Chapter 10

Ariadne smiled brightly, “Really? You think so?”

Elphie nodded gently. Ariadne clasped her hands as she said excitedly, “Actually, I’m really happy that you came today.”

“I should’ve come earlier.”

“Not at all!” Ariadne tugged lightly on Elphie’s hand and the two began moving forward again. The dark cobblestone path winded through the narrow alleys, and Elphie would periodically move behind Ariadne to squeeze through.

As the shadows played hide-and-seek with the light, Ariadne continued: “Not many nobles come to the slums. The people here are also hostile to the well-off, like Roger.”

Elphie remained silent, listening as Ariadne lamented.

“It’s not truly hate, but a type of envy in my eyes. Many feel that they are owed something by the more fortunate, but the truth is, even if every noble gave up all their assets to split evenly, it won’t help in the long run. Because that money is short-lived, and it’s too little to sustain them forever.”

Even if the nobles’ wealth was truly split between all the masses, if the person holding money does not know how to use it to generate more income, then a hierarchy would soon be built once more.

Of course, that didn’t mean every poor person lacked the ability to make money, nor that every wealthy person was competent. However, classes would not fail to be built even if the fates of these people were reversed. Perhaps a poor person would become a new noble, but another would inevitably fall to rags.

Only increasing the true baseline of poverty into an acceptable middle-class level would the scenes before her cease to repeat.

“…” Elphie gingerly asked, “Are you tired?”

On Ariadne’s face, there was a weary gloom that seemed to belong to this area. She slowly reached out a hand and covered her face, “Yes.”

Just as Elphie was ruminating over her words, Ariadne suddenly perked up and gave a bright smile, befitting of a protagonist. “But we’ll take it one step at a time, day by day. Look, you’re here now, aren’t you?”

Ariadne pulled on both hands and pulled them up in a prayer gesture, “Perhaps soon, more and more nobles will come. And one day, there may not be a need for volunteers anymore.”

A prosperous capital where everyone was able to find happiness equally. That was the young girl’s dream.

Elphie closed her eyes and prayed back.

· ─ ·✶· ─ ·

When Elphie arrived back home, the Count and Countess were having tea in the living room. The Countess quickly beckoned her over upon seeing her.

“Elphie dear, we have some big news for you.”

Elphie curiously walked over, “What is it?”

“Take a look at this.” Countess Diana handed over an envelope with an ornate gold pattern. The moment Elphie saw this pattern and red seal, she had a bad feeling.

She slowly took over the letter and cracked the red seal open, revealing the contents. In flourishing script, the words read:

We cordially invite Count Elraba and his family to the Royal Palace, in recognition of his merit to the Royal Family.

The Count smiled, “We’ll be visiting the Royal Palace in a few days.”

Elphie could only force a smile. At the very least, it seemed that Ariadne wasn’t caught in the crossfire. Although this was an “invitation”, it was more like a summons. Unable to avoid it even if she cowered, Elphie could only reluctantly prepare for the meeting in a few days.

Another round of maids and designers flocked through her room, with Countess Diana at the forefront waving a peacock fan and smiling teasingly. Every meeting with the royal family was treated with solemnity, so from her hair, accessories, to dress and shoes, all needed to be carefully measured.

As the scene before her seemed to whirl into chaos, Elphie thought to herself: I’m really not suited for the aristocratic life…

In the end, Countess Diana took charge and selected a white dress that seemed to shine faintly blue under the lights with white gloves to match. The meeting would only last as long as afternoon tea, so it wouldn’t be quite as formal as a dinner banquet.

Count Alfred smiled encouragingly at Countess Diana the whole time, and Elphie suddenly understood where the Countess’ unending youthful energy came from. She could only sigh and lampoon inwardly to please not prolong her suffering any longer.

When at last the servants and her parents retreated, Elphie leaned back against the chair, lifting her head in the now-empty room.

She truly hadn’t been in this world for long, but sometimes she thought she’d probably never get used to it. Though surviving had taken priority, she had never given up returning to her world someday.

Crown Prince Troy.

It was time to meet that foxy bastard.

· ─ ·✶· ─ ·

Once again, Elphie’s family entered the royal palace. This time, there was no slew of guests and carriages, and the majesty of the building and guards became all the more apparent.

