Chapter 109 : Chapter 109
Chapter 109: Lords from All Sides
After the bath, Erika was wrapped in a towel and, feeling awkward and shy, was pulled by Otilia to change into her formal attire.
It was a Lolita-style dress made of brocade and silk, trimmed with lace along the hem and adorned with intricate, delicate decorations. It looked overly showy at first glance, but there was no denying that it radiated noble elegance.
Since her birth—aside from that one time she had stripped Isana of her clothes—this was the first time Erika had ever properly worn a noble ceremonial dress. She felt stiff and uncomfortable in it.
“Erika, don’t forget to put these on too.”
At that moment, Otilia brought over a pair of white lace stockings and gloves. It was clear she intended to package Erika from head to toe.
“I can do it myself…”
Murmuring softly, Erika took the stockings and gloves and began fumbling with them awkwardly.
“I remember Vivi was the same back then. She never liked wearing these kinds of dresses.”
Otilia covered her mouth and laughed softly at the side.
“But Erika, tonight’s banquet is very important. You must look beautiful. Let me do your hair.”
“My hair… it’s still a bit wet… I can do it myself.” Erika resisted slightly.
However, Otilia ignored her completely. She gently pressed Erika down in front of the vanity and said softly, “It’s fine. Put on the stockings and gloves first. I’ll do your makeup.”
“Do I really have to wear makeup?”
“Of course. Just don’t move. Leave it to me.”
Erika knew nothing about makeup, and faced with Otilia’s insistence, she had no good reason to refuse. After putting on the stockings and gloves, she quietly sat in front of the vanity.
Next, Otilia used a black ribbon to gather Erika’s hair, tying it into a cute ponytail with a black-and-white bow.
Then she pulled open the vanity drawer and laid out a large array of cosmetics.
Studying Erika’s reflection in the mirror, she carefully applied a light layer of makeup.
After some meticulous work, Otilia finally dabbed a faint pink onto Erika’s cheeks, adding a soft blush over her already fair, rosy skin.
Nodding in satisfaction, Otilia smiled. “All done. Take a look, Erika. I made you look a bit more mature—this should make up for the age difference between you and Vivi. I can guarantee that when you appear tonight, you won’t just shock everyone—you’ll attract every man’s gaze.”
Attract every man’s gaze…
Hearing that made Erika unhappy. She had never wanted to draw the attention of those noble young lords.
Her large red eyes stared at the petite figure reflected in the mirror. Erika blinked, momentarily dazed.
So beautiful…
Was that really her?
She had never imagined that with makeup and noble attire, she could look this beautiful.
Her gray-white ponytail draped over her shoulder. Beneath her large red eyes lay a hint of eyeshadow, her delicate nose carried a touch of youthful pink, and the luxurious Lolita dress wrapped snugly around her small, slender body.
The current Erika had lost some of her childish cuteness, replaced by an air of noble elegance without losing grace.
“Are you satisfied?”
Otilia smiled, clearly showing off her aesthetic sense.
“It’s… it’s fine. Thank you, Otilia.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
Otilia looked genuinely happy. “It’s because of your appearance that I finally decided to walk out of this room. Are you ready, Erika? Once we leave this room, tonight you will be Vivianna. And it will be time for me to strike back at those damned people.”
“Yes…”
…
…
On the other side of the Elfreid residence.
The banquet guests were gradually entering the hall. Most nobles had already raised their glasses, exchanging pleasantries with familiar faces. A lively atmosphere filled the entire space.
Meanwhile, in a side room on the outskirts of the banquet hall, a middle-aged man sat silently on a chair. The room was dim, illuminated only by the faint flame of an oil lamp on the table.
This man was the master of the mansion—the Duke of Daylight, Clarence Elfreid.
He was dressed in a noble black formal suit. The flickering firelight cast shadows across his heavy features as he remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.
“Duke, your guests have arrived,” Butler Cooper’s voice came from outside the door.
“Please, let them in.”
The Duke of Daylight rose and walked toward the door as he spoke.
Two people entered.
One was a middle-aged man around the Duke’s age, tall in stature, with a faint smile on his face. He was also dressed in a black formal suit.
The other was a woman in her early twenties.
She had tea-brown, slightly wavy long hair and sharp, dark eyes. Her luxurious gown was elegant and understated, yet her brows carried a heroic air. She was radiant, her refined features carrying an exotic charm reminiscent of someone of mixed heritage.
“Princess Charlotte, and my old friend Linton—welcome,” the Duke of Daylight greeted them politely.
“Daylight, it’s been a long time. I came all the way back to the Imperial Capital from the western region just for this banquet of yours. You’d better not forget to entertain me with your finest wine.”
The middle-aged man named Linton greeted him heartily.
He was the lord of the western region of the Aarlan Empire, commanding its military forces. Holding the title of Marquis in the Imperial Capital, he was a figure of great renown throughout the empire.
As for the young woman addressed as Princess, she smiled politely, her sharp dark eyes lifting slightly. “Daylight, I’m the same as Marquis Linton. Hehe, the moment I heard your invitation, I hurried here from afar.”
She was the second daughter of the Emperor of the Aarlan Empire—Princess Charlotte Mansfield.
Princess Charlotte did not interfere in Imperial Capital politics. From a young age, the Emperor had dispatched her to the eastern region, while political affairs in the capital were largely handled by the eldest prince in support of His Majesty.
Although anyone with discernment could see that Princess Charlotte’s chances of inheriting the throne were slim, her reputation in the eastern region rivaled that of any ruler, despite her young age.
Setting aside her status as a princess, the mere fact that she held military authority over the eastern region was enough to command universal respect.
Moreover, after the Duke of Night’s death, control of the southern region’s military had also fallen into Charlotte’s hands, further elevating the admiration others held for her.
After all, Charlotte was only twenty-three years old. To become a regional hegemon at such an age could never be achieved by royal blood alone. This alone earned her deep respect from many.
…
The territories surrounding the Imperial Capital were divided into four regions, like the four leaves of a four-leaf clover, guarding the Aarlan Empire.
The lord of the eastern region was Princess Charlotte.
The lord of the southern region was the Duke of Daylight.
The lord of the western region was Linton McIntosh.
The northern region had been ruled by the now-deceased Duke of Night.
Together, the four guarded the empire’s fortresses on all sides. Privately, their relationship was close, like comrades who had fought together for many years.
Princess Charlotte and Linton had been invited together this time, and both had rushed back to the Imperial Capital at once. They knew that the Duke of Daylight’s return to the capital was undoubtedly due to the death of the Duke of Night.
The two were known as the Twin Stars of the Empire—figures renowned even beyond its borders. Now that the Duke of Night, his brother-in-arms, had died, and that the Duke of Daylight had endured for a year, it was clear that he could no longer remain still.
After entering the room, Charlotte casually found a chair and sat down. She lifted the tea that had already been prepared for her, touched it lightly to her red lips, and then cast an interested, sharp gaze at the Duke of Daylight.
“Daylight, what do you plan to do with this banquet? You know that the fact that Linton and I came means we will fully support you. Go ahead—tell us what you’re thinking.”