Roseanne finally awoke, and when she heard of Lalisa's dinner party, she offered her help. She scrutinized Lalisa's wardrobe before making a decision.
"Why don't you wear this dress tonight?"
The selection of Lalisa's dress would be just as important as the dinner itself. There was no time to tailor a new dress, but it was crucial for the Crown Princess to appear immaculate in social events. No matter how high a position she held, she could not afford for the nobles to whisper behind her back if she was dressed poorly. No other place was more fashion-conscious than high society, and she attracted more attention than anyone else.
She carefully studied the dress Roseanne had chosen.
"This?"
It was a radical departure from what she usually wore. The dress was a vibrant purple, and had a distinctive skirt made up of layers upon layers of tulle.
"Yes. I'll adjust this part here to make it look better. Take a look, sister."
With a few of Roseanne's modifications, the dress took on a greater sophistication and elegance. Lalisa stared at the scene before her, and she couldn't help but make a sound of admiration.
"Roseanne, this dress is truly unique."
Roseanne had an exceptional talent for design, but she still blushed at her sister's praise.
"Do you like it?"
"Of course. You chose it."
The dress was fashionable and individualistic, meant to stand out and make a statement, rather than be quiet and elegant. Lalisa had assumed selecting the perfect outfit for tonight would be difficult, but Roseanne had chosen something exceptional. Lalisa replied with a gentle smile.
"Thank you. I won't have to worry about the dress anymore with your help."
"It's only fair between us. I owe you so much."
A faint smile crossed Roseanne's lips, but her eyes were still pools of sadness. The shadow of Jimin still loomed in her heart.
Lalisa meant to say something about it, but then she bit her tongue. For now, it would be best to leave Roseanne alone.
"Please try out the dress, sister."
"Yes. Just one moment."
Lalisa entered the fitting room and put on the dress with the help of a maid. A few minutes later, the curtain was pulled away, and Roseanne's green eyes suddenly widened. She clapped enthusiastically when she saw her sister's stunning appearance.
"I thought it would look good on you, but it's more amazing than I expected. You're beautiful."
Lalisa turned towards the mirror. Roseanne's compliments were true; it was as if this dress was made just for her. She looked even more ethereal than usual, and she smiled in satisfaction.
"Yes. I like it even more when I put it on myself."
The girls pleasant conversation was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Enter."
The door opened, and a maid came inside, who bowed before giving her message.
"Your Highness, Lord Namjoon from Blaise mansion is here."
It was time for Roseanne to go back. Shestood up with a slight expression of regret.
"I have to go back now, sister."
"Wait one moment, Roseanne."
Lalisa pulled out a letter she had written in the midst of preparing for the dinner party. Roseanne accepted the envelope with an inquisitive look.
"What is this?"
"A letter to Father. I wrote about your wish to study abroad."
"Oh, sister..."
"I don't know if I'll be able to change Father's mind with this, but if he doesn't accept, I'll pay him a visit myself."
Roseanne's eyes began to fill with emotion. She knew how busy Lalisa was today, and was touched that her older sister managed to find the time to take care of her.
"I thought it would be better to write it down first before speaking to him in person. Show it to him when you return to the mansion."
"...Thank you, sister."
Roseanne stepped forward and wrapped her sister in a hug, and Lalisa returned an encouraging smile.
"You already said 'thank you' earlier."
"There is no way to express my feelings other than this. Thank you very much, sister."
"Now, I want you and Namjoon to go home safely."
"Yes. I hope your party will be a success, too."
The sisters embraced each other tightly again and then let go. They smiled at each other one last time before parting ways.
*
*
*
The dinner preparations were complete. A first-class chef had finished preparing the lavish banquet despite the extreme time pressure, and the banquet hall in the palace was decorated luxuriously. Lalisa greeted the ladies who entered the hall one-by-one.
"Welcome."
The guests would reply in enthusiasm.
"Thank you for inviting me, Your Highness. You look even more beautiful today."
"I'm flattered. How's your daughter doing? I heard she debuted a while ago."
"Oh, thank you for remembering that."
Lalisa was having light conversation with each of the arrivals, when another voice called out to her.
"Your Highness."
Lalisa turned her head towards the familiar voice behind her. It was Jennie, one of her ladies-in-waiting, and she smiled in greeting.
"I intended to arrive first, but I'm sorry to say I'm a little late."
"No, you are still quite early."
"I wanted to be the one to come here first and help you."
"Thank you. I appreciate your loyalty."
Lalisa and Jennie exchanged friendly greetings and moved towards the other arrivals. Jennie's role was to keep the flow of conversation going on next to Lalisa , making it easier for her give individual attention to each guest.
Soon after, Lalisa saw a group of women approaching the entrance. In the lead was a single woman, and it was apparent that a very influential figure had arrived. Lalisa finished her current conversation with ease, then approached the new guests. Soon, it was possible to see the woman that was in the lead.
'For that person to be here...'
It was Lady Eunha, the flower of the capital. She was not only the daughter of the prestigious Necrensi family, but also a famous woman in the Ruford Empire, known for her fashion and striking beauty. Lalisa had briefly encountered her at an Imperial Ball.
