Chapter 38

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On the day of King Filarius's birthday, the entire city was in a festive mood.

From the bustling scene in the town below the castle, it was clear that King Wilson was very popular among the people.

Since King Wilson, who has a gentle and approachable personality, ascended the throne, the distance between the people and the royal family has narrowed. King Wilson has been on the throne for thirty-five years, and while Olivia does not know the previous king, she has heard that he was strict and that his era was one of oppressive rule. For the people who were liberated from that oppression under King Wilson, he might also be a hero.

The royal couple's parade was about to begin, so Olivia and Cyrius had come down to the town below the castle.

Guarding in a crowded place is difficult, so they could not leave the space designated for the royal family and guests, but the main street was packed with people, and if one person fell, everyone would be dragged down with them.

Unlike Olivia and Cyrius, who were sitting in the guest chairs, Edward and Elizaveta had been standing at the front, waving to the people with warm smiles. The closeness to the people, which began with Edward's reign, would likely continue. Especially Edward, who chose a baron's daughter as his queen rather than a high-ranking noble, is well-received by the people, and because of the queen's background, he has gained immense support from the middle class.

"Such approachability is something to emulate, isn't it?"

Cyrius said this while observing the two.

"Yes, that's true. The country is supported by a large number of citizens, so they must be valued."

In Brioire, the royal family also has high support from the people, but the enthusiasm does not reach this level. In terms of approachability, Filarius is far ahead.

"Look, Eugenia. Let's go."

While talking with Cyrius, a voice came from a nearby seat.

It was the seat where Princess Eugenia and her husband, Duke Enoch Rockford, were sitting.

Eugenia has honey-colored hair and amber eyes, and gives an impression of being delicate and ethereal.

Enoch has dark green hair and brown eyes, and a gentle, slender appearance. Because he is the son of the king's sister, his features resemble King Wilson. Both Edward and Eugenia resemble the queen, so in comparison, Enoch looks more like Wilson.

Enoch was taking Eugenia's hand, who was sitting in her chair, and gently but firmly helping her stand up.

"The people want to see the faces of the next king and queen. It won't do for you to stay here."

Eugenia said this with a slightly sulky tone.

"That's not true. Everyone wants to see your face too. Come on."

"…There's no choice, is there?"

Convinced by her husband, Eugenia, with a small shrug, reluctantly moved to the front of the rope.

Then, with a radiant smile, she waved, and the people cheered.

"It's Princess Eugenia!"

"Is Prince Kiefa well?"

"Thank you. Kiefa is doing well."

Kiefa is the only son of Eugenia and Enoch, and he is about three years old this year. Since Edward and Elizaveta have no children, if they do not have any, Kiefa will become the next king after Edward.

"A flower for the princess, please."

A girl around ten years old, with her hair tied up in two high pigtails, shyly offered a bouquet of white and pink wildflowers to Eugenia. Eugenia bent down to receive it and smiled warmly, saying "Thank you."

Enoch looked at his wife with affection.

Olivia knows both Eugenia and Enoch and has been invited to tea parties several times when she visited Filarius. Enoch and Eugenia are cousins and have loved each other since childhood, and they always seem to be very close.

From this, it seems that Eugenia is very popular among women.

While people of both genders gather around Edward, the majority of those around Eugenia are women.

"Princess Eugenia is said to have created many fashion trends. I believe she also designs dresses? Recently, she has even extended her reach to dresses for the common people and children's clothing, which might be why she is so popular among women."

Cyrius, who seemed to be analyzing the popularity of Edward and Eugenia among the people, said this.

"Designing dresses?"

"Dresses designed by princesses and noblewomen are always popular. Especially Princess Eugenia, who has a good sense of style. Olivia, you designed a hat a while ago, and it was well-received. Why don't you try designing dresses?"

"I don't think I can do it as well as Princess Eugenia."

Olivia is not very knowledgeable about fashion, so if she were to design dresses, she would have to read many specialized books to create them. In the end, they would probably all look similar, and there would be no originality.

"Just do it in your own style."

"In my own style?"

"Like adapting old designs from history books to a modern style. Olivia, you have a lot of knowledge in that area, right?"

Olivia, who is generally omnivorous, eagerly absorbs things she doesn't know. She has researched historical women's clothing and even submitted her findings to a designer friend when asked. So, she might be able to approach it from that angle.

(Well… if I say I'll do it, my brother will help, so it might be easier.)

Her brother Ronald, who is five years older and good at making money, would ensure she doesn't make big mistakes. However, it's clear that Ronald would eagerly use Olivia's name for business, which would likely upset her father, Isaac.

"I can't make a decision right away, so I'll put it on hold."

"Sure. But I think your mother will eventually ask you to do something, so it's a good idea to have a few options ready."

"By the way, Lady Barbara also designed dresses, didn't she?"

"Just once. She wasn't very good at it and gave up after one try. Instead, she designed brooches, improved rose varieties, created perfumes, and… wrote a book."

"‘The Dignity of Women’?"

"Yes, that's the title. I received a copy, but I didn't have any interest, so it's gathering dust on a shelf."

Cyrius, who said this calmly, shrugged and added, "From the looks of it, you read it."

"It apparently said that women should not just follow men but should dominate them, and my father looked very disappointed."

"Ah…"

I remember that it said women should not be subservient to men and that men cannot be relied upon, and it had quite harsh things to say about men. When I read it, I thought Queen Barbara had quite radical ideas, but now that I know about their bet, it makes sense. They must have been arguing from the time she wrote the book.

(Despite that, they have a good relationship, which is quite mysterious.)

From the outside, they seem to have a tense relationship, but according to Cyrius, they are just playing around and should be left alone. This is probably why Olivia is not good at romantic relationships.

"Ah, the parade is about to start."

The parade's carriages would descend from the castle, circle the capital, and return.

Just as Cyrius said, the fanfare announcing the start of the parade sounded.