SMLD 23

Chapter 23

Odellia probably had no idea what Judith was thinking as she wandered around the mansion, exclaiming things like, “Wow, do you just leave things that look this expensive lying around…?” and “Ooh… is this the Countess Herdel? The portrait is so large and beautiful…”

*’Ah, how can a woman so much older than me be this adorable…!’*

Her attire was every inch that of a proper lady, but her way of speaking was as stiff as a freshly discharged soldier’s. She had a dignified, slender figure that made her seem distant, yet every now and then she’d stumble awkwardly, and that clumsiness somehow made her feel wonderfully human. Judith suppressed her swelling emotions.

This was a secret no one knew, but she had actually managed to get her hands on one of those cheap books read by commoners—the ones featuring the story of the Golden Lion hero—and hidden it under her bed to read. Originally, Judith’s goal had been to marry the Golden Lion hero herself. Of course, she’d failed before she could even start, being a woman.

The reason she had been so sharp toward Odellia was because she was afraid that if the nobles who mocked a spinster’s debut ever caught wind of her true feelings, they’d use it against her… but ever since Odellia had spat out that éclair, all those walls had completely crumbled.

Though she was a little different from the image Judith had dreamed of, the Golden Lion hero was indeed a magnificent person. There were still those who mocked Odellia, but the number of people who felt favorably toward her for her impressive conduct was gradually increasing.

*’In this social season, I absolutely have to become close with Lady Odellia.’*

…Judith, too, was full of ulterior motives.

—

***

As they took their seats one by one on the terrace garden, the tea party began in earnest.

The desserts each had brought were beautifully arranged on ornate platters by the attendants, and a sweet, fragrant aroma enveloped the entire garden.

What drew particular attention was a cake decorated with all sorts of rare fruits, its appearance exceptionally lovely. With apricots, white grapes, and even silver-plated leaf decorations, the ladies’ eyes went wide.

“Who brought this?”

Judith asked in surprise, and the butler standing nearby answered quietly.

“Lady Odellia brought it.”

At that, small gasps arose from among them.

“Then surely, that’s the cake they say can only be eaten in the imperial palace?”

“I’ve never seen one in person before…!”

“You really brought this?”

The cake, with its high-quality ingredients, exquisite decoration, rarity, and novelty, instantly became the center of attention. In an instant, all eyes turned to Odellia. Everyone looked at her, unable to hide their admiration.

Only then did Odellia understand what Calix had meant when he said, “You’ll know when you get there.” She felt grateful to Calix for having prepared it for her, while at the same time, a simple thought popped into her head: *’That cake aside… it really does look delicious…’*

Just then, someone widened her eyes and nudged her friend beside her with an elbow, whispering.

“Lady Odellia has a ring on her pinky.”

A small ring that fit perfectly on her little finger. That was a discreet yet quite significant signal in the empire’s social circles.

It wasn’t a relationship publicly declared like an engagement, but it signified, “I am currently seeing a man with marriage in mind.” It functioned as a kind of fence while also subtly stimulating competitive spirit.

In other words, it was an unspoken declaration: “If you want to ask me on a date or propose, you’ll have to be impressive enough to make me take this ring off myself.”

In an instant, several pairs of eyes lingered cautiously on Odellia’s fingertip. But the one in question was still utterly absorbed in admiring the cake.

And finally, the moment came to taste that cake.

*Ahh~*

Every single person’s eyes widened at the flavor of the cake, their faces rapturous as if they had just experienced a taste of heaven. The younger ones, without even wiping the cream from their lips, were carefully scooping up the cake with blissful expressions.

To Odellia, they all looked endearing. She watched them with a warm, contented gaze without realizing it, then she too slowly savored a piece and nodded.

“…It’s truly delicious.”

At that moment, Judith spoke with sparkling eyes.

“Thanks to Lady Odellia, I got to try such a precious cake. I’m truly grateful.”

Then one of those nearby asked.

“Since His Highness the Crown Prince is your sponsor, do you get to eat things like this often?”

