How To Save A Time Limited Young Master

Chapter 42

Early winter, New Year’s Day was upon them.

Although Heloise thought that it had nothing to do with her, the aristocratic society that she was about to be a part of was unprecedentedly busy in the winter season.

This was because the newly changed owner of Odelin Mansion was going to host a party, and sent out invitations.

Zenon Lionerik, who was reluctant to make contact with the social world due to his health problems, and has never hidden his rough personality.

As it was going to be the first party hosted by the Lionerik Duchy’s official successor after recovering his own mansion, the Odelin Mansion’s party became the most popular social party of this winter.

“But I haven’t even held my debutante yet.”

When Heloise, who was seated on a chair, said that while slipping her feet into the shoes that she’d received as a gift, the maid opened the chest of clothes and chuckled.

“And how is that related? Milady is almost fifteen years old, and you’d even received a direct invitation from Young Lord Lionerik. It might leave a deeper impression on others for you to make your first appearance at this party than at the usual debutante.”

“I don’t need to make a deep impression… I just hope that I won’t make a mistake.”

“Don’t worry. Young Lord Lionerik had even sent you all these clothes. Even if something happens, he’ll take care of it.”

The maid began to display the mountain of clothes, shoes and jewellery sent by Zenon in the room with even more enthusiasm.

‘Who asked you to send me these?’

Anyone that saw the gift that arrived with the invitation can tell that it’s an offer to be partners.

‘Are you saying that we should go together as the both of us are unfamiliar with the social world of adults?’

Furthermore, Zenon had nearly zero experience in crowded places.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t understand his feelings about personally hosting a party to reveal to the world that he was out of Marquis Velks’ hands, but this kind of gift was too much.

“What the hell is he thinking? Is he following me around like a duckling that imprinted on me just because I was just a little nice to him?”

“It was just in time, my lady!”

The maid laughed loudly at Heloise, who was muttering discontentedly.

“It’s not like that so just put all of it in except one, Emma.”

“Yes, I’ll follow your instructions.”

As the maid began to pick out a dress and jewellery to match with a merry expression, Heloise sighed.

On the day of the party, which was the next day’s evening, Heloise left the mansion under the encouragement of the maids who could display their skills for the first time in a while.

A dazzling carriage arrived at the mansion’s gates.

The one that opened the door from within was a maid.

Her brown hair was beautifully braided and she had an expressionless face.

“How do you do? I’m a maid sent by the Lionerik Duchy.”

“What about the Young Lord?”

“I’m here to escort you over as the Young Lord has to act as the host of today’s party and is unable to leave his position.”

Zenon is managing the party preparations by himself?

‘What happened to the butler? Given Marquis Velks’ personality, he wouldn’t have stayed still, is the position still vacant?’

Andrea had said that out of the 50,000 G she received from Heloise, 5,000 G was used to buy sacred blood consistently.

After leaving behind a record of buying dozens of sacred blood, Heloise suggested for her to ‘have her brother recover from his illness.’

Her younger brother, who had never been to the Eastern continent in the first place, got better ever since that day and brought immense joy to the Bigelow Duchy.

When asked by Andrea what she should do with the remaining money, Heloise requested for her to use all the remaining money in a donation.

The overjoyed Ducal Princess Bigelow would leave behind a huge donation for the Order to convey her gratitude.

The larger the amount, the more noticeable it is.

The more noticeable it was, the faster news about the sacred blood would enter Marquis Velks’ ear.

He’ll also realise the situation with the butler, who’s doing business with sacred blood.

Although that 50,000G was practically her savings throughout her lifetime as the young lady of a viscounty, she didn’t find it a waste.

She still had some accessories and dresses left, and she was also given pocket money regularly.

Additionally, the only person around her that could move a sum of money this large suddenly was Crown Prince Blake, but this was the cleanest method as she couldn’t visit him and ask him for money thoughtlessly.

However, the most discomforting thing here was that she was unable to confirm the butler’s end.

She thought that this time, she should go to the mansion and check it out.

“This way, please.”

Heloise got onto the carriage and headed to Odelin Mansion under the maid’s escort.

Come to think of it, it was her first time going to this mansion before.

It appeared to be 1.5 times larger than the existing Langbert Mansion, and the beautiful garden was especially conspicuous.

After getting out of the carriage, Heloise looked around and recognized several people she was somewhat acquainted with while waiting for the maid to inform the Young Lord of her arrival.

They were the parents of the children that participated in the ‘children’s gathering’, as well as some that attended Kashuaism rallies.

