01x06 - The Trap Hidden at the Soirée

[bunniefuu]

Julius, I'd like you to conduct
an undercover investigation.

An informant obtained a list of guests

invited to Count Parnilla's
family's soirée.

There have long been rumors connecting
them to the anti-royal faction,

and now they're hosting this party.

If the rumors are true, then
it's highly likely that a number

of other similarly suspect
nobles will be there.

I want you to see who actually
shows up to participate,

what their level of intimacy is,

and what their reaction is to
"Aleksis's personal aide, Julius"

being in attendance.

Understood, Your Royal Highness.

Good. Then, I'll leave it to you.

The Duke's Son Claims He Won't Love Me,
But Showers Me with Adoration

Working with flowers is fun, isn't it?

The garden here has
flowers for every season,

so I think we'll be able to
make all sorts of things.

I'd like to try making a wreath next.

I agree!

So would I!

Elsa, so this is where you've been.

Husband!

Welcome home!

This is so sudden. What a surprise!

I'm back.

I'd like to talk to you about
something, if that's all right.

You would?

You're home early today.

The meeting finished early.

What were all of you doing?

The cosmos in
the garden were magnificent,

so we were all making dried flowers,
or moist potpourri with them.

Cosmos. Is it the season
for them already?

There were so many blooming, we
might be able to make jam from the petals!

You can make jam from flowers?

Now, I know this is a sudden proposition,

but I have a favor to ask of you.

What's this?

An invitation to a soirée soon to be
hosted by Count Parnilla's family.

I will be attending this party
as a part of my work,

but as my wife, I would
like you to accompany me.

What do you think?

Well...

the truth is I've never
attended a soirée before.

In order to ensure
that your work goes well,

I'll be sure to prepare
as fully as I can!

I'll be counting on you.

Of course!

A soirée...

The upper classes use high society
to solidify their own power bases.

Could this be...

Elsa, a soirée, you see...

is a social space where nobles ensure
the security of their power bases.

Mother... you've already
taught me all about this.

Your behavior must always be refined.

Stay calm.

When someone wants me
to introduce myself...

It's a pleasure to meet you.
I am Elsa of the House of Royas.

It suits you well, Lady Elsa.

You look absolutely lovely!

Elsa, are you ready?

Husband.

Elsa, you look...

Husband?

It's time for us to leave.

Yes, Husband!

Mother, this is a social space
for nobles, isn't it?

It's night, but it's so bright here.

Elsa.

Yes?

Are you feeling all right?
You're quieter than usual.

Husband, you're even
more dazzling than usual.

Dazzling?

Julius!

Lady Elsa!

So, you've come as a couple.

Lady Rebeka!

It's been a while, hasn't it?

My, Lady Elsa!

That dress suits you so well!

Thank you! My husband
had it prepared for me.

The fabric is nicer than
anything I've felt before.

I got so nervous putting it on.

When I think that I might trip and
tear it, my heart starts pounding.

Lady Rebeka, your dress
suits you very well, too!

The cut and make is so beautifully done.

You can tell at a glance that someone
skilled poured their heart into making it!

It makes me so happy that you can tell!

My husband picked this out
as a present for me.

When did these two
become such good friends?

Pay me some compliments too, dear sister!

Hannes!

I didn't recognize you,
so I didn't realize!

Good evening.

Why are you here?

Lately, I've been working at the palace,

so I happened to see Lord Jarmo again,
and he gave me an invitation.

I see. I'll have to thank Lord Jarmo.

I'm grateful that he's treating you
like a friend, Hannes.

Count Parnilla has arrived.

Lord Jarmo and Lady Serafina...

the whole family is so beautiful!

They're just as beautiful
and glamorous as ever.

They're sparkling.

Thank you for coming to
the House of Parnilla's soirée.

Tonight, we have prepared the very finest
food, drink, and music for your enjoyment.

And, of course, you will also find
the ballroom at the back there.

Please enjoy this wonderful
night to its fullest!

I'll just go and pay my respects.

I'll go and get some drinks.

Everything really is glittering!

Welcome and thank you
for coming, Lord Julius.

Thank you for your invitation.

May I ask who this lady is?

My wife, Elsa.

It's a pleasure to meet you.
My name is Elsa.

I see.

So, you are she.

Please enjoy yourself tonight.

Lady Elsa.

May I borrow Lord Julius
for a little while?

There's an acquaintance
I'd like to introduce to him.

Those are...

the nobles from the investigation team.

Elsa, I'll be right back.

Of course. Please go ahead.

That must be the purpose
of coming to this soirée tonight.

I hope you're faring well.
May we introduce ourselves?

Of course.

I must be sure to conduct myself
in a manner that doesn't get in his way.

Coming all the way
to our party like this...

I wonder what he could be investigating.

Please leave him to me.

Have you discovered some weakness of his?

Well...

something like that.

Please don't fret.

I'll deal with anything
that might get in your way, Father.

That is my role, after all.

After greeting so many people,
I'm almost starting to feel dizzy.

Which of these are non-alcoholic?

These ones here.

Thank you.

Lord Julius and Lady Serafina.

So, they've been there on the balcony.

Look there. It's Lord Julius.

