The Flower of the Matrimonial Contest, The First Meeting (1)
“…In the second evaluation, the symbol that Young Master Kyle threw on the ground… It’s strange, that doesn’t seem like him.”
“I’ve left some advice regarding that matter.”
“Regardless, handle anything that might cause disruptions in the matrimonial contest based on your judgment. After the first meeting, I must visit the capital for urgent matters.”
“Yes.”
With that, Gelwood left the head of the family’s office.
Worried that the Grand Duke might be angered, he did not report the academy’s displeasure.
Although he received personal leniency from the king, from the perspective of the academy’s dean, it was understandably unpleasant.
After all, it was wrong to have infiltrated the sacred and fair grounds of learning in disguise.
Moreover, the current dean of the royal academy was one of the fifth Grand Dukes of the Elperion Kingdom.
He couldn’t proceed with the investigation against his temper.
Knowing this, the Grand Duke had also instructed a careful investigation.
However, the academy’s attitude, which seemed intent on keeping things hushed during the investigation, was suspicious.
As nature dictates, closure breeds corruption.
Closed environments prefer concealment over disclosure, preservation over change.
Perhaps that’s why it felt ominous.
Gelwood had known Remian Winterfel since she was a baby.
Although he did not look after her as if she were his own child, he was not foolish enough not to notice a drastic change in someone he served.
His indulgence was merely due to his complete trust in her.
He believed Remian would wisely lead the matrimonial contest.
If that trust were to shake, as the Grand Duke said, he would need to take preventive measures on his own.
Especially last night, Remian’s violent tearing of Elden’s polite letter was distressingly wild.
Initially, he thought Elden’s withdrawal as a final candidate had won her favor.
He had considered it a fine strategy from a candidate with slim chances of victory.
As a result, Remian showed significant interest in Elden, and supporting them didn’t contradict the purpose of the matrimonial contest.
The ultimate purpose of the matrimonial contest was to find ‘love’ that moved one’s heart.
It was all part of the process, and as long as it wasn’t excessive, as long as it didn’t degrade the dignity of the matrimonial contest, it wouldn’t be a problem.
The Grand Duke’s youngest daughter and older siblings had all gone through the same process and had concluded their matrimonial contests successfully.
However.
In the second evaluation, Remian committed an act of discourtesy towards the final candidates unlike her siblings, which was rude and absurd enough to diminish the dignity of the matrimonial contest.
Moreover, that night, she showed behavior that should not have been seen.
Her act of tearing up the noble Elden’s letter was no longer that of a woman yearning for love.
And with that, Gelwood was certain.
His trust had been mere negligence.
The royal academy’s lukewarm attitude.
Remian’s attempt to bind the candidate who had withdrawn.
This matrimonial contest might not be just about finding a match.
Believing it would be better to quietly ascertain and address the situation rather than complicating matters by reporting unconfirmed speculations to the Grand Duke, Gelwood reached his own office.
The Grand Duke had said the same.
In his absence, handle any disruptive matters based on his own judgment.
The first thing to do was.
‘It’s time to detach the watcher.’
It should have been done earlier.
Regardless of how capable a watcher might be, in a crowded and limited space, the risk of exposure is high, as is the likelihood of being caught if one’s tail is too long. But due to the Grand Duchess’s stubbornness in wanting to understand the reasons for change, it couldn’t be helped.
If it was discovered that the panel had been officially removed and secret watchers had been attached, it would naturally be criticized externally.
Given Remian’s unstable stubbornness, it was time to stop risking unnecessary crises.
Moreover, the fact that there had been no productive outcome, just repetitive reports, was more reason for concern.
With that thought, Gelwood stayed in his office deep into the night.
Midnight was the appointed time.
It was the time to receive reports from the day-long close surveillance, but as it significantly passed midnight and the watcher still hadn’t appeared, Gelwood sighed.
“Hmm…”
Until now
, there had never been a time when the appointment was missed.
He was someone worth the high price paid for his employment.
Gelwood had intended to receive the final report and notify the end of the mission.
But why was there no news now?
Why now of all times?
What could that imply?
“…Could it be.”
Thus, he was left to pace his office throughout the night, filled with troubled sighs, unable to receive the awaited news.
“Finally, the morning of the first meeting has arrived, Miss.”
The flower of the matrimonial contest, the first meeting, was about to take place.
With the sun shining bright and warm, the sky clear and blue, birds chirping merrily, and a gentle temperature with no wind to disrupt the dresses and settings, a perfect morning had begun.
