NRAL | Chapter 42

~Chapter 42~ 

Eleanor’s Man

“An invitation… wait, are you talking about Nora’s debutante ball?”

“Yes.”

“…You must know how people will see it if the Duke of Royster attends a party hosted by House Astria.”

The Royster and Astria families walk completely opposite paths. So, will the Duke of Royster attend the debutante ball of the Astria daughter? The next day, the capital’s social circles would be in chaos.

“I know.”

“Then why would you willingly go through such trouble?”

“…Maybe I’m mistaken, but I have a feeling that after today, you won’t try to see me or contact me again.”

She was caught off guard. Eleanor had planned to repay his favor, but she hadn’t intended to see or contact him again.

“At least at the ball, you won’t be able to avoid me.”

Why would he go so far just to see her again?

She wanted to ask but held back. Even if he answered, she felt she wouldn’t understand—just like it had always been.

After a brief moment of thought, Eleanor slowly walked past him. Even as she turned and walked away, Karsian didn’t stop her or push for an answer.

That calm attitude was completely different from the men she had known before. And just before descending the stairs, Eleanor finally gave her answer.

“I’ll see you at the debutante ball.”

Was Karsian happy to hear those words? Eleanor, who immediately left the townhouse afterward, didn’t know.

But one thing was clear: she was now truly looking forward to Nora’s debutante ball, which was only a week away.

“It’s going to be a very fun day.”

With her chin resting on the table, Eleanor played with the sparkling ruby necklace and murmured softly.

***

Nora didn’t care much for the new informant she had acquired.

She didn’t like her dumb-looking face, her poor awareness despite always watching closely, or her sluggish movements. Nothing about her pleased her.

“I’m not sure what it is, but every time I go into the room, she always hides something in a drawer. It doesn’t look like important documents—more like an object about this big. She seems to treasure it a lot.”

Most of the so-called “intel” Courtney brought was like this—too vague to be useful.

Still, Nora always rewarded Courtney generously. That way, she’d at least try harder to bring something better next time.

Perhaps that effort was finally paying off. Today, Courtney had come running with what sounded like actual information.

“I finally saw it! The thing she always hides—it’s a necklace! A flashy one with a big ruby on it!”

“A necklace… There haven’t been any merchants visiting the duke’s residence lately. Where do you think she got it from?”

Up until recently, Eleanor hadn’t owned anything like that. Nora knew, because she had even ordered a maid to steal her earrings back then—so the necklace had to be recent.

“Oh! I think she got it from that man!”

“Man?”

“Yes. I think Miss Ellie’s been exchanging letters with some man. I overheard her and Hilda talking about a man through the door.”

If she had such a juicy piece of gossip, she should have told first. Nora let out a small laugh of disbelief. Dumb Courtney had no idea what was actually important.

It was annoying, but at least the result was decent. Now it was certain—Eleanor had a secret man.

‘It must be that bastard who interfered during the last attack. Looks like they’ve gotten close enough to exchange gifts already.’

Eleanor, who always returned gifts from men no matter what they were, had accepted this necklace without complaint. Must mean she was desperate for money.

‘She used to act all high and mighty, treating me like some seductress. Now look who fits that role perfectly.’

Nora snorted.

Seeing her reaction, Courtney thought she had pleased her lady and eagerly added,

“I also heard the man got her a dress too.”

“What? What dress? Don’t tell me…”

“Yes, the dress Miss Eleanor will wear to your debutante ball.”

Nora’s face twisted with rage. No wonder Eleanor hadn’t mentioned anything about reserving a dress shop—she’d been working behind the scenes.

‘That cunning witch…!’

It was obvious she was trying to steal attention by wearing the most extravagant dress possible. How pathetic. As if a dress alone could make her stand out when she was still so dull and plain.

‘And if it was some random guy who paid for it, it probably looks cheap anyway.’

With the debutante season in full swing, all the famous dress shops were fully booked. If Eleanor had only recently gotten a dress, it couldn’t have come from a top designer. If she had, Nora would’ve heard about it by now.

“Courtney.”

“Yes?”

Courtney responded nervously, clearly startled. Nora, who had always seemed sweet and lovely, suddenly felt terrifying.

The head cook’s warning echoed in her ears: “The more beautifully someone smiles, the more carefully you should watch them.”

“How far are you willing to go?”

“W-What do you mean, my lady?”

“I hate irresponsible people. People like Eva, who made a mess and ran away.”

After the theft incident, Eva didn’t just lose her reference letter—she didn’t even get her final paycheck. She was kicked out and vanished in a hurry. Now that Courtney thought of it, Eva had looked terribly frightened when she left, her skin raw and red under her long sleeves.

“You won’t be like that, will you?”

