Cesare sent her a variety of dresses and jewels for the occasion. The servant who arrived to help her dress was intrusive and curious about the whole situation. She proved to be quite tiresome. Eileen reluctantly accepted help with her clothes, but dismissed the servant as quickly as possible.
Getting ready alone was difficult, but she persevered, grumbling the whole way. She was dressed somewhat sloppily, but presentable enough.
She had no desire to stand out at the banquet. Her plan was to remain quietly in a corner, exchange quick greetings with Cesare, and then leave quickly.
As she finished getting ready, a car pulled up in front of the house, ready to take Eileen away. Cesare's soldier escorted her to the palace.
Eileen had not yet made her debut in high society, so arriving at her first banquet left her nervous and unprepared. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, apprehension overwhelmed her as she entered the banquet hall, her steps faltering in frozen panic.
The opulence of the hall in the imperial palace far exceeded her expectations. Every detail glittered, casting a shimmering aura around her, possibly heightened by her awareness of the Archduke's presence.
In the grand, luxurious banquet hall, extravagantly dressed men and women mingled, their laughter and conversation filling the air as they eagerly awaited the star of the show.
Young single women dressed meticulously, exuding an aura of refined elegance. The fragrant scent of various perfumes surrounded them, like a garden of vibrant flowers.
Amidst the lively exchange of ideas and cheerful greetings among the young participants, Eileen blended into the scene like wallpaper.
Even when they discussed the woman who had won the Archduke's affection, they failed to recognize the subject of the conversation. She listened attentively. Apparently, there were rumors that she was an unparalleled beauty who had received a bouquet of flowers.
It was only natural that they would embellish the truth.
After all, she looked rather unsophisticated, with her large glasses and thick bangs. The extravagant dress seemed out of place on the wearer. She felt ridiculous.
To think that such a rustic person, who had always confined herself to her laboratory, would attend such a sumptuous banquet. She was a pebble on a smooth, cultivated path.
Nervousness made Eileen want to throw up. Even the dance card on her wrist felt too heavy as she entered the banquet hall.
The dance card, which was pre-filled with the names of the people she would dance with, was completely blank. Single women who didn't receive invitations to dance were called "wallflowers" in high society, but calling Eileen a flower was excessively generous.
'I am little more than a weed in this flowery field.'
It seemed like it would take a while for Cesare to show up. She needed to play the role of a wall flower until he arrived.
The sudden clamor in the banquet hall signaled the arrival of soldiers dressed in gleaming uniforms. Nearby, Eileen overheard a young lady marveling and gossiping animatedly with another guest.
Oh my God! Their uniforms are absolutely killer!
Soldiers who had returned from the war after three long years rejoined their social circles. Many of the ladies present turned their eyes to the Archduke's soldiers.
Generously rewarded for their triumphs, returning soldiers were undoubtedly wealthy and therefore became desirable bachelors. Some women were more attracted to the rugged charm of the soldiers than to the gentlemen, who only indulged in shooting and hunting as a pastime.
It's as if they're going to protect us, no matter what happens.
A young woman commented, her voice tinged with admiration.
— So confident.
— Indeed, their physique is quite impressive.
Another added, in a suggestive tone.
— You can already imagine their prowess under the sheets, too.
Eileen's cheeks flushed with indignation at the overtly suggestive comments. Discreetly distancing herself from the group, she watched the soldiers make their entrance into the banquet hall. Among them, she spotted Lotan and Diego, Cesare's personal knights.
They looked very dignified in their ceremonial uniforms. Lotan, as always, looked well-groomed, while Diego, without all his piercings and jewelry, exuded sophistication.
She figured a simple nod would suffice for now. Greeting them immediately would be too conspicuous.
— …!
Eileen's gaze met that of a soldier surveying the banquet hall. Though he was a stranger, recognition flashed in his wide eyes when he saw her. He quickly signaled her presence to his comrades, who then turned to face her.
Eileen's shoulders trembled under the weight of their gaze as Lotan and Diego approached. The distinguished pair crossed the banquet hall diagonally, all eyes naturally focused on them. Their arrival piqued the interest of other soldiers, who gathered around them.
- Miss.
In his haste, Diego pushed Lotan aside and moved forward quickly.
— Miss, the dance card! I want to see your dance card!
He deftly took Eileen's dance card and quickly signed his name on the second line. Diego smiled proudly, having successfully written his name before Lotan.
While Diego reveled in his momentary triumph, Lotan gently picked up the dance card to write his name as Eileen's third dance partner.
— Miss Eileen, thank you for coming. Your Grace will be delighted.
While he spoke gently, other soldiers also subtly approached Eileen.
— Miss Eileen, do you happen to remember me? I was the one who found the book you lost when you were twelve years old.
Oh, of course, I remember! I was extremely grateful.
So, can I ask you to dance?
— Oh, sure.
To be honest, the memory had faded with time, but the feeling of gratitude remained, leading her to acknowledge their presence. As soon as she did, another soldier approached directly.
— Miss Eileen, I would also like to invite you to a dance! You may not remember, but when you were fifteen…
So the night passed, in a whirlwind of conversations with the gentlemen. She greeted them hurriedly and answered their questions and requests left and right. Before she knew it, her dance card was scribbled with name after name.
And yet, when she had a moment to check, Eileen was perplexed to see the blank space on the first line.
'What? Why?'
All the soldiers who asked her to dance avoided her like the plague. Even Diego, the first to write her name, she looked at with a confused expression.
'Wait a minute… Shouldn't the lady be the only one writing the names of her partners?!'
In all the haste, Eileen ended up with legitimate signatures from those people. She looked at Diego, feeling quite confused. She didn't care, of course, so she expressed that as well. Diego laughed nervously while trying to justify himself.
Haha, look at this! After being absent from high society for so long… I've become quite a troublemaker. I can't believe I got the etiquette wrong. Hahaha!
Eileen looked at him skeptically, but he seemed sincere enough. Then again, who was she to judge, knowing so little about social etiquette? While the young women were learning, Eileen was at university playing scientist.
When she returned, her family was in financial difficulties and could not afford to hire an etiquette teacher. Later, Eileen earned a living manufacturing and selling medicines, but she could not afford to debut in high society, which required a significant investment.
Even so, she imitated, in a rather unrefined way, some of what she had learned when she visited the palace as a child.
'Still, that doesn't explain why the first line was blank?'
To be continued….