BGFV Chapter 99

Chapter 99

“After we finish, over dance people will probably come to us.”

“Why?”

“Because they’ll want to dance with us next.”

Luciard suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

Would he really have to deal with all those staring eyes?

“Just two more dances,” he muttered.

Seeing his confusion, Hestia offered a suggestion.

“We can choose, so we don’t have to accept everyone. But don’t just pick anyone—go for ladies with high titles.”

At first, Luciard listened carefully, but the more she spoke, the more irritated he felt.

“There are still people who look at us with prejudice, so we need to show them our authority in any way we can. And some of the ladies who are interested are actually quite—”

“That’s pretty specific,” he interrupted.

“Hmm?”

“You don’t mind if your partner dances with other ladies?”

Hestia had no idea how to respond.

‘Why is he acting like a sulky child?’

Luciard avoided her gaze with a slight frown. Hestia couldn’t help but feel a little amused.

‘Is he… jealous?’

‘Cute’

Wait. Cute?

Realizing what she had just thought, Hestia quickly snapped out of it.

Luciard looking cute? She must have lost her mind.

‘What’s wrong with me today?’

From the moment they left the townhouse to the carriage ride here, something felt off. She decided to stomp on Luciard’s foot, hard.

Luciard flinched and looked at her in shock.

“Stop saying nonsense. Even if you have a partner, it’s normal to dance with others.”

“…Tch.”

“Anyway, remember what I said. Don’t mess up.”

“Got it.”

Luciard obediently nodded, but Hestia still felt uneasy.

‘Will he really be okay?’

Something about him seemed off today, making her worry that he might make a mistake.

Just then, the song ended, and they gracefully stepped back.

As expected, when a song ended, people crowded around them.

“You were stunning, my lady. May I have the next dance?”

“Among everyone here, you shine like a star in the night sky. Please grant me the honor of a dance.”

“Sir Luciard, if you’re not engaged for the next dance, may I have a moment of your time?”

“My partner couldn’t attend tonight. If you don’t mind, would you dance with me next?”

Many people, including the heirs of famous families, approached them in various ways.

“I’m sorry. I’d love to dance with you all, but I simply can’t,” Hestia said politely.

“Please don’t push. Someone might get hurt.”

With so many people crowding around, it seemed like an accident was bound to happen.

While they were still debating who to choose, someone spoke up.

“Would you grant me this dance, my lady?”

“You seem troubled. May I help?”

The crowd parted, revealing the Florence siblings.

With the next highest rank after royalty, no one dared challenge them. People stepped aside, surprised to see the Florence siblings suggesting dances to others first.

“Lady Frost.”

Gabriel said, taking Hestia’s hand and gently pulling her away from Luciard.

Luciard, feeling a surge of emotion, tried to approach them but was stopped by Chloe, who had suddenly grabbed his arm.

“If you dance with me, the others won’t bother you anymore.”

Luciard clenched his jaw, then turned to look at Hestia.

She gave him a subtle signal with her eyes.

“I’m fine. Do as you want.”

Since they had to dance with others anyway, the Florence siblings were an ideal choice.

Luciard understood this logically, but he couldn’t ignore the irritation bubbling inside him as he watched Gabriel hold Hestia’s hand and waist.

Before he knew it, Gabriel had led Hestia back onto the dance floor.

Unlike Luciard’s slightly awkward lead, Gabriel’s movements were smooth and effortless.

With a charming smile that had won over many women in the empire, he said,

“You dance beautifully.”

“That’s thanks to your excellent lead, my lord.”

“Not at all. You don’t attend parties often, do you?”

“Yes. I do receive invitations, but I usually have too much work to attend them all.”

“As a guardian of the ducal house, that makes sense. I’ve also heard you helped your father with his duties before. My father speaks highly of you.”

“Duke Florence himself?”

“Yes. At first, I found it hard to believe, but after meeting you today and hearing what others say, I understand why. You’re quite remarkable.”

“You flatter me.”

Hestia smiled modestly but felt puzzled inside.

‘Why so many compliments?’

This was her first real conversation with Gabriel, aside from a brief encounter at the festival.

‘Does he have some hidden motive?’

“It’s a shame tonight is the last night of the festival. If only we had more time to talk.”

“There’s still plenty of time ahead. Rather than worrying about the future, wouldn’t it be better to focus on the present?”

