Capitulo 39
Chapter 39 – The Flower of the Marriage Contest, The First Encounter (1)
«…In the second evaluation, the symbol that Young Master Kyle threw on the ground…. That’s strange, that doesn’t seem like him.»
«I have left some advice regarding that matter.»
«Regardless, handle anything that might cause disruptions in the marriage contest based on your judgment. After the first meeting, I must visit the capital on urgent business.»
«Yes.»
With that, Gelwood left the head of the family’s office.
Worried that the Grand Duke might become angry, he did not report the academy’s displeasure.
Although he received personal indulgence from the king, from the academy dean’s perspective, it was understandably distasteful.
After all, it was not right to have infiltrated the sacred and righteous grounds of learning in disguise.
Besides, the current dean of the royal academy was one of the fifth Grand Dukes of the Kingdom of Elperion.
He could not proceed with research against his temperament.
Knowing this, the Grand Duke had also instructed a careful investigation.
However, the attitude of the academy, which seemed to want to keep things under wraps during the investigation, was suspicious.
As nature dictates, closure breeds corruption.
Closed environments prefer concealment to disclosure, preservation to change.
Perhaps that’s why it was unsettling.
Gelwood had known Lermian Winterfell since she was a baby.
While he didn’t care for her as if she were his own daughter, he wasn’t foolish enough to not notice a drastic change in someone he served.
His indulgence was simply because he trusted her completely.
He believed that Lermian would wisely steer the matrimonial contest.
If that trust wavered, as the Grand Duke said, he would have to take preventative measures of his own.
Especially last night, Lermian’s violent tearing away of Elden’s polite letter was distressingly savage.
At first, he had thought Elden’s withdrawal as a final candidate had won him favor.
He had considered it a good strategy on the part of a candidate with little chance of victory.
As a result, Lermian showed great interest in Elden, and supporting them did not contradict the purpose of the marriage contest.
The ultimate goal of the marriage contest was to find the «love» that moved the heart.
It was all part of the process, and as long as it was not excessive, as long as it did not degrade the dignity of the marriage contest, there was no problem.
The younger daughter and older brothers of the Grand Duke had gone through the same process and had concluded their marriage contests successfully.
However.
In the second evaluation, Lermian committed an act of discourtesy to the final candidates unlike her siblings, which was rude and absurd enough to diminish the dignity of the marriage contest.
Moreover, that night, he displayed behavior that should not have been seen.
Her act of tearing up the noble Elden’s letter was no longer that of a woman desirous of love.
And with that, Gelwood was sure.
Her confidence had been mere negligence.
The tepid attitude of the Royal Academy.
Lermian’s attempt to rope in the candidate who had withdrawn.
This matrimonial contest might not just be about finding a mate.
Believing it would be better to find out and calmly address the situation rather than complicate matters by informing the Grand Duke of unconfirmed speculation, Gelwood arrived at his own office.
The Grand Duke had said as much.
In his absence, handle any disturbing matters based on his own judgment.
The first thing to do was.
‘It’s time to separate the watchman.’
It should have been done earlier.
Regardless of how capable a watchman may be, in a crowded and confined space, the risk of exposure is high, as is the likelihood of being caught if one’s tail is too long. But because of the Grand Duchess’s stubbornness in wanting to understand the reasons for the change, it could not be helped.
If it was discovered that the panel had been officially removed and secret watchmen had been placed, it would naturally be criticized externally.
Given Lermian’s unstable stubbornness, it was time to stop risking unnecessary crises.
Moreover, the fact that there had been no productive outcome, only repetitive reports, was more cause for concern.
With that thought, Gelwood remained in his office well into the night.
Midnight was the appointed time.
It was time to receive the reports from the close surveillance that had lasted all day, but since it was significantly past midnight and the watchman had yet to appear, Gelwood sighed.
«Hmm…»
So far
the appointment had never been missed.
He was someone worth the high price paid for his employment.
Gelwood had intended to receive the final report and notify the end of the mission.
But why was there no news now?
Why precisely now?
What could that mean?
«…It could be.»
So, he was left pacing his office all night long, full of worried sighs, unable to receive the expected news.
«At last the morning of the first meeting has come, miss.»
The flower of the matrimonial contest, the first meeting, was about to take place.
With the sun shining bright and warm, the sky clear and blue, the birds chirping merrily, and a mild temperature with no wind to disturb the dresses and decorations, a perfect morning had begun.
Lermian, demurely seated in front of the dressing table, was relieved by Marien as she observed her lady’s complexion in the mirror.
