TVWD 50

Chapter 50.

Mother left first for the Imperial Palace, and I stayed behind at the mansion, waiting for my partner.

“Hello, Roa.”

Syla appeared in the mansion by magic, her eyes curling as she smiled.

“The dress looks stunning on you.”

“It’s all thanks to your impeccable taste, Syla.”

Even before I asked her to accompany me to the Imperial Ball, several dresses had arrived from the salon. Later, I found out Syla had already ordered them herself.

The parchment and pen she’d given me could communicate both ways.

When I wrote a question with the pen, Syla’s reply would appear on the parchment. That way, we decided what color dress I’d wear, when we’d leave, and so on.

“I matched my robe to be similar in color to your dress. What do you think?”

“Well done. Thanks to you, people will think there’s something special between us.”

I wore a soft lavender dress, and instead of her usual silver robe, Syla was wearing one tinted with violet.

“Is that all right? You don’t usually like things like that.”

“You’re right. Normally, I don’t. But this time, it’s necessary. There’s a rumor the Crown Princess will be chosen soon.”

The social season was nearly over.

Once the Imperial Ball in a week ended, most nobles would return to their estates — meaning the Emperor would soon announce the selection of the Crown Princess.

“So, showing that you and I have a ‘special relationship’ right now means… you don’t want to become the Crown Princess?”

“Yes. If I became Crown Princess, I wouldn’t be able to do anything reckless anymore. That’s why your role is important, Syla.”

It wasn’t just about withdrawing myself from the selection — I also needed to make certain others give up their hopes.

“Can I go a little overboard?”

“Please keep it moderate.”

Instead of replying, Syla gave a bright, mischievous laugh.

“Lady Rosia Leveian and the Tower Master have arrived!”

At the word ‘Tower Master’, every gaze in the hall turned instantly toward us.

Toward me and Syla.

Unbothered by the stares, Syla whispered to me as though no one else existed, and I smiled back at her.

As we walked through, people stepped aside, and we easily reached the inner part of the hall.

Then, as if waiting for that very moment, someone spoke to me.

“You’re here, Rosia.”

“Hello, Lexian. You arrived early.”

“Yes. And this is…”

When Lexian looked gravely at Syla, she smiled pleasantly.

“I’m Syla Bernstein, the Tower Master.”

“I’m Lexian Lisianthus, Commander of the Imperial Knights.”

Before Calvin had volunteered to be my partner, Lexian had contacted me — he wanted to escort me to the Imperial Ball.

But since I had already decided to attend with Syla, I had refused. Still, he hadn’t quite given up and had approached me again.

He probably didn’t even realize his own feelings for me, yet there he was, wearing such a sorrowful expression.

It didn’t bother me to suffer, but I didn’t want to cause Lexian pain.

It felt as if countless arrows were aimed at me, though that was just an illusion. Before any real arrows could reach him, I needed to cut them off.

I steadied my wavering heart and took Syla’s hand.

“Roa, shall we go meet your friends?”

“Sure. Excuse me, then.”

I slightly lifted my dress with one hand and curtsied, and Lexian stepped back without protest.

“Roa, over here.”

Stella, who had arrived earlier, called out, and as I approached, she, Pony from the Pink County, Violet, and other ladies greeted me.

“Though most of you probably already know who he is, let me formally introduce him. This is the Tower Master, Lord Syla Bernstein.”

“It’s an honor to meet you all, ladies. You’re Roa’s— no, Lady Rosia’s friends, correct?”

At the affectionate nickname from Syla’s lips, an excited stir rippled among the ladies — the kind that asked if we were truly close enough for pet names.

If he was doing this intentionally, then I could hang a ruby-red diamond hairpin on him for his effort.

“This is Stella Meritny — you’ve met before. This lady is Pony, daughter of Count Pink. And here we have Lady Violet Clen, and…”

The ladies blushed upon being introduced to the handsome Tower Master.

Though I thought Syla disliked such social gatherings, he performed his role as my partner remarkably well.

“This is so boring. I’m definitely collecting compensation for this later, Roa,” he muttered under his breath.

To others, it looked like a tender whisper; I only smiled in reply.

“Oh my, Lady Ikel is here too?”

“I heard she was specially granted permission to attend since this ball is hosted by His Majesty the Emperor,” Violet said with clear disapproval.

No other women surrounded Merina — only men.

The Emperor and Empress hadn’t arrived yet, but the Crown Prince and most of the nobility were present. So many eyes watching — no wonder there were rumors that women ostracized Merina.

“Lady Ikel must’ve had a hard time lately. How about we at least greet her?”

“That woman?”

“If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll go represent us. She must feel lonely.”

“How could anyone be so kind-hearted…!”

Violet looked on the verge of tears, while Stella’s cheek twitched as she tried not to laugh.

“Shall we go too? Who knows what Lady Ikel might say to Lady Rosia,” Stella added after clearing her throat.

Violet nodded earnestly.

“If we all go, she might feel overwhelmed. How about just a few of us?”

“Good idea.”

So Stella, Violet, two other countesses’ daughters, and I approached Merina.

“Hello, Lady Ikel. It’s been a while.”

I greeted her brightly, but Merina gave me a cool once-over.

“I heard you were banned from entering the palace. How delightful to see you here.”

I gave her a look suggesting she introduce the man beside her, but she said nothing. Behind me, I could hear Stella and the others snort quietly.

“This is the Tower Master, Lord Syla Bernstein. Syla, this lady is Lady Merina Ikel, the Empress’s younger sister.”

“Syla Bernstein,” he greeted curtly.

“Merina Ikel.”

As expected — since she was barely mentioned in the novel, and Syla had no connection to her — he looked utterly uninterested.

His lips smiled, but I knew him well enough to recognize the boredom behind it.

“You’re… quite beautiful,” Merina said, cheeks flushed — befitting a heroine admired by every man. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“Would you dance with me later?”

She even asked him to dance!

I could already imagine Violet and the others gossiping furiously about her.

“I refuse,” Syla said flatly.

Merina’s eyes refocused, and her gaze shifted to me.

“Lady Leveian, last time you came with Duke Lisianthus — but today, you’re with someone else?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“It’s just curious. You once asked me which gentleman I fancied, yet you came today with someone other than the Duke.”

“I’m sure I told you before that Duke Lisianthus is like an older brother to me. Have you forgotten already?”

When I smiled sweetly, Merina’s cheeks twitched.

“And unlike Lady Ikel, I never meet gentlemen privately outside of tea parties or balls. I only ask for an escort during official events.”

I let my gaze sweep over the men hovering near Merina.

“Just recently, in the Rose Garden, you were kissing the young lord of Count Sharon, weren’t you? But today, you’re with someone else. Oh—was that supposed to be a secret?”

Count Sharon’s son turned beet red, and the viscount standing next to Merina clenched his jaw.

“Lady Leveian!”

“No need to raise your voice, Lady Ikel. I can hear you just fine.”

“How dare you—how dare you humiliate me like this…!”

Her fists trembled, and it looked like she might burst into tears any second.

“Roa, let’s go.”

Bored again, Syla draped an arm around my shoulders and urged me away, which only made Merina explode in anger.

“Lord Syla, is that the kind of woman you like?”