The two of them together looked like a painting. 

The real reason Sabine could shine so brightly in society was because of her mother. 

Charlotte von Reinhardt, hailed as the most beautiful woman in East Norfolk, was renowned for her impeccable taste. She served as the epicentre of the latest trends and the queen of social circles. 

“Marchioness, you’re so fortunate. How did you manage to have such a beautiful and intelligent daughter?” a noblewoman complimented. 

Charlotte von Reinhardt smiled, and her creation, Sabine, smiled even more brightly. When the mother and daughter smiled at each other with their luxuriant golden hair and amethyst-like violet eyes, the surrounding area seemed to light up. 

But Sabine wasn’t Charlotte’s only masterpiece. 

“It’s not just your daughter, is it? What about your son?” another woman chimed in. 

The true masterpiece was someone else entirely. 

“Speaking of Oscar, mother, I’m really upset with him,” Sabine pouted. 

Charlotte stroked her daughter’s cheek. “Now, now, don’t be too hard on him. You know how busy your brother is.” 

Oscar von Reinhardt.  

Charlotte’s eldest son was the source of her power. Despite having given birth to Sabine after a long affair with Count Jerome, she still retained the Reinhardt name, a testament to her enduring influence. 

“Still, how could he miss his only sister’s birthday?” 

“If you remember what your brother gave you as an engagement gift, you wouldn’t say such things.” 

Charlotte lightly tapped the large diamond necklace hanging around Sabine’s neck with her forefinger, eliciting gasps from the surrounding ladies. 

“It’s bigger and more brilliant than my wedding jewels!” 

“Miss Sabine, I’m so envious. No other brother in the world would give such a necklace as an engagement present.” 

Charlotte feigned a stern expression. “You did beg him for this, saying it could be both an engagement and birthday present, didn’t you?” 

“Mother, I’d be fine without such gifts. I just want him to be here.” 

Sabine’s sad expression prompted the surrounding ladies to chime in. 

“I understand how you feel. A party with the presence of the Marquis of Reinhardt? I’d travel across the sea to attend.” 

“I feel the same. You don’t know, but my sister has been cutting out every newspaper article with the Marquis’s picture.” 

“My sister too! She’s subscribed to several daily papers to collect all his photos. Even if there’s no room to sit, please let us know if the Marquis attends any event.” 

“There doesn’t even need to be room to stand, just let us know,” the noblewomen pleaded earnestly, to which Charlotte replied with the leisurely smile of a well-fed lioness. 

“Oscar isn’t one for social gatherings, so I can’t make any promises. But if there is such an event, I’ll let you know.” 

Just then, a servant approached Charlotte and whispered something in her ear. Charlotte nodded. 

“I see.” 

After the servant left, Charlotte turned to her daughter, who was looking at her wide-eyed and spoke gently. 

“Sabine, your father is calling for you.” 

“Calling for me? Why doesn’t he come here?” 

“It seems His Majesty has sent a gift so grand that it can’t be brought inside.” 

The surrounding noblewomen gasped. 

“In my next life, I wish to be born as Miss Sabine.” 

“It’s already envious enough that your brother gave you such a gift, but a gift from His Majesty too large to bring inside?” 

Sabine covered her mouth with her hand, modestly pretending to be embarrassed, as Charlotte led her away. 

The mother and daughter walked through the admiring throngs of nobles, making their way to an outdoor balcony that led directly to the garden. As they approached, servants opened the balcony doors wide. 

Sabine, who had been walking hand in hand with her mother, let go and ran to the railing as soon as they reached the balcony. 

Count Jerome, who had been waiting for his daughter in the partially lit garden, smiled broadly when he saw her appear over the balcony. 

“Father!” 

Beside the Count stood the most magnificent horse, an Akhal-Teke, its golden mane glistening in the dim light. In the dark garden, the horse looked almost like a unicorn.