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The sheer pink outfit would remain unworn. It was a keepsake her mother had made for her wedding, tucked away and never worn at Valor Estate.
For Eleanor’s birthday banquet, something plain and simple would suffice.
COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonTULELulu examined the outfit. ‘Moonlight white is fine. There’s a subtle shade of blue that complements your skin tone. What about accessories? Should we add a strand of red coral?”
“No red,” Sophie replied. “Keep it simple, not too grand.”
She selected a white pearl hairpin and paired it with two moonlight white silk ribbons.
“That’s still quite plain,’ Lulu observed.
*Plain or not, we’ll know once it’s on,” Sophie said.
She went behind a partition screen to change into the outfit. When she emerged, she had styled her hair into a simple bun, secured with the silk ribbons and adorned with the white pearl pin.
She twirled, asking her maids, “How do I look?”
The girls were mesmerized. Even without makeup, Sophie resembled an ethereal fairy. The two silk ribbons in her hair added a significant touch of elegance to her moonlight white dress.
Lulu quickly turned to Pearl. “Lip balm, earrings, perfumes, and pearl pendants-hurry!”
“Got it!” Pearl immediately got to work, gathering various accessories.
Lulu seated Sophie at the dressing table, then applied lip balm for her and redrew her eyebrows. When she was done, she draped a long necklace of pearls around Sophie’s neck, and added a butterfly pendant to the sash around her waist. A soft, sheer outer garment completed the look, adding an extra touch of ethereal charm. Lulu thought for a moment, then decided to tie the sleeves back, giving the outfit a playful and youthful edge. The lip balm’s subtle red made Sophie’s complexion appear even more flawless, and her natural blush, without the need for rouge, was a testament to the effectiveness of Sebastian’s blood-regulating medicine.
Lulu beamed with pride.
The fabric of the outfit was exquisite, with the pleated skirt made of soft satin that flowed like water with every movement. The light, flowing gauze overlay and the silk ribbons in her hair made Sophie look like a celestial being.
Sophie gazed at her reflection in the copper mirror.
Was she truly beautiful?
Back at Meadow Ridge, no one ever praised her looks. Everyone only ever called her a monkey.
When she returned from Meadow Ridge, ready for courtship, her mother had dressed her up meticulously and she had spent time avoiding the sun, which made her skin as smooth as silk. Everyone who saw her couldn’t help but remark on her beauty.
She remembered Blake’s first visit, how he had been unable to take his eyes off her and had spoken with a changed tone, his formalities in disarray. She recalled his dazed expression and thought at the time that he must be a fool.
It turned out he wasn’t a fool, just a heartless man.
Sophie turned around and gazed at herself in the mirror, then asked Lulu, “Do I really look good?”
Lulu stood beside her, leaning close to her cheek as they both looked into the mirror together. “Well, do you think you look good?”
Lulu was attractive herself. Although her features were not perfect, they came together in a very pleasing way. Seeing herself alongside Lulu in the mirror made Sophie realize, “Oh, I guess I really do look quite good.”
Lulu pouted. “My lady, you shouldn’t say such things in front of others. Being unaware of one’s beauty can come across as an attempt at provocation. I also feel like slapping you for saying that.”
Sophie tapped Lulu’s forehead with her finger. “You’re beautiful too. We all have two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. I just happen to look a bit fairer.”
Lulu sighed and turned to Pearl, who was covering her mouth and laughing behind them.
“Isn’t it annoying? We live in comfort every day, with nothing much to do, while Lady Devin goes to the Southern Frontier, braving harsh winds and sandstorms. Yet, less than a month after returning, she’s already looking more radiant than us,” said Lulu.
Joy laughed. “Lady Devin is naturally beautiful. Even if she was tanned, she would quickly regain her fair complexion.”
“It doesn’t matter if we look rougher. What matters is that Lady Devin is truly beautiful,” Pearl added her praise, agreeing wholeheartedly.
Sophie examined each of them closely.
In truth, they were all charming and attractive, not the sort of plain faces one might easily overlook on the street.
The next day was Eleanor’s birthday banquet.
From early in the morning, the entrance of Harmony Palace, Eleanor’s residence within the royal palace, was crowded with carriages, and a long red carpet stretched all the way to the street corner. Outside, more than thirty yards away, a tent had been set up with thirty tables for a public feast. Commoners could come and eat as long as enough people gathered.
Eleanor held this public feast every year under the guise of sharing her joy with the people. However, in reality, it was just a show to enhance her reputation for kindness.
In addition to the public feast, she had prepared vegetarian meals specifically for priests. Known for her devotion to religion, Elaenor donated substantial sums to temples and monasteries every year. After all, those who have committed many wrongs often seek blessings from deities.
Eleanor was hosting a large number of guests today, and she had also invited the Jaffe family.
Blake and Freya did not attend. Ever since Blake learned about his mother and elder brother’s quarrel at Northwatch Estate, he had been avoiding home. Meanwhile, disfigured and disgraced, Freya had no desire to face ridicule at the party.
However, Rebecca attended with Amelia, Bryan, and Serena.
With Eleanor having extended the invitation, not attending would be seen as an affront. Fortunately, Blake had received a reward of gold, which allowed them to present a more suitable gift.
Naturally, Rebecca had personal motives for attending. She hoped to introduce her unmarried children to potential matches among the distinguished guests. If any of the matriarchs of the other families took a liking to them, their marriage prospects would be secured.
Guests at Eleanor’s birthday banquet were either wealthy or noble. Despite the scandal surrounding the Jaffe family due to Freya, Rebecca still attended with her daughter-in-law and children. In the presence of so many influential figures, Rebecca felt remarkably insignificant.
As she looked at the well-dressed guests, she recalled the former glory of her family. When she had first married, that period of splendor had been as fleeting as a firework. The prominence she once held was etched in her heart, and she longed to return to her former heights.
Unfortunately, her husband was weak, and her eldest son mediocre. Only her second son, Blake, had married the then-Marquis of Northwatch’s daughter.
Who could have anticipated that shortly after Sophie’s marriage, the Devin family would be annihilated? The Devin family lacked strong male heirs, and with Melanie gone, all Sophie could offer them now was wealth.
So, when Blake returned with his military achievements and sought to marry Freya, they saw the future filled with the glory Rebecca had always desired, while Sophie was discarded.
Yet, fate rarely aligned with one’s wishes.
Hector was posthumously honored with the title of duke, and Sophie became the legitimate daughter of a duke. She also achieved military merit and earned widespread acclaim.
In contrast, Freya, whom Rebecca had high hopes for, not only failed to achieve any merit but was also punished, which in turn affected Blake’s reputation.
Rebecca’s heart was a reservoir of grievances, capable of filling a vast river. At the birthday banquet, she led her daughter-in-law and children to pay their respects to Eleanor. She had assumed that Eleanor had invited them out of respect for Blake and planned to present a birthday gift to her, then socialize with the other ladies in the garden.
As she observed the ladies’ gazes, Rebecca noted the lack of warmth. Despite their outward politeness, there was no enthusiasm in their eyes, only a palpable indifference. She could sense their disdain.
Just as she was about to retreat awkwardly, Eleanor gently asked, “Rebecca, I’ve heard that your health has not been well. How are you faring now?”