The Tale of Saintess Frindell
On the day of her debut, Jayna entered the ballroom wearing a dress that was clearly different from her previous one.
“My, look at the dress that the lady is wearing!”
“Would anyone else have ever thought to wear such a dress?”
The current trend was a dress with subtle embroidery on delicately woven lace.
And Jayna’s dress was far from conventional.
Firstly, there was no lace or embroidery, her shoulders weren’t boldly shown, and her dress didn’t have a deep V either. Instead, her dress tightly wrapped around her waist and crinkled diagonally several times.
In general, it made Jayna’s figure look slim but not flat.
Furthermore, a beautiful diamond necklace hung around her neck so it didn’t look empty. Therefore, she looked light and not too flashy.
“Amongst the similar white dresses, such a dress would definitely stand out. How could it not?”
“How can a dress catch both elegance and splendour at the same time?”
To follow the trend was no different from wearing a uniform.
Therefore, Jayna was bound to stand out.
‘It was a good idea to get a new dress.’ (Jayna)
Sure, the first dress was pretty, but it didn’t look good on Jayna.
Though it varied slightly depending on the current trend, since it was a dress for seventeen year olds, the dress for debutantes was usually cute or childish.
However, since Jayna had lost all of her baby fat, her figure gradually turned into a lady’s. Jayna now broke away from cute and childish appearance and had a rather cold and intelligent beauty.
So, a cool-looking dress fitted her better than a cute one.
No one could take their eyes off her, but not everyone had positive comments.
“Is it okay for the lady to stand out so much right from her debut?”
“What an idiot. Do you think other girls didn’t dress like that because they’re stupid?”
They couldn’t help but publicly laugh at Jayna.
“This lady here is named Jayna. She’s the one I’ve wanted to introduce you to.” (Elia)
It was because Elia was her.
‘This is the first time Her Highness Princess Elia has become someone’s chaperone!’
‘Didn’t they go to the Martial Arts Competition together? This is a good sign.’
[PR/N:It means Jayna is close with Elia, so there's another potential "link" to Elia. Like, if they get along with Jayna, they might gain Elia's favour too.]
There was no one in the empire who would dare to swear at Jayna as long as Elia stood by her.
So, all she would hear were compliments.
“From which boutique did you tailor that dress? I’ve never seen such a dress before.”
“It’s so cool afterall. I would really appreciate it if you could tell me.”
Those who thought the dress was pretty and those who wanted to make a connection with Elia were busy trying to make an impact on Jayna.
‘This is the power of a high status.’ (Jayna)
Jayna had once again become aware of Elia’s status.
“Thank you for liking the dress.” (Jayna)
Meanwhile, Marilyn, who stood next to her, was busy boasting about her friend.
“Hmm, mmm. Jayna does have good taste in fashion.” (Marilyn)
“My, Lady Marilyn seems to be familiar with Lady Jayna.”
“Of course I do. I’ve known her since I was thirteen…….” (Marilyn)
Marilyn slightly raised her head as she began talking about Jayna.
“Jayna always acts so calmly, it’s like she’s an old man who’s already experienced everything.” (Marilyn)
“It seems that you and Lady Jayna aren’t nervous even though it’s your debut.”
The topic went from how Jayna acts like an old man who’s experienced everything, back to the debutante ball.
“Her original dress for the debutante was torn up! However, even though her dress was ruined, she didn’t cry, rather Jayna bought a unique dress!” (Marilyn)
Jayna didn’t even tell Marilyn how horrendously her dress had gotten torn.
She just briefly mentioned that the boutique she was using changed.
However, Marilyn began adding extra bits of story and talking so vividly about it, it was as if she went through it.
The party went on splendly when,
“Your Highness Princess Elia.”
An unfamiliar person approached Elia and whispered in her ear.
Perhaps knights had to be dispatched for some reason.
“Jayna, could I leave for a bit?” (Elia)
“Please do, don’t worry about it.” (Jayna)
Jayna promptly nodded her head.
Elia still seemed uncomfortable about leaving Jayna alone for a while.
“I’d be upset if something unfortunate happens because you were here with me.” (Jayna)
Elia followed the mysterious person after hearing those words.
People around Jayna said that Her Highness Princess Elia was very concerned about her.
“In which boutique was Lady Jayna’s dress ruined?”
“If it were me, I would have had people punished.”
“I’m sure they didn’t do that on purpose.” (Jayna)
“Are you saying that mistakes are meant to be left unpunished? Ah, Lady Jayna is so…….”
At that moment;
“Then, what if someone did it on purpose?”
Jayna was taken aback. There stood a strange woman, she was not a young lady who was here for her debutante.
She covered her face with a colourful fan, but her eyes made it evident that she was grinning.
“I wonder how Lady Jayna would react if someone intentionally ruined the dress meant for the debut.”
Jayna didn’t reply back instantly. Instead, Marilyn, who was next to her, flew into a rage.
“What do you mean by saying that? Are you implying that someone did that, on purpose, because they were jealous of Jayna?” (Marilyn)
“Perhaps I am.”
“I beg your pardon? You’re talking way too much.” (Marilyn)
Jayna grabbed the furious Marilyn.
