Chapter 15 Rose Festival 09
Zhu Yu had planned everything, but he never expected that such a ridiculous assassination would happen twice.
Her eyes met Betty's, who shook her head slightly.
It seems that the two assassins have nothing to do with the secret emissaries sent by the family.
In other words, it was another force that she was unaware of that was operating in secret.
Zhu Yu couldn't help but secretly complain in her heart. If she had known this would happen, she shouldn't have threatened the secret envoy to terminate the plan in advance.
It would be very interesting if these two groups of assassins met under the carriage, stared at each other, and engaged in a melee.
That picture is fun to think about.
On the other side, Mrs. Lucia was helped off the float.
There was a hideous tear on the shoulder of her dress, and bright red blood soaked the fabric, then slid down her arm and dripped onto the cobblestone street, leaving a trail of bloody marks.
The sudden loss of blood made her face pale, and her originally bright red lips also faded, and she looked much weaker.
Zhu Yu stepped forward and said, "Madam Lucia, your injury needs to be stopped and treated as soon as possible. Please return to the manor as soon as possible."
Madam Lucia raised her hand to cover the wound, her brows slightly furrowed, and her tone was hesitant:
"But... after the parade, there will be a daytime celebration..."
"Your health is more important." Zhu Yu decisively interrupted her concerns and said solemnly, "Don't worry, I will explain your absence to the city lord when the time comes."
Mrs. Lucia looked at her, finally sighed and nodded reluctantly.
With the help of her servants, she walked through the crowded crowd and left in the direction of the manor.
At this time, several of Zhu Yu's guards came hurriedly, looking unhappy.
"Miss, I'm sorry we couldn't catch up with those two assassins."
Just as 996 expected, the crowd on the street today was too dense. The guards took a long time to squeeze through the crowd, and the two assassins had already taken the opportunity to escape into the alley and disappeared without a trace.
Zhu Yu looked at their sweaty faces and waved his hand:
"It doesn't matter. They have already figured out a way to get out of this situation. It's not your fault."
She turned her head and looked at the float team that had returned to normal order, her eyes darkened.
She didn't think the person behind the scenes would give up so easily... This play was probably far from over, and it might have just begun.
*
Since the float he was riding in was destroyed, Zhu Yu simply did not stay and left the parade street directly, heading to Rose Square where the "White Day Celebration" was going to be held.
At this time, most people were still attracted by the float parade, and there were only a few people in the square, making it look much more empty.
"Isabella?"
Zhu Yu glanced around and saw a familiar figure in the center of the crowd. She stepped forward and took the initiative to greet him.
"Good day, Miss Draka."
Isabella looked up when she heard the voice, and after recognizing Zhu Yu, she nodded slightly and bowed gracefully.
"Why didn't you join the Colin family parade?"
Zhu Yu's tone was a little curious.
"Because the 'Coronation Ceremony of the Flower Goddess' of the White Day Celebration is about to begin."
Isabella explained softly, her eyes swept past the city chairman's seat in the distance without leaving a trace, and continued:
"At that time, the city lord will officially select one person from the candidates for the Flower Goddess and award her the Golden Rose Badge."
Zhu Yu followed her gaze and looked to the other side of the square.
The candidates have gathered together, all dressed beautifully, with expressions of nervousness or anticipation on their faces.
Among these girls, there are girls from common families as well as daughters of wealthy aristocrats.
At this moment, they were all immersed in the excitement of the results that were about to be announced.
However, Zhu Yu knew clearly that this "coronation ceremony" was just a formality.
She had attended Colin's family dinners and knew that the candidate had already been decided and the other candidates were just supporting roles.
Her eyes fell back to Isabella.
Isabella's outfit was noticeably more elaborate than the other girls'.
The crimson dress outlines her slender and graceful figure. The hem of the dress is embellished with fine gold embroidery, symbolizing the winding and growing rose vines. The hair accessories on her head are also embellished with gold-plated roses, which is luxurious and elegant.
She is clearly the protagonist of today.
Zhu Yu retracted his gaze and asked casually:
"Is your sister feeling better?"
The smile on Isabella's face faded a little:
"Not yet, but after the coronation ceremony, I will go to visit her and tell her about the celebration. I think this honor belongs not only to me, but also to her."
