Chapter 06
“Thank you very much for inviting me to this meaningful event, Marchioness.”
Elisa handed the bouquet she had prepared in advance to Marchioness Briana.
“My mother wanted to come in herself, but due to family matters, I had no choice but to come instead.”
“Don’t say that you’re lacking.”
Having her brown hair up like the Empress and wearing pearls, the noblewoman grinned elegantly.
“Although I invited Countess Leslie, but honestly, Elisa, I was hoping you’d come instead.”
“Me?”
“Yes. My daughter Giselle is about your age. It would be nice for you two to become friends. I even considered arranging a separate meeting when you met the Countess. Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for welcoming me so warmly, madam.”
Elisa smiled, thinking it was the right decision to come.
“Elisa.”
At a suitable moment, Derek Grenville called his fiancée, who had been chatting quietly a few steps away.
It was natural that Marchioness Briana turned to look at him.
Their eyes met, and Derek smiled politely.
“Nice to meet you, Marchioness. I am Derek Grenville, Elisa Leslie’s fiancé.”
“Oh my, so you are the fiancé I’ve only heard about.”
When the Marchioness jokingly asked why they hadn’t been introduced earlier, Elisa just smiled quietly.
Derek Grenville had a friendly appearance and smooth manners that quickly won over the Marchioness.
“How I wish my daughter had a fiancé like Sir Grenville…”
Her words said it all.
There was even talk that Elisa Leslie was very lucky not to have to worry.
“By the way, I haven’t introduced my daughter yet.”
The Marchioness told a maid to bring Giselle.
“You called, mother?”
Soon, a young woman appeared with slightly reddish brown hair and striking features.
She was Giselle Briana, the star of the exhibition.
“Giselle, say hello. This is Elisa Leslie from the Leslie family, and her fiancé, Sir Derek Grenville.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Giselle Briana.”
Usually, young women start attending social events after becoming adults, but due to the war, social gatherings had been tacitly banned for the past four years.
So this was Elisa’s first time seeing Giselle Briana in person, though she had heard about her from her mother.
She was told Giselle was cheerful and lively.
The Countess Leslie had even said Giselle reminded her of Elisa when she was younger.
But in person, Giselle seemed shy and avoided eye contact, quite different from what Elisa expected.
“Lady Brianna, congratulations on your exhibition. Even though I know little about art, I was truly impressed—it’s a beautiful showcase.”
Despite Derek’s compliment, Giselle only gave a faint smile and a quiet “thank you,” adding nothing more.
“Oh, thank you for the kind words. Our daughter worked very hard on this exhibition…”
The Marchioness went on and on, trying to fill the silence.
While Giselle sighed quietly, her mother talked with excitement, explaining the layout and meaning behind the exhibition, making it clear that it wasn’t Giselle, but the Marchioness who had planned everything.
Giselle seemed forced to come under her mother’s pressure.
Elisa quickly understood why the Marchioness was pushing the exhibition even though her daughter didn’t want to.
It was to raise Giselle Briana’s value before entering the marriage market.
Giselle was popular because she was known as a cultured young lady with a warm heart who held charity exhibitions to help poor children.
Countess Leslie also often put Elisa’s name down when donating or sponsoring for similar reasons.
Elisa found herself looking at Giselle Briana even more, thinking that Giselle might be in the same situation she once was.
“Sir Grenville, if you know anyone who would get along well with my daughter, could you introduce them?” the Marchioness asked.
Because of this, Elisa caught a brief glimpse of Giselle’s face twisting with discomfort.
It confirmed Elisa’s suspicion.
“I’m not sure if anyone around me would be worthy of such a noble lady,” Derek replied smoothly, not at all fazed by the unexpected question.
He responded calmly, which apparently made the Marchioness even happier because she burst out laughing.
“Don’t say such disappointing things. Someone like Sir Grenville is always welcome, so don’t say that.”
“Oh dear, I’ll have to look hard so I don’t disappoint you, madam.”
“If you do, we’d be very grateful. I’m serious, so be sure to contact me if you find anyone.”
“Mother.”
Giselle quietly called her mother, unable to just listen anymore.
But the Marchioness ignored her and kept talking about their preferences and ideal age differences.
The longer the Marchioness spoke, the more Elisa felt sorry for Giselle.
Knowing well how embarrassing it must be to have pushy parents like that made her feel even more sympathetic.
“By the way, when are you two getting married? I heard you’ve been engaged for over a year. Isn’t it about time to get married?”
The Marchioness’s meddling didn’t stop at her daughter but reached out to Elisa, too.
The sudden mention of marriage made Elisa’s grip on her hand tighten.
“We were discussing when would be a good time to marry,” Derek answered calmly with a smile.
“For now, we’ve decided to wait until the royal wedding date is set. The princess’s wedding takes priority over ours.”
“Of course. The Queen has been very worried because of the royal wedding…”
Fortunately, the topic quickly shifted to the royal wedding.
Not long after, the Marchioness said she had to greet other guests, wished everyone a pleasant time, and left with Giselle.
“Phew…”
Elisa finally breathed deeply, feeling relieved.
Derek offered her a warm drink and spoke with concern.
“I think I talked with the Marchioness for too long without realising it. I’m sorry, Elisa.”
“No, I’m thankful you handled her. I wouldn’t have been able to deal with her as well as you did.”
She truly meant it.
Elisa wasn’t confident she could just laugh off the Marchioness’ nagging like Derek did.
“By the way, may I step outside for a moment? I feel a bit suffocated.”
“Of course. There’s a backyard over there…”
“I want to go alone.”
It would be a waste of time to go out with Derek because the discussion of marriage made her chest tight.
Derek hesitated, surprised, but then smiled and said, “Alright, please go ahead.”
Elisa put her bonnet back on and headed toward the backyard Derek pointed out.
The ribbon she hadn’t bothered to tie lightly fluttered as she walked.
