Chapter 73


    The ball was reserved only for the young nobles of the aristocracy. The organizer, Princess Julianna, said it was a ce for all thedies of the capital to attend. As if to prove it, there were a lot of beautifully dressed unmarried noblewomen. There were many noblemen as well, but looking at the numbers, it seemed that not many of them were required to participate.


    Cedric and Damien seemed to have joined in to save their sisters honour. Lelia saw them having fun chatting with some young nobledies.


    The atmosphere is a bit strange. Romeo remarked, as he held a ss of champagne and swirled it lightly.


    Lelia was standing near the terrace with Romeo after making eye contact with Princess Julianna, herdies-in-waiting, and Ruth, who she saw in the distance.


    What?


    When Lelia asked, Romeo pointed the tip of his chin to one ce.


    Looking there, a young woman nced awkwardly around. Upon closer inspection, it was the red haireddy that she had seen at the first tea party.


    [Did they say her name was Grace?]


    Thats what she remembered anyway, because she was one of Juliannasdies-in-waiting. She was the young woman that Lelia inquired about at the private tea party.


    And look over there.


    When she looked at another ce Romeo had pointed to, young women and men had gathered.


    When she paid close attention, they were pointing fingers at Grace from afar andughing to each other.


    There again.


    Romeo pointed to another ce.


    Princess Julianna, and herdies-in-waiting, were seen.


    They were talking while looking at the red haired Grace, andughing at her in the distance.


    Oh


    Lelia immediately understood what Romeo was saying.


    In the aristocratic world, it was verymon to openly bully someone.


    She heard a lot of simr stories in the Superion Territory. The actions of many young nobles were simr.


    But now, it was a little tricky.


    At first nce, it seemed that the young men and women gathered over there were tormenting one young noblewoman


    [The reality seems to be that Julianna, and herdies-in-waiting, are the main instigators.]


    It was clear to her that a number of the gathered men looked at Juliannasdies and gave them a nod.


    Some of us rolled onto the battlefield to fight the Dragon to keep the peace While other nobles stayed home to y these kinds of games. Isnt it funny?


    Contrary to his words, Romeo was smiling brightly.


    Lelia also felt badly for her friends. She ate and slept in afortable ce, while her friends fought hard on the battlefield.


    I should go to the terrace and rest. y well ande to me when you need me.


    After saying that, Romeo left.


    As she was left alone, Lelia was choking on the tension.


    It was ufortable because some nobles kept ncing at her After Romeo left, everyone looked at her openly. They seemed to have decided that it would be easier to talk to her because she was alone now.


    [I cant run away.]


    Her eyes met with Ruth, who was looking at her from afar.


    He mouthed something to her and mimed clinking a ss.


    When she looked closely, he meant for her to act out the role of a yboy quickly.


    Cedric and Damian were in their position, so he definitely wanted to bepared.


    The better Lelia yed her flirt role, the more Ruth seemed to think he was going to get points.


    [Annoying b******.]


    Lelia didnt agree with Ruths n, she just followed through with it.


    If Ruth feels that this is the easiest way.


    [He will confess sooner when his heart is at ease.]


    After clearing her throat, Lelia began to smile at any noblewoman who met her eyes.


    As if her mindfulness was recognized, some youngdies approached and talked to her.


    They were ecstatic to see Lelias appearance, some even praised it as much more beautiful than Donatellis painting.


    Lelia repeated in her head, Like a flirt, like a flirt.


    Meanwhile,


    A smallmotion broke out on one side of the room.


    She went over there with the girl she was talking to, and found the girl named Grace, whom she had seen earlier.


    Hey Miss Grace, are you still stalking me?


    No I never did that in the first ce


    How can you be so rude? If you keep doing this, I cant even stand to look at you.


    Miss Grace had a pitiful appearance that looked like she was about to burst into tears at any moment.


    Shes bawling in front of him .


    Is that you, Prince Damien?


    It was Prince Damian with his silver hair neatly tucked back.


    He was ring at Miss Grace, but Lelia had no idea what he was angry about.


    People were looking around and snickering.


    Lelia asked the young girl next to her.


    Whats going on?


    Oh that .


    The young girl blushed as she looked at Lelia, and then she spoke quickly.


    Actually, it is not enough that Miss Grace has a crush on Prince Damian, but there were rumors that she was stalking. Terrible, isnt it?


    Is that so?


    Yes, today it seems that she found out what Prince Damiens outfit was in advance and they came dressed like a couple. Isnt it really creepy?


