“The Marquise and Marchioness of Haleson, Lord Haleson and Lady Haleson must be…”
“Is Lord Haleson also from the academy?”
“Yes.”
“And what is he like, how old is he?”
“He’s the same age as Miss Carlton.”
Same age! Isn’t this fate? Daisy imagined dancing with the stranger, him asking for her hand in marriage, marrying him, and becoming the Marchioness of Haleson.
She smiled naturally at the happy thought. Countess Carlton, too, thought of the Marquis of Haleson and his business ventures.
Hestia stared blankly out the window. While everyone else was excited and happy, she alone was clutching her chest and praying fervently.
She prayed desperately that he wouldn’t remember that day, or if he did, that he wouldn’t recognize her, or pretended not to know her.
Hestia wanted to run away, even though she knew that confronting this situation would be better than dodging, she really wanted to just disappear from this place.
“Miss, you need to get off now.”
But life never went her way. The maid shook her shoulders and whispered, when she noticed Hestia had her eyes closed.
Daisy was being escorted out of the carriage by a servant. Hestia closed her eyes once more to get herself together, then opened them again.
“This way, please.”
The four people turned their heads in the direction the servant indicated. Daisy’s mouth dropped open.
Behind the enormous golden gates stretched the imperial palace.
Carpets stretched all the way to the Lily Palace, where tonight’s ball was being held, and fairy lights twinkled in the garden trees.
Dozens of banners bearing the emblem of the Perlienne royal family fluttered on the path leading up to the Lily Palace, and the delicate sculptures and fountains were truly majestic.
She couldn’t even imagine how beautiful the gardens beyond would be. Additionally, the servants who moved in an orderly manner were not only excellent in behavior but also in appearance.
“Let’s go, ma’am.”
Count Carlton and Ted, who’d set off on horseback behind the carriage, approached them. Count Carlton held out his hand to escort the Countess.
Ted had to escort Daisy tonight, to his displeasure. Hestia walked quietly after them with the maid behind her.
Ted became even more displeased when he saw Hestia’s clothes. Instead of the dress he gave her as a gift, she was wearing a shabby dress he’d never seen before. He’d even sent her a letter written personally by him, was she ignoring his sincerity?
“Wow, what is that? That looks interesting!”
“Don’t be rude and just look straight ahead.”
“What did you call me? Rude?”
“Daisy, Ted. Smile.”
When Daisy was amazed by the fairy lights, Ted, who was not in a good mood, scolded her as if he’d caught her doing something wrong. Countess Carlton, walking ahead of them, warned them in a stern voice.
Ted shut his mouth, and Daisy forced a smile as well, given the circumstances.
Eventually, they ascended the stairs of the Lily Palace. As they reached each flight, the sounds of beautiful music and the noisy chatter of conversation grew louder and louder.
When they finally reached the entrance, Count Carlton held out their invitation, and the servant loudly announced their arrival.
“The Count and Countess of Carlton, Lord Carlton, Lady Carlton, and Lady Welter.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to them. The ladies who were gathered in small groups began to whisper, covering their faces with fans.
Their expressions could not be seen because of the fans.
Countess Carlton, however, was not embarrassed, but rather straightened her back and looked gentle. The true dignity of a noblewoman came from small actions like this.
“How are you, Sir!”
“It’s been a while!”
A man approached and struck a conversation with Count Carlton. They shook hands warmly, and soon several men were surrounding him. They were all interested in the Carlton family’s money and prosperous business.
Count Carlton introduced Ted to them and moved to where they had been sitting.
“You’re the Countess of Carlton, right? My husband has just stolen your husband away.”
Soon, a woman approached Countess Carlton. She was smiling brightly, clearly trying to curry favor. Countess Carlton answered gracefully.
“Conversation between men is important.”
“Of course. Please call me Madame Laurent.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Madame Laurent. This is my daughter Daisy, and my niece, Hestia.”
“Oh, my, they’re beautiful. They must take after you.”
Daisy and Hestia bowed politely to Madame Laurent. Madame Laurent them led them to the area where the women she was conversing with were seated.
“Let me introduce you. This is the Countess and the Ladies of the Carlton family. They do business with my husband.”
That family with the diamond mine? In an instant, the women present began making calculations.
A countryside noble who was a Count, but held no position within the imperial palace. And they’ve never been to a social season in the capital?
Countess Carlton calmly ignored the dismissive looks in their eyes that were directed at them.
“This is my daughter Daisy and my niece Hestia. Hestia is a proud mage who graduated from the Academy.”