Three guards stood on each side of their carriage, while another two awaited them in front of the doors. They saluted the Marquis and turned in perfect unison, directing them inside.

Marquis Alfred nodded curtly, walking in with poise. Marquess Diana and Elphie followed his lead, allowing the escorts to greet and take them to a room, where they would have their meeting.

Her parents settled down and readjusted their clothes while servants streamed in, setting dishes and bringing pastries. A perfect three-tiered stand was set up, and they didn’t wait long before the guards outside the door announced the royal’s arrival.

Everyone stood up and bowed in welcome, keeping their eyes to the floor as leather shoes stepped across the polished woodboard.

“Please, no need for such courtesies.” A slightly cool yet gentle male voice sounded over.

“It is only proper, Your Highness.” Marquis Alfred looked up and greeted Crown Prince Troy, who was alone.

Prince Troy seemed to sense his unspoken question, “I requested Father and Mother to allow me to thank the Marquis’ family personally.”

“You’re too courteous. The pleasure is ours.”

With that, all four took their seats while Marquis Alfred and Prince Troy continued to exchange pleasantries.

It was a bit unexpected that the Empress and Emperor didn’t show up, but they had recently been handing over more and more duties to the Crown Prince heir. A meeting with one of the cornerstones of the empire, Marquis Alfred, must’ve been a great training opportunity in their eyes.

And the Crown Prince lived up to their expectations, flawlessly guiding the conversation. While of course the Marquis wouldn’t make things difficult for him, he was evidently an excellent negotiator.

Elphie sipped on some tea as she calmly watched. Suddenly, Prince Troy met her gaze and smiled, “It is an honor to see you again, Miss Elraba.”

“The honor is mine, Your Highness.” Elphie emulated her father’s greeting.

“You as well, Marquess Elraba.”

Diana laughed and did the same. Remembering her faint avoidance of the crown prince, the Marquis gently shifted the focus back.

Prince Troy didn’t resist, going with the conversation’s flow. Elphie was silently relieved, and after some time, the Marquess asked, “Elphie dear, would you like to go stroll the garden if you’re bored?”

The topic had shifted to politics at this point, and the Marquis and crown prince glanced over. Prince Troy smiled, “I apologize for not taking that into account. Milady, please feel free to get some fresh air.”

Elphie didn’t refuse the offer, curtsying and excusing herself.

Once out of the room, she leisurely walked around the garden she had strolled with Ariadne not too long ago. Now that it was day, she could clearly see how the flowers lined both sides of the brick road, a fountain glistening under the sunlight.

The Prince didn’t order any guards to follow her, perhaps out of respect for the Marquis, or perhaps because there were more than enough guards stationed around the castle. Rather than for her safety, it would be to prevent her from snooping in places she didn’t belong.

Not that Elphie had any intention of doing so. She was perfectly content to stay put and admire the flowers, as long as she wasn’t in the same room as the prince.

But it seemed that fate had other plans in store.

Boots ground against the brick road, making a distinct treading sound unlike the clinking of the guards. Elphie looked up, wondering who could appear in the palace at a time like this.

Beyond a large pine, a tall figure clad in black appeared. When he stepped out, Elphie could clearly see his face. Chiseled, slightly furrowed black brows, a high nose and thin lips. White fur outlined the front of his cloak, and underneath was black armor that glistened under the sun.

However, most striking was his pair of red eyes, a characteristic of the royal family.

The Northern Duke.

What is he doing here now?

That night, he was meant to stumble upon Ariadne and fall for her, but perhaps because Elphie was stuck to her, he never showed up. With the scene avoided, Elphie had subconsciously removed him from the picture of Ariadne’s entanglements, focusing on the Crown Prince.

If both players entered the scene, this chessboard was bound to grow messy once more. At the very least, Ariadne hadn’t encountered the Duke just yet. Else, the scenes of the novel may unfold once more.

Elphie faced the towering man, her eyes calm as she curtsied, “Hello.”

The Northern Duke didn’t reply, merely glancing at her. He neither spoke nor left, making it rude for Elphie to simply walk away.

In the end, she could only sigh internally and offer, “Would you like to walk together?”

“No need.” A curt reply was returned. The man looked coldly at her before stating, “Marquis Elraba’s daughter.”