Chapter 124
A grand banquet, unprecedented in recent years, was held today at Lombardy's mansion.
It was Florentia Lombardy's 18th birthday party when she finally became an adult.
Originally, Lombardy's immediate family used to hold a grand banquet on every birthday, but this time it was different.
Half a year before her birthday, rumors circulated in society.
Gallahan Lombardy is preparing a huge banquet for his only daughter's coming-of-age ceremony.
In addition, there were rumors that Shannanet Lombardy, the former flower of society, who is mentioned as the next candidate for Head of Lombardy, was helping Gallahan.
And when the invitation to the banquet arrived, the nobles were shocked again.
It was because of the piece of paper that was included in the invitation to the banquet.
It was a 'Gallahan Clothing Store Premium Dress Coupon'.
If you visit a clothing store with an exchange ticket regardless of whether you attend the banquet or not, you can get an expensive dress!
Along with Gallahan Lombardy's love for his daughter, they could feel that his assets were truly enormous.
And at the end of the invitation, it said.
[For those who attended the banquet, we will give you a gift certificate worth 10 gold that can be used at 'Pellet Home & Interior' as a return gift.] (Wow new store, hire me please :D)
'Pellet Home & Interior' was a luxury ornament store that opened extensively in the middle of the Empire at the Pellet Corporation.
Ten golds were enough to buy a very good quality vase or teapot there.
Of course, it was Tia's new business promotion strategy that forced them to exchange 10-gold gift certificates and spend more money at the stores, but they didn't know about it.
They just said, 'She is Clerivan Pellet's disciple who has been taught by himself since she was very young, and they are so close so he spends a lot of money on her birthdays!'
The day of the banquet!
Of course, the attendance rate was very high.
Because of the long line of carriages waiting for their turn, they had to wait more than an hour to enter the banquet hall.
"The banquet hall is so beautiful that I'm enchanted!"
"How much did it cost?"
"I heard that she's Patriarch Lombardy's favorite granddaughter, oh my God..."
Everyone who came in couldn't shut up for a while.
There were such common words they uttered.
"It's Lombardy!"
The banquet hall was decorated with gold.
In particular, gold curtains and tablecloths glistened more brilliantly in the light of a huge diamond chandelier hanging in the middle of the banquet hall.
Especially for today, the window frames are gilded, adding extreme splendor.
It wasn't just that.
The finely crushed gold leaf floated in the champagne carried by the servants.
These were all expressions of extraordinary wealth which no one except Lombardy could imitate.
"What dress does Lady Florentia Lombardy, wear today?""I'll take a good look at the Lady Lombardy's dress is wearing and ask my dress designer."
After watching the banquet hall, the ladies stretched out their necks and looked for Florentia.
"Oh, there she is!"
A woman beckoned when she found Florentia standing where the food table was.
And there was a moment of silence between them.
"...How can it be so classic yet new?"
"The slash (scabbard) on the arm or the slightly cut breast line is gorgeous and so alluring!" (how the dress will look, Borgias or Victorian, I can't wait)
It was completely different from the existing style, but strangely, there was no rejection.
That was why the Imperial community paid attention to Florentia Lombardy.
"Well, it's a dress, though. Doesn't Lady Lombardy look so beautiful today?"
Everyone nodded at what someone said.
"That's what I was just thinking... She has always looked pretty, but she looks really beautiful today."
"Especially those big fair eyes, and white skin like the moon that made me stare blankly?"
"And there's a unique atmosphere. Even though she is still young, but hard to approach..."
Everyone agreed with the words.
"The cousins standing next to her right now seem to be a characteristic of Lombardy."
Again, there was a slight silence.
All the ladies gathered in one place were staring blankly at Florentia.
At that time, She thinks she felt the gaze from afar.
Florentia looked back at them and smiled slightly.
"Ah..."
It was a pretty smile that made them forget that they were caught peeking.
After the brief smile, she embarks on a chat with her cousins, a young lady who blankly looked at her said, as she lifting the hem of her heavy dress.
"I can't help it. I'm going to get closer and check her dress."
Other women who were a little too late followed her.
"Go with me too!"
* * *
"What are you doing, Tia? Who are you smiling at?"
"Do you know anyone over there?"
The twins straightened their necks and looked where I had turned.
"No, just. I could feel the gaze."
