# 20
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That's why everything related to the Leonok family was important to Rachel.
Rachel, who would not normally speak to a woman in such a lowly state, was only doing so because she had brought a letter from the Duchess of Leonock.
“What brings you here?”
“Ah… The Duchess asked me to deliver this message to you, Lady Rachel.”
Patricia handed the letter to Rachel. As Rachel opened the letter and read it, her eyes widened.
“…Were you a maid in the duke’s house?”
“Yes, that's true. I was unjustly accused and fired by the new wife, Evelyn.”
“Oh, my God.”
After finishing the letter, Rachel understood Amelia's intentions.
In fact, the woman who would become her future mother-in-law is different.
She had already planned to give that woman, Evelyn, who didn't know where she was and took over Rachel's position, a good lesson, and now she was being supported in that goal.
The Imperial Ball seemed like it would be the perfect stage.
Rachel looked at Patricia in a seemingly sympathetic and sensitive voice.
“Oh my God. You devoted yourf to working for the Duke’s family for decades, only to be faly accused of embezzlement and fired. And even beaten up? How terrible.”
By then, Rachel had forgotten about the jeweler's delay and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
* * *
Today was the day of the imperial ceremony in the palace.
Under Merlin's guidance, Evelin was gradually transforming, like a lotus blossoming at dawn.
Her long red-brown hair was braided and pinned up, and finished with peach-colored makeup and lip cream, she appeared as a stunningly beautiful woman.
However, her face was not particularly bright.
“Are you ill, ma'am?”
Evelyn thought about how to answer Merlin's question.
It was true that she wasn't feeling well, but she didn't know how to explain these symptoms to herf.
At first, she only had an occasional cough, but today her body felt flabby like a wet cotton ball. As a result, I was barely able to get out of bed.
'Why is this happening...'
She wondered if it was possible that worrying about Differin the past few days had taken a toll on her body.
The previous day, after finishing dance practice, she broke up with Defrin upon an embarrassing remark, and the next day, when she tried to approach him, she received only short responses.
Naturally, they haven't danced since. Although she was able to dance well by then, his avoidance bothered her.
As a result, her body and mind were not in good shape.
But she couldn't say she wouldn't go now, so when six o'clock struck, Evelin had to go out.
Defrin was already sitting in the carriage. As soon as Evelin entered, the carriage left for the Imperial Palace.
Fortunately, the cool night air seemed to improve her condition a little.
After handing her body over to the noisy carriage, Evelin looked at the scenery. The dark painted streets were quiet.
As Evelyn stared blankly outside, she turned her gaze to Dyffrin's image reflected in the window. He still seemed unwilling to say anything.
After accepting the silence, Evelin mentally reviewed the important people she might meet at the party tonight.
First, there was Lady Oakley of the Earl of Loyum. She was not just someone Evelyn “might” meet, she was someone she “should” meet.
The reason for attending the social gathering was to meet her.
Lady Oakley, the earl's daughter, was an able woman to manage the Loyum Trading Company. Its business acumen was so impressive that the company was the only one to survive and grow in the port controlled by the Marquis Benford.
Becoming friends with her can be a great help for upcoming events. It can even help increase the amount of alimony you'll receive in two years.
Evelin involuntarily turned her foggy mind to remember the details of the original work.
'Who should I meet?'
Ah. I remembered someone else you shouldn't forget.
If Oakley was an ally, then the person she had just thought of was an adversary. An opponent coming from hell with shining eyes, wishing for its downfall.
It was Rachel Benford. The young Marchese woman who had a one-sided love for Dyffryn.
'It is wrong to call it one-sided love...'
Her actions were closer to obsession than love. She was the type who would pretend to hang herf if it meant Dyffryn would listen to her.
That's why Rachel was always lurking, trying to harass Evelyn through others.
Evelin sighed softly, put her elbow on the window frame and supported her chin.
'Rachel is... a bit annoying.'
Ignoring the stares of others would be enough, but Rachel was too aggressive and combative to be ignored.
She would definitely try to confront Evelin again this time, using her minions.
However, since the pattern of her attacks was clear, she was not a particularly frightening presence.
Evelyn pushed her thoughts of Rachel aside.
