~Chapter 19~
If I could even just accidentally run into Khalid.
Crown Prince Khalid, known to never leave his quarters, hadn’t appeared in public in years. It was unlikely he would be at the palace, yet… a small hope bloomed within me.
“Yes, I’d love to go too. Going to the ball holding Serel’s hand… that would make me so happy.”
“Really?! You really mean it?!”
Seeing Serel wriggle with excitement made me smile as well.
“You’ll be the prettiest there! I promise!”
She boasted as if I were her real older sister.
Within a month, Serel’s affection felt as warm and deep as if we’d spent years together.
I couldn’t help but think of my own little brother who once showed me such pure love.
‘I wonder if Schurel is doing well now.’
…There’s no way he is.
From what the Marquis told me of his whereabouts, it was clear enough.
Originally, Schurel had volunteered to guard dangerous borderlands to escape the cruel “Livia Arfin.”
I was the one who called him back, and the real Livia, upon her return, would never have left him alone.
She had humiliated her fiancé Khalid so brutally. What mercy would she show family?
Apparently, Schurel stayed at the Arfin estate after realizing she’d become cruel again, trying to stop her. Three years ago, he left.
No one had heard from him since. They suspected he returned to the borders.
‘Did he really go back there? Then why… why is there no news?’
Worry for my missing brother made my lips tremble despite my smile.
At that moment, a small warm hand held mine tightly. It was Serel.
“Then let’s go out to buy dresses and jewelry for the ball together!”
“But we already have plenty at home…”
“Those are just everyday clothes! We have to get custom dresses for the ball. There’s still time, and if I ask, Papa will book the best boutique for us!”
Serel was a perceptive child.
She must have sensed my darkening thoughts because she clung to me with extra brightness.
Her soft warmth against my arm eased my heavy worries a little.
“Shall we do that then? Can I choose your dress too, Serel?”
“Of course! You have to choose it for me!”
Serel looked thrilled at the thought of wearing a dress chosen by her older sister.
Seeing her try so hard to cheer me up, I knew I had to gather myself for her sake.
Now was the time to adapt and gather information — leaving worries for later.
‘If I’m lucky… I might see Livia Arfin at the ball.’
She loved attention and grandeur.
She would surely attend a ball gathering promising young talents to seek new followers.
She delighted in having capable people at her feet.
I needed to brace myself firmly.
The Imperial Academy Ball had no official name but was one of the largest balls held each year. Attendees numbered in the hundreds.
“Buchellon Salon isn’t a place just anyone can go. Papa said he booked it in advance because you’d need a proper dress for the ball.”
Since I claimed to be from afar, Serel loved explaining Razan to me.
Most of it I already knew, but some details had changed over five years, so I listened closely. Her excited chatter was also simply cute.
Buchellon Salon was near the Fourth Gate, frequented by nobles. From Marquis Valandier’s estate, we’d have to pass the Third Gate market, making it a bit of a journey.
“Madame Sharon, who owns the salon, doesn’t design for just anyone… but there should be dresses she’s made ready for clients.”
I knew Madame Sharon well from my days as Livia. My heart fluttered a little at the thought of visiting again after so long.
Clip-clop—
The sound of hooves carried heavily on the breeze, different from usual market clamor.
Peeking out the window, Serel’s eyes widened.
“There’s so many people today! It’s usually busy, but this is strange.”
She paused, then her face brightened.
“Oh! Sister! A big merchant group from the eastern territories must have arrived!”
Seeing something outside, she pressed against the window in excitement.
“Careful, Serel.”
I held her waist to keep her from falling, then glanced outside myself.
Banners fluttered high, and merchant wagons filled the street.
‘That’s… the emblem of an eastern baron’s merchant guild.’
The name slipped my mind, but I recognized the crest from my dealings as Livia Arfin.
After a moment, it came to me.
“The Joubert Guild?”
“You know them too? Did Papa tell you?”
I brushed off her question with a vague nod.
“I just overheard Marquis mention it once. I heard they’d disappeared….”
Serel pouted cutely as she pulled back from the window, folding her arms.
Seeing her sulky expression, I couldn’t help but ask,
“What is it?”
“Remember I told you about the girl who bullies me saying she has a sister?”
“Yes, you did.”
“She’s the daughter of the Joubert Guild.”
“That girl?”
Serel nodded, her eyes brimming with frustration.
“And it’s not just her… One day she brought her sister, and then her sister’s sister….”
“What? Three of them bullied you?”
“Yeah. I was just fighting back, but they kept bringing more people….”
Her voice grew small and weary.
‘Serel being bullied? I know. But the Academy is strict about external interference… I’m troubled too. The Jouberts rose rapidly in recent years. I can’t understand what they’re thinking.’
Marquis Valandier had sighed heavily, baffled by the situation.
In a world of strict hierarchies, it made no sense for daughters of a mere baron’s family to bully Serel, daughter of the Empire’s wealthiest Marquis.
In truth, only Serel’s plea kept him from crushing them entirely. Otherwise, he would’ve barred the Jouberts from entering Razan long ago.
He had tried to move against them quietly but was blocked.
“Our guild is bigger, but they have strong backing. Papa can’t touch them easily.”
That was why his efforts failed.
When I was Livia, I severed ties with the Joubert Guild after cleaning up their corruption.
I had ensured they could never reenter Razan. Clearly, in these five years, everything I did had been undone.
Just like the reinstated guards at the city gates.
If Joubert Guild was freely entering Razan again, the reason was obvious.
With Serel involved, this was more than childish quarrels — it could become something much bigger.
As we passed through the Third Gate market, nearing the end, Serel blushed shyly.
“There’s a really good cookie shop here. Whenever we went to the Fourth Gate, I’d stop by… I really wanted to come with you.”
“Shall we go then?”
“No, I’ll go alone. There’s always a long line, even nobles wait. I’ll be quick!”
She hopped off the carriage, and Sir Aldin, her escort, followed dutifully.
Watching them, I too stepped down.
If I had to wait, I might as well enjoy the fresh air.
“Come to think of it… it was around here.”
During my time as Livia, I often visited the Fourth Gate, but sometimes stopped by here with Khalid, because his favorite bookstore was nearby.
