OHNIR – Chapter 92
Chapter 92: Looking for Trouble
As time passed, more and more nobles arrived in the ballroom. During the lulls in Kelusta and Gloria’s conversation, quite a few allies and vassals of the Silentdis family approached them to pay their respects to Gloria.
The latter, as if she had mastered such occasions, would always offer an elegant and appropriate smile, exchanging a few words with everyone without the slightest breach of etiquette.
Kelusta stepped aside and listened silently, marveling at how clever Gloria’s tone and phrasing were. Not only could she dismiss the approaching nobles with just a few words, but she also managed to make them feel not the slightest bit slighted. Instead, they would look honored and content, turning to leave with a light step.
Occasionally, someone more familiar with Gloria would ask about Kelusta, who was wearing a matching gown, but the silver-haired girl would deftly brush them off. This textbook example of deflecting with great skill was like a revelation to the newly-minted noble behind her, making her wish she could take out a notebook on the spot and take some notes.
“Let’s not give them a chance to gossip for now,” Gloria, having finished her socializing, turned her head, winked gently at the approving Kelusta, and smiled. “We’ll leave them in suspense for a bit and surprise them later.”
Kelusta thought she was talking about the impending reveal of her identity, so she raised an eyebrow and gave Gloria a devilish little smile, her eyes filled with keen interest.
The Amirium family, known for its low profile and years of decline, suddenly had an heir... This would have an immeasurable impact on the colossal circle of nobles in the royal capital, and even on the deeply-rooted royal family.
Take the Silentdis family for example, a ducal house that had existed since the dawn of civilization; their very existence was such that a single sneeze could make the entire Nobili Kingdom tremble.
—If the Amirium family was a sleeping lion, then Kelusta’s appearance was the sign that it was about to open its eyes.
The return of the heir signified that the Amirium name was on the verge of a revival. The “stagnant golden stream” would be revitalized and begin to flow again, inevitably triggering a considerable reshuffling and turmoil within the kingdom’s high society.
After seeing off the last noble lady who came to pay her respects, the two were finally left undisturbed.
They simply leaned against an inconspicuous corner, chatting idly in peace. Just as Kelusta finished her fruit wine and placed the empty stemmed glass on the table, a familiar voice suddenly interjected into a pause in their conversation:
“Lux, Father wants to see you.”
The silver-haired girl froze, turning her head to meet her younger brother’s handsome, expressionless face.
Upon meeting Wend’s gaze, Kelusta immediately offered a polite greeting and consciously stepped back a little, waiting quietly nearby for the siblings to finish their conversation.
“Why is Father looking for me now?” Gloria frowned and asked. “What is it about?”
“To be precise, he’s not just looking for you. I have to go too,” Wend answered evasively. His blue eyes, just as beautiful as his sister’s, quickly swept over Kelusta, not only leaving her completely bewildered but also causing Gloria to pause for a moment.
Then, as if she had realized something, she pondered for a moment before changing her tune. “Alright, you lead the way.”
Wend shrugged and turned, heading first toward the spiral staircase in the depths of the hall.
But Gloria didn’t follow him immediately. Instead, she turned around, gave the slightly uneasy-looking Kelusta a faint smile, and instructed, “Could you wait for me here? I’m going to the second floor to see my father. I’ll be back for you in a little while.”
Although Kelusta also wanted to formally meet her crush’s father, she hadn’t been invited, and it would be far too rude to suggest it herself...
She pressed her lips together, suppressing the slight disappointment in her heart, and gave Gloria a bright smile, promising, “Don’t worry, I’ll stay right here. I won’t go anywhere.”
Gloria nodded, said no more, and turned to follow Wend.
Kelusta watched the siblings’ retreating figures, her gaze slowly climbing the staircase. She saw that the second floor had a rather spacious corridor with some private rooms hidden in the back, likely lounges prepared for the guests.
It seemed the royal family, having hosted these balls for so many years, was quite experienced when it came to socializing.
—After all, if nobles happened to hit it off and planned to engage in some economic or political dealings, they would always need a quiet space to exchange certain confidential information not meant for outsiders.
But none of this had anything to do with Kelusta, of course. It was just a passing thought. After Gloria’s figure disappeared, the brown-haired girl withdrew her gaze and turned her interest to the exquisite desserts arranged on the table before her.
“Temporary Host, the food at a ball isn’t really meant for filling your stomach,” the System, well-versed in these minutiae, said immediately after Kelusta had studied the options for a while and finally picked up a slice of Black Forest cake. “Please remember not to eat too much...”
“I know, I know,” the brown-haired girl, well aware of what the System thought of her, wasn’t annoyed by its nagging and replied quite good-naturedly. “Just one piece, okay? Look how fragrant this chocolate is. Even the Pudding Workshop can’t make a dessert like this... It would be such a shame to let it go to waste.”
The System said helplessly, “If I recall correctly, Mr. Sogeta already sent the letter authorizing your inheritance two days ago. Right now, with your personal assets alone, you could buy the entire Pudding Workshop. Why do you still have such a commoner’s mentality?”
“Hmm, because I’ll always have the bones of someone from Seaside Town,” Kelusta replied with a grin. “Being frugal is glorious.”
