OHNIR – Chapter 89
Chapter 89: Realization
After the measurements were finally done, Kelusta descended the steps stiffly, her cheeks flushed. She quickly signed the payment slip placed squarely on the corner of the table, then raised her eyes in a tearless, reproachful gaze toward Gloria, who was slowly rolling up the measuring tape.
The latter seemed to sense her gaze, raising her eyes to give her a slight smile. She then took a silver envelope from her pocket and handed it to Kelusta.
The brown-haired girl paused, then reached out to take it. The dark, shimmering pattern on the paper's surface, like the facets of a diamond, immediately caught her eye.
On the wax seal were the same two simple, beautiful cursive letters: “G.S.”
—Kelusta immediately realized what this was.
She could no longer be bothered with her shyness. Instead, she blinked, her eyes curving into a smile. Gently tracing the envelope's dark pattern with her fingertips, she raised her head and asked eagerly, “May I open it?”
“Of course,” Gloria said with a smile. “Since it's for you, the decision is entirely yours.”
Almost as soon as the words left her lips, the young woman, having received permission, eagerly and excitedly opened the letter. She pulled out a thin, deep blue invitation covered in elegant handwriting.
“Dear Miss Kelusta Amirium Breviou:
The Royal Court Ball will be held in three days at the Nobili Royal Palace. Please allow me to sincerely invite you to be my only dance partner, to attend this grand event with me, and to be my companion for the entire evening.
I would be overjoyed if you would accept and eagerly await your reply.”
The signature was her full name, Gloria Silentdis, indicating that the invitation was sent in a purely personal capacity. It held a unique significance, placing it on a completely different level from mass-produced, generic letters.
Kelusta clearly understood this and was overcome with a powerful urge to treasure the invitation for the rest of her life.
She carefully folded the letter, looked up at the silver-haired girl waiting quietly before her, and smiled. “If I don't write a reply and just give you my answer here,” she said lightly, “would that be impolite?”
Gloria shook her head in amusement and asked softly, “When have I ever found you impolite?”
The girl holding the invitation playfully stuck out her tongue, her eyes sparkling. She took two steps forward, closing the distance to Gloria, and without another word, wrapped her arms around her neck in an incredibly gentle embrace.
“Of course I'll accept.”
After a long silence, as the embrace grew warmer, the brown-haired girl finally tilted her head up and whispered close to Gloria's ear.
Her warm breath escaped gently as she spoke, making her voice sound soft and lingering, like the low song of a forest elf from legend, irresistibly captivating.
“To dance with you and be your companion for the entire evening… Miss Gloria, it would be the greatest honor for me.”
With the matter finally settled, Gloria gave Kelusta a brief tour of the ducal manor, after which Kelusta firmly announced her departure.
Her reason was “to spend more time with my grandmother and to continue refining the cooperation plan we discussed.”
Although Gloria was reluctant to see her go, she was also busy. She still had to deliver the design sketches to Madam Mary and work with her to custom-tailor the gown to her future partner's measurements.
Therefore, she didn't detain Kelusta, instead personally seeing her to the Silentdis family carriage. She stood in place, watching the commoner girl who had transformed into a noble lady disappear into the distance before turning to go back inside.
It seemed that while she had adapted well to her new identity, she showed no signs of frivolity. Her conduct remained as natural as ever, yet she now possessed a more thoughtful mind and had learned to shoulder the responsibilities that came with being a noble…
The girl she had chosen was truly that exceptional.
Gloria smiled, had someone pack up the design sketches and measurements, and headed to Queen Street alone. She was going to meet with Madam Mary, who was already waiting, to discuss the various details of the gown “reserved for Miss Amirium.”
Gloria had poured her heart into the gown Kelusta would wear. Every detail, from the style to the accessories, had been deliberated over for days. Even Madam Mary, a veteran in the field, couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing the design, “This would be more than fitting even for the royal family.”
Therefore, not wanting to let Gloria's efforts go to waste, the loyal shop manager began to rack her brains, selecting materials and striving to bring the gown from the sketch to life in perfect detail.
The initial exchange of ideas and selection of materials was a crucial first step, and the two talked until the lanterns were lit. By the time Gloria left, the crescent moon was high in the sky, yet Newlinya Queen Avenue was still as bustling as if it were daytime, seemingly free from the constraints of time.
I should bring Ruth to the night market next time… After all, I still owe her a fireworks display.
With this thought in mind, Gloria got into her carriage and returned home, lost in contemplation.
“Lady Gloria, welcome back.”
Just as she stepped out of the carriage, the butler, dressed in a tailcoat, appeared before her. He bowed respectfully and said, “His Grace the Duke is aware that you hosted Miss Breviou today. He is currently waiting for you in the dining room with Master Wend.”
“Mm,” Gloria raised an eyebrow, her tone neutral. “I understand.”
She gave the butler a slight nod, gathered her cloak around herself, and turned to walk into the manor.
The dining room.
Reginald sat at the head of the table, giving his second son, who was engrossed in a potion book, a strange look.
Perhaps because he had been staring for too long, Wend, who was absorbed in his studies, finally noticed the gaze. The young, silver-haired man turned to meet his father's eyes and asked with a slight frown, “What is it?”
“Wend,” Reginald hesitated before asking cautiously, “You aren't angry with your sister, are you?”
Wend lowered his book and gave him a baffled look. “Why would I be angry with Lux?”
