Chapter 61

061.

***

The Capital City Myulan.

One of the most prosperous cities in the Empire and one of the three centers of high society.

At the center of this city stood a massive square, akin to a grand temple.

The antique yet imposing tea shop was filled with young noble ladies from influential families who were well-regarded everywhere they went.

Eclecia Salon.

Until recently, the only thing keeping its legacy alive had been its illustrious name, but now things were different.

Especially since the young lady of the Lakatus family began to frequent Eclecia Salon.

Even before reaching adulthood, she had awakened her heart’s image.

Truly breathtaking.

Her world was something others could not casually look upon.

The direct bloodline of the Lakatus family.

The heart’s image awakened at such a young age was incomparably beautiful.

While the visitors of Eclecia Salon were themselves illustrious, there was simply a great difference in stature.

The gathering here was a result of this influence.

As always, when one encounters something beyond comparison, it tends to evoke reverence rather than mere envy or inferiority.

Eliana Lakatus was such an existence.

Though Eclecia Salon had always been popular, since Eliana began attending high society gatherings, attendance soared even further.

Naturally, at present,

Eclecia Salon held overwhelming influence in high society, having surpassed the other famous salons of Myulan, Pelts, and Clamenia.

Of course, at the center of this topic, Eliana,

was sitting quietly sipping tea at the center of Eclecia Salon’s exclusive tea house.

Daphnis, Licheisa, Aileen, Bell, and others—the daughters of renowned counts and marquises of the Empire—could do nothing but carefully observe Eliana’s gestures.

This atmosphere wasn’t always the norm.

Though Eliana was indeed a person of few words, it wasn’t as if everyone was solely focused on observing her every move. Even if she was a rising star in high society, they still had other matters to attend to.

“Excuse me, could you repeat that one more time?”

“I said I will go.”

So what caused the atmosphere to become one where everyone was attentively observing Eliana?

Daphnis and Licheisa glanced toward the person sitting across from Eliana.

A striking figure whose wine-red complexion matched any beauty, if not surpassing Eliana herself in a more mature allure.

There sat the direct lineage of Lakatus and Hiart families: Eliana and Serasie.

Even among those with prestigious positions, none dared to stand tall before them. With these two at odds, those caught in between felt as if they were facing a storm.

“Originally, the matter concerning the Dranunus family was something entrusted to our family by the elders, so it would only be right for me to go.”

“Since the Lakatus family initiated the matter and Hiart also joined in, we should show some sincerity. Hence, I shall go.”

At formal gatherings such as these, everyone was required to use honorifics.

This was a way of respecting each other’s pride and position. Even if discussions heated up, it ensured they stayed within bounds.

So why were these young ladies, who were like flowers of the heavens, suddenly so combative?

To understand this, we need to backtrack a little.

During salon gatherings, various matters were discussed, with the young noblewomen exchanging opinions on culture, history, and politics.

But like any gathering of young women, their real joy was in the casual chatter about life and events rather than the more serious discussions.

The topic that caught their interest naturally revolved around the Dranunus family.

An affair initiated by Lakatus and joined by Hiart—truly a family that once dominated high society.

Thus, their return to prominence was undoubtedly a captivating subject.

Naturally, these two young women would lead the conversation.

Their opinions diverged on the question of “who should accompany Blamia to visit the next head of the family?”

In truth, this matter was of little importance to either girl, as their minds were completely occupied by a single young man.

Kalen.

They were fully aware that he was associated with Blamia.

If they visited Blamia’s residence to meet the next family head, they were certain to encounter him.

Between the two young dignitaries, this silent tension arose.

“Understood? Please let me be the one to show our sincerity, Miss Eliana.”

“…”

Her smiling demeanor, gentle tone—it seemed harmless.

Both sides appeared similar, but everyone in the room understood the hidden meaning.

However, Serasie’s point had undeniable logic.

In a world where justification was paramount, it made no sense to burden only Lakatus with responsibility. She subtly requested an opportunity to prevent any complaints from Hiart about being left out.

If this were an ordinary relationship, the matter would have been handed over without hesitation. But Eliana had something she absolutely could not give up.

“…It seems appropriate that the younger me take on a bit more effort, Miss Serasie.”

“…”

She couldn’t back down. The thought of not seeing him felt like death.

Especially since her father had broken a promise, making her seem like she’d betrayed him. Her longing grew stronger each day.

She must get the chance to retrieve that promise.

“Age…?”

“Yes. Wouldn’t it be difficult for you to walk long distances in your condition?”

Eliana’s gaze was fixated on Serasie’s chest area.

