Chapter Title: The Cliff Walk
"Do you think you could win in a race against my brother?"
Adelaide asked without much thought.
Knowing Aegir's loyalty, she expected him to say no, regardless of the truth.
However, Aegir seemed oddly prideful as he replied.
"...I haven't thought about it, but I wouldn't be without confidence."
An unexpected display of competitiveness. Adelaide laughed aloud.
"Then I'll bet on you, Sir Aegir. Later, please put my brother in his place."
"Yes."
His response was surprisingly straightforward. She thought she heard a faint chuckle from behind.
Ador Beach was just ahead.
---
Ador Beach was a coastal area surrounded by cliffs. The deep sea, with its lack of continental shelf, was a bone-chilling blue.
To the right of Fornatie, towards the direction of the sunrise, yellow buildings were packed tightly on the cliff like matchboxes. Those with villas headed to their own residences, while some nobles went to the largest and most luxurious building among them, the Stellone Resort.
At the entrance of the resort stood Cesare and Lucrezia.
Cesare was as cold as ever, and Lucrezia was as rosy as ever.
When Adelaide, with Aegir's help, dismounted and approached, Cesare's gaze fell on her.
His golden eyes seemed to scan around her.
"Brother? Are you looking for someone?"
Cesare confirmed the presence of Aegir standing like a shadow behind Adelaide and then abruptly turned away.
"Lady Della Valle wants to talk. Get the schedule for today from Epony."
Adelaide watched his back silently.
*Since last night. No, since they danced together, he seems to be in a low mood.*
"Lady Adelaide, I've been waiting for you."
At that moment, Lucrezia spoke.
With her long, sleek hair tied high, she exuded a lively charm different from usual. Surprisingly, the riding outfit suited her delicate frame well.
"There's a nice walking trail nearby. The ladies and I were planning to take a look. Would you like to join us? We'll leave the horses tied up."
Lucrezia smiled sweetly.
"I've received permission from Count Cesare."
Adelaide nodded. If Cesare had given permission, she would follow. Lucrezia smiled kindly and left after suggesting they meet at Santa Lucia Square in thirty minutes.
"Shall I help you freshen up, miss?"
Epony, who had arrived at the resort ahead of the cavalcade, appeared from somewhere and spoke.
She immediately led Adelaide to a room. It was the best room, adjacent to Cesare's.
The room, with its wide arched window overlooking Ador Beach and the cliff, was like a picturesque landscape, but there was no time to enjoy it.
"Please sit here. I'll explain while tidying you up."
At Epony's words, Adelaide promptly sat in front of the dressing table. Epony expertly combed Adelaide's hair with a water buffalo horn comb.
"Today marks the start of Fornatie's social season in earnest. Since you've debuted, you'll now be meeting proper members of the social circles."
"Yes."
"Since Lady Lucrezia suggested this outing, it'll be somewhat advantageous. For a lady trying to enter the social world late, this is a very favorable condition. It's like Lady Lucrezia is vouching for you as a member of high society."
"Hmm."
Adelaide now understood why Cesare had invited Lucrezia despite his apparent dislike over the past two months.
"It won't be easy. Fornatie's social circles are very closed. They're generous only to those who've grown up hearing the same bell from the same tower."
"...You know a lot."
Adelaide spoke, feeling the subtle barb in Epony's words. Epony gave a bitter smile.
"Lady Catarina also faced many difficulties in the social circles."
"...But she was royalty, wasn't she?"
"Yes, she was royalty from Orqueenia and married into the Bonaparte family. But to the social circles, she was no different from an outsider."
Even royalty from Orqueenia was met with exclusivity. It wouldn't be easy at all.
Epony seemed to want to convey that. She gently placed her hands on Adelaide's shoulders after finishing the grooming.
"People will be suspicious. They'll doubt if you truly belong to the Bonaparte bloodline. They'll seize every opportunity to slander you."
Through the mirror, their eyes met. Both women smiled simultaneously.
"So, show them who you are."
---
At Santa Lucia Square, ladies in riding outfits and boots had gathered. There were no maids, attendants, or knights accompanying them. It was a social custom.
"Ador Beach is always beautiful."
"Indeed. I must get a villa here this year."
They exchanged pleasantries with smiling faces even over mundane conversations.
Adelaide Bonaparte arrived with five minutes to spare.
"Greetings in the name of the goddess. I am Adelaide Bonaparte."
She naturally introduced herself first.
Even if she came from a rural place like Capolo, her surname was Bonaparte, the most prestigious name in Santnar.
Her calm, amber eyes held a relaxed glow that stopped short of arrogance.
So far, nothing to criticize.
The ladies smiled brightly.
"Greetings in the name of the goddess. Nice to meet you, Lady Adelaide. I'm Avery Scalia."
"Greetings in the name of the goddess. I'm Saoirse Foscari."
After brief introductions, Lucrezia spoke.
"Shall we move on? We see this scenery every year, but it's always exciting. The cliffs are very beautiful."
As Lucrezia spoke, she naturally looked at Adelaide. The highest-ranking person in the group was asked for their opinion.
Adelaide smiled faintly.
"I assure you, I'm looking forward to it more than you are. I'd appreciate it if you could help me fully enjoy Ador."
"Of course."
The two beautiful ladies began walking, exchanging pleasant words.
The trail led to the cliffs. The main attraction was a small lighthouse at the cliff's edge, offering an open, panoramic view. It was a place everyone visiting Ador Beach would stop by at least once.
The path was long to ensure a gentle slope, giving plenty of time for someone to ask another a slightly mischievous question.
"Do you find riding difficult?"
Avery Scalia approached Adelaide and asked.
The perceptive Lucrezia subtly stepped back and started a conversation with other ladies.
Adelaide replied with a slightly youthful smile.
"Embarrassingly, I haven't been able to get comfortable with horses. But in other aspects, I think it's fortunate."
"Fortunate, how?"
"It would have been very troublesome if the skills I lacked were essential for leading people as a member of the Bonaparte family."
"Oh my. But riding is quite frequent in Fornatie, so it must be quite inconvenient."
"Yes. So I'm diligently working on it. But there are also good aspects. For instance, I've come to think about the inconveniences faced by those who find it difficult to ride for various reasons. I've discussed this with my brother, and we'll soon be able to resolve this with good public policies."
At the mention of Cesare, the ladies' eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Really? You seem to talk often with Count Cesare. Isn't it awkward? After all, you've been apart for a long time."
"Thankfully, my brother is very kind, so I haven't felt that way. Blood is definitely thicker than water."
"Count Cesare is indeed kind. Did you recently visit Bella Stella Street?"
"Has the story spread that far?"
"The daily sales on Bella Stella Street have been setting records. I'm amazed every time the bell at the arcade entrance rings. It must be an unfamiliar sight for a lady from Capolo."
"It is, but the joy outweighs the strangeness. It means my brother cares for me, a Bonaparte."
At that moment, Wilma Peretti, who had been circling around, interjected.
"...So, was it Lady Adelaide who bought the pink diamond in the central display at Bottega di Vesio?"
Her excitement was evident, and the other ladies gave more genuine smiles. It was a thinly veiled expression of irritation.