SLDS 17

The debutante ball began at seven o’clock sharp. Thousands of candles lit up the grand ballroom, and the chandeliers adorning the ceiling added to the splendor.

The guests who attended the ball were completely captivated by the beautiful scenery.

Everything around them was dazzling and luxurious. The red carpet laid on the floor, the beautiful carvings decorating the walls and pillars, and the fresh flowers densely surrounding the area emitted a fresh fragrance, while behind the lush shrubs, an orchestra was ceaselessly creating melodies that delighted the ear. Praise that it was truly befitting of the Imperial Palace was endless.

“Miss Rosaline Garden!”

As an attendant unrolled a scroll and called out the name in a loud voice, trumpeters standing beside him blew their horns forcefully. Pwoooo- Each time the high-pitched sound rang out, the nobles’ faces turned toward the entrance.

A young lady, whose baby fuzz had just begun to disappear, entered with a nervous expression. Holding the hand of her chaperone, she walked in cautiously and offered a graceful greeting to the guests. One could only imagine how much she must have practiced. Unlike her stiff smile, her greeting was skillful and full of grace.

“She is a truly pretty child.”

“Her choice of dress is excellent. That sapphire necklace suits her white skin so well.”

The nobles, seated in various spots throughout the grand ballroom, each whispered amongst themselves, critiquing the young ladies and gentlemen who had just made their social debut. Sinister gazes also moved back and forth like swimming beneath the water’s surface. It was a scheme to pre-select those they found pleasing.

The table where the imperial family was seated was just as bustling.

It was a sea of people, with nobles flocking to see Crown Prince Alexis, who had returned to the empire after several years, and Cecil, the figure of much talk these days.

The Empress still remained secluded with the excuse that she was unwell, but the nobles did not pay it much mind. Rather, as if this were their chance, they approached more comfortably to show their faces.

“I have never seen such a splendid ball. The dignity of the Imperial Family is truly different. I’m about to be blinded by the brilliant spectacle. Of course, the most dazzling among them all is you, Mr. Cecil.”

“Baron Raymond.”

Cecil frowned and waved his right hand dismissively.

“Flattery is fine, but every time you speak, your spit flies onto my face. Would you mind backing away a bit?”

Baron Raymond awkwardly rubbed his lips. As his partner, he had gotten too excited. Recognizing that he had unknowingly invaded his personal space, he straightened his back.

As Raymond took a couple of steps back, other men quickly occupied the empty space. The spot next to Cecil was particularly competitive.

The intention was obvious. As if vying for the position of a princess’s consort, they were trying their best to catch Cecil’s eye.

He had deliberately tried to escape people’s attention, but the current of the debutante ball was flowing contrary to Cecil’s intentions. To think that all these able-bodied men would gather and surround him. Thanks to that, the attention that should have been directed at the young ladies was being focused on the wrong place.

Cecil was thoroughly annoyed. Just how much perfume had these people doused themselves in? A headache started from the strong smell, and as he had to respond to each and every unwanted conversation, his insides seethed with anger.

“Mr. Cecil, if it wouldn’t be an imposition, how about you share a dance with me?”

“I decline.”

As he curtly refused, this time a man who had been watching for an opportunity from behind approached and swiftly knelt.

“I believe this necklace would suit the velvet vest you are currently wearing. Would you please grant me the honor of placing it around your neck?”

The diamond, glittering a navy blue, was exceptionally brilliant even at a single glance. It was surely an item he had brought with great care to put on a woman he wanted to seduce.

Cecil twisted the corner of his lips and unbuttoned his vest. The lustrous velvet fabric went flying behind his chair.

“What to do? The vest that matched the jewel has disappeared.”

Alexis was listening to this entire conversation from the seat next to him. Even while engaged in small talk with the nobles, his focus was on the person beside him.

“What a personality.”

He was unusually prickly. With standards that high, would he ever be able to meet a man who satisfied him? Alexis acquiesced to Cecil’s insolent behavior and swallowed some wine.

“Miss Yuria Beatrice!”

The sound of the horns echoed through the grand ballroom. The final guest of the day had finally entered.

The moment Yuria stepped into the ballroom, a collective gasp flowed out. The woman in the pure white satin dress was so noble, as if she were the personification of an ancient goddess.

Yuria, who appeared holding the hand of Duchess Vandel, held the hem of her dress and offered a polite curtsy. Then, as she moved with light, soft steps, everyone’s gaze was fixed on her.

She was beautiful. More than any other woman luxuriously adorned with expensive dresses and jewels, even more than the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, she sparkled brighter.

Cecil watched Yuria for a long while as she walked, then turned his head. His eyes took in Alexis’s handsome profile.

The Crown Prince was smiling with his arms crossed. Even his eyes, as cool as water from a melted glacier, looked as warm as reeds in a meadow at this moment. Alexis’s eyes were fixed solely on Yuria, without a single waver. As if he wouldn’t let her gestures, her smile, or even her trembling expression go unnoticed.

‘It’s fine, I expected this.’

Upon seeing his face with his own eyes, a bitter smile emerged. Cecil tried his best to soothe his crumbling heart. He pushed wine into his empty stomach instead. The wine he was gulping down was a special vintage he had carefully selected, and perhaps for that reason, it tasted good even in this situation.

