TVIOWHFW 92

The social world became extremely lively as the summer festival began.

“I thought it wouldn’t open this time because of the delay, but I’m so glad it opened smoothly.”

“Come to think of it, Lady Luigi, you received an invitation from the imperial family again this time. Please show it to us.”

The summer festival was a party held in the name of the imperial family. Therefore, the imperial family invited nobles under the title of “guests” so they could stay at the palace.

Since not just any noble was invited, becoming a guest was considered a great honor.

Luigi Carstein elegantly took out the royal invitation. The noble young ladies saw the imperial seal and marveled.

“As expected, Count Carstein is always on point every year. Truly impressive.”

“It’s nothing. The real greatness belongs to the Saintess.”

“Saintess?”

Everyone around Luigi, who was originally known for his arrogance, was quite surprised by his attitude. However, Luigi paid no mind to their reactions.

“This summer festival’s main guest will be the Saintess.”

“Are you saying the Saintess will also attend the summer festival?”

“Actually, this entire summer festival was organized for the Saintess. Nothing like this has ever been prepared for a single person before.”

It was well known that Luigi had recently developed a close relationship with the Saintess.

‘But I didn’t expect it to be this much.’

‘By the way, is it really true that the imperial family is organizing this for the Saintess?’

It did seem strange that the festival was delayed. One of the nearby young noblewomen spoke in an admiring tone.

“No wonder. I found it odd that it suddenly was to be held in the cursed woods of Pescallos. So, is it true that the Saintess is performing a purification ritual in the forest, as the rumors say?”

“Yes. The Saintess promised to purify Pescallos Forest for the empire, and His Majesty, moved by her noble heart, decided to hold the summer festival, which was about to be canceled, for her.”

“Oh my. I heard that all previous Saintesses refused to purify Pescallos Forest…”

“That’s why Saint Stella is so remarkable.”

Luigi answered proudly.

“Saint Stella is busy healing the sick nobles and opening foundations to support orphans. Even among all that, she’s trying to perform the purification ritual despite everything.”

“Goodness, I had no idea she was such an incredible person.”

At that moment, a young noblewoman asked in a subtle voice.

“But why would such an outstanding person fall for the falsehood of Lady Miryu?”

“Yes, I was at the Royal Exhibition of Royem Kingdom, so I don’t quite understand. It’s different from what the Saintess said about Lady Juti being pregnant…”

“Are you insulting the Saintess in front of me now?”

Luigi reacted sharply.

“Say that again. What exactly do you mean about the Saintess?”

When Luigi shot a fierce glare, the young lady who was speaking hesitated and changed her words carefully.

“Lady Luigi, please calm down. I just have a slight suspicion to better understand the Saintess’s actions…”

“That’s all just the same thing. Why would I suspect the Saintess when no one else does?”

The unexpectedly stern attitude of Luigi made the noblewomen fall silent. In the quiet atmosphere, Luigi took a light breath.

“You know, the Saintess is feeling quite guilty about what happened back then. Maybe that’s why I reacted so sensitively.”

“Did she have some particular reason?”

“I can’t say anything for sure, but it seems someone tried to trap her and slander her back then. Someone so kind-hearted…”

At first, the noblewomen thought the person trying to trap her was Miryu. But as they considered it more carefully, it didn’t seem to be Miryu.

‘Miryu wouldn’t try to slander the Saintess, would she?’

‘Could it be Duchess Blanchet?’

Luigi, setting down his teacup, said firmly.

Anyway, I hope everyone avoids unnecessary misunderstandings about the Saintess.

“If you say so, Lady Luigi, then we trust you.”

“Well, even if I didn’t say it, everyone who meets her can see her goodness. She is the only human chosen by Athea.”

The noblewomen wanted to ask more about the Saintess, but Luigi changed the subject to something else.

“By the way, which designer’s dress will you be wearing at this summer festival? I plan to wear the dress of Lady Catherine Olbite, Countess of the Capital, who is very famous this time…”

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

“…Can you introduce me from the beginning?”

Since morning, people had been pouring into the Blanchet Duke’s residence.

“Hello, Lady Blanchet. I am Lady Catherine Olbite, the designer commissioned to make your dress.”

“I am Lady Reina Fromberg, from the Fromberg Costume House.”

