Chapter 30

The Mass of the Eucharist, which Arabella had revised, was celebrated without any issues. The composer's name was changed to 'Isabella Arabella de Mare,' and the slight indiscretion on the first day of rehearsal did not become a major scandal and seemed to pass over well. On the day of the Eucharist Mass, people praised the outstanding talent of the de Mare sisters, and Lucrezia enjoyed the attention by accepting the accolades on behalf of her daughters. However, Isabella, who usually loved the spotlight, did not attend the grand celebration on the day of the Eucharist Mass, and for a long time afterward, she stayed at home, not venturing out.

Camellia de Castiglione, the baroness, spread an exciting rumor in society. Julia de Valdesar, the viscountess, did not completely sever her relationship but decided to keep a bit of distance. Seeing Lucrezia take the lead confidently from the front row on the day of the Eucharist Mass, Julia smiled and whispered something to her mother, the viscountess. That summer, Arabella was under house arrest by Lucrezia and could not go anywhere. Ariadne, who had met noble ladies of her mother's age since coming to San Carlo but had not yet made friends of her own age, spent her time locked in the study, and the family had a relatively quiet summer.

Then, after a long time, an invitation arrived for the family. It was from Marchioness Aldandra de Cibo, a close confidante of Queen Margherita.

"To Miss Ariadne de Mare,

I plan to host a salon for young people to appreciate art on the last Friday of August. Thanks to the efforts of merchants from the Republic of Porto, we will be able to showcase many valuable works.

His Highness Prince Alfonso and other distinguished guests from noble families will grace the occasion, and I hope it will be an opportunity for you to expand your social circle. I would be delighted if you could attend and engage in conversation.

- Marchioness Aldandra de Cibo"

Isabella's name was not mentioned anywhere in the invitation. Shocked, Isabella quickly called for Maletha.

"Maletha! Is this the only invitation that arrived?"

"Yes, Miss..."

No separate invitation for Isabella appeared, no matter how much she grilled the innocent maid. In fact, as Marchioness de Cibo was one of Queen Margherita's closest confidantes, it was natural and perhaps inevitable that she did not send a separate invitation to Isabella, Lucrezia's daughter. Lucrezia had never been close to the Queen's guard, and there had even been an incident at the palace Mass where the Queen had asked Lucrezia to leave. However, Isabella, in her self-pity, assumed it was due to the composer impersonation incident during the Eucharist Mass and felt doubly distressed.

'They must all be mocking me. I have to make a comeback somehow...!'

Not being invited to a salon attended by Prince Alfonso was a painful blow to Isabella's pride. Determined that if she couldn't go, no one else should, Isabella decided to prevent Ariadne from attending.

"Are you planning to go to Marchioness de Cibo's salon?"

At dinner, where everyone was gathered, Isabella brought up the topic as if she were genuinely concerned. The family, except for Arabella, who was still under house arrest and eating dry bread in her room, all looked at Isabella.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't go. That's not it at all. But the situation is a bit... You haven't even had your debutante ball yet, have you? You can't go out without a chaperone."

Surprisingly, Isabella was right. In San Carlo, noble young ladies were treated differently before and after their debutante ball. Before the ball, they were treated like children and could not go out without a chaperone. After the ball, they were recognized as proper ladies and could visit places like churches, picnics, and friends' homes without a chaperone.

"Mother was embarrassed at the Queen's Mass because of you last time. You can't ask her to accompany you to this event, can you?"

Lucrezia's expression hardened. Ariadne, who had not considered this when she received the invitation, was taken aback. Isabella, in a sweet voice, pressured Ariadne.

"Surely you wouldn't do that, would you? You're a good daughter, aren't you?"

Ariadne did not answer immediately. Seeing this, Lucrezia became agitated.

'That girl...!'

Just as Lucrezia was about to explode, saying she would never go, Cardinal de Mare, who was eating, put down his utensils with a clatter.

"Well, it's time."

"Time for what?"

Cardinal de Mare looked at Ariadne and said,

"It's time for the little one to have her debutante ball."

Ariadne was surprised and looked at Cardinal de Mare. She was taken aback. In her previous life, she had not even had a debutante ball before getting engaged to Cesare de Como. After that, she was treated like a married woman, so she had never experienced the treatment of a newly debuted lady at social events. She had only attended various social and charity events as the wife of the Count of Como. But a solo debutante ball...!

It seemed to encapsulate the change in her status compared to her previous life. A small smile appeared on her face. Ariadne, unable to contain her joy, was the opposite of Isabella, who was furious.

"Father? How can she have a debutante ball? The debutante ball for this year is already over, isn't it?"

