The ball gown was made from fabric brought by Madam Santi, who attached great importance to this ball, as it was the first public appearance of Lin Yan after her banishment as the former Holy Maiden of Light.
She spent several days discussing the ball gown with the tailor, preparing at least five. A ball was not a single-day event, and she also feared various unforeseen circumstances could lead to clothes becoming dirty or torn.
Lin Yan merely provided her measurements. After the tailor took them, she went off to attend to other matters.
Madam Santi displayed great enthusiasm, mobilizing all the maids on the estate.
Egbert was pleased with his mother's current state. In his memory, his mother had always been sickly, listless about everything except for fiercely protecting him and his sister.
Seeing her so energetic now, he felt greatly comforted. However, he was happy to see his mother doting on Lin Yan so excessively.
After all, his mother had focused her energy on him for so many years; it was time his sister experienced it too.
For this ball, Lin Yan planned to bring her mother and brother. She had no concept of balls in this era.
At least, in the original host's time as the Holy Maiden of Light, she had attended a few balls, but only to chat with the host, never having entered the dance floor.
For this ball, although she didn't want to dance with strangers, she guessed she wouldn't be able to refuse.
Lin Yan knew how to dance, but it was different from the dances of this world. Egbert, due to his health issues, wasn't a very good dancer either, so the unfortunate siblings learned to dance together in a cleared reception room.
Morris also stood by, learning. As dragons, they disdained learning such things, but he couldn't bear the thought of his fiancée dancing with others.
They departed from the estate three days before the ball.
"Dear, won't it be too late to leave now?" Madam Santi had wanted to leave earlier.
"It's because your dresses weren't ready until now, otherwise we would have left long ago," Egbert spoke up for Lin Yan.
"It's not my fault; it's your sister's clothes that are too simple. You haven't even seen how few clothes your sister has," Madam Santi shot him a glance.
"It's alright, there's plenty of time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to leave now," Lin Yan soothed her mother and brother.
"How is that possible?" Egbert was incredulous.
"Have you forgotten Morris's identity? He will take us there," Lin Yan revealed her plan.
"But Brother, you're much older than I am. Shouldn't you be finding a noble lady to be my sister-in-law?" Lin Yan teased.
"You!" Seeing his sister bring this up, Egbert reached out to tap Lin Yan's forehead.
Before he could connect, Madam Santi intervened.
Lin Yan's words also reminded Madam Santi. Before, it was because her son was unwell. Now that his health had recovered, it was indeed time to consider this matter.
The ball was held in the lord's castle in Red Pine Territory.
From the outside, Lin Yan could tell the castle had been around for many years. Castles of such age often had common issues.
Lin Yan took out the jewelry sent by the elves from a box and distributed it one by one to those around her.
"What is this?" Madam Santi felt she already had enough jewelry and didn't understand why Lin Yan was giving her more.
"Mother will understand when she wears it."
Egbert and Morris led the way, then came to open the carriage doors for Madam Santi and the others.
Lin Yan's carriage was custom-made for her by the dwarves, funded by Morris. They hadn't traveled for long on the road.
However, even on this short journey, everyone could feel the excellence of this carriage.
After Madam Santi alighted from the carriage, she smelled a pungent, familiar odor.
This odor existed in the capital city as well, but people there usually masked it with perfume. However, upon arriving at Lin Yan's estate, she hadn't smelled such an odor at all.
Gradually, she had grown accustomed to it. Now, encountering it again, she found it unbearable.
"Mother, please put on the jewelry," Lin Yan placed a leaf-shaped brooch in Madam Santi's hand.
Then, she handed one to her brother and the head maid, carrying a box, went to distribute jewelry to the knights.
Morris did not use these accessories. As a dragon, his magic was enough to alter the surrounding scents.
The water in the moat surrounding the castle was black, and the entire castle was enveloped in a foul odor.
"I had forgotten about this situation. Angie, your estate is too clean; I had forgotten what it was like," Madam Santi used her feather fan to cover half her face.
Lin Yan smiled and said nothing. After all, the hosts had appeared, and she couldn't speak ill of their home in front of them.
After being invited in by the hosts, they presented their gifts and then proceeded to their accommodations.
They did not choose to stay within the host's castle. Morris had already found a house nearby, as he knew Lin Yan couldn't tolerate the environment of this castle.
The next day was the ball. Lin Yan and her party, wearing their new clothes, boarded the carriage and headed for the castle once more.
Lin Yan's dress was the latest style from the capital city, with vibrant colors and a novel design. Coupled with her stunning beauty, she immediately attracted everyone's attention the moment she appeared at the ball.
Not only did men's gazes fall upon her, but women's eyes were also unable to shift away.
Originally, these northern nobles were all familiar with each other; in terms of appearance, none of them conceded to the others.
When they learned that the "Rose of the Papacy" had been exiled here and then enfeoffed as Viscountess Rose, they hadn't paid much attention. Now, seeing her in person, they realized that some people could indeed look like this.
Both her clothing and jewelry, as well as her makeup, made them immensely curious.
Lin Yan ignored all the noble gentlemen, leaving the social pleasantries to her brother. She, instead, approached the group of ladies.
Seeing her approachability, the ladies gradually began to converse with her.
The questions most frequently asked were about her clothes, jewelry, and makeup.
"The dresses were made by a tailor from the capital my mother brought. You can write to me later, and I'll send you some fashionable styles from the capital. As for makeup..."
Lin Yan then began to speak about some of the skincare and cosmetic products from her territory.
She took out her cosmetics from her handbag and generously offered them for the ladies to try. Seeing how much they liked them, she knew this business venture was a success.