Chapter 65
It wasn’t an invitation from the Emperor.
The sigil on the letter was the Crown Prince’s.
Honestly, Ian was glad to see it.
‘Fas.h.i.+onable Society, is it?’
The content of the letter was simple
The royal ‘Fas.h.i.+onable Society’ would be held soon.
Especially, this time, it would be held in the name of the Crown Prince, not the Emperor.
And the letter invited Ian and Vanessa to the party.
Next week, at the royal ballroom.
‘Why did he invite me to this party?’
Normally, a mage never got an invitation from the Fas.h.i.+onable Society.
While magic was the strongest weapon of the Ivory Tower, the royalty’s best weapon was dignity, the citizens, and a numerous n.o.bles’ soldiers and money. Hence the connection between n.o.bles was very important, and to manage and develop this relations.h.i.+p, the ‘Fas.h.i.+onable Society’ was commonly used as a ‘tool’.
‘He has no idea of this.’
And at such a place, did he just invite an Archmage of the Ivory Tower?
If the Emperor knew of this, it would make him disappointed.
Furthermore, at the very bottom of the invitation,
The Crown Prince added a tag, full of his pride, and a message was written.
Maybe, except Ian, he would send this invitation to other n.o.bles only a few days before the event, or maybe even at the very morning of the event day.
Simply, to tease them.
‘Yeah, that’s typical of him.’
Not just inviting a mage, but also teasing other n.o.bles.
He was totally ruining the true meaning of the Fas.h.i.+onable Society.
He used to like such stupid actions.
And did Ian regard him as his friend for once?
As a true friend who might chat and chill with him?
Ian regretted what he had thought.
The Crown Prince was no more than a convenient tool.
"……."
However, what made Ian have to worry about him?
Ian could just leave him to do whatever he wanted, so that every single n.o.ble turned away from the Crown Prince.
"Sigh, d.a.m.n."
Ian rubbed his face roughly.
He walked to his desk.
He opened an empty parchment while holding a pen in his hand to write a letter to the Crown Prince.
‘If he still doesn’t take my advice, then let him receive what he deserves.’
Ian started to write his letter.
Ian’s letter was effective.
The n.o.bles who were meant to be invited received the invitation early enough to prepare for the society.
However, the names of Ian and Vanessa hadn’t been omitted from the guest list of the Fas.h.i.+onable Society.
Only half of Ian’s letter worked.
‘Still, it is good enough for him.’
So Ian and his mother had to attend the society.
Ian wore his clothes as he visited the emperor, as well as Vanessa.
"I, I really don’t know if I am allowed to enter."
It was Vanessa’s first time visiting the palace.
Her face was full of worries.
Her voice was shaking.
"Don’t worry too much. It’s nothing hard."
Ian didn’t know well how ‘Fas.h.i.+onable Society’ worked. However, he imagined something whenever he saw his mother in a luxurious dress. If she was a daughter of a n.o.ble family, she must be one of the most famous in the society. And that imagination came true when Ian saw his mother today. Since she had rested
‘I can see the power of professional beauty care maids.’
From makeup to accessories, she was perfect.
And Ian could be sure of one thing.
‘I must have inherited my father’s appearance.’
Or maybe he’s adopted.
Vanessa was that beautiful.
"Sir Ian."
A voice called Ian.
It was a servant who guided the guests of the society.
"I received your name, sir Ian. And this is… Mrs. Page……?"
The servant was astonished by Vanessa’s beauty.
"A, are you?"
It was already well spread that Ian Page’s mother was once a kitchen maid. And since the servant was a member of the lower rank cla.s.s, that fact made him more interested. Vanessa’s dramatically changed life was a legend to them.
‘I can’t believe that she was a kitchen maid…..’
The servant had seen many kitchen maids, and also acknowledged the rough appearance of northern ladies.
However, Vanessa destroyed this stereotype.
She was a rare beauty.
"Y, yes, I am Mrs. Page. Is there any problem…..?"
"Ah! Not at all. Please come in. This way."
The servant barely managed to calm himself, and led the way.
But Vanessa couldn’t step in easily.
"Let’s go mom."
"H, huh?"
Ian firmly grabbed his mother’s hand and pulled her.
"Then, please enjoy."
The servant led them to the ballroom.
He left to guide other guests.
A mother and son were standing awkwardly.
"M, many people are here."
"Yeah, there are."
Ian also had no idea about the Fas.h.i.+onable Society.
Of course, he was a mage of the Ivory Tower.
Furthermore, he was the head of them.
Although he told his mother that there was nothing hard about the society, he didn’t know much about it.
‘It’s more than I heard."
The ballroom was separated into three sections.
Firstly, a section of the heads of the invited families.
Secondly, a section for young reclaimers.
At last, a section for ladies and wives of the house.
Of course, there were no rules that divided them, but just common manners did.
‘I can’t leave my mother alone…’
Ian couldn’t just stand at the middle of the entrance.
Ian had to move to the section where the heads of the families or young reclaimers gathered, while his mother had to go where the ladies gathered.
Ian didn’t feel comfortable about it.
‘Should I introduce myself as a mage?’
It was the Fas.h.i.+onable Society for n.o.bles.
It was held to build close relations.h.i.+ps between houses.
A chance to flatter the higher rank houses.
A discrimination between ranks.
It was a maw of politics.
"Ian."
Due to Ian’s unwell face, Vanessa asked him first.
"I am supposed to go to that section, right?"
She had her own eyes, and was able to think. She also knew that this ballroom was divided into three sections.
"No, you don’t have to….."
"I’m fine. They are all high n.o.bles, I should do what I have to do."
With her smiling face, Vanessa tried to comfort her son. With embarra.s.sed steps, she approached the section where the ladies were gathered. As others did, she picked up a gla.s.s of alcohol.
"Mom."
Due to Ian’s calling, Vanessa looked back.
Her face looked very nervous.
"You know who I am, right?"
"Huh?"
"There is no one who is higher than you. So, identify yourself with pride. Inform them of your son, and my t.i.tle."
He didn’t just say so to comfort her.
Vanessa was the mother of a 4th cla.s.s mage of the Ivory Tower. She was the mother of a mighty Archmage. Among these n.o.bles, there were none who dare to stand above her.
"Sure, I am proud of you."
With a cheerful pose, Vanessa walked into the group. She looked confident, but Ian still felt uncomfortable. He couldn’t move, but was just watching where his mother was standing.