“I am Behrmann, a designer here to handle the summer festival attire for the Duchess. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

They were all well-known names by now. Especially Lady Catherine Olbite was famous for not making dresses for just anyone.

‘They say I can’t just call these people at will.’

I tilted my head and slowly spoke.

“Who exactly called you here—”

“Just right on time.”

At that moment, John opened the reception room door and appeared. The designers quickly bowed their heads in greeting.

‘Very disciplined.’

What could John have done?

‘He’s probably done something I don’t know about.’

Ignoring the designers, John approached me and asked.

“Do you like my gift?”

“Of course, it’s from John.”

“I thought so. I figured a costume house alone wouldn’t be enough.”

“Oh, come on…”

Even the most noble ladies usually have only one or two dedicated designers. It’s not just because of money but also because having too many designers is considered excessive extravagance.

In fact, I hadn’t even worn all the dresses I had already made. I rarely attended parties, which was why.

“I know pretty well what kind of dresses I need.”

“This isn’t going to be easy to pass.”

John chuckled softly and tenderly stroked my hair.

“Yeah. I just wanted to give you a gift.”

“You’ve received so many already…”

“I just keep wanting to give more.”

Then John glanced at the designers.

“Aren’t these enough?”

The designers nodded enthusiastically.

“That’s right!”

“Unless someone else, I believe these designers are necessary to capture the elegance fitting for Duchess Blanchet.”

“Honestly, we’re even worried whether we can make dresses suitable for such a beautiful duchess.”

John nodded toward the designers and said to me.

“That’s what I hear too?”

“Because he’s the one spending money, he probably says that.”

“Is that so?”

It was a light conversation, but the designers’ faces turned pale.

“N-No, that’s not it! It’s more suspicious that the Duchess is so beautiful that people don’t realize it…!”

“Maybe before seeing the Duchess in person, but definitely not now. I want to create a dress for someone as beautiful as her.”

“Please give me the chance to make the Duchess’s dress! It’s my wish!”

Honestly, I couldn’t believe it at all.

“All right, I’ll trust you.”

“Thank you, ma’am!”

There’s no doubt John did something.

‘If he says it’s a gift, I should accept it.’

The designers quickly sent someone to fetch their dresses.

“Then, since you’ve given your permission, I’ll show you our dresses. This time, the design captures the feeling of lovely summer with floral motifs—”

All the dresses, crafted by top designers, were beautiful.

‘They’re just as good as the ones I’ve reserved.’

I received service from Betty, looked at various dresses with John, and discussed what I wanted to modify.

While the designer was briefly organizing my requests, I sat down beside John. He put his arm around my shoulder and asked.

“Do you like the dress?”

“Yeah. John, you prepared it.”

“Feels good to hear that I gave you a gift.”

A pleasant smile appeared on John’s face. I intertwined my hand with his.

“So, now, honestly, tell me.”

“About what?”

“There’s probably a reason you brought those designers here.”

John shrugged.

“Nothing like that.”

“You really brought them all just to give me a gift?”

I knew because I had also inquired multiple times to reserve the dress house.

“These designers are all booked. And I heard Lady Olbite wouldn’t normally come directly like this.”

“Hm. Well, there was a purpose, I suppose.”

“I knew it!”

I pouted my lips, and John, finding me cute, gently tousled my hair.

“But it was nothing special. Just a small punishment or something.”

“Punishment?”

“Yes, for some bothersome people.”

A chilling light flickered in John’s red eyes.

‘What sin did I commit for bringing the designers as punishment?’

“But I want to give you this—because I want you to be the most beautiful and noticed at the summer festival.”

“Why?”

“Who knows?”

John smiled with a half-moon shape at the corner of his eye.

“Because I want you to be happy?”

“…”

“When you come back from the palace, there’ll be another gift waiting for you at the estate. Expect many more to come—endlessly. I’ll keep giving you presents so you won’t get bored.”

A shy feeling from my toes kept creeping up.

‘Ah, my face must be really red.’

I felt my cheeks flush, but John didn’t mention it. That made me feel even stranger.

‘I don’t know myself.’

Staring at John’s face, I leaned my head into his embrace.

“Fine. I’ll just accept John’s gift then.”