Zhu Yu listened and couldn't help but twitching his lips.
The scene of the tryst that night in the attic that was discovered emerged in her mind.
Wouldn't Isabella's close attack irritate Cecilia who is imprisoned?
She suppressed this subtle emotion and changed the subject:
"By the way, do you know how the Blooming Ball tonight is arranged? This is my first time attending it."
Isabella raised her chin, pointed in the direction of the candidate not far away, and said in a gentle tone:
"According to past practice, only prestigious families in the city are allowed to attend the Blooming Ball."
"But this year, I specifically asked Theodore and the city lord to make an exception and allow these candidate girls from commoner backgrounds to participate."
Zhu Yu raised his eyebrows. This was indeed a good move. At least those girls who failed to be elected as the goddess of flowers would not leave in loneliness on the Rose Festival.
She praised sincerely:
"Miss Colin is very considerate."
"After all, Rose Day belongs to everyone."
Isabella smiled slightly, with the corners of her lips curved just right.
At this moment, Zhu Yu keenly noticed the sound of hurried footsteps, and turned around to see Maggie running towards her quickly.
She looked serious, her brows furrowed, and she didn't even care whether she was being rude.
Zhu Yu's heart tightened. The last time Maggie showed this expression was when the Inquisition suddenly broke into the mansion to search it.
Maggie walked straight to Zhu Yu's side, leaned over and whispered something in her ear.
Zhu Yu's expression changed instantly, and the smile on his face disappeared instantly.
She immediately said to Isabella:
"Sorry, I have to excuse myself for a moment."
She paused and added, "Mrs. Lucia was injured during the parade just now, and I have to go back to Rose Manor. Miss Colin, please convey my apologies to the mayor and explain that Mrs. Lucia and I cannot attend the next event."
Isabella was startled, somewhat surprised by Zhu Yu's change of heart, but still nodded politely: "Of course, I will convey it truthfully."
Zhu Yu said nothing more. Under the escort of the guards, he boarded the new carriage and headed straight to Rose Manor.
*
The White Day Celebration in Beleriand City continued as scheduled, and Zhu Yu's early departure did not affect the entire process.
The bright sunshine fell on the center of the square. On the white marble steps covered with flower petals, dozens of candidates for the Rose Goddess, dressed in colorful dresses, were quietly waiting for the final coronation.
Their skirts swayed gently in the breeze, like blooming roses, complementing the layers of flower walls in the square.
The square was crowded with people, and the crowd was even denser than in previous float parades.
When the ceremony officially began, the bell tower rang the bell symbolizing honor.
The entire square suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes fell on the platform.
"Dear citizens of Beleriand—"
With a solemn declaration, the city lord, Ryan Belland, wearing a violet robe symbolizing the Belland family and a family emblem on his chest, slowly stepped onto the podium.
"Today, we gather here to welcome Beleriand's annual Rose Festival."
His voice was loud and clear, and the people in the audience could hear every word he said clearly.
"For hundreds of years, our city has been famous for its roses. They not only decorate our courtyards, but also witness the glory and prosperity of Beleriand. This celebration is not only the blooming of flowers, but also the continuation of our Beleriand spirit."
He paused and glanced at the candidates standing on the stage.
"Today, all the candidates present are the most beautiful roses in Beleriand. But among them, only one can stand out and become this year's 'Rose God', symbolizing the glory of the city."
The atmosphere in the square gradually reached a climax, and the crowd waited with bated breath.
The city lord turned his gaze and fell on the most dazzling figure among the candidates.
"I declare that this year's Rose Goddess is Isabella Colin."
Cheers suddenly resounded throughout the square, and the blooming petals were thrown into the air by the crowd, spinning and dancing in the golden sunlight like a rain of flowers.
The girls standing in the audience were either surprised, envious, or lowered their heads with regret.
Isabella, who was well prepared, smiled slightly and walked gracefully onto the stage.
When she reached the center of the platform, she knelt down, touching one knee to the ground, and her skirt spread out on the steps.
The city lord personally stepped forward, took out the golden rose badge from the velvet plate held by the servant, and solemnly put it on her chest.
