Chapter 20

The day of the imperial banquet has arrived. The imperial castle’s gates, which had been closed for some time, opened wide. Despite being a Duchess, Berlia was not particularly socially engaged. As soon as she enters the dining hall, it becomes evident that there are many aristocrats she does not recognize.

Berlia, anxiously positioned in front of the banquet hall 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 honest… yes… I was a baron’s daughter, and our house was not prominent enough—”

“You can be courageous. There is no need to be anxious or reticent.”

“…!”

How was Berlia able to forget these words? This is what he said when she first met Cain three and a half years ago. His grin was the same as it was before. If he treats her with such generosity, she will anticipate reciprocity.

‘You can’t anticipate it.’

“Thank you, Cain.”

Fearing that my voice might shake, I concentrated all of my anxieties, despite the fact that it was just one word(T/N: The word Thank You is only one word in its hangul counterpart). It seemed like tears were forming at the corners of her eyes. Berlia gave her tear ducts all the power she had and did her best not to cry. Berlia was unable to turn her head toward him for fear that her crying face would be exposed.

A little time later, when Berlia altered their emotions, it was their turn to enter. The dinner hall was entered by Cain and Berlia.

“Duchess Berlia Hildayden and Young Master Cain Hildayden will now enter!”

The banquet hall attendant of Imperial Palace announced the places of the couple. Everyone’s attention shifted to them.

Berlia and Cain entered the banquet hall together.

“At that time, I never would have imagined wearing such beautiful attire or attending a dinner held by the Imperial Palace.”

Furthermore, Cain and his partner will attend the event as family members, not as lovers.

The inside of the hall resembled a banquet hosted at the Imperial Palace in its grandeur and splendor.

‘Everyone is really beautiful. They must come from wonderful families, yes?’

Berlia lifted her head as she remembered Cain’s remarks that it was alright to be sufficiently confident. It seemed like the other nobles’ momentum was waning, and Berlia recalled that Cain had said it was alright to be so.

‘I am now the Duchess. I am not the same Baron’s Young Lady as I was three years ago.’

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

“This outfit flatters you.”

“Thank you.”

Berlia was at a loss for words beyond ‘thank you’. I was unsure of how to treat him. They are kind of dating, but are not intimate as lovers.

‘What is he thinking?’

‘Why is he like this? Why do you treat me with such kindness? Perhaps—’

‘Does he have a heart for me as well?’

Cain seemed to have changed from the day we attended the play. He seemed to be friendlier. I first believed it to be an illusion, but it was not.

“When the meal begins in earnest, His Majesty the Emperor will deliver a short address. After that, you may consider it a social area where aristocrats can openly converse. It will be similar to every previous banquet we’ve attended.”

Clearly, he has become more affectionate.

“Oh… Alright—”

“You are Hildayden Duchy’s—”

Cain hesitated momentarily. Cain’s eyes approached her as though he had remorse.

‘Or maybe he is attempting to empathise with me since I am unloved by my spouse.’

“Because you’re the Lady of the great Hildayden… No one can look down on you because the house you hailed from is one of the finest houses in the Empire.”

The supper passed with half the guests elated and the other half apprehensive about Cain’s generosity. Following the emperor’s address, all the nobility left to choose a mate for their mutual benefit. Numerous individuals visited Cain and Berlia. The majority were for Cain. This was particularly true with aristocratic females.

“Prince Cain… how are you?”

The majority of females who spoke with Cain had yellow or similar-colored hair.

“Young Master, will you return as soon as the banquet concludes?”

The reason was apparent.

“Prince Cain, this time, a member of our family brought in a priceless book.”

They came to sit next to Cain since it was widely believed that he exclusively dated blonde ladies. And they began speaking to Berlia in a nice manner.

“Which kind of tea does the Duchess prefer?”

Berlia was the sister-in-law of Cain.

“I heard that the teacup belonging to the Alendra family was handed to Countess Cadeline. You are excellent as well.”

Whenever one of them marries Cain, Berlia will become their senior(T/N: Status wise, she is higher, therefore senior).

“Your clothing is really lovely today, Madam.”

Cain was also the reason why the unmarried aristocratic females attempted to impress Berlia. Berlia had no knowledge of this information.

Berlia was feeling unpleasant. The reality that no woman considers her a potential lover of Cain. She was aware that it was a natural occurrence, yet she was unable to suppress the subsequent notion.

“Oh, this is the face I was seeking.”

Then, a guy who gave off the strong sense of being apprehended materialized in front of them.