A sudden tension rose, forcing Serasie to suppress an outburst.

And those observing the exchange felt Eliana had crossed a line, breaking an unspoken rule. From this point forward, the atmosphere began to shift dramatically.

“Your thoughtful consideration is appreciated. But someone as meticulous as you would find it hard to even speak, wouldn’t they?”

Eliana’s brow twitched slightly.

Eliana often spoke carefully, lingering on her words to ensure precision.

Serasie was subtly pointing that out.

“Being overly deliberate doesn’t help. And considering the importance of this matter, the opinions of the elders should be prioritized.”

At the same time, Eliana had made her debut into high society at a very young age.

With that, Serasie smiled, lifted her teacup, and took a sip.

Eliana, watching her, trembled slightly and pressed her lower lip.

It was Serasie who had struck first, using perfect reasoning.

Eliana did not like that Serasie was trying to take away her chance to see Kalen.

Serasie felt the same; in her view, it was Eliana trying to take away her chance to see Kalen.

“Shouldn’t we intervene…?”

“How could we possibly interfere in a conversation between the young ladies of the Lakatus and Hiart families?”

“Still…”

The atmosphere rapidly turned cold. The surrounding noblewomen who had been observing, trembled, unsure of what to do.

But the two young women paid no heed to the onlookers, continuing to glare at each other and speak.

How much time passed then?

Daphnis Lerkalin noticed the change.

“Ahhh!”

“Ah…”

“This is…”

The familiar azure glow of the world—a hallmark of Eliana’s awakened heart image—began to spread through the room.

It was the scene of a young boy and girl gazing at Winter Island, evoking a poignant sentiment.

Eliana smiled faintly, observing Serasie.

Ideally, she didn’t want others to know about her memories with Kalen, but given the situation, it was inevitable. She didn’t understand why Serasie was so persistent, but she herself needed to see Kalen.

There was a world of difference in high society between those with and without a heart’s image.

Now, Serasie would naturally step aside.

“Likewise, Miss Eliana?”

“…”

However, Serasie had summoned Kalen to safeguard against Eliana’s heart image, something she had anticipated.

Conversely, Eliana did not seem to know about the relationship between Serasie and Kalen, which explained why she seemed so flustered.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? Winter Island.”

Serasie’s words left everyone in shock, except for Eliana, who appeared slightly taken aback.

A crimson hue spread through the azure.

As the rising sun crossed over the horizon, it engulfed half of Eliana’s Winter Island.

It was the peak of Hiart Island, which in no way was inferior to Winter Island.

Another breathtaking view appeared within Eliana’s world.

“Heart… Image…?”

“Miss Serasie also has a heart image?”

“Ah… So beautiful…”

“Wow…”

Beauty upon beauty unfolded.

The ladies of Eclecia Salon trembled at this sight.

Not only did Eliana, but Serasie had also awakened the heart’s image. Its beauty was in no way inferior to Eliana’s.

Ironically,

Eliana was the most surprised.

Within Serasie’s heart image was surely a young boy, undoubtedly Kalen.

Now it all made sense.

Why Serasie blocked her.

Why Serasie so desperately wanted to accompany Blamia.

Even though Eliana regretted starting the confrontation,

all such thoughts were fleeting.

“I must go, Miss Eliana.”

It was only then that the other ladies understood the conflict between the two.

Heart’s images.

Both girls’ heart images featured the same young boy.

Awakening the heart image itself was rare.

That both young ladies’ images reflected the same young boy was even rarer.

Had they missed this revelation, their survival in high society would have been questionable. Now they began to listen closely.

“That boy…?”

Of course,

save for one young lady.

Even someone as well-informed as Daphnis Lerkalin froze while staring at the boy in the heart images of Eliana and Serasie.

A boy whose memory had erased all preconceived notions of marriage, leaving a deep impression on her.

Given the context, these two young ladies were vying to accompany Blamia, the Great Magician. With the heart image as proof, it was evident that the boy would be there.

“Haa…”

Daphnis almost blurted out that she wanted to join them, recalling the boy’s unforgettable face, but thankfully managed to hold back.

The gazes of these two young ladies from the great families were far too cold.

…Licheisa quietly observed Daphnis.

As the unintended silence continued,

Knock, knock.

“Grand Mage Blamia has requested an audience with Miss Eliana and Miss Serasie. What shall we do?”

A voice from outside the grand doors of the Eclecia Salon broke the silence.

Eliana and Serasie exchanged a look before standing up in unison.

“I will go.”

“I’m going.”

***