Gabriel blinked in surprise before chuckling.

“You have a point. I’ve learned something new, my lady.”

He gently spun her around.

Caught off guard, Hestia wobbled slightly, and Gabriel used the opportunity to tighten his grip on her waist.

‘Oh, he’s playing games now.’

Was he trying to make her fall for him? His actions felt exactly like someone trying to charm a woman.

Hestia found it hard to believe.

Would the heir of Duke Florence really have any reason to pursue her?

As they continued their dance, someone familiar passed by.

Luciard!

She had been so focused on Gabriel that she hadn’t noticed him.

So he had also found a new partner?

Looking closer, she realized it was Chloe, another member of the Florence family.

She couldn’t hear their conversation, but Chloe was clearly focused on Luciard, staring at him intently.

‘Is she interested in him?’

The problem was that Luciard’s expression was indifferent.

‘I told him to be mindful of his expressions in public!’

He had smiled while dancing with her, but now he looked completely disinterested.

At that moment, Luciard turned and their eyes met.

Hestia instinctively looked away.

‘Why did I just avoid his gaze?’

For some reason, it felt like she had done something wrong.

“You and Luciard seem close,” Gabriel said suddenly.

“Excuse me?”

She turned to him, caught off guard.

“I noticed it before, and again tonight. You two really seem to get along.”

Hestia quickly realized he was referring to the incident in the tent.

“It’s not easy to get along with someone like him…”

His words, along with the sharp look in his eyes, sent a chill down her spine.

She swallowed hard before flashing him a bright smile.

“Is that so?”

“You two seem to have a good relationship. It’s rare to see Luciard get along with someone, especially his guardian.”

There was an underlying sharpness in his words. Unlike the subtle remarks others made to find out about our relationship, this felt different.

Normally, Hestia would have brushed it off, but this time, she had a strong feeling she shouldn’t.

“Is there any reason we shouldn’t get along?”

In the end, she decided to clarify her relationship with Luciard a little earlier than planned.

“Both Luciard and I care about young master, Your Grace. We share similar views and goals, so there’s no reason for us to be on bad terms.”

“……”

“Lately, everyone seems overly curious. It’s almost as if they want us to be at odds terms.”

“I don’t mean it like this.”

“Right? I just wish others thought the same way. Winston can handle Winston’s matters on its own, but people seem too interested. If you hear similar questions, could you correct them for me? I’m starting to feel a little exhausted from all the misunderstandings.”

As Hestia showed her frustration, Gabriel, who had remained silent for a moment, gave her a gentle smile.

“Of course. It’s a gentleman’s duty to help a lady in distress.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“But I do have one more question.”

“Yes? Please go ahead.”

“Are you really not interested in Luciard?”

“…Pardon? I just said that we’re on good terms—”

“I’m not talking about whether you get along.”

Hestia tilted her head, not fully understanding his meaning.

“I saw you two yesterday. You seemed too close.”

As Gabriel continued, Hestia’s eyes widened in realization.

“Are you two… lovers?”

If Gabriel hadn’t been leading the dance, Hestia would have frozen in place.

Lovers? Me and Luciard?

The casual question hit her like a stone dropped into water, sending ripples through her mind.

Normally, Hestia maintained a perfect poker face and was skilled at acting, but now, her wavering eyes and stunned silence betrayed her. Gabriel narrowed his eyes.

“I see… So the two of you really—”

“I apologize for the interruption, Gabriel.”

Just then, a voice cut in between them.

The song had ended, and partners were switching.

Gabriel frowned slightly, but when he saw who it was, his eyes widened in surprise.

“If you don’t mind, could I take the lady for the next dance?”

“…Your Majesty.”

The person who approached was none other than Emperor Sylvester himself.

Already overwhelmed with thoughts, Hestia could hardly process what was happening.

“Lady Frost, would you grant me this dance?”

It was rare for the Emperor to stay at a party this late, let alone invite someone to dance. Naturally, everyone’s attention shifted toward them.

Refusing the Emperor’s request was out of the question.

“It would be my family’s greatest honor, Your Majesty.”

Seizing the opportunity to escape Gabriel’s questioning, Hestia took Sylvester’s hand.

As they started their dance, Gabriel watched them with cold, narrowed eyes.

Not far away, Luciard was also watching them closely.