Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 34:The Banquet

In Duke Estate..

The grand hall glowed softly under the chandeliers, the air filled with the scent of fresh lilies arranged along the sides.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their glow bouncing off polished marble floors.

The long walls were draped with golden curtains, and every corner of the hall was alive with chatter and the rustle of gowns.

The guests slowly gathered, their chatter echoing against the polished marble walls.

At the far end, Duchess Emma stepped forward with a graceful smile, her gown flowing as she raised her hand to gain everyone’s attention.

"Welco, everyone," she said warmly, her voice carrying clearly through the hall. "It brings great joy to see all of you gathered here tonight. Your presence honors this house."

The guests bowed their heads politely, so whispering greetings in return.

"I hope you will feel at ease and enjoy yourselves," Emma continued, her eyes eting each group with care. "This gathering is not only to share food and drink but to strengthen the bonds we hold with one another."

She paused, then added with a softer smile, "Please, think of this place as your own ho. Tonight, you are not just guests. You are family."

A wave of approval passed through the hall as people clapped lightly and offered words of thanks.

"Now," Duchess Emma said, raising her hand slightly, "let the evening begin. May it be filled with joy, laughter, and good company."

The hall ca alive with movent as servants began to bring in trays of wine and food, while the guests started mingling with lighter hearts under Emma’s gracious welco.

It was an evening where noblewon from far and wide had gathered. Dresses sparkled with heavy jewels, layered with pearls, diamonds, and ornants that seed to weigh down the slender fras of the ladies wearing them.

Their gowns were made in the style of the dieval courts,tight corsets, wide skirts, and long sleeves embroidered with extravagant patterns. Perfu lingered in the air, mixing with the scent of freshly cut roses that decorated the tables.

At the entrance, Duchess Emma herself welcod each guest. She carried herself with calm grace, her every gesture refined, her smile practiced yet warm enough to make each lady feel valued. At her side stood her daughter, Lady Julia.

Julia, however, looked far from comfortable.

She was tall, taller than most won in the room, standing around one hundred eighty-five centiters.

The gown she wore was a rich erald green with a tightly bound corset and wide skirts, but it seed to hang awkwardly on her long fra. She shifted slightly, tugging at the stiff bodice with discomfort. Her frown gave away her feelings.

Julia had always been a warrior. She trained with weapons, fought in the field, and spent her days moving freely. To her, the gown felt like a cage.

The corset pinched her ribs, the skirts dragged at her steps, and every piece of lace only made her feel more out of place. She didn’t like such clothes, and her expression showed it clearly.

"Stand straight, Julia," Duchess Emma whispered softly, without turning her head. "You are my daughter. Tonight you must look the part."

Julia forced her shoulders back, but her unease didn’t fade.

The grand hall was alive with greetings.

Laughter rang out as noblewon exchanged complints, though most were filled with hidden jealousy or polite insincerity. Fans waved delicately, hands brushed against jeweled necklaces as if to draw attention to them, and every other mont, eyes flicked up and down to judge the gowns of others.

Then, suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.

"Huh..."

"Wow..."

"What is that?"

The murmurs spread like ripples in water. All eyes turned toward the grand staircase at the far end of the hall.

There they spotted Countess Rina.

Unlike the others, her gown was not weighed down with gold threads or heavy ornants. It was simple yet breathtaking.

The fabric was soft and smooth, falling naturally along her figure without the exaggerated layers common in noble fashion.

The gown exposed her bare shoulders, leaving her collarbones and neck delicately frad.

The skirt flowed gently, not too wide, not too narrow, giving her a graceful presence. She wore only the faintest touch of jewelry—a pair of small pearl earrings and a thin bracelet.

Yet despite its simplicity, the gown seed to glow under the lights. The design was clean, elegant, and sohow... modern.

Compared to the overly decorated dresses around her, Countess Rina’s presence was like a fresh breeze sweeping through the hall.

