บท 193: [Chapter 193] The Reason Megara Couldn't Become the Princess
The young host of the Classical Salon welcomed the Duke and Duchess very warmly.
"It is an honor to have you here, Your Highnesses!"
They were equally pleased. According to the Empress's taste, the Classical style was a trend throughout the empire, so there were about a dozen Classical Salons even in the capital. But among them, wasn't it the one chosen by the Duke and Duchess?
They didn't need to attend such small gatherings, but Neris deliberately chose this salon. She knew the host was an admirer of the Academy's social etiquette teacher, Sheridan, and a senior member of the Sheridan Society. She also knew that this salon would become a renowned gathering place in a few years.
The title of an early member of a famous salon was always useful. Especially for those who continued to observe the movements of the royal family.
"Thank you for the invitation, madam. The salon is quite exquisite."
Neris greeted with a pulled smile. The host proudly led them to the reception room where the salon was being held.
The reception room was adorned with spring flowers and the curtains of the glass windows were drawn back, giving an open feel. In the center, important figures from the social circle, who knew the reasons why this place would become a famous salon in the future, were gathered. Of course, all the faces were familiar to Neris.
"Oh, Megara."
Neris, who found a particularly familiar person among them, greeted her with exaggerated joy. Megara, who was sitting next to her father, responded kindly, conscious of her surroundings.
"Your Highnesses."
While Cledwin stood as if he were a stranger with his arm around Neris, Megara was rather annoyed by this fact. Despite it being a gathering on a topic of little interest, the sight of her husband standing by her side to please his wife was irritating to Megara, who had come out with him to make Neris happy.
Why was Neris Trude given such a husband feeling? What's so great about him?
Lord Ricandros thought of his daughter as an angel like no other in the world. He had known for years that Megara and Neris disliked each other, and he believed that anyone who could dislike his perfect daughter must have an odd personality.
So he never really liked Neris from the start. However, because of the Duchess's status, he politely nodded, knowing he wouldn't like her.
"It's the first time we've exchanged greetings."
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
Normally, exchanging greetings like this would be followed by a few jokes and compliments, as was the custom in social circles. But Neris, having greeted him, casually brushed past him as if it was done.
It was customary in social circles to exchange a few jokes and compliments after such greetings. However, Neris, having greeted him, casually brushed past him as if it was done.
As they took their seats elegantly guided by the host, Lord Ricandros felt slightly annoyed as he watched her sit down. Unlike the casual greeting he had received, the Duke not only disliked his beautiful daughter but also openly ignored her. And he deliberately made this fact known to others.
Thinking back, the timing of Duke Ganielo starting to object to his second son's engagement to Megara coincided with the Duke's appearance in court. Could it be? Suspicion and anger rose in his heart.
Meanwhile, as Neris sat down and started a conversation with Cledwin, she also glanced at the Duke with a sidelong glance.
In a salon typically hosted by a young host, young people would attend. And since Megara was a cherished disciple of Sheridan, it was not surprising that she was there.
But the Duke was different. What was a middle-aged nobleman doing alone among young ladies and poets gathered to appreciate poetry? Anyone could enjoy poetry, but if that was truly the case, he should have attended gatherings with people of similar status and age.
Regardless of how the two pondered each other's doubts, the salon proceeded in a warm and sociable atmosphere. The invited professional poets presented new poems, and enthusiasts shared their thoughts or recited existing poems.
As time passed and the gathering split into several small groups, someone pushed open the closed door of the reception room and entered.
"Sorry for being late."
"Your Highness."
Everyone in the room quickly stood up and respectfully greeted the prince. The host was overjoyed and didn't know what to do.
There was a distinct difference between gatherings attended by nobility and those that were not. Although invitations were sent to nobles each time just in case, it was quite unexpected for Prince Abelus to attend, not Princess Camille.
Even though he arrived midway through the gathering without any cautious demeanor, no one would dare question the prince's etiquette given his royal status. Everyone subtly made space, hoping Abelus would join their group.
The host approached Abelus, intending to seat him at their table. However, Abelus waved his hand as if to say it was unnecessary.
"Just sit here, no need to fuss around like I'm in mourning."
The host was slightly taken aback by his blunt statement. Neris stifled a laugh internally when she realized that Abelus was pointing to Megara's table with his 'here.'
Of course, Abelus had no interest in poetry. He found it bothersome, not even bothering with a single verse or proverb.
Abelus's blunt remark left the host slightly stunned. Neris chuckled inwardly when she saw Abelus pointing to Megara's table with his 'here.'
Abelus's lack of interest in poetry was evident. He found it bothersome, not even bothering with a single verse or proverb.
Megara's audacious tactics of stealing someone else's man seemed to work well again this time. It was amusing how she managed to succeed even with Natasha, who was considered beautiful, not 'ugly' Neris.
It was a well-known fact that while Natasha and Abelus were dating, Abelus had met and interacted with several other beautiful ladies. It was known that it was just a pastime, and it never developed into a relationship as serious as with Megara.
As Abelus casually tried to join Megara's group, Lord Ricandros cleared his throat at his daughter. All eyes turned to the Duke.
