The day of the imperial banquet has arrived. The imperial citadel’s gates, which had been closed for a while, opened huge. Regardless of being a Duchess, Berlia was not significantly socially engaged. As quickly as she enters the eating corridor, it turns into evident that there are lots of aristocrats she doesn’t acknowledge.

Berlia, anxiously positioned in entrance of the banquet corridor entrance, sucked in her saliva. The arm that was supporting Cain’s arm shook. Cain questioned Berlia after sensing the communicated shaking.

“Are you nervous?”

“To be trustworthy… sure… I used to be a baron’s daughter, and our home was not distinguished sufficient—”

“You will be brave. There isn’t any must be anxious or reticent.”

“…!”

How was Berlia capable of overlook these phrases? That is what he mentioned when she first met Cain three and a half years in the past. His grin was the identical because it was earlier than. If he treats her with such generosity, she is going to anticipate reciprocity.

‘You possibly can’t anticipate it.’

“Thanks, Cain.”

Fearing that my voice may shake, I concentrated all of my anxieties, even supposing it was only one phrase(T/N: The phrase Thank You is just one phrase in its hangul counterpart). It appeared like tears have been forming on the corners of her eyes. Berlia gave her tear ducts all the ability she had and did her finest to not cry. Berlia was unable to show her head towards him for worry that her crying face could be uncovered.

A bit of time later, when Berlia altered their feelings, it was their flip to enter. The dinner corridor was entered by Cain and Berlia.

“Duchess Berlia Hildayden and Younger Grasp Cain Hildayden will now enter!”

The banquet corridor attendant of Imperial Palace introduced the locations of the couple. Everybody’s consideration shifted to them.

Berlia and Cain entered the banquet corridor collectively.

“At the moment, I by no means would have imagined sporting such lovely apparel or attending a dinner held by the Imperial Palace.”

Moreover, Cain and his accomplice will attend the occasion as relations, not as lovers.

The within of the corridor resembled a banquet hosted on the Imperial Palace in its grandeur and splendor.

‘Everybody is admittedly lovely. They have to come from great households, sure?’

Berlia lifted her head as she remembered Cain’s remarks that it was alright to be sufficiently assured. It appeared like the opposite nobles’ momentum was waning, and Berlia recalled that Cain had mentioned it was alright to be so.

‘I’m now the Duchess. I’m not the identical Baron’s Younger Girl as I used to be three years in the past.’

Cain’s eyes have been heated as he peered down at Berlia along with his head erect, undeterred.

“This outfit flatters you.”

“Thanks.”

Berlia was confused past ‘thanks’. I used to be uncertain of tips on how to deal with him. They’re type of relationship, however should not intimate as lovers.

‘What’s he considering?’

‘Why is he like this? Why do you deal with me with such kindness? Maybe—’

‘Does he have a coronary heart for me as properly?’

Cain appeared to have modified from the day we attended the play. He appeared to be friendlier. I first believed it to be an phantasm, however it was not.

“When the meal begins in earnest, His Majesty the Emperor will ship a brief deal with. After that, chances are you’ll think about it a social space the place aristocrats can overtly converse. Will probably be just like each earlier banquet we’ve attended.”

Clearly, he has develop into extra affectionate.

“Oh… Alright—”

“You’re Hildayden Duchy’s—”

Cain hesitated momentarily. Cain’s eyes approached her as if he had regret.

‘Or perhaps he’s making an attempt to empathise with me since I’m unloved by my partner.’

“Since you’re the Girl of the good Hildayden… Nobody can look down on you as a result of the home you hailed from is likely one of the most interesting homes within the Empire.”

The supper handed with half the friends elated and the opposite half apprehensive about Cain’s generosity. Following the emperor’s deal with, all of the the Aristocracy left to decide on a mate for his or her mutual profit. Quite a few people visited Cain and Berlia. The bulk have been for Cain. This was significantly true with aristocratic females.

“Prince Cain… how are you?”

Nearly all of females who spoke with Cain had yellow or similar-colored hair.

“Younger Grasp, will you come back as quickly because the banquet concludes?”

The explanation was obvious.

“Prince Cain, this time, a member of our household introduced in a priceless e book.”

They got here to take a seat subsequent to Cain because it was extensively believed that he completely dated blonde girls. They usually started talking to Berlia in a pleasant method.

“Which type of tea does the Duchess desire?”

Berlia was the sister-in-law of Cain.

“I heard that the teacup belonging to the Alendra household was handed to Countess Cadeline. You’re wonderful as properly.”

Every time one in every of them marries Cain, Berlia will develop into their senior(T/N: Standing clever, she is greater, subsequently senior).

“Your clothes is admittedly beautiful immediately, Madam.”

Cain was additionally the rationale why the single aristocratic females tried to impress Berlia. Berlia had no data of this data.

Berlia was feeling disagreeable. The truth that no lady considers her a possible lover of Cain. She was conscious that it was a pure prevalence, but she was unable to suppress the next notion.

“Oh, that is the face I used to be in search of.”

Then, a man who gave off the sturdy sense of being apprehended materialized in entrance of them.

