Raize Benzert
As the sun went down, the girls, dressed in their pyjamas, gathered to chatter.
“I want to eat that chocolate cake again.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep since I ate so much chocolate.”
Chatter, chatter.
Similar to how a knot was tied, the girls continued on talking non-stop.
[PR/N: they’re deeply engaged in the conversation.]
“So, have you decided which boutique will be designing your debut’s dress?”
These days, when the topic of their greatest concern arises, the girls’ eyes become serious.
“I’m going to have mine made in Bellia’s Boutique. It’s probably the most famous boutique here.”
“I’ve heard it’s very difficult to get a reservation there. How will you get one?”
“Ah, if that’s the case, Sophia’s Boutique is fine too.”
Soon, talk about the debut had changed to talks about the future.
“Perhaps a few years after my debut, I want to marry my fiancé.”
“It’ll probably be that way for me too.”
“Since I haven’t decided on a marriage partner yet, marriage seems too far of a concept.”
“But I thought everything was going well with Sir Randolph?”
“He’s a bit too flirtatious.”
“Well, then isn’t Lord Bernadette a better choice?”
“You should write a letter to him right now!”
One of Jayna’s friends hesitantly started writing a letter.
Since her other friends got bored while waiting for the letter to be written, everyone declared that they would also write a letter to their own partners.
‘A partner…….’ (Jayna)
Jayna didn’t have a partner yet.
Perhaps one of her friends read the hesitation on her face, for she said with a smirk,
“Why don’t you children, who don’t have a fiancé, write a letter to someone you like?”
Marilyn, who didn’t have a fiancé, began to write something as a letter.
However, for some reason, Jayna couldn’t raise her pen. She didn’t have anyone she liked, much less an unrequited love.
Out of sheer frustration from looking at Jayna simply sitting, a lady spoke with a strange expression on her face.
“Come to think of it, when we first met, wasn’t Jayna being escorted by His Highness the Crown Prince? Am I right?”
“You are. However, he’s at the academy right now, so he probably won’t be able to make it to the debut!”
“Jayna, didn’t you mention that you kept in contact with His Highness?”
“I did.”
“Ahh, our handsome Crown Prince doesn’t return even during the holidays…….”
Perhaps Elia didn’t visit him either as Rosian had made up his mind about not returning.
‘You’re working hard, just as you said you would.’ (Jayna)
Jayna thought about Rosian. She did miss him at times.
For example, whenever a communication bird flew out from the Tower.
Or when the kind of food that Rosian said was delicious was served.
‘I don’t have anyone else to write to, so…….’
When Jayna’s pen lifted, her friends smiled at each other.
How long had it been?
Bang!
“Oh my! How surprising.”
“What are you talking about?”
A loud sound came from outside, because of which, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
The loud sound didn’t end just after one bang.
Bang!
“What’s going on?”
“Is someone outside while using flight magic?
All the ladies looked horrified at the thought.
As soon as Jayna heard the assumption, she bravely stood up.
“Jayna, don’t go!”
Marilyn tried to stop Jayna. However, Jayna continued, with an expressionless face, to approach the terrace.
“…….Wow.”
Bang!
Bang!
When she saw fireworks litter the sky, Jayna held onto the balcony’s railing with a blank expression.
“Jayna, are you okay?”
“What’s going on?”
Jayna looked back at her friends and smiled.
“They’re fireworks.”
While looking at the fireworks, Jayna recalled when she went to a classmate’s birthday party in her past life.
The main character of the party was the class president, who was popular amongst Min Bo-bae’s friends.
[T/N: Min Bo-bae was Jayna’s name in her past life.]
- The hanging balloons are so cute. Also, are these flowers real?
The house, which was specially decorated for the birthday, looked glamorous from the entrance itself.
Children had looked around in admiration time and time again..
- Whoa, if I tried to decorate a table like this, wouldn’t it break?
- Your parents are amazing.
Not only was a bus rented to bring all the children in the class, but a famous chef was also hired.
Several children asked questions and commented on a number of things, but there was nothing that Min Bo-bae was particularly curious about.
Despite her embarrassment, Min Bo-Bae eventually indirectly asked the class president a question.
- It’s a weekday today, but both your parents are at home.
- Yeah, both of them are usually busy, but they took a day-off for my sake.
Having loving parents who went as far as to invite her classmates was far more enviable than a glamorous birthday party.
Maybe that was why.
Why the president, who was popular since she always smiled, had a smile as bright as a flower.
Seeing how loved the girl was, Jayna couldn’t help but think she had no one who loved her to such a degree.
That was what Jayna had thought…
“Jayna, you know, I feel so relieved after coming to the Tower.” (Marilyn)
Marilyn approached Jayna, who was standing on the terrace, and began conversing with her.
“I always wondered about how you came to live in the Tower. You had never told me about your parents, and I couldn’t just ask.” (Marilyn)
“But when I saw how Hilvenzia and your brother prepared today’s party, I felt relieved, because it showed that you’re loved.” (Marilyn)
Jayna blankly stared at Marilyn since she spoke words Jayna never expected her to.
