It was late at night when Kuhn arrived. He was more cautious than usual, as a man seen sneaking into the room of a noblewoman would cause unwanted rumors. It was not polite to visit at such a late hour, but consent was given in advance at the urgency of the two handkerchiefs.
Kuhn quietly landed in the room and turned to close the windows. Elena, who was just about to succumb to slumber, opened her eyes at the slight disturbance. Her hand glided towards the dagger under her pillow. Then she heard a familiar voice.
"It's Kuhn. What did you call me for?"
Elena loosened her grip on the dagger and got out of bed. It was impolite to receive a guest while lying down. However, Kuhn shifted his gaze politely as to not look at Elena in her nightgown, and when she noticed she hurriedly slipped on a robe next to her bed. She went straight to the point.
"I received the clothes and jewels that you sent me today. You know about it, don't you?"
"Yes, I know."
"I will be forced to accept a dress for the ball, but as for the jewels–"
Kuhn cut her off.
"That's not possible."
He seemed to have anticipated her answer. When Elena tried to open her mouth to speak, Kuhn interrupted her again.
"The General said that he would stab me in the neck if I took them back."
"W-what?"
Elena was shocked by the unexpected reply. She spoke again, suspicion written on her features.
"Is that a joke?"
"Probably not."
She doubted if Carlisle would really kill Kuhn, but Kuhn had answered so seriously. Carlisle seemed to have read her mind. In fact, he also made her promise from the start to accept the items he sent her.
'…But how can I possibly do so?'
The cost of dresses and jewelry alone were enormous, let alone the astronomical price of the red diamond necklace. She could not accept such things without any reason.
"Then please tell the prince this. It's too valuable for me to accept. I will return the dress after I use it at the ball, as I made a promise and I must keep it. I hope you can take the jewels back though."
Elena was insistent, but Kuhn replied with an unperturbed expression.
"I'll let him know. But the General said, 'If she makes such a request, tell her this.'"
"…What is it?"
"He said he would like to see you as a lady at the ball wearing the dress and jewelry he sent you."
Elena didn't know why Carlisle wanted to give her such precious gifts. Then suddenly she remembered what he told her last time they met.
— "I don't like other people looking at you, but I don't intend to let my woman down."
Was he saying that he wanted her to be crowned the Madonna of the ball?
It was not honor bestowed at all balls, but in the case of the Imperial Court there were ceremonies that selected the most beautiful woman of the night. The chosen woman was rewarded with a tiara, and while the tiara itself was more symbolic than monetarily valuable, it was an honor coveted by many a young noblewoman. There were even rumors in public that a humble woman crowned Madonna could find a good match and ascend in social status. It was why the tailor shops were paralyzed with work during ball season.
'…There's no possibility for me to be chosen for such a position.'
She had no expectations for herself from the beginning, and she remembered who was chosen as the Madonna in her last life.
"I hope His Highness doesn't expect much from me."
"I cannot guess what he thinks."
Elena continued with more insistently.
"I still too much for me anyway. Please tell him to take it back."
"I will give him the message, but the General is away from the capital on urgent business. You may not be able to receive an answer before the ball."
"…I see."
Elena's face flitted with anxiety. She worried when Carlisle was far away from her. His life had been at risk at Flower Bridge, and she was worried if something would happen again.
"The General said if you wouldn't accept it until the end, he told me to tell you one last thing."
"What did he say?"
"He said, 'Keep your word.' If you don't, he won't keep his word either…"
Elena's mouth opened in surprise even before Kuhn finished.
"No way."
"That's all I can tell you."
Kuhn's sterile, business-like manner forced Elena to bridle her anger. It was useless to turn against the messenger.
'…How unfair.'
That was the first thought that came to her mind. Carlisle was trying to force her into accepting expensive items, but from Elena's point of view, she couldn't let herself become indebted to him. She also was afraid that one day she would become used to his help. In her last life, Elena lived a solitary life with revenge as her only goal. Relying on others may weaken her. At first she liked that Carlisle was treating her well, but now she felt trapped, and if she kept receiving constantly, she would have to pay for it one day.
Elena replied in displeasure.
"I understand for now."
There was no way to give everything back, even if she wanted to do so. She was troubled by Carlisle's remarks towards Kuhn, and the fact she couldn't talk to Carlisle in person before the ball. She resigned herself into accepting the dresses and jewelry. There was no other way to attend the ball and meet him. She didn't like it very much, but she had no choice.
"If you don't have any more orders, I will leave now."
"Thank you for your work this late at night."
Kuhn deftly bowed his head, then silently departed through the window. She watched his figure disappear from view, then padded to her bed and sat down. It was difficult to fall asleep again.
There was not much time left to prepare until the ball. When the time came, there would be much to do. First, she would officially enter a relationship with Carlisle; then, the wedding would be held as soon as possible so she could become princess. Although this had been planned from the start, many things changed around them more than she thought.
Elena looked out the window towards the blanket of stars in the night sky. Even in the black, their glittering points seemed exceptionally bright tonight.
"…Good luck, Elena Blaise."
She hoped she wouldn't regret this life.
Blaise mansion found itself busy the next day, as there were two dresses to mend before the ball. The most passionate about it was Mirabelle.
"Stand here for a moment, sister."