The noble ladies whispered to one another. So were shocked, so awed, and others already burned with envy.

Duchess Emma herself walked forward quickly, her eyes widening as she approached Rina. "It is so beautiful," she said honestly, her tone carrying genuine surprise.

Countess Rina smiled and gave a graceful bow. "Thank you, Your Grace."

"Where did you get this gown, Countess Rina?" Duchess Emma asked, her gaze lingering on the fine cut of the dress.

At once, the other noble ladies rushed closer, surrounding them.

"Yes, tell us, Countess. Where did you order such a design?"

"Who could have made sothing like this? It is unlike anything I have seen."

Their voices overlapped as they pressed forward, eyes hungry with curiosity.

Rina’s lips curved into a gentle smile. She lifted her fan and spoke softly. "It was designed by Baron Ethan."

The ladies froze.

"Baron Ethan?"

"Who is he?"

"It cannot be... the new Baron from Blanks?"one of them spoke rembering sothing.

Their voices were filled with disbelief. A baron was such a low rank that most of the high nobles didn’t bother to rember the nas of newly appointed ones.

Yet here he was, being ntioned as the creator of sothing that had stolen the spotlight at a Duchess’s banquet.

Julia, standing at her mother’s side, paused. Her sharp mory caught the na.

It’s him... the man who beca the son-in-law of the Blank family.

Her gaze drifted back to Rina’s gown. She wasn’t soone who liked dresses or fashion.

Yet even she couldn’t deny the craftsmanship. The design was ticulous. It didn’t look heavy, it didn’t restrict movent, and still, it shone with elegance. She had no love for girly clothes, but this piece of art deserved respect.

While so ladies were filled with awe, others couldn’t hide their bitterness.

"Bah," one woman spat. "It is too vulgar."

"Yes," another added sharply. "Exposed shoulders... who are you trying to seduce?"

A few nodded in agreent, their jealousy dripping through every word.

Countess Rina didn’t respond to the barbed remarks. Instead, she waved to her fan slowly, hiding her smile. Her eyes sparkled as she replied, "There is nothing shaful in looking good."

Her calm confidence silenced many of them.

A few ladies laughed lightly. "She is right. It is lovely."

"I want one," another declared suddenly.

"Yes, please ask him to design one for too. Money will not be an issue."

Excitent spread like wildfire. Voices rose all around as more and more noblewon pleaded with Rina to help them acquire a gown like hers. The once cold and jealous remarks were drowned by demands filled with desire.

Countess Rina felt her cheeks warm. She waved her hands quickly. "Please, calm yourselves. I did not an to cause such a stir. Your Grace, forgive if I have spoiled the atmosphere."

Duchess Emma’s expression shifted. The kind smile she had worn earlier vanished, replaced by a cold, serious look. The air froze for a mont.

"I cannot forgive you," Emma said sternly.

Rina’s heart sank.

Her fan lowered as her fingers trembled. She had never seen the Duchess angry before. Emma was known for being gentle and amiable, so her sudden sternness sent a wave of panic through Rina’s chest.

She only wanted to show off a little. She had not expected to beco the center of the evening.

The room went silent. Every woman watched with held breath, waiting to see what punishnt Emma would give.

But then, Emma’s lips curved into a smile. She leaned slightly forward and said, "I will only forgive you if you request Baron Blank to provide with an exclusive gown. One made only for . If not..." She let her words hang for a mont before giving a small laugh.

Relief flooded through Rina. She let out a slow breath and returned the smile with a bow. "I understand. I will make sure that you are the first to receive his designs."

Laughter filled the hall again, but this ti, it was tinted with eagerness. The noblewon’s eyes glimred, their vanity plain for all to see.

Each of them wanted what Rina wore as they wanted to stand out, even if only for one night.

And in that mont, without even being present, Baron Ethan’s na had entered the grand hall of Duchess Emma’s manor.