The day of their return to Sunverro had arrived. Along the way there were countless people cheering for the return and victory that Sunverro's men had won. Prince Helios led the ranks of the cavalry valiantly. Rowena, Sir Damian, and Sir Cedric were right behind Prince Helios.
Luckily for the victory parade this time Rowena decided to wear a wig so that no one realized that she was a woman. Rowena surveyed her surroundings, it could be seen that the people there were very happy because they could welcome their family members who had been fighting in the battlefield for several years. Immediately Rowena felt a very deep emptiness in her heart. There was no one to welcome him back at Sunverro. She was just a stranger there.
Sir Damian, who saw the sad look on Rowena's face, took both of Rowena's hands which were holding the reins of her horse. Rowena immediately turned to Sir Damian in confusion. Sir Damian replied with a warm smile.
"You don't have to be sad because none of your family welcomes you here. Isn't it me who is your brother who will welcome you to Sunverro?" said Sir Damian quietly.
The corners of Rowena's lips lifted up unconsciously. "Thank you brother."
The crowd in the parade still continues. Many people threw flowers and colorful pieces of paper at them. They've even hit Rowena's face several times. Even so Rowena did not feel irritated or annoyed. She also felt happy like the people who were there.
Arriving at the imperial palace the welcoming parade ended. All the knights and soldiers got off their horses and escorted their horses into the stables of the palace.
As Rowena got off her horse, Sir Damian immediately took her left hand. "Come on, let's go to my mansion! My horse carriage is waiting for us in front of the palace gates."
"Shouldn't you come with Helios and Cedric to meet His Majesty the Emperor?" said Rowena.
"I'm only the deputy commander of the army. So my presence doesn't mean much to His Majesty the Emperor. Only this time I feel proud of my position," said Sir Damian proudly.
"How about we switch positions, Damian? I'll be very willing if you want it," offered Sir Cedric who appeared out of nowhere.
"No and won't want to. Thank you for your offer Duke Lithcbell. Now my sweet sister and I will go home first. So see you later," said Sir Damian suddenly using formal language and then immediately left with Rowena leaving Sir Cedric who was staring at him with a look of hatred.
It turned out that Sir Damian's mansion was not too far from the palace. It only took thirty minutes to get to Sir Damian's mansion. When they arrived, Sir Damian got off first and then held out his hand to help Rowena get off the horse carriage.
All the maids who were standing in front of the mansion's door were a little surprised to see that because at that time Rowena was still disguised as a man so the servants speculated that their master had a sexual deviation. Sir Damian took Rowena's hand and walked into the mansion.
"Owen, please prepare some warm water in the bath and order some maids to help Rowena take a bath," Sir Damian ordered.
Owen, as the head of the housekeeper of Marquess Squela bowed his body and replied, "Yes, Milord."
"Then Rowena you follow Owen. He will lead you to your room and later the maids will help you to take a shower and change clothes," said Sir Damian gently as he stroked Rowena's head.
"Okay brother," replied Rowena.
Rowena walked behind Owen. The man escorted Rowena to a room that had been prepared in advance. Rowena looked around her. It had to be admitted that Sir Damian's mansion was truly extravagant. Lots of expensive stuff there. Even when Rowena entered her room, most of the furniture inside was lined with gold and diamonds. Rowena tried to sit on her bed, it turned out that her mattress was very soft.
While she was enjoying the softness of her new mattress, several servants entered her room.
"Sir, my name is Leona. From today onwards I and some of the servants who are here will serve you. This is Viona and Josephine," said a servant who claimed to be Leona.
Rowena chuckled lightly when she heard Leona call her master. She removed her wig and tossed it in any direction. "I am a woman. You can call me Rowena."
The three maids immediately knelt before Rowena. "Forgive us, Lady Rowena. We thought you were a man because your hair looks so short."
"Hey, never mind. Get up quickly! After all, it's only natural for you to think of me as a man because of my wig. Then quickly help me to take a shower," said Rowena.
"Very well, Lady. Please follow us then."
After bathing and getting dressed, Rowena was directed to the dining room. There was already Sir Damian eating his meal. Rowena sat down on one of the chairs there and began to eat the food that had been served on the table. Imagine the food there is her favorite food. Maybe it was Sir Damian who ordered the chefs to cook it all.
"Is the dress I sketched finished?" Rowena asked.
"Yes. But isn't the dress you want very simple? Don't you want to replace it with an even more luxurious dress?
"No need. I do want a dress like that. Besides, if there are too many accessories and luxury, then I will find it difficult to walk."
"Even so, it's not appropriate to wear a simple dress to a victory party. So, unbeknownst to you I ordered the fashion designer to add diamond powder to the dress."
"That's up to you. As long as the dress is exactly the same as the sketch I've drawn."
"Then what do you think about this mansion of mine?"
"This mansion is very nice and comfortable. Besides that the mansion is also so big that I'm afraid that I will get lost someday. Then all the servants here are also very kind and friendly to me."
"That's good then. I hope you sleep well tonight. I'll go to my room first. See you Rowena." Sir Damian got up from his chair and left the dining room.
Rowena, who had also finished finishing her meal, immediately left the dining room. Before returning to her room, she decided to go around the mansion.
The reason Rowena persisted in wanting to wear a dress that matched the sketches she drew was because it was the dress her mother had worn during her debutante. In addition, with the dress she wanted to attract the attention of the Emperor and Empress of Sunverro.
In the past, both the Emperor and Empress Sunverro had a very good relationship with her mother, Erica. The current Empress of Sunverro, Joanna, is the daughter of one of the top nobles of the Odelette Empire and she was also Erica's favorite lady-in-waiting when she was the princess of the Odelette Empire. Joanna is also very devoted to Erica.
Then the current Emperor of Sunverro, William, was Erica's ex-fiancé. They both have absolutely no feelings for each other. Even Erica only considered William who at that time was the crown prince as her brother. Likewise with William who loved Erica like his own sister. The point is that the two important people from Sunverro were the people who were closest to Erica in the past and loved her very much.
Rowena has a face and physique that is very identical to Erica. So if Rowena wears a dress that is the same design as Erica's debutante dress then chances are, the Emperor and Empress won't forget it.
Rowena looked up at the sky from the windows along the corridor. "I can't wait to attend the party."