And so, the brown-haired girl ate her cake with a small spoon while engrossed in her banter with the System. She stood in stark contrast to the noble ladies around her, who were either touching up their makeup or gossiping in low voices. She was like a pure, unpretentious mudslide.
Adding to that the passive halo she had just acquired from “being able to stand next to Lady Gloria and converse with her for an extended time,” she naturally caught the attention of some of the more perceptive nobles.
Therefore, a number of people had already begun to involuntarily fix their gazes on Kelusta.
It was now close to the official start of the ball, and many young people, as if unable to wait, gradually made their way to the center of the hall with their partners to begin the first dance of the evening.
The court musicians obligingly began to play a suitable piece. The long, gentle sound of the violins was dreamlike, and more and more people, moved by the music, took the hands of those beside them one after another, stepping into the dance and twirling to the rhythm in the center of the floor.
Meanwhile, in her corner, Kelusta had only eaten about half of her cake when she was interrupted by an unfamiliar man who had walked up to her.
“Good evening, beautiful lady,” the man, who was handsome and elegant in a well-tailored, snow-white formal suit, said with a slight bow to Kelusta. “Might I have the honor of a dance with you?”
At a ball, most nobles didn’t have a fixed dance partner for the entire evening like Kelusta and Gloria did.
Even those who entered the hall as a pair would, at most, arrive together before going their separate ways after crossing the threshold, seeking out and inviting others who caught their eye on the spot.
Kelusta had done her homework, so she naturally understood this.
So, faced with the man’s invitation, she didn’t seem particularly surprised. Instead, she calmly refused, “I’m very sorry, esteemed sir, but I already have a partner. I regret that I must decline, but I thank you for the invitation. I wish you a wonderful evening.”
The man seemed to pause, as if he hadn’t expected such a young girl to have a fixed partner, and said with a hint of disbelief, “You’ve already decided?”
“...” Kelusta found his words a bit strange, but for a moment, she couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong with them, so she could only reply, “Yes.”
The noble sighed but was gentlemanly enough. Seeing Kelusta’s firm stance, he didn’t press the invitation further, simply bowing to her once more before turning to leave.
Kelusta paid no mind to this sudden interlude and lowered her head again, preparing to continue enjoying her one and only slice of cake.
Unexpectedly, however, that man’s invitation was like flipping a switch. Those around who had already been interested in her sprang into action, approaching her one after another as if wound up. It annoyed the brown-haired girl so much that she became a refusal machine, her face nearly frozen in a smile, without even a chance to touch her spoon again.
“‘Fine feathers make fine birds,’” the System commented. “When you wear that gown, no one can see the Seaside bones beneath the noble exterior.”
While mechanically repeating, “I’m very sorry, I already have a partner,” with a plastered-on smile, Kelusta was mentally rolling her eyes hard at the System, thinking resentfully, “My tongue is getting twisted, and you’re just enjoying the show!”
“But I can’t refuse them for you,” the System encouraged innocently. “Hang in there. According to my data analysis, many people are already backing down after seeing the difficulty. You probably only need to turn away about five more suitors.”
“...Thanks,” Kelusta said, her face expressionless. “I’m never attending this stupid ball again next year. And Gloria isn’t allowed to come either—because every second I spend here is a waste of my precious life!”
To soothe her dry mouth and throat, she casually picked up a glass of fragrant, greenish liquor and took a sip. The sweet and sour taste of plum and the rich aroma of gardenia filled her mouth, crisp and refreshing, instantly clearing Kelusta’s muddled head.
“Green Plum Gardenia Wine,” the System said. “A specialty of the Eastern Great Forest. Legend says it’s a divine nectar brewed by the elves themselves.”
“It really is fragrant.” Kelusta raised her glass, carefully observing the green liquid within. She was completely engrossed in this fruit wine with its uniquely complex flavor, not noticing at all who the last person to approach her was.
“Thank you for the invitation.” Her eyes remained fixed on the glass of Green Plum Gardenia Wine as she answered absently, “But I’ve already decided on my partner. I’m very sorry, I hope you have a pleasant evening—”
However, before she could finish her formulaic refusal, the newcomer let out an abrupt, cold laugh that sounded arrogant and haughty from head to toe.
“Well, well, a social butterfly?” a girl’s voice, dripping with sarcasm and tinged with a familiar arrogance, called out to Kelusta provocatively.
Kelusta’s movements froze. The liquid in the glass she was holding sloshed gently. She looked up, her golden eyes filled with coldness, and, as expected, met the gaze of the girl with long, wine-red hair.
...A “social butterfly” was not a compliment.
The brown-haired girl’s golden eyes shifted slightly. She turned to Avia, whose forehead might as well have been stamped with the words “I’m here to cause trouble,” and met her gaze calmly.
The moment their eyes met, the red-haired girl couldn’t help but reveal a malicious smile.
She stood opposite Kelusta, deliberately blocking her path, her gaze filled with an undeniable malice.
“...”
Kelusta narrowed her eyes slightly.
It seemed this young lady’s purpose... was simply to come and make trouble for her.
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