Chapter Title: The Reply
It was a very elegant note to be sent to a sister living under the same roof. The blue paper was much smoother than anything like newspaper, and the dark blue ink matched Cesare's neat handwriting perfectly.
"If you received the card, it's polite to reply."
Epony said so from behind. Then she hesitated and cautiously asked.
"...Are you having difficulty writing?"
Adelaide couldn't answer immediately. A slightly helpless voice came out.
"...No. I can write."
Epony, stunned, couldn't speak, but when Adelaide headed to the bureau, she finally managed to.
"Miss, I'm sorry..."
"It's okay."
*After all, shoe shiners are supposed to look a bit silly.*
She swallowed her last words. Adelaide sat down, pretending nothing was wrong. It was the first time she sat in front of the bureau to write something.
"What should I do about the paper? It doesn't seem right to use something ordinary."
Epony quickly stepped in as if to make up for her mistake.
"We use special paper made only for the Bonaparte family. It's of very high quality. It's made from trees that only grow in Sorc. Trading with Sorc is..."
"Monopolized by the Bonaparte family."
"Yes. To show the family's power, it's best to use the exclusive paper."
Epony took out several sheets of the same blue paper Cesare had sent. Each one was clear and beautiful in color.
"What about the ink color...?"
"The same navy blue as my brother's."
When in doubt, follow Cesare. His choices, born into high society, would never be wrong. Epony took out a glass ink bottle from the drawer and opened the lid.
"Which quill would you like to use?"
Never having opened it before, Adelaide was unaware, but the drawer was full of various items. Glancing inside, there were quills from swans, black swans, peacocks, kingfishers, and roosters all lined up. Adelaide chose a pen with a blue kingfisher feather. As she held the pen and dipped it into the ink bottle, Epony gently touched her elbow.
"...When writing, your elbow shouldn't be on the desk. Place the paper in front of your chest and tilt it about fifteen degrees."
It seemed that high society had to maintain posture even while writing. Once her posture was set, Epony looked embarrassed again.
"If you need a reference for the reply..."
"That's okay. It's Durante."
She had read Durante's book dozens of times. Adelaide moved her pen without hesitation.
---
*To my respected brother Cesare,*
*The power of love calms our will so that we only desire what we have and do not covet elsewhere. The time spent with you was so joyous that I felt I could rise to the stars, but if I were to desire something higher, I know my desire would go against the will of the one who placed me here. Even amidst your busy schedule, you have shown kindness to your sister, which reflects the mercy, benevolence, and greatness within you, where all good in creatures is gathered.*
*Adelaide Bonaparte.*
---
It wasn't as beautiful a handwriting as Cesare's. But the effort of writing countless letters by the river paid off. It was decent enough.
"How is it?"
Adelaide showed it to Epony. Epony, stunned, finally spoke.
"Did you come up with the reply right away?"
"It's Durante."
*I've read it.*
Adelaide added without expression.
"...I see."
"Is it not good?"
"No. It's actually... good. Normally, one can't write like this..."
*Is it too extravagant?*
Seeing Adelaide deep in thought, Epony quickly took the card.
"It's sufficient. It's good. From now on, I just need to check the format of the cards slightly."
Adelaide nodded. She was slightly pleased that the shoe shiner's effort had helped a bit. After sending the card through a maid, Adelaide headed to the Hall of Aria escorted by Aegir, as the day before.
The Hall of Aria was still beautiful. It just looked a bit empty, like a golden throne without its owner. It's amazing how just the absence of one man with broad shoulders in a white shirt can make a space look empty. He was truly a remarkable man. The goddess must have poured all the world's precious, beautiful, and valuable things onto his head when he was born. Such Cesare was too distant. Even though he was so far away.
*"I was the one who looked good, and Adelaide just floundered."*
*"Watching Adelaide eat made me full."*
Sometimes, Adelaide was deeply hurt by Cesare's careless words. Knowing that Cesare himself said them without meaning anything made Adelaide feel even smaller. Every time such moments piled up, Adelaide felt a deep sense of fatigue. She wanted to face Cesare less and less.
Fortunately, the sea goddess might still be watching over her, as Adelaide's wish was partially granted.
"From today, I will lead and help with your dance practice."
Aegir said as he guided Adelaide to the center of the ballroom. Adelaide, expecting a lady to teach her this time, looked at Aegir blankly. A young man with red hair, wearing a black cloak with a sword. Shoe shiners shouldn't be saying this, but he really didn't look like someone who would dance.
"Please understand why I'm asking this. Is it common for a *bracciere* to dance as well?"
"It's originally the role of a *cicisbeo*."
*What is cicisbeo now...*
Adelaide closed her mouth awkwardly. These were the most troublesome parts of a young lady's daily life. Customs too modern to be recorded in books.
"Are *cicisbeo* and *bracciere* different?"
After thinking seriously for a while, Aegir answered.
"*Cicisbeo* does more with the lady. Not only social activities but also political and economic activities. Therefore, *cicisbeo* must have some degree of power and wealth. *Bracciere* is..."
Like those who struggle to explain something abstract, Aegir slightly furrowed his brow.
"...If I have to say, it's like a high-class servant. Similar to a footman, but... They serve only one lady. However, *bracciere* must also be of high society."
"Like the second son of a noble family."
"Yes."
"Then how is it different from a squire?"
"..."
Aegir's answer stopped. Silence walked between the two. Adelaide nodded.
"That seems like a sufficient answer. Thank you."
"...Just remember that I attend to all of Miss's needs."
Even without expression, one can feel the effort. Adelaide extended her hand with a slightly cheerful feeling.
"Please take care of me."
"...I will serve you with all my might."
The red-haired *bracciere* briefly kissed the back of Adelaide's hand. With a face that seemed like he wouldn't do such a romantic gesture at all, he did it without hesitation.
"Shall we practice now?"
"Master wishes for Miss to practice the waltz."
"Then let's do the waltz."
Instead of the two in the center of the ballroom, Epony touched the phonograph. The waltz echoed through the spacious ballroom. Aegir raised his arms and took a stance. Adelaide did the same.
As soon as they held hands and Adelaide stepped into the waltz, she realized the difference between him and Cesare. Aegir's height was not as tall as Cesare's. About the average height for a Fornatie man. His build was also overwhelmingly smaller and less upright than Cesare's. However, Aegir's body was very solid and firm. It felt like his body was meticulously filled with only muscles.
Adelaide stepped into the waltz, gazing into his beautiful blue eyes. There was no intense magic like when she danced with Cesare. She felt more at ease. Although his movements were a bit stiff, Aegir was a comfortable dance partner because he didn't make her heart race uncontrollably. At least his gaze was calm. Unlike Cesare, who stared as if he would devour her.
"Have you served my brother for a long time, Sir Aegir?"
Adelaide, looking into eyes as blue as Epony's, spoke first.
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