Chapter 70: The Prince''s Birthday Ball
Ely''s POV:
Every noble must attend a minimum of three major events and six minor parties every month. It was a
system devised by the Royal Family to keep count of who is active in society and who is not.
Nobles from the countryside often send a letter of inactivity within the social circles to the Royal
Pce''s Office while nobles who are away from the country waging war are given a special exclusion
from these social events.
As the acting head of the Aisenburg household; I am expected to attend them in my husband''s ce if
I choose to.
As of now, I have already fulfilled the necessary obligation and this will be myst major event before I
go with Lorelei for that volunteer work.
The Prince''s Birthday Ball is currently held in his own home called The Ruby Pce.
As per Captain Niles'' rmendation. I am currently being escorted by Sir Kain, a young knight who
was an unusual aura about him.
He is very handsome with chestnut brown hair and periwinkle blue eyes. A strong strapping man
whose mother married lower than her status but ording to the rumors; it was a love match and she
was happy.
This man became a knight two years ago and quickly became quite skilled. He had just arrived from his
on-the-job training from one of my husband''s provincial estates.
Which exins why I have not seen him amongst the knights who have greeted me at home.
"Mdy, I shall stand with the other knights. Give me the signal if you wish me toe to your side."
His smooth baritone voice was pleasant to the ears as he bowed and stood beside a few knights
wearing their house colors.
Aisenburg''s colors are distinctive with its austere motif of ck and red with gold trimmings so Kain
stands out.
I waited in line to be announced when a royal guard spotted me and walked closer, giving a deep bow.
" Lady Aisenburg?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?" I asked coolly.
"His Highness ordered me to escort you into the party immediately. You do not have to fall in line."
The Prince? Ah.
An image of that handsome man with silver hair and amber eyes entered my memory. I had met him a
month ago when I first made those cakes for his Highness.
I raised a hand and snapped it; the clicking noise loud enough for Kain toe running to my side as
we walked into the glittered halls of the party.
The Ruby ce earned its name from the brilliantly sparkling tiles that were used. They were made of
rare red crystals that shine and I can see the ents of it inside and it melds with the marble flooring
and pristine white walls and dark red drapes.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
Everyone''s heads turned when I entered as I walked towards the end of the hall where Prince Belmont
sat on a plush scarlet upholstered chair.
Two people were seated on either side. I can tell by their periwinkle blue eyes that they were also
royalty.
"I greet the Young Lion of Illios. As the Duchess of Aisenburg, on behalf of my husband. I wish you a
happy birthing day, Your Highness."
I curtsied and give the usual polite smile as I greeted the Prince who stood up and took my hands.
This made everyone gasp and his two siblings to disy startled expressions. From the stares I was
getting; it seems like the Prince does not do this often.
"As the beloved wife of my closest friend. I ept your greetings with joy." He lifted my gloved hands to
his lips and kissed them before letting go and clearing his throat. "I heard that His Grace has made
great progress regarding the siege at Guthrie."
I do not know where the prince was going with this but...
"Yes, Your Highness. He has indeed attained very positive results." I smiled serenely, refusing to be
stressed out since every eye was in me now.
"Indeed. Quite a feat for the de of the Kingdom. Please enjoy the party duchess and..." he leaned
forward to kiss my hand and before he whispered something to me before smoothly pulling away.
I bowed again as he sat down on his chair to greet his other guests.
As I waded through the crowd, their eyes were all on me. The way the air changed as I pass by shows
that they are curious about why I am favored.
No one knows that I have been making the cakes that get sent to the Royal Pce every month.
The Cheesecakes I made were still popr with the king but recently the Prince has been asking me
via letters to make one different cake as a sample to keep some variety.
As of now, the coffee cake with dark chocte frosting and the blueberry cheesecakes I made this
month was well received ording to the servants who delivered itst week.
I was suddenly greeted by a fewdies and matrons that I have talked to at a few events that I
attended.
Aside from Lorelei, I don''t have any close friends but I do maintain a good polite image in front of the
olderdies and try to be calm with the younger ones.
"Oh my. I am surprised that Lady Aisenburg is here." A voice I know so well made me stered an
even sweeter smile on my face as I turned to face Lady Lorax.
After the very first party she seldom invites me to her soiree''s but whenever she and I happen to cross
paths; I would notice little idents and a few mishaps happen to me like a few young rude bucks
trailing after me or someone identally spilling a drink on me.
I have somehow maintained my calm facade and managed to dodge the worst of these incidents and I
even had to use my mana sprites to teach her male followers a lesson in trying topromise me.
After that, no idents happened after that but I can feel her re boring at my back probably due to
getting stung pride every time we see each other at events and parties.
"Why is it surprising Lady Lorax?"I asked her and she snapped her fan close, a seemingly innocent
smile on her face.
" I have heard that you were busy opening a cafe at the third district. News amongst the servants
shows that it proved to be very popr. Is it true that you made the meals being served there? As a
concerned person and reigning belle of the ton. You must be careful of whom you associate with, Your
Grace." She assumed a worried expression as everydy within the vicinity gathered around. "You
have a duty to maintain a pristine reputation as a member of nobility; Imend your generous spirit
but do be more cautious. Everyone here would be sad if nasty rumors start up due to your ease in
mixing with...moners."
I felt Kain''s hand clench but I maintained my cool and closed my eyes before smiling at her calmly and
answered with an even tone.
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Lorax. But let me rify something for you. While it is true that I
create the meal n of the food served at Cafe Terra; I trained a chef to cook them ording to my
standards." I said confidently. "I am very happy that many of my husband''s workers and a lot of regr
customers love the food there. I even heard from servers that various servants from merchants and a
few nobles order the jam bread and roll cakes so your im of onlymoners frequenting my cafe is
not entirely true."
A few women blushed and did not deny my words but one of Margaret''sdies snorted derisively and
"It does not change the fact that the cafe was opened for peasants. The Duke of Aisenburg is a great
man and this might stain his reputation. Did that not ever ur to you?"
"I never stated the cafe was opened for them specifically. The fact that Cafe Terra entertains everyone
from all walks of life proves that." I ced my hand on my chest. "I am merely following in the footsteps
of my husband whose vast business gave jobs to the people from the lower sses. Are we not told to
uphold a certain noblesse oblige? Am I wrong with emting my husband, the duke?"
A few women reluctantly nodded and I saw Margaret''s pretty face turn nasty for a second before she
smiled ndly.
"How magnanimous of you, Your Grace. " before she could deliver any more scathing remarks, I spoke
first.
"However, your concern for my well-being is touching Lady Lorax. I will take it to heart every time I
inspect my cafe. Have a good evening, Lady Lorax."
That made her snap her fan close. She bowed before me and murmured a terse farewell before she
walked away apanied by herdies.
After that confrontation, everyone went back to their own circles to gossip while I walked outside to a
small balcony to escape the warm confines of the hall.