Please Support My Revenge - Chapter 54

The following morning, Lobelia awoke early and commenced the task of getting ready with the assistance of Hilda and the three maids. While Lobelia typically displayed an insincere demeanor, seemingly indifferent to the leader’s fate, today marked a departure from her usual attitude. She embraced the role of headdress with a positivity matching that of the three maids. This change was attributed to Lobelia’s realization, drawn from various experiences, that nobles placed as much emphasis on appearance as on substance. Despite not outshining the Empress in brightness, Lobelia recognized the necessity to radiate a certain glow on this particular day.

The maids, unaware of Lobelia’s true sentiments, interpreted her actions differently.

“No problem, just decorate it well. This is the first party where Miss Lobelia will participate as the Duke’s partner,” they remarked, assuming Lobelia’s joy at being Jade’s partner. Lobelia chose not to correct them, allowing the misunderstanding to persist.

“How about this dress?”

“These are the shoes!”

“These are the gloves I want!”

The maids continually presented various clothing and accessories. The subject of particular contention, however, was jewelry. Despite numerous earrings and necklaces being nominated, the chosen one was an emerald, perfectly complementing Lobelia’s eye color.

“I’ve never seen someone who looks so good with emeralds,” Mary exclaimed ecstatically, while Adele nodded in agreement.

Although their initial meeting wasn’t pleasant, the three maids consistently demonstrated sincerity when adorning Lobelia. They declared Lobelia’s clean silver hair and white skin akin to drawing paper, finding joy in embellishing them and witnessing the beauty that unfolded.

By the time they finished the dressing process, both Lobelia and the maids were exhausted. Nevertheless, they took pride in the result.

“I did it. I did it,” Hilda muttered, trimming the ends of Lobelia’s hair. Lobelia stood up and admired her reflection in the full-length mirror.

Her silver hair was partly tied and partly cascaded down for a natural look, and her makeup was light. Tight-fitting emerald earrings adorned her ears, their simple yet elegant shape enhancing Lobelia’s appearance. Elbow-length gloves and an off-shoulder dress further amplified Lobelia’s elegant aura. Even without powder, Lobelia’s white and clean skin harmonized well with the off-shoulder dress.

Upon descending to the hall after completing her makeup, Lobelia found Jade, also impeccably dressed, awaiting her. His eyes widened at the sight of Lobelia, radiant like a silver lily.

“How is it? Does it suit you?”

His serious expression left no room for Lobelia’s attempt at humor to change the mood. To Jade, it wasn’t a joke.

“No more,” Jade responded calmly. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Lobelia shut her mouth and entered the carriage with him.

It was Lobelia’s first time heading to the empress’s palace, and she found herself unusually excited. Her heart pounded even harder as thoughts about what would unfold at the palace raced through her mind.

The carriage soon arrived in front of the imperial palace. Lobelia disembarked and surveyed the carriages lined up, each displaying the seals of nobles. As anticipated, there was a carriage bearing Evelentia’s emblem.

“Count Evelentia and Miss Aina said they were invited to this party,” Jade muttered. Despite losing his position as her court representative, Marlon persistently lobbied the Empress, bringing Aina to the parties she hosted. Aina, in turn, believed that capturing the empress’s attention could secure her the position of royal representative, displacing Lobelia. Lobelia, however, was determined to put an end to these vain expectations.

Placing her hand on Jade’s arm, Lobelia entered the empress’s palace. After verifying their invitation, the empress’s attendant courteously guided them to the hall where the party was underway. Although not a ball, Lobelia and Jade, entering quietly, drew the attention of all the nobles present.

“That, that?”

“Oh… ”

“That was true.”

The nobles invited to the empress’s salon party appeared more courteous than those at other gatherings, refraining from openly mentioning Lobelia’s name in gossip. Nevertheless, the sharp gazes spoke volumes without the need for words.

Lobelia strolled alongside Jade and took her designated seat. On the opposite side, she noticed Marlon and Aina. Aina’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Lobelia, while Marlon glared menacingly, his eyes sending a message that echoed, ‘How dare you? Where do you think you are?  ‘

Marlon twitched his lips, eager to speak, but Lobelia averted her eyes and turned her head away. Despite Marlon’s audible, heavy breathing from the other side, she chose to ignore it. He wasn’t the focal point at the moment.

As all the guests entered, with Jade being the last, the attention shifted to the imminent appearance of the Empress. The hall fell into complete silence as the servant gracefully opened the door.

Then, the Empress made her entrance.

Her appearance remained unchanged from meeting in the Rose Palace Garden to this salon party. Whether short or long, every detail mirrored the person engraved in a portrait. While her dresses and accessories were extravagant for the time, her bright eyes, confident smile, and beautiful cheekbones remained consistent.

Extending her arm towards the door, the Empress welcomed Cedric, her crown prince and Aina’s male protagonist, who escorted her. Cedric, scanning the hall, smiled sweetly upon seeing Aina but frowned when his gaze landed on Lobelia.