Countess Carlton affectionately wrapped her arm around Hestia’s shoulders, and Hestia bowed her head humbly.
When the words ‘Academy’ and ‘Mage’ came out, the women’s eyes changed. It would be different if the Count wasn’t just a wealthy rich man, but also had the blood of a noble mage.
“Nice to meet you, Countess Carlton. Please, call me Mrs. Gray.”
“Your daughter is beautiful.”
“I’m planning to host a tea party at my house soon. If it’s okay, would you like to attend?”
Countess Carlton smiled politely and slipped effortlessly into the ladies’ conversation. Soon she appeared to belong in the ballroom as much as any of the other ladies.
However, Daisy, bored by the adults’ annoying talk and fake laughter, tugged on Hestia’s arm and motioned for her to join her for a drink.
Daisy knew that her mother had insisted that she keep Hestia with her when she spoke to other women. They moved to the drinks stationed a short distance away.
“I’m so thirsty.”
Daisy sighed as she picked up a drink. The taste of champagne after starving all day was truly the best.
Hestia handed Daisy a handkerchief as she gulped the champagne down. She drank the champagne so quickly that it seemed like she was going to spill it.
“Drink slowly.”
Just then, a man who’d been watching them approached and spoke to Hestia. The impeccably dressed man smiled as he approached Hestia and handed her a glass of champagne.
“Beautiful lady, I would like to offer you a drink.”
“I’m okay.”
Hestia politely declined, and he smiled back then turned away. Daisy felt strange when she witnessed this.
Hestia’s dress and jewelry were inferior to her own, yet all the men’s eyes were on her.
And as much as she hated to admit it, objectively, Hestia was prettier than her. She felt like she was losing, but she still took Hestia’s arm and walked back to Countess Carlton.
Hestia was her chaperone, after all.
Like a doll, Hestia simply followed where she was led. She was too tired to think about anything, and just wanted this ball to be over.
Watching Hestia follow like a shadow wherever she led, Daisy consoled herself with a secret feeling of superiority.
Just then, a magnificent trumpet sounded through the hall, announcing the imperial family’s arrival.
All eyes turned to one place as they ceased their chatter. Countess Carlton took Daisy’s hand and led her to the front of the crowd. They were so excited at the prospect of seeing the imperial family right in front of them that they forgot all about Hestia.
And Hestia’s heart was beating strangely fast. Instinctively she knew.
He was there.
Running away never ended well. But Hestia’s legs were already taking a hesitant step backward without her noticing.
When she came back to her senses, she found that she’d left the ballroom and was standing in a dark hallway.
“Ha.”
She let out the breath she’d been holding and leaned against the wall to catch her breath.
Unlike the warm air inside the ballroom, the hallway, which was open on one side, was cool. Moreover, thanks to the beautiful garden spread out right in front, the scent of flowers permeated the wind.
Hestia leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. She just wanted to be consumed by the silence.
At that time, someone violently grabbed her arm and started dragging her away.
* * *
“Hah, when does this thing end?”
Colin took out a cigar, bit onto it, and scratched his head. The formal attire he was forced to wear instead of his military uniform was uncomfortable.
Today was going to be a long day following around his Lord, Adrian Kingston, and keeping up with his busy schedule.
The ball, the finale to the day’s schedule, was just beginning, and he was not at all accustomed to this life of aristocratic luxury.
At the end of a darkened hallway, he spotted the back of a woman hurrying out the side door of the ballroom.
It was about time for the imperial family to enter, but seeing as how she was nearly running, she must have had to use the restroom urgently.
He didn’t think anything of it, but then frowned when he saw a man follow her out.
“Ugh, tsk tsk.”
The ball hasn’t even begun, and they’re already sneaking away to flirt, for God’s sake! The military, the imperial palace, the brothel, no matter where you went, they’re all the same. You could people with the inability to control their sexual desires everywhere.
Men and women sneaking away from ballrooms together were usually having affairs. They would enjoy it secretly on deserted balconies, in dark corners of the garden, or in the lounge.
It’s like it was more thrilling to do it in the open, risking being caught.
“They say the law of preservation applies everywhere.”
Colin, who had been turning away while clicking his tongue, turned his head again when he sensed something strange.
A familiar scent, as if he’d smelled it somewhere before, mixed in with the scent of flowers in full bloom, a subtle sensation ran down his spine.
The tingle was his life’s desperate warning. Usually at times like this, a bullet would graze the side of his neck.
Colin began to follow them, his footsteps silent, his suspicions becoming certainty as he drew nearer.
Instead of the moans of a man and woman, the sound of a scuffle became increasingly louder.
