The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 65

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 65
“It’ll be fine. I’m not a child anymore. My brother will understand.”
‘But it won’t be fine,’ Peni thought privately.
Peni kept this to herself.
‘Your Highness doesn’t know. His Majesty has been watching over you like a hawk.’
Once Rhea turned fifteen, rumors of her beauty had spread beyond the walls of the Royal Palace.
Love letters, flowers, and gifts poured in from people who had never even laid eyes on her.
Occasionally, some madman would sneak into the palace grounds.
The Late King had been furious and issued stern orders.
Not a single letter was permitted to reach his daughter’s hands—all were burned.
After the Late King’s passing, Aren inherited that same fierce protectiveness over Rhea.
At her first ball at eighteen, Rhea had danced with none but Aren.
Peni said nothing when she heard Rhea’s complaint that no one had asked her to dance, for she knew the truth.
‘Our Majesty must be hurting. He might even be weeping when he heard the news.’
But what could be done?
He couldn’t possibly ride all the way from that distant kingdom to the Imperial Capital.
Libia and Veronica Velua were waiting for Rhea in the Reception Room.
“Someone came from the Imperial Palace, I understand.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Her Majesty the Empress has sent your Betrothal Dress.”
Inside a large box placed on the sofa table lay a pristine white dress.
Libia spoke.
“It will need alterations to fit you properly. Why don’t you try it on?”
Rhea couldn’t make sense of this situation.
She had never heard anything about having a Betrothal Dress made.
A dress suddenly arrives, and it doesn’t even fit her body, so it needs alterations?
Noticing Rhea’s confusion as she stared at the dress, Veronica Velua spoke up.
“Betrothal Dresses are sometimes passed down from the elder women of one’s house. The more distinguished the family, the more meaning they attach to an inherited dress.”
Rhea asked in surprise.
“Then did Her Majesty the Empress send you the dress she wore at her own Betrothal Ceremony?”
“It’s unlikely she wore it herself. Usually, when the Imperial Family commissions formal dress, several extras are made. This is probably one of those.”
“I see.”
Veronica Velua spoke carefully.
“From what I hear, the Betrothal Ceremony will be held at the Cathedral Sanctuary Hall without guests. The hall is so spacious that it will feel quite empty. Whether Her Majesty the Empress will attend, I cannot say.”
To receive a dress passed down by the Empress who presided over the betrothal seemed like extraordinary favor.
Yet any young lady of a respectable family would never desire such a betrothal.
Even a betrothal attended only by relatives was typically preceded by months of preparation for a grand banquet.
The Cathedral Sanctuary Hall was a special place not available to just anyone, but it needed to be filled with guests to be truly magnificent.
Rhea knew none of these details.
In truth, even if she had known, she would not have cared.
“The two of you will attend, won’t you?”
The two noble ladies smiled and nodded.
“Of course.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
Libia drew the dress from the box and urged her forward.
“Let’s begin with the alterations right away. Come now, try it on.”
Once Rhea had changed into the dress, Veronica Velua and Libia examined her with serious expressions, exchanging their thoughts.
“Being such an old style, it does look a bit……”
“That was the fashion of the time, I suppose.”
“We’ll need to take in the waist a little and work on the shoulders.”
“Her Majesty the Empress is likely shorter than you, so fortunately the hem isn’t too short despite the longer construction.”
Rhea smiled as she watched the two of them in the mirror.
And gazing at her own reflection, she fell into a strange reverie.
As a child, she had harbored vague dreams of betrothal and marriage ceremonies.
But after that day when she lost everything, she had abandoned such hopes entirely.
Ordinary happiness seemed an impossible fantasy.
Even after returning through time, she had focused only on pursuing her goals.
Her marriage to him was merely a means to an end.
Yet why did her heart flutter so at the thought of the coming Betrothal Ceremony, dressed in this gown?
“When will the Betrothal Ceremony take place?”
Libia answered.
“Oh my, where is my head? I nearly forgot the most important detail. His Majesty has set the date for the Betrothal Ceremony as well. A fortnight from now.”
Rhea looked up in surprise.
“A fortnight?”
“It’s tight, certainly, but perfectly timed.”
Veronica Velua nodded in agreement.
“It’s only two days before the season’s first Social Party, which is ideal. I’d recommend the two of you attend together afterward. It will serve as the Princess’s debut in high society.”
