In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 107

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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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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 107

The Imperial Debutante Ball had begun.

Though the Imperial Debutante Ball received much attention every year, this year’s banquet hall was even more crowded.

“This is the last debutante ball that Housekeeper Impigra will host, isn’t it?”

“It’s the day when decades of tradition comes to an end, so I hurried to the Imperial Capital because I absolutely wanted to attend.”

For the idle lives of nobles, such special events were like sweet rain during a drought.

Perhaps because of this, those entering the banquet hall in small groups seemed particularly excited.

And once they entered, they all wore similar expressions.

“My goodness!”

“I’ve never seen such a splendid and magnificent debutante banquet…!”

There was a slight congestion because people stopped in their tracks and looked around busily as soon as they entered the banquet hall, but no one complained.

“Look at those beautiful flowers…”

Someone sighed as if in pain.

“Haha, well I’ll be…”

There were also those who burst into hollow laughter at the sight they were seeing for the first time in their lives.

Originally, the Imperial Palace debutante ball was famous for being a grand ball that was neat while showing the dignity of the Imperial family.

But it wasn’t to this extent.

“It’s like we’ve come to a fairy kingdom rather than a banquet hall.”

At those words, the surrounding nobles unconsciously opened their mouths and nodded.

The interior of the ballroom was decorated with colorful flowers of various hues.

The large interior that could accommodate hundreds of people was filled with the fragrance of flowers.

Small chandeliers hung down long from the ceiling here and there, with large flower bouquet decorations arranged in circles hanging alongside them, creating a dreamlike scene.

Above the arched doorway leading to the terrace, small white flowers like grain kernels draped in vines, tickling the foreheads of passersby.

The door through which the debutantes would enter shortly and one wall were densely covered with pale pink and yellow roses to create a flower wall.

And what captured people’s attention most of all was the small stream flowing throughout the banquet hall like a stage.

The waterway designed along the walls so as not to interfere with foot traffic was made of white marble, with clean, transparent water flowing with a babbling sound.

“What on earth is this…”

“Am I dreaming?”

People who approached as if enchanted picked up and touched the small flower petals floating in the stream, or knelt on one knee and dipped their fingers into the cold water.

“Today’s debutante ball will be remembered for ages. It’s truly so beautiful!”

“I heard a rumor… The Lombardi Family Head donated an enormous amount of money for today’s debutante ball.”

“Ah, they said Lord Gallahan Lombardi’s daughter is making her debut today!”

People nodded as if finally understanding and looked around the banquet hall interior once more.

The final banquet that poured out Lombardi’s money and all of Housekeeper Impigra’s expertise.

That alone explained this fantastic banquet.

The banquet began in earnest and the orchestra started playing.

Only then did the nobles, whose initial shock from seeing the banquet hall had somewhat subsided, begin to take interest in other things.

“But what is this?”

“Seeing how they’re giving one to each person entering, it seems to be a banquet gift.”

After Pellet Trading Company distributed diamond necklaces to those who attended the celebration, giving such gifts had become a new custom among nobles.

The nobles carefully opened the small boxes they held in their hands with curious eyes.

“This is a diamond, right?”

“Oh, how delightful!”

Inside the box was a gold button adorned with diamonds.

The size and design seemed suitable for both women and men, appearing perfect for use as an accent on clothing.

“The young ladies making their debut today must be so fortunate! Such a splendid banquet.”

“Lord Gallahan’s daughter’s name was Pirenthia, wasn’t it?”

“Now there won’t be anyone among the Empire’s nobles who doesn’t know that name.”

It was a banquet hall where everyone was excited and unusually much conversation was taking place.

Empress Lavinia, who entered at just the right moment when the atmosphere had properly ripened, hid her trembling lips behind her wine glass.

Despite the attendant loudly announcing the Empress’s entrance, only the nobles near the entrance turned around and greeted her.

It was a simple incident that occurred because the banquet hall was so large and noisy, but the Empress couldn’t laugh it off.

Everything about the banquet, incomparably more luxurious than before, felt as if Housekeeper Impigra was mocking her.

Then Astana approached.

“Mother.”

“Ah, Crown Prince.”

The Empress smiled warmly upon seeing Astana, but her smiling face didn’t last very long.

“It really seems like a banquet worthy of being called Lombardi. It’s magnificent.”

“What did you say?”

The Empress’s eyes became sharp, but Astana spoke nonchalantly even after seeing this.

“What family in the Empire could decorate the Imperial Palace so luxuriously just because their granddaughter is having a debutante ball? And these diamond buttons…”

They would go very well with the diamond brooch I have.

Astana fondled the diamond button he received as a gift with great satisfaction.

Thud!

However, the Empress roughly snatched it from Astana’s hand.

“Such low-quality items don’t suit the Crown Prince’s dignity.”

Low-quality items? The Empress’s words were unreasonable.

Diamonds are the most expensive and hardest gems to obtain!

Astana’s face contorted.

And he snatched the diamond button back from the Empress’s hand.

The Empress’s eyes widened, not having expected Astana to do such a thing.

“You’re being ugly, Mother. You should acknowledge what deserves acknowledgment. Hating Lombardi alone won’t solve anything.”

“Cr-Crown Prince…!”

Empress Lavinia doubted her own ears.

“This banquet too wouldn’t have become an unnecessary trouble if Mother hadn’t interfered with Housekeeper Impigra.”

