Red Riding Hood - Chapter 70

Breaking the eerie stillness, she called out to him.

“Ylfus?”

Predictably, there was no answer.

She rose from her seat and returned her pen and journal to the bookshelf.

Sensing movement, the attentive maids opened the door to her bedroom and stepped inside.

“Young Madam, you’re up early.”

“We’ve been waiting for you to wake. Today is the day of the summer banquet!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Cinq cautiously asked,

“My husband didn’t come to the bedroom last night. Do you know where he was?”

At her question, the maids giggled behind their hands.

“The Young Master… had a special beauty treatment from the beautician last night!”

“I was so surprised. You’ll be shocked when you see him, Young Madam.”

It seemed Ylfus, like Cinq, had fallen asleep after an excellent massage.

Relieved, Cinq nodded with a lighter heart.

“I see. That makes sense. The beautician’s skills were impressive.”

“You must have liked her, Young Madam.”

“If so, why not invite her to Kalasca from time to time?”

“Hmm, it might be too indulgent to do that.”

“But, Young Madam, I think the beautician was worth the cost. Look at you! You’re glowing from head to toe.”

The maids giggled as they helped Cinq into the dress prepared for the day.

Cinq, befitting her role as the young lady of a noble estate making her debut in high society, wore a bright blue dress. The maids brushed her hair until it shone and adorned it with lovely ornaments.

As always, Cinq chose her necklace of small pearls, with a tiny ceramic angel pendant at the end.

“Young Madam, you’re wearing this necklace again today?”

“It’s a special day, so I want to wear it even more.”

“Then I’ll add this dark blue ribbon to match your dress perfectly.”

When Cinq nodded, the maid tied the blue ribbon to the pearl necklace.

Fully prepared, Cinq looked into the mirror.

Her reflection felt unusually unfamiliar today.

Staring quietly into the mirror, she found herself murmuring softly,

“Will this be alright?”

Could she, once just the girl with the red hood from a small village, really succeed here?

The maids, not understanding her meaning, sprayed perfume onto the hem of her dress and spoke cheerfully.

“Of course, Young Madam!”

“You look wonderful.”

Cinq managed a faint smile and nodded reluctantly.

***

By the time Cinq finished her preparations and stepped out, guests had already begun to arrive.

Marianne, welcoming the noblewomen in the central sitting room, greeted her warmly.

“Cinquerus, you’re here. Ladies, allow me to introduce you. This is Cinquerus Gracian, the Young Madam of Kalasca.”

Wearing a rare gentle smile, Marianne extended an arm and wrapped it around Cinq’s shoulders. It was more like a mother proudly presenting her daughter than a mother-in-law introducing her son’s wife to society.

The guests’ faces briefly registered surprise.

Rumors had already spread throughout the land that the wife of the lord’s heir was of common birth, and that she had saved Ylfus Gracian, wounded on the battlefield, and received his proposal.

Many had expected the noble and upright Marianne, from a distinguished knightly family, to be dissatisfied with her new daughter-in-law.

But here she was, treating Cinq as though she were her own child.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to Kalasca,” said Cinq in her birdlike voice.

Her small stature and charming demeanor naturally evoked goodwill from everyone present.

She looked almost like a fairy. Her wavy golden hair seemed to shimmer, and her youthful, innocent face inspired an instinctive desire to protect her. It was easy to see why Marianne acted as she did.

After a brief moment of curiosity and caution, the guests soon smiled and approached Cinq.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Young Madam.”

“It’s such a blessing for Kalasca that the young master has returned with his wife.”

“Marianne, this must ease so many of your long-standing worries. I’m envious.”

Listening to their warm words, Cinq felt a mix of nervousness and excitement.

But Marianne wasn’t the only one eager to proudly present Cinq to the guests.

Lantimos called out to her in his booming voice.

“Cinq, come over here!”

At a quieter section of the banquet hall, where a group of serious gentlemen had gathered, Lantimos stood among men with stern expressions and grizzled appearances.

Cinq, trembling like a squirrel being led to a pack of wolves, followed Lantimos hesitantly.

Lantimos grinned broadly and introduced her to his companions.

“Gentlemen, this is my daughter-in-law!”

It was unusual for a father-in-law to introduce his daughter-in-law to his friends, but Lantimos clearly had no intention of adhering to convention.

“Isn’t she adorable?”

Thus, the long-serving loyalists and retired knights of Kalasca found themselves witnessing the unabashed doting of Lantimos, who was suddenly behaving like a giddy fool.