Page 91 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
Having heard your presentation from yourself, I would like to assure you that you will have my utmost support and cooperation for the matter. The monster attack the Evsea estate suffered three years ago hastened my father’s death, and as his successor, I believe I must do everything in my power to prevent such tragedies happening again so that his soul may rest in peace.
With that said, it would be to my great pleasure if you would allow me to host a ball at my estate in Your Ladyship’s honour so that we may officially welcome you to Stein.
I will eagerly await your response.
Yours,
Viscountess Elena Alice Evsea
“Well?” Kalon asked as I looked up.
“It appears that she wrote it after my presentation of the aid policy,” I replied, showing him the letter. “She expressed her support for it and offered to host a ball in my honour to welcome me to Stein.”
He pinched the edge of the paper to tilt it in his direction and scanned the letter. “It was an option on the table after you’d settled in, but I do think it would be to your benefit if the Evsea family were involved in hosting.”
“Really? Why so?”
“The Evseas are one of the oldest houses in Stein and trade regularly with the empire. They cultivated a grape that only grows in Stein’s conditions that happens to make a fantastic wine.”
“Wait. I knew I recognised that name. My father has a stack of it for special occasions.”
“Indeed. It’s popular but also expensive, but their connections mean they have an extremely wide-ranging influence. Many nobles follow their lead, and Elena in particular is one of the most popular ladies in the top social circles. If she hosts a ball for you, it’s the same as her saying she publicly approves of you as the Grand Duchess.”
“And if someone with that much social power does such a thing, my entry into high society here in Stein will be much smoother, even amongst those who think you should marry a native noble,” I continued, staring at the letter. “Is one aid policy really enough for her to approve of me so much?”
“Perhaps. Like she says here, the attack on their estate three years ago was terrible in more ways than one. The late Viscount Evsea had been unwell for a while, and the stress of the aftermath was too much for him. Elena became the viscountess when she was only twenty-four, and she was almost ready to give birth to her son at the time.”
Oh, no. “That must have been difficult for her.”
“But it is up to you, Alicia.”
“You have no thoughts on it?” I asked, pushing my hair from my face as I looked up at him.
“Of course, I do. It would be nice if your first ball here could be at the castle, but as I said, the social implications of having the Evseas host it would help you greatly.”
“But wouldn’t people talk if my welcome ball isn’t at the castle?”
“I don’t care for things as frivolous as gossip.”
I supposed there were too many rumours for him to give it a second thought.
“Hmm.” I folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope. “Do you think she would be offended if I suggested she hosted the ball here instead of her estate?”
Kalon peered down at me with his intense gaze. “You mean we co-host it of sorts?”
“Yes. I think I would rather make my first appearance where I’m most comfortable, but I also feel as though I can’t turn her down,” I explained. “Besides, how many nobles are ever granted the opportunity to host a ball at Stein Castle?”
“Aside from the duke or Grand Duke’s family, nobody. Ha.” He got to his feet and offered me his hand. “I see. You would have the home field advantage, Elena’s social influence,andyou’d be giving her the rare honour of hosting an event at the castle, gaining her favour even more. Socially, it’s a declaration of friendship from both sides.”
I put my hand in his and got to my feet. “You’ve got me.”
Kalon tugged me towards his body, almost making me stumble, and pressed his hand onto my lower back. He lowered his head, and his warm breath tickled against my ear as his mouth drew closer to it. “You are quite the cunning woman, Alicia Vermillion.”
His low tone was unexpectedly seductive, and it set off a wild round of butterflies in my stomach. My fingers tingled where our hands were clasped, and the warmth that spread from his touch on my back was doing silly things to me.
Silly, inappropriate things.
Like making me want to rip off his clothes and see what other weapons he was hiding.
