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CHAPTER 5 - AT THE RACECOURSE
It turns out, the Duke of Fevastein's horses were participating in a race, and they wanted me to watch. Although I found it suspicious, I agreed. I thought Lord Acrod developing an interest in horse racing was a good thing. He's undoubtedly a future influential figure in the empire, and his support could further the development of imperial horse racing.
However, in the six months I've known him, we've never discussed horse racing before. So, it was quite a sudden request. Two weeks before the race, after securing a promise from Lord Acrod, he left in high spirits.
On the day before the race, I returned to the estate. The racecourse is a social gathering for gentlemen and ladies, requiring proper noble attire. Despite that, if I were to visit the trainers, I could wear my usual farmer's clothes.
Entering through the back door, I instructed the maids to prepare my room. While waiting, I drank tea in one of the salons. Suddenly, my mother arrived, looking quite agitated.
Normally, my return wouldn't elicit much interest from my parents, who seldom cared. But this time, my mother's expression was alarming. It seemed something bad was about to happen.
With an intense look, she approached me and, spitting out her words, yelled, "What's the connection between you and the future Duke Fevastein?"
Surprised, I replied calmly, "He's a friend."
My mother seemed utterly stunned. She mumbled something like incoherent muttering. "Friends... the next duke is a friend..."
Not only my mother but also my father and brother rushed into the salon. Things were getting serious. I explained the situation to the three of them.
"Acrod enjoys horses and frequently visits our estate to observe how we raise them. It started about six months ago."
My father's expression lightened slightly. "Ah, studying horse breeding. I see, I see. That makes sense, especially for Ecclisia."
Though I couldn't fathom why this was such a big deal, it seemed my explanation satisfied them. The scolding had been avoided, and I felt relieved.
Then, feeling at ease, I added, "Tomorrow, I've been invited to the racecourse. They want me to see the Duke Fevastein family's horses."
Suddenly, my father, mother, and brother's expressions changed again. "What did you say?"
Why? Where did I step on a landmine?
"Helene! Bring out the dresses suitable for Ecclisia to wear to the races! And makeup too! Hurry!"
My mother urgently commanded the head maid, Helene.
My father seemed bewildered, and my brother covered his face with his hands. "Eli, do you have any idea how important this is?"
"No, not at all."
Even after my brother sighed deeply, the gravity of the situation remained elusive to me.
"Tomorrow is... well, it's a meeting. Between you and Lord Acrod."
The Next Day:
I descended from the Cranbell Count's finest carriage, adorned in a pale peach-colored top-tier dress, at the main entrance of the Daphnes Racecourse near the imperial capital.
Feeling a bit dizzy.
It had been a hectic morning. I was bathed, scrubbed meticulously, applied moisturizer, then tightly laced into a corset before having the dress and makeup done. The dress was an overnight choice by my mother, and the makeup received careful instructions. Fortunately, my face wasn't excessively whitened, considering my sunburn.
The accessories included treasures from my mother's collection – a platinum hairpiece with diamonds and sapphires, a ruby brooch, and a necklace with diamonds and pearls.
This attire was definitely not suitable for the racetrack. Despite being a social event, it seemed appropriate to wear casual outdoor attire. Such glamorous outfits were more fitting for an imperial soirée.
My father, mother, and brother with his wife arrived in similar high-spirited attire from another carriage. Tension was palpable; my mother's eyes were bloodshot, perhaps due to staying up all night.
As members of the Cranbell Count's household, we were entitled to enter the clubhouse, thanks to our membership in the Jockey Club. The doorman and the clubhouse manager greeted us graciously as we entered the grand hall. There he stood, waiting for us.
"I've been waiting."
Lord Acrod, with platinum hair and deep azure eyes, was elegantly dressed in a beige outfit, deviating from his usual style. Well, he was the future duke; his dazzling attire was probably more genuine than ours.
He greeted us with a graceful smile.
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Despite being at a racetrack, Lord Acrod seemed overly fashionable, adorned with gold thread and jewels that sparkled as if he were attending a royal soirée.
I couldn't help but swallow hard. This... I was starting to find it difficult to dismiss my brother's anecdotes as mere exaggerations.
That’s what my brother said,
"Are you sure? Listen, Marie. Surely you understand the significance when an unmarried man invites an unmarried woman to a social gathering? It's practically a confession of love, allowing the two to confidently appear as a couple in front of many people."
