Duke Morris smiled pleasantly at him. “Ah, Lord Louis! Yes, of course. I’m enjoying myself immensely.”
“I’m pleased to hear that.”
“And who is this young lady?” Morris asked, smiling at me.
“Oh, allow me to introduce you. This is my fiancée, Merellis Reiser Anderson.”
“Good evening. It’s a pleasure to meet you and your wife, Duke Morris.”
“The pleasure is all mine. All the rumors I heard about the famous Gazell’s daughter were true. You are very beautiful, Miss.”
“Now now, don’t be a flirt, darling. You are gorgeous though, like a porcelain doll!” his wife remarked.
“Thank you very much.” I bowed my head to them.
“Hm? Oh, I see…”
For a moment, Morris looked puzzled by what Lynette had just said, but then he nodded with satisfaction. “I meant not only do you have a lovely face, but even your movements are beautiful, Lady Merellis.”
I suddenly felt a cold sweat forming on my back. House Morris was known for being a military family, just like my own. I wondered if he had surmised from the way I carried myself that I was also a trained fighter.
“Oh, that’s what you meant! Yes, her movements are very clean. I thought it was strange for you to comment on a woman’s looks, Morris, but she is so lovely that I can understand why.”
I quickly followed Lynette’s response. “You’re too kind. I owe it all to my education from both my father and from Lady Aurelia, Louis’s mother.”
“Lady Aurelia, is it?” Morris repeated, but he didn’t ask any further questions. I just had to pray that my practice moving like a lady with Louis’s mother was showing off more than my training with a sword.
“Lady Lynette, would you have time the day after tomorrow to talk more? I heard that Louis has plans with the duke.”
“Oh, I’d love to! While the men talk about complicated matters, we ladies can enjoy ourselves! Please, come to where I’m staying! I’ll send you an invitation later.”
“Thank you! I can’t wait.”
Louis and Morris were having their own conversation while we chatted, but since we were at a party, the topics were kept light. After that, we bade each other farewell and headed toward Curtis Sligar. Louis and I had discussed beforehand who we would talk to and in which order. We waited until Lord Romello and Lady Aurelia were finished talking to Duke Sligar. Once they went on to talk to Duke Grindel, it became our turn to talk to Duke Sligar.
“Ah, you’re Duke Armelia’s son Louis, right?” Curtis said to us. Louis had greeted all the dukes when they arrived, so they already recognized him.
“Yes, I’m Louis de Armelia. And this is my fiancée, Merellis Reiser Anderson.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Anderson? Don’t tell me your father’s…?” His gaze grew sharp as he stared at me.
“Yes, that’s right. My father is General Gazell.”
“I see. I never would have guessed the famous general’s daughter was so beautiful. Pardon me for staring.”
“It’s all right. I’m used to people’s surprise. I take after my mother.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. By the way, I don’t see my son right now, but you were dancing with him earlier, yes?”
“Oh, yes, I was.” Apparently, Curtis was very interested in me now that he found out who my father was. He had only said a few words to the people who had greeted him earlier, so it seemed we were taking up quite a bit of his time.
“How was your journey here from Rimmel?”
“It was quite pleasant. You know, you should come visit Rimmel sometime and see how you like it! After the treaty is signed, of course. I’d love for you to visit my duchy.”
“Oh my, thank you for the invitation!” I certainly hadn’t been expecting that and was caught off guard for a second, but I quickly recovered with a smile.
We chatted pleasantly for a few more moments before moving on.
After that, we spoke with Dukes Philling, Baskar, and Crowe. Once we finished, I excused myself to the powder room to fix my makeup. After that, I stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh air. I was warm from being around all those people inside, so the night breeze felt wonderful.
I began to sense a strange presence in the garden. The palace had tightened security today for the occasion, of course, and the guards and servants had been under strict orders not to let any unauthorized people onto the grounds. So then, why…?
Curious, I left the balcony and headed down to the garden. On the way there, I stopped by an empty room and slipped off the bustle meant to add volume to my skirt. I removed my petticoat and overcoat as well. I then grabbed a pair of scissors and snipped the ribbons off of the bustle. There was also a tablecloth in the room, so I draped it over my head and secured it with the ribbons.
I took off my shoes and hid them in a corner, and then picked up a cloth that was draped over the back of a sofa. I ripped it in half to tie over both my feet as makeshift slippers. Lastly, I took out the dagger I had hidden in my shoe.
Now that I was disguised and it would be much easier to move, I slipped through the night to the garden.
“How was it?”
“Fine. Plans one through five were carried out successfully.”
There were two guards wearing army uniforms, but I didn’t recognize them. They were not supposed to be down here at all. On top of that, their conversation was very suspicious. I didn’t want to be mistaken, so I decided to knock one of them out and question the other. However, it would be difficult since I didn’t have the usual reach of my sword, but this was no time to complain.