Chapter 18: 17

Chapter 17: There are Different Forms of Love

 Some creative liberties were taken with the setting of the social debut and the accessories (fan, bouquet, etc...).

There may be some discrepancies in usage.

 

　Social debut. The event where the children of nobles are recognized as adults and are allowed to participate in events where famous families gather.

　Here in the Kingdom of Lendor, the children of nobles participate in the social debut at the young age of 18.
　Since an audience with His Majesty the King and Queen is required to become a full-fledged member of society, the Royal Capital is filled with young people from all over the country at the start of the social season.
　Even though I was not excited about the ball, the thought of meeting my seniors and friends from school made me feel a little more upbeat.


　On the day of the audience, I carefully prepared myself for my social debut. White dress and silver tiara. My gloves and shoes were also white, just like a wedding dress.
　I had no fiancée, so my mother was my escort. She was more excited about the ball hosted by Queen Margaret than my social debut.

　When I stared at her with quizzical eyes, my mother gave me a look of disappointment.

“I don't mean to belittle what you said about wanting to remain single, but if you’re not averse to marriage itself, why are you so quick to jump the gun?
　You haven't even made your social debut yet. It's not like you to give up and run away at the starting line without making an effort to find someone you love."

　Mother's point of view made me choke up.
　I used to think that even political marriages were the duty of a nobleman. The sudden declaration of celibacy must have caused discomfort, and it could be said that it was a short-sighted decision. It was such an unusual thing for the daughter of a noble family to insist on celibacy without entering a convent.

　Moreover, Mother’s concern was more about my future as a mother than about the duties of a noblewoman. I had implicitly hinted that a love match would be fine, which worried her even more so.
　In this case, I had no choice but to meet many people at the ball and make a point that my feelings had not changed.
　All I could do now was stick to that plan without hesitation.

“Will you give me a fan, Mother … It would be unwise to not know who my dance partners are before the event."

　The fan also served as a reservation list for the dance, with the man's name written on the back.
　Usually, the mother or a lady attendant manages the fan, and the unmarried daughter holds a bouquet. If she is holding the fan, it means "My dance partner list is full”.
　Given Mother's enthusiasm and the fact that I could not find the bouquet I was supposed to have prepared, it seemed certain that I myself would be holding a fan.

“It seems Her Majesty Queen Margaret will arrange it for you.
　Good thing, too, if you had run away in a fit, you would have lost your reputation. I don't think a short-tempered and timid girl can be a business owner.
　If after careful consideration, you can't help it, then so be it. It's called a strategic retreat."

　I nodded "yes" to Mother's words.
　Looking up at the royal palace from the window of the carriage, the glittering royal palace was also a grand stage to prove that I was celibate by my own will.

　After entering the royal palace, the guests are left to wait in the hall for their turn for an audience.

“Lady Rebecca!"

　I heard a familiar voice as I entered the hall and my heart softened.

　There she was, Lady Samantha, a schoolmate from the Royal Remus Academy.
This is the first time I've seen her since my engagement with His Highness Garrett was officially called off. She was staring at me with a very delicate face.

　Samantha had been very distressed by the way His Highness Garrett had treated me. I think I, as the person concerned, was much more indifferent to His Highness Garrett's attitude than she was.
　After graduation, we continued to correspond by letter, and I reported the termination of our engagement, but letters cannot convey my feelings. She seemed to be concerned about whether I was overworking myself or not.

　We began whispering to each other, careful of our surroundings.

"If it's about that, please congratulate me.

　I smiled mischievously, and Samantha finally smiled back.

“I knew from your words at the graduation party that you were alright, but … seeing your face gives me relief.”

"I explained it in my letter, didn’t I? I've already seen the future.
　Speaking of the future, I heard that both Lord Evan and Lord Brandon were scolded by their father. I heard he’s working with them on their assignments, in addition to being forced to give up their vacation time. My younger brother was also exhausted after my father had put him through a lot of hardship.”

　Both Evan and Brandon are grateful for their fiancées and lovers at times like this; they send flowers and gifts to each other every three days, and their relationship is even better than before.

"I know it's a nuisance for everyone working there, but it's good medicine for them."

　While we were giggling and talking, my name was called out.
　I was moved to the audience room.


　Passing under the glittering chandelier, we ascended the luxurious staircase, where even the handrails were polished. Passing through a long corridor, we found ourselves in the audience hall.

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　A young lady, making her debut in society, must greet His Majesty the King and the Queen with the formalities of a lady. Afterward, the queen would give her a white flower, and the audience would be over.


　My name is called.
　I step elegantly, gracefully, yet confidently in front of the throne.
　A gesture I had repeated hundreds, even thousands of times before. Think they were all to prepare me for this day.
　I want to convey my heartfelt respect. I slowly bowed to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, making sure not to miss a single detail, even down to the hem of my softly spread dress.

　From somewhere, I heard a sigh of relief.

　A moment later, the queen presented me with a white flower and a fan.


“I humbly accept this gift.”

　I accepted the flowers and the fan with both hands and left the audience chamber.
　Thus, my social debut ended without incident.


　The flowers given by the queen were an invitation to a ball to be held later in the evening. Of course, it is just a ceremonial thing, and when the audience is granted, participation in the ball is included. The flower in my hair is meant to say, "This girl is a newcomer today, a young lady whom the queen cares about, so you must not play tricks on her.”

　Furthermore, this fan.
　The key part of the fan was decorated with the emblem of the royal family. There is no way any nobleman would call out to a woman with a fan like this --- except for those introduced by the queen.

　I hurried to Mother, back to the resting room assigned to the Howard family, returning her gentle smile with a graceful one.

　I opened the fan.
　The names written on it was …

"Oh my."

　Even Mother, who peered into the fan, had a surprised look on her face. I was at a loss for words.
　My hope is to live comfortably in the countryside or move abroad in anticipation of business development.
　And yet …

　I almost cried when I saw the words "The royal man who longs for you," written on the entire surface of the fan.


　At Queen Margaret's ball, many noble daughters attended with their hair adorned with white flowers.
　The majority of the daughters held fans in their hands, perhaps out of parental concern that their debutantes did not become wallflowers.

　When I saw Lady Samantha, I clutched the key to the fan. It is somewhat unnatural, but if she saw the royal crest, she, being a bright girl, would surely sense something.
　Her mother was talking a little further away, so I decided to relax and enjoy chatting with my friend.

　After a while, the place became buzzing with activity. It seemed that someone of some renown had arrived.

"Well!- I heard he didn't like places like this. This is quite the surprise."

　Samantha explained in amazement, but I didn't look back.
　My spine tingled. My intuition told me… the one who came was the last person I wanted to see before returning to the territory.

　I wanted to meet him, but I didn't want to. In fact, I had a feeling that I shouldn't meet him. Just a glance from afar would be enough. That's why I decided to come …

　Just then Evan came and took Samantha's hand. It seems that he wanted to introduce his cute fiancée to his friends. I saw them off as they disappeared into the crowd.

　The presence of that person gradually approaching made my heart squeeze.
　I turned my feet toward Mother, thinking that it would be better to be on the side of my guardian at times like this――――.

"Long time no see, Rebecca."

　A voice called out from behind… My heart beat louder, and my fingers holding the fan tightened.

 

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