Chapter Title: The Trap
"No. It's not that. I'm just a bit… resentful."
"…Resentful?" Lucrezia bit her lip, looking slightly annoyed.
"Lord Cesare trusted Lady Flavia and informed her about Miss Adelaide, but she leaked it to me."
"…" Flavia was left speechless in disbelief. She knew that Lucrezia was not in her right mind when it came to matters related to Cesare. But to this extent? To betray the person who had given her information like this? The pale lavender eyes, which showed no hint of guilt, seemed to genuinely blame Flavia. Flavia's voice naturally turned stern.
"The Loredan family has pledged loyalty to Bonaparte for generations! Do you think the Lord would discard me over false testimony from a maid?"
"Lord Cesare is very particular about those he keeps close. If he finds out you went against his wishes and helped me, it won't end with just a warning this time."
"…!" Lucrezia smiled gently as she saw Flavia rendered speechless again.
"Madam, I'm not trying to antagonize you. We have a common enemy, and I'm merely asking for a small favor. Our agreement will be so discreet that even the night crickets won't notice." Flavia's face twisted. After a long pause, she spoke as if chewing her words.
"…What do you want?" Lucrezia smiled even brighter and slowly approached Flavia.
"Miss Epony is with her. Could you find a reason to call her away? Around… say, eleven o'clock tonight?"
"What are you planning to do with her…?"
"It won't harm you. We have the same goal, don't we?" Lucrezia whispered in a sweet voice as she stood close to Flavia. Her voice was as beautiful as a water lily blooming on water, but Flavia felt chills running down her spine. It was clear she was planning something outrageous. Flavia could almost see herself falling into a snake's trap by agreeing to her request.
_But…!_ Flavia closed her eyes tightly. If she didn't agree, this woman would go straight to Cesare. No, it would be better if she only went to Cesare. If she started spreading what Flavia had said in front of everyone in the ballroom…
"…Ugh." Flavia's face turned pale. Finally, a voice that even she found unfamiliar escaped her lips.
"Did you say eleven o'clock?"
---
The ball had begun. Adèle could tell from the gentle sound of music drifting into the room. It was a sound that seemed to make everyone happy. Sitting in front of the dressing table in the toilette room, Adèle inadvertently glanced toward the window. Epony, who was brushing Adèle's hair with a horn comb, did the same.
"It seems the ball has started." Epony resumed brushing Adèle's long hair.
"Aren't you going?"
"I'm not obliged to attend since I'm not a noble." Epony replied calmly and asked back.
"Don't you want to go, miss?"
"Well…"
"If you attend, everyone will focus on you because you are beautiful." It sounded like a warning that there would be many people ready to tear her apart at the slightest mistake.
"I suppose so." Seeing Adèle's lack of reaction, Epony changed the subject.
"Sometimes the preparation for a ball is more enjoyable than the ball itself. A lady of Bonaparte must never wear the same dress twice. Hats, parasols, gloves, dresses, necklaces, earrings, stockings, and shoes all need to be newly purchased. You'll be visiting Bella Stella Street daily." Listening to Epony's words as if watching a fire across the river, Adèle's eyes sparkled for the first time. _Bella Stella Street._ The most glamorous street in Fornatie, filled with high-end jewelry stores, boutiques, and new merchandise shops. Even during her days as a shoe shiner, Adèle had never been there. It wasn't that entry was forbidden. The place simply felt different from the air itself. As if a deity had declared that a shoe shiner should not enter. But it was bright and beautiful, so Adèle occasionally watched the scene of Bella Stella Street from afar. Ladies escorted by braccieri getting off carriages and being drawn into shops. In truth, Adèle envied their naturalness more than the sparkle of Bella Stella Street. The names of shops like "Secretum," "Lime," and "Trionfi" still sounded like lines from a romantic poem to Adèle.
"…It must be beautiful?"
"Of course." Epony replied in a soft voice to Adèle's hesitant question.
"Although Fornatie's warm climate isn't popular for furs, the hat and fur specialty stores are worth visiting. They have plenty of mink bands from Sorok Mountain, gloves decorated with gray squirrel fur, and hats made entirely of spotted martens."
"Ah…" Adèle unconsciously let out a sigh. The words, which seemed to shine themselves, made her heart race.
"It must be splendid."
"It certainly is. You should also visit the jewelry store run by the Stellone trading company. They have special jewels you won't find anywhere else." As Epony applied oil to Adèle's hair, she continued.
"Although the era of cabochons has passed, they are still popular as brooches. Since you'll be attending balls with the young master frequently, it would be good to match the colors of your jewels. The young master often wears cornflower blue sapphires…" Adèle didn't understand all of her words. However, Epony's words, like a spell of happiness, made Adèle's heart flutter. Her mind slowly grew drowsy. It was then—_knock, knock, knock_—a knock sounded from beyond the door.
"No one should be coming…?" Epony mumbled in confusion as she headed to the door. Sitting at the dressing table, Adèle stood up slightly and peeked through the crack of the toilette room door.
"Blessings of the Goddess."
"Blessings of the Goddess." The visitor was surprisingly Lady Flavia. She was wearing a gold chiffon evening dress that flowed with her body and a multicolored moiré shawl with a sheen. However, her face was as dark as a toad, completely unfitting for her elegant attire.
"Madam, are you all right?" Epony asked involuntarily. Lady Flavia shook her head and spoke stiffly.
"Miss Epony, I have business with you."
"With me, madam?"
"Yes. The Grand Duchess wishes to receive another report regarding Lord Cesare. I will deliver the report, but I need your records. Can you provide them now?"
"The Grand Duchess…? Understood. I was attending to the lady, so please wait a moment." Epony nodded and returned to the toilette room.
"Miss, I need to step out for a moment."
"I'm fine." Adèle answered immediately. Lady Eva Bonaparte was the highest priority in this Bonaparte mansion.
"…I will be back shortly." Epony said with a slightly worried face, quickly tidied up the comb and grooming items, and left the toilette room. Just before the door closed, Lady Flavia gave Adèle a peculiar look. A gaze that seemed to carry guilt, fear, or both, but it was quickly obscured by the oak door. Left alone, Adèle left the toilette room and sat on the sofa in the reception room. She thought of reading a book, but thanks to Epony's spell, her heart was too excited to read the letters. It might also have been due to the elegant music of the ball heard from afar.
_…Maybe I should sleep._ Just as Adèle gave up on reading and got up from her seat, there was another knock. _Knock, knock, knock._ She froze at the sound. _Knock, knock, knock._
"…" It was strange. Although it was just a knock, Adèle was overwhelmed by a strong sense of unease. It was different from Lady Flavia's knock. _Knock, knock, knock._ _Don't open it._ With the third knock, a small whisper echoed in her heart. After a moment of hesitation, Adèle wrapped herself in the cashmere shawl Epony had folded in the corner and tiptoed to the door. Then she chuckled at her actions. As if someone would dare to do something within the palace.