89

The identity of the salon's owner L was not known at all. Other than their name, their gender and identity were not known, and various speculations were rampant among the people. Given that they had huge wealth enough to build a huge salon in the heart of the capital city, and that they entrusted the architect Randol, who is unknown, to build the salon, they assumed that they would be a rich man or a noble man with boldness and determination. However, that was also merely a speculation where the information was too limited to be reliable.

Clapping.

People could not hide their embarrassment even though they applauded and cheered for Elena's appearance. The fact that L, the owner of the salon, was a woman. With such a delicate body, they were shocked that she made a decisive investment with a larger distribution than most male aristocrats or rich men. At the same time, interest and curiosity about L were amplified. What kind of woman was L, the mistress of the salon? They were looking at her with their eyes, and they quickly waited for her to open her mouth and introduce herself.

"I would like to thank the guests for visiting the Secret Salon today. I'm the owner of the salon, L."

Once again, applause poured into the salon at Elena's brilliant and clear introduction.

"The Secret Salon is a place for discussion that breaks down gender and status barriers, and it advocates a complex cultural space that provides a place for socializing, a birthplace for intellect, a brokerage center, and exhibitions."

The Secret Salon would be the starting point of the new era and the beginning of the salon culture. Although its role had yet to be defined, it would be reborn as an international social hall and cultural exchange venue by inviting intellectuals and prominent figures regardless of their status and nationality.

"The threshold of the salon is low. Anyone can cross it. Always remember. I'm the owner of this salon."

Elena captivated the people in the hall with her eloquent speech. In particular, when talking about the direction of the salon's future, they were amazed at her deep thoughts, knowledge, eyes, and admired everywhere. L was not only determined but also intelligent.

"I'm going to step down now by unveiling Raphael's new work, 'Yearning,' the pride of the Secret Salon and the timeless painter. I'll see you at the public debate."

Elena, holding her skirt gracefully, bowed to the crowd and climbed the stairs.

Clapping.

Around the corner, the applause continued for a long time until Elena disappeared from view. L's first impression was very strong. The woman's image, which they had never seen before, was deeply embedded in people's minds and could not go away.

"L-Lucia?"

A woman standing in the middle of the hall couldn't help but utter her name. She was Cecilia, the eldest daughter of the Count Lyndon, with a vitality and red hair that was not hidden by her mask.

"There's no way… You're not L, are you?"

Throughout her academic career, Lucia was a junior who was hard to explain. She didn't know why, but the moment she saw L, Lucia came to mind.

"I'm being too silly. It can't be Lucia."

Cecilia tried to shake her thoughts with a laugh as if they were ridiculous. According to the news recently heard, Lucia was not in good health, so she took a leave of absence from the academic institute and returned to her hometown, the Trilateral Union. Knowing that obviously, it was funny to put L and Lucia on the same line.

But even though she knew she wasn't, the more she looked at it, the more L and Lucia overlapped. In particular, it confused her because she was so similar to the high-class tone she showed in front of Sian.

"But if the real L is Lucia…"

Cecilia swallowed her saliva.

"I may have a huge junior."

At the same time, Elena came back to the secret passage and the room where she sat on the sofa and breathed. In the hall, on behalf of Elena, Khalif would be presenting Raphael's new work "Yearning" by now. She believed that he would do well in that area as well as in art.

"Well done. We have some time before the debate, so please take a rest."

"I will."

Elena smiled and drank the warm tea Emilio had prepared. When her nervous mind and body calmed down, she called to May, who was puzzled, to sit down in front of her.

"Did you hear the rough from Emilio?"

May nodded her head. She looked half-hearted enough to answer.

"You look more surprised that I'm not Veronica than the fact that I'm L, right?"

"Y-you're really not Princess Veronica?"

Although May had already heard the truth through Emilio, she could not believe it and wanted to be confirmed.

"I'm not Veronica. I'm a substitute."

"…"

When Elena confirmed it as she wanted, May closed her mouth. She could see her trying hard to understand and accept it with her head.

"Is that why you said that to me? Because you're not his real child?"

"Yes."

"Why did you stop me from trying to assassinate the Grand Duke?"

"Because you've done nothing. You would have failed, and I didn't want that. If you wanted revenge, I wanted you to bet on a really high probability."

May's voice trembled slightly at Elena's calm words.

"Miss, no, the way you've been doing it so far?"

"A real perfect revenge is the destruction of the Grand Duchy."

