MDCFE 14

Chapter 14

Arabella leaned back against the sofa and answered leisurely.

“The Founding Goddess and the Water Spirit.”

With a relaxed smile, she met the eyes of Isco, Cecilia, and Rosaline one by one.

No matter how much you deny it, the power of water belongs to me. What could prove the Lewin bloodline more strongly than the power of water itself?

Since maids were nearby serving tea, the three of them said nothing.

They treated Arabella like she was invisible and continued their conversation while drinking tea.

Arabella also did not interfere in the family discussion.

After all, the only reason she had sat there was to gather information by listening to their conversation.

Unlike usual, the tea time ended very quickly.

Cecilia and Rosaline left the reception room first, and just as Arabella turned to leave as well, Isco’s cold voice stopped her.

“Do not forget that I still have your mother.”

It was a warning not to become arrogant.

Arabella smiled sweetly.

“Of course, Father. But please don’t forget that the power of water belongs to me. I worry because you seem to forget that quite often.”

After giving a slight curtsey, Arabella turned her body halfway before leaving and looked back at Isco.

“Oh! I’ll be using a horse.”

Since horses were extremely expensive property, one needed the head of the family’s permission to ride one.

Of course, that did not apply to someone like Rosaline, who owned her own horse as a gift.

Though the Lewin Ducal House possessed many horses due to their wealth, none had ever been permitted for Arabella’s use.

Isco simply stared at her without answering.

Arabella smiled brightly.

“Then I’ll take that as permission. Thank you.”

Isco clenched his fist tightly but said nothing.

Arabella returned to her room, changed clothes, and headed for the stables.

“The head of the family has granted permission.”

The stable servants, who blocked her every day, looked confused upon hearing she had received permission and stepped aside.

Arabella carefully selected the horse she would ride.

In her previous life, she had once played a cross-dressing warrior protecting the king in a historical drama, so her riding skills were excellent. Afterward, she had often enjoyed horseback riding as a sport.

“I’ll choose this one.”

The stable servants looked shocked.

Without anyone teaching her, she had selected the healthiest and fastest horse.

While stroking the horse gently, Arabella spoke warmly.

“Shall we see if we suit each other?”

As Arabella attempted to mount the horse, the servants hurriedly stopped her.

“My lady, you cannot just ride recklessly like that. You should learn first instead of being greedy. Otherwise the horse might get hurt—”

Realizing his slip of the tongue, the stable servant quickly shut his mouth.

People should at least have some creativity. I’m tired of everyone reacting the exact same way.

Though she had not lived long as Arabella, she had already experienced countless dismissive reactions like this.

Even combining all the years she had lived as Ha-yoon, she likely had not received as much contempt as she had in this life.

Finding them unworthy of attention, she ignored them completely and mounted the horse immediately.

Then she began to ride.

The servants’ mouths hung open at Arabella’s skilled horsemanship.

They simply could not understand how Arabella—who had lived only as a servant girl—could ride so well.

She was far better than noble sons who had trained in riding since childhood.

Arabella also seemed to fit remarkably well with the horse she had just met.

There was no discomfort at all.

Even the horse appeared relaxed.

Before attending the Grand Duke’s gathering, I need to grow familiar and comfortable with riding. I can tolerate having too much, but I can never tolerate lacking something.

Arabella galloped fearlessly through the wind all the way to the hill connected to the rear gardens of the Lewin estate.

While she busily prepared herself to become part of Grand Duke Matteo’s circle, another invitation arrived before the equestrian club’s.

It was the cultural discussion club hosted by Baran.

Recalling her conversation with Baran at the party, Arabella fell deep into thought.

“A cultural discussion club?”

“Yes. Sometimes we discuss classical literature. Other times we appreciate paintings, create art ourselves, or listen to music. We also attend opera performances.”

“It’s a field I’m very interested in, so I’d love to attend. I’d also like to meet others who love culture.”

“Then I shall send you an invitation.”

Arabella stared at the invitation with a complicated expression.

This arrived first?

