The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 123
The banquet welcoming Kaluta was held outdoors, considering the Kalutans’ dislike for stuffy environments.
The food was mainly finger foods that could be eaten by hand, maintaining elegance yet being hearty, and the drinks were cocktails based on whiskey or vodka, and traditional liquors rather than wine.
There were clues everywhere that showed the Emperor had put considerable thought into accommodating Kaluta.
It was uncommon for a banquet at the Imperial Palace to be held outdoors.
The expressions on the Kalutans weren’t bad, indicating they didn’t find the welcome unpleasant.
“ā¦A banquet with barbarians, what is His Majesty thinking?”
“It smells bad.”
“Watch your tongues. Do you not understand what it means that His Majesty prepared this way?”
“Ahemā¦ Still, it’s neither a salon invitation nor a tea party, but a banquet in the backyard instead of the Imperial greenhouseā¦”
A noblewoman said, snapping her fan open. Others nodded in agreement.
“When in another country, one should show respect to that country.”
“And why is the hostess of this banquet that stammering lady?”
“Yes, it’s really beneath our standardsā¦”
They muttered quietly until they were interrupted by a sigh from behind.
“I agree. I don’t want to be part of such low-level conversations. Soā¦”
They slowly turned their creaking bodies.
“You’re in the way. Move.”
They paused at the sight of Roxelyn, who murmured quietly. She was adorned in jewelry and a dress that was hard to obtain from head to toe, yet it wasn’t overdone.
Naturally, this was because, upon hearing that Roxelyn would attend the banquet, Fluer had dropped everything and barged into her mansion the day before.
Thanks to being pestered since morning, Roxelyn was in a foul mood.
Fluer Boutique. Ever since Roxelyn’s debut in one of her dresses, which was a spectacular success, the boutique had become even more famous with a flood of orders.
Fluer, the owner, had become incredibly busy. Despite the overwhelming work and lack of sleep, she was ecstatic as she earned a lifetime’s worth of money in just one year.
The boutique was fully booked for the next three years, even with several new assistants. Moreover, one of the suppliers she cut ties with on Roxelyn’s advice was soon caught for illegal drug distribution.
Even the places that weren’t problematic shut down due to rumors. Shocked, Fluer revered Roxelyn not just as a benefactor but almost as a deity, willing to drop everything and run to her at 3 AM if needed.
Thus, the best designer in the empire declared herself Roxelyn’s personal stylist and attended the banquet with her.
Due to Fluer’s styling, Roxelyn was the most eye-catching person at the event.
āā¦Donāt tell me, Fluer is that Baron Fluer.ā
Roxelyn sighed, recalling the fact she learned that morning, and looked at the woman in front of her, then at Baron Fluer standing beside her.
āFluer is a pseudonym thatās used when cross-dressing as a designer.ā
While Fluer was an exceptionally flamboyant and beautiful woman, Baron Fluer, with his long hair tied up, appeared as a very sophisticated man.
Roxelyn turned and smiled at the young ladies and gentlemen who had turned pale.
“Are your ears clogged? I said, move out of the way.”
“W-What did you say?”
“Your ears. Before you criticize others, how about considering whether you’re doing something worthy of criticism yourself?”
“Lady Bellion, please endure it. When one’s ears get clogged, it seems they can’t hear well.”
Baron Fluer said in a voice mixed with laughter. It was quite a neutral voice, different from the sharp soprano tone he usually used.
“W-What did you say? Baron Fluer! Didn’t you learn that a man shouldn’t intrude on women’s conversations?”
“Oh, did I? But who are you againā¦?”
“ā¦!”
Given Fluer’s profession, there was no one in high society who didn’t know him. Roxelyn silently clicked her tongue at how he pretended not to know the people in heās talking to.
“Lady, please endure it. After all, the Fluer family is a poor, tottering household. It’s understandable they lack proper education,ā one person said to a countās daughter.
“Oh, indeed, I heard that just attending a single banquet could make their household pillars shake.”
“Is there really such a family?”
“Maybe that’s why they fit right in with today’s banquet.”
Roxelyn frowned at their behavior, which insulted both Kaluta and Baron Fluer simultaneously. They were being ridiculous.