Chapter 103
TLS : Shenks
It wasn’t a cold or sharp look, but it was a look that somehow made one nervous.
I’ve never experienced this in my previous life, but the longer I hold power in high places, the more I like a bold person without being arrogant.
I didn’t shy away from the eyes of Mrs. Impigra and looked at her face.
Then, for a moment, I could see a flash of interest in her eyes.
"I’m just a humble old woman, but I’m teaching young ladies preparing for their debut, so I look forward to your kind cooperation."
It was an infinitely polite and humble remark, but Fonta’s eyes never were.
Even in that short moment, I could feel myself looking through the faces of the contestants.
"For the successful social debut of the young ladies, remember to follow imperial manners like on the day you become a debutante."
Then a girl surrounded by other young children by the window took a step forward.
She was an impressive mid-teens girl with glossy blond hair and deep brown eyes.
"I’ve heard a lot about you, Madam Fonta."
It was a calm and confident voice.
Apparently, it seemed the sort of thing that was used to getting people’s attention.
"I am Maive Kaporia."
Lady Kaporia, who spoke her name, bowed gracefully on the spot.
It was an impeccable noble greeting.
"Hmmm."
At the moment, Mrs. Impigra frowned slightly with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Fo, Fonta?"
Did she do something wrong?
Lady Kaporia called Impigra in bewilderment, but there was no answer.
It seemed that she did not intend to give the answer easily on what was wrong.
Instead, she glanced at the ladies.
As if she’s giving them a chance.
But of course, no one came forward because Lady Kaporia, who was serving as the leader of the group, was humiliated.
So everyone hesitated, and the eyes of Mrs. Impigra came back to me.
It didn’t seem to have much expectation.
Maybe it’s because she thinks I’ll stay still like everyone else.
I put my right hand near my heart, grabbed the hem of the dress with my left hand, and bent my right leg back slightly.
I didn’t forget to bow gracefully.
A few years ago, when I went to the dinner of the Empress, it was a courtesy greeting of the Imperial Court, teach by Shananet.
As Impigra said a moment ago,
"From this moment on, remember to follow Imperial etiquette like on the day of you becoming a debutante."
"Oh..."
As if she had finally found what she wanted, Impigra smiled.
"What is the Lady’s name?"
"Florentia Lombardy, Ma’am Impigra."
In fact, there is no problem with calling her "Fonta," as Lady Kaporia did.
However, I just wanted to express my respect for the elderly who had maintained the position of lady-in-waiting for more than 40 years.
I’ve been in charge of big and small houses in Lombardy for a while, so I know how hard it is.
"You’re Lombardy’s, young lady!"
Madam Impigra smiled satisfactorily.
"It was a perfect Imperial etiquette. Do the Lombardys learn Imperial etiquette separately?”
"No, I had to go to the Palace the other day, so I learned from my aunt."
"If it is your aunt... Ah, Mrs. Shananet!"
When Shananet’s name came out, Madam Impigra’s complexion brightened up.
"She’s definitely one of the greatest young minds produced by the Imperial Debutante Ball. You have a very good teacher, young Lombardy."
"Thank you."
I said one more time, slightly bending my knee.
Impigra once again looked at me with a satisfied face and told the young children gathered at the banquet hall.
"You’ve been chosen to enter society at the Imperial Debutante Ball, the best debut of the Empire. This is a very honorable thing to do."
The voice of Impigra lowered.
"The reputation of the Imperial Debutant Ball comes from strict screening standards and perfect banquets that do not tolerate a single mistake. So you’re going to get together here twice a week to get to the ball and learn a lot."2
"Twice a week...”
I knew it was hard, but sighs flowed from here and there.
As if she was used to such a reaction, Madam Impigra smiled faintly again.
"We can’t afford to neglect it because it’s our first official social appearance in the Great Lambrew Empire."
With a solemn voice, she says.
I’m starting to think I’m in the wrong place.
"But at the end of the day, the most important purpose of the society is not to show off your excellence. It is in harmony, exchange, and learn from each other among the Imperial Nobles. So the most important thing is to start well.”
It was a rather straightforward yet canonical view of the Royal Palace.
"Today is the first day, so I’ll take some time for you to get to know each other with light refreshments. We’ll bring tea and food, so please wait here for a moment."
Impigra and the Imperial Palace maid behind her escaped from the banquet hall in a stampede.
Only the young ladies, who will participate in the debut are left.
Suddenly, there was a cold and strange silence in the banquet hall.
