Chapter 30

The truth was, she had been worried because of her origins. Cecilia and Elena of the Joseph family! How could she forget the way the nobles had looked at Elena Joseph at the ball in Levonto?

It had been one of the most humiliating moments in Elena’s life.

But today, no one looked at her that way. People respected her, and no one treated her carelessly. Of course, her attire probably played a part in that.

Hazel was right.

Her words about needing to cultivate oneself first in order to receive good evaluations as a governess.

There were many people seeking out Maxim and Hazel. People flocked to exchange even a word with Maxim, who ran businesses. He used his partner Leana as an excuse to decline and sat eating.

Elena was the opposite. She was walking around the Rose Hall with Hazel.

People showed interest in Elena to curry favor with Hazel.

“When I heard Lady Hazel herself had taken on the role of chaperone, I wondered what kind of person she was. She’s truly a beautiful young lady.”

“And intelligent too. Not only does she speak multiple languages, but she’s quick to understand.”

“You flatter me, my lady.”

“There’s no need to be so modest. You need to know how to be appropriately confident for people to recognize you. Isn’t that right?”

“You can tell she’s an outstanding young lady just by looking at her.”

People smiled with goodwill. Elena mingled with them quite naturally. As she and Hazel conversed with people, dance music began.

Hazel whispered in her ear.

“Forget the dance you did before.”

Elena nodded. She was certainly referring to the ball in Levonto. It was a ball she had been forcibly dragged to by her mother without even having a proper debutante.

Thinking of that day, Elena smiled bitterly.

“You need to know how to catch what people want. Elena, think of those people as future clients. What do you think they want from you?”

“…Reputation and honor?”

“Exactly. You mustn’t ignore what’s visible on the surface. People judge by what they see. You create your own value.”

Elena chuckled. It was similar to something Maxim had once said. It was a part where she could feel how much he had grown under Hazel’s influence.

“I can already see those who are looking forward to dancing with you. But you can’t dance with just anyone.”

Hazel gave Maxim a hint. But even though his aunt was staring at him pointedly, he didn’t acknowledge it and was playing with Leana. And around her, Prince Antonio was hovering. He seemed to have business with the pretty Leana.

Hazel sighed deeply.

‘Really, he never moves on his own initiative.’

She clicked her tongue briefly and called Frederick.

“Aunt, did you call me?”

“Be this child’s partner. I can’t let the honor of the first dance go to just anyone.”

“What is Maxim doing that I should…”

Frederick checked where Maxim was and laughed hollowly. He hadn’t known Maxim liked children so much. Anyway, since he seemed to have no intention whatsoever, the task fell to Frederick.

Elena smiled awkwardly. Frederick willingly extended his hand to her.

“Miss Elena?”

“Thank you, Your Highness. It’s truly an honor.”

Frederick smiled gently. He and Maxim seemed similar yet different. If Maxim had a sharper impression, Frederick was softer.

His eyes drooped gently downward.

However, Frederick’s resolve was clearly strong. His eyes shone with strength.

“Antonio seems quite smitten with Leana too.”

“Ah…”

Elena turned her head to look at her sister. Leana was turning her head this way and that, avoiding Antonio. Antonio looked dejected.

Hazel just laughed as if she found it amusing.

“…Leana has never met friends her age before.”

“I can understand that. Antonio is too aggressive. Compared to Leana being shy. That boy has no restraint.”

“It would be good if Leana could be a little braver.”

Elena and Frederick naturally moved around the ballroom. Following them, various men and women paired up and came onto the floor. Of course, among them were those who looked at the two with envious eyes.

“Where on earth did that woman come from?”

“Joseph? That ruined family? I heard that Cecilia Joseph was desperate to sell off her daughter. There was quite a commotion in Levonto before.”

“Ah! That disgraceful…”

“But dressed up like that, you can’t tell at all. Hmm, I don’t know what Lady Hazel is thinking.”

“Shh! Don’t you know Lady Hazel’s personality? If you cross her wrong, you might not even be able to set foot in society.”

“Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”

The noblewomen gossiped while covering their mouths with fans. Elena was a hot topic thrown into the boring social scene. Everyone was watching her. Perhaps sensing this, her face flushed red.

And among those watching her was Camellia.

She was glaring at her with venomous eyes. Now even Frederick was surrounding Elena. What exactly did that woman have?

She bit her lips repeatedly. The incident at Maxim’s office not long ago wouldn’t leave her mind. Elena approaching him so casually!

‘A woman who doesn’t know her place. That position is mine.’

Camellia tilted her wine glass.

And as she reached for her second glass, the music ended. She could see Elena excusing herself from Frederick and leaving her spot. Camellia put down her glass.

She needed to give a warning to the woman who didn’t know her place.

She had to clearly show her whose position that was. The sound of her heels carried an ominous air as it echoed through the ballroom.

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Elena tapped her cheeks with her palms. It was distinctly different from Levonto. No one was sneaking glances at her chest. Whatever their inner thoughts, everyone at this gathering was maintaining courtesy and honor.

Even Elena, who had hated balls as much as death, was enjoying herself. She checked her appearance in the powder room.

It was a stark contrast to her shabby appearance from a few days ago.

She stared at herself in a daze for a moment.

“…Father.”

She murmured in a hushed voice. She had inherited her father’s wheat-colored hair completely. She touched her hair. How proud he would have been if he could have been here at this moment.

“Did you see?”

She asked in a voice filled with moisture.

[I’ll make your debutante as splendid as this father can manage. Elena, my daughter, my jewel. You having a debutante. I’m scared such a day might actually come. Don’t grow up too fast.]

Her father’s face, smiling as he said those words, was vivid. She swallowed hard and turned around. She planned to return to the ballroom before people came looking for her.

Click.

‘Who’s coming in?’

She tilted her head. She was hurrying, thinking she should quickly vacate the space so someone could rest comfortably. But the door opened quickly.

Click.

The particularly sharp sound of heels came inside. Elena and Camellia’s eyes met.

‘It’s the woman I saw before!’

Elena blinked. It was the woman she had encountered when Hazel had raided Maxim’s department store with her and Leana. She didn’t know what conversation she’d had with Maxim, but at that time the woman had a distorted face.

And for some reason, she had glared at her venomously before leaving. Even now, the woman was staring at her as if to pierce through her with her gaze.

“So you were here.”

Camellia twisted her lips upward.

“Are you afraid because you’re stealing someone else’s things? Seeing how you’re hiding like a little mouse.”

“…What do you mean by that? I don’t think you should carelessly speak about unconfirmed facts.”

Elena countered without backing down. She had never been intimidated when she wasn’t in the wrong. And the woman in front of her didn’t seem that much older than her either.

This was the maximum courtesy Elena could maintain. Camellia tilted her head.

Click.

She moved closer to Elena. Soon she opened her lips.