The Price is Everything of Yours (76 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 205

The promising young nobles of high society vanished almost overnight, throwing the aristocracy of the imperial capital Pelena into chaos for a time.

First were Nelusion and Valentine of House Elantria—siblings universally regarded as noble and exceptional youths—whose father, the Duke, had fallen from the Emperor’s favor. With the family scattered, House Elantria would find it difficult to maintain its former rigidity for some time.

Aidalia of House Kendal had gone to study in the Papal States, only to be murdered by the late Pope Omnitus and return as a corpse. Rumors abounded that despite advice from all around him, the Marquis insisted his daughter was still alive and kept her body within the family estate.

Megara of House Rikeandros had been the darling of society, expected to dominate the social scene upon graduation, but it was revealed she was actually an illegitimate child born to a commoner, reducing her to the status of a lowly concubine.

And Natasha of House Grunehals, after screaming and raving madly at the Crown Prince’s banquet, abruptly left the imperial capital, accompanied by news of her sudden marriage to a distant relative. People quietly speculated that she must have had a violent quarrel upon realizing the suspiciously close relationship between Megara and Crown Prince Abelus.

The void left in high society was filled by someone no one had anticipated.

Grand Duchess Maindlant, whose arrival from an imperial collateral line had previously stirred the nobility like a rare jewel unearthed, had never enjoyed a particularly favorable reputation in society. After all, she was not of noble birth originally, yet her unexpected marriage to the Grand Duke had elevated her above most members of high society.

Yet, astonishingly, it soon became clear that she possessed a natural talent for ruling.

Neris, Grand Duchess Maindlant, who had barely appeared at any event despite countless invitations shortly after her marriage and arrival in the capital, suddenly began hosting the elite of society. She then invited lesser-known figures. Finally, she even extended invitations to those utterly unknown.

The Grand Duke and Duchess’s former reclusiveness now seemed like a lie. People from all walks of life flowed freely through the Grand Ducal residence, and once anyone had attended one of the Duchess’s gatherings, they invariably longed desperately to be invited again.

There were two main reasons.

First, the hospitality at the Grand Ducal residence defied description as merely “lavish.”

Exquisite menus, meticulously tailored to each guest’s preference yet radiating the dignity of the ducal house, combined with an elegant and cozy estate. Parties so extravagant they would have been talked about for years if held elsewhere occurred daily at the Grand Ducal residence.

Second, the people one met through the Grand Duchess were undeniably useful.

Even a poor, lowborn youth, initially baffled by their invitation, would soon find fortune smiling upon them in uncanny ways, proving themselves a rising talent destined to lead their field. After this happened several times, people concluded the Grand Duchess actively nurtured her own circle.

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