Chapter Title: Dangerous Games
As a lady of Bonaparte, Adèle greeted first.
"May the goddess bless you. I'm Adelaide Bonaparte."
"Hello! I'm Gigi Manfredi!" Before she finished speaking, Gigi Manfredi jumped up excitedly. He seemed extremely enthusiastic.
"I serve as Lord Cesare's secretary and vice head of the 'Stellone Trading Company' operated by Bonaparte! Please take care of me!" _Vice head?_ He held a higher position than she expected. Not someone a shoe shiner from Kimora could even talk to.
"I'll speak comfortably, so please understand."
"Of course! By the way, I've been thinking—you are incredibly beautiful!"
"You're too verbose, Gigi."
"But it's true!" Gigi rambled on without anyone asking, but he was quick with his hands, efficiently handing and receiving documents from Cesare. Despite his noisy mouth, his hands were skilled. Seeing the two busy men made Adèle really want to return to her room. She managed to hold back, but from the moment she saw Cesare, it felt like a thin, delicate knife was slicing through a corner of her mind layer by layer. As she was slowly backing away, Cesare spoke without looking at her.
"You met Lucrezia, didn't you?" Adèle froze in her tracks.
"…Yes."
"I heard she gave you an interesting warning."
"If that was indeed a warning."
"It must have been. Epony was my mother's maid and is familiar with the language of society rather than the streets." Cesare paused his writing and muttered as if amused.
"Interesting. Where could the story have leaked from…" His voice was chillingly cold. His eyes—cold and metallic—blinked quietly beside his straight nose like a ridge. Even Gigi, who was usually cheerful, didn't speak. He stood holding the documents, maintaining his usual smile but refraining from any presumptuous actions. After a while, Cesare smiled warmly again.
"After the party, I'll assign you a bracciere, so be aware."
"…Yes."
"Don't go around alone."
"Yes."
"Any questions?" Adèle shook her head silently. She desperately wanted to escape from this radiant man. Cesare smiled.
"Go ahead."
---
As soon as Adèle left, Gigi's mouth dropped open.
"Where did you find such a beauty? I barely stopped myself from whistling!"
"She just walked in."
"You are very lucky, my lord! If I lived in the same house as such a beauty, my heart would be pounding, and I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!"
"She's my sister, Gigi."
"She's not your real sister, though, right? I'll shut up now." Seeing Cesare's gaze, Gigi twisted his own mouth shut. After keeping silent for about ten seconds, Gigi couldn't help but speak again.
"Is the bracciere Mr. Aegir?"
"It should be. If we call him now, he should arrive in two days." Cesare replied slowly and in a low voice. His master, slightly frowning as he concentrated on the documents with his handsome face, looked three times more attractive than when he was smiling. Gigi began to understand the ladies' adage that "a man is most handsome when he is working."
_What does it matter? My master has no intention of marrying!_ It was truly a calamity for the ladies. Gigi finished his silent prayer and suddenly spoke.
"But if Mr. Aegir arrives in two days, there will be no one to protect her while Lady Lucrezia is here, right?" It was a thoughtless comment. However, Cesare stopped his pen.
"…Indeed."
"Is that all right? As you know, the Della Valle lady is a bit… well, you know?"
"Hmm." After pausing for a moment, Cesare resumed writing.
"What could happen? Prepare an old galley ship, just in case." This time, Gigi closed his mouth.
_Well, this is troubling._ It seemed like he had to handle another unpleasant task.
---
The outdoor party was held in the "Hall of Aria" at Bonaparte's outer palace. It was a particularly luxurious long gallery even within the outer palace, an excellent venue for letting out the heat of the ball thanks to the two-way balcony. Flavia Loredan strolled through the "Hall of Aria" with her back straight. People automatically stepped aside or bowed upon recognizing her. Whispering could be heard from behind.
"Recently, Lord Cesare called her back?"
"What could it be for? I thought Loredan would be completely pushed out."
"Perhaps he's planning to bring her back to central society?"
"It might be wise to strengthen our ties with her in advance." A satisfied smile appeared on Flavia's lips. Though the Loredan family was not particularly significant, she could hold her head high with Bonaparte's influence. To maintain this, teaching a dirty shoe shiner was a small price to pay. As Flavia wandered the ballroom, Lucrezia Della Valle appeared like a cloud.
"May the goddess bless you. Are you having a good evening, Lady Flavia?" Flavia's previously good mood soured as she frowned.
"May the goddess bless you. Are you enjoying the ball?" Her reply was indifferent. Given that the Della Valle family held a higher rank than Loredan, she received the greeting but clearly showed her disinterest in conversing.
"Of course. It's a Bonaparte party." Lucrezia smiled innocently despite Flavia's attitude.
"The interior decorations are elegant, and the taste is excellent. Lord Cesare's eye for detail is truly outstanding."
"Lord Cesare's taste is unparalleled, even by the Rossi family."
"Indeed. And so are you, Lady Flavia, serving such a lord."
"…Thank you."
"By the way, could we discuss these beautiful interior decorations in the garden, Lady Flavia?" So this was her purpose. Flavia replied bluntly.
"I'm not inclined." Flavia glanced around, looking for someone to extract her from this conversation, but no one suitable was nearby. Lucrezia put on a pouting face like a scolded child.
"Is it difficult? There are other topics I wish to discuss with you. For instance…"
"Lady Lucrezia, I am busy…"
"Matters related to Lady Adelaide."
"…" Flavia stopped speaking. The silence between them was filled with the clinking of glasses and the chatter of people. Flavia's gaze grew piercingly sharp.
"If it's that topic, I have even less to say."
"Oh, but…" A restless Lucrezia whispered softly.
"Would it be better if I spoke to Lord Cesare about it instead?"
"…" Flavia's eyebrows twitched. She looked around before speaking in a low, hissing voice.
"Are you threatening me, Lady Lucrezia?"
"I simply wish to talk." Lucrezia smiled sweetly. Flavia, glaring at Lucrezia's beautiful violet eyes, eventually gritted her teeth and led the way.
"…Let's move." As they left the ballroom, a humid and cool breeze blew. Flavia headed for the Acacia Garden, the least populated area. Standing in the center of the garden, blooming with yellow tassel-like flowers, Flavia turned around with an angry face.
"What is this? I've shown you enough kindness."
"I'm sorry. I need your help…"
"It's your business to handle!" Lucrezia flinched in surprise and spoke with a sorrowful look in her doe-like eyes.
"Doesn't it bother you to see an uneducated person in Bonaparte? Isn't that why you informed me?"
"Watch your mouth."
"I just need a small favor. We are allies in preventing an unqualified person from entering Bonaparte."
"Lady Lucrezia!" Flavia's roar startled Lucrezia again. She spoke sadly, as if wounded.
"If you don't help, I'll have no choice but to tell Lord Cesare that you confessed about Lady Adelaide's background." Flavia's eyes widened.
"What… What…?"
"Didn't you already receive a warning? You seemed to have been quite harsh to Lady Adelaide…"
"Are you threatening me now?"