Fortunately, having rested and eaten properly the day before, her lady’s face had regained its radiance.
«Indeed. The first meeting really begins.»
Although her complexion was not as bright and glowing as before, it was passable for her first public appearance during the first meeting.
Marien, who had always been in charge of dressing and grooming Lermian, the Third Grand Duchess, was determined to turn her into a goddess today.
With skilled hands, Marien began dressing Lermian, curling her hair with a heated bronze rod and coloring her lips with crushed safflower dye.
«As expected, Mademoiselle’s beauty is infallible.»
Pleased with her craftsmanship, Marien spared no praise.
Knowing that her maid was trying to cheer her up, Lermian forced a smile.
She had promised herself to free herself for today from revenge and resentment.
She had already shown herself in a disgraceful manner during the second evaluation, and last night she had exhibited a monstrous tantrum in front of Sir Gelwood.
He did not want to repeat the same mistakes.
So, at least for today, he intended to focus on taking his first official step into the world.
Even if it was difficult.
«Are you nervous?»
Marien asked, combing her hands through her neatly curled white hair.
«Nervous. Very.»
«Hehe. Don’t be so nervous. Everyone will be happy as soon as they see you.»
Human hearts are truly fickle and shallow.
Although she had just vowed to escape her resentments, the word «everyone» that Marien mentioned reflexively brought Elden to her mind, which was ironic indeed.
What face would he make?
Would his expressionlessness lend credence to the hypothesis that he would flee upon learning his true identity?
Or would he be shocked, ushering in a new phase?
I was curious.
Just curious.
To know what kind of reaction he would have.
Y…
«You won’t… stop recognizing me, will you?
That thought seemed rather empty.
She had given hints through the first and second evaluations, but that was years ago.
It’s natural for the memory of those who have been harmed to be more vague than that of the perpetrator.
Besides, she was a redhead then, but now she was white.
She had wanted to dye it red for this meeting, but since it was to be held in front of the public, she couldn’t, which was unfortunate.
All she could do was wait.
To hope that he would remember her and recognize her.
That he would understand the meaning of the first and second evaluation.
Because now the real game was going to begin.
So far, it had only been a preliminary skirmish.
«Ta-da~!»
Marien announced the completion of the dressing with a proud face, and Lermian, wearing his mask, which now symbolized his identity, stood up to face the world.
Today he would greet them with a smile.
Once again, he affirmed as he put on the mask.
The flower of the marriage contest.
It was time to blossom boldly.
It was time for Lermian Winterfell to present herself to the masses.
But…
«What, the watcher has suddenly disappeared?»
The sudden news of the watchman’s disappearance poured cold water on his lively start.
His footsteps faltered even before he could begin, which seemed to herald an awkward start.
«Gee, how many people are there?»
In the central square of the Grand Duke’s castle.
A large crowd had gathered around the high platform set up in the expansive square. There seemed to be close to a thousand people crowded together, vibrating with excitement and anticipation.
I was among them, accompanied by the Trio of Lamentable Characters. They were well-dressed and unwilling to give up their hopes of victory.
The reason I was with them in the front row was simple.
It was just to blend into the festive atmosphere of the great festival of the Northern Command, completely oblivious to Lermian vengeance. This moment, eagerly awaited by the people, was not to be spoiled by the political machinations behind the marriage contest.
Moreover,
«It’s the first time we’ve seen each other.»
For the emotional moment when his youngest daughter would greet the world for the first time, Logan Winterfel, the Grand Duke, was seated on the left side of the dais. It would be foolish not to attend such an occasion.
No matter how powerful a hand you have, if you don’t know how to play it at the right time, it’s as good as a losing hand.
Hence, I was there with the Trio of Regrettable Characters, standing in the square.
and,
Next to the noble lady with the bow tie, who was eager to see with her own eyes the protagonist of her favorite novel.
As I looked back, I caught a glimpse of Ariel in the crowd, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Sadly,
«… They just met a few days ago, Ariel.»
Ariel, who had barely recognized that Erinysia had gone white-haired, had exclaimed that white suited her a hundred times better, raising quite a fuss.
She had even pushed me to meet her if I had the chance.
Was she now getting her wish?
With a mischievous grin, I mimicked Ariel’s cheerful smile and glanced toward the platform.
Soon after,
«Ladies and gentlemen, we present the third Grand Duchess of the great Winterfel family, Lermian Winterfel!».
The act proclaimed as the crème de la crème of the marriage contest, the first meeting, began.