In the case of the latter, a corner of their hearts would chill when their eyes met, even though they didn’t know Heloise.

While they were distracted, there was a loud commotion around them.

“I’m finally meeting with Young Lord Lionerik.”

When she turned her head, she spotted Zenon, the host of today’s party, walking out of the party venue in a formal suit and scanning the crowd.

It looked like he was searching for someone.

“You look remarkably different from when we met at Prince Astor’s birthday banquet.”

“I’d seen you a few times as a child, but you’ve grown to be quite a dashing man.”

The aristocrats began speaking about Zenon and evaluating him.

“I heard that he’s the same age as my daughter.”

“Oh, my. When he stands next to your daughter, they’ll make a wonderful match.”

“Today’s party will become the Young Lord’s official social debut.”

Goodness.

Heloise couldn’t close her mouth.

‘I didn’t expect that our Young Master would be mentioned as a potential candidate in the aristocratic society’s marriage market…’

Heloise looked at him astonishedly, before suddenly finding Zenon, who’d escaped from Marquis Velks’ grasp, praiseworthy.

At the very least, the current Zenon wouldn’t become ill or die as a consequence of using magic.

That alone prevented him from becoming a magical tool to a certain extent

This way, they were one step further from regressing.

The result of her own hard work was right before her, with the appearance of a dignified young man.

Heloise felt pleased.

At the moment she was watching him while blending in with the crowd, Heloise made eye contact with Zenon.

The awkward boy, whose cheeks flushed at the thought of going out to play during the <Founding Festival>, was no longer present.

He was expressionless, and his face slightly thin and pale.

His slightly lowered grayish-blue eyes were as cold as ice.

But as soon as his gaze found Heloise, the corners of Zenon’s mouth rose sharply and his eyes narrowed.

“Heloise.”

As the corners of Zenon’s eyes curved and his red lips called her name, for some reason Heloise felt as though her heart fell with a thud.

‘What’s this?’

Zenon reached out to her in a hurry, as if he were out looking for Heloise in a hurry.

“Welcome.”

“Ze…… No, Young Duke.”

“Hm.”

Zenon scanned Heloise’s appearance in the clothes he’d sent her and expressed his thoughts briefly.

“It became better after drawing a line on a pumpkin.”

“What do you mean, pumpkin!”

She’d like to stress the fact that Heloise Lorca has never been disparaged based on her appearance in her life.

“I don’t know about anything else, but I’ve never been criticised for my looks up till now!”

“Is that so? I guess you’ve been criticised for other things then?”

Ack!

Angered, she wanted to yell once more, but she belatedly realised that a smile was contained within his beautiful, slate coloured eyes.

Heloise, who once prided herself in knowing him well, also became fascinated by his external appearance for a moment.

She stepped up the stairs to take his outstretched hand, but she twisted her ankle as she wasn’t used to wearing high heels.

“Kyahh!”

At that moment, Heloise felt someone’s firm arm wrapping around her waist.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay… Huh?”

Tears were about to flow out due to stinging in her ankle, but Heloise realised that the person holding her was someone unexpected.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince?”

“The stairs are slippery in winter, so you have to be careful.”

Even after giving a grin following his light warning, Blake did not loosen the arm that was around Heloise’ waist.

“Y—yes.”

She answered hurriedly, and as she was about to push him aside, Zenon’s expression hardened and he grabbed Blake’s shoulder and turned him around.

The grip strength didn’t feel normal even to Heloise, who turned along with him as a result.

“Let go, Blake.”

“Shouldn’t that be my words? What are you doing? It hurts like hell.”

Zenon’s expression didn’t change in the slightest while Blake remarked idly about letting go of his shoulder.

“What’s your business with Heloise?”

When Zenon’s grip became stronger and a more brutal voice flowed out through his gritted teeth, the brown-haired maid that escorted Heloise over approached them.

“Young Master, it’s time for you to greet the guests.”

“……”

Without looking at the maid, Zenon seized Blake’s hand, which was supporting Heloise by the waist, and plucked it off.

After barely managing to regain her freedom, Heloise stumbled slightly with a sigh of relief. Zenon looked at her throbbing ankle and asked.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine….”

Heloise read the atmosphere of their surroundings and changed her tone.

“I’m alright.”

[T/N: The first one was spoken casually, the second one was spoken formally.]

“You seem injured.”

“That’s not the case, I just misstepped a little.”

“Let’s go in first. Let my physician take a look.”