

“Napier, shush.”

Alfred gave an awkward smile and glanced at the others in the back seat of the car. Thanks to the chauffeur driving, all six of them had a space to converse in the back.

However, none of them looked particularly excited about the upcoming party. Among them, the wife looked the most disheartened.

Alfred looked at Eugenie who was unusually quiet with concern.

“Eugenie, are you alright?”

“…Hmm, I guess.”

Eugenie shifted her legs, crossing them in a way that hid them beneath the hem of her fuchsia pink silk dress. Normally, she would have hated such flashy colors and tried to escape from them, but she had been held back by Magnus Napier for a lecture.

‘This is a battle, Norton. Have you ever seen anyone go into battle without a weapon?’

‘Do you know the teacher who teaches us the debutante dance?’

‘I’m not joking right now. Livingston may say it doesn’t matter what you wear, but that’s just nonsense.’

Social events are, in the end, a war without gunfire. Undoubtedly, the person who will attract the most attention at this event will be her. At least in this outfit, she wouldn’t be looked down upon based on her appearance.

However, despite being armed in a beautiful dress, with a matching set of diamond drop earrings and necklace, her mood didn’t improve much.

“I’ve never really liked palace events anyway.”

“That’s true. You haven’t been to one since you turned twenty, right?”

“Yes… I only came for my debutante ball.”

Eugenie glanced up at the palace, making a face like she was about to see the food at an academy meal.

The Tintagel Palace, where the Howard imperial family resided, had been an imposing building overlooking the capital since it was founded 500 years ago. Even now, young noble children often go on to live lives related to the palace after graduating.

That might mean attending the daily banquets held during the social season, just like her mother did, or working as a female official in the imperial palace, under Empress Silvea’s ‘benevolent eye…..’

Either way, it was a path far from Eugenie’s own.

‘I was briefly tempted the day of my debutante ball, though.’

Even Eugenie, who was usually indifferent, couldn’t help but be drawn to the beauty and sparkle surrounding her. For a while, she even harbored a little admiration for the social scene.

‘Isn’t it sad? A woman so desperate.’

‘Oh my, her daughter’s here. What do you think about her, Eugenie Norton?’

But that was in the past.

Soon, the automobile reached the closest point it could get to the palace.

Just before the door opened, the five husbands turned to look at Eugenie.

“Madam, are you ready?”

“Yes, Percival. Let’s go.”

As soon as they exited the automobile, people who had been waiting along the avenue rushed forward.

As expected.

“Eugenie Norton is here!”

“Eugenie Norton! Is it true that all five are your husbands?!”

Reporters rushed in from all directions, causing a commotion.

To avoid being overwhelmed by the flashing lights from every direction, Eugenie put on the dark sunglasses that Cassius had arranged for her. The sunglasses, adorned with onyx and small diamonds, gleamed sharply in the sunlight.

With an elegant gesture, Eugenie adjusted her glasses.

“Yes, it’s all true. All five men are mine.”

The reporters, who had covered every scandal imaginable, were left speechless. They had hoped one of the details was an exaggeration, but there was no hint of shame on anyone’s face, whether woman or men.

And when the reporters saw her face—and her appearance—many couldn’t help but swallow hard.