"If a woman agrees, and the man leads her to a social event, it becomes known to everyone that they are in a romantic relationship."
"Oh no. Isn't horse racing a significant social event too? If Acrod escorts me into the venue, won't that announce to everyone that he and I are a couple? No, no, no."
"That's an exaggeration. I'm just going to see the horses from the House of Febastein, acting as a horse expert and advisor!"
"To think Acrod would call a horse-loving woman like me to make a romantic declaration. Unbelievable."
However, my brother shook his head.
"We don't know what the future Duke is thinking. Acrod, who is known as a busy and reserved knight, wouldn't create such a misunderstanding. Besides, he mentioned that the ducal horses would be racing, didn't he?"
"Right. He asked me to watch the races featuring the ducal horses."
"When our family's horse races, who goes to the racetrack?"
"Huh? That would be Father and Mother, right? They have to pay the entry fee and receive prize money if we win."
"Exactly. So, tomorrow, Febastein Duke will be at the racetrack."
...That would certainly be the case. Club members must be the head of the household, and unless there's an exception for royals, it's bound to happen.
"Father Duke and likely Mother Duchess. The two will escort you into the social event they attend. They'll undoubtedly introduce you to the Duke and Duchess."
...That's ridiculous. You finally understood the situation.
"Wait, wait a minute, brother! Acrod and I are not in that kind of relationship! While it's true he often visits the ranch, and we talk amicably about horses, we're just friends!"
But your brother, with a heavy sigh, only shook his head.
"That's enough. Acrod, known as the deputy commander of the Knights, who's very busy and famous for being reserved towards women, was coming to see you for work. It's been a long time in the Imperial Capital; rumors have been circulating about which princess's residence he frequents."
"What?"
"Some time ago, our ranch, that is, your place, was identified. It was a big fuss. My father, mother, and I faced a barrage of questions from various people."
"But it was for studying horses..."
"Using that as a cover to scrutinize you was undoubtedly the case. Otherwise, he wouldn't suddenly introduce you to his parents."
You were left speechless. Your brother, with a pained expression, continued.
"Tomorrow, Father, Mother, and I will accompany you. If you are proclaimed the future Duchess and possibly humiliate our family for generations, it must be prevented. Hopefully, we can decline, but it's going to be tough."
Despite the straightforward disapproval, there was no will to argue. It's a fact. It's impossible for a horse-loving lady like you to become the future Duchess, or in other words, the next Duchess. It's definitely impossible.
"But do your best! Brother!"
"...It feels heavy. This plan, meticulously devised by Acrod, known as a great general? I don't feel like overturning it..."
As Lord Acrod stepped forward, Father and Mother, your brother and his wife did likewise, and of course, I bowed deeply. Father spoke as the representative.
"This is the next Duke of Febastein. Today is a fine day for horse racing. We are honored by your presence."
Lord Acrod responded with a relaxed smile, saying, "No need for formalities, Count Cranbell. Your presence is most welcome. Come, let me introduce you to my father."
Father's face tightened. Wasn't Lord Acrod's father the Duke of Febastein himself? His position in the line of succession was third or second.
Then, Lord Acrod stepped forward and naturally took my right hand. "Ecclesia, I'm glad you're here. Let's go," he said, kissing my hand as if it were nothing. Hey! Everyone in the foyer can see!
Ignoring my embarrassment, Lord Acrod escorted me with a dignified hold on my waist, while my father and brother had no chance to intervene.
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Of course, we attracted a lot of attention. It was chaotic. Everyone in the foyer had eyes wide open, as if their eyeballs might pop out. This was definitely a misunderstanding, or rather, it was intentionally misleading. Lord Acrod wanted everyone to believe we were intimate. Why would he do that?
...No, maybe it wasn't a misunderstanding. Maybe Lord Acrod was genuinely close to me.
I couldn't help but think of the absurd prediction my brother made yesterday, seeing Lord Acrod's happy smile. Surely, not someone like Lord Acrod with a woman who only cares about horses? Impossible. That couldn't be true.
Ignoring my swirling thoughts, Lord Acrod led me up the stairs, which curved to the second floor. The second floor housed the viewing stands. It was a single space connected to the hall and large windows leading to a massive balcony, with several round tables placed there.
