My Dream is to Get My Own House - Chapter 100

Episode 100

The reason fireworks were shooting up in the sky was one and only – it signified the grand celebration of the pinnacle event of the Return Festival, the ‘Night Masquerade.’

Inside the conference room, whispers filled the air. 

“Who is that person?” 

“She seems like a lady, but why is she standing in the middle of the fireworks?” 

Though her face was not fully visible, her dazzling dress was.

“Could that silhouette be Lady Diana?” 

“That’s what it looks like. What on earth is going on?” 

“Let’s hurry and go inside the ballroom to find out!” 

It was just one round of fireworks.

With that one round, all the bad reputation that had been swirling around Diana, the one Elliot had ambitiously talked about, vanished in an instant. 

“Damn it…!” 

Even though it might not have been Diana’s intention, it was frustrating that her intention had turned to a sandcastle.

“Alright, everyone, let’s go see!” 

Elliot stood up, and other nobles followed her lead. 

Finally, the Saboia Capital Mansion was wide open.

Brilliant fireworks adorned the sky, and sparkling chandeliers brightened up the whole place, something that hadn’t happened in over a decade. 

The Night Masquerade had begun.

The masquerade would last for three days and nights. Numerous nobles who had come to the Saboia Territory were planning to celebrate the party.

The melodious music of the orchestra began to play, and the doors slowly opened. 

“Lady Diana Saboia has arrived!” 

She didn’t come with Duke Saboia and Claude; she arrived alone? 

It seemed she wasn’t receiving much favor.

Elliot frowned and stared at the entrance. 

Finally, ‘Lady Diana’ appeared before them.

At that moment, the atmosphere started to stir like madness. 

“Who is that?” 

“Huh? What’s going on?” 

“Isn’t that Ishael Odette, the Crown Princess, not Lady Diana?”

Seeing the bewildered faces of the people, Ishael chuckled. 

With an arrogant air, she walked toward the center of the hall, as if she were the true Lady Diana.

As everyone stood there stunned, she looked around with a haughty expression and smiled. 

“It seems like it’s time for my introduction.”

As if perfectly timed, soft melodies echoed in the air. 

“His Excellency, Duke Saboia and Claude Saboia have arrived.” 

Behind her appeared Claude and Duke Saboia. 

The Duke, instead of wearing his usual stern navy uniform, was dressed in elegant attire.

Claude was the same.

They approached with light steps, and Duke Saboia affectionately held one of Ishael’s hands. 

Claude, acting as an escort, took her other hand with a stoic expression.

With a nonchalant look on her face, Ishael detonated a bombshell. 

“Grandfather, please introduce me now.”

… What? Grandfather? 

The people on the left side were flustered. 

Then, Duke Saboia nodded and affectionately said, “Of course, my dear.”

‘My dear’…? 

When everyone’s eyes widened in puzzlement, Duke Saboia delivered a bombshell. 

“Introducing my granddaughter.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the already sparkling chandeliers emitted an even brighter light. 

Perhaps they were enchanted. 

Even the dishes on the banquet table were dancing in excitement.

Finally, Ishael smiled brightly as if the whole world had become bright. 

“I extend my gratitude to all the attendants of my homecoming party.”

Everyone’s mouths hung open in shock, astonishment, and fear.

Claude, who had been silent all along, looked around and issued a chilling warning, “I advise you not to approach without my permission.”

But no one could focus on his warning. 

No, what is happening? Following Lady Diana’s return, Claude is speaking?

Clang!

Several nobles dropped their glasses, which shattered on the floor. 

The servants under the control of the Duke’s butler proudly straightened their shoulders, wearing proud expressions as if saying, “Our family is truly magnificent!”

On the other hand, the nobles were quickly calculating the situation.

“Look closely. The eye color and hair color are different, right? She has dark hair and green eyes.”

“Lady Diana had blonde hair and blue eyes.”

“Could she be an imposter?”

“Wasn’t it supposed to be Lady Diana’s return celebration?”

“What on earth is happening?”

Nobody could grasp the situation properly, and they were all muttering behind. But Elliot was different.

She, who had always boasted of her friendship with Claude, approached them with a triumphant smile.

“Duke Saboia and Claude Saboia, and… I greet the Crown Princess.”

She deliberately lumped Diana’s name together with the introduction.

Claude coldly said, “Who are you? Step aside.”

Elliot blushed with anger and took a step back. Her fiery gaze landed on Ishael.

Ishael, on the other hand, smiled as if ignoring Elliot’s existence. At that moment, Elliot clenched her fist but couldn’t do anything.

