<CHAPTER 21>
You May Leave
“Are you not going to begin?”
Evelyn’s gaze landed precisely on the palace administrator.
It was said that Raven had not yet received proper education after entering the palace.
Yet the woman named Raven accurately understood what kind of gathering this was and who was leading it.
That alone was strange, so the people whispered quietly among themselves.
“Why don’t you suggest it? What color should dye the banquet of the Winter Palace?”
The administrator nearly bit his tongue.
Originally, he had planned to ask if she had a color in mind first, to fluster her and entertain the audience, but that opportunity was taken away.
Belatedly, he spoke the prepared line.
“Since it is the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, any color would be suitable.”
Performances introducing the master of a palace usually determined dresses and decorations according to the palace’s name.
However, the symbol of winter was white, which suited either brides at weddings or the shrouds of the dead.
For that reason, the palace office had struggled and twisted the purpose of the banquet slightly.
They framed it as a performance celebrating the changing of seasons.
In any case, they thought it would be fine as long as the banquet was held, and that was the conclusion they reached after much deliberation.
“Do you not know the name of this palace?”
“But the timing—”
“Does a seasonal palace choose its time to welcome its master?”
Evelyn was firm.
She would likely have to stay in the palace for some time, and if she appeared easy to handle, things would become troublesome.
She thought it necessary to assert herself here.
At that moment, a low laugh was heard.
It was Rexfail.
“If it’s a white dress, you will have a chance to wear it much later, so why not yield this time?”
Evelyn fell into brief thought.
His words were not wrong.
In any case, when one dies, they would be dressed in a shroud, and unless she committed a crime, it would be made of white cloth.
“Alright. I suppose there will be at least one chance.”
With that, she allowed the administrator to proceed with his duties, but Rexfail pressed further.
“No. You will have one more chance.”
It sounded as though he meant there would be another occasion besides her eventual death, which made Evelyn flustered.
So she hesitated, then spoke firmly again.
“People do not die twice.”
A miracle is called a miracle because it happens only once.
Evelyn did not believe she would gain another body and continue living.
At her words, Rexfail smiled faintly.
“You should wear a white dress at your wedding, Ibi.”
At the same time her words were cut off, a heavy silence spread across the hall.
‘So his madness still remains…’
People believed the Crown Prince had not forgotten his deceased Crown Princess and that he had taken the master of the Winter Palace as a substitute.
They wondered why he saw the shadow of the Crown Princess in a woman who lacked ivory hair and radiant golden eyes.
Evelyn swallowed countless retorts.
This was not the time to speak.
As she stood there in silence, Rexfail slowly rose from his seat while watching her.
“I also agree that you should wear a different color for this banquet.”
He idly played with Raven’s hair, contemplating what color would suit her.
Trying something he had never done before amused him.
However, since he had never cared about such matters, it took time to find a color fitting for a winter-themed banquet.
Then suddenly, Rexfail noticed the three large mirrors placed behind Evelyn.
Seeing even his own reflection touching her black hair, he felt a sudden desire to color her in his own shade.
He concluded that his dull blue-gray hair could also symbolize winter.
But uncertain, he glanced at the palace official assisting with the preparations.
Fortunately, the man nodded vigorously, agreeing with his judgment.
“We hadn’t considered blue. It is very fitting as a symbol of winter.”
“Good.”
Rexfail felt a sense of satisfaction he had never experienced before.
He returned to his seat, pleased.
This troublesome task turned out to be more enjoyable than expected.
Once the color was decided, people began moving quickly.
Tables were arranged to Evelyn’s sides and in front of her.
Merchants who had selected jewels and fabrics matching the chosen color swiftly placed their recommended items on the tables.
Fabrics of varying textures, brightness, and saturation were displayed between Evelyn and Rexfail.
Evelyn’s gaze landed on a gray fabric that a merchant had mistakenly placed.
“Ah, I will remove that.”
Just as the merchant realized his mistake and tried to take it away—
Ivy stepped forward.
“It matches His Highness’s hair color and also resonates with Lady Raven… so how about this?”
It was not a suggestion made with good intentions.
Though the gray fabric had a fine sheen, it looked too mature for a young woman.
But that was precisely what Ivy wanted, so she continued shamelessly.
“The texture is good, and it sparkles under the light, making it perfect for a banquet.”
“You think that looks suitable?”
Evelyn’s question did not sound like a rebuke.
It sounded like genuine curiosity, and people thought the mistress of the Winter Palace was finally showing naivety.
“Yes. If we add pearl decorations, it will look very elegant. It also suits the symbolism.”
It was a combination more fitting for someone much older.
People were astonished by her audacity.
Yet Evelyn nodded, listening carefully.
Then she declared—
“Then we will use this to make your dress.”
Evelyn spoke.
“Since it is the first performance, I would like to bring you all along.”
It sounded like kindness.
Taking her maids to the banquet and presenting them to society was considered consideration from a noble lady.
Maids of marriageable age could even find suitable matches there.
Thus, being allowed to attend a banquet was often seen as fortunate.
However, Ivy’s face turned ashen like the fabric in her hands.
‘She’s telling me to attend the banquet wearing a dress made from this?’
Without giving her a chance to protest, Evelyn called for someone and ordered a dress to be made for Ivy.
“…I will do my best.”
The merchant who brought the fabric summoned his staff and had them take the maid to another room.
Measuring and discussing the design would be handled by subordinates.
He remained, unwilling to miss a bigger customer.
“You should choose as well.”
Evelyn spoke to Camilla and Silayan, who had been standing quietly behind Rexfail.
Silayan bowed in gratitude, but Camilla declined.
“I will decide after Lady Raven chooses.”
It was the right choice.
Only after hearing Camilla did Silayan realize her mistake.
But Evelyn did not reprimand her.
Mistakes made out of ignorance could be corrected through guidance.
She shifted her gaze and examined the fabrics again.
This time, to choose her own.
“Which merchant house is this from?”
Though all were of high quality, some fabrics were unsuitable for making dresses.
Soft, flowing fabrics would be better suited for chemises or gowns.
“It is from the Gemida Merchant Group.”
The merchant stepped forward, believing his plan had worked.
Though the shiny fabric did not suit a dress, he thought it was enough to catch the eye of an uninformed woman.
He intended to guide her toward other products with an explanation if she chose it.
Just as he was about to speak—
“It would be best to exclude your merchant group’s goods.”
Evelyn had accurately seen through his shallow trick.
It was a tactic used only on customers with poor taste and came from looking down on them.
She had no desire to deal with a merchant with such an attitude.
“Ah, no… that is—”
Before the merchant could explain, Rexfail gestured lightly.
The employees of the Gemida Merchant Group immediately began removing all their goods from the tables, even without their master’s permission.
“You may leave.”
An order of dismissal was given, and a deathly silence settled.
Evelyn felt that now, at last, she was ready to begin the true discussion for the performance.
