“You’re actually a bit nervous,” Helen said, her voice tinged with amusement. “It’s fine. Even if you do something rude, no one will dare say a word.”
“I just don’t really like these large social occasions,” Li Yue said, shaking her head. “My friend might have enjoyed it, but I find it a bit off-putting. Maybe it’s... never mind.”
Far to the south, inside a massive auditorium, Clo sat in a corner. She was looking at the letters Li Yue had written her before, counting them over and over, reading them again and again. As for the celebrations, cheers, or the ball happening within the hall, she couldn't be bothered to care.
That girl hasn't written to me in so long. Should I write to her first this time? Or was the content of the last one inconvenient to reply to? Or is she just busy lately...
She bit her thumbnail, looking quite anxious.
A carriage carved with obsidian and silver came to a halt in front of a building that closely resembled a cathedral. Young men and women in magnificent formal wear conversed with one another. The temperature here was mild and pleasant; even outdoors, the climate remained warm, allowing guests to choose any attire they desired rather than heavy coats that hid their figures.
Attendants swarmed forward, and the young nobles nearby ceased their conversations. They all bowed to the distinguished lady. Li Yue felt a sense of numbness; she had already seen no fewer than four different welcoming gestures today, and she had only just learned the etiquette used between peers.
“Feel free to wander. A few family heads haven't arrived yet,” Helen said with a smile. “Eat whatever you like from the banquet. You can treat yourself as a family head here.”
“I’ll just find a place to sit for a while. It’s a bit too noisy here,” Li Yue sighed. Being a noble for half a day was more exhausting than assassinating one.
Helen lightly raised her hand, and the people in the vicinity fell silent. Li Yue, who was halfway through a step, froze in surprise.
“There is the quiet you wanted,” Helen said with a disdainful smile. “In this city, holding great power means you can do whatever you want. The only person you ever have to bow to is Reinhardt.”
“Sorry, but I don’t like this,” Li Yue said, walking away without looking back.
Helen waved her hand and headed toward the second floor of the building. The surrounding youths stopped holding their breath and began to converse freely once more.
They didn't even think it was strange. This young lady, who was clearly the successor of a family head, was someone they didn't dare provoke. If she wanted quiet, then quiet it would be.
“Even after I did that, she still doesn't seem to have much of a concept of power,” Helen remarked to the young lady supporting her arm as they walked.
“Perhaps this young lady has no great pursuit of secular power and wealth,” a young lady in a black dress said calmly. A mechanical smile was fixed on her face, making it impossible to discern her inner thoughts.
“You’re right. What lingering attachments can a Favored One have for the secular world? They are just a group of poor souls whose humanity is being eroded by divinity,” Helen sighed.
“Vivian, do you feel the same way?” Helen looked at the black-haired, black-eyed girl supporting her, a hint of tenderness appearing in her eyes.
“No matter what, I will remain by your side, My Lady.” Vivian’s expression didn't change in the slightest, as cold as a robot’s. “Besides, I am merely a tongue. What that young lady inherited is an entire heart.”
“Good girl,” Helen said, patting her head.
In the main hall on the first floor, Li Yue declined several attempts at conversation from nobles. Their clothes were magnificent, and even their beards were sprayed with faint perfume; they seemed to be members of branch families.
According to Helen, the Black Epiphyllum family had originally been an orphanage, so there was no real concept of direct or branch lineages. As for the position of family head, she had absolutely no intention of inheriting it. She just wondered who Helen would give it to in the future.
She still had to go south to find Clo; she couldn't spend all her time and energy on boring matters like managing a family.
She felt as though people were constantly trying to strike up a conversation with her, regardless of gender. Feeling annoyed, she finally stopped covering her left hand with her right and let the ring she had been hiding show.
The reason she had been covering it was that displaying it so openly gave her the strange feeling of being a married woman. However, she was afraid Clo might sense something if she took it off, and if she made Clo angry or sad, it wouldn't be easy to coax her.
Wait, when have I ever coaxed her? Why do I have such a strange thought?
Her train of thought was interrupted by the melodious sound of a violin. There was a touch of sorrow in the music, and the style of the bowing felt vaguely familiar to her.
She pushed through the crowd, muttering “excuse me.” Near the stage, she saw Melina wearing a black-and-white formal dress. She looked quite different, perhaps because she had dressed up; she had the air of a girl next door who had finally blossomed.
Standing right at the front below the stage were Lane and Aestherin, both in formal attire. They stood together, quietly appreciating Melina’s performance.
“Little Melina plays so well.”
“It’s a piece by that Mr. Roland. The composer was very talented as well. It’s a pity...”
“It really is a pity...” Li Yue said as she stood beside Lane. The latter froze, and Aestherin also looked over. They stared at Li Yue, who was wearing a formal dress, light makeup, and red eyeshadow at the corners of her eyes. Although they recognized her, she still felt like a stranger.
A momentary loss for words caused the air to fall into an eerie silence.
“Did you come because you received an invitation, or did you kill your way in?” Lane’s face twitched as he asked a question that made Aestherin want to cough up blood.
“I came in properly. Helen invited me—the head of that whatever family,” Li Yue explained seriously, though her face was written with exasperation.
What kind of stereotype is this? You blew up a furnace that day and still received an invitation, didn't you?
That sentence was practically written on Li Yue’s face, making Lane feel rather awkward instead.
“Do you have a connection with the head of Black Epiphyllum? I’ve heard she’s a ruthless and decisive woman,” Aestherin warned. “You should be careful when dealing with her.”
Li Yue nodded, not knowing how to respond. She technically counted as half a family head of Black Epiphyllum now, though she felt those two adjectives were quite fitting for herself as well.
At least she didn't mind; she just found it inexplicably funny.
“Lady Li Yue, the gathering on the second floor starts in an hour. The family head sent me to remind you.” A woman in a black dress approached Li Yue. Her dress was embroidered with white epiphyllums.
“I understand,” Li Yue nodded, and the woman withdrew respectfully.
“A gathering of family heads? You’re actually going to participate? As a guard?” Lane raised an eyebrow. “I didn't expect you to take on this kind of job.”
Then his body shuddered as he seemed to realize something was wrong.
Wait, shouldn't a guard stay by the family head’s side and remain alert at all times? Why would she be leisurely watching a musical performance?
“I’m the successor of the family. Helen said I can treat myself as the family head,” Li Yue said nonchalantly.
Lane immediately dropped to his knees, his actions defined by sheer sincerity and politeness.
Rate on N.U.
