All eyes quickly turned to Alessia. Even Leonidas, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, turned to look at her.
Count Dumont, who had been smiling broadly, was the first to harden his expression at the mention of “His Grace, the Duchess of Ferdinand.”
“It appears the young lady from Ingelos is under a slight misunderstanding.”
“And what might that misunderstanding be? I would be grateful if you could enlighten me, as I am still learning,” Alessia replied politely, her voice feigning innocence. The slight tension that had stiffened Count Dumont’s facial muscles relaxed, apparently believing her to be naïve.
“Our Leonidas is not yet the Duchess of Ferdinand, miss. She is merely acting in a provisional capacity. Excuse me, she is diligently fulfilling the role of a regent.”
It was clear he had intended to downplay Leonidas’s role, but he caught himself with a cough, twisting his words smoothly. He then looked at Alessia as if to ensure she understood, with a patronizing expression.
“Ah, I see. It’s not been long since I left Ingelos, so there is still much I do not know.”
“That’s quite understandable,” the Count replied, generously smiling. Initially flustered, he soon realized that this situation could work to his advantage.
There were many around, pretending not to listen, but keenly doing so. This was an opportunity to emphasize that Leonidas was only a regent, which ironically benefited him.
“However, I’m curious… Didn’t His Grace, the previous Duke, recognize Leonidas as the legitimate heir of Ferdinand? I recall seeing her use the official seal on several occasions.”
Alessia then turned her gaze directly to Leonidas, who seemed slightly taken aback by her address, but she quickly resumed her usual composure and faced Alessia.
“Ah, perhaps that seal was not the Duke’s? Maybe the regent has a different one…”
“No, it was indeed my father’s.”
“Exactly! I thought as much that you would soon ascend to the ducal position. We must be careful with our words and actions outside, then.”
Alessia sent a look of admiration towards Leonidas and then turned back to Count Dumont with a sweet smile.
“Thank you for your guidance, Count Dumont.”
“…It’s nothing to thank me for.”
Of course, Count Dumont did not smile at all.
***
After that incident, Count Dumont quickly disappeared with his son. Leonidas looked at Alessia with an unreadable expression before handing her a drink and then excusing herself to rejoin the conversation.
Alessia repeatedly brought the drink to her lips, apparently enjoying the overly sweet concoction of lemon juice and sugar.
“How did you know we weren’t on good terms?”
“I can translate ancient languages; did you think I wouldn’t understand his implication?”
Despite the sarcastic retort, Kaon merely shook his head. At this point, he was no longer bothered by her tone. He found it admirable that she still maintained a smiling face throughout.
“What if you were someone who couldn’t catch on?”
“It might be good to develop some tact now.”
Kaon finally couldn’t help but laugh. The uncle always pretended to be benevolent, subtly steering conversations in a harmful direction.
And here was Alessia, playing the ingenue to perfection, inadvertently helping to elevate Leonidas in the process.
Leonidas might react as if she was about to correct her but then retreated without a word, much to their delight. Leonidas seemed a bit surprised, though she tried not to show it.
“Aren’t you going to dance?”
“What?”
‘Suddenly?’ Kaon furrowed his handsome brows. If he wanted to dance, he could just say so; why ask if he wasn’t going? He would have gone if she had simply suggested it.
“You really are something,” Alessia remarked, subtly lifting her glass. Following her gaze, Kaon saw faces lighting up with recognition, eagerly waiting for his attention. They were mostly young, but not all. They were all glancing at him or openly staring, seemingly expecting something.
Realizing what Alessia meant, Kaon felt a bit let down. He had thought she wanted to dance together, but it seemed she was just telling him to go away. She hadn’t said it that bluntly, but that’s how it came across to him.
“I was wondering what you were getting at. I’m not going.”
“It looks like they’re all waiting for you.”
“They’ll manage. I’m not really into dancing anyway.”
“Must be nice to only do what you like.”