Once the last guest had entered, the atmosphere inside the grand ballroom began to mellow. The court musicians created beautiful melodies, and in the central hall, groups of men and women showed off their elegant dance moves to the tune of a minuet.

“Miss Beatrice, may I ask for a dance?”

“Your Highness.”

“I would very much like for your first dance to be with me.”

At some point, Alexis had left the head table and approached Yuria. At his polite request, Yuria also responded with a curtsy. The two of them headed to the central hall.

A path opened at the Crown Prince’s appearance, and Alexis and Yuria easily took the center of the hall. The dark-toned oak floor was thinly waxed, allowing their footsteps to move as if gliding. Just then, the tune changed to a waltz, and a new dance began.

“Aren’t they a truly well-matched pair?”

“……”

Someone tactless offered a critique next to Cecil. No longer able to manage his expression, Cecil excused himself for a moment and stood up.

It was when he had deliberately hidden himself away in a secluded place. The hem of a splendid, pearl-colored dress billowed as it approached Cecil.

“I greet the Little Star of the Empire. Mr. Cecil. Have you been well?”

“It has been a while, Duchess Vandel.”

Cecil, who had not expected to run into the Duchess here, hastily corrected his posture.

“How is your health?”

“I have recovered a lot now. Her Majesty the Empress should also get well soon.”

“Yes, well. I’m sure she will.”

Both of them knew the fact that the Empress was perfectly fine. After finishing the appropriate pleasantries, the Duchess brought up what she really wanted to say.

“You’ve become very thin.”

“I suppose it’s because there have been many noisy incidents lately.”

“It is late, but I wanted to take this opportunity to offer my thanks. Thanks to you, I was able to save my life.”

The Duchess bowed her waist politely. Cecil, unable to overcome his awkwardness, responded with a small nod. This was a person who should have disliked him, so her showing favor was an exceptionally unfamiliar experience.

“But why are you all alone, Mr. Cecil?”

“The attention was burdensome, so I was taking a brief refuge.”

“Oh dear….”

The Duchess replied in a regretful voice, then gave her characteristic warm and gentle smile.

“I can imagine. The gentlemen of the empire won’t leave a beauty alone.”

“Aren’t there plenty of beauties here?”

Cecil frowned slightly. He knew it was empty flattery, but it was not a particularly pleasant thing to hear.

“Oh my. I must introduce you to my son.”

“Your son?”

The House of Vandel had only one son. Sure enough, a man of imposing stature approached the Duchess’s side and paid his respects politely to Cecil.

“Claude Vandel, I greet the Little Star of the Empire.”

Seeing the same stoic face even after regressing three years in time, Cecil couldn’t help but burst out laughing. This one is still the same, too. What good is it that he’s younger? His sullen face is the same now.

“It has been a while, Lord Vandel. I heard you became the Knight Commander?”

“Yes.”

A curt reply came back. Since answering a member of the imperial family with a short sentence was impolite, the Duchess pinched his side hard. The Knight Commander, who should have been as solid as steel, let out a short, dying groan of, heuk, and twisted his waist.

“I… express my gratitude to Mr. Cecil. I will not forget the favor of you helping my mother and will be sure to repay it.”

“It sounds like a forced greeting, but I will accept it.”

Cecil replied with a flick of his chin. At his arrogant posture, Claude’s mouth hardened. His displeasure was laid bare, but he did not leave right away and remained by Cecil’s side out of courtesy.

Even across lifetimes, their relationship was one without any semblance of friendship. The two of them just stood there, idly watching the central hall. Just then, Alexis and Yuria’s dance was in full swing. Besides them, many people were watching their happy scene.

Cecil sighed without realizing it and turned his head. Just then, he saw the profile of Claude, who was standing next to him. His eyes, which looked just as complicated as his own, were fixed on Yuria and showed no sign of leaving her.

Ah, that’s right. Claude liked Yuria.

He remembered that Claude had suppressed and endured his feelings internally, not daring to steal the woman his lord loved.

He was not the only one experiencing a pure and unrequited love. Cecil smiled bitterly and muttered.

“You and I are both pitiful.”

“What do you mean?”

“There is such a thing. I don’t particularly care for you either, but I’ll give you one piece of advice. There’s nothing as agonizing as a heart that is not requited. If you think it’s not yours from the start, it’s more beneficial to just pretend not to know and let the feelings flow away.”

“You’ve been saying things I can’t understand for a while now. Are you perhaps drunk?”

“Yes, that might be better. Would you like a drink as well?”

As Cecil smiled and kindly offered a wine glass, Claude accepted it with a dubious expression. Averting his distrustful gaze, Cecil wet his throat.

‘How funny. Who am I to give advice to whom? When I can’t even control my own heart.’

No matter how much he drank, the low-alcohol wine wouldn’t make him drunk. It was to prevent the unfortunate incident of a drunkard causing a scene at the party, but for some reason today, the regret was immense.

It was a night he would rather get drunk and quickly forget. Even though everything around him was splendid, Cecil’s heart was inconsolably pierced with sorrow.