The woman folded her fan, exposing her face, and then laughed.
“I’m kidding.”
It was the woman Jayna previously met.
‘Countess Milpress…….’
She was the noblewoman who tore Jayna’s dress at the Martial Arts Competition.
‘How weird. I don’t think she’s the person who tore up the dress meant for my debut…….’
Didn’t Jayna meet the countess for the first time yesterday?
It was going too far to say that she ruined Jayna’s dress because she was offended by yesterday’s incident.
Furthermore, an unusual sentence was written in lipstick on the mirror.
Only someone who knew a lot about Jayna could write such a thing.
“It seems that Lady Jayna doesn’t have a partner, right?” (Countess)
The countess had a nice gentleman with a moustache next to her.
“It’s good to be popular amongst women, but then, important men may ignore you.” (Countess)
There was a group of people from the opposite sex who constantly interacted with Countess Milpress when she arrived at the debutante ball.
“The main purpose of a female in life is to find a man to mate with, right?”
[T/N: Charbish 2.0?]
“You’re speaking far too explicitly…….”
When one lady hesitantly spoke up, Countess Milpress expressionlessly tilted her head.
“Was there something wrong with what I said?” (Countess)
A moment of silence ensued.
The expressions of the partner-less ladies around Jayna became uncomfortable.
She was Countess Milpress, someone who had become increasingly popular in high society these days.
Those around Jayna were mostly new to society. They shifted their eyes, but couldn’t do much besides that.
Countess Milpress, with a smile which showed she was savouring the moment, unfolded her fan once again.
“Hasn’t Her Highness Princess Elia prepared a partner for you?” (Countess)
Countess Milpress languidly spoke about how a man was more important than accessories or dresses.
“I thought that, considering you’re dearly cherished by Her Highness the Princess, Lady Jayna would know what is truly important. So, why didn’t she come wearing a traditional white dress here, where men are?” (Countess)
“Saintess Frindell travelled all across the country, sacrificing her life to treat people with infectious diseases.” (Jayna)
Everyone paid attention to Jayna when she calmly began speaking.
“Why are you mentioning this…… Are you asking me to study history?” (Countess)
“God had mercy on her, and told her to wear clean, white clothes. Since then, Saintess Frindell had never gotten ill because of any of her patients.” (Jayna)
Countess Milpress shut her mouth and examined the atmosphere.
The story which Jayna spoke about was regarding the origin of the debutante, a story which neither the countess, who pretty much lived in a library, nor etiquette teachers were familiar with.
“Saintess Frindell introduced herself to the Emperor, and that is how debutante balls began. When a lady wears a white dress, it does not mean she’s ready to marry, rather, she’s imitating the saintess. The debutante ball is a serious event in which ladies introduce themselves to the Emperor.” (Jayna)
“Lady, even though you are cherished by Her Highness, aren’t you still far too bold?” (Countess)
“I simply do not wish for you to tarnish that noble meaning, and call it an event meant for mating.” (Jayna)
“Hah, you know that, yet wear a dress that stands out nonetheless? You should be as humble as Her Highness Princess Elia.” (Countess)
Countess Milpress furrowed her brows.
“No matter what you think, what does that have to do with Lady Jayna?”
A voice broke the silent atmosphere.
“Countess Milpress, no matter what opinions one may have, do you have the right to argue?”
“Your Highness Princess Elia!” (Countess)
Elia, who was away, had now returned.
A nervous expression was seen on Countess Milpress. However, she still managed to speak clearly in front of Elia.
“Come to think of it, wasn’t there a rumour circulating that Lady Newin was rude to Lady Jayna at a tea party, and the influence of her family had then reduced? I’ve heard that Your Highness was there as well.” (Elia)
“Your Highness Princess Elia, aren’t you too invested in one young girl?” (Countess)
“That is my choice.” (Elia)
“Many had asked you to chaperone them, but you chose such a girl…….” (Countess)
“So? Should I have chaperoned you instead?” (Elia)
“That is not what I meant…….” (Countess)
“All that I do is watch over her, but will that help her obtain a title or property? All I’m doing is making sure her debutante is successful.” (Elia)
Elia’s eyes became cold.
“Then, why do you speak as if I’ve lost my mind?” (Elia)
Elia deliberately sneered and glared at Countess Milpress.
“Didn’t you say that I was pampering Jayna far too much? I can truly see how little you think of me.” (Elia)
“Y-Your Highness.” (Countess)
“If you have any complaints about me, come forward properly. Don’t unreasonably blame others.” (Countess)
A sharp, blue aura oozed out from her body. The long running pressure she extruded during war was not something ordinary people could handle. The people around Jayna thus paled.
It was the first time Elia had expressed such displeasure during a social gathering.
Everyone stood in place and trembled.
“I-I’m s-sorry…….” (Countess)
Countess Milpress, who was the direct recipient of Elia’s wrath, was particularly pale.
The gentleman with a moustache whom the countess was partnered with, had fled away when Elia arrived.
In the end, Countess Milpress shamelessly turned around and fled, tearing her dress as her legs gave way.
* * *