CHAPTER SEVEN
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I pointed to a part of my draft sitting on the table.
"If possible, I would like you to make this part exactly as described,” I requested.
The seamstress from Lily Muge replied with a smile. "An excellent choice, Lady Floyen. I can already see the dress flattering you very well."
I had delayed the visit with the seamstress by a week because of my father and Max's abrupt visit. However, it worked out for me somehow because I needed time to think about the dress. There was about a month and a half left until the coming-of-age ceremony, so I still had plenty of time.
The seamstress took my draft.
"Thank you for trusting us to make your dress again,” she said excitedly. "We’ll do our best."
"Of course."
I sighed once she left. I had taken care of most of the things required for my coming-of-age ceremony… but it bothered me that it had been about a week since I had last seen Max. Dad had been busy as of late as well. All he had been doing was saying hello to me in the mornings and wishing me a good night before bed.
In any case, I was able to embroider handkerchiefs for them during my time alone. After much trial and error, they were finally finished. I smiled proudly at the results of my labor. I had embroidered a dragon, the symbol of the royal family, onto one handkerchief. On the one for my dad, I had embroidered a lily and a sword, the symbols of our family. In my eyes, they were adequate, and I hoped that the recipients of my gifts would appreciate them as well.
I sighed as I looked at my fingers. I didn't expect them to get this bad... Since I was an amateur, I pricked myself with the needle many times while sewing the patterns. For a moment, I observed the scars before smiling. They didn't matter to me because my efforts proved fruitful. I carefully placed the fabric in my desk drawer before applying some ointment from Allen onto my fingers.
The hunting competition was just around the corner. Nobles ranked equal to or higher than a count were obliged to participate in the event, meaning that each family would have selected adequate participants. I heard that Geraldine and a few other knights were selected from our family. If my dad participated despite being the only transcendent being in the empire, no one else would have had a chance, so he was unfortunately banned from participating.
It was a bit disappointing because I was interested in the reward. The emperor was offering the Flower of the Underworld’s Goddess. It was one of the empire's treasures, and the people were excited about it because it was a necklace made out of a rare mineral that only existed deep underground. Many people participated for their lady's honor and won prizes for them. I wondered who would take the honor for a moment. Then, I quickly concluded that it wouldn't be my family.
Although I treated the knights of our household like people who received wages without much effort, they were renowned for their swordsmanship. I was confident they could win the competition, but Dad had put them under strict orders to lay low likely because of the warning from Max.
"Don't do anything that would pique the emperor's interest," I heard my father say the other day.
For that reason, the knights were probably going to aim for second or third place. They were looking a little down these past few days…
I was thinking of what I could do for them when Merilyn called out to me.
"My lady, there's a guest for you,” she announced.
Was it Max? At the sudden news, I rushed to the mirror to check my appearance. It was acceptable, so I calmed my quivering heart and opened the door. However, all I found before me was Merilyn. Once again, I wondered where Max was since he promised to visit me in a week.
Suppressing my disappointment, I asked, "Who’s the guest?"
Merilyn had a troubled expression as she answered me.
"Oh... Lord Elios is visiting," she murmured.
He was an unwelcome guest. Still, it was my duty to welcome him in the absence of my father.
"All right," I sighed, following Merilyn to the drawing room.
The sword’s trajectory had been straight at first, but it suddenly twisted, drawing a curve. Gritting his teeth, Max barely managed to fend off the attack. His master was disgustingly strong, but...
At first, he hadn’t been able to follow the swift blade’s movements, but now he could make them out. Meeting his master's blade, Max attempted a counterattack. It felt like he wasn’t far from achieving transcendence, and once he realized he could protect Jubelian from danger and receive his master’s approval soon, the corners of his lips rose.
At that moment, however, an eerie voice came from behind him.
"I told you to remain vigilant.”
Max’s face crumpled.
Damn it!
When would he be able to catch up to him?
I glared at Lord Elios as he sipped his tea in front of me.
"So, that’s why you’ve come to see me?" I demanded.
He gracefully set down his teacup before answering my question. "Oh? I thought I would be praised for coming to see you, but judging by your expression… Hmm, interesting. I’m sure I resolved this issue without harming your precious people."
"Just be grateful that I didn’t claim compensation for the persecution of our residents,” I spat, irritated. "The criminals escaped your estate due to your negligence."
I expected him to be offended by my comment, but he just smiled at me as if he had been waiting for my criticism.
"Oh no, it looks like I’ll have to pay compensation for the damages, then."
"There's no need—" I began, wanting to end this discussion as soon as possible, but he cut me off.
"Because you’re so angry, I see that I have no choice but to offer the Flower of the Underworld’s Goddess to you.”
My eyes widened at his serious tone. What he had just said was…
Aghast, I asked, "Are you proposing to me?"
I was hoping he was joking. However, he slowly nodded.
Saying that he was going to give me the winning prize in the hunting competition meant that he would make a public confession to me in front of all the nobles. A conversation like this would usually be exchanged between lovers who would soon get married. I couldn't believe that this man, who I had only known for a few days, was saying something like this.
"Lord Elios, we’ve only met a few times. How could you suddenly say to me something only committed lovers discuss with each other? Frankly, I find this absurd."
Once I pointed out the ludicrous nature of the situation, a chuckle escaped his lips. He gracefully placed his teacup down.