Chapter 26
It was the first time.
The first time Edward had ever called Ebony his daughter.
Feeling guilty over Violet’s death, he had never acknowledged Ebony as his child.
She never wanted expensive gifts.
She never asked him to play the role of a great father.
She just wanted that one shallow title—”daughter.”
She feared that without even that small connection, she would never truly be part of his family.
She didn’t care how cold his expression was or how harsh his words were. She only wished to hear that one word escape his lips, even just once.
That was all.
But her coldhearted father ignored even that simple request.
“Duke, please be kind to Lady Ebony as well.
Instead of calling her by name so distantly, why not use a more affectionate title like ‘daughter’ now and then?”
“…If I acknowledge that child as my daughter, it means I have accepted Violet’s death.”
A cruel truth was spoken to a six-year-old girl who had come to his office just to see him.
Had Edward not noticed the small footsteps lingering outside the door?
“Dad!”
“What brings my dear daughter to my office?”
“I wanted to eat cake with you… Are you very busy?”
“If my daughter wants something, how can being busy matter? Of course, I’ll do it.”
He had given that precious affection so easily to Irene…
Even when he had finally moved on from Violet’s death, Ebony’s long-faded wish had never come true.
Time passed, over and over again, until this moment.
Now, when she no longer expected anything from the Duke.
Now, when she had performed the same miracle Violet once had.
“…To think I would see this miracle again in my lifetime. Thank you, truly.”
“…”
“Thank you… Thank you so much.”
Edward was whispering those words to Ebony alone.
But the warmth in his voice felt like it wasn’t meant for her.
A moment later, Ebony found herself in his embrace.
It was different from the stiff, formal hugs they shared in public.
This one was suffocating, overwhelming.
His scent dragged her back into painful memories. A childhood that, despite its luxury, had never been happy.
‘…I want to run away.’
Ebony, who never flinched even at Irene’s cruel tricks, found this moment unbearable.
She wanted to break free from his arms and escape, to release the sickness rising in her throat.
Even though today was Edward’s birthday banquet, the real star of the night was Ebony Dominique.
Some, full of curiosity, asked about her plans. Others, hoping for favors, flattered her endlessly.
Though she wasn’t outright mistreated in high society, some people still took pleasure in tormenting her.
Those who had once sided with Irene, abandoning their pride just to follow her, used to mock Ebony’s name or turn her into a subject of gossip.
“You’re amazing, Lady Ebony! If you don’t mind, could you join our gathering next time and share more stories?”
The noble lady pretending to be friendly—was she the third daughter of a poor country baron?
And the man nodding beside her—wasn’t he a viscount’s second son?
“I’ll think about it.”
Their sudden change in attitude amused her, but she didn’t show it.
The endless conversations were starting to give her a headache. A sharp ringing filled her ears, making everything feel distant.
“Oh! You’re out of something to drink! Let me get—”
“No, I’ll get it myself. I’d like to walk for a bit.”
“Ah…”
“Shall we continue our talk later?”
Using the excuse of getting a drink, she quickly slipped away.
As she reached for a glass of champagne from a passing servant’s tray—
“Here, Ebony.”
A man suddenly appeared, smoothly taking a glass and handing it to her.
She looked up, but the chandelier’s bright light blinded her, making her instinctively close her eyes.
When she opened them again, she saw him standing there, blocking the chandelier’s glare.
“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”
Their eyes met, and his gaze deepened.
“And among all the beauty, you’re the most stunning of all.”
He grinned, revealing his perfect white teeth.
‘Ah, this is truly ridiculous.’
Ebony sighed at how absurdly dramatic this was.
It was frustrating how every person in her life seemed to be insane in one way or another.
Philip Atric.
Her second love.
Her former fiancé, whom she lost to Irene.
“It was a beautiful night… Until I ran into you.”
Ebony shot back coldly, unimpressed by his smooth words.
How dare he approach her after everything?
Philip, with his handsome face and charming personality, was a rising star in high society.
As the third son of Count Atric, he had no inheritance waiting for him.
Like many younger sons, he sought to secure wealth or status through marriage.
That was why he had pursued her in the first place.
“Will you marry me, Ebony?”
“…Do you truly love me?”
“Of course. I will spend my life making you happy.”
Was it that easy to deceive someone starved for love?
Philip had proposed in just a few months, and they had planned to marry as soon as they came of age.
“I’ve fallen in love with your sister. Please, break off our engagement. You were the one who pushed for it in the first place—it was never my choice.”
Just as she had begun to sense his growing indifference, he had crushed her completely with that heartless confession.
She had denied it, blamed him, and even tried to forgive him.
But Philip never wavered.
“You like me? That’s the most horrifying confession I’ve ever heard. Want to say it again? I love your sister, not you!”
He acted as if she were an obstacle to his happiness, trampling on all her efforts.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had feelings for Philip.
He told me it was just a loveless engagement… Please, understand.
Our friendship is stronger than this, isn’t it?”
Irene had pleaded with teary eyes, and Ebony had been foolish enough to believe her.
Ebony finished recalling the painful past and glared at Philip with icy eyes.
She despised how he was smiling so effortlessly as if none of it had happened.
The champagne glass in her hand felt contaminated just from his touch.
She let go.
The glass slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor.
Shards of glass scattered everywhere.
“Oops. That was a mistake. Could you clean it up?”
She asked a passing servant to take care of it and turned to leave.
Just then, Philip grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t be so cold—”
“I have nothing to say to you, Lord Atric.”
She cut him off sharply, but his grip remained firm.
Ebony finally yanked her wrist free and walked away without looking back.
Ignoring Philip’s calls, she stepped out of the ballroom.
Outside, the silence felt peaceful.
She let out a breath and moved toward the terrace.
‘This is the first time I’ve run away like this.’
Leaving a banquet by choice, simply to breathe, was something she had never done before.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the gentle night breeze.
‘…I’m exhausted.’
Despite the countless people at the party, she had no one by her side.
Even in this grand hall, she had no one to rely on.
The loneliness stung more than she expected.
‘I miss Leon and Helene.’
She longed for Leon, who always worried about her.
For Helene, her kind and caring new family member.
And…
“See you again.”
An unexpected face flashed through her mind.
‘…I must be losing my mind.’
Ebony shook her head, frustrated.
Was she so alone that she was thinking of him for comfort?
Yet, no matter how hard she tried to push the thought away…
The image of his broad, reliable shoulders refused to leave her mind.