Matteo’s faction and Baran’s faction consisted of people with absolutely no overlap.

To become close to both of them would practically mean gaining influence over the entirety of imperial high society.

However, it was also an extremely dangerous position—one wrong move could make enemies of both sides.

So what was the conclusion?

Naturally, she would refuse to give up either club!

Exactly. Life is always high risk, high return.

“You’re so beautiful, my lady!”

“You’re absolutely perfect!”

The maids dressing Arabella gazed at her in enchantment.

The soft lavender dress suited her perfectly.

Though honestly, with Arabella’s beauty transcending warm and cool tones alike, there was probably nothing that would not suit her.

Today was the day of the cultural discussion club, so she had put in more effort than usual.

Since it was Baran’s gathering, many valuable connections would likely attend, and she wanted to leave a good first impression.

Moreover, the idea of a cultural club itself interested Arabella greatly.

Culture was both the field she wished to build a business in and the one she excelled at most.

I may not become the hidden mastermind of the novel, but I can at least become the mastermind of the entertainment industry.

However, cultural business was not an easy field within the Perlin Empire.

First of all, there was barely an industry worthy of being called a business.

The costs were also so high that only nobles could access it.

The only somewhat active cultural areas were paintings and opera enjoyed by a small number of aristocrats.

For these reasons, Arabella considered the arts and culture industry a blue ocean market.

The market is huge, and there are no competitors.

However, the cultural and arts industries were tightly controlled by the upper class, meaning official approval from the authorities was necessary.

That was why strengthening her relationship with Grand Duke Matteo was important.

He oversaw that entire sector.

Apparently, the Emperor considered anything related to culture to be impractical and had delegated all authority over it to his half-brother.

Still, regardless of everything else, getting acquainted with the empire’s greatest ducal house—the House of Courtois—will surely be useful too.

Having strengthened her resolve, Arabella boarded the carriage.

The gathering would take place in a salon owned by Baran in the bustling district.

Even among nobles, only a select few possessed private salons large enough to host gatherings.

After stepping down from the carriage in front of the salon, Arabella admired the luxurious marble building.

No wonder they’re one of the covenant families. They definitely seem even more impressive than Lewin.

At that moment, a neatly dressed man approached Arabella, placing a hand over his chest in greeting.

“Welcome, Lady Lewin. I am Martin, the head manager of the salon.”

Arabella responded to the welcome with a smile and entered under his guidance.

When she stepped into what appeared to be a reception room, Baran rose from his seat to greet her.

“You’ve arrived, Lady Lewin.”

“Thank you for inviting me, Duke Courtois.”

Baran extended his hand as if offering an escort, and Arabella gracefully placed her hand upon it.

“Let us go.”

The place Baran guided her to contained a massive round table in the center, while every wall was lined with bookshelves.

As Arabella looked around the room, a familiar figure entered her sight.

Her gaze passed over him absentmindedly—then immediately returned.

Their eyes met in midair.

The man who locked eyes with Arabella slowly curled one side of his lips upward into a grin.

“Huh?”

Caught off guard, Arabella failed to manage her expression properly.

Sudden fury surged within her, making her hands tremble as she clenched the hem of her dress tightly.

That man… it’s him!

The elegant and polite expression she had worn vanished instantly.

For a long moment, the two stared directly at each other.

That bastard who kept stealing everything that belonged to me! And when that wasn’t enough, the one who even threatened me!

Unlike the man, who smiled lazily, Arabella’s face had turned ice-cold.

Standing beside her, Baran looked at her curiously.

“Is something troubling you?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“This is your seat, Lady Lewin. Please sit.”

Arabella quickly concealed both her expression and emotions before sitting in the seat Baran indicated.

The round table was already filled with people.

Arabella exchanged brief greetings with those nearby.

Baran walked toward the center and addressed everyone.

“We have a new member joining the club today, so let me introduce her. Lady Arabella Lewin.”

Arabella rose from her seat and gave a light bow.

“Thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful gathering. I am Arabella Lewin.”