Queen of The Scalpel - Chapter 60
Her father and brother had to do political things at the ball, but she didn’t have anything to do. In her past life, she was the center of the ball, but it wasn’t the same this time. She could just show her face and leave.
Or at least that was what she thought. But…there was something Elise didn’t know. That something would happen to her at the ball. Something that she wouldn’t have been able to imagine.
What she would do was a major incident no one saw coming.
***
“Hurrah for Britia!”
“Hurrah for Romanoff! Hurrah for Emperor Minchester!!!”
The entire street was festive. The citizens of Londo shouted happily at the free meat and alcohol the Imperial Palace had provided.
“Everyone seems to like it.”
“Since it’s a happy day. Anyway, Chris, you’ve worked hard for this.”
“It was nothing. You’ve done more. The Bureau is in frenzy over the Creme Expedition. Everyone depends on how the Francoen Republic is supported.”
“Alright.”
And the father and son spoke about politics in the carriage. The stepmother looked at her daughter worriedly.
“Elise, are you alright?”
“Yes, mother.”
“After the Emperor reads his announcements, come back right away. Let’s come back together.”
“You should stay a bit longer. You were looking forward to it.”
“No, it’s okay. You’re this sick, a ball is nothing.”
“I’m really alright. It’s just a cold, so don’t worry.”
The carriage arrived at the Palace. Elise got off the carriage with her brother’s escort. She felt dizzy when she touched the ground, but she didn’t let it show.
“Elise, you can’t overwork yourself, alright?”
“I will. Don’t worry about me and take care of your business.”
“My business? What?”
Elise smiled.
“You’re always by yourself. This time, work hard to meet a nice Lady. Even though mother and father don’t say anything, they’ve been waiting.”
“Elise!”
Chris’s face turned red at Elise’s advice. But her stepmother stepped in.
“Yes, Elis is right. You and Wren aren’t interested in girls. Others were interested in dating and romance from when they were young. Work is nice, but don’t do just your work.”
“M-Mother.”
“Ahem, yes. I agree with that. When I was your age, I was so popular.”
Her stepmother narrowed her eyes at what he said.
“Honey!”
It was hard to imagine, but they said Marquis El was quite a womanizer when he was young. Of course, she didn’t know if it was true.
“Ahem. Anyway, you and your brother have no interest in dating… just when will I be able to see grandchildren?”
“Yes, sir.”
Chris replied in a depressed tone. Everyone held back their laughter and entered the ballroom.
“The Marquis Clarence family!!!”
“…!”
The servant announced their arrival in a loud voice, and everyone turned their heads to look at the greatest family in the empire.
“The chancellor has come.”
“The boy next to him must be the nominee for the next vice director of the Bureau. But who’s that beautiful lady?”
“It’s Lady Elise.”
“Ah! The person who’ll be the next great beauty in the empire? She’s as beautiful as I heard.”
Everyone looked at Elise. She really was beautiful.
Her soft hair, white skin, and blue eyes that were like jewels. An elegant but no extravagant dress. She looked like a doll even when she wasn’t dressed up, but she looked like a manifestation of a fairy now.
Her face was pale because she was sick, but it added to her weak charm.
“…”
Everyone just stared at her. Elise smiled in reply. It was a shy and beautiful smile.
Receiving everyone’s gazes, she thought to herself. ‘I want to go back. I don’t like balls. Surgery rooms are way better.’ She experienced so many balls in her old life that she was sick of them.
Food, drinks, conversations, boys, and dances! It was all useless.
Performing a surgery was more fun and helpful to people. The nervousness of life and death, and the pride of saving someone were things she could never let go of.