I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 73

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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73

Now that the moment of the decisive battle was approaching, I was so nervous. I felt nauseous the entire way to the Royal Palace.

My face must have been quite pale in the carriage, as Brother was encouraging me.

“Don’t be scared beforehand. The Countess said she’d serve as your chaperone, didn’t she? That alone makes your debut half successful. And you have a wonderful and magnificent guard captain brother who’s already like family at the Royal Palace, so what’s there to worry about?”

I forced the corners of my mouth up at Brother’s words.

‘I don’t even have the energy to refute his nonsense.’

Father, who had been sitting silently beside me, suddenly pulled out a handkerchief from his chest.

When I turned my head, I saw Father’s profile as he dabbed at his eyes.

“Our Rieze… When did you grow up so much… Ah, Father isn’t ready to send you off in marriage yet…”

Father’s nasal mumbling was so absurd that I burst out laughing.

“What are you saying, Father! I’m not getting married.”

“No, you look so beautiful… and mature… This father is already imagining the future of sending you off in marriage and my heart is being torn to pieces…”

Father trailed off and blew his nose loudly.

“Oh, you’re really being ridiculous. I’m still far from getting married! I haven’t even had a boyfriend once yet.”

I laughed while patting Father’s hand. It was meant to comfort him, but Father seemed even more devastated.

“B-boyfriend…!”

Father let out a shriek and groaned again, burying his face in his handkerchief.

I was grateful yet amused by Father who cherished me so much, and kept laughing.

Brother looked at Father and pressed his temples as if he couldn’t handle it.

Anyway, Father’s dramatics completely relieved my tension. My facial muscles could move freely again.

“Listen carefully, Rieze. You must never wander around alone. When you have to separate from me or Father, you must accompany Countess Diern. Your first dance partner is very important, so if anyone asks, make sure to get my confirmation. You did hide your dance card somewhere inconspicuous, right? You can’t make mistakes in etiquette, so even now let’s quickly review…”

“If there’s a mistake, it’ll be because my eardrums are bleeding from you, Brother.”

Brother’s endless sermon even made it possible for me to retort.

Looking outside, the vast and towering outer walls of the Royal Palace caught my attention.

The Brante Estate’s carriage joined the procession of other carriages lined up, and soon stopped at the Royal Palace’s main gate.

Just before getting out, I held up a hand mirror one last time to check my appearance.

For nearly a month, I had made a huge fuss bringing my body to its best condition.

I received daily massages and face packs, bathed in water covered with flower petals, and drank tasteless tea that reduced swelling.

Thanks to four maids who had been attending to me since early morning, my makeup, hair, and outfit were perfect.

I snorted with satisfaction and put away the hand mirror.

Then I gently took Brother’s outstretched hand and stepped down from the carriage.

After entering the Royal Palace, I had to part with Father at the entrance to the banquet hall.

It was customary for young noblewomen and men having their debutante to be called by name and appear from behind the curtains on the second floor.

Father tearfully said goodbye to me and entered through the large door on the first floor, which was the general guest entrance.

It was the right choice to decide to enter the banquet hall holding Brother’s hand instead of Father’s.

Even with gloves, holding hands with blood relatives was disgusting, but it seemed better than appearing with Father whose eyelids were all puffy.

I arrived on the second floor. The noble children having their debut this year were called by name one by one and went out beyond the curtains.

“Young Noblewoman Kien of the Rastin Barony is entering!”

When the protocol officer called a name I knew, my head turned automatically.

Kien spotted me and briefly waved at me. Then she went out beyond the wide-open curtains with her father, Baron Rastin.

Seeing a close friend march to the battlefield before me gave me strength.

After the applause for Kien died down, I stood behind the curtains alongside Brother.

“Young Noblewoman Rieze of the Brante Estate is entering!”

Soon the protocol officer loudly announced my name to echo throughout the entire banquet hall.

I walked out beyond the curtains, greeted the audience gathered on the lower floor, and descended the spiral staircase.

