My Dream is to Get My Own House

Madame, who stared at my facial structure as if she could see through it, whispered cunningly, “Now, let’s begin the major makeover.”

Madame Fablery held scissors in both hands. The midnight-colored hair that had wrapped around my entire face was cut away with a crisp sound. Rosewater and soft sheep’s milk cream were applied to my face.

Seamstresses darted around tirelessly!

Even maids assisted with the makeup!

Time flew by in a whirlwind.

In the midst of dozing off, Ford, with his arms crossed, suddenly spoke with a serious expression.

“Ishael, shall we make a bet?”

“A bet?”

“Yes, let’s make a bet with a prize at stake.”

With a sense of foreboding, I asked, “What kind of bet and what’s the prize?”

Ford whispered softly in my ear.

* * *

The Irel Hall within the palace, where the palace ball was being held, was buzzing with excitement.

Dylan stood in the outdoor garden, waiting for Ishael.

The partner request had been accepted.

Ishael nodded as if it were natural.

“Well then, please go to the ballroom first!”

“Do you not need an escort?”

“I have preparations to make in the salon. And what about you?”

“I have a formal suit. I just need to change quickly.”

“Then, please wait for me at the outdoor garden fountain!”

Recalling the conversation with Ishael, Dylan silently stood in front of the fountain.

Gentlemen who had not yet found a partner to escort them, just like Dylan, were scattered around.

The ladies also wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of the outdoor garden.

Dylan tried to blend in with the tranquil surroundings.

However, to his disappointment, he spotted an unpleasant man.

“Ishael’s ex-boyfriend, Pedro.”

Whether he had already been drinking or not, his face had become ruggedly sullen.

Pedro incessantly badgered his partner, his face contorted.

“Hahaha! I must say, I’m quite good-looking!”

“Yes, you are truly handsome like a wild horse.”

“Hahaha!”

“Ha, more importantly, once I receive a noble title, I will become a rare commodity, so to speak.”

“A rare commodity?”

“Yes, oh ho ho, to a charming lady.”

“With whom? Is it the person you were dating back then?”

Dylan’s expressionless face hardened even more.

“Oh, no? Ha, I was just joking around. Hahaha!”

Pedro brought a gust of wind to his emotionless world.

Perhaps it was anger.

When Dylan took a step towards Pedro, who was chattering away with all his might, he heard the distant sound of people murmuring.

“Who is that person?”

“There was such a beautiful lady?”

“Whose partner is that bureaucrat?”

“She seems like a noble, but she doesn’t have a partner…”

A beautiful lady, to Dylan, was just a stone.

He paid no attention to such things and continued to glare at Pedro.

As Dylan quietly fixed his gaze and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, at that moment, the crowd began to part as if it were a miracle of Moses.

Even Dylan, who paid no attention to the surrounding situation, felt a sense of curiosity. And finally, a familiar voice brushed against his ear.

“Dylan?”

Dylan slowly turned his head towards the direction of the voice.

And there stood a woman so beautifully crafted, as if by a god. She was an incredibly stunning beauty, fixating her gaze on Dylan.

At that moment, a gentle breeze blew.

As if tickled, she adorned a delicate smile on her lips.

The buzzing atmosphere instantly turned quiet. Everyone in that place, including Dylan, was enchanted, fixated on her.

Her slightly long, soft, chestnut hair danced in the wind. Her pristine white dress, gently covering her ankles, evoked the image of a graceful bird.

It triggered the protective instincts of people, regardless of age or gender. Everyone watched the beautiful woman in awe, holding their breath.

She deepened her smile on her lips.

Suddenly, as if frozen, the previously quiet atmosphere transformed.

“I haven’t seen her before.”

“Is she Lady Garnet, the flower of high society?”

“Doesn’t seem like the kind of lady to attend the administrative ball.”

“She just called Dylan’s name. What’s their relationship?”

“Could it be… lovers? A perfect match.”

She shyly adjusted the ornate bonnet on her head.

Underneath the bonnet, her forehead was smoothly rounded, as if meticulously sculpted. Its texture was so refined and smooth, resembling silver infused with gold. Her distinct nose and slightly plump, rosy lips were incredibly beautiful.

However, the most enchanting feature was her emerald green eyes, immersed in a deep emerald hue.

In that moment, everyone held their breath, captivated by the woman’s every move. She parted her lips and whispered softly.

“Dylan, nice to meet you for the first time.”

“…Yes.”

Dylan mumbled slowly.

And she took a step closer to Dylan, delicately shaping her eyebrows.

The men, including Pedro, who had been circling around her, were astounded by her mesmerizing appearance.

Dylan silently gazed at her. His thirst was awakened by her familiar yet unfamiliar gaze. Their gazes collided firmly in the center.

A cool breeze blew, causing the flower petals to flutter. Strangely, it felt as if only beautiful petals were falling around her.

No one else could grasp the atmosphere between them, a peculiar ambiance.

The woman opened her mouth.

“Will you be my partner?”

It was a simple question.

Yet, in that moment, a wave of astonishment rippled through the surroundings.

Perhaps the most beautiful lady, akin to a bewitching enchantress, had chosen a partner.

That person was none other than Dylan, the Imperial Knight with a radiant and beautiful appearance that shone like the Empire’s sword.

And…

“Yes.”

Dylan curved his eyebrows and smiled softly. And in a very small voice, audible only to the lady, he whispered. It was not clear what Dylan exactly said, but judging by the lady’s widened eyes, it was undoubtedly a surprising statement.

* * *

At the same time, Ford called out to Ishael from a corner of the palace ball.

“Finally, we meet! But what on earth did you say?”

They had made a wager. About whether Dylan would recognize Ishael or not.

Ishael bet that Dylan wouldn’t recognize her, while Ford bet that he would.

“Oh, the voice might have  given it away.”

“Hoho! Then let me cast a spell to slightly alter the sound!”

It was a spell that subtly gave a different feeling than usual. Ford crunched on sweet and savory popcorn.

“Is this a simple bet for my victory?”

If so, he would have to pay a fatal price. Right now!

“Have you two had a wedding ceremony?” “

…Ah, yes.”

“Then, if you have a wedding in the future, could I be invited?”

“We don’t plan on having a wedding.”

“Well, just in case. I’m naturally interested in dating. I’m broad-minded, you know.”

“Ah, yes. You seem to be. If we ever have a wedding, I’ll invite you.”

Ford cheered inwardly.

Neither Dylan, the emperor himself, nor the disguised Ford would ever invite him to their wedding.

They were hiding their true identities. But Ford desperately wanted to be invited to Ishael and Dylan’s wedding.

“The best!”

Ford clenched his sweaty hands in excitement.

Dylan looked up at Ishael and knelt down on one knee. So far, things were going as Ford had anticipated.

“Wait a minute. Why is Dylan…”

Isn’t it too early for that?

Dylan firmly pressed his lips against Ishael’s snowy hand.

It was a fierce gaze and expression.

To others, it appeared to be his usual youthful expression.

But Dylan himself knew well. It was an expression of obsession and determination that he had never seen before in Dylan.

The emperor chuckled and swallowed a handful of popcorn. It was so amusing that the guy who always acted like an FM was suddenly going to lose his cool.

He didn’t even realize the obsession he ignited in his own heart. He watched as Ishael and Dylan held hands and entered the ballroom. His role ended here.

His mentor, Count Saboia, had returned faster than he had expected and sent a messenger pigeon because of important clues regarding the terrorist.

[Your Majesty, I have obtained important information about my granddaughter, Lady Diana, and the terrorist. We must discuss it today.]