Chapter 29

Eliana smiled at Gillian’s question. She then continued with her answer as if she had been waiting.

“That’s what will make the dresses meaningful.”

“Meaningful?”

Eliana showed her a book clipping. On it was a photo with the figure of two women that she and Benny saw together while making the dresses.

“Did you know that the Duchess of Teneb’s best friend was the sister of the deceased Madam Hutt?”

“My aunt? But she had long since passed away.”

Helen asked with a surprised face. Gillian then spoke seemingly unaware as well.

“Besides, my aunt immigrated to the country of Conter at the same time as her marriage, and she was ill, so she could not come often to the country of Contino.”

“Yes. That’s right. However, the two were close enough to match dresses with similar designs when they debuted in society. They’ve only become separated when they got married.”

“I really didn’t know.”

Helen looked closely at the photo. Their mother, Madam Hutt, also died early, so she could not have told anyone the story. Gillian asked, shaking his head.

“Where did you get all this information? Eliana, really.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not a witch. I was looking through a book and found it. There’s a lot of information like this in the Royal Library and the Hunter Barony. It seems like no one is reading it.”

Eliana had an expression as if she found it a pity. Her face showed no sign of affection for her husband. Gillian burst into laughter at Eliana’s expression.

Helen carefully looked at the picture and then pointed a finger at a woman.

“She really looks like my mother. I’ve never actually seen my aunt, so I guess they must have really looked alike.”

“It’s like Helen’s face.”

“Me? I am not this beautiful.”

At Helen’s self-deprecation, Eliana held her hand and continued.

“No. Helen. You are so lovely.”

“Eliana.”

“You are as kind and caring as you look. You warmly welcomed me, a stranger, as a friend. You have a talent for things that require a delicate touch, like embroidery or plants.”

“…….”

Helen’s cheeks turned red. She didn’t seem used to hearing many outright compliments. Eliana added.

“The reason I think Karman is an id*ot is because he didn’t recognize Helen’s beauty.”

“You think your husband is an id*ot.”

“Oh, we are not like that. Karman told me. I am not his wife.”

“What foolish words.”

“I think he did it to Helen, too. Right?”

Helen didn’t say anything. Eliana moved her gaze to Gillian and said.

“The Duchess of Teneb will miss her friend, but at the same time she will want to take care of Helen and Gillian, who were her ties. She just doesn’t know how to do it.”

“Eliana, what are you going to do?”

“I want to be that bridge. A bridge that reconnects the Duchess of Teneb with the Hutts.”

“You are trying to curry favor with Madam Teneb.”

“So my debut won’t be ruined. She is the quietest most influential person in the social world.”

Gillian nodded his head, understanding Eliana’s plan. Eliana said while looking at Gillian.

“So, I have one important request, Gillian.”

“What?”

“Give me your first dance.”

“My first dance?”

At a social party, the first person you share a dance with once the music begins playing is very important. Gillian’s face turned red. He never thought that Eliana would say something so straightforward.

Gillian said in an extremely shaky voice. No matter how drawn he was to her, she was still Baron Hunter’s wife. If he, who was hostile against Karman, does it himself, he may appear as someone who played nasty tricks.

“Can’t we do the second dance?”

“No.”

“But the first dance is… I can’t do such an underhanded thing.”

“Ah.”

Eliana smiled when she realized that she had omitted the most important part, she stood up.

“Gillian.”

Gillian was startled by Eliana’s words that followed, but then flashed a smile. He nodded his head as if he understood. It was enough to even make Helen raise her thumb at Eliana, saying she was such a resourceful person.

Passers-by glanced at the amicable atmosphere between the three.

Stories about the Baroness, who was the center of daily conversation, have become more and more inflated since that day. No one could outright believe any rumors now.

A lot of people were curious about the Rose family. Rumors circulated that they had been friends with the Hutts for a long time.

There were also many stories about Eliana’s appearance. Some said that in reality, she was an extremely ugly woman, while others said that she was a great beauty.

However, not a single part was corrected. In addition to being a vicious stepmother, she became a woman who got all the men she wanted. No one doubted the tale of the witch-like stepmother who loved making harems and playing with men.

***

Ulysses received the funds that arrived late. Everything was a little slow as he moved without his brothers knowing.