The flashing lights, orchestra music, cheers and applause were all mixed together, making me feel dazed, but thanks to countless simulations, my body moved automatically.

After reaching the lower floor, I walked toward the platform where the Queen sat.

When I curtsied respectfully before the Queen, she sent me praise that solidified my presence.

With this, the essential ceremony of the debutante was over.

Once the most important protocol passed, my tension was somewhat relieved.

With a lightened heart, I went around with my family, being introduced to various people and exchanging greetings.

After about 30 minutes, Darius spotted us and approached with quick steps.

“Darius.”

“Prince Darius. Have you been well?”

Brother and Father greeted Darius first.

“Simon, Count Brante. Have you been at peace?”

Darius gave them a friendly greeting.

A white guard uniform embroidered with gold thread. With a chest strap adorned with decorations and medals over it, he was dazzling today as well.

It was exactly the appearance described in the early part of 【Golden Oath】.

It was natural that he drew countless gazes, standing out like the protagonist of this world.

After admiringly observing his auspicious countenance, I greeted him.

“I greet Prince Darius Diern. I am Rieze of the Brante Estate.”

I gently held the hem of my dress and curtsied.

I deliberately used formal speech to tease him, as he seemed not to have noticed my presence yet.

Darius turned his head toward me, gasped, and then broke into a big smile.

“Miss Rieze! I didn’t recognize you, wow.”

“Did drawing lines on a pumpkin make it a watermelon?”

“What are you saying? Miss Rieze was always pretty. It seems this season’s flower of society has already been decided?”

I giggled at Darius’s flattering praise while Brother muttered a small curse.

Ignoring Brother’s jeering, Darius continued the conversation.

“I was late so I missed Miss Rieze’s ceremony. What a shame… Congratulations on your debut. As I said before, whenever you need help or an escort at events like this, please ask me for anything.”

“Thank you.”

Then Darius’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“…Ah. But I have something urgent to tell Miss Rieze.”

“What is it?”

Brother and Father also widened their eyes and approached Darius.

Darius came close to us and whispered.

“Don’t be surprised when you hear this. Yesterday at our mansion…”

“Darius.”

As Darius was about to urgently convey something, a voice calling him interrupted.

When I turned my head, I saw Countess Diern, the Queen, and the Princess, who was the Queen’s granddaughter, standing together.

It was the Countess who had called Darius.

“…Your Majesty, Mother, Princess.”

After Darius’s stiff response, we all bowed respectfully to the Queen, Princess, and Countess.

“Miss Rieze, the dress suits you very well. See, my eye is never wrong.”

“I like it very much too. I sincerely thank you, Countess.”

I bowed deeply to the Countess.

She had subtly revealed her favor toward me with the nuance that she had given me the dress as a gift.

“Violet, this child is the young noblewoman you cherish. Indeed, she’s a beautiful and lovely young lady.”

The Queen looked at me and added a word of praise.

She must have understood the Countess’s intention and responded accordingly, but I showed a grateful expression and bowed my head.

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

“Sir Simon. Your sister has finally set foot in society. Count Brante, it’s good to see your face after a long time.”

When the Queen acknowledged Brother and Father in turn, another long exchange of pleasantries followed.

Feeling my HP dropping in real time, I enthusiastically played along and showed proper etiquette.

If I hadn’t practiced at social gatherings with peers, my mouth would have twitched.

“Well then, I hope you all enjoy the best day today.”

After a while, the Queen was about to leave.

I thought I could finally hear Darius’s urgent news.

“Ah, Sir Darius, look at me for a moment.”

The Queen gestured for Darius to follow her, completely shattering my expectations.

He glanced at me with an apologetic expression before being helplessly dragged away by them.

I gave him a brief smile and waved my hand, meaning it was okay and to go ahead.

Since it was none other than the Queen calling for him, he couldn’t ignore it.

‘What could it be? What on earth happened yesterday.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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