“Not really.”

Just then, another lady tilted her head and asked.

“I’ve been curious for a while—why is Lady Odellia’s way of speaking so stiff? It sounds just like my eldest brother’s.”

Odellia held back a laugh and answered.

“Then your eldest brother must have also served in the war. Someone who risked their life for the country is a truly admirable person.”

At that warm reply, the one who had asked turned her fair face pink and hesitated.

“…He’s more admirable than my brother…”

From that moment on, interest in Odellia grew even greater. One of them cautiously opened her mouth.

“Um, Lady Odellia, may I… ask why you went to the battlefield? Everyone was curious about it at the debutante ball last time.”

At the sudden question, the surroundings grew quiet.

Those who had served in the war usually boasted proudly about the deeds they had accomplished, but Odellia answered in a calm voice.

“To be honest, there’s nothing grand about it. I just… went because I didn’t want to starve.”

“Pardon…?”

“As you probably all know, my parents are commoners. When I was young, the village I lived in nearly perished from famine. But I heard that if you enlisted, they’d give you rations. So I went. To keep the villagers from starving. That’s all. Nothing more.”

Odellia lowered her eyes and added.

“There was no grand cause or any other reason. When I think of those who went to war with noble ideals, I’m simply ashamed.”

At her humble words, Judith quickly shook her head with an eager expression.

“Ashamed! The Golden Lion hero!”

“Becoming a hero was… largely thanks to the contributions of others far more remarkable than myself.”

The people looked at one another in silence, each wearing a different expression. Some quietly admired her, while others bowed their heads with looks of yearning.

Then, someone spoke up.

“The reason His Highness the Crown Prince personally bestowed the hero title upon you was…”

Before she could finish, another quickly cut in.

“I heard that His Highness Calix actually… enlisted to forget the pain of a separation…”

At those words, several exchanged meaningful glances and stole looks at Odellia. They were the Empress Fabiana’s close ladies-in-waiting.

“The pain of a separation…?”

Odellia asked with a completely ignorant expression, and the one who had spoken smiled.

“Oh my, you didn’t know? Since you said you were in a sponsorship relationship, I thought you would… Originally, His Highness Calix and Her Majesty the Empress were engaged, you know. It’s an open secret among the nobility… I suppose Lady Odellia might not have known.”

Then, as if they had been waiting for this moment, they began to bring up one old story after another about what had happened between Calix and Fabiana.

They told how the Empress and the Crown Prince had once been known as one of the empire’s most beautiful couples—a famous scandal—and how everyone had taken their engagement for granted.

But in the end, the Empress had chosen the current Emperor, and the Crown Prince, heartbroken, had left behind a legendary words before departing for war: *”If I return alive, please look at me again.”*

Hearing this story, Odellia felt a strange sense of unease. It was as if she had learned about Calix’s past when she hadn’t wanted to.

She tried to recall the Empress’s face from the debutante ball, but she couldn’t remember clearly. Perhaps it was because she had been too nervous. Only the moment she had met Calix’s eyes remained vivid; she couldn’t recall at all what expression the Empress had been wearing.

Just as her expression was about to darken slightly, the quick-witted Judith steered the conversation elsewhere.

“What meaning does that old story have now, anyway? Let’s stop with the irreverent talk.”

The few who had been eagerly recounting the story of the Empress and Calix fanned themselves with their fans, looking displeased, and whispered.

“Oh my, it’s just something everyone knows~”

Odellia thought to herself.

*’So it was… something everyone knew.’*

She felt a bitter pang, but outwardly she managed to smile as if nothing was wrong.

Seeing that, Judith suppressed the rising fury within her, thinking quite roughly, *’Look at those bitches… deliberately bringing that up.’*

If she started a fight out in the open like last time at the debutante ball, it would only make Lady Odellia uncomfortable.

Swallowing her anger, Judith put on a cheerful smile again and skillfully changed the subject.

“Now then, speaking of which, has everyone thought about what they’ll donate to the upcoming bazaar?”