That was why the Empress had sent the dress.
Creating a Betrothal Dress in merely a fortnight would have been impossible otherwise.
Rhea exhaled slowly, then spoke.
“There’s so little time. Veronica, do you think I can make a successful debut in high society?”
“You’re the betrothed of an Imperial Prince and not of Imperial birth, so they won’t apply the strictest standards. Don’t worry too much.”
“I want to aim higher. First impressions matter most, after all. I should extend my lesson schedule.”
One of Veronica Velua’s eyebrows arched.
Her current schedule was already packed from morning until night.
“You’re both quite determined, I see.”
Rhea’s ears perked up at this.
She fidgeted absently with the hem of her skirt before asking offhandedly.
“What has His Highness been doing lately?”
“I hear he’s been making appearances at various gatherings these days. Isn’t that so, Libia?”
“Yes. It’s a good sign. Even though they’re holding the Betrothal Ceremony without guests, the wedding itself should be grand. He needs to become acquainted with those he’ll be sending invitations to beforehand.”
“It does seem odd to send wedding invitations to people you’ve never met.”
“Quite so. I’ve attended such weddings before. The atmosphere among the guests always felt strangely awkward.”
“Your Highness, would you turn this way? And raise your arm a bit.”
“Should we add a Ribbon Decoration to the end of the sleeve?”
“That would work nicely.”
“By the way, how have people reacted to the 4th Imperial Prince’s appearances at these gatherings?”
“From what I’ve heard, they find it rather unexpected.”
“In what way?”
“He apparently mingles with people far better than anyone anticipated.”
“That is surprising. I thought he’d simply stand by the wall and stare ahead.”
“That’s enough, Your Highness. You may change out of the dress now.”
“Yes? Oh…. Yes.”
Rhea felt a pang of regret that the conversation had been cut short just when it was growing interesting.
Once she’d changed and returned, Veronica Velua spoke.
“I’ll give you additional instruction on yesterday’s Etiquette Lesson. Go upstairs and review it; I’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes….”
After Rhea left the Reception Room with a disappointed expression, Libia and Veronica Velua exchanged glances and barely suppressed their laughter.
“You’re wicked, Veronica.”
“The more they squirm not knowing, the better the payoff.”
“Why are you trying to make her squirm?”
“Those two are engaged to be married, yet they’re so cautious with each other.”
“Even so, their engagement comes from genuine affection. I’d say some restraint is better than excessive familiarity.”
Veronica Velua alone knew about the “arrangement” between the two that Rhea had confided in her.
She thought they were truly a well-matched pair.
They seemed capable of becoming a couple who genuinely cherished and loved each other, yet there was a palpable distance between them.
That was precisely why she wanted to close that gap.
“And yet you won’t tell the Princess that His Highness is making an effort to earn an invitation to the Barrel Estate.”
Libia spoke with an expression of barely contained delight.
“It’s entertaining, isn’t it?”
Veronica Velua threw her a sidelong glance.
“Look who’s talking about being wicked.”
“She’s encountered His Highness three times now, and you can see how he’s progressing each time.”
Veronica Velua leaned forward with interest.
“How so?”
“The first time, they merely exchanged greetings. The second time, he brought her a drink twice over. The third time, he even complimented the gardens at the Barrel Estate.”
Complimenting the gardens was a classic conversational opening that typically led to, “Would you care to see the gardens?”
Veronica Velua suppressed a smile as she spoke.
“And yet you haven’t extended an invitation? Baron Barrel seems rather ruthless for appearances.”
“I told him not to.”
“Ruthless indeed—but you’re the one who deserves the title.”
“She’s embarrassed. She’s so worried she might run into you again that she won’t go anywhere. So she told me if we happen to bump into you by chance, I should pretend I can’t refuse and invite her.”
Veronica Velua let out a soft laugh.
“In any case, you have to give credit where it’s due — Baroness Barrel certainly knows how to orchestrate things.”
“My goodness, orchestrate? I’ll have you know I’ve never had a scheme of mine go wrong.”
Libia Barrel had earned herself a quiet reputation in high society as a silver-tongued matchmaker.
The couples she brought together lived in harmony and prosperity.
It was no secret that noble ladies lined up hoping to have her arrange marriages for their children.

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