Lobelia, attempting to avoid eye contact, lowered her gaze, but Cedric’s persistent stare made it unavoidable. Eventually, she nodded her head, showing minimal respect to Cedric. The crown prince’s face briefly contorted as if displeased, but he quickly regained composure, fitting the role of the empress’s escort.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming,” the Empress addressed the nobles from the head table. “I’m in a good mood these days, so I’ve prepared for this special occasion. Some might wonder if it’s a salon party rather than a tea party, but you’ll soon find out why.”

Following her words, the Empress cast a pointed glance at Lobelia. While only nobles typically attended tea parties, commoners were also welcomed at salon parties. The nobles looked at Lobelia with expressions of wonder, curious about the unexpected inclusion.

Everyone was aware that Lobelia had become the Empress’s court representative, but the extent of the Empress’s affection toward her, enough to warrant a salon party, remained unknown.

“Lobelia, come closer,” the Empress beckoned, and the nobles, initially filled with suspicion, now displayed expressions of surprise. Lobelia gracefully rose from her seat and approached the Empress. Taking Lobelia’s hand, the Empress personally seated her next to herself, leaving the nobles on the verge of fainting.

Marlon and Aina’s expressions were particularly noteworthy. They stared at Lobelia with shock, as if she had suddenly risen and started dancing peculiarly. Upon locking eyes, Aina hastily lowered her head, while Marlon raised an eyebrow. It seemed as if he was silently questioning, Didn’t you promise to remain quiet until the position of palace representative returns to Aina? Instead of her usual apologetic expression, Lobelia beamed brightly at Marlon, surprising him momentarily with her confident demeanor.

‘Why is Lobelia, that girl, looking down at me with such pride, standing next to the Empress, in the most noble position a non-royal family member can attain?  ‘Marlon’s mind was in disarray as he struggled to comprehend the situation. While he grappled with confusion, the Empress spoke once more.

“I happened to meet this child while taking a walk in the Rose Palace Garden a few weeks ago, and she was so witty that I wanted to keep her by my side. So, I appointed her as my palace representative,” the Empress explained, patting the back of Lobelia’s hand affectionately. “I have many plans for this child in the future. She is like my limbs.”

True to her word, the Empress generously paid the price for the blue diamond. In exchange for finding her mother’s mementos lost during her dissipated childhood, Lobelia received a first-class ticket to the social world.

“Of course, throwing the salon party today was for this child, so don’t be too disappointed that you didn’t become the main character,” the Empress added, about to order refreshments for the full-fledged party she had prepared in Lobelia’s honor.

“Your Majesty, the Empress,” Lobelia said politely but with clarity. All eyes, including those of the Empress, Cedric, Marlon, Aina, and the attending nobles, were fixed on Lobelia.

“What’s going on?” the Empress inquired in a slightly annoyed voice. Having already fulfilled the promised price, she wondered what more Lobelia had in mind.

Unfazed, Lobelia smiled. “I dare to offer something to Your Majesty.”

“Hoo?” The Empress’s expression shifted. Annoyance gave way to amusement.

“Do you have something for me, Lobelia?”

It was quite audacious for Lobelia to imply that when the Empress declared it was the end, she wouldn’t just depart but would present a gift. While the Empress had already elevated Lobelia’s prestige significantly, Lobelia seemed unsatisfied and declared her intent to offer something more substantial.

“Yes, if Your Majesty allows.”

“Of course. Of course, let me see it.” The Empress granted permission, and Lobelia retrieved a velvet-covered box from her pocket. She then kneeled before her Empress, presenting the box with both hands.

“This is it?”

Without waiting for an answer, the Empress reached out and accepted the box. Lobelia observed quietly as the Empress opened it. The nobles, forgetting their dignity, peered into the velvet box. Their bewilderment was evident when they checked its contents.

“A rock?” One noble voiced confusion, leading others behind him to step forward, equally puzzled. As they inspected the contents of the box, a collective gasp revealed their astonishment.

“It’s a rock?!”

“What have you done, giving stones to Her Majesty the Empress?”

“What does this mean? You should be able to explain, Miss Lobelia.”

The nobles were in an uproar, expressing their confusion and dissatisfaction. However, the Empress remained expressionless, setting aside the velvet box containing the stones. She fixed her inscrutable eyes on Lobelia.

“What is your intention in giving this to me?” she inquired directly.

“Please look closely at the surface of the stone, Your Majesty,” Lobelia responded calmly.

“Hmm.” The Empress, perhaps intending to humor Lobelia one more time, picked up the rock from the box. The hall’s chandelier casts a peculiar sparkle on the surface of the stone.

The Empress narrowed her eyes and scrutinized the stone. Rows of bright yellow minerals were so thick that she wondered why she hadn’t noticed them before. Her eyes widened in realization.

“This… isn’t it a vein of gold?” The Empress exclaimed.