This was also true. The debutante ball was held every April, when noble young ladies and gentlemen paid their respects to the King and Queen at the palace. It was now August, with lush greenery.

"The second daughter has already paid her respects to His Majesty and Her Majesty."

Ariadne had received the 'Heart of the Blue Deep' from the Queen. The debutante ball, while featuring a special fruit wine party and waltzes, was essentially about paying respects to the King and Queen and being recognized as a noble eligible to enter the court.

"Since she already has the right to enter the court, all that's left is to introduce her to society. This can be done by hosting a separate ball and inviting people. It's not unprecedented."

When someone who was clearly eligible to enter the court, such as a member of the royal family or a noble who grew up playing with the prince or princess, missed the debutante ball due to travel or illness, a separate ball was often held to announce their debut in society. It was a privilege reserved for very special people. Isabella's face twisted.

"Father, are you really going to do that for her?"

Isabella asked with a look of desperation, as if grasping at straws. Her father had always favored her. He would never give her a privilege she herself had never received. It had to be that way.

But Cardinal de Mare's response crushed Isabella's expectations.

"You should get along well with your sister, Isabella."

He looked at his eldest daughter with a hint of disappointment.

"The second daughter is also a member who will enhance the de Mare family's reputation. After her debutante ball, she will have more freedom and be able to do more things."

He turned to Ariadne and said,

"You've been doing very well lately, Ariadne. I'm proud of you, even though I haven't been able to support you much."

"Thank you, Your Eminence. I am always grateful."

Ariadne, who had been eating, felt a bubbling sensation in her stomach and could no longer eat. She always responded to Cardinal de Mare with a double layer of pretense, but today's gratitude was somewhat genuine.

"Let's have a talk before your debutante ball. I have some things to tell you about. Lucrezia, you should come along for a bit."

"Yes, Your Eminence."

"Yes, Your Eminence."

Lucrezia looked at Ariadne with a twisted expression. Isabella and Lucrezia exchanged glances. Isabella, with a spiteful tone, said,

"If a separate debutante ball is to be held, it will need time to prepare, so it will probably be in early autumn at the earliest. Oh, what will we do? The salon is on the last Friday of August, and you need a chaperone to go out before then, right?"

Lucrezia, seeing the opportunity laid out by her eldest daughter, took the bait.

"Your Eminence, it's impossible for me to go to Marchioness de Cibo's salon now."

She changed her stance and started to act weak in front of Cardinal de Mare.

"It's been so hot lately, and I'm not feeling well... I can't forget the look Marchioness de Cibo gave me at the Queen's Mass. When I get a headache, it just keeps getting worse, as you know. In my current state, I really can't..."

Cardinal de Mare was about to get a headache from his wife's whining. If he insisted that she go to the salon to accompany Ariadne, his wife would not let him off easily. Since a special debutante ball was being held for the second daughter, perhaps it was fine to skip a salon hosted by the Queen's confidante.

If Lucrezia went, she would be a mere decoration, and there was no one else to act as a chaperone.

"As a daughter, how can I ask you to take me to an uncomfortable place?"

Before Cardinal de Mare could think of how to bring up the topic, Ariadne calmly spoke up. Isabella and Lucrezia exchanged glances, wondering what was going on.

"Then, it's too bad, but I can't go this time? Prince Alfonso is coming, and it's such a pity."

"That's not true."

As expected, Ariadne did not let a good opportunity slip away.

"Mrs. Romani, who is my governess, is a distant relative of Marchioness de Cibo. I know that Mrs. Romani's house is under renovation, and she will be staying at the Marchioness's house this month. Can I ask Mrs. Romani if she can accompany me to the salon as my chaperone?"

Lucrezia's jaw dropped. Mrs. Romani was a governess she had hired, hoping to help Isabella build connections, as she had always wanted to be part of the Queen's inner circle. She had hoped to use Mrs. Romani to connect with Marchioness de Cibo. However, Mrs. Romani was not the type to take the initiative, and she had not seen any benefits from it. She had kept her because of her low salary and diligent work, but had forgotten about her.

'How could she use this!'

Lucrezia, seething with anger, did not realize that Cardinal de Mare was pleased that the headache-inducing problem was solved and readily agreed.

"Yes, that's right. I remember hearing that Mrs. Romani is a distant relative of Marchioness de Cibo. It's a good match. Go ahead and ask her. Be sure to show your appreciation."

"Yes, Father."

Ariadne bowed her head politely.

"Make sure to show your appreciation to Mrs. Romani."

Lucrezia, who was already annoyed about having to go, was now also responsible for providing the money. She felt another blow.

"...Yes, Your Eminence."

"Do I have to take care of everything? Ah, forget it, forget it!"