Although Lalisa sent Eunha an invitation to the dinner party out of formality, she didn't expect for the other woman to actually attend. Her appearance was a complete surprise.
Eunha approached Lalisa first, who was standing with a questioning look on her face.
"Hail to the Crown Princess. Eternal glory to the Ruford Empire."
Eunha gave a respectful bow, followed by the rest of the ladies. Lalisa hurriedly recovered and placed a smile on her face.
"Thank you all for coming, despite the sudden invitation."
Many of the women replied with "Not at all" and "Of course I would come when the Crown Princess invites me". Meanwhile, Eunha looked up at Lalisa and spoke.
"You have such a beautiful dress. Your Highness has a wonderful sense of fashion, don't you think, everyone?"
As Eunha offered up her praise, the rest of the young women piped up in agreement.
"Yes, Her Highness' dress is unique and beautiful."
"I've never known that purple could be so pretty until today."
It was monumental to be recognized directly by Eunha, and by tomorrow, perhaps the whole of society would be full of talk about the dress. Sooner or later, purple dresses might be displayed in countless costume rooms. Eunha's influence on the fashion industry was enormous, but Lalisa could not help but wonder about her motives.
'Why are you helping me?'
The pair had never been close. Even if Eunha really did like her, there had to be a reason whys he complimented her.
However, more guests started to arrive, and it was impossible to have an intimate conversation. Lalisa would have to try to find another opportunity to talk to her again, but for now, she had to concentrate on greeting the arrivals. She gave Eunha a soft smile.
"Dinner will be soon, so please go inside. I hope everyone will enjoy themselves tonight."
All the ladies answered simultaneously, including Eunha.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The group of ladies disappeared into the banquet hall, chattering away. Lalisa stole a glance at Eunha's retreating back. She remembered the woman's nickname—"The beauty without a smile."
Jennie, who had been quietly standing next to Lalisa , sensed something strange and spoke up in a small voice.
"Your Highness, do you know Lady Necrensi?"
"...No. I only met her briefly at the Imperial ball."
"That's strange. Lady Necrensi doesn't often attend parties, and she usually doesn't go out in public."
Lalisa gave a slight nod of understand at Jennie's words. In any case, the minimum number of guests had been satisfied due to Eunha appearance. Lalisa no longer had to worry whether enough people would attend the party.
Suddenly, Jennie gave a gasp of surprise next to her.
"Your Highness, over there..."
Lalisa turned her head in the direction of Jennie's gaze. Hwasa and her followers were now arriving. Eunha had already solved her troubles, but she was still grateful Hwasa's appearance.
She gave Hwasa a warm welcome at the entrance.
"Welcome, Countess Viviana."
The dinner party started off in success, and the presence of powerful and influential figures in society would now offer her a great advantage. The gathering of this amount of people in a short time was testament to her social ability.
***
Ophelia's fist slammed onto the table.
"What? What do you mean that the Crown Princess is hosting a dinner?"
In response to Ophelia's anger, Soojin nodded her pale face.
"Yes, Your Majesty. A great number of ladies gathered to attend a dinner at the Crown Prince's palace."
"Ha. What a nerve!"
Ophelia knew Lalisa's intentions at once. At present, the Empress' and Crown Prince's soldiers were fighting outside the compound. Despite her soldier's attempts to break through the line, Jungkook had far more troops then she expected.
'I heard that the Crown Prince was gathering troops from the periphery of the battlefields. This must have been his plan.'
Ophelia could choose to push more aggressively, but her movements were paralyzed by the attendance of nobles at the dinner party.
'If I move in now, they will tell everyone that they have Mingyu in custody.'
Any rumors spread would be potentially harmful against Ophelia's plan. She may be justified in attempting to rescue Mingyu, but the ultimate goal was to make her son emperor, and preserving Mingyu's dignity and honor trumped everything else. Ophelia was not in a position to act rashly.
"...I don't like this."
Lalisa appeared a frail and naive kitten in the beginning, but Ophelia sensed the Crown Princess' claws after the twin plant incident. She was more clever than she accounted for. It was too late to regret that she did not stop Lalisa's and Carlisle's marriage earlier, and deep frown creased the Empress' forehead.
"Pull back the troops surrounding the Crown Prince's palace."
"What? Ah, yes, I understand. Until how long should I tell them to wait?"
"We need to observe the situation more, so don't act recklessly until I give another order."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
However, Ophelia was not finished yet.
"Send a message to Cesare. Tell him to summon the nobility. This cannot be put off any longer."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Soojin hurried to deliver Ophelia's orders. Until now, Ophelia planned to use her soldiers to bring back Mingyu as soon as possible, but she was forced to revise her plan.
Ophelia sat in quiet thought by herself, and her eyes flashed like steel.
"...Prince Jungkook. If you think you can destroy me just from this, you are mistaken."
She wasn't called the pillar of the Ruford Empire for nothing. If she couldn't get Mingyu back by the sword, then she'd make it so that Jungkook would be forced to release Mingyu himself.
A wicked smile played across Ophelia's lips.