“Hehe. That’s what this older sister thought.” (Marilyn)
Jayna recalled the wish she made earlier when she blew out the candles.
Even though her friends persistently asked Jayna what her wish was, Jayna hadn’t answered.
Well, it was because her wish wasn’t something that could be said out loud for everyone to hear.
- Please don’t let anyone be too sad if I die.
Jayna thought, ‘I do know a bit about happiness now….…’
“Marilyn.” (Jayna)
“Uh, yeah?” (Marilyn)
“…Nothing.” (Jayna)
Jayna now thought that she was a bit afraid of death.
* * *
“Aren’t you nervous? You’re going to debut soon. I didn’t even go on a diet but I ended up losing weight. It’s just, I got so nervous that I lost my appetite.” (Marilyn)
Marilyn, who decided to pick dresses together, endlessly chattered in the carriage.
“How can I get a dress that can show my charm, without seeming too flashy?” (Marilyn)
“I know. What a difficult issue.” (Jayna)
“I’ll have to catch people’s eyes at the debut, then I’ll be able to live comfortably in society in the future.” (Marilyn)
While the exact date wasn’t stated, it was mentioned that in the original novel Jayna died at age 17.
When that fact became clearer day by day, Jayna had already made a decision.
Apart from her decision, Jayna planned to do the best for the debutante ball.
- How important are social activities for nobles?
People around Jayna hoped that she would be able to safely make her debut at the ball. Jayna wanted to be able to enjoy small luxuries like other ladies before she died.
So that, no matter what, she wouldn’t regret dying.
* * *
The debutante ball was a place where unmarried ladies introduced themselves to the emperor.
Since only debuted ladies could get married, the ball also helped declare that a lady was eligible for marriage.
If one were to become the centre of society, she would probably be able to get a good husband.
No matter how advanced women society had become under Elia, women’s lives would change a lot depending on their marriage partner; that was, unless they were witches, knights, or government officials.
This was because titles were usually passed down onto the eldest son.
“Princess Elia has sent us.”
Elia sent her maids to help Jayna prepare for her debut.
Normally, one had to go to a boutique and get your dresses fitted, however the debutante ball was an exception.
The latest trends in society are something that one doesn’t know well unless they were a socialite.
Quite naturally, the designer of the boutique would help in her own way, however, she was incomparable to Elia’s maids; since all of them were young ladies from prestigious families, many of her maids were talented.
“As an unmarried lady, white is considered traditional.”
“It wouldn’t be good for her to look too flashy or too modest.”
“Let’s decide the dress’s fabric first.”
Elia’s maids, along with the designer, put their heads together and had an in-depth discussion.
Ladtly, they had to get affirmation from Jayna.
“Jayna, do you like the dress?”
“Yes, I really do like the dress.”
It was a white dress with fashionable patterning of lace and exposed shoulders.
Overall, the dress was delicate, elegant, and immaculate.
The designer of the boutique swore on her honour that the dress would be flawless.
And that’s how Jayna’s dress for the debutante ball was chosen.
* * *
If the most important event for young ladies was the debutante ball, the most important event for young lords was the Martial Arts Competition.
This was because the military had become important after the war against the Demon King and the series of wars fought against foreign countries.
“It’s nice to be able to go out with you like this.” (Elia)
Tickets to the Martial Arts Competition were usually difficult to procure, but thanks to Elia, Jayna was able to get a good seat for the competition.
The sun blazed fiercely under the cloudless blue sky.
Beneath which, young men sweat vigorously.
“Hayyah!”
“Hayyah!”
There were knights, mercenaries, and even young lords who rarely hold swords.
The winner of the Martial Arts Competition would receive immense attention from society since winning the competition was a great honour. Therefore, it was only natural that there were many participants.
“It is thanks to Your Highness Elia that I am able to get a good seat.” (Jayna)
Since Elia was known as a hero, she wasn’t allowed to participate in the Martial Arts Competition. Instead, she was to congratulate the winner in the emperor’s stead.
“Even if I were the winner, I would still have watched the game with you until the award ceremony.” (Elia)
Knights and mercenaries which stood in the stadium had large chests, wide shoulders, and hard thighs.
Unlike corrupt nobles, mercenaries and knights dazzled when they wielded their swords.
[PR/N: the dazzle part meant something like, they impressed the crowd with their skills with the sword.]
“How amazing…”
Young ladies blushed as they saw knights and mercenaries warming up to prepare for the Martial Arts Competition.
However, all those wild beauties were incomparable to Elia.
[T/N: Wild beauties refers to the knights/mercenaries]
Therefore, those girls were very jealous of Jayna, who was sitting next to and being cared for by Elia.
“Are you uncomfortable in any way?” (Elia)
Since she was at the venue for the Martial Arts Competition, Elia was dressed in her knight’s uniform and had her blonde hair tied up in a high ponytail.
Elia had a sharp jawline, which Rosian must have inherited, as well as an atmosphere like a well-fashioned sword.
“You have an eyelash here.” (Elia)
Elia reached a long, straight finger of hers out and touched Jayna’s cheek. Languid sighs escaped from those around them.
