Chapter 177: Camilla’s Resolve
It was obvious he was not listening at all.
According to her chamberlain, a great national project had begun and it was larger than anything before.
It was said this would make daily life far more convenient for the people. But Camilla had no interest in such matters, nor did they concern her in the least.
For her, there was only one thing that mattered—Lord Dominic.
Even the salons she hosted and the gatherings she attended had lost their meaning.
Once, those occasions had been thrilling battlefields, every woman competing for Lord Dominic, testing one another, exchanging polite smiles while hiding sharp determination beneath.
Camilla herself had stood among them with unyielding resolve, never backing down.
It had been a true woman’s war.
But now, those places had become nothing more than friendly circles, full of empty laughter and shallow chatter.
Even the few who once shared Camilla’s distaste for the indecent ties between certain gentlemen had, one by one, fallen into the same easy camaraderie.
Now, Camilla alone stood against them, the only one still raising her voice in opposition.
Yes, Camilla understood their true intentions very well.
Since the talk of her engagement to Lord Dominic, who was connected to the prime minister and a Marquis family, those women had realized they no longer had a chance.
No matter how hard they tried, none of them could ever win against her.
That was why they decided that, rather than seeing Lord Dominic taken by Camilla, it was far better to indulge themselves in admiration of pretty boys and their decadent beauty.
In the salons, conversation often turned toward Lord Dominic and the boy named Shiao Yi, almost as if to mock Camilla.
Somehow, they always found stories: how the boy acted as Lord Dominic’s assistant in the Second Division, how they were seen shopping together in the city, and other such tales.
The salons were nothing but an irritation for Camilla, yet she forced herself to attend.
At the very least, she could gather more information about the two of them.
She had to uncover the boy’s true identity and awaken Lord Dominic from this strange attachment.
For that, she burned with a sense of duty.
She sent her people everywhere, demanding they ask about the boy Shiao Yi, but the words that came back to her were always the same: praise, admiration, respect.
Was he truly such a good boy, or was he in truth like a devil—so skilled at deceiving everyone around him?
Camilla stood by the window of her room, gazing out at the brilliant night sky.
Tonight, two moons shone side by side, casting their cold, sharp light across the heavens.
Although spring was drawing near on the calendar, the air outside still carried a chill that pierced through her very skin.
The fireplace in her chamber glowed warmly, yet Camilla leaned close to the glass panes to feel the cold air against her body.
The glass windows were expensive and only a few estates in the royal capital could afford them.
She wondered, was Lord Dominic now sitting somewhere warm and comfortable? Or was that boy beside him, sharing his warmth?
Opportunities to see Lord Dominic directly were rare for young noblewomen.
He never attended the balls hosted by nobles or the royal family.
They could only admire him at festivals when he stood in public ceremonies, or when he rode his horse guarding the royal carriage.
Still, his figure always shone with a brilliance that stood out above all others.
Upright, strong, and beautiful, his presence was unmatched.
Compared to the dreamy and idle princes, Lord Dominic looked far more princely—though it would be disrespectful to say such aloud.
Even so, the women in the salons quietly agreed with her.
At the annual martial tournament, Lord Dominic of course always took the victory.
To secure the best seats for this event, young ladies nearly tore each other apart.
All of them longed to see him fight up close.
Whenever he entered the arena, the shrill cries of the women grew so loud that nothing else could be heard.
Some girls even fainted from the sight.
With every victory he claimed, the cheers erupted into wild frenzy.
Even the rough voices of men shouted praise, for Lord Dominic’s strength and presence appealed to them as well.
Truly, he was a man who could make anyone fall in love with him.
Camilla knew she could not simply stand still like this any longer.
She lifted her chin toward the two bright moons in the sky and swore to them: she would gather her courage and go to him.
No matter what, she would meet Lord Dominic face to face.
And if it came to it, she would confront that boy named Shiao Yi directly.
...
Since she had made up her mind, Camilla did not waste anymore time.
She used every servant she could to find out about Lord Dominic’s schedule.
Most of the work was done by her chamberlains, butlers, and maids.
Some even managed to get information from members of the Second Division, they could learn details about their duties and plans.
That was how Camilla discovered something she had never known before.
The knights trained every single day.
They dirtied themselves with mud, covered their bodies with wounds and pushed themselves to the point of exhaustion, all for the sake of becoming stronger.
On top of that, they patrolled, guarded, and worked tirelessly to protect the safety of the kingdom.
Until then, Camilla had only seen their glorious and shining appearances at splendid ceremonies.
She had never realized that their real work was such a dangerous and steady duty. She had not known at all.
In order to lead such brave and dependable knights, Lord Dominic must truly be an extraordinary man.
Camilla admired him even more deeply.
She checked the calendar again and again.
Today was Lord Dominic’s rest day.
She had confirmed it over and over, so there could be no mistake.
Once she had secured this day, she had no intention of hesitating.
She would act immediately.