"Maegi, Your Highness's seat seems to be lacking. Go over there and sit."
Megara's eyes widened in surprise and injustice. However, known for being gentle with his daughter, Lord Ricandros urged her sternly.
"Quickly."
Such a clear instruction couldn't be defied. After all, Megara was still the Duke's darling. When Megara hesitated with a puzzled expression, Abelus quickly stepped forward.
"What's the matter, Duke. Can't we all sit together?"
"No, Your Highness. Since one person was missing at the other table, it now fits perfectly."
The 'other side' pointed out by the Duke was where Neris and Cledwin were seated. Perhaps the Duke didn't intentionally choose it that way, but due to the excuse of balancing the total number of groups, there was one less group than average.
The Duke's words were final. Megara reluctantly rose and came to the table where Neris and Cledwin were. The host rearranged the chairs.
Upon closer inspection, Neris could tell that Megara seemed genuinely upset. It didn't seem like she had orchestrated the situation to provoke Abelus.
Currently, standing next to Abelus was not the gentle Neris from her past life, but Natasha, the woman who planned to kidnap and sell her fiancé. Furthermore, Megara was engaged, so drawing a clear line now would be better than engaging in useless banter.
However, recalling that in her past life, the eager Megara didn't seem so proactive in connecting Abelus and Megara, Neris found it strange. Back then, Megara was the queen of the social circle, a few years older than now, and Natasha was less popular than Megara. If the Duke truly desired it, he could have elevated Megara to the position of princess.
"Furthermore, how much did Abelus love Megara. He was literally beside himself. Was it really impossible for him to divorce Neris and marry Megara? From the royal perspective, it might have been more challenging to form an alliance with the Elendria Marquis than with Lord Ricandros, but wishing for his daughter to remain in the prince's court was not uncommon. So, in a normal situation.
Perhaps the Duke's passive attitude stemmed from reasons other than just the power difference between the families.
Neris's eyes fluttered lightly. Cledwin took her hand, pressing his lips to the back of her hand, smiling affectionately.
Megara was taken aback by the smile that seemed to mock everyone around them, but she suppressed her emotions with the patience she had shown all her life. A young man from the same group, who seemed completely oblivious to the atmosphere, innocently asked.
"Do you have any opinions on the progression of the poetry awards?"
After the salon ended, the couple went their separate ways for their respective tasks. Cledwin had military matters to attend to in the outskirts, while Neris had a meeting with Joanne at the Mori shop.
As Neris stepped out of the carriage with a few maids and guards, a shop attendant rushed over and bowed.
"Your Highness."
Upon closer inspection, the attendant turned out to be Aaron, whom she had been introduced to at the party. Conscious of the many noble gazes around her, Neris spoke.
"My steward must have placed an order."
"Yes, of course. It's a special item, so we took great care in making it. Allow me to escort you inside."
The nobles, who had been showing interest in the arrival of the prominent figure, did not feel any discomfort in this ordinary conversation. They simply assumed that someone like the Maindland Duchess had ordered something special from the expensive Mori shop, and the attendant was just being courteous."
Following Aaron, Neris entered the special section of the Mori shop. It was a luxurious private reception area, elegantly decorated to cater to guests who spent a lot of money or held high status.
The corridor, delicately crafted like a noble mansion, had only three sporadically placed red doors. Two were closed, and one was open. Perhaps the closed doors housed the current guests, but no sound could be heard from inside.
Soundproofing magic. Continuous enchantments to maintain the effect were quite expensive, but they were perfect for a place like this. Many sought items they didn't want others to know about.
Of course, like Neris now, it was necessary for those who didn't want anyone to know about their relationship with the upper echelons.
Aaron guided Neris through one of the open doors.
"Just wait a moment, please."
Neris nodded and gestured to all the attendants except Dora.
"Go out. If you're bored, at least try on some clothes."
There was no reason why the conversation happening here shouldn't reach Cledwin's ears. That's why Dora was left behind. However, it might have been awkward for Joanne to report various things in front of the Duke's attendants.
The attendants rushed out of the room. Just then, a woman's voice was heard at the door.
"Excuse me, my lady."
The most senior knight among Neris's attendants politely apologized. It seemed they had come uncomfortably close to someone. A voice exuding calm and wit responded to the apology.
"No need to apologize."
"It was a short conversation, but Neris thought both the previous 'Oh' and this voice sounded familiar. Who could it be?
However, before she could gather more clues, the commotion outside seemed to have settled. Soon, the sound of a gentle knock on the door from the quiet corridor was heard.
"It's Joanne."
"Come in."
With Neris's permission, Joanne quickly entered the room. She looked quite tired.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Highness. The previous guest was quite persistent."
"Oh? My knights seemed to have bumped into someone in the corridor just now. Could it be that person?"
"It's likely. Besides Your Highness, there's only Miss Shirley in the hallway at this hour."
Ah, Rebecca Shirley. Neris understood. Indeed, the voice from earlier seemed to belong to Rebecca.
"Why was the previous guest so persistent? Was it something they shouldn't be involved in?"
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