“My god…….”
“You’re cool as always, Princess Elia…….”
Elia was an object of envy not only for female knights who walked on the same path as her, but also those who avoided becoming male knights, with the excuse that they were ruffians.
[PR/N: Elia is strong, yet gentle.]
“Who is that child, and why is she so adored by Princess Elia?”
“My cheek should have been the one touched by those fingertips.”
After some time passed, the Martial Arts Competition finally began.
Instead of giving boring explanations one-by-one to Jayna who knew virtually nothing about swordsmanship, Elia instead suggested making bets.
“I think the knight on the right will win.” (Elia)
“Then I’ll bet on the knight to the left.” (Jayna)
The swords of both the knights collided, and after several moves and tense moments, the right knight won.
“I’ll let you choose first this time.” (Elia)
However, Jayna lost the bet once again.
“I really can’t win against Princess Elia. I thought the mercenary I chose would win, because of the huge size difference.” (Jayna)
With a slight smile, Elia started explaining everything.
“When the mercenary entered the arena earlier, I observed that his steps weren’t of someone who properly knew how to wield a sword. There is a limit to what you can do with force.” (Elia)
Elia’s explanation was smooth as well as accurate.
Since Jayna was given an explanation in easy terminology, after a few failures, Jayna was able to correctly choose the victor.
“Congratulations. You won the bet this time.” (Elia)
Jayna, who had been watching the Martial Arts Competition for a while, somehow found herself eyeing a knight.
Raize Benzert.
‘It’s the first time I’ve heard of someone named that.’ (Jayna)
The audience was also confused, saying they did not know of such a family.
There was no need to use a pseudonym, advancing to the finals alone would raise the status of a family. Furthermore, why did Jayna feel that person was somewhat familiar?
Cha-ching!
“Raize Benzert is victorious!”
“It was a good match.”
Despite his voice not being thin, the knight’s gentle voice was as clear as the wind.
[T/N: A voice that is thin is high-pitched and not very loud (Think Soprano). It also has a sophisticated and quirky feel]
While Jayna was thinking about his voice, Elia suddenly talked to Jayna, surprising her.
“Are you interested in that knight? You’ve been eyeing him for a while now.” (Elia)
“Well, I don’t know much about swordsmanship, but I don’t think he’s shown his true capabilities yet.” (Jayna)
There was another peculiar thing about the knight, Raize Benzert. His name wasn’t the only mysterious thing about him, his appearance was too.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen someone cover their face for the competition.”
“Is that even allowed?”
“Since this is an important competition, wouldn’t there be no issues as long as one had the qualifications to participate? If someone’s face isn’t known, they’re only hurting themselves.”
Jayna listened to the voices of others, but soon couldn’t hide her thoughts anymore,
“The person under that mask is definitely handsome.” (Jayna)
“How do you know that?” (Elia)
“Because his voice is handsome!” (Jayna)
“…What does that have to do with it?” (Elia)
“If someone has such a voice and is ugly, girls will shed tears of blood!” (Jayna)
At that moment, Jayna wondered whether she had become blind, since she also liked Raize’s voice.
[PR/N: ‘Blind’ means she isn't judging his looks based on his face, which one normally does when you talk about appearance]
“……hmm.” (Jayna)
Jayna didn’t notice Elia looking at her with a proud expression for some reason.
“I-It’s Izren!”
There was a different knight Jayna cheered for during the competition.
Izren Danarod.
Even while he guarded Jayna, Izren did not neglect his training, and like any other living in the Wizard’s Tower was adept in swordsmanship.
[T/N: This means that, Izren was pretty talented at something just like everyone else in the Tower]
Thanks to which, his skills had long passed a normal knight’s, and there were rumours that he would step down from his position as escort after the final ceremony.
[T/N: The final step/ceremony in becoming a knight is to be knighted by the monarch]
Now that he was about to make it to the Martial Arts Competition’s finals, Izren already had made a spectacular debut.
Clang!
“Izren Danarod, is the victor!”
[T/N: Keep in mind Izren and Raize Benzert won only the preliminary round]
Though he was a knight, his skin was untanned and his muscles were pretty when compared to a mercenary.
Purple eyes and light blue hair, signs he was of mixed race, could be seen from anywhere.
His appearance was perfect in aiding him to be ignored by others and was being discriminated against. Izren was in the process of defeating those who were bigger than him or trained in a better environment, one after another with his skills alone.
“Izren!” (Jayna)
Even though Jayna had raised her voice, it was absurdly quiet when compared to those around her. However, Izren made eye contact with Jayna as if she was the only one in the stadium.
Smile.
There was a bright smile on Izren’s face, which had previously been expressionless.
Elia, who saw Izren’s finely curved eyes, asked,
[T/N: Your eyes curve when you’re happy]
“You must be very close to your escort.” (Elia)
“I’ve known Izren for a long time now, and he’s been very helpful.” (Jayna)
“But, Rosian…….” (Elia)
“Pardon?” (Jayna)
“It’s nothing.” (Elia)
A look of wariness drifted across Elia’s cold face for a moment.
* * *