Just as she was about to say something and take another step, Claude put on a menacing expression and looked around the hall. Then he pointed at a few people.

Those few were none other than…

“Terius, Shuri. Come here.”

The two black-haired men, who were called the Empire’s best candidates for marriage, jerked in unison, looking flustered.

They were sons of prestigious noble families known as the most eligible bachelors in the Empire. 

Why would Claude call them out?

Could it be a marriage proposal?

But if Lady Diana is Ishael Odette, wouldn’t she have a commoner husband?

Could it be that she’s trying to get a divorce?

* * *

I looked at the two black-haired men gathered by Claude.

Finally, they showed up. The candidates with whom I shared the “Marriage Pledge.”

“Mayon said he couldn’t attend today but would join tomorrow.”

I looked at Terius with jet-black hair and Ishael’s green eyes, the one who wore a docile expression under his ears.

“Y-You, you’re even more b-b-beautiful than I thought…”

He seemed extremely timid.

But in his eyes that glanced at me hesitantly, I could sense a subtle and dirty desire.

“Pass.”

I turned my gaze towards Shuri.

The inside of his walls was similarly in turmoil.

“O-Oh, long time no see. D-Diana…?”

I nodded with a bored expression.

“Hmm, hello.”

Terius and Shuri widened their eyes and trembled with excitement.

“We were half-expecting it! Diana, are you really, really her?”

“The expression that said we were boring and ugly every time we saw you, it’s the same.”

… And I’m supposed to be convinced that I’m Diana like this?

My personality is really on par with Claude’s.

No, it’s even worse.

I swayed the fan in my hand and tilted my head.

“I should keep an eye on them for a bit longer.”

Even though Duke Saboia and Claude are on both sides of me…

“He’s much more pathetic than I thought.”

No matter how much he endured the trials of time, I couldn’t believe my brother could grow into such a man. 

He was always firm and kind.

“There’s no need to ask about the Marriage Pledge.”

“Sure, then.”

Could Claude read the firmness in my voice?

He arrogantly whispered, “Go.”

“Yes, huh? We haven’t had a proper conversation yet…”

Claude, who was behind me, seemed annoyed.

Without saying a word, they all bowed their heads and left.

“Mayon might be different.”

I waved the fan gently.

Everyone’s gaze was on me, Duke Saboia, and Claude.

I felt their eyes reevaluating our relationship.

Listening closely, I could hear whispers like, “Is she really Lady Diana?” 

“Isn’t that Ishael Odette?” 

“Is it because of her being a Duke…?”

“I expected this, but most of them still can’t believe I’m Diana.”

I smiled slyly as I looked around the party hall.

Now, how can I prove myself?

* * *

From a distant balcony, Dylan felt extremely uncomfortable as he watched Ishael.

Although he was burning with jealousy over everything she looked at, he was barely managing to endure.

“Dylan, the main character, is supposed to appear last.”

“So, will Ishael be the last to appear?”

“No… after revealing my identity, it will be you. Ta-da, and I’ll make my entrance.”

He calmly checked the cravat around his neck and his attire as he sat peacefully on the balcony. That was what he thought.

But then…

Terius and Shuri came into the balcony chattering.

“Hey, Diana, you look even prettier!”

“Yeah! I never imagined Ishael Odette would be Lady Diana.”

“People were so skeptical.”

“I could tell right away! She has the same expression as when she was young.”

“Really? But why did they call us?”

“Hmm, maybe they want to propose a strategic marriage?”

“Since her husband is a commoner, maybe she wants to get a divorce.”

At that remark, the window frame of the balcony that Dylan was holding crumbled with a snapping sound.

Meanwhile, Terius and Shuri belatedly noticed the presence of a witness on the balcony.

“I recognize that face. Ah! Is it Dylan?”

“Oh, I remember seeing his face at the martial arts competition in the palace.”

“Come to think of it, Diana’s…”

The eyes of the two men narrowed as if they were examining a prey.

“According to the plan, I shouldn’t intervene yet, but he didn’t say not to handle the approaching ones.”

All he had to do was remain calm, right?

Dylan was undoubtedly an honest and diligent knight who knew how to maintain decorum.

But jealousy mixed with possessiveness can turn a person 180 degrees.

The corners of Dylan’s mouth rose, as if drawn.

“I wanted to meet you anyway. You came in by yourself.”

Fortunately, until then, Terius and Shuri were laughing joyfully.

Dylan lightly brushed his waist.

Lucky for him, he had a dagger.