Then I casually turned to the window and faced a wary look at me.
"Oh, this is my first time."
To be honest with you, I’ve been used to people who treat me favorably.
Most Lombardy people did, and so did Clerivan and others who worked together.
Even at the few banquets, I had attended, the nobles were impatient to talk to me.
That’s why she’s staring at me and keeping me in check.
"It’s fresh."+
This is what social life is all about!
I was a little excited to see a social aspect that I had never experienced in my previous life.
Then a small voice talked to me from the side.
"Well, Young Lady Lombardy..."
"Just call me Lady."
"Oh, yes, Lady Lombardy!"
The girl, who looked unusually weak, was impressed with her red hair and light freckles on the bridge of her nose.
"I’m Tiliana Gitterwell from the East."
Uh, Gitterwell?
While I was distracted by the family name, which reminds me of some related information, Tiliana asked me with a flushed face.
"If you don’t mind, could you teach me how to say hello to the Imperial Court a little while ago?"
It’s not a very difficult request.
"I thought Madam Impigra would teach you all that later?"
"I’m sure that’s the case... I thought Lombardy’s greeting was elegant and beautiful..."
That is probably the effect of Shananet.
Even if it’s the same greeting, the mood and shape are slightly different depending on the person.
"If, if you don’t mind..., please."
Tiliana clenched her fists as if she were hesitant and courageous.
"In my debut, the whole family decided to come all the way from the East to the Imperial Palace... I wanted to show them a good side of me."
It was not a plausible excuse, it seemed sincere.
I don’t think I’m the type to say the right thing in the first place.
"Well, I’ll buy you something delicious!"
"Yes, of course."
I never fell for the word of buying you something delicious.
I was just trying to teach you. Really.
While I was talking with Tilliana a few words, the crowd by the window over there came near me.
"Lady Lombardy."
It was Maive Kaporia, who just stepped up to greet the head maid Impigra.
The Kaporia family was a member of the aristocracy and was one of the Empire’s oldest noble families.
And recently, Mrs. Kaporia began to serve as a confidant of Empress Rabini, a powerful member of the social circle.
"Don’t bother yourself there, come over here and talk to us."
Weren’t you wary of me a little while ago?
"The window is warm with good sunlight."
Maive Kaporia was completely excluding Tiliana from the conversation without even looking at her.
Sneaking a glance at Tilliana, she was smiling awkwardly and staring at nothing but the table.
Pretending to be fine, but she really can’t be.
I said with a smile to Lady Maive Kaporia.
"I’m fine."
"...What?"
Lady Kaporia looked genuinely bewildered.
She seemed to think that I would get up right away and join them.
I’m not that naive, no matter how much I’ve never experienced social life.
Even if I abandon Tiliana here and join the group, there is no way that those ladies who are already close to each other since childhood, can fit me in properly.
"I’ve got a cold. I think we’d better sit here."
Though there is no way I’d catch a cold.
Estira makes a lot of health supplements.
However, masking your words in this way is a favorite method of conversation for nobles.
Just like Lady Kaporia used ’sunshine’ something a while ago.
"...Well, I hope it’s not a big illness."
Lady Kaporia’s face, which seems to say, "For a week or so, I hope you whine with fever and ruin everything!"
But I replied with a smile as if I hadn’t noticed.
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Katarina."
Lady Kaporia’s smiling mouth twitched when I called her name wrong on purpose.
Sweetheart, you still have a long way to go to beat your sister.2
I said it was my first time in society, not my first time at 12.3
* * *
Caitlyn approached Perez, who was reading in the parlor and informed him.
"Your Highness, we have a visitor."
"I told you for the time being that no guests will be accepted at Poirak Palace."
Perez’s voice, which had been plagued by people sent by the Empress for a while, was cold.
"Please allow them in, Your Highness."
Perez took his eyes off the book and looked at Caitlyn, as she was saying something that wasn’t like her.
"Who’s the guest?"
"It is Fonta Impigra, the head maid of the Imperial Palace."
Now Perez knew at least who served the Empress and who served the Emperor.
Among them, Fonta Impigra was one of the people who were at odds with the Empress.
"Tell them to come in."+
A moment later, Fonta Impigra with a cane approached and greeted politely.
And she just looked at Perez for a while without saying a word.
As if thinking of someone she dearly missed.
And at some point, Madam Impigra said determinedly.
"I dare to make a proposal to His Highness the Second Prince."
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