All mysteries that could not be solved were solved. A series of Elena's actions that were not well understood by common sense were put together into one box. May felt goosebumps all over her body with Elena's precision, secretly preparing a salon to tighten the breath of the Grand Duke.

"… L is a very scary woman."

"Shall we, May?"

May was also tough. In the original history, she pretended to be a maid for nearly a decade to assassinate Grand Duke Friedrich. May thought for a moment and said as if she had made up her mind.

"I want to be with you, too. Can I do that?"

"Of course."

Elena couldn't hide her joy and grabbed May's hand. Today was a very happy day. The salon opened and proudly made its debut in the empire under the name of L. And she was able to make May completely her own person.

"Benefactor, there will be a debate soon."

"Is it the time already?"

Elena had no time to enjoy her joy, and her next schedule was waiting.

"What's the debate, miss?"

Even though May knew who she was, she didn't change the title 'Miss.'

"You can call me L when you're with me."

"No, this is more comfortable. If I let go of my nervousness, I might make a mistake without realizing it."

Despite Elena's persuasion, May was adamant. She may have been able to reach the point of successful assassination because she is a person who does not bend even if she is broken.

"And you look more aristocratic than any other noble I've ever seen. Madame wasn't as good as you were."

"May."

Elena was truly grateful to May for believing and following her. She didn't want to disappoint May because of the pressure of expectation.

"You asked about the debate earlier, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"There is a debate held every day in the salon. They hide themselves with masks and discuss themselves in order to be independent of their status and status. Today I'm going to participate in this debate."

"M-Miss will?"

May seemed surprised.

"Why? Is it strange that I'm participating?"

"It's not that… of the noble ladies I saw were very averse to debate and the like. They also kept away from books, they liked to decorate, and they enjoyed luxury. Gathering and noisy chatter was also obvious. Things like how to be loved by your husband…"

Although the Empire had a higher level of women's rights than other countries, its limits were clear. When it came time to marry, the daughters of noble families routinely entered into political marriages, and it was considered virtuous to engage in social activities and assist their husbands.

'You can't know. I lived that way too.'

Pretending to be Princess Veronica, she was extravagant and vain. After becoming the Crown Princess, she hung on to Sian's affection.

"I don't want to live like that."

Elena wanted to lead a leading life. She wanted to live her life without being swayed by anyone.

"Benefactor, you have to go now."

"I'm late. Let's go."

Elena put on the mask she had taken off and left the room. Emilio led her down a corridor in the opposite direction from the hall. When they reached the end of the hallway, they saw a discussion hall with sofas and furniture that looked like a reception room downstairs. What is peculiar is that a circular grandstand is provided around such an open forum.

"It's well-built as I wished."

Elena was very satisfied. It was one of the few facilities required by Randol during the design process, and she hoped that anyone would be free to sit in the audience's seats, listen to the discussion, and occasionally give opinions. The participants were already here when Elena entered the waiting room connected to the forum.

Kung. They heard the door to the hall opening, and the auditorium became noisy. People flocked to watch the public debate. At the appointed time, Elena was the first to leave the waiting room. The participants, who hesitated and looked at each other, followed in the debate.

'There are a lot of eyes pouring out. With enough courage, they couldn't even give a proper opinion because of the eyes of the audience.'

At Elena's judgment, some tense participants were seen. It was their first time to have a public debate, so it seemed burdensome to assert themselves in front of so many people. Either way, Elena wanted to successfully complete this public debate, which is tantamount to the salon's first impression.

Ssaeng.

Elena sat on the sofa and pressed the table bell to concentrate the crowd.

"I will disclose the topic of the first public discussion that the salon is opening."

The spectators' eyes were on Elena. Discussion participants receive topics in advance, but as it was the first debate, the audience did not know the topic of discussion.

"Today's theme is humanism, by human beings… for humans."

"…!"

Those who took the grandstand were also surprised. This is because the subject that Elena is referring to now is a very difficult and unconventional subject.

"Well, let me give you my opinion first. I think humanism is related to human happiness. So…"

The more Elena's argument continued, the more surprised the debate participants were. In its own right, the subject, arguments, grounds and counterarguments were thoroughly prepared. However, Elena's approach to humanism was far beyond their expectations. The process and arguments leading to humanism aimed at defending human nature were progressive enough to surpass the word humanism they knew.

On that day, a man who attended a public debate muttered, looking at Elena.

"The Modern Woman."

Even though countless women with intellect have been making steadfast efforts so far, they have been neglected by cold criticism, discrimination, and prejudice. Only Elena dared to make it possible.