Is it imagination?
The two nodded and understood my answer.
"Tia is too nice."
"Right, I can't believe she's already an adult. We're so worried these days."
"...Why are you two?"
"Now this guy, that... No, no, this guy and that guy are going to follow Tia because they like Tia."
"Then we'll have to kick those annoying flies out. I'm a little busy these days, so of course, I'm worried."
The twins said with a small sigh at the same time.
The two, was 21y/o, joined the Knights of Lombardy two years ago after being proudly knighted.
As a result, they became official members of the Lombardy family in addition to being a direct lineage.
It was a completely different move from my previous life when they returned to Schultz and became an adult after changed their last name.
In addition, the twins, who seemed to be together everywhere, were divided into 1st and 3rd Knights.
They said it was what the two wanted.
"If you have a child who bothers you, you have to tell us, Tia."
Gilliu made a new request.
Mayron nodded enthusiastically next to him.
If there's a rumor that someone likes me, I think they'll run right away and grab him by the collar.
Considering their personalities, it's possible enough.
I smiled and turned the topic.
"How about the Knights? I heard you took the promotion test a few days ago?"
"Of course I did."
"I'm done with my low rank."
"It's the first time in nearly a decade that someone has been promoted as fast as us."
Gilliu and Mayron spoke with great pride.
That's right. It's worth showing off.
Lombardy's Knights are not sloppy enough to allow them to join the team just because they are Lombardy's direct line and pass the promotion test.
It can be seen from the fact that Astalliu was still a trainee even after joining the team belatedly in my previous life.
"Amazing, you two."
The twin's shoulders shrugged once again at my words.
"Sister, sister. Me too!"
Craney, standing next to Gilliu and Mayron, called me as he approached one step closer.
As expected, Craney grew tall.
Now that he's fifteen years old, he's already taller than me, and he's catching up with the twins. (He's not a baby now *sob)
"I passed the Academy entrance exam!"
Unlike Perez, who has a free pass because he was the Prince, Craney had to take the Academy entrance exam.
But I've never been worried.
Craney used to be smart, and I've been teaching him early since he was young.
But I can't ignore Craney's eyes twinkling for a compliment.
I patted Craney's head, that taller than mine.
"Good job. Good job, Craney.
"Hehe. It's all thanks to you."
Oh, you're such a nice talker.
"Let me know if you need anything to help you prepare for the academy, Craney."
Of course, even if he doesn't tell me, I'm going to give him a lot of money from the finest luggage to pocket money. (My Lady give me too)
But Craney murmured whether he really needed anything.
"Well, then, do you happen to have a textbook written by the Second Prince... No, I just wish I could shake hands and get some good energy..."
His white face turns red as he scratches his cheeks.
"Perez? What about Perez?"
"He has been at the top 1st and graduated early. When I was young, I didn't know he was that amazing..."
There's a fan of Perez here, too.
"Yes, of course. He's supposed to come to the banquet today. I don't know about the textbook, but I'll let you say hello. Ask him if you have any questions at that time."
"Really? Thank you, sister!"1
Craney rolled his feet with a big smile.
At that time, the twins, who were smiling together next to each other, suddenly frowned.
"Oh, there she is."
I looked back at the way the two looked.
The most annoying person to deal with these days was walking toward me with a lot of her aides.
It was Empress Rabini, who did not age at all as if she had sprayed preservatives over time.
Even though she is entering middle age, her blemish-free skin still makes me feel at odds.5
I have to see that face on my birthday.
"Because it's annoying. You two go over there."
I spoke to the twins.
From an early age, the Empress had a sense of rivalry with Shananet Lombardy.3
It so happens that Rabini would try to bump into each other with Shananet at the banquet.
It has gotten worse since Shannanet pushed Viese away and became Lord's representative.
The twins, who grew up next to each other, shivered at Empress Rabini.
"Craney, you follow your brothers."
Left alone, I sighed softly and drank the drink I had in my hand.
And not long after, a pretty but somewhat dreary voice spoke to me.
"Congratulations on coming of age, Lady Florentia."
It was a sweet voice that hid her innermost thoughts thoroughly.
I can't lose either.
I turned around and said hello with a big smile on my face that I've been fond of ever since I started socializing.
"I can't believe you're attending my birthday banquet personally. I'm so grateful, Empress."