The winter people had little regard for the warm region’s emperor. Although technically a part of the empire, the Winter Duke was seen as their rightful king. If they were forced to adhere to the laws of other lands, and if the monsters there impeded their movements, they might as well endure the icy grip of winter.
Otherwise… Aden, the Winter Duke, had a plan in mind that only he could conceive.
“A debut in high society…” The unfamiliar words sent a shiver down Ilyin’s spine. If it weren’t for her night with Aden and her arrival at Biflten manor, she might have never experienced it in her life.
Her father would have never allowed her to leave the estate.
“Keep your mouth shut forever,” he had instructed. He detested precognitive abilities and anyone who spoke too freely would vanish one by one. For over twenty years, Ilyin had been confined to the manor. She never intended to speak of her abilities, but she feared being accused of “speaking out”, knowing there were maids and servants who had the potential to reveal her secret.
She always felt as if her throat was being constricted by an unseen hand. But not anymore. Ilyin took deep breaths to calm herself, while Aden held her in a comforting embrace.
Aden sensed what was on Ilyin’s mind.
“Am I too selfish for wanting to give Ilyin only the best experience?” he murmured.
Ilyin held his hand with a gentle smile. “No, it’s a happy thing for me,” she assured him. Had she made her debut at Arlen Manor, she would have been nothing more than her father’s puppet, representing the Arlen family instead of herself. A life in which she had no say.
But that was all in the past now.
“It’s okay if things get worse,” Aden’s earlier words echoed in her mind. The winter had changed her in subtle ways.
“I’ve learned a bit about the party,” Milo chimed in. “Viscount Arlen will also be in attendance… I believe.”
Milo almost faltered under Aden’s cold gaze. “Well, we can’t just not invite him since he said he’d come,” Aden smirked. His icy stare scanned the room, as if the Viscount were present. But his embrace around Ilyin was warm and comforting, and she found herself surprisingly at ease.
***
During the winter, they had attended only to pressing matters, but now that the group had arrived in the sun, the duke’s entourage was nearly upon them. They could have hastened preparations if they had more hands, but they had postponed taking the lady’s measurements precisely, fearing she might be fatigued from the warm climate. Everyone in Delrose knew they delayed out of concern for her well-being, though they refrained from mentioning it.
“A party?” The maidservants trailing behind Etra were now faced with a new quandary: “Who would be the best companion for the lady at the party?” Etra, who had already confirmed her attendance, declared sternly, “We must find someone who can assist the hostess of Biflten without fail.” But no one volunteered, as no one had ever encountered the society of the warm region.
“What about Miss Eni?” The suggestion came from Etra. Although she had followed as a mere maid, Eni was no ordinary servant. She hailed from a powerful family in Delrose and had been appointed Ilyin’s etiquette teacher during her stay in Biflten. Eni blinked, taken aback by the proposal.
“Me?”
“Yes,” Etra replied, “I think you would be able to assist the lady without any problems.”
Eni spoke with a hint of apprehension, “I heard that the lady is going to a society in the warm region for the first time.”
Although Ilyin wasn’t worried about Eni making mistakes, the society in the warm region was no ordinary gathering. It was a battlefield without swords, where even the slightest misstep could lead to social ruin. Delrose had to prepare extensively to ensure the lady wouldn’t be caught off guard by any unexpected challenges.
As time flew by in a frenzy of preparation, the much-awaited party drew near.
***
Acid had been entertaining guests since the early hours of the morning. It was unusual for businessmen to visit at such an hour, except for those who were familiar with him. They knew that it was customary to prepare for a visit in advance, and most guests would have scheduled appointments.
“We have come to escort those who are going to the party,” declared a haughty voice, accompanied by a magnificent carriage, and an imposing knight.
However, the knight, who hailed from the winter region, was not easily intimidated by the display of wealth and power. Instead, he noticed the clumsiness of the knight and thought, “Not very impressive.”
“May I know where the party is being held?” The visitor inquired.
“I believe it is being hosted at Duke Leon’s mansion,” the knight replied.
The carriage driver clicked his tongue in annoyance, as if dissatisfied with the answer.