“You weren’t just curious, were you?”

“Maybe. But I think it’s better to remember it as a gift John gave me.”

Maybe because of the memories of abuse in Libertan, I wasn’t very fond of gifts. The Duke and Duchess of Libertan had exploited and harassed me using gifts as a pretext.

“But John is different.”

Everything John gave was wonderful.

I couldn’t even remember the things the Libertan Duke and Duchess forcibly handed me. John’s large hand gently stroked my shoulder.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

“By the way, John, what’s this other gift you prepared?”

“What do you think I prepared?”

“Just tell me. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear.”

John playfully poked my cheek with his index finger.

The scent of John in his broad, sturdy embrace, warm and tender.

“Well. What I want to give you?”

“That’s too vague.”

“Anything beyond that is a secret. Keep an eye out for what kind of gift I might give next.”

“You keep hiding things, John.”

I muttered, and John pressed his lips to my ear.

Then he whispered lazily.

“Still, I’m the best, right?”

I couldn’t answer because it was too embarrassing.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

The designers, sitting affectionately on the sofa, watched the Blanché couple.

“They make such a lovely couple.”

“Indeed. I never thought the fearsome Duke would have such a side…”

As Estelle predicted, the designers had been threatened by John. They knew how formidable he was.

“From now on, the trend will be the Duchess of Blanchet.”

“Of course. The Duchess isn’t at all what people say. She’s so beautiful and charismatic that she constantly inspires us…”

The designers quietly glanced at the serene Lady Catherine Olbite.

“By the way, how do you find Lady Olbite?”

“I can’t help but want to jump at her hands right now.”

Lady Olbite’s eyes gleamed overly brightly as she looked at Estelle. The designers swallowed nervously at her expression.

‘What’s with that overwhelming presence?’

“I’ve found the muse I’ve been searching for all this time. It’s a dream opportunity.”

Lady Olbite, with a puff of breath, ran into the costume room. The remaining designers nodded in agreement.

“Well, I also feel inspired to create a dress after seeing the Duchess.”

“Exactly. I’ve seen many other beautiful women, but her aura is unparalleled. I understand why the Duke treasures her so much.”

“Right. Our Lady’s presence is truly unique.”

Suddenly, Betty, who had naturally integrated herself among the designers, nodded happily.

‘I won’t let anyone among them interfere with Lady’s future.’

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

A few days later.

I arrived with John at a small forest near the imperial palace. It seemed to be a gathering spot for distinguished guests.

‘What kind of person is the emperor?’

He had wiped out an innocent family with charges of rebellion, so he probably isn’t a very good person.

“Welcome. You’ve arrived at the imperial palace forest. I will guide you to the tent where His Majesty is waiting.”

The emperor was waiting inside the tent.

He was a middle-aged man with blond hair and golden eyes, looking splendid like a crown prince. His features, sharp but mature, gave off a different aura from John’s.

As soon as the emperor saw us, he greeted us warmly.

“Finally, the Duke and Duchess of Blanchet have arrived.”

“Greetings, Your Majesty. It’s an honor to see the glory of the empire.”

I bowed elegantly, holding up my skirt along with John.

Thanks to the strict manners I learned in Libertan, my posture was flawless.

“Lift your head. This is a casual gathering, so don’t feel pressured.”

The emperor, studying my face carefully, slowly smiled.

“First time seeing the Duchess of Blanchet, I believe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for not greeting you earlier; I haven’t been in good health.”

“I see. I’ve heard that your body is so frail that you need help from the temple.”

…Even the emperor knows?

‘Maybe everyone in this world knows about my health.’

I blinked lightly, unsure how to respond, and smiled faintly. The emperor slowly turned his gaze to John.

“In accordance with tradition, a Saintess performing the purification ritual is usually accompanied by a guardian noble. Does the Duke of Blanchet know about this?”

“I believe it’s an outdated custom.”

“Nevertheless, it is an established practice. According to it, the Saintess requested to become Lady Blanchet’s lady.”

John’s face stiffened slightly, a coldness in his expression.

“So, what is your opinion, Your Majesty?”

“I refused at my discretion.”

The emperor answered with a smirk.

~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~

Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉

Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

~~~Next Chapter~~~

Next chapter will be released Tomorrow.

See you then!!