The Heiress and the Mysterious Men - Chapter 1
Translator and Editor: Hue and Tea
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Chapter 1
The gathering of high-ranking noble youth of the Esteven Empire, known as ‘Erendiana,’ took place at the estate of their esteemed leader, Selene Delmaher, to celebrate her birthday.
The invited guests were all from the Empire’s most prestigious and cultured families, exuding sophistication and refinement in equal measure.
However, this perfect gathering had one flaw – an empty seat that persisted throughout the entire event. No one dared to mention the owner of that seat, and some even avoided going near it, showing signs of discomfort.
“Why did they bother to reserve a seat for someone who probably won’t show up?”
“They must want to witness the sight of that woman’s ruined face. They even sent her an invitation.”
“Indeed, it’s a bad idea to get on Delmaher’s bad side.”
Except for that empty seat, the party at the Delmaher estate seemed to be going quite smoothly.
That is, until the owner of the empty seat finally showed up.
A considerable amount of time had passed since the meeting had begun, when a lady entered the hall, and someone let out an astonished gasp.
“Oh my!”
The other celebrants in the hall were also stunned, their expressions similar to that of someone who had seen a ghost.
“How did she get here…?”
Her mere presence was surprising enough, but there was another astonishing fact.
“That’s the lady, right?”
“Didn’t they say that her face was completely ruined?”
“She didn’t look that beautiful before the accident.”
“Has she sold her soul to the devil?”
“Could it be someone who looks like her? It’s not just appearance, her aura is completely different.”
The center of attention was a beauty with caramel-colored, sweet and luscious golden hair, eyes like golden topaz that sparkled when she smiled, and charming dimples that deepened when she laughed.
She wore an elaborately tailored lavender gown made of rare, high-quality fabric that was not easily purchased. The square neckline revealed her elegant collarbone, and the bejeweled bodice shimmered like a chandelier.
As people looked at this woman, who perfectly complemented the never-before-seen dress design, they had a hunch.
That this woman would bring a new trend to high society.
The young elites of Erendiana couldn’t muster the courage to approach the latecomer and continued whispering among themselves. It was only after a long time that one of them found the courage to approach the woman.
“It’s been a while.”
The woman elegantly lifted the corners of her mouth as she looked at the approaching person.
Normally, she would have been the first to greet with warmth, but today she wore an aloof expression that caused the other person to smile awkwardly.
“I heard you were badly injured, but you look much better than expected.”
“Thanks to you.”
The woman unfolded her fan gracefully.
“I’ve had some difficulties.”
Even the host of the party, Selene, managed to approach the woman with a smile on her face.
“How did you get here?”
The scene unfolded with an air of mystery and enchantment, as if the world was about to be mesmerized by the arrival of this captivating woman.
“Hello, young lady Delmaher.”
“Count Arman, who had just visited the young lady to deliver unfortunate news, must have heard a false rumor.”
“That was the intention behind my request.”
The woman’s confident demeanor made Selene slightly nervous, her eyes trembling imperceptibly.
“You surprised me.”
“I’m glad I managed to surprise you, because that was my intention.”
Unlike before, Selene was taken aback by the woman’s newfound assertiveness. Fighting back her displeasure, Selene forced a smile.
“It is intriguing how you managed to use Count Arman. Is it just a coincidence that there are so many rumors about men surrounding you?”
Though Selene directly pointed out the subject of men, the woman shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, seemingly unaffected.
“I guess it’s just my ability.”
“You’ve really changed a lot.”
Confidently.
Selene sighed deeply before she spoke.
“I regret to say this, but the young lady can no longer be a part of our coterie.”
Her demeanor was as solemn as if she were delivering a verdict in court.
“The Young Lady has ruined her debut dance, tarnished Erendiana’s reputation with various scandals, and recently she even caused trouble for the Imperial Princess by abruptly leaving an event.”
Despite the criticism, the woman’s elegant smile remained unshaken. And that only angered Selene further.
“As you know, Erendiana is a society reserved for the finest ladies of Esteban. If just anyone with a prestigious family could join, this association wouldn’t have flourished for over a hundred years, would it?”
