Chapter 05
“Kyaa!”
A strong impact struck my back, followed by a loud crash.
A maid carrying a tray full of champagne glasses collided with me and fell over with a scream.
The tightly packed glasses flew in all directions.
“My dress!”
The noble ladies and gentlemen who were splashed by the sudden shower of champagne cried out.
The maid, having dropped the tray, didn’t know what to do and threw herself flat before me.
“I’m so sorry! I’m truly sorry!”
She trembled violently, unable to even lift her head.
“I’ve committed a grave sin. Please forgive my mistake.”
Seeing her like that made my heart uneasy, so I bent down and helped her up.
“It’s alright, so go quickly and call someone to clean this up.”
“But…”
“Hurry.”
The maid bowed her head repeatedly and quickly disappeared from sight.
The men and women whose clothes were ruined grumbled as they busily wiped off the champagne.
Amid the chaos, fortunately, no one seemed to notice that I had collided with the maid or sent her away.
I stared blankly at the maid’s retreating figure before lowering my gaze to my now-soaked yellow dress.
My entire body smelled of sweet apple champagne.
At least the dress is the same color as the champagne…
A pointless thought followed.
It’s completely ruined.
Madam Eleanor would be horrified if she saw this.
Fortunately, she had stepped away and hadn’t witnessed this disaster.
Letting out a small sigh, I turned to grab a napkin to wipe myself—
But my wet dress hem caught on my shoe, and my body slipped forward.
I tried to steady myself, but I couldn’t regain my balance.
Bracing for the inevitable impact, I tightly shut my eyes.
However—
Instead of falling, someone caught me in their arms.
The feeling was strangely familiar… and painfully nostalgic.
Amid the sharp scent of apple champagne, there was a fragrance I loved.
Without realizing it, I opened my eyes to see who had caught me.
It was Claude.
He was looking down at me from an extremely close distance, his expression equally surprised.
For a moment, it felt as though time had stopped.
His piercing blue eyes were still as cold as ever… yet empty.
“Claude?”
Ah—
I had called his name without thinking.
Claude’s expression faltered in surprise, then he suddenly loosened his arms and let go of me.
Thud.
I fell straight onto the champagne-soaked floor.
Startled, I looked up at him.
“What’s wrong, Claude?”
A young nobleman, who seemed to be his friend, placed a hand on Claude’s shoulder and asked.
He was someone I didn’t recognize.
Claude quickly erased any trace of confusion from his face and brushed his hands off with a look of disdain.
“Ah, reflex.”
“Got champagne on my hands.”
“Handkerchief, please.”
He took the handkerchief offered by his companion and wiped the champagne from his hands.
He didn’t even glance at me, still sprawled on the floor before him.
Even if this body’s owner was only a baron’s daughter, she was still a noble lady.
This was undeniably a grave insult.
People around us began whispering as they watched the scene.
“My, it seems that marriage-crazed lady is targeting the Duke of Cassel this time.”
“How dare a daughter of a ruined baron’s family aim to become a duchess?”
Mocking laughter followed.
Feeling my face burn, I quietly stood up.
I didn’t want to make a scene.
“Briana!”
At that moment, Madam Eleanor witnessed the situation and called my name.
“Was it you who just committed such a grave insult toward Miss Elwin?”
Her voice rang loudly throughout the hall.
Claude, who had already turned away, and the surrounding crowd all turned toward her.
It was surprising.
If her goal was to marry me off to him, shouldn’t she try to make a good impression?
Yet her actions now felt as though she was scolding him.
Then again, it was said she had even arranged matches within the imperial family.
True to her reputation, Madam Eleanor was not one to bow her head.
I inwardly admired her boldness.
Claude glanced at me, supported by Madam Eleanor, with a cold gaze before slowly walking toward us.
“It’s been a while, Madam Eleanor.”
“Indeed, though under rather unpleasant circumstances, Your Grace.”
“May I ask what rudeness I have committed?”
He didn’t extend his hand, nor did he sound apologetic.
Rather, he stood at a distance, as if I were something untouchable.
“You threw Miss Elwin of the baronial house onto a floor drenched in champagne.”
“That is what I call rudeness.”
“Threw her?”
“I merely caught a falling lady.”
“Goodness, I had no idea you had caught her.”
“Seeing her lying in such a pitiful state, I assumed otherwise.”
“Nevertheless, the noble lady was spared injury.”
“Thanks to me.”
“Besides… how can you be sure she didn’t fall toward me on purpose?”
At his words, faint laughter rose from the crowd.
“As you can see, there are many young nobles of distinguished families here.”
His mocking tone made the laughter grow louder.
Though he had clearly been drinking, his speech remained perfectly steady.
Unable to bear it any longer, I gently tugged at Madam Eleanor’s sleeve.
“Madam… I’m alright.”
“The noble lady herself says she is fine.”
Claude turned to leave once more.
But at that moment, Madam Eleanor raised her voice like thunder.
“In that case, I trust you will show your sincerity by sending an invitation to the next party at the Cassel estate.”
Claude, who had been half-turned away, looked back at her.
A party at the Duke of Cassel’s estate was one only attended by members of the imperial family or the wealthiest high-ranking nobles.
I knew that tradition well.
The lady of the house would always host such events.
During my time as his wife, I had organized that annual party myself.
Many from the imperial family attended to maintain good relations with Claude.
Even though I had to face people I disliked.
More people gathered around, their murmurs growing louder.
Madam Eleanor added,
“Surely you would not tarnish the honor of your house.”
Claude’s brow twitched slightly.
“To speak of my family’s honor…”
“It seems the one being rude here is you, Madam.”
“And why should I send an invitation?”
“Well, I believe Your Grace would know that better than anyone.”
Claude fell silent at her words.
“So, what will you do?”
She asked without blinking.
Claude let out a small sigh, as if annoyed.
“If you insist… I’ll have my butler send an invitation.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
As the situation ended, the onlookers also dispersed, returning to enjoy the banquet.
Only then did Madam Eleanor scold me.
“Are you alright?”
“You stumbled earlier as well—how can you be so clumsy?”
Whether it was concern or criticism, I couldn’t tell.
She whispered as she wiped my soaked dress with a handkerchief and led me to a corner.
“You should be grateful that I came as your chaperone today.”
“Most ladies wouldn’t dare raise their voice at him like that.”
I nodded timidly.
I was truly grateful to her.
Madam Eleanor set aside the handkerchief and continued,
“Ignore the whispers around you.”
“If you want to rise higher, you must endure this much.”
“Didn’t you say you wanted to cure your mother’s illness?”
“Then steel your resolve.”
“In any case, you gained something today.”
“The duke only invited you so readily to crush your spirit completely.”
“I won’t be able to accompany you that day, so… good luck.”
She truly lived up to her reputation as a renowned matchmaker.
