Who was looking at the types of juices on display.
Irene said in a low voice: — "Excuse me... I'm sorry, but it seems I don't know any of these drinks. I'm new to Valerian."
Elenor turned to her, surprised that the main character of the day's party was speaking to her. She looked at her calmly then smiled and said in a slightly nervous voice:
— "Oh, I can help you. In fact, some of them taste a little strange, but if you want something light, try this... I prefer a sour taste, so I took this drink, it's my favorite."
Irene smiled faintly and said: "What a coincidence, I like sour too, so I'll try it."
Irene drank a little, and although she had been feeling nauseous the whole time, she turned to Elenor and said: — "Oh my, it really seems refreshing."
Elenor smiled and said: — "I'm really happy you liked it, Princess."
Irene nodded thankfully, then added: — "Thank you for your kindness. By the way, may I know your name?"
Elenor paused for a moment in surprise, then replied: — "Elenor de Rouville."
Irene's eyes widened, and her gaze sparkled for a moment, having finally confirmed her identity.
Now she had to win her over by any means.
To herself, she thought: "The closest entrance to anyone's heart is to praise their appearance, and she seems like someone who can be won over by exaggerating that, so let's start there..."
— "What a beautiful name, it suits you. You are truly beautiful, and your dress is wonderful... I love pink very much, it suits you perfectly."
Elenor smiled and replied lightly: — "Oh my, thank you. I'm glad you liked it. You are the most beautiful here, Princess. Everyone hasn't stopped looking at you since you entered the hall."
Irene laughed with feigned modesty, saying to herself, "Good, she's easy to deal with, I can let my guard down now..." Then she pretended to ask:
— "Oh, you said your name is de Rouville... Are you related to Lady Emilia de Rouville?"
Elenor was surprised and raised her eyebrows: — "Yes, she is my grandmother."
Irene placed her hand on her chest as if gently shocked: — "I can't believe it! I am one of her biggest admirers. I've read almost all her books in Escard."
Surprise appeared on Elenor's face, and she said enthusiastically: — "Really? This is... a great honor. This is the first time someone my age has praised my grandmother's work... Not everyone likes her here, because of her frankness... Some accused her of treason just because she writes honestly without flattery, although this is difficult for me in some matters too, but I love her very much and I'm proud of her."
Irene said in a clear tone: — "People know the truth... but they choose to believe only what they like. And your grandmother is great; she wasn't afraid to face the truth, and I have immense respect for her. It's an honor to meet her granddaughter in person."
Elenor smiled gently and said: — "And I am happy to meet you too. You are very humble, much kinder than most of the attendees here, Princess."
Irene laughed, and added: — "No, you are the kind one... You helped me with your kindness."
The conversation between them continued for several minutes, with simple talks and light laughter that made Irene feel the party was not in vain.
Then she took a breath, and moved on to the next step: — "Actually... I don't have friends in Valerian yet. But I felt very comfortable talking to you. If it doesn't bother you, would you accept my invitation to visit me at the palace? I would like to get to know you better."
Elenor gasped softly and said with happy surprise: — "Oh! I cannot refuse a request from the Princess! It would be an honor for me to visit the Royal Palace... This is very kind of you."
Irene smiled: — "Then I'll invite you soon when the opportunity allows."
Elenor replied quickly: — "I will be ready anytime."
At that moment, Irene felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. Everything she had endured today seemed like a small price for this victory.
She no longer had to rely on her husband's sisters.
As time passed, the party began to draw to a close. The hall gradually emptied of guests.
Elenor bid Irene farewell with a graceful bow, and Irene returned the greeting with the same grace, then headed towards Elizabeth.
Elizabeth said with a smile: "It seems you've found a friend."
Irene said: "Yes, she was very kind, and I enjoyed talking with her."
Elizabeth replied: "I'm really happy for you, my dear."
Irene smiled gently at her.
Then Elizabeth said to her quietly: — "The party is finally over, and you did a really good job! I'm proud of you! So I'll leave with Violet and Anita... You can go back with Lucas if you want."
Irene nodded in agreement.
Outside, Viola was talking with Anita, while Lucas stood with some of his friends. As for Louis, he stood aside, talking with Violet, who was smiling gently at him.
Viola approached Elizabeth and Irene, and then Viola began to compliment Elizabeth and Irene as well.
In the midst of that conversation, Irene's mind was preoccupied with something else... The tired woman she had seen before the party began was still in her place.
The weather had grown harsher, and snow had begun to fall on the heads of those standing.
Irene quietly slipped away from the gathering without anyone noticing and walked towards that spot.
