Ophelia was pampered by her servants for the banquet. She has to spend the whole afternoon preparing for the event.
As the banquet was not her plan, she didn't have a dress for the event. However, she didn't have to worry as the servant showed her a collection of trending dresses for her to choose from.
Therefore, she felt relieved. Ophelia's usual pastel colors aside, she decided to choose a bold and vibrant red dress. Pairing with a set of jewelry made out of ruby gems.
Ophelia looked at her reflection in the mirror and thought she was looking different, but in a good way. She looks mature and confident in her bold choice of a vibrant red dress.
With this choice of color, she exuded an air of elegance and sophistication. A fitting image of a matriarch of a powerful family.
"Ella," she called.
"Yes, madam," her servant responded.
"Refrain from calling me madam from here onwards. I'm currently the matriarch of the Lockhart household, a bachelorette. I prefer to be addressed according to my title," she stated firmly.
"...I understood, your grace," her servant responded.
Ophelia set aside that matter as she waited in front of a huge double door, waiting for her name to be called before entering.
The door slowly opened, revealing a grand banquet hall filled with elegant guests.
"Duchess Ophelia Lockhart has arrived," announced a voice, and all eyes turned towards her.
She gracefully walked into the room, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was the first time this many people had pointed their attention to her. She took a deep breath, determined to make a lasting impression.
With every step she takes, she can feel the burning gaze of the people around her.
Their eyes were fixed on her, as if judging her every move.
As soon as the duchess arrived at the banquet, the banquet started. Delicacies are placed on a table in every corner, but the food is barely touched as the guests are busy talking with each other.
Ophelia glanced at the food that she knew would be wasted. In a social event like this, delicacies might be served for the guests to enjoy but often go untouched as they prioritize conversation over eating to gain connection with one another.
The norm for high-class individuals is to engage in elaborate dining experiences as a means of networking and solidifying their social status.
They have the money to spend on extravagant meals and delicacies anytime, and the primary purpose of social events is to make connections.
Their social status is of utmost importance to them.
Ophelia started eating, ignoring the burning gazes at her that she bet from people that wanted to talk to her but were stopped by the servants who were instructed to block individuals from approaching her.
She's not willing to talk to them yet.
Ophelia wiped her mouth with a napkin, savoring every bite of her meal. Then she stands up from her seat, ready to socialize for a bit.
Once the servants were out of their way, the crowd immediately flocked towards her.
Ophelia nodded and smiled graciously as she listened to the compliments and well wishes of the guests.
This banquet has only a few guests present, as only the heads of the houses of vassals and plus one was invited.
They were mostly asking about her well-being and trying to woe her.
"Your grace, I'm glad to see you after many years," a voice said, filled with nostalgia and longing.
The voice was coming from an old man with a gentle smile and a twinkle in his eyes. Despite the obvious wrinkles in his skin, the old man in front of her was standing straight and looking healthy and strong.
Ophelia smiled at the man. "I'm glad to see you too, Bernard. I see you still haven't lost your positive attitude and zest for life."
Ophelia recognized the man in front of her through the original Ophelia's memory. This man was the captain of their knights, responsible for protecting the estate.
An old man who had aged gracefully, with a hint of wisdom in his eyes.
He witnessed as Ophelia was born to the world and gracefully grew up as a beautiful maiden. He shared quite a few of memories with the original Ophelia.
Standing in front of someone with deep connection with the body she possessed, Layla can't help but be nervous but somehow muster herself to keep her composure.
"I'm still doing well, your grace. However, as you can see, I'm an old man now. This might not have been announced yet, but I'm planning to retire soon," he said with a benign smile.
"Retiring? That's a shame. But enjoy the remaining time of your life to the fullest. Spend your remaining time with the things you want. It's never too late to enjoy life even in your age," she replied kindly.
"Thank you, your grace," he replied with a bow.
"Now that you're talking about retiring, who will be the one to take over your position?" she asked curiously.
The old man smiled at her. "My grandson will be the one to take over my position."
"Grandson?"
Ophelia expected a memory surfacing in her mind but couldn't remember anything about a grandson of Bernard. The original Ophelia was close with Bernard, it would be strange if she didn't meet his grandson.
Is he considerably younger than her? ...she wonders.
"Yes, I believe he's here somewhere—oh, there he is."
The old man pointed towards a young man standing in the corner of the banquet hall.
Sensing someone looking at him, the young man looks at their direction and saw his grandfather urging him to come over.
With a smile on his lips, the young man walked toward his grandfather.
"Yes, grandfather," the young man replied, then looked at the individual who had been in a conversation with his grandfather.
He recognized her. She was the woman in the greenhouse.
"Milady, it is a pleasure to see you again," the young man said with a smile.
"You knew each other?" Bernard asked, surprised.
"Yes, grandfather. I encountered her in the greenhouse this morning," he replied.
This young man is exceptionally tall and has a kind demeanor. And his golden eyes, which stand out because of his tan skin and dark hair, make anyone attracted to him.
"We have indeed met already," she said with a smile.
The old man gave a good laugh. "I'm glad. He seems to have made a lasting impression on you."
She nodded. "With his tan skin and dark hair, he's hard to forget."
And those eyes.... she continued in her mind.
"I'm glad. But I still want to introduce him to you." Bernard stated.
"Please go ahead, as I still haven't had the chance to know his name," she replied with a smile.
The old man gave her grandson a look that said, 'How can you not give your name to a maiden you meet?'.
The old man smiled at Ophelia while holding the shoulder of his grandson. "This is my grandson. He might look like this, but I can assure you he has a great talent in swordsmanship. He has the qualifications to take my position," the old man said proudly.
The young man looks at his grandfather in shock. "Isn't that supposed to be secret, grandfather?" his grandson whispered.
"Don't worry, Zaden. It won't matter since I'm telling it to someone higher up," the old man said confidently.
"Higher up?"
"Yes, the one who holds all the power," replied the grandfather with a mysterious smile.
His grandson looks at the woman in front of him, dressed in an elegant dress that seemed to reflect her position of authority. The person in front of him has a different aura compared to the woman he met that morning, who was like a sunshine type of person.
The person in front of him, on the other hand, exudes an air of sophistication and power.
"So, your name is Zaden. Nice to meet you. My name is Ophelia Lockhart," she said with a warm smile.
Lockhart?
"The duchess?!" he exclaimed in shock.
"Yes, grandson. She's the matriarch of the Lockhart household. Our master," his grandfather replied proudly.
***