KFBRV Ch 89
- Feb 22
- 5 min read
Two weeks had passed since the social season opened its curtains. With the major indoor events concluded, only one grand spectacle remained for the summer: the "Tour of Athena Island."
Athena Island lay at the southernmost tip of the Empire's vast territory. It housed a breathtaking summer palace where the Emperor was mandated to spend at least one week every year, accompanied by high-ranking nobles.
This tradition served a political purpose. If the rulers remained secluded in the disaster-free capital, ignoring the provinces, the commoners would inevitably breed resentment.
The Emperor has abandoned our region! Revolution!
To prevent such seditious thoughts, the tour existed as a symbolic gesture. Living in the summer palace for a week demonstrated that the Emperor cared for more than just the capital.
Of course, the timid Emperor always brought the Crown Prince and Marquis Kleist along for protection, making the gesture somewhat hollow.
During the week-long tour, various events took place, but the highlight of the first day was undoubtedly the "Athena Hunting Competition."
The winner—the one who presented the prey most pleasing to the Emperor—received the laurel wreath. Their face would be minted onto that year's silver coins, and they would be granted a rare treasure from the Imperial vault.
However, the true prize was the "Wish Ticket." The winner could ask the Emperor for anything, and by tradition, the Emperor was bound to grant it.
While anyone could participate, male contestants often dedicated their catch or the laurel wreath to a lady of their choice. Consequently, women attending the tour arrived in their most stunning dresses, turning fashion into a strategic element of the competition.
Hence the saying: “If you wish to know the fashion of Barzeha, look to Athena Island that year.”
And this year, every noblewoman who set foot on the island wore pure white.
「The Great Trend of the Odette Dress.」
「Keep an Eye on Madame Sarah's Boutique!」
「From young ladies to matrons, a wave of white sweeps the island......」
「Countess Lilienthal's High Praise!」
Since the season began, newspapers had been plastered with images of the dress for two weeks straight.
The white gown, now dubbed the "Odette Dress," had become the undisputed icon of the summer.
The summer rain seemed likely to cease within a couple of hours.
[Ulrich] "Good grief. It poured for days, yet it decides to let up this morning of all times?"
Count Albrecht, standing in the Summer Palace's glass conservatory early in the morning, glared out at the drizzling rain.
His participation in the Athena Island tour was a rarity; he suffered from severe seasickness. However, as the father of a Purifier, he couldn't refuse without offending the Emperor.
[Ulrich] "If it had kept raining, I could have just enjoyed tea in this conservatory."
The Imperial conservatory maintained the perfect temperature of a blissful spring, even in the height of summer.
Still dizzy from days of vomiting on the ship, the thought of joining a hunting competition made Ulrich want to die.
But he couldn't afford to miss this one. The Albrecht family's finances were in ruins. His goal on Athena Island was simple: socialize with wealthy nobles and secure investments.
Normally, I would have used Odette to squeeze money out of the Imperial Palace.
Strangely, ever since the "Crown Prince Berserk Incident," the Imperial Family had been lukewarm toward him. Even messages supposedly from Odette were met with indifference.
[Ulrich] "If it's going to rain, it should just pour all day."
Then he could have spent his time comfortably chatting with rich nobles in the glass house instead of tramping through hunting grounds.
Even after selling every painting Sasha gave me, the cost of those burnt seeds was astronomical. Paying off that debt took everything.
The seeds purchased after the research lab fire had come at a staggering price. The cash from the paintings had vanished into that black hole, though he didn't regret it. He knew that once those seeds bore fruit, their value would multiply dozens of times over.
I cannot end like this. I still have the pharmaceutical business and the casino. Everything else has failed, so I must grow those two aggressively.
That was why he had endured the trouble of bringing Odette along. Investors would be more inclined to open their purses if they saw the Purifier with him. He had even brought Mrs. Becker and the Head Maid to keep watch over her.
If I had a proper mistress of the house, I could have hosted a banquet at our mansion instead of coming to this wretched place.
He had been pleased to lock Sasha away in the monastery, but her absence created a new set of annoyances.
I should have brought in a Blue Blood mistress from the start. When I remarry, I must find a younger woman from a prestigious family.
Just then, a footman whispered to him.
[Footman] "Master, Marquis Kleist has arrived on the island."
[Ulrich] "Is that so? That man has the most money. I must meet him first."
He sighed. The days when he could lord over Marquis Kleist seemed like a distant dream.
Only two months have passed, yet my position has crumbled this much.
[Ulrich] "Keep a close watch on Odette. Understood?"
He whispered to Mrs. Becker.
[Becker] "Yes, Count."
Since his wife's confinement, he had grown much closer to Mrs. Becker. She was deeply moved by the retribution he had exacted on Sasha.
[Ulrich] "Vanessa, how do you like this glass conservatory?"
He smirked, sliding his hand lightly over her waist when no one was looking.
[Becker] "Master, I told you to call me Mrs. Becker when people are around."
[Ulrich] "Very well. Mrs. Becker."
She playfully tried to punch his shoulder, but he dodged.
He had spotted Marquis Kleist entering the greenhouse.
Dressed in a neat hunting outfit, the tall Marquis exuded a sharp, agile aura. His face was, as always, terrifyingly handsome.
[Ulrich] "Marquis!"
He approached with a servile smile.
This man is the hope that will save my casino.
[Zion] "Good to see you, Count Albrecht."
Fortunately, the Marquis returned the greeting with refreshing politeness, even extinguishing his cigar.
[Ulrich] "Your Excellency. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you privately. Would you spare me a moment?"
Emboldened by the reception, Ulrich spoke without hesitation.
Zion sipped his black tea, gazing expressionlessly at the refreshments laid out in the conservatory.
[Ulrich] "Marquis, even with just this brief explanation, do you not see the potential of the Ulrich Casino? The future is incredibly bright!"
As he endured the Count's tedious pitch, his eyes fixed on Ulrich's hand holding the teacup. The pinky finger was stiffly, excessively cocked.
Different from his daughter.
It was a stark contrast to Odette's hand, which exuded elegance with just a slight, natural lift of the finger.
[Zion] "Promising......"
He pronounced the word as if it were a joke.
[Zion] "But hasn't a new casino opened right across from yours?"
[Ulrich] "Ah, you mean the 'Wolfgang Casino'? Do not worry, Your Excellency. I looked into it, and the owner is a mere commoner. You know how it is. Casinos are meant to be the playground of nobles."
Ahem, ahem. Ulrich cleared his throat and continued.
[Ulrich] "What commoner plays cards? Perhaps that is why the entrance is so vulgar. White marble, chandeliers everywhere—it is blindingly flashy. There is no antique restraint! Nobles do not enter such uncultured places."
He has no head for money. Investing in him would be like throwing gold into the street.
Zion thought investing in the commoner's casino would be a wiser choice.
[Zion] "I have no int—"
He started to rise from his seat, but then he saw something. Through the glass walls, the back of a figure holding an umbrella was leaving the conservatory.
It was Odette.
[Zion] "What are you offering as collateral?"
Seeing her, he impulsively asked the question.
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