“Prince Cain, I anticipated to see you once more, however the whole lot went properly. I’d wish to say a number of phrases concerning the mining business that the Imperial Palace will head this time round. Do you’ve gotten time?”

He was the emperor’s crown prince. Robust purple hair, darkish brown eyes, and copper complexion. Berlia instantly acknowledged him because the crown prince at first sight. Even his nice disposition was according to the claims. He welcomed Berlia, who was standing subsequent to him, whereas conversing with Cain.

“Is the girl beside you Duchess Hildayden? Might I borrow the Younger Grasp first?”

“Nice to satisfy you. Crown Prince.”

As an individual with a dynamic character, he spoke the first subject at once.

“I’m going to quickly borrow your accomplice. This is a vital matter, subsequently it will be nice if we may merely discuss amongst ourselves.”

It was an order for her. Cain was unable to reject the prince’s remarks, regardless of his resistance. Clearly, Berlia was the identical.

“Then I’ll partake in some refreshments, Cain.”

“It’s all wonderful.”

In response to Cain’s nod, the Crown Prince made a movement to observe him. Earlier than following him, Cain spoke to Berlia, who was standing subsequent to him.

“Maintain on a minute. I’ll come to talk with the Crown Prince. I’ll come again shortly.”

Cain vanished beside the Crown Prince. Berlia was left to her personal units within the dinner corridor. I searched the realm for Cadeline, however she was nowhere to be seen. I had no concept if I wished to move to the patio or the backyard.

Cain’s return after talking with the Crown Prince might take a while, so Berlia selected to patiently look forward to him in a banquet corridor nook.

Often, others additionally visited her. These people contacted Berlia out of curiosity or curiosity. It was possible as a result of Berlia was not the mischievous baroness she as soon as was.

Berlia engaged in dialog with them.

And as quickly as Berlia was left alone, she may see their shadows mirrored in entrance of her.

“Oh… Aren’t you Duchess Hildayden?”

There have been two aristocratic girls sitting in entrance of Berlia. They flapped their multicolored followers and regarded Berlia with awe. Berlia masked her anxiousness behind a smile after inspecting the face of the one who welcomed her.

“Ah… Howdy Countess Andrea… and Marchioness Blande.”

Berlia was not as well-established within the social scene as a Duchess, regardless of being nicknamed ‘the Cinderella of the century’.

“How are you doing… Oh, you’re not Kiderton now proper? Hildayden… I’m unsure because it’s been so lengthy.”

“Oh my Marchioness! She’s now a Duchess, not the Younger Girl of the Baron.”

Whoever heard the MarchionessBlande’s feedback will say that it’s not a mistake. The goal was clear. Concerning Berlia’s background, the Countess Andrea, who had a cheeky grin and reprimanded the Marchioness Blande, was equally caustic.

Since Berlia was unable to get upset, she continued to speak in a monotone.

“It’s alright. Evidently the 2 of you might be doing properly.”

Initially, she was the daughter of an outlying lord. As a result of interplay with different aristocratic households was unavoidable, there was virtually no networking. Within the social sphere, if you happen to had sturdy contacts with highly effective folks, you can create a place even when your standing was low, however Berlia proper now, the reverse is true.

“The gown code for this occasion is blue, thus the banquet corridor appears to be like to have a chill surroundings. A blue gown enhances the Duchess properly.”

Even after changing into a duchess, it was tough for Berlia to construct sturdy contacts. The social sphere is dominated by girls.

“Thanks a lot. The Countess’s apparel is likewise beautiful.”

As a consequence of her tardiness, Berlia was not within the temper to recruit folks to her facet like a fox or to train authority over others like a queen bee.

“Nevertheless… Duchess. What precisely is that this hairpin?”

“Sure, I questioned my eyesight as properly.”

As well as, the main motive was the envy and jealousy of aristocratic spouses, such because the depend’ and marquise’s wives.

“This… That is Sapphire, proper?”

“Clearly it will. The Duchess can not presumably put on low-quality jewellery.”

It was revolting that she, who was a lot beneath them, had develop into the hostess of one of many Empire’s few Duchies.

“Sure? Unknowingly, I used to be involved that Duke Hildayden wouldn’t let the Duchess buy a high quality hairpin.”

“I wouldn’t consider that he wouldn’t! Hildayden as a Duchy!”

The sapphire hairpin with the eyes of two noblewomen was a gift from her father to her mom, and Berlia’s mom gave it to her at her debut. After I first met Cain, he additionally complimented this piece for its magnificence.

“I consider the maid is the problem.”

It was not luxurious from anybody’s perspective. As Baron Kinderton was on the sting of chapter, it was tough to accumulate luxurious equipment.

“Who has the audacity to fabricate the duchess’s equipment within the type of a maid?”

After not sporting it for some time, I made a decision it will complement the banquet’s blue gown code, so I retrieved it.

“I do know, appropriate. Ought to I not be disciplined?”

Berlia was unable to face the notion that her mom’s issues had been degraded. My fingers have been quivering. She was unaware that if she grew to become upset on this state of affairs, she would lose. Nevertheless, it was robust to be affordable.

“No… this—”

It was time for her to reply with an offended expression. A bizarre lady’s voice immediately emanated from the fitting.