“Prince Cain, I expected to see you again, but everything went well. I’d like to say a few words about the mining industry that the Imperial Palace will head this time around. Do you have time?”

He was the emperor’s crown prince. Strong red hair, dark brown eyes, and copper complexion. Berlia immediately recognized him as the crown prince at first sight. Even his pleasant disposition was consistent with the claims. He welcomed Berlia, who was standing next to him, while conversing with Cain.

“Is the lady beside you Duchess Hildayden? May I borrow the Young Master first?”

“Pleasant to meet you. Crown Prince.”

As a person with a dynamic personality, he spoke the primary topic without delay.

“I’m going to temporarily borrow your partner. This is an important matter, therefore it would be great if we could simply talk amongst ourselves.”

It was an order for her. Cain was unable to reject the prince’s remarks, despite his resistance. Obviously, Berlia was the same.

“Then I will partake in some refreshments, Cain.”

“It’s all fine.”

In response to Cain’s nod, the Crown Prince made a motion to follow him. Before following him, Cain spoke to Berlia, who was standing next to him.

“Hold on a minute. I will come to speak with the Crown Prince. I will come back shortly.”

Cain vanished beside the Crown Prince. Berlia was left to her own devices in the dinner hall. I searched the area for Cadeline, but she was nowhere to be seen. I had no idea if I wanted to head to the patio or the garden.

Cain’s return after speaking with the Crown Prince may take some time, so Berlia chose to patiently wait for him in a banquet hall nook.

Occasionally, others also visited her. These individuals contacted Berlia out of curiosity or interest. It was feasible because Berlia was no longer the mischievous baroness she once was.

Berlia engaged in conversation with them.

And as soon as Berlia was left alone, she could see their shadows mirrored in front of her.

“Oh… Aren’t you Duchess Hildayden?”

There were two aristocratic women sitting in front of Berlia. They flapped their multicolored fans and regarded Berlia with awe. Berlia masked her anxiety behind a grin after examining the face of the person who welcomed her.

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

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

“How are you doing… Oh, you’re not Kiderton now right? Hildayden… I’m not sure since it’s been so long.”

“Oh my Marchioness! She’s now a Duchess, no longer the Young Lady of the Baron.”

Whoever heard the MarchionessBlande’s comments will say that it’s not a mistake. The aim was clear. Regarding 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 talk in a monotone.

“It’s alright. It seems that the two of you are doing well.”

Originally, she was the daughter of an outlying lord. Because interaction with other aristocratic families was unavoidable, there was almost no networking. In the social sphere, if you had strong contacts with powerful people, you could create a position even if your status was low, but Berlia right now, the reverse is true.

“The dress code for this event is blue, thus the banquet hall looks to have a chill environment. A blue dress complements the Duchess well.”

Even after becoming a duchess, it was difficult for Berlia to build strong contacts. The social sphere is dominated by women.

“Thank you so much. The Countess’s attire is likewise exquisite.”

Due to her tardiness, Berlia was not in the mood to recruit people to her side like a fox or to exercise authority over others like a queen bee.

“However… Duchess. What exactly is this hairpin?”

“Yes, I questioned my eyesight as well.”

In addition, the leading reason was the envy and jealousy of aristocratic spouses, such as the count’ and marquise’s wives.

“This… This is Sapphire, right?”

“Obviously it would. The Duchess cannot possibly wear low-quality jewelry.”

It was revolting that she, who was much beneath them, had become the hostess of one of the Empire’s few Duchies.

“Yes? Unknowingly, I was concerned that Duke Hildayden would not let the Duchess purchase a quality hairpin.”

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

The sapphire hairpin with the eyes of two noblewomen was a present from her father to her mother, and Berlia’s mother gave it to her at her debut. When I first met Cain, he also complimented this piece for its beauty.

“I believe the maid is the issue.”

It was not luxurious from anyone’s perspective. As Baron Kinderton was on the edge of bankruptcy, it was difficult to acquire luxury accessories.

“Who has the audacity to manufacture the duchess’s accessories in the style of a maid?”

After not wearing it for a while, I decided it would complement the banquet’s blue dress code, so I retrieved it.

“I know, correct. Should I not be disciplined?”

Berlia was unable to stand the notion that her mother’s things had been degraded. My fingers were quivering. She was unaware that if she became upset in this situation, she would lose. However, it was tough to be reasonable.

“No… this—”

It was time for her to respond with an angry expression. A weird woman’s voice suddenly emanated from the right.