“Hey, why is that even—”
He was about to retort but stopped himself. Alessia seemed genuinely pleased as she sipped her drink.
Surprisingly, seeing her happy face quickly dissipated his irritation. After all, what good would getting angry do? Forgetting his earlier annoyance, Kaon inexplicably felt his spirits lift and reached for a glass himself.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Please give your attention to His Majesty King Mahab of Gaios, Prince Arno, and Princess Odelle, who are now entering!”
The announcement for the last introduction reverberated through the hall, made especially loud by the servant.
The king, a middle-aged man with a passable appearance but lacking in character, entered first, followed by his son who resembled him and a daughter who did not.
Kaon, who had been politely paying attention, gave a brief glance to Princess Odelle last. She reminded him of the queen who had passed away many years ago, whom he had only seen in portraits. The resemblance was notably in her striking features.
Kaon was briefly lost in memories. It was his father who had once told him how much Princess Odelle resembled the queen. Trying to recall the last time his family had attended a ball together, his memory was hazy.
“Have you fallen for the princess?”
Alessia’s quiet voice suddenly broke his reverie, tinging it with a hint of bitterness.
“Are you joking?”
Kaon whispered back. Objectively, the princess might be considered beautiful, but she was not his type. He preferred someone smaller and cuter, if appearances were being considered.
“Ah, so it’s still me then?”
“…Let’s not talk about it.”
Kaon shook his head. He almost nodded but caught himself just in time. Thankfully, the mood, which could have soured, was preserved. Whether intentional or not, it wasn’t so bad.
Considering it, he realized he’d never heard what kind of men Alessia liked. She always teased him about his preferences.
“You like that prince…”
“Kaon Ferdinand.”
She cut him off as he was about to ask about Prince Arno.
“Why.”
“Go dance.”
“No, I said I don’t want to… Hey, where are you going?”
“Don’t follow me.”
With those chilly words, Alessia disappeared somewhere. Her pale face was worrying, but his resolve faltered due to her firm demeanor.
‘I’ll wait for now. If it gets too late, I’ll go look for her.’
Kaon wanted to chase after Alessia immediately, but her decisive tone suggested there was a reason for her departure. Despite this, he couldn’t help but continue staring at the spot where she had disappeared.
***
As soon as Alessia left, numerous women approached Kaon, striking up conversations or subtly suggesting a dance. Initially, he used Leonidas as an excuse, but when that no longer worked, he politely declined everyone.
Kaon remained standing in one spot, scanning the crowd, unsure when Alessia might return.
‘Does she know someone here?’
As far as Kaon knew, Alessia had never mentioned having friends in Ferdinand. If she had planned to meet someone, he figured she would have at least mentioned exchanging greetings.
‘The Ingelos haven’t even been announced.’
He wondered if she might have gone to meet someone from the Ingelos family, but there had been no announcement of their arrival. If they had entered late, he might not have noticed, but it seemed unlikely she would need to meet her family in secret.
Although Ferdinand and Ingelos were rivals, it was unlikely either side would be foolish enough to openly quarrel now that an engagement had been formalized.
Not friends, not family, then why the secrecy…
‘…It couldn’t be a man, could it?’
The thought suddenly crossed his mind, unsettling him. Alessia had said he was quite something, but he wasn’t the only man who had noticed her. Of course, with her perceptiveness, she was likely aware and simply chose to ignore it.
He was relieved she seemed disinterested—it meant less complication. Not for any romantic reasons, but as her fiancé, any potential drama could be bothersome. He wasn’t confident in pretending to be enamored; the mere thought of feigning affection seemed exhaustingly inconvenient.
‘So where has she gone and why hasn’t she returned?’ Just as this thought crossed his mind, someone approached him.
“Lord Kaon Ferdinand.”
“What is it?”
It was a servant, one who appeared to hold a high position based on his attire. Just as Kaon was about to be on guard, the servant spoke.
“Princess Odelle wishes to see you for a moment.”
🍉🍉🍉
T/N: Go Alessia, you go girl.
