Chapter 73: Your Highness, your thoughts are written all over your face

Rishe chose a deep blue dress to wear that evening. Her maid Elsie did her hair, braiding it together in the back and curling the loose bits around her face.

The result was festive yet elegant and composed. Whenever Rishe moved, her pearl earrings swayed to and fro. Dressed up in the "understated but not conservative" look she'd requested of her maids, Rishe went over her strategy until a knock came at the door.

"Lady Rishe, I've brought you some mail." The maid handed her two letters.

One was from a girl named Mary. She was the fiancée of Prince Dietrich, the man to whom Rishe had once been engaged. Mary and Rishe had been corresponding ever since she'd come to Galkhein.

Lady Mary… I see you're still working hard for Prince Dietrich at the palace.

Mary—who had "stolen" Rishe's fiancé from her—was still engaged to the prince, but now it had far less to do with marrying a rich man for her family's sake. Apparently, Dietrich had been on the verge of being disowned by his father the king, and Mary was putting in a great deal of effort to his reform to prevent it. From the letter, Rishe gleaned that people did not always treat her well, but Mary was still doing her best to be both kind and strict with her fiancé nonetheless.

I'll have to write a reply as soon as the party is over. Now for the other letter.

She turned over the second envelope to find "Crystal Light Jewelers" written in one corner—the jewelry store she had visited with Arnold. One of the items enclosed was the design for her ring. Rishe almost gasped in awe when she saw it.

It's beautiful…

So beautiful, in fact, that she wanted to forget everything and stare at it forever. Yet she resisted the urge and forced her eyes to the letter, which contained a list of notes the proprietress had on her grandson's design.

In addition, it read: "I mentioned the ring would take a month to make, but it seems some craftsmen from Coyolles have arrived in the capital. If I commission them, the ring will be completed much sooner, so you have that to look forward to."

Rishe blinked her wide eyes, surprised.

Simply assigning different craftsmen to work on the ring means it could be finished that much sooner? That's great news, though. If the ring is ready fast, I can have my dress made to match. Mr. Tully did say I should choose the fabric sooner rather than later.

She glanced back at the design.

Normally, the dress would come first, I suppose. But I find myself wanting to prioritize the ring…

"Lady Rishe. It's time."

"Oh, you're right. I apologize." Rishe took a deep breath, put her letters away, and headed to the party.

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The gala was held in the largest hall of the imperial palace. Once again, Rishe entered with Arnold. The sparkling chandeliers and the extravagant costumes of the attendees made for a spectacular sight. Arnold—who didn't like parties—already wore a dour look.

"Your Highness, your thoughts are written all over your face."

"That's fine. I'm putting them there."

Their short exchange was interrupted by Kyle, the guest of honor.

"Prince Arnold, thank you so much for holding such a grand event for me."

Kyle bowed, turning to Rishe. "Lady Rishe, you were beautiful earlier today, but in a situation like this, your beauty surpasses words. You look akin to a mythical flower that only blooms under moonlight."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I hope you have a wonderful time tonight." Rishe smiled politely, ignoring his social pleasantries.

I've greeted Prince Kyle. There's my minimum duties fulfilled.

Rishe looked up at Arnold. "Your Highness, I think I'll go chat with the ladies."

It was Arnold's duty to introduce Kyle to the nobility in attendance.

Conversations between a crown prince, a foreign prince, and several high-ranking nobles were no place for Rishe—who was merely a royal's fiancée. This came as some relief; since they hadn't yet married, she didn't have to participate in the meeting between Kyle and Lawvine. But avoiding the count completely during her time in the hall would be no easy feat.

"I'll see you later, Prince Arnold. Prince Kyle, please enjoy yourself." With the most elegant curtsy, Rishe casually detached from the group. She wished she could take some countermeasures, but if she did anything strange next to Prince Arnold, people would notice.

I should be fine from this distance. Now, I need to concentrate…

Having escaped to one of the walls, Rishe took a deep breath. She strained her ears as she watched the party swirl around her.

Conversations mixed with the clatter of shoes on the floor. She did her best to separate individual sounds from the morass. And not just sounds. All around her were brilliant dresses and capes, countless men and women on all sides. The more she concentrated, the wider her field of vision grew and the farther she could see.

There he is.

Rishe's honed senses drew her focus to one spot. He was so far away that she could hardly make out his face, but she'd found Lawvine. Given that she'd spent the last few days training under him, she was absolutely certain. She'd paid especially careful attention this morning, memorizing the feel of his presence.

Rishe sucked in another breath, closing her eyes. Now that she'd located him, she didn't need her vision to tell he was moving. Opening her eyes to confirm, Rishe entered the next stage of her plan.

"Good evening, Lady Rishe."

"Lady Barthel. Thank you so much for telling me about that wonderful brand of tea the other day."

"Oh, Lady Rishe! That's an amazing dress. May I ask which merchant supplied it?"

"I'm honored you think so. I got it from the Aria Trading Company."

Rishe slipped through the venue, trading greetings with various women, taking care to not disturb the atmosphere or be rude. All the while, she made sure no one realized she was avoiding Lawvine.

He's headed for the center of the hall. Prince Arnold and Prince Kyle are on the western side. From what I know of Lord Lawvine's personality, he'll move toward the prince as soon as he spots him…

Keeping a close eye on her mark, Rishe walked about the hall as naturally as she could, predicting his movements.

Ah, he stopped. He must be talking to someone. I've got time to strike up a chat, then, she decided, initiating a conversation with someone she'd met at a previous party.