My Lady Chef
Chapter 70: The Prince's Birthday Ball

Ely's POV:

Every noble must attend a minimum of three major events and six minor parties every month. It was a system devised by the Royal Family to keep count of who is active in society and who is not.

Nobles from the countryside often send a letter of inactivity within the social circles to the Royal Palace's Office while nobles who are away from the country waging war are given a special exclusion from these social events.

As the acting head of the Aisenburg household; I am expected to attend them in my husband's place if I choose to.

As of now, I have already fulfilled the necessary obligation and this will be my last major event before I go with Lorelei for that volunteer work.

The Prince's Birthday Ball is currently held in his own home called The Ruby Palace.

As per Captain Niles' recommendation. I am currently being escorted by Sir Kain, a young knight who was an unusual aura about him.

He is very handsome with chestnut brown hair and periwinkle blue eyes. A strong strapping man whose mother married lower than her status but according to the rumors; it was a love match and she was happy.

This man became a knight two years ago and quickly became quite skilled. He had just arrived from his on-the-job training from one of my husband's provincial estates.

Which explains why I have not seen him amongst the knights who have greeted me at home.

"Milady, I shall stand with the other knights. Give me the signal if you wish me to come to your side." His smooth baritone voice was pleasant to the ears as he bowed and stood beside a few knights wearing their house colors.

Aisenburg's colors are distinctive with its austere motif of black and red with gold trimmings so Kain stands out.

I waited in line to be announced when a royal guard spotted me and walked closer, giving a deep bow.

"Lady Aisenburg?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?" I asked coolly.

"His Highness ordered me to escort you into the party immediately. You do not have to fall in line."

The Prince? Ah.

An image of that handsome man with silver hair and amber eyes entered my memory. I had met him a month ago when I first made those cakes for his Highness.

I raised a hand and snapped it; the clicking noise loud enough for Kain to come running to my side as we walked into the glittered halls of the party.

The Ruby Place earned its name from the brilliantly sparkling tiles that were used. They were made of rare red crystals that shine and I can see the accents of it inside and it melds with the marble flooring and pristine white walls and dark red drapes.

Everyone's heads turned when I entered as I walked towards the end of the hall where Prince Belmont sat on a plush scarlet upholstered chair.

Two people were seated on either side. I can tell by their periwinkle blue eyes that they were also royalty.

"I greet the Young Lion of Illios. As the Duchess of Aisenburg, on behalf of my husband. I wish you a happy birthing day, Your Highness."

I curtsied and give the usual polite smile as I greeted the Prince who stood up and took my hands.

This made everyone gasp and his two siblings to display startled expressions. From the stares I was getting; it seems like the Prince does not do this often.

"As the beloved wife of my closest friend. I accept your greetings with joy." He lifted my gloved hands to his lips and kissed them before letting go and clearing his throat. "I heard that His Grace has made great progress regarding the siege at Guthrie."

I do not know where the prince was going with this but...

"Yes, Your Highness. He has indeed attained very positive results." I smiled serenely, refusing to be stressed out since every eye was in me now.

"Indeed. Quite a feat for the Blade of the Kingdom. Please enjoy the party duchess and..." he leaned forward to kiss my hand and before he whispered something to me before smoothly pulling away.

I bowed again as he sat down on his chair to greet his other guests.

As I waded through the crowd, their eyes were all on me. The way the air changed as I pass by shows that they are curious about why I am favored.

No one knows that I have been making the cakes that get sent to the Royal Palace every month.

The Cheesecakes I made were still popular with the king but recently the Prince has been asking me via letters to make one different cake as a sample to keep some variety.

As of now, the coffee cake with dark chocolate frosting and the blueberry cheesecakes I made this month was well received according to the servants who delivered it last week.

I was suddenly greeted by a few ladies and matrons that I have talked to at a few events that I attended.

Aside from Lorelei, I don't have any close friends but I do maintain a good polite image in front of the older ladies and try to be calm with the younger ones.

"Oh my. I am surprised that Lady Aisenburg is here." A voice I know so well made me plastered an even sweeter smile on my face as I turned to face Lady Lorax.

After the very first party she seldom invites me to her soiree's but whenever she and I happen to cross paths; I would notice little accidents and a few mishaps happen to me like a few young rude bucks trailing after me or someone accidentally spilling a drink on me.

I have somehow maintained my calm facade and managed to dodge the worst of these incidents and I even had to use my mana sprites to teach her male followers a lesson in trying to compromise me. After that, no accidents happened after that but I can feel her glare boring at my back probably due to getting stung pride every time we see each other at events and parties.

"Why is it surprising Lady Lorax?"I asked her and she snapped her fan close, a seemingly innocent smile on her face.

"I have heard that you were busy opening a cafe at the third district. News amongst the servants shows that it proved to be very popular. Is it true that you made the meals being served there? As a concerned person and reigning belle of the ton. You must be careful of whom you associate with, Your Grace." She assumed a worried expression as every lady within the vicinity gathered around. "You have a duty to maintain a pristine reputation as a member of nobility; I commend your generous spirit but do be more cautious. Everyone here would be sad if nasty rumors start up due to your ease in mixing with....commoners."

I felt Kain's hand clench but I maintained my cool and closed my eyes before smiling at her calmly and answered with an even tone.

"Thank you for your concern, Lady Lorax. But let me clarify something for you. While it is true that I create the meal plan of the food served at Cafe Terra; I trained a chef to cook them according to my standards." I said confidently. "I am very happy that many of my husband's workers and a lot of regular customers love the food there. I even heard from servers that various servants from merchants and a few nobles order the jam bread and roll cakes so your claim of only commoners frequenting my cafe is not entirely true."

A few women blushed and did not deny my words but one of Margaret's ladies snorted derisively and laughed.

"It does not change the fact that the cafe was opened for peasants. The Duke of Aisenburg is a great man and this might stain his reputation. Did that not ever occur to you?"

"I never stated the cafe was opened for them specifically. The fact that Cafe Terra entertains everyone from all walks of life proves that." I placed my hand on my chest. "I am merely following in the footsteps of

my husband whose vast business gave jobs to the people from the lower classes. Are we not told to uphold a certain noblesse oblige? Am I wrong with emulating my husband, the duke?"

A few women reluctantly nodded and I saw Margaret's pretty face turn nasty for a second before she smiled blandly.

"How magnanimous of you, Your Grace. " before she could deliver any more scathing remarks, I spoke first.

"However, your concern for my well-being is touching Lady Lorax. I will take it to heart every time I inspect my cafe. Have a good evening, Lady Lorax."

That made her snap her fan close. She bowed before me and murmured a terse farewell before she walked away accompanied by her ladies.

After that confrontation, everyone went back to their own circles to gossip while I walked outside to a small balcony to escape the warm confines of the hall.000

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