Chapter 07
“Yes, well, since we’ve come all the way to the royal castle, I intend to enjoy as much delicious food as possible before we leave.”
To Liliana, even the royal castle was just “a place like this.”
She had completely forgotten what Molly had told her earlier, her thoughts now focused entirely on the luxurious buffet awaiting her.
Seeing Liliana so cheerful, Ian’s eyes narrowed in amusement, a smile playing on his lips.
Finally, their carriage arrived at the drop-off point, and Liliana stepped down alongside Ian.
From this point on, where many eyes were watching, she transformed completely into the perfect young noblewoman, a full 180 degrees from her earlier casual demeanor.
Even the corridor leading to the hall spoke of the palace’s grandeur.
The carpeted floor absorbed the sound of her high heels, and beautiful flowers—clearly expensive—were arranged in ornate vases at intervals.
At the end of the long hallway, passing through the hall doors, a dazzling, storybook-like scene unfolded before them.
Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, sparkling brilliantly, and beneath them, the hall overflowed with people dressed in garments of every color imaginable.
“This is hardly easy on the eyes,” Liliana muttered.
Ian agreed with her, saying, “My eyes are definitely going to need a rest today.”
Normally, at this point, young ladies would flock to Ian, who was handsome and promising for the future—but today, there seemed to be about thirty percent fewer of them.
After exchanging the usual polite greetings, Liliana left Ian, still being cornered by a few remaining young ladies, and moved to the wall to stay out of the fray.
The noblewomen had gone all out with perfumes today, and though each fragrance might be pleasant on its own, the mixture of all of them together made Liliana think:
“This is pollution.”
Guests entered the hall according to rank, with lower-ranking nobles first. Daughters of marquises and dukes would be waiting in separate rooms, leaving the hall mostly filled with daughters of counts—like Liliana—and their families.
Not just the young ladies, but their parents were all vying to secure a prince’s fiancée spot, radiating competitive intensity.
The young ladies in this space were, in effect, her “rivals.” Though smiles adorned their faces, their sharp, assessing eyes betrayed their scrutiny of each other.
Thanks to Liliana’s original strategy, her “I’m not aiming for a prince” signal seemed to be working, and she was freed early from their sharp gazes.
With that, she intended to spend the day like an outsider, enjoying the delicious buffet while observing the spectacle from a safe, elevated vantage point.