"From today on, you are the Rose Goddess of Beleriand. May you be honored with this and continue to bloom as brilliantly as the roses of this land."
Applause rang out again, and the crowd cheered for the birth of a new flower god.
Isabella raised her hand and touched the badge on her chest, as if to confirm its existence.
Then, her gaze shifted away from the city lord and swept across the crowd below the stage, finally stopping on a figure not far away.
Theodore Belland was dressed in formal attire today, standing in the front row of the crowd, applauding and looking at Isabella with a smile on his face.
Isabella's lips curled up slowly and she gave him a meaningful smile in return.
*
After the celebration, Isabella, surrounded by the crowd, responded to congratulations from all sides with a perfect and appropriate smile.
When she finally got rid of the complicated greetings and sat in the carriage, she leaned back on the soft cushion with a slightly tired look.
According to the original arrangement, she should have gone directly to the Belleland Manor Mansion after the celebration to prepare for the evening ball.
But the city lord has always been tolerant and treated her, the new "Goddess of Flowers", with great favor. He allowed her to go home to visit her sick sister first, and then go to the manor for the banquet.
The carriage drove into Colin Manor. After Isabella got off, she walked straight towards the attic without any pause.
She stepped onto the stairs and said to the maid and guard behind her:
"You guys wait here for me, I'll go up alone."
The personal maid immediately showed an embarrassed look and whispered:
"Miss, let me accompany you——"
Isabella stopped, her eyes darkened, then she smiled and pointed to the golden rose badge on her chest.
"Now that I have the protection of the Flower God, are you still worried that I will encounter any danger?"
The maid was choked and didn't know how to refute for a moment. The guards also lowered their heads, stood respectfully in place, and no longer tried to stop her.
Isabella then lifted her skirt and walked towards the stairs alone.
She came to the attic door and knocked three times loudly, then twice softly.
There were slight footsteps from inside the door. After a moment, the door slowly opened and Cecilia looked outside vigilantly.
"It's me. Just me."
Cecilia stood behind the door, looked around, and after confirming that Isabella had indeed come alone, she quickly grabbed her wrist, dragged her into the room, and locked the door.
The door closed behind him, and the room fell into darkness again.
Different from the weak and sickly appearance that Zhu Yu saw last time, Cecilia now had a ruddy complexion and calm and sharp eyes, not looking "seriously ill" at all.
"It went well and I got the Golden Rose badge."
Isabella raised her hand to unpin her chest, took off the golden rose badge, placed it in her palm, and handed it to Cecilia.
Cecilia leaned over and checked it carefully. After confirming that it was correct, she breathed a sigh of relief: "It's a real badge."
Almost no one knows that this golden rose badge, which symbolizes the highest reputation of the city of Beleriand, is actually an alchemical item.
Cecilia closed her eyes and brushed the badge gently.
A wisp of black mist emerged from her fingertips and slowly seeped into the badge. The golden petals trembled slightly under the candlelight, and seemed to dim a little in an instant.
Cecilia opened her eyes and stroked the edge of the badge with her fingertips:
"At the ball, you will follow the original plan. When you invite a dance partner, you will present the Golden Rose Badge to Theodore and invite him to dance."
She sneered, "You have pretended to be affectionate for so long, he will definitely not refuse."
Isabella nodded and said calmly:
"On the night of the ball, in front of all the nobles and commoners, the power of the curse will completely erupt in Theodore's body."
"Then we will be able to avenge our sister."
Cecilia looked at the badge infused with cursed power and murmured:
"Yes...it's time for the city lord's family to experience the pain of losing a loved one."
After a brief silence, Isabella looked at the clock on the wall, pinned the badge back on her chest, and stood up.
"It's almost time. I should go back. If I stay any longer, the servants downstairs will get suspicious."
She adjusted her skirt and left the attic bedroom.
Cecilia leaned against the door and let out a soft breath.
She stroked her chest gently, but the moment she raised her head, her pupils suddenly shrank and her body suddenly froze.
A strange figure emerged from the shadows in the corner of the room.
"Miss Colin," 996 nodded politely, as if he had not witnessed any conspiracy, "My master invites you to Rose Manor for a chat."
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