    .


    As the youngdy said, Prince Damien was wearing a navy blue and gold suit, and Grace was wearing a navy blue and gold dress.


    So shameless. How could she do such a thing when she was one of Juliannaspanions?


    Lelia looked back at the scene of the disturbance, people continuing to gossip quietly about the youngdy.


    Miss Grace had a really dejected expression on her face.


    Prince Damien wasughing in her face, this made Grace really frightened and it was a pitiful sight.


    Prince Cedric, who was watching, stepped forward and themotion was quickly put to rest.


    The nobles rejoined the party in twos and threes.


    But her eyes stayed fixed on Grace, who was standing alone.


    Everyone was talking about her.


    [She is too timid.]


    Miss Grace held back her tears and kept her shoulders upright, perhaps keeping her position in response to the rumors. If she runs away from the ball, people will take it as truth.


    Watching her with a sad heart, Lelia suddenly had a good idea.


    In in terms, Lelias purpose was to look detestable to Cedric and Damien.


    Thats exactly what Ruth wanted, too.


    Ruth wanted to show his superiority and reliability by undermining Sir Raymond.


    Thats how he wanted to appeal to Juliannas family.


    What if Lelia sided with young Miss Grace and Ruth turned up as per the n?


    Cedric and Damien will naturally take Ruths side.


    The same goes for Julianna.


    The secret and childish quarrels of the aristocratic circles are more emotional than the original big political fights.


    [Im sorry to use you as bait]


    Lelia really felt sorry for Miss Grace.


    [Lets go talk to her.]


    She doesnt know if the girl actually stalked Damien. Its probably just a rumour, right?N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Furthermore, seeing a group of men and womenughing at Miss Grace, she was convinced that it was Julianna and herpanions.


    They were allughing at Miss Grace, who was standing alone.


    It wasughter full of malicious pleasure.


    It was never expected for Lelia to sit on the sidelines of the ball.


    [Oh, no way.]


    Lelia suddenly remembered what she had skimmed through the original story.


    It was about how Cedric and Damien scolded the young nobles who were jealous of Julianna.


    There was no specific episode, but it was a phrase to show how unusual Cedric and Prince Damien were.


    [I dont know, those princes dont care about me anyway.]


    Lelia shook her head and soon walked to Miss Grace, who was standing alone.


    The sound of footsteps rang through the hall.


    It was just before the performers began to y music, so there was silence.


    There were a lot of people watching Lelia in the first ce, and they looked surprised.


    She approached Grace, who was standing alone as aughing stock.


    Grace was the woman whom Prince Damien had openly put to shame. Which also meant that she should never be on his side.


    If she sided with Miss Grace, she would be slighting Prince Damian.


    It was the tacit rule of the social world.


    However, in the eyes of people, Sir Raymond was not a noble of the Auraria Empire.


    So they looked surprised at her actions, since they thought she would act in a simr manner.


    Miss Grace.


    When Lelia appeared in front of her, Grace opened her mouth in surprise.


    Oh, hello, Sir Raymond.


    I saw you at the tea party a while ago.


    Yes.


    Lelia smiled softly and handed her a ss of champagne.


    Miss Grace looked nervously at thedies-in-waiting with Princess Julianna.


    Well, Sir Raymond.


    If youre with me there might be useless misunderstandings about you, was what she was about to say.


    The performers began to y slow, elegant tunes.


    Miss Grace. Can I request the first dance?


    Grace was shocked by Lelias question and hesitated.


    Is it more ufortable if Im around you?


    No, thats not it. If you stay with me, you will be criticized by others. You dont have to help me.


    ***


    Trantors note: I swear, the twins are too much. -_- Poor Grace. Even though Julianna is portrayed to be the nicest character in the novel, to me, she seems to have so many faces and it gets confusing and annoying at times. I know she is spoiled by her parents and brothers, but can she be a little considerate? She was abused by her biological father, yet she allowed Lelia to apologize to her a hundred times back then when she was in the Imperial Castle, and now she is standing there and seeing a woman being ridiculed in front of her. ?


    The author carefully portrays and unfolds different sides of Julianna which gives us more insight to her actual role in the novel.


    Editors Note: I have a feeling that the original novel was told from Juliannas perspective, and in her eyes everyone loves her and shes a wonderful person. I think thats why theres an inconsistency between Julianna in the novel and the REAL Julianna. It exins the difference with Ruth and the brothers as well.


    ***


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