What is my beloved son saying right now?

But Astana’s sharp words didn’t stop.

“And no matter if you’re my mother, I cannot tolerate you taking my belongings so carelessly like that.”

“To-tolerate…”

The Empress staggered slightly from the shock.

However, Astana only glared at her coldly and didn’t support her.

“Crown Prince, how can you say such things… How could you, to me…”

But Astana snorted and walked toward the center hall of the banquet hall, moving away from the Empress.

“There should be such a thing as the Empress’s dignity…”

Astana muttered irritably.

He was tired of both his mother’s pathological obsession with Lombardi and Angenas, who couldn’t handle a single task properly.

“You there, come here.”

Astana called to an attendant who was passing by carrying wine glasses on a tray.

Though not yet of age, Astana was the Crown Prince.

And the Empire’s only legitimate heir at that.

The hesitating attendant eventually gave Astana a glass of wine.

“Ho, this is quite delicious?”

When Astana expressed such admiration after taking a sip of wine, the attendant quietly explained.

“It’s Carlo vintage wine.”

“Then isn’t it very expensive?”

It was a name that even Astana, who didn’t know much about alcohol yet, had heard a few times.

“As expected of Lombardi…”

Lombardi’s wealth was becoming more impressive with each passing year.

Not only the Lombardi family, but also Gallahan Clothing Store, and the recently independent Pellet Trading Company as well.

Just looking at this debutante ball alone, one could see that Lombardi was a special existence.

“What a world of difference from Angenas, who can’t even secure a decent hunting ground.”

The Angenas Patriarch ultimately failed to obtain the hunting ground that Astana had wanted.

He had arranged a small piece of land with similar conditions nearby under a borrowed name, but it wasn’t satisfactory.

At that moment, the attendant standing in front of the flower-decorated door raised his voice.

“The debutantes will now begin their entrance!”

Soon after, the tightly closed doors opened and the first couple appeared.

It was the debutante and cavalier who would dance the first dance alone that year.

“Young Lady Pirenthia Lombardi! As the only daughter of Lord Gallahan Lombardi…”

Receiving people’s applause, Pirenthia entered the banquet hall holding Peres’s hand.

Her green dress and fine brown hair that sparkled in the light, meeting the surrounding flower and plant decorations, made her look like a pretty forest fairy.

“Wow, they really make a well-matched pair!”

“Since they grew up together as childhood friends, they seem especially close, don’t they?”

The conversation of noble ladies who held positions in high society could be heard.

Astana looked at Pirenthia.

And turning his head, he also took in Peres, who was holding her hand.

“Lombardi…”

Astana muttered while frowning at the bitter aftertaste of wine.

* * *

“Ugh, I’m nervous.”

Standing in front of the door leading into the debutante ball hall, I was suddenly overwhelmed with tension.

“Young Lady, are you alright?”

Loril asked worriedly while stroking my back.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

No, actually I’m not fine.

My heart feels like it’s going to jump out of my mouth, Loril.

“Just a moment ago, the Lord, Lord Gallahan, and Lady Shannet’s family arrived at the banquet hall. Ah! And your broth… I mean, Lord Cleribane too.”

“So the whole family came.”

“Of course! It’s your debut day! There’s no way they’d miss it!”

“Ugh…”

Being reminded that it was such a big event that all the Lombardi people had mobilized made my stomach feel twisted again.

“Why am I so nervous, Loril? Am I going to faint at this rate?”

It’s just an event where I greet people once and dance once.

Though there are quite a few people.

A few, no, quite a lot…

“Still, you’re doing well, Young Lady. The other young ladies are… Especially that Giterwell young lady…”

At Loril’s words, I turned to look at Tilianna who was right behind me.

Tilianna, whose healthy complexion had turned pale white, was staring blankly at one spot, letting her cavalier’s comforting words go in one ear and out the other.

I approached Tilianna and said.

“Um, Tilianna.”

“…Yes.”

Her reaction is a beat slow.

“If you’re too nervous, how about drinking some water?”

“…Yes.”

“Oh, I think a frog just jumped into your dress.”

“…Yes.”

“You’re not hearing a word I’m saying right now, are you?”

“…Yes.”

She’s gone, completely gone.

It seems like there’s no solution other than starting the ball quickly and getting it over with fast.

“Good luck.”

I patted the shoulder of Tilianna’s partner, whom I had thought resembled Creny last time, a couple of times and returned to my place.

“Young Lady, please stand still for a moment.”

With a careful expression, Loril made final adjustments to my hair and clothes, then said.

“I think I should go inside now. I’ll see you inside, Young Lady? Don’t be too nervous.”

“Yeah, I’m fine so go ahead.”

Loril still seemed worried as she left, looking back at me several times.

“Phew…”

Actually, I’m not fine.

My heart, which had been fine when meeting the Emperor and Empress, and when conducting business worth thousands of gold, was making a fuss today of all days.

“I need to take deep breaths. Deep breaths…”

It was when I raised my head while exhaling deeply.

I saw Peres standing far away.

“How long has he been standing there?”

His gaze is definitely looking at me.

But why isn’t he coming closer and just standing there like that?

“Peres? What are you doing over there?”

Hearing my voice, Peres finally blinked slowly like someone waking from sleep.

“Tia.”

Then he called my name and began slowly approaching me.

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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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