The Duke looked like he wanted to speak but couldn't find the words, his lips parting and closing. As Wend's expression grew more confused, the old father finally seemed to give up, closing his eyes and letting out a heavy sigh.
Wend: “…?”
Reginald glanced helplessly at his son, who was practically radiating question marks, and said nothing.
You brat, I was just worried you'd be upset because Lux sent your girlfriend home before you could even see her…
Such a grown man, and he still doesn't understand his father's concerns. What a blockhead.
Amidst the silent exchange between father and son, a soft knock came at the dining room door. Gloria entered, undoing her cloak as she calmly walked to her seat and sat down.
Then she looked up and saw the distinctly different expressions on Reginald's and Wend's faces.
Gloria: “?”
She glanced at her confused brother, then at the gloomy-looking Duke, and asked in surprise, “What's wrong?”
Didn't Wend go with Father to inspect the properties today? Did something unexpected happen?
At this thought, her expression grew serious. She sat up straighter and looked at her father. “What happened?”
Reginald looked at his daughter with a complicated expression, then raised a hand and waved, dismissing all the surrounding servants.
Once the dining room was empty and the expressions on Gloria's and Wend's faces had grown even more doubtful, the handsome Duke sighed again. “It's all because of you two troublesome children,” he said gravely.
Hearing this, his two children froze for a moment before turning to look at each other in unison.
Gloria: What did you do to upset Father?
Wend: …I didn't do anything!
Gloria: Then why would he say that?
Wend: How should I know? Nothing even happened today.
Their silent exchange complete, Gloria was now thoroughly bewildered. But as the elder sister, she had more right to speak. She took the lead and asked directly, “I'm not sure how we… have caused you to worry recently, Father?”
However, faced with his eldest daughter's question, Reginald found himself at a loss for words.
As a father, he shouldn't meddle too much in his children's romantic affairs…
Forget it. Wend is here, so I can't just tell Gloria directly. I can't let my son fail to see his girlfriend and also lose face in front of his sister.
I'll find another time to have a proper talk with Lux.
“…Never mind. Let's not talk about it. Let's eat,” Reginald said, shaking his head. He adopted a posture that brooked no further discussion, summarily ending the topic.
Gloria frowned. Although she was still bothered by the thought of having made a mistake that required her father to clean up after her, Reginald had made his position clear. As his daughter, she couldn't press the matter further. She could only lower her head and begin her meal as he'd suggested.
For a moment, the table once again fell into the same strange silence as before.
The atmosphere didn't last long, however. After cutting a piece of steak, Gloria set down her knife and fork, breaking the stagnant silence.
“Father, I do have one matter I need to discuss with you.”
Reginald paused, respectfully stopping his own meal as well. “What is it?” he asked seriously.
“I imagine you know of Miss Breviou, whom I invited to our home today, correct?”
After Reginald gave a hesitant nod, Wend also paused. He elegantly set down his knife and fork and looked up at his sister, the corners of his lips curving into a faint smile.
The Duke's heart skipped a beat.
Could it be that Wend is finally going to—
But he's having his sister announce that he's bringing a girl home? How pathetic!
The worried father fumed inwardly, shooting a glare at Wend from the corner of his eye. “Yes, I know of her,” he prompted. “What about it?”
Gloria clasped her hands and placed them on the table. Smiling gently, she dropped a bombshell on her father—
“Miss Kelusta Breviou is my beloved.”
She stated politely, “I have decided to announce at the court ball that I will be engaged to her. This decision comes after many days of careful consideration, and I bring it up today in the hopes of receiving your permission and support, Father.”
“…” Reginald was stunned.
Wend propped an elbow on the table, resting his chin in his palm. “Finally going to confess?” he said lazily. “To be honest, it's taken so long I was starting to get anxious for you.”
In an excellent mood, Gloria smiled, completely unbothered by the mockery in her brother's words. “Not a confession,” she said gracefully. “A direct announcement of our engagement. Since our feelings are mutual, why bother with redundant steps? It's more efficient to get straight to the point.”
The silver-haired young man raised an eyebrow and gave her a slow, deliberate clap.
The two crisp claps finally snapped the stunned Reginald back to his senses. The Duke, a man who had witnessed many a grand occasion, widened his eyes. He stared at his daughter, whose expression was as gentle as a spring breeze, and exclaimed in shock, “How could you steal the girl your brother has his eye on!”
Gloria: “…”
Wend: “…?????”
The smile on Gloria's face instantly froze. Her gaze sharpened as she turned to glare fiercely at her brother, who looked as if he might crack apart on the spot.
As for Wend, he shot up from his seat as if he'd been shot. “What are you talking about?” he stammered, looking as if he'd seen a ghost. “That's the girl Lux has liked since we were children! It has nothing to do with me!—”
Reginald: “Huh? But Dite told me…”
“…Mr. Dite, is it?” The silver-haired girl picked up the wine glass beside her plate, a sweet yet chilling smile gracing her lips. “Very well, I'll remember that,” she said in a melodic tone. “I'll go have a nice chat with him after dinner. Thank you for the information, dear Father.”
“…”
The Duke turned his head innocently and exchanged a glance with the horrified Wend.
Wend gave him a stiff smile and slowly averted his gaze, looking like a man about to mount the gallows, his entire being radiating a grim, death-defying resolve.
Under his daughter's gaze, colder than a northern glacier, Reginald wretchedly averted his eyes and bowed his head in guilt, repenting in his heart:
Son, old friend—I have failed you. I hope that after tonight, you can both find the strength… to keep on living.
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