“That’s true.”
As Selene looked around and asked, everyone nodded with proud expressions.
Seeing the desired reactions from the other ladies, Selene lifted the corner of her mouth.
“Is anyone in favor of removing her from the association?”
Naturally, all present raised their hands.
“Me, too.”
As Selene was the last to raise her hand, she spilled some of the wine she was holding onto the woman across from her.
“Oh, dear. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I guess I can’t handle more than one thing at a time, you know?”
Although it was clear that she had spilled the wine on purpose, no one dared to point it out. She looked at the woman, whose dress had turned slightly red, with a satisfied expression.
“I’ll pay for the cleaning. I hope that will wash away the unpleasantness.”
But the woman casually brushed off the dress as she replied.
“Milady, you’ve ruined a dress given to me by Her Royal Highness the Princess. I don’t suppose you intend to make up for it with a few pennies, do you?”
Only then did a hint of regret appear on Selene’s face.
“Incredible! The Princess herself gave you this dress?”
“Yes, indeed. She personally chose everything from the color to the fabric, but I’m a little worried.”
With a face that showed no sign of concern, the woman spoke calmly.
“I’ll think of something appropriate for the laundry fee.”
Without so much as making eye contact with the bewildered Selene, she looked around and walked over to where Selene had been sitting. There was a crystal goblet, a birthday present from her father and the centerpiece of the party.
“What are you doing?”
As the woman picked up the crystal goblet and examined it, Selene rushed over.
“Put that down at once. It’s not something you can handle recklessly.”
Selene’s face grew pale.
The crystal goblet she treasured was a masterpiece made by a skilled craftsman, only three of which were made each year. Produced in different colors each year, it was the perfect display of a woman’s discernment and wealth.
At her father’s urging, Selene had proudly displayed her perfect collection on her birthday.
“Even if it’s a dress given by Her Highness, do you think you can exchange it for this crystal goblet?”
“Is this thing so fragile?”
The woman turned the crystal goblet around with a naïve expression, pretending ignorance.
“Then just throw it. You don’t seem to want me to.”
“Oh, please. Am I the kind of person who casually throws presents?”
She smiled nonchalantly and applied a slight force to the goblet.
Crash! The goblet shattered into pieces.
“Kyaaah!”
Seeing her precious goblet shatter before her eyes, Selene screamed and rushed toward the mess of shards.
“Are you crazy?”
“Goodness, it broke just from holding it. Young Lady Delmaher, could this be a fake?”
The woman’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in surprise.
“Marquise Delmaher, when did you become so cheap as to buy fakes…”
She nonchalantly brushed the remaining glass fragments from her hand.
Watching this spectacle, the ladies-in-waiting around her began to murmur to each other.
“Did Young Lady Delmaher buy a fake?”
“She flaunted it so much, but now she can’t even go near it.”
“She’s not the same, don’t you think…”
Selene’s once prized collection had become counterfeit in an instant.
But that was to be expected. If it had been a real craftsman’s crystal goblet, it wouldn’t have shattered so easily with the force of a lady’s hand.
“That’s why I can’t use things that are too fragile. They break so easily.”
“What on earth…”
Selene sat on the ground with a sense of futility. The incident was unfolding before her eyes so quickly that she couldn’t even protest.
“Just in case, be careful about playing pranks on me as well.”
Though she didn’t elaborate further, everyone present could feel the implied pressure that if they pushed her further, they might end up like that goblet.
“Young Lady Delmaher.”
The woman put her hand on Selene’s shoulder.
“I will let this dress serve as compensation for the value of the goblet. I should understand the Marquis’ circumstances.”
Everyone was stunned by the woman’s ability to present herself as magnanimous.
In the tense atmosphere, someone’s whisper broke the silence.
“What on earth has happened? Is she really the person we thought we knew?”
Whether the murmur was heard or not, the woman turned in the direction of the voice and replied.
“Yes, that’s right. The person you all knew.”
Her name was ‘Lotea Clovis.’
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