Mirabelle began to measure Elena by hand. The dresses Carlisle had sent were so beautiful it seemed to have reignited Mirabelle's inspiration to create. Elena had never seen her sister's eyes lit with such fervor, and Elena stared at her curiously.
"Would you like to study abroad in Freegrand?"
"What? Study abroad?"
Freegrand was most well-known on the continent for fashion. And unlike the Ruford Empire, which still balked at the economic advancement of women, Freegrand was a free kingdom with no discrimination whatsoever in that respect. As a result, it was also a place where many enterprising women gathered.
Mirabelle gave a surprised expression as if she never entertained the idea before, but soon she smiled softly and shook her head.
"Tuition is expensive there. And Father probably wouldn't let me."
"If you didn't have to worry about tuition and if Father allows you to go, would you do it?"
She couldn't be honest about her circumstances with Mirabelle now, but Elena would be able to pay the tuition as soon as she became crown princess. No matter what life her lovely sister may choose lead, Elena hoped Mirabelle would be free do what she loved as much as possible.
"Well…I haven't thought about it before so I can't say."
"Think about it. I'll do whatever it takes for you."
"Yes, I understand."
Mirabelle smiled in gratitude as she held a pin in her hand. Elena warmed at her sister's expression.
Mary, the maid behind them who was working the sewing machine, turned to Mirabelle in haste.
"Young Lady, what do I do with this?"
Mirabelle headed straight over to inspect the jammed machine.
"Oh, this is…"
As Elena watched Mirabelle take charge in the mending of their dresses, it occurred to Elena that Mirabelle looked quite like their mother.
*
The rest of the day flew by as fast as light. Elena, Mirabelle and the maids in the mansion worked together to complete the dresses in time.
"It's done, sister! Come and have a look."
"Really?"
Elena followed Mirabelle into the dressing room in anticipation.
"Ah…"
She couldn't help but stare with her mouth open. Although she had seen the intermediate process, it was her first time to see final product of their labor.
"These are our dresses?"
Elena's voice trembled and Mirabelle gave an enthusiastic nod.
"Yes! Aren't they beautiful? We didn't do much to the overall design, but simply made some adjustments to fit our shape. The originals were already perfect, but I thought it would be better to tailor them to suit ourselves."
"Mirabelle, this is so perfect."
Elena's exclamation brought a blush to Mirabelle's cheeks.
"We all worked hard together. The results turned out better than I expected."
Mirabelle was being modest, but she had created a complete reinterpretation of the style. Mirabelle's dress was an unusual black one, with a large ribbon around her neck and a luxurious gold pattern decorated at her skirt.
Elena's dress was a lovely pink one. The shoulders were bare, emphasizing her feminine allure, and there was rich layered skirt, giving a floating and elegant feeling. She was sure the original dresses they weren't as perfect as this. With Elena's slim figure and Mirabelle's petite one, more parts of the dress were newly created than expected.
"…It's stunning."
"Your dress was made to showcase the red diamond necklace, especially given how priceless it is."
Elena had temporarily forgotten about the necklace. She followed with a startled look on her face.
"The necklace?"
"Yes, the one you'll wear at the ball. Then I'll try it sometime, but not now! I'll take care of it even if it's on loan."
Mirabelle's wasn't wrong, so Elena nodded awkwardly. In truth she didn't have to go to the ball wearing the necklace, but she promised to accept whatever Carlisle sent without complaint. Since she would wear it only once anyway before returning it, she decided to accept his sincerity and not worry too much about it anymore. They would create a scene of love at first sight at the ball, and she had to look beautiful to make it convincing as possible.
"You've done a wonderful job on these dresses. Thank you for your efforts, Mirabelle."
Mirabelle smiled happily and took her sister's hand to pull her away.
"Now that we've finished the dresses, let's get some skin care."
"Skin care?"
"Of course! I want my sister to be crowned the Madonna of the ball."
"I don't think that's possible…"
Despite Elena's pessimism, Mirabelle only hurried her on.
"Come on, come on!"
"I get it."
The two walked along smilingly.
*
*
*
The evening of the ball.
A great line of carriages streamed through the imperial palace's gates. One of them was emblazoned with the seal of House Blaise.
Dalgulag, dalgulag.
The carriages entered in order, until at last the Blaise carriage arrived at the entrance. A herald announced the names in a booming voice.
"The children of Count Blaise."
When the herald's voice died away, a servant opened the door of the carriage. There was a red carpet from the carriage to the entrance of the palace.
Elena's foot gently dipped out onto the carpet.
Tuk.
The man with the invitation did a double take at Elena then dropped the list he was holding. The crowd about them, thrilled by the excitement of the ball, ceased all action to look at the woman emerging.
Hair like molten gold and snow-white skin. An exquisite red diamond necklace twinned with red jewel-like eyes. The young woman emerged fully from the carriage, her motion as supple as water and wearing a dress so stunning it was enough to catch everyone's breaths. It was like seeing an otherworldly beauty.
Elena, who got out first, held her hand out to Mirabelle.
"Be careful when getting off, Mirabelle."
The emergence of a new girl took people's breaths again. Elena turned towards the herald and found him staring at them.
"May we enter?"
"O-oh yes! Please come in."
He appointed a servant to serve as their guide, and Elena and Mirabelle soon entered the palace, holding each other's hands warmly.