Gentlemen and ladies were chatting, watching the racetrack, and pointing at the horses from the balcony. There must have been close to a hundred people.
Everyone turned to look at us simultaneously. Their expressions were shocked, and it was noisy. Well, with someone as prominent as Lord Acrod appearing in such a conspicuous manner, it's no wonder. That's not all. The next Duke, who was known for being strict, was holding a woman's waist. That alone was a big deal.
Don't look! I don't mean that! I, who had never been the center of attention, was overwhelmed. Let's go to a table in a quiet corner! Lord Acrod would probably sit in the best seats with confidence.
But the expectation was wrong. After responding to greetings by smiling and tipping hats, Lord Acrod did not enter the viewing stands but continued up the stairs. Huh?
Indeed, the clubhouse was three stories high. I knew there was a third floor, but I didn't know what was there. I couldn't help but ask.
"What's up there?"
Lord Acrod nodded casually. "Ah, there's a VIP box for the royals."
A VIP box? Both my father and I were wide-eyed. I had no idea such a thing existed. Wait, are we going there now?
That means, of course, the Duke will be there.
Th-this is bad! I turned to my brother for help. Help me, brother!
Then, my brother hastily said, "Your Highness, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to intrude into your esteemed VIP box. Please excuse us."
However, Lord Acrod's firm steps didn't falter.
"Oh, no need for that. My father isn't so formal. He's quite interested in meeting a woman knowledgeable about horses. He's looking forward to meeting you, Ecclesia."
My brother fell silent. If the story of Lord Acrod taking me to the Duke had already been conveyed, it would be rude not to go.
With no way to escape, the Cranbell family reluctantly followed behind Lord Acrod.
As we climbed the stairs, we saw a corridor with thick purple carpets and several grand doors decorated with gold and silver. Each must be a separate VIP box. There must be one reserved for the Emperor himself. Lord Acrod stopped in front of the leftmost room.
"This is our room. Feel free to use it anytime," he said.
...What does he mean by using the Febastein Duke's private room casually? Both my father and I couldn't hide our shock, and my mother seemed about to faint.
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As Lord Acrod stood in front of the door, it opened slowly, and bright sunlight flooded in. It seemed to face a large window.
Once my eyes adjusted to the light, I realized it was quite a spacious room, almost as large as the foyer of our mansion. The ceiling was high, with large windows leading to a balcony. The carpet was green with intricate white patterns woven in.
There were furnishings like a reception room, and in the corner, there was something like a bar. It looked like a room where large banquets were held.
And sitting on the sofa was a middle-aged man, with a woman of the same age beside him. Across the table sat two dressed-up young women.
It must be the Duke and his family. I immediately slipped away from Lord Acrod's hand and knelt down. Of course, Father and the rest followed suit with a loud thud. Father delivered his greeting.
"Beautiful Duke of Febastein, we are honored by your presence. I, the Count of Cranbell, am deeply pleased to meet you. It is the greatest honor to have a connection with you on this fine day. Our family is also deeply moved by the connection with Your Grace. We thank the goddess."
"Thank the goddess," everyone echoed at the end of Father's greeting.
Then, the Duke, a man, stood up.
As expected of Lord Acrod's father, he looked similar. His hair was slightly darker blond than Lord Acrod's. He was tall, with more solidity than Lord Acrod, but not so much as to be called fat. He had a beard on his mouth and chin.
He was wearing a deep blue, dignified outfit, and I understood why I was dressed up so much. It would be disrespectful to appear before the Duke in casual attire. But did members of the royal family always dress like this?
The Duke stepped forward and stood in front of me. Why is he standing in front of me? The representative of our family is Father.
"You may stand," he said.
...Obviously, he was addressing me. I reluctantly stood up slowly, keeping my face down.
"You may raise your head."
I reluctantly raised my head. I could see the Duke's chest directly in front of me. Moving my gaze upward, I saw the Duke's face, smiling as brightly as Lord Acrod's.
"So, you're Ecclesia."
It didn't seem like a question. I spread my skirt and said, "Yes, I am the third daughter of Count Cranbell, Ecclesia."
After finishing the greeting and looking up at the Duke again, he grinned.
"I am Robert II, the seventh Duke of Febastein!"
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