“I’m glad I got it before the party. I almost attended not as Duke Norton but as some kind of bum.”

“You may have been kicked out without even being able to join the party.”

“Will they kick out this beautiful-looking man?”

“Ugly dukes are better than handsome bums.”

“Melbourne is too cold.”

Ulysses sat down on the bed pretending he was hurt. Not too long ago, they were in a shabby room so the bed was hard. But now it was fluffy. This became possible because he could use his friend’s villa, the Duke of Norton.

-This is an honor. But if you’re going to be us, do it properly.

Rather than get angry, the Duke of Norton gave up an entire villa when he heard that he was borrowing his family name. Moreover, he sent over ten sets of clothes from a clothing store that exclusively served his family.

“Since I’m Duke Oliver, shouldn’t I wear an olive color?”

“You must be joking. Please choose a little more seriously.”

“Duke Oliver, so olive-colored, oh that’s good. It’s funny, Melbourne!”

“It’s not funny. Turis.”

When Melbourne spoke firmly, Turis grumbled that he was too cold. Ulysses looked at the clothes, while humming, and then lifted a dark red velvet formal wear. He liked that it tightly covered the body whilst having a moderately luxurious design. He also liked the color.

“Isn’t it like a rose full of poison?”

“Then, isn’t it withered?”

“No. It’s the other way around.”

“…….”

“It’s a rose that never withers.”

“Oh, isn’t that such a nice rose? It’s amazing that it’s a flower that can never wither.”

Turis said, clapping with his large hands. Melbourne shook his head and spoke as he stood up.

“Prince, that’s a serious love sickness.”

“Love sickness?”

“Aren’t you thinking of Eliana Rose?”

“That’s right.”

“Actually, half of what the prince is saying these days is about roses, and the other half is about Eliana Rose.”

If the dull Turis had noticed, then he must have indeed said it. Melbourne said firmly with a serious expression.

“No matter how close you are, she is the wife of Baron Karman Hunter. She is a married woman. Besides, she is rumored to be a horrendous stepmother. Regardless of the facts, the existence of nobles is often determined by rumors alone. You have to be careful.”

“Is that so?”

Ulysses put down the clothes and opened the window widely. The Duke of Norton’s villa was at a location with a panoramic view of the city. Ulysses continued while looking at the mansion of Hunter Baron in the distance.

“If it’s rumors, then I can compete. A playboy, bum, gambler, wanderer, fool, drunkard……. What else?”

“Prince.”

“Are any of them true?”

“But aren’t those rumors made up on purpose by the prince?”

“And what about Eliana Rose?”

Ulysses said with a playful expression on his face.

“Melbourne.”

“Yes, my prince.”

“I like your strict moral standards. I love how ruthless you are against the dirty, the cowardly, and the unworthy.”

“…….”

“But don’t forget that it often impedes your limits.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

As soon as Ulysses finished speaking, he turned again and looked out of the window. Every inch of the Baron’s mansion was brightly lit.

She’s there, in that place.

Eliana Rose. She was not Baroness Hunter, but a revolutionary woman who would raise the Rose family. Ulysses felt he should put her name first among the people he needed to become king.

It would be false if he said that there wasn’t even the slightest bit of self-interest in it, but more than half of what he felt was for political reasons. She was smarter and more logical than any person he had ever met.

What is her plan? How far is her goal? Can he make her have the same goals as him?

As the number of questions within Ulysses increased, Turis opened his mouth.

“Prince, is Eliana Rose that great? I don’t have a standard like Melbourne, so I don’t know.”

Turis scratched his head. Ulysses turned his body around and looked at Turis.

“That’s a very good question. The answer is.”

“The answer is…….”

When Ulysses paused, Turis’ little eyes twinkled. Ulysses was often mischievous like this, and it was Turis who would always get hit. It was the same this time. Melbourne clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked at the sparkling Turis.

Ulysses took one step closer to Turis and said it as if it was very simple.

“Let’s check it out at the party.”

“Huh?! Prince! You can’t say it as if you were going to tell me!”

“Melbourne, have you heard from Jerik Hunter?”

“Yes. It just arrived.”

Melbourne handed the letter to Ulysses that he had left on the side table. Ulysses read the letter and raised the corners of his lips as he stood up.