The buildings of the Imperial Palace were now appearing. You will arrive soon.
Seeing the palace reminded her of someone.
'Thinking about it...'
Since this is the Imperial Palace, Fenris must be somewhere around here as well.
But the chances of meeting him today were slim. It has only been a few weeks since he was attacked, and he will not be attending a royal ball hosted by Noston.
The sound of a horse screaming came from outside. Somehow, the carriage had already reached the main gate of the Imperial Palace.
When the carriage driver announced that their family belonged to the guards, the huge iron gate bearing the royal emblem slowly opened. The vehicle entered the palace grounds at low speed.
The palace gardens were beautiful. The flowers shimmered in the light of the lampposts, displaying a vibrant array of colours.
But Evelyn soon realized that this was nothing compared to the luxurious exterior of the Imperial Pavilion and the people dressed to match it.
As Evelin lost herf for a moment in plain sight in front of the banquet hall, Devrin spoke to her for the first time.
“When you get out of the car, put your arm over mine.”
They were the first words he had spoken in a while, in a commanding tone. She didn't like it, but if she didn't play the role of a loving wife, the rumors would once again spread throughout the capital, so she had to follow his instructions.
Evelin got off the carriage, put her hand on his arm, and linked her hands. As Devrin stepped into the ballroom, Evelyn followed him inside.
With every step, she felt people's gazes on her. To hide her embarrassment, Evelin straightened her posture.
By contrast, Defren's expressionless face suggests that he is quite accustomed to being the center of attention wherever he goes.
When Evelyn and Devrin found their seats, people started approaching them and greeting them. They paid them simple courtesies and engaged Dyffryn in short conversations, mostly about the current state of the empire or news of the Duchy of Leonok.
Sometimes, they would compliment Evelin's appearance, but they wouldn't go any further.
'I'm kind of lucky...'
Her exhausted body and foggy mind seemed to have been slightly cleared, perhaps due to stress.
Suddenly, the entrance to the ballroom became lively.
“Oh, you've finally arrived.”
“As usual, her beauty is dazzling.”
A person entered, attracting everyone's attention as if she was the main attraction at the party.
It was Rachel Benford.
* * *
Rachel left her mansion more elaborately decorated than ever.
Everything was perfect, the carefully styled hair that took her three hours, the custom-made embroidered dress by the designer, and the pearl earrings provided by the jeweler.
But the most perfect thing was her temperament. Imagining Evelyn shedding tears on the crowded dance floor filled her with joyful excitement.
I wondered what Defrin would think when he saw that. Of course, he will regret marrying Evelyn and regret losing Rachel.
Rachel could barely contain her hum, and entered the dance floor. She received admiring glances from people and looked inside.
Differin wasn't hard to find.
As expected, he was the most handsome man in the empire. His perfect face, impressive figure, and noble aura.
Evelyn was right next to him. She was very pretty but not the type of eye-catcher like Rachel.
That's why looking at Evelin made her even angrier. I wondered what kind of luck this unfortunate girl had.
But today, even looking at Evelin didn't make her feel too bad. She planned to resolve all her accumulated grievances in front of all these people.
Of course, she wouldn't do it herf. The direct confrontation was with uncivilized people.
She always had to watch the fight gracefully from a distance.
Rachel pointed to Carina, who was hanging out near Evelyn.
It was Karina, the gentlewoman who usually followed Rachel. Rachel uses it often when she doesn't want to get her hands dirty.
Karina began to approach Evelyn as if starting her mission. Rachel picked up a glass of champagne from the table and watched the scene slowly.
“Hello, Miss Evelyn.”
On Rachel's orders, Carina greets Evelyn.
Evelyn belatedly turned her gaze to Carina, who greeted her instead of Dyffrin.
Karina bowed her head slightly and introduced herf.
“I am Karina of Viscount Thompson. It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time.”
“Ah… nice to meet you. I’m Evelyn Leonuk.”
Karina glanced at the clock on the wall. She had to finish her task before the party officially started.
She swallowed. The tension made her fingertips tremble, and she clenched her fist slightly before finally speaking.
“Um… If it’s not too uncomfortable, there is something I would like to ask you, Lady Evelyn.”