Remian, sitting demurely in front of the vanity, was relieved by Marien as she noted her lady’s complexion in the mirror.
Fortunately, having rested and eaten properly the previous day, her lady’s face had regained its radiance.
“Indeed. The first meeting is really starting.”
Though her complexion wasn’t as bright and glowing as before, it was passable for her first public appearance during the first meeting.
Having always handled all of Remian, the Third Grand Duchess’s dressing and dress settings, Marien was determined to craft her into a goddess today.
With skilled hands, Marien began dressing Remian, curling her hair with a heated bronze rod and coloring her lips with crushed safflower dye.
“As expected, Miss’s beauty is infallible.”
Pleased with her craftsmanship, Marien did not spare her praises.
Knowing her maid was trying to cheer her up, Remian forced a smile.
She had vowed to free herself from revenge and resentment for today.
She had already shown herself in a disgraceful light during the second evaluation, and last night, she had exhibited a monstrous tantrum in front of Sir Gelwood.
She didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes.
Thus, for today at least, she intended to focus on taking her first official step towards the world.
Even if it was difficult.
“Are you nervous?”
Marien, combing the neatly curled pure white hair with her hands, asked.
“Nervous. Very.”
“Hehe. Don’t be too nervous. Everyone will cheer the moment they see you.”
Human hearts are indeed fickle and shallow.
Even though she had just vowed to escape her resentments, the word ‘everyone’ Marien mentioned reflexively brought Elden to mind, which was indeed ironic.
What kind of face would he make?
Would his expressionlessness lend credibility to the hypothesis that he would flee upon knowing her true identity?
Or would he be shocked, ushering in a new phase?
She was curious.
Just curious.
About what kind of reaction he would have.
And.
‘He won’t… fail to recognize me, will he?’
That thought seemed rather hollow.
She had given hints through the first and second evaluations, but those were years ago.
It’s natural for the memory of those who have been harmed to be vaguer than that of the perpetrator.
Besides, she had red hair then, but now it was white.
She had wanted to dye it red for this meeting, but since it was to be held in front of the public, she couldn’t, which was regrettable.
She could only hope.
Hope that he would remember and recognize her.
So that he would understand the meaning of the first and second evaluations.
Because now the real game was about to begin.
Until now, it had merely been a preliminary skirmish.
“Ta-da~!”
Marien announced the completion of the dressing with a proud face, and Remian, wearing her mask, now symbolizing her identity, stood up to face the world.
Today, she would greet them with a smile.
Again, she affirmed this as she donned the mask.
The flower of the matrimonial contest.
It was time to boldly bloom.
It was time for Remian Winterfel to introduce herself to the masses.
But…
“What? The watcher has suddenly disappeared?”
The sudden news of the watcher’s disappearance poured cold water on her spirited start.
Her steps faltered before she could even begin, seemingly heralding an uneasy start.
“Wow, how many people are there?”
In the central plaza of the Grand Duke’s castle.
A vast crowd had gathered around the high platform set up in the sprawling square. It seemed easily close to a thousand people were packed in, buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
I stood among them, accompanied by the Trio of Regrettable Characters. They were all dressed up, clearly not ready to give up on their hopes for victory just yet.
The reason I stood with them in the front row was simple.
It was just to blend in with the festive atmosphere of the Northern Command’s grand festival, completely unrelated to Remian’s vendetta. This moment, eagerly awaited by the people, shouldn’t be spoiled by the political machinations behind the matrimonial contest.
Moreover,
“It’s the first time we meet.”
For the touching moment when his youngest daughter would greet the world for the first time, Logan Winterfel, the Grand Duke, was seated on the left side of the platform. It would be madness not to attend such an occasion.
No matter how powerful a hand you hold, if you can’t play it at the right moment, it’s as good as a losing hand.
Hence, I was there with the Trio of Regrettable Characters, standing in the square.
And,
Together with the noble lady with the bun hair, who was eager to see the protagonist of her favorite novel with her own eyes.
Turning my gaze, I caught sight of Ariel in the crowd, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Regrettably,
“…You just met a few days ago, Ariel.”
Ariel, who had almost failed to recognize Erinysia turned white-haired, had exclaimed that white suited her a hundred times better, making quite a fuss.
She had even pushed me to meet her if I had the chance.
Was her wish coming true now?
With a sly grin, I mirrored Ariel’s cheerful smile and then looked up at the platform.
Soon after,
“Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the third Grand Duchess of the great Winterfel family, Remian Winterfel!”
The event proclaimed as the flower of the matrimonial contest, the first meeting, commenced.
