Ch. 47 You’re So Beautiful (1)
Opera was a popular pastime enjoyed by many an aristocrat. Elena had attended a few herself. Tickets commanded a broad range of prices depending on the vantage point, with the price of a regular seat almost equal to that of a commoner’s monthly wage. Nevertheless, many aristocrats went to see the opera and performances were often sold out.
However, even without the high price, it didn’t make sense for Elena and Carlisle to meet at such a place. Carlisle was aware that Elena wanted to hide their relationship before the ball, and she was curious why he chose the opera. While it was a place where aristocrats sometimes gathered in private, regardless of their efforts they were sure to bump into anyone from the entrance to their seats.
‘…What the hell are you thinking?’
Elena had not expected Carlisle to ignore her request to not be seen together. If that was the case, she would’ve gotten a robe back then too.
As Elena was ruminating over her thoughts, Kuhn, who was was waiting for her reply, opened his mouth to speak first.
“If there is nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
“Oh, wait one moment. Can you see if there’s a shop in the capital city where I can get a dress?”
“I’ll find one if you wish, but you’ll see someone more suitable than me who you can ask.”
“Someone more suitable…?”
Elena’s face turned to mild curiosity, and Kuhn elaborated.
“Yes. I’m talking about the General.”
“How does the prince know about that?”
Carlisle was known to have been on the battlefield since he was young, and he had only been in the capital for a short time. He didn’t seem like the type of person to know anything about fashion or dresses.
“You’ll meet and hear the story about the General in person. That’s all I can say.”
Kuhn saved his words if he had no intention of explaining anything else. Elena knew she would get no more answers from him, so she simply nodded her head. She would find out when she went to the opera tonight.
“I’ll take my leave then.”
“Of course.”
There was no reason for Elena to keep Kuhn here any longer. As soon as he was allowed, he disappeared out of the window in an instant. It was all becoming very familiar to Elena.
She was finally left alone in her room. Elena let out a long sigh and composed her thoughts again.
Kungkwang kungkwang!
She heard footsteps running towards her room, and suddenly the door was flung open. It was Mirabelle who barged in without knocking.
“Sister!”
Elena was about to scold Mirabelle for her rudeness until she saw the intense expression on her face.
“What’s the matter?”
“I heard the dresses for the ball were completely ruined. Is that true?”
“Ah.”
When Elena heard of the incident she didn’t mention it to Mirabelle, worried that her sister wouldn’t be able to fall sleep. It seems she finally learned about it.
“Mirabelle, you know…”
Elena began to sweat for fear of Mirabelle’s impending disappointment. Elena briefly explained that the maid Tilda was alone in the luggage carriage, and supposedly tore the dresses and fled. Elena didn’t mention Sophie. The details surrounding her weren’t clear yet.
“So what do we do now? Can we not go to the ball anymore?”
“It’s too early to say. Right now, I’m trying to find out it there are any available dress shops that can take orders.”
“All the good ones are already filled. Is there anything else we can do?”
Mirabelle’s feelings were understandable. They were here for the royal ball, where the crown prince would make his first appearance. The Blaises could not afford to show up with a humble appearance, not when all nobility would be dressed in their finest array. It would be better not to go.
But Elena could not give up so easily, not when she had planned an official first meeting with Carlisle, and not when Mirabelle had been anticipating the ball for a long time. It was a situation where the two of them were upset for different reasons.
Mirabelle then spoke remorsefully.
“I’m so sorry. You never got to wear such a pretty dress before…”
Her voice then rose in anger.
“Who on earth did this? It’s not possible that Tilda did this on her own.”
“Just wait a while. Your sister is working on it.”
Elena approached her brokenhearted sister and gently stroked her hair.
“We’ll somehow manage to attend the ball.”
“…Is that possible? “
Elena’s thoughts turned to Carlisle, whom she was supposed to meet tonight.
“Well, I’ll try my best.”
There was a lot to settle with Carlisle next she saw him. She didn’t know what he could do to help, but if the meeting proved fruitless, Elena would have to find another way. She glanced at the clock, confirming the hour that Carlisle would send the carriage.
*
*
*
Time passed with light feet. Before long the clock was closing in on eight o’clock, the hour when the carriage would arrive. By then, Elena completed all her preparations to attend the opera. Although she preferred to dress modestly, tonight she dressed as lavishly as possible for the occasion. It still may not be as extravagant as other noblewomen, but she made up for it with her pretty face.
To explain the sudden outing, Elena informed Mirabelle she was going to look for a dress shop to complete a new gown. It was not exactly wrong. She would ask about it when she met Carlisle.
Soon the clock struck eight o’ clock exactly.
Dulgulug, dulgulug.
A magnificent black carriage rattled to a stop in front of the main gate of the Blaise mansion. Elena watched from the window, noting that Carlisle’s timing was as sharp as a knife’s edge. The coachman stood up from the carriage and spoke to a servant, then the servant spoke to the butler, who finally spoke to her.
“The carriage has arrived, My Lady.”
Elena was already aware and immediately headed outside.
“Thank you. Please tell my father that I’m out if he arrives.”
“Yes, My Lady. Stay safe.”
After receiving a polite send-off from Michael, Elena approached the black carriage. The coachman bowed to Elena and opened the carriage door.
Tak–
After safely confirming that Elena was on board, he closed the door and soon the carriage set off slowly. The Blaise’s carriages were certainly comfortable, but they could not even be compared to this one. The ride was so smooth that Elena could not feel the wheels turning at all. It was the most luxurious way to travel she had ever experienced.
She recalled Carlisle riding with her in a Blaise carriage not too long ago.
‘If he’s used to riding in carriages like this, then he must have been uncomfortable.’
Elena smiled to herself. For some reason, it was hard to imagine Carlisle riding in a carriage by himself. Even though he was the crown prince who could ride one any time he desired, he seemed to be more suited to riding a horse.
She didn’t know why was thinking of that.
‘Come to think of it, since when have I not been averse to seeing him?’
She didn’t choose this marriage because she liked it. Theirs was a contractual marriage because she had much to benefit from it, excluding her own emotions and interests.
However, for some strange moment all her thoughts turned towards Carlisle. A smile spread on her face in anticipation of seeing him. Was it because he kept helping her? It was true that Carlisle’s abilities exceeded her expectations, and he had been supporting her in many ways.
‘Well, it’s better than having an uncomfortable relationship.’
Elena felt at ease. Any support was good, she thought.