With Fantasia placated, all that was left for Saludy to do was see Kebrilio off. The servants had only opened the door when a group of elegantly-dressed won approached. Cordial first greetings were exchanged between these won and Saludy before the latter swiftly decided to introduce Kebrilio to them all.
As famous as Kebrilio was within the nation, none of the ladies could really say with certainty that the bulky man in front of them was the very sa Archmagister. What reason would Kebrilio have to visit the ducal house of his political opponent? It was an unfathomable thought.
Kebrilio greeted them politely. Won of the aristocracy were frightening people to slight. Noblen may be the ones with power over the court, but it were the noblewon who held power over the noblen!
The greetings and salutations went through quickly, as Kebrilio wished not to remain any longer with them. Bidding a curt farewell to Saludy, he trotted for his coach and was quickly put on the way to the palace.
With Kebrilio gone from the estate, Saludy could finally greet the won here and receive them properly.
Everyone was properly seated now. Preluding the conversation with a polite update of her family, Saludy then fired off a retelling of the yester evening events: the romantic story of how her son t with a beauty.
Being born in a political house, Saludy was a talented speaker. It was but a simple matter for her to weave a fantastical and romantic story how her son ca to et the wondrous niece of Kebrilio. How he brought her ho and the plans for lady Fantasia to reside with them for the week. Like silk spun from the finest of threads, Saludy had weaved a masterpiece for the won to enjoy.
For won like them who had no interest in the emperors court, romantic stories like these were the best form of entertainnt.
To say these won were hooked was an understatent. They all had the sa gleam in their eyes in expectation of the mysterious young lady.
It pleased Saludy that her plan was working better than initially expected, especially after all the effort it took to get these won here. Servants had to be rushed out to their estates with an oral invitation to gather for tea. Every recipient was carefully selected by the duchess, two recipients belonging to royalty even. She had a wide spread of aristocratic won throughout the social circles, making their combined influence greater than practically any noble. Not even the emperor felt confident slighting such a party.
Succeeding the tea, the duchess led the excited ladies to the room of the rumored lady Fantasia.
The weary-eyed Elric never saw it coming. A curious crowd of won surrounded him from every front with a calculative light in their eyes. He felt himself gulp in trepidation. Not even being dropped into Nadirheim felt as dangerous as being here. It frazzled at the nerves and ate up at his psyche being around these people. Elric never felt so alone before.
Was it just him, or were they looking under him? Elric peered down and felt his breath hitchthe bloodstained bed sheet was still there! So that was why the two maids felt so suspicious to him earlier!
His face grew scarlet. For so reason, Elric felt as though not even the waters of the Styge River could cleanse him. He didnt have to be capable of telepathy to know what the rest of the won were thinking. Their smiles and nods were all the proof Elric needed.
Elric felt uneasy about the stares. He could only find himself fortunate that Saludy decided enough was enough and that they shouldnt be bothering the poor young lady anymore. Bringing everyones attention away from him, Saludy had everyone leave the room so they could continue their tea talk in the garden outside.
One by one, the aristocrats filed out from the room, but not before flashing the young lady a warm smile. This was the only sign Saludy needed to see; their smiles were far more valuable to Fantasias future in high society than any accolade the emperor could ever grant to a noble. For the noblewon, accolades were fine and all in the court, but it simply had no relevance to them and was hardly a good asuring stick of a persons worth. For them, a persons pedigree and noblesse aura was far more indicative of a persons worth. And this young lady was certainly blessed to have two finer points in her pedigree: being Kebrilios niece and being gifted with a dignified presence.
No one in Karthian high society would ever object to her being included into it.
The commotion was gone now that no one but Elric was left in the room. Drained of energy and motivation to eavesdrop, Elric fell back onto the bed. What point was there eavesdropping when he already had a good idea what those won were probably talking about? Hed rather not waste any more energy thinking about it right now if he could.
Not that he had the ti either. His already-short personal ti was interrupted by a knock on the door. Four maids from Kebrilios estate had arrived. He recognized the four. One of them was the maid in charge of styling his hair and the others were personal handmaids to the princess. It seed Flania was determined for Elrics crossdressing to continue.
It was a major headache, but it didnt stop there either. The duchess had actually invited rlise over to the estate?
What was the cause for all his current tragedies? Elric would never forget how it was due to the damnable training he received at the hands of the princess.
But what choice did he have? Elric had no more power over his situation. The only thing he could do was obediently get up from the bed and follow the maids downstairs.
It was downstairs that Elric felt another wave of surprise wash over him. A crowd of people was gathered at the downstairs lobby as if gathered for a banquet of so kind. Elric recognized several of the people gathered here, but not everyone. So were the middle-aged won from minutes prior, so were the young ladies he studied with under the countess, and a few of them were even noblewon from the grand banquet at the emperors place. Of this last group, Elric prayed his hardest in hope that none would recognize him.
The alard expression on Fantasias face and the way her eyes darted left and right in search of asylum appealed to the hearts of the won there. Her pitiful deanor held them captivated for a mont before other thoughts began to occur.
The middle-aged won invited by the duchess shared a knowing look at the pitiful-looking person standing there at the top of the stairs. They knew, whether from first or second-hand experience, about this young woman and the bloodstains on her bedsheets.
Several hid their wry smiles behind their hands at the thought of a petit lamb like her being under the assault of a ravenous wolf.
Many others shared a similar imagery within their heads. Everyone in Karthian upper society knew Hughesin and what reputation he had. A lamb swallowed whole by the big bad wolf, that was the common thought held by many. Even the initial doubters were swayed when they saw the glittering eyes of the duchess.
But there were many that felt sothing akin to sympathy for Fantasia. If the duchess was to be believed, then Fantasia and Hughesins eting was an accidental one.
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