23 — The Evening Party

How did I end up going to an evening party? And one thrown by the royal family, no less! I’m embarrassed to say it, but the first time I ever set foot in the palace was my wedding reception.

Since my parents kept socializing to a minimum, I only went out a few times. They didn’t have the time or money to take me places.

“It can ‘be arranged?’” Mr. Fisalis didn’t seem to understand what I meant, his face broadcasting “taken aback” loud and clear.

“Yes... In our initial conversation, I do believe you said that I didn’t have to attend social functions,” I said, explaining what I meant earlier.

He’d told me that I didn’t have to go to social events when he explained the details of the contract, so going to an evening party would definitely count as an amendment to that contract.

The Fisalis family was of noble blood, so to this day they are invited to many a soiree and social event.

(Source: Mimosa)

But Mr. Fisalis had been taking Miss Calendula with him when he attended.

(Source: Dahlia)

I wondered why he didn’t just do the same thing now, but the fact that he was still eating dinner here suggested that he hadn’t made up with her yet. Consequently, it seemed that not being able to invite Calendula meant ‘just bring Viola’ instead.

In other words, I thought, now is a great time for Mr. Fisalis to make up with her, unless... he’s already squandered his chance?

I was too cowardly to cut right to the chase and ask straight up, ‘are you fighting with your girlfriend,’ so instead I politely asked, “Oh, um, can’t your girlfriend go?”

“She, er...” he answered evasively.

“Is she not feeling well?” I pressed further. She has certainly seemed in good health whenever she stormed the main house, but let’s set that aside.

“Er, yes. That’s about right,” he evaded further, his eyes looking anywhere but at me.

Now I know they’re fighting!

But, thinking about it a little more, this was an invitation to an official royal soiree, not some private get-together at a noble’s mansion. It would be in poor taste to bring Miss Calendula to an official function like this.

It made perfect sense, then, that Mr. Fisalis had no choice but to come to me and my family.

Which is why he can’t actually answer me now!

Social events weren’t included in the contract, but playing the part of show wife certainly was, so it seemed I had no choice but to resign myself to my fate and accept the invitation.

That satisfied me somewhat, so I looked up straight into his dark brown eyes and replied, “Alright. When is it?” with a firm nod.

“Two weeks from now.”

His gaze softened in relief at my confirmation.

If it’s two weeks away, I have time. But wait, time to do what? Prepare! I have so much to prepare!

“Understood. Mimosa, I’ll have something to wear, right?”

I turned around at his response to confirm with Mimosa, who was still waiting behind me.

There were still tons of dresses in my dressing room that I hadn’t worn yet! Just like I said I would do in the beginning, I had only been wearing the comfortable, simple ones in heavy rotation.

Of course, that meant completely ignoring Mimosa’s bitter glares.

My undeniable favorite, though, was my uniform.

“Oh, you’ll be just fine, Madam.”

“And accessories, too?”

“Of course.” She nodded with a smile. “Hehehe, get ready to take accessorizing to the extreme!” I could almost hear her cackling internally. At the sight of her manic smile, I began to worry what kind of insane makeup she’d put on me.

Mr. Fisalis listened silently to our exchange before suggesting with a bright smile, “No, I’ll give you a new dress, since I’m the one who asked this of you.” When I heard that, I suddenly froze.

Whaaat? An even newer dress than these? Even though I already have heaps of new dresses?

“Don’t be absurd! I have plenty of dresses that were here for me when I arrived, and they’re still good as new! And the heaps of dresses you gave me after you proposed make for more than enough. I’ll choose from those. Same for my accessories. It’d just be a waste to buy something brand new!”

Moreover, everything was very clearly quite delicate and elaborate—to put it simply, they were luxury items made from the highest quality fabrics! And he wanted me to get me something totally brand new!?

And speaking of a lack of money sense, there seemed to be a massive, unbridgeable gap in common sense between the two of us.

Giving me a sidelong glance as I fiercely protested, Mimosa turned to Mr. Fisalis and replied in a happy tone, “As you wish, Master. I’ll arrange for a tailor right away!”

I had never once seen her obey an order from him with such a big grin on her face!

In complete contrast to my expression of stunned amazement, Mr. Fisalis turned to Mimosa and gave her a single nod of satisfaction. Then, he turned to Dahlia, who was standing next to her, and offhandedly instructed her, “I want her to have new jewelry to match, as well. I’ll leave that to you, Dahlia.”

“Very well, Master,” she replied, obedient as ever.

No no no! Hold on! The conversation just keeps going on while I’m stuck here mute from shock!

“Pl-Please, wait a minute! I have a whole lot of jewelry I haven’t even worn yet!”

No waste! No excess! Resist luxury!

The three of them completely ignored me to discuss making arrangements with craftsmen and traders as I continued, in full panic mode.

They won’t change their minds. I feel like I’m being left behind.

“Argh, why did it have to be an evening party? I don’t need a new dress! And I told you, I barely even wear jewelry!!” I rolled back and forth in mental anguish on my sofa as I vented true feelings, unable to maintain appearances any longer.

More than having to go to the party and whatnot, it was the waste of money that made me lose my temper. But what should I have expected from someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth!?

“His companion is always getting new dresses and jewelry, so I wish he’d give you more! You’d be within your rights to ask for more, even!” Mimosa said, and when I looked at her, I saw her sneering.

It was a dark smile.

“Well, aren’t you full of information,” I shot back.

“Of course I am. I heard it from Master’s personal maids.”

Ah-ha. There’s been an information leak.

“And then there’s the bills,” Dahlia added nonchalantly.

Normally I’d be terrified by her blank expression.

“R-really? Mr. Fisalis is always going to evening parties with his girlfriend, though.” I was repeating myself, but we had been married for four months, and I was sure there had been plenty of evening parties during that time. Throwing soirees and tea parties was as normal as breathing for nobles, after all.

“That’s correct. However, due to his busy schedule, Master has only been able to attend two or three a month,” Dahlia answered.

As I had expected, the head personal maid knew the fine details of Mr. Fisalis’ schedule.

“And did he go to soirees at the royal palace with her, too?”

“Until now, he’s always gone to events either alone or as an escort to his childhood friend Duchess Verbena Argenteia. There are rules in place for events thrown by the royal family.”

“Really?”

It was the first I’d heard of this childhood friend, but I guess this time... she couldn’t make it. I nodded along as she spoke, but then both of them glided over to me.

“So please, you’d better not feel bad about a brand new dress and jewelry.”

“You ought to be excited.”

They smiled at me.

Their smiles were terrifying.

The moment I shuffled back to get away from them, I nearly fell off the sofa.