Chapter Title: The Party
When Epony saw Adèle's face, she stepped forward and spoke softly.
"This isn't your fault, miss. Originally, the external guests weren't supposed to visit the Water Garden today." Adèle nodded silently. She knew Cesare wouldn't care about such excuses, but she didn't want to say anything that would worsen the mood.
"…If Lady Lucrezia suspects something, won't she spread rumors?" Epony shook her head.
"She won't. Questioning your identity would mean directly opposing the young master. However…"
"However?"
"The underwater rocks are more dangerous than the waves you can see." Adèle didn't respond, only taking a heavy breath. It felt suffocating.
"Lady Lucrezia will leave after the outdoor party in four days, so as long as nothing happens until then, it should be fine." Epony's effort to reassure her didn't bring much comfort. Adèle looked toward the outer palace with sunken eyes, genuinely hoping nothing would happen.
---
After Adèle and Epony left, Lucrezia began to shed tears.
"Oh, no!"
"My lady…" Her maid, Hazel, who had hazel-colored hair braided into pigtails and a freckled face, approached and wrapped her arms around Lucrezia's shoulders.
"What happened? Why are you suddenly so sad?"
"Oh, Hazel. What should I do? Lord Cesare seems to be enamored with another woman again…"
"What? But that woman is his sister."
"No! She's not…" Lucrezia sobbed as she explained everything to Hazel, adding a bit of her own embellishment to what Flavia Loredan had told her.
"If it's true, it's terrible!" Hazel exclaimed after hearing the whole story.
"Then Lord Cesare plans to bring a woman and introduce her as part of the Bonaparte family to avoid marrying you? How could he do such a thing!"
"Did you see her hand holding the parasol? It wasn't the hand of a lady. He brought someone who isn't even a lady and introduced her as his sister because he dislikes me so much…" Tears welled up again in Lucrezia's beautiful violet eyes. Hazel, flustered, knelt before her.
"My lady, you can't just cry like this! You must do something before that woman completely takes Lord Cesare away from you! Besides, if you give up now, that woman will become part of the Della Valle family!" Lucrezia paused at Hazel's words. Her tear-streaked cheeks turned pale.
"You're right… She must be trying to seduce Lord Cesare, and if he doesn't fall for her, she'll aim to marry my brother."
"Exactly! So we must get rid of that woman!"
"But how?"
"We must fight!" Lucrezia took a deep breath and sobbed.
"Hazel! I don't want to harm others. I'm afraid…" _Oh, how delicate and beautiful my lady is!_ Hazel held Lucrezia's hand.
"I will help you!"
"Hazel…" Lucrezia's violet eyes sparkled with immense gratitude and love. At the same time, her smooth hand wrapped around Hazel's as if waiting for this moment.
"You really mean it?"
"…Yes?" Hazel felt a strange unease at that moment. She recalled when she was selected as Lucrezia's maid shortly after arriving from the southern island and joining the Della Valle family. Strangely, no one was jealous or competitive. Everyone's reaction was indifferent. No, rather… did they pity her?
"Hazel." Lucrezia called Hazel's name softly, interrupting her thoughts.
"You're the only one I have. Will you help me?" Hazel saw the angelically beautiful lady before her, smiling sadly. In the end, Hazel abandoned the elusive clue and smiled brightly.
"Yes! Anything!"
"Hazel! I'm so happy to have you. I will never forget your true loyalty."
"My lady…" Lucrezia kissed Hazel's cheek, and Hazel was genuinely delighted. As a result, Hazel did not see the cold gleam in Lucrezia's violet eyes.
---
The Bonaparte Palace is surrounded by nine gardens, mostly composed of low-growing trees. This is a measure to prevent intruders from climbing over the walls, and the external security of Bonaparte is considered the strictest in Fornatie. Once admitted inside, however, internal security is not as tight. This approach aligns with the island nation's character of being exclusive to outsiders but extremely hospitable within. To compensate for the strictness outside, the interior of the palace is exceptionally luxurious. Moreover, preparations for the upcoming outdoor party for the Orqueenia envoys were in full swing. The mansion was becoming more splendid by the day. The busy hands of the maids draped the walls with ceremonial tapestries, and every corner of the palace was decorated with chrysanthemums, water lilies, lithops, and roses. Many guests were already staying at the mansion for the upcoming party. The finest art gallery in Fornatie was turning into a grand nocturnal spectacle, filled with warmth, energy, and laughter. The party was scheduled to last for three days. On the first evening, Adèle visited Cesare's office. Entering without knocking, she was greeted by the familiar light blue room. Adèle quickly spotted Cesare, who was seated at a walnut desk reviewing documents. He was impeccably dressed for the party, using his spare time to swiftly handle paperwork. With his golden velvet-like eyes half-opened beneath meticulously styled hair, he resembled a god of debauchery and pleasure. Adèle quietly moved along the edge of the office to avoid disturbing the god's work.
"Ah!" The young man standing next to Cesare was the first to notice Adèle. He appeared to be three or four years younger than Cesare, with short brown hair and intense black eyes.
"Master! Master! You have a visitor!" He called Cesare somewhat playfully, prompting Cesare to finally look up. Their eyes met. Adèle tensed from head to toe in an instant. The golden blade-like eyes quickly curved into a half-moon shape. A dimple appeared on his straight, firm cheek.
"Adelaide." His voice was low and sensual. Dressed elegantly from head to toe, the libertine of Bonaparte exuded a palpable sensuality in his gaze, voice, movements, and mischievous smile. Although it wasn't appropriate behavior for addressing a sister, Adèle quietly bent her knees. She wanted to leave his presence as soon as possible.
"May the goddess bless you. Brother, do you have a moment?" Cesare smiled slyly.
"For my sister, I'd make time even if I didn't have any. How is your foot?"
"Thanks to your concern, it's almost healed."
"Did I show concern?"
"It was a polite way of speaking." Cesare, who was about to return to his papers, paused and stared intently at her. His eyes seemed to say, _Is that so?_ Adèle maintained her expressionless face.
"I found our first meeting more entertaining." She hoped this level of banter would be acceptable. Nothing more. She decided to forget the incidents of stepping on her foot or the stabbing remarks. She had no choice but to forget.
"May I attend the party?" At Adèle's dry question, Cesare stared at her before replying.
"That's difficult. Is that what you came to ask?"
"Yes."
"Hmm." His perfunctory response implied he wanted more explanation. Adèle spoke calmly.
"…As a newcomer to the city, it's not unusual to be enchanted by a ball's romance." The man's eyes, reminiscent of gold, lemons, and glistening waves, stared intently at her. Eventually, his playful and affectionate smile emerged.
"My sister is quite capable. And cute, isn't she?"
"…" Fortunately, she seemed to have fulfilled her role as his "sister" without displeasing him. Even so, she felt a bit exhausted. Having achieved her goal, Adèle grabbed the hem of her dress and curtsied.
"Since you seem busy, I will take my leave…"
"No." Contrary to her desire to return to her room quickly, Cesare signaled to the young man next to him.
"Since you're here, why don't you introduce yourselves? This is Gigi, my personal secretary." She had heard of Gigi. He was one of the few who "knew her identity."