PBPGD

CHAPTER 103

As spring crept nearer and the days grew warmer, new, luxurious carriages began to pop up everywhere on the roads of Eteare.

The nobles celebrated the first spring since the end of the war by decorating their carriages and purchasing the newest car models.

The imperial ball would mark a return to normalcy and the start of the social season. The ladies who received an invitation were losing their voices complimenting each other's dresses every time they met, fanning themselves with feathered fans.

By praising each other, they were aiming to slip in boasts of their own attire. As such, ladies were lining up around the block at the best and fastest dressmakers in the capital to claim the most fabulous dresses first.

"I hear the young lady who's to become the grand duchess will be debuting. Do you have any idea who it could be?"

"I think so, but I'm hesitant to say. Nothing is for certain, you know."

"Maybe a princess from another country?"

"I doubt it. I hear that the grand duke's preferences are... particular."

"What do you mean?"

"After His Imperial Highness declined the marriage proposal from Gaior, the grand duke personally executed Marquis Selby. If you recollect the rumors that went around after those events, you'll know what I mean. I'll stop there."

The ladies' chatter subsided at that significant remark.

Wade von Weiz.

It was an open secret that the Crown Prince had a proclivity for men, which was probably why he declined the marriage proposal.

But when the rumors spread through the grapevine that the grand duke, another member of the imperial family, was also inclined to men, there was a reverberating shock among the aristocratic circles- especially since his rumored romantic interest was Marquis Bale's second son.

The scandal sparked the nobles' incessant curiosities and grew to ludicrous proportions before it dissipated.

"But, think about it," a lady spoke, lowering her voice to a whisper. "How would he attend the ball? Do you think he's going to wear a dress? How dreadful!"

"I don't know, actually. He is beautiful, I'll give him that. But he's still a man. He's not built to wear a dress."

"I confess, I've actually never seen Lord Ihar."

"What a shame. Lord Ihar is truly a remarkable man," a blond-haired lady remarked with a tut of her tongue, though there was no heart in her words.

"I apologize for interrupting, but do watch what you say."

The circle of ladies froze at the warning from an unfamiliar voice. It belonged to a maid of some aristocratic family, her face as unrecognizable as her voice.

She stood by them, staring down with a furious freckled face. The noble ladies bolted up from their seats, equally irate at the maid for daring to interrupt their conversation.

"What? How dare you, you uneducated fool? You need to be taught a lesson. Who's your master?"

The maid curtsied instead of answering her and stepped forward, holding her head up high.

The lady folded her fan as if getting ready to slap the unruly servant across the face when the brooch on her chest caught her eye.

It was made of black diamond, engraved with an eagle.

The bird of prey represented the only family that could use such gems as accessories: House Ihar.

(t/n: okay, I just got goosebumps. You can scroll)