Chapter 100: the day before I

Chapter 100: Chapter 100: the day before I

By the time the three Study Groups returned to the Foundation’s regional satellite office in the University District, dusk had already settled over the city.

The coordinating committee gathered everyone for one final meeting before dismissing them for the weekend.

Rather than presenting formal reports, each group simply shared their first impressions of the communities they had visited.

Jessica and Sophia spoke of Riverside’s bustling riverside market, whose activity far exceeded what they had expected from public records alone.

Oliver and Peter described San Isidro’s agricultural cooperatives, noting several observations they hoped to explore further during their next visit.

When it came to East Junction, Damian summarized their afternoon simply.

"It wasn’t the businesses that left the strongest impression."

He paused briefly.

"It was the people."

No one disagreed.

The discussion that followed was practical.

Observation notes would be organized over the coming week.

The questionnaires would remain untouched until the coordinators agreed the communities were comfortable enough for formal interviews.

Areas requiring closer attention were identified.

Tentative objectives were prepared for the following Saturday.

Only after every Study Group understood the next phase of the feasibility study did the committee finally conclude the meeting.

--

Sunday arrived with an unmistakably lighter atmosphere.

The preliminary examinations were finally over.

The Foundation’s first weekend activities had concluded the day before.

And with the Founders’ Ball scheduled for Monday evening, St. Albion University had suspended lectures, giving its students a welcome day of rest before the university’s most anticipated celebration.

For the first time in weeks, the campus felt unhurried.

No lectures.

No committee meetings.

No Foundation activities.

Only one topic seemed to occupy everyone’s attention.

Tomorrow evening.

The Founders’ Ball.

Excitement lingered throughout the residence halls, cafés, and gardens.

Freshmen eagerly wondered what the evening would be like.

Upperclassmen smiled knowingly whenever they overheard those conversations, remembering their own first Founders’ Ball years before.

--

A familiar knock sounded at the suite door.

Claire looked up immediately.

"They’re here."

Vivienne smiled as she crossed the room.

"Amelia and Eleanor?"

"Who else?"

Vivienne opened the door.

Amelia stepped inside with a bright smile, Eleanor following close behind.

"Good morning!"

"Morning," Vivienne greeted.

Amelia barely waited for the door to close before asking,

"Did your team get there already?"

Vivienne nodded.

"Mother texted earlier. They arrived just after breakfast."

"Same here," Claire said, holding up her phone.

"Mine sent me pictures of the setup."

Amelia laughed.

"Mine too."

"Apparently they’ve already unpacked everything."

Eleanor slipped her phone back into her handbag.

"My stylist says they’re just waiting for us."

Claire grinned.

"Perfect."

"Looks like everyone’s ready."

Vivienne’s smile widened.

"I can’t believe today’s finally here."

Amelia nodded enthusiastically.

"We’ve been counting down to this for weeks."

Claire laughed.

"Tomorrow’s the ball."

"Today’s the fun part."

--

It had been decided weeks in advance that the four girls would spend the day together at the Beaumont townhouse in the University District.

The decision had little to do with wealth.

Claire’s and Amelia’s families commanded fortunes that rivaled—even surpassed—those of many noble houses. Eleanor’s family likewise maintained an elegant residence whenever military affairs brought them to the capital.

Yet the Beaumont townhouse remained the natural choice.

As the city residence of one of the kingdom’s oldest ducal houses, it had long served as the Beaumont family’s official residence whenever members of the ducal household stayed near St. Albion. Designed for formal receptions and private engagements alike, it was simply the most appropriate place to host preparations of this scale.

Among families such as theirs, no explanation had been necessary.

The arrangement had simply been understood.

A familiar ringtone interrupted the conversation.

Vivienne glanced at the screen before smiling.

Mother.

She answered immediately.

"Good morning, Mother."

"Good morning, darling."

Mrs. Beaumont’s composed voice carried its usual warmth.

"The chauffeurs have arrived at the university."

"You and your friends may leave whenever you’re ready."

"We’ll head down now."

"Very good."

"I’ll see you shortly."

"Yes, Mother."

The call ended.

Vivienne slipped her cellphone into her handbag.

Claire was already standing.

"I suppose that’s our cue."

Amelia smiled brightly as she picked up her own handbag.

"Finally."

"I’ve been looking forward to today."

"So have I," Eleanor admitted with a small smile.

Vivienne looked at the three of them.

"Ready?"

Claire laughed.

"I’ve been ready since breakfast."

The four girls shared a laugh before leaving the suite together.

Outside, several black luxury sedans waited quietly along the university drive.

The discreet Beaumont crest adorned each door.

Uniformed chauffeurs greeted the young ladies with respectful bows before opening the doors for them.

The journey through the quiet streets of the University District lasted only a few minutes.

Soon, the Beaumont townhouse came into view.

Elegant and dignified rather than ostentatious, the residence reflected generations of quiet prestige. It had served the Beaumont family for decades whenever members of the ducal household remained near the university, and today it had become the gathering place for four young ladies preparing for their first Founders’ Ball.

As the front doors opened, a graceful woman was already waiting inside.

The Duchess of Beaumont.

Her smile softened the dignity she naturally carried.

"Welcome."

"I’m delighted you could all come."

Claire, Amelia, and Eleanor instinctively straightened.

No matter how familiar they were with high society, they still found themselves standing before the wife of a duke.

One after another, they greeted her with respectful bows.

"Good morning, Your Grace."

The Duchess smiled kindly.

"There’s no need to be so formal. Today, you’re here as Vivienne’s friends."

"Please, make yourselves comfortable."

The gentle reassurance immediately eased the atmosphere.

Vivienne stepped forward with a smile.

"Good morning, Mother."

The Duchess affectionately brushed a loose strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear.

"Good morning, darling."

She looked toward the other three girls.

"Thank you for keeping Vivienne company in university."

Claire smiled politely.

"The pleasure has been ours, Your Grace."

Amelia nodded in agreement.

"We’re grateful you invited us."

"So am I," the Duchess replied warmly.

"I’m glad that the four of you will spend today together."

She gestured toward the adjoining reception salon.

"Come."

"Everyone is waiting."

The girls followed her inside.

The spacious reception salon had been quietly prepared for the day’s appointments.

Along one side of the room, professional hairstylists and makeup artists had already arranged their stations with practiced precision.

Nearby, carefully selected jewelry rested on velvet displays beside evening bags, shoes, and hair accessories, each labeled for its respective owner.

At the center of the room, garment specialists gave the four gowns one final inspection before returning them to their protective covers.

Nothing was hurried.

Nothing was left to chance.

The moment the girls entered, several members of the styling teams looked up with welcoming smiles.

One by one, they politely greeted their respective clients before returning to the day’s carefully planned schedule.

Tomorrow evening, four freshmen would make their debut at the Founders’ Ball.

Today, every final detail would be perfected.