Lady Serafina is a far better
match for him than his wife.

I heard that they married due to
their families' statuses,

but they say that his wife is
from a destitute noble house.

The rumor is that the ducal house of Royas

has given them a hefty sum in aid.

Oh my!

If that's true, I can't imagine
they're a very good match at all.

Good evening.

You must be chatting about
something quite wonderful.

I could hear the enjoyment
in your voices all the way over there.

Lady Rebeka!

Will you permit me to join you?

P-Please ask us some other time.

We were just about to go to the ballroom.

Oh, what a shame.

Honestly. They are completely shameless.

Lady Elsa, it's a waste to let the
words of people like them bother you.

Not at all! I'm all right, Lady Rebeka.

And it's all true anyway.

Lady Elsa, I'm feeling quite peckish.

I'll fetch some refreshments.

Let's eat together.

Even Lady Rebeka is being
considerate towards me.

"To behave as befits
the wife of a ducal house."

I haven't fulfilled the promise
I made to my husband, have I?

More than anything else...

when Lady Serafina is by his side, he's
far more self-assured than he is with me.

This pain in my heart...

This racing heartbeat
that won't slow... Could it be...

Do I have an arrhythmia?

Hey there.

I haven't seen you before.

From those on the list,
I've determined

which of those who seem
suspicious are in attendance,

and have a general idea of their
conversations and tone of voice.

Through Serafina's connections,

I've been able to make contact
with everyone I deemed necessary.

Still, before, when
I considered this my work...

being touched by someone
like this was nothing to me.

Now, I have an overwhelming desire...

to speak with her.

Lord Julius!

Hannes?

I'm sorry. I'll take over here.

Could I ask you to return to my sister?

I won't be able to put
a stop to it, you see.

Tonight, we've prepared
a special wine for all of you.

Um... would you like to make
a toast with me in a private room?

I'm sorry, Lady Serafina.
I can't drink alcohol yet.

Who are you?!

Where is Lord Julius?!

Are you a lady's maid
from some noble house?

Or are you the daughter of some merchant
who's been invited to make things lively?

No, neither.

This is the first time I've attended,
but I'm the House of Royas's...

It doesn't matter!
It's no fun on your own, right?

I'll keep you company.

Thank you for offering,
but I'm waiting for someone.

I'll fetch some refreshments.

What? There's no need
to worry about social status here.

I'll teach you the proper
manners for pouring wine!

I-I, um...

I believe you should begin
by learning to improve your character.

What's your problem?
I was just wooing this girl.

She is my wife.

What? Do you know who I am?

You're... the Royas...

Now that I think about it...

Recently, there have been
reports of iron ore

of questionable purity
within the kingdom.

The ore produced within your lands
are due to be investigated very soon.

I was hoping to say hello,

so speaking to you like this
is perfect, Viscount Helco.

As you've attempted to woo
my wife right in front of me,

I can assume that you've
declared the ducal house of Royas

to be your enemy, correct?

For tonight, we'll excuse ourselves.

Well done, Julius.

Elsa, I'm sorry it took me
so long to rescue you.

Oh, don't be!

I'm sorry I've interfered with your work.

And I made a scene.

You haven't interfered.

As a wife of House Royas,

I'm sure just greeting everyone
must have been exhausting.

Thank you for coming with me tonight.

And, I'm late in saying this...

Your dress tonight looks wonderful on you.

I'm glad I picked that one.

Thank you, Husband.

My husband truly is a kind person.

That woman over there...

She looks lonely all by herself,
doesn't she, Viscount Helco?

What do you think?

For Julius to get that angry
in front of people...

It was quite the intriguing spectacle.

Wasn't it, Julius?

Enough! Please just take it away!

But, Miss, we've brought
all your favorite cakes.

I'm not in the mood!

O-Our apologies!

What is he thinking? That Lord Julius...

After he disappeared midway through the
soirée, he hasn't contacted me for days.

I told you, I don't want to eat—

Miss, a letter from
Lord Julius has arrived.

There is something
I would like to discuss.

If possible, I hope you can
come to the royal palace.

You called, Miss?

Bring all my favorite clothes
and accessories, please!

I must dress my very best!

Serafina.

Lord Julius.

I'm sorry for leaving the party
the other night without saying goodbye.

Not at all! It didn't bother me a bit.

And you've sent me a letter, after all.

Ever since that night...

within society, the rumor that
you, Serafina, are my true love,

and Elsa is my wife merely for show
seems to have started circulating.

Oh my. Is that so?

I suppose that when people
saw you and I greeting everyone

we may have appeared
particularly intimate in their eyes.

Because we suit each other so well!

That's true. Which is why...

as I don't want any misunderstandings
about my dear wife,

I would like you to take that into
consideration in the future.

I had you come here today so that
I could tell you this in person.

I felt that if I didn't tell you plainly,
it wouldn't get through to you.

And now, I have work to do.
If you'll excuse me.

Lord Julius!

Lord Julius...

Even when I've dressed
myself up like this...

no matter how beautiful I may be...

you've never showed me even the smallest
fragment of your heart, have you?

Oh, I've never felt so
wretched in all my life!

I can't stand this! I can't stand it!

I will never forgive you.