Nora tilted her pale face sweetly and smiled. That innocent smile had a chilling edge. Only then did Courtney realize—

‘I’m in big trouble.’

But it was too late to back out now. After hearing all this, she had no way out.

All she could do now was squeeze as much benefit out of the situation as possible.

“I’ll do anything you ask, my lady.”

“Ahahaha.”

Nora burst out laughing. She had always thought of Eleanor as an annoying girl, but maybe she wasn’t so bad after all. At least she didn’t run away scared like Eva did. That alone made her better than Eva.

“If you really want to bring me down, then try stealing something I truly treasure next time,” Eleanor had whispered, patting her on the shoulder.

“Something she truly treasures…” Nora silently repeated the words.

“A lover who’s the only one on her side… Would that be good enough for you?”

Just imagining Eleanor’s despair made Nora’s heart flutter with excitement.

She gently placed her hands on Courtney’s broad shoulders and lowered her voice.

“Did you find out when it’s arriving? The dress Eleanor begged her man to make for her.”

***

Time passed steadily, with many people eagerly looking forward to the upcoming event.

Since Eleanor stepped in, preparations for Nora’s debutante ball progressed swiftly, almost like they’d grown wings. The servants, who had been tired of all the previous inefficiencies, were now pleased by how smoothly everything was running and kept themselves busy.

And finally, the ball was just one day away.

“My lady! It’s finally here!”

Hilda’s cheerful voice broke the morning silence. Eleanor, who had gotten up early as usual to drink tea, greeted her with a relaxed smile.

Soon, a servant carried several big boxes into the room. Each box was luxuriously wrapped and had a white card attached.

[R.]

Did he write the card himself?

Looking at the elegant cursive letter, Eleanor smiled faintly. But as soon as she noticed Hilda watching her with sparkling eyes, she quickly composed her expression.

“For it to arrive only the day before the ball… I thought I’d die worrying it wouldn’t make it!”

“He probably couldn’t help it. The schedule was pretty tight.”

“Oh my, already taking his side, are we? What about all the other gentlemen who adore you—won’t they be heartbroken?”

“Hilda, enough teasing. Let’s try it on now. If anything doesn’t fit, we’ll need to call Lauren for alterations.”

“Yees—”

Hilda pouted in mock disappointment. Just a few days ago, teasing Eleanor had been so much fun. But the clever Eleanor had quickly figured out how to handle her jokes.

Still, despite her sulky face, Hilda’s steps toward the gift boxes were light and full of excitement.

Finally, she could properly dress up her lady. Hilda had been waiting for this moment for so long, and she couldn’t be happier.

“What’s that?”

Courtney, who had been sluggishly making the bed while eyeing the two of them, pricked up her ears and came over. Hilda stopped opening the gift box and quickly shut it.

“You don’t need to know. Courtney, I’ll finish the cleaning. You should go. I think the head maid was calling for you.”

Hilda said coldly, dismissing her. She had been like this ever since Eleanor started favoring Courtney—so it wasn’t a surprise.

What was surprising was that even Eleanor, who had always taken Courtney’s side, turned her head away this time.

“What are you doing? Go on.”

When Hilda urged her, Courtney’s hand trembled as she clutched the duster.

Ironically, even though she had betrayed Eleanor first, Courtney felt deeply hurt that Eleanor didn’t stop Hilda.

‘I knew it! All that fake kindness was just an act—she’s throwing me away now!’

Ashamed at the idea of being replaced by someone like Hilda, Courtney stormed out without even saying goodbye.

It was rude enough that Eleanor could have scolded her, but she let Courtney go without a word. Then, as if nothing happened, she smiled at Hilda.

“Will you help me put on the dress now, Hilda? Since we’re trying it on, I’d like to wear all the accessories I’ll use tomorrow too.”

“Of course, my lady! Leave it to me!”

Hilda quickly brightened up and answered joyfully, forgetting all about Courtney.

And so began the long-awaited dressing session.

Hilda focused all her energy on making Eleanor look beautiful—far more than she had ever done for the young lady of the Freehilly family in the past.

She carefully braided Eleanor’s golden-blonde hair, almost platinum in color, and adorned it with a headpiece made of artificial silver bellflowers. Her flawless skin needed little makeup, but she lightly brushed her cheeks and lips with a rosy glow for a fresh and elegant look.

After putting on the dress made by Madam Corcos herself and fastening the ruby necklace around Eleanor’s neck, the long preparation finally came to an end.

And when she looked at her reflection in the mirror—

“…Wow.”

Even Eleanor couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

She stared at the mirror for a long time in disbelief. The woman reflected there looked like a radiant fairy of spring—beautiful, brilliant, and dazzling.