Chapter 259
And as the black-haired boy stepped inside, the three brothers frowned.
“What an oddly unpleasant guy.”
“Something about him…”
“Yeah.”
An inexplicably dirty feeling, as if he might become a lifelong enemy, crept over them.
* * *
Once I saw my brothers leaving, I finally exhaled in relief.
‘Good thing I put on a solid act of being furious.’
If I’d tried to reason with them, it would’ve taken hours.
‘Not that I even have anything convincing to say.’
When it comes to me, my brothers sometimes turn into fools.
A ten-year-old with power this great obviously shouldn’t be wandering around outside!
At least until it’s ingrained in everyone’s head here in the capital that ‘If you target Erylotte Astra, you die,’ it’s safer to stay cautious.
‘But from my side, I can’t just stop going out.’
There’s far too much to do.
I watched my retreating brothers with a faintly sorrowful look.
‘I’m sorry, Brothers.’
…Today I had to protect Alexis.
“Um, Milady…?”
Right then, Heidi returned with the entry permit.
“May I come closer?”
“Hm?”
Heidi looked up at me with wide, worried eyes.
“You seemed so angry just now…”
Apparently, my father and brothers aren’t the only ones who turn into fools where I’m concerned.
Even Heidi and the coachman hadn’t dared come near, just standing there looking anxious. Our lady’s upset!
“Alright, hand me the entry permit. And… Alexis.”
At my call, Alexis, who had been quietly observing the situation, approached.
“Could you stay with her?”
“That person is…”
I smiled softly and looked around at the watching crowd.
“My partner.”
“Oh my…!”
Murmurs rippled at once.
‘Thanks to my brothers drawing all eyes earlier, attention shifted quickly.’
Alexis had no status he could prove.
Unlike me, Heidi wouldn’t have been able to get an entry permit for him with just an identity pass.
“I’ll go fetch his permit myself. Take good care of him for me, okay?”
“Yes, Milady!”
On Heidi’s chest gleamed the crow brooch marking her as an Astra retainer.
If Alexis stayed with her, other nobles wouldn’t dare approach carelessly.
I met Alexis’s eyes and gave a small nod.
Then I stepped into the banquet hall.
The moment I showed my permit, the guard announced in a booming voice:
“Lady Erylotte of the Astra Countdom enters!”
The great doors swung open, revealing a lavish hall.
The Lily Garden Party had begun.
* * *
All eyes turned toward me.
I walked lightly into the hall. Those sipping juice and chatting began to approach cautiously.
“Hello, Lady Astra?”
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Melody of House Craesol.”
“You’re even more stunning than I’d heard.”
Their smiles were sweet, but their gazes sharp and full of intent to size me up.
‘Oh…’
A thrilling social scrutiny I’d never felt back in Astra.
Among family, we already knew each other too well, so there was no need for this kind of probing.
I smiled brightly.
“Hello, everyone. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Then, from a cluster of children across the room, a girl with vivid red hair stepped forward.
“What do you mean? It’s our honor to meet the young lady of the Astra Countdom, the rumored master of the dragon.”
“And you are…?”
“Rumelisa Paanté. I’m the host of this Lily Garden Party.”
The Lily Garden parties rotate hosts among the children.
The venue is always the Lily Garden itself, but—
‘Rumelisa Paanté… ah, of course.’
She’s a niece from the Empress Dowager’s side.
Daughter of the Marchioness Paanté, queen of the social scene. In the noble children’s society, she’s practically royalty.
Other kids laughed lightly and chimed in:
“This party is truly splendid.”
“Well, obviously. It’s Lady Paanté’s work after all.”
“I heard even the adults invited tonight are extraordinary?”
Paanté smirked with an air of challenge, her gaze locking on me.
Then she chuckled softly and said,
“Yes. I invited royalty.”
“Royalty? Goodness…!”
Gasps and wide eyes spread among the children.
Paanté spoke sweetly, but there was a sting beneath.
“Oh, Lady Astra, you wouldn’t be familiar with the royals, would you? Don’t worry. I’ll introduce you soon.”
Just then.
From outside the doors came a thunderous announcement.
“Presenting Her Highness the Former Imperial Princess Anatoli!”
‘Finally.’
I knew she would come.
That was another reason I’d sent my brothers away early.
Anatoli, the former imperial princess, entered through the grand doors.
And when our eyes met…
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