The winter people had little regard for the warm region’s emperor. Although technically a part of the empire, the Winter Duke was seen as their rightful king. If they were forced to adhere to the laws of other lands, and if the monsters there impeded their movements, they might as well endure the icy grip of winter.
Otherwise… Aden, the Winter Duke, had a plan in mind that only he could conceive.
“A debut in high society…” The unfamiliar words sent a shiver down Ilyin’s spine. If it weren’t for her night with Aden and her arrival at Biflten manor, she might have never experienced it in her life.
Her father would have never allowed her to leave the estate.
“Keep your mouth shut forever,” he had instructed. He detested precognitive abilities and anyone who spoke too freely would vanish one by one. For over twenty years, Ilyin had been confined to the manor. She never intended to speak of her abilities, but she feared being accused of “speaking out”, knowing there were maids and servants who had the potential to reveal her secret.
She always felt as if her throat was being constricted by an unseen hand. But not anymore. Ilyin took deep breaths to calm herself, while Aden held her in a comforting embrace.
Aden sensed what was on Ilyin’s mind.
“Am I too selfish for wanting to give Ilyin only the best experience?” he murmured.
Ilyin held his hand with a gentle smile. “No, it’s a happy thing for me,” she assured him. Had she made her debut at Arlen Manor, she would have been nothing more than her father’s puppet, representing the Arlen family instead of herself. A life in which she had no say.
But that was all in the past now.
“It’s okay if things get worse,” Aden’s earlier words echoed in her mind. The winter had changed her in subtle ways.
“I’ve learned a bit about the party,” Milo chimed in. “Viscount Arlen will also be in attendance… I believe.”
Milo almost faltered under Aden’s cold gaze. “Well, we can’t just not invite him since he said he’d come,” Aden smirked. His icy stare scanned the room, as if the Viscount were present. But his embrace around Ilyin was warm and comforting, and she found herself surprisingly at ease.
***
During the winter, they had attended only to pressing matters, but now that the group had arrived in the sun, the duke’s entourage was nearly upon them. They could have hastened preparations if they had more hands, but they had postponed taking the lady’s measurements precisely, fearing she might be fatigued from the warm climate. Everyone in Delrose knew they delayed out of concern for her well-being, though they refrained from mentioning it.
“A party?” The maidservants trailing behind Etra were now faced with a new quandary: “Who would be the best companion for the lady at the party?” Etra, who had already confirmed her attendance, declared sternly, “We must find someone who can assist the hostess of Biflten without fail.” But no one volunteered, as no one had ever encountered the society of the warm region.
“What about Miss Eni?” The suggestion came from Etra. Although she had followed as a mere maid, Eni was no ordinary servant. She hailed from a powerful family in Delrose and had been appointed Ilyin’s etiquette teacher during her stay in Biflten. Eni blinked, taken aback by the proposal.
“Me?”
“Yes,” Etra replied, “I think you would be able to assist the lady without any problems.”
Eni spoke with a hint of apprehension, “I heard that the lady is going to a society in the warm region for the first time.”
Although Ilyin wasn’t worried about Eni making mistakes, the society in the warm region was no ordinary gathering. It was a battlefield without swords, where even the slightest misstep could lead to social ruin. Delrose had to prepare extensively to ensure the lady wouldn’t be caught off guard by any unexpected challenges.
As time flew by in a frenzy of preparation, the much-awaited party drew near.
***
Acid had been entertaining guests since the early hours of the morning. It was unusual for businessmen to visit at such an hour, except for those who were familiar with him. They knew that it was customary to prepare for a visit in advance, and most guests would have scheduled appointments.
“We have come to escort those who are going to the party,” declared a haughty voice, accompanied by a magnificent carriage, and an imposing knight.
However, the knight, who hailed from the winter region, was not easily intimidated by the display of wealth and power. Instead, he noticed the clumsiness of the knight and thought, “Not very impressive.”
“May I know where the party is being held?” The visitor inquired.
“I believe it is being hosted at Duke Leon’s mansion,” the knight replied.
The carriage driver clicked his tongue in annoyance, as if dissatisfied with the answer.
