Chapter 25
Irene’s question sparked a conversation that quickly spread like wildfire.
“The lonely young lady doesn’t even celebrate her parents’ birthdays anymore.”
“Well, she used to, but since she was always ignored, she decided to stop altogether.”
Ebony had become the center of yet another round of gossip. But this annoying situation wasn’t unfamiliar to her.
‘Now that I think about it, my sister has never left me alone, not even for a single day.’
This was the same trick Irene had used in the past.
“Ebony, don’t tell me you don’t have a partner?
This banquet requires everyone to bring one.”
“As the host, you should follow the rules too. Why don’t you ask Father to be your partner? Otherwise, you’ll have no choice but to leave…”
Once, they had embarrassed Ebony by not informing her that a banquet required a partner. She had attended alone and faced humiliation. Back then, she had also asked Edward for a dance, only to be coldly rejected.
Now, as if unaware of that past, Irene was suggesting she ask him to be her partner again.
“Ebony…”
Irene’s face was filled with concern as she called her younger sister.
“I know you don’t have good feelings toward Father, but you came here to celebrate his birthday. You should have at least brought a gift.”
She added that last part as if to emphasize the social expectations.
“If even the host ignores the basics, the dignity of this banquet will suffer.”
The word ‘basics’ was especially stressed.
Ebony calmly gazed at her sister, who always delivered misfortune with a kind face.
Irene was probably expecting one of two reactions:
Ebony running away in embarrassment or getting angry and arguing.
Instead, Ebony simply brushed off Irene’s hand and looked around the room. She saw the whispering nobles and then settled her gaze on Edward.
“I don’t mind…”
Edward, sensing the uncomfortable atmosphere, was about to stand up and help. But before he could, Ebony raised her hand, stopping him.
“I have a gift.”
She turned gracefully, glancing briefly at the murmuring nobles.
They quickly silenced themselves.
Then, she smiled brightly at Irene.
“You don’t have to worry about the dignity of the banquet. I prepared a gift.”
“…You did?”
“Of course. How could I come to Father’s birthday celebration empty-handed?”
“Then why didn’t you mention it earlier?”
“I was nervous. Thinking about how happy Father would be when he sees it made me excited.”
Irene realized something was wrong.
By now, Ebony should have been humiliated and fleeing in tears.
Irene had intentionally not told her about preparing a gift, hoping she would be shamed for coming empty-handed.
But instead, Ebony had prepared something on her own.
Still, Irene remained confident. Whatever Ebony brought would surely look insignificant compared to the grand statue she had prepared.
People would gossip about how the real daughter had been outshined by the adopted one.
“You’re making me curious now. Hopefully, your gift won’t make mine look too plain?”
Irene smiled as she lightly patted Ebony’s shoulder. She eagerly anticipated the moment when Ebony’s “pathetic” gift would make her the laughingstock.
At that moment, Ebony took a step closer to Edward and lifted her hand.
“Wade, respond to my call.”
Her pale hand moved gracefully.
Under the chandelier’s glow, a small droplet of water appeared on her palm.
“My gift is—”
The tiny drop didn’t fall. Instead, it floated in the air, shimmering with light.
“—a miracle that exists only in this world.”
As soon as Ebony spoke, the glowing water droplets surrounded her, moving as if guiding her forward.
A small hand emerged from one of the droplets. The swirling water formed the shape of a young boy.
“Oh my…!”
Gasps of astonishment echoed throughout the hall.
At the same time, the orchestra began a new song.
Ebony and Wade started dancing together.
With every step they took, waves of blue shimmered beneath them, like the ocean under the summer sun. Crystal-clear droplets bounced into the air, creating a dazzling spray of light.
As her flowing blue dress twirled, the droplets danced along, forming a breathtaking display of translucent fireworks.
When the deep sound of the cello finally faded, their movements came to a stop.
The water droplets popped one by one, and a clear rainbow formed across the ceiling of the ballroom.
“How incredibly beautiful!”
Nobles marveled at the sight, capturing the fading rainbow in their eyes.
Ebony, having completed her performance, turned her gaze toward Irene—then to Edward, who had risen from his seat.
His expression was filled with shock.
His blue eyes, usually calm, trembled uncontrollably. His lips moved, but no clear words came out.
Finally, he took a hesitant step forward, as if drawn by an invisible force.
“…Did you just summon a spirit?”
At that moment, another noble cautiously approached Ebony.
As soon as one person spoke, a flood of questions followed.
“Have you already awakened the Duchess’s power?”
“Since when have you been able to command spirits?”
“Is this the same water spirit that the former Duchess controlled?”
All eyes were on Ebony now.
Irene’s carefully prepared statue was long forgotten.
Just as Ebony was about to answer, she heard a sharp voice.
“You—what is this?”
Irene had stormed down the stairs without Ebony noticing. She grabbed her sister’s wrist, her face twisted in disbelief.
“…What is this?!”
Her voice trembled with confusion and frustration.
Ebony didn’t pull her hand away. Letting Irene lose control in front of everyone would only make her look worse.
“I inherited Mother’s abilities and can now control spirits.”
“But… but I never heard anything about this. When did you…?”
“I wanted to surprise everyone. I thought it would be special to reveal it at Father’s banquet.”
“How… How could you…?”
Irene’s face contorted with distress.
Ebony found it amusing.
This is all it takes to shake her?
This is just the beginning.
She reached out and tucked Irene’s hair gently behind her ear, just as Irene had done to her many times before.
“I am the real one.”
“…”
“I inherited Mother’s noble blood. I am her true daughter.”
Ebony smiled sweetly, her voice soft but sharp like a dagger.
Irene’s face paled.
She understood exactly what Ebony was implying.
Ebony had just divided them into “real” and “fake.”
And everyone had heard it.
“You… What are you saying…?”
Irene’s voice trembled, barely able to form the words.
Ebony stepped back slightly, offering a shy smile.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
As she spoke, the nobles who had gathered around her began to disperse.
One by one, they turned their backs on Irene.
A man approached Ebony hesitantly, his voice filled with emotion.
“My… daughter…”
For the first time, he did not call her by name.
He called her his daughter.