The woman was still there in the same position, her back against the wall, almost motionless.
Irene approached her, then knelt and sat in front of her, whispering gently: — "Excuse me..."
The woman raised her eyes to her without speaking.
In her gaze, Irene saw the weight of the entire world.
Her look resembled her mother's.
She suddenly remembered her mother's face, Luisa, for a moment and lowered her head. Her heart fluttered, and tears almost fell, but she composed herself.
She said in a sad voice: — "It's very cold... Have you eaten anything today?"
The woman shook her head in denial, her eyes cast down.
At that moment, Elizabeth suddenly noticed Irene's absence.
Elizabeth asked in a loud voice: — "Where is Irene?"
Viola said in surprise: "Wasn't she standing here just moments ago?"
Louis said, pointing: "Isn't that her over there?"
Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, and their eyes fell upon the Princess sitting in front of a beggar woman.
Anita scoffed: — "What is she doing there? Has she lost her mind?"
Meanwhile, Irene took off her coat and gently wrapped it around the woman's body: — "This coat is warm... It will protect you from this cold."
The woman raised her eyes in surprise and said: — "You are not from Valerian, are you?"
Irene nodded, then asked her: — "Do you know who I am?"
The woman replied: — "No... but I know you're not from here... The rich here don't do what you did. They are disgusted by our presence... as if our poverty is an unforgivable sin."
Irene's heart ached at her words, and she whispered: — "Poverty is not a fault..."
Irene understood perfectly what that woman felt; she had lived a difficult childhood with her grandparents and mother for eleven years.
Then Irene said gently: — "Please... don't sell the coat. Keep it... It will protect you well from the cold winter. Instead, take this..."
She took off her earrings and placed them in the trembling hand of the woman.
Her eyes widened, then she looked at the expensive earrings. She couldn't believe what had happened and began to cry, muttering thanks to God.
Irene watched her in silence.
Then the woman said: — "Why are you giving an old woman like me these expensive jewels... With these, I can find a roof over my head."
Irene smiled.
She told her: — "Make sure to wear the coat and tidy yourself up well before selling the earrings so no one suspects anything.... Your hands are cold, please take these too."
She took off her gloves and offered them to her. The woman collapsed into tears again and whispered: — "Who are you, my child... Are you an angel?"
Irene smiled, then gently hugged her.
She then stood up and was about to leave, but the woman called out to her: — "At least... tell me your name."
Irene turned and said with a calm smile: — "Irene."
The woman said, bowing to her: — "I owe you my life, thank you... Thank you for helping this poor old woman."
Irene replied gently: — "It is all our duty to help everyone who needs help... Take good care of yourself."
She bowed to her, then left with quiet steps, crossing the road in silence.
Everyone's stares were shocked... They had never seen anything like it before.
Elizabeth approached and asked her: — "Irene? Why did you give your coat to that strange woman?"
She said calmly: — "Because she needs it more than I do."
Then Lucas approached, took off his coat without a word, and put it on her himself.
He said sarcastically: — "You'll freeze. Don't be foolish..."
Viola watched him in silence, while Anita scoffed, exhaling: — "Another play, it seems."
But Irene did not reply. She looked at no one.
Elizabeth said firmly: — "Enough, Anita. We're leaving now."
Then she turned to Viola and told her: — "Take care of yourself."
Viola said: "You too, Queen." Viola hugged both Anita and Violet.
Then they left in the carriage.
Louis gently approached Irene: — "I'm Louis, Lucas's close friend. It was a pleasure to meet you."
Irene bowed to him and introduced herself, then said with a faint smile: — "I remember you... You were present at my wedding. Thank you for attending."
Louis was surprised: — "Your memory is excellent, Princess... I'm glad you remembered me."
Viola intervened and spoke to her brother, saying: — "We met before... at the Council. Irene is very intelligent."
Irene smiled at her and said: — "And I am honored to be praised by Miss Viola personally."
Viola laughed: "I'm telling the truth, Princess, I was very impressed by your intelligence... and I hope to see you more in the future."
But inside, Irene was thinking: "I don't think that's what you really want..."
She said audibly: — "And I look forward to meeting you again."
Louis bid his friend farewell and escorted them to the carriage, then Viola and Louis left together.
Irene stood still, looking at the place where the woman had been, but she was no longer there.
Irene smiled, feeling a slight ease in her chest.
Lucas looked in her direction, and a hundred questions were in his head.
She got into the carriage. Lucas reached out to help her, but she did not turn to him.
She got in by herself, sat down, then took off the coat and placed it beside her in silence.
Lucas looked at her for a long time, then sighed and said to himself: — "It seems... she's childish."