Time flew by quickly, and before she knew it, it was the day of the debutante ball, marking the start of the social season.
Kayden had already finished preparing for the ball and came to her room. The door was wide open due to the busy movement of items needed for the ball. Through the open door, he could see her maid, Belladova, helping Diana get ready while talking about something intently.
“So I haven’t found anything particularly speci—”
“Diana.”
Knock, knock. Kayden knocked on the door out of courtesy, causing Belladova to stop talking and flinch.
Hearing Kayden’s voice, Diana turned her head and smiled warmly at him. “You’re here.”
“Are you ready?”
“Almost.”
As Kayden approached Diana, Belladova quietly left the room, leaving the comb on the vanity and closing the door behind her. Kayden alternated glances between the comb and the hair ornaments on the vanity, then pointed to himself with a finger.
“Shall I do it?”
“Your Highness?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how?”
“Well, I’m good at almost everything.”
“Oh my, how arrogant.”
“But you like me anyway, don’t you?” Kayden shrugged confidently and picked up the comb.
Diana chuckled softly at his playful comment.
Soon, Kayden began to gently comb her long, pastel pink hair that reached her waist. He smiled as he tidied her hair.
“Your hair is nice. Pretty too.”
“If Your Highness knew how fiercely I fought since dawn for this hair, you wouldn’t find it so pretty…”
“Honestly, you’re beautiful even without doing anything, so I don’t see the need to go to such lengths.”
Diana involuntarily held her breath for a moment. She glanced at him through the mirror, finding his expression nonchalant. It seems like his words are getting bolder.
Feeling a bit annoyed, she pouted slightly. “You don’t have to flatter me so much.”
“I’m serious.”
“I know how much you like to joke around, Your Highness. I won’t fall for it anymore.”
Diana spoke with a firm tone as if trying to brainwash both him and herself. However, Kayden just smiled quietly without responding. He set the comb down and picked up a hair ornament, carefully fixing it onto Diana’s half-tied hair.
“All done. It suits you well.”
Saying so, Kayden lightly kissed her hair multiple times. Diana, feeling flustered and ticklish, shrugged her shoulders and called out to him.
“Um, Kayden?”
“Yes, Diana?”
“Bella is out, and there’s no one watching, so why…”
“So, don’t push me away either.”
Ever since the day Kayden had a seizure, Diana had felt much more easily swayed by his affectionate touches and words, though she didn’t know why.
Whether Kayden was aware of this or not, he tilted his head innocently, his face showing no hint of mischief. “You said it just feels awkward, not that you dislike it, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
“Just in case. You never know when it might come in handy, so it’s good to get used to it.”
“…Hmm.”
Diana looked at him with suspicion but eventually sighed softly and looked away. Kayden seemed unaffected, but she felt a strange sense of unfairness for being the only one feeling this way. She fidgeted with her hands resting on her lap, eyes lowered.
At that moment, Kayden moved to stand directly in front of her. He smiled at her. “By the way, how do I look?”
Diana looked up at his question. His melting smile greeted her. She examined him with a somewhat unfamiliar feeling.
His black hair, long enough to cover his eyebrows, was as shiny and beautiful as hers, which she had struggled with since dawn. As his hair swayed, neat eyebrows, deep eyes, a high nose, and crescent-shaped lips came into view. Her gaze moved down past his sculpted face to his perfectly proportioned body wrapped in a splendid outfit.
He’s incredibly… handsome.
Diana recalled that Kayden was often cited as the most handsome man in the empire in gossip magazines. She was about to tell him he looked perfect when he suddenly spoke up.
“Ah, by the way.” Kayden loosened his cravat with one hand and unbuttoned his shirt. “To match your taste, I should probably unbutton one or two more. Should I?”
“Cough.”
Diana, startled, inhaled sharply and started coughing. Meanwhile, Kayden’s hands continued to unbutton his shirt.
“Shall I unbutton more?”
Seeing more of his skin, Diana jumped up in shock. She hastily buttoned his shirt with both hands, raising her voice in panic. “What are you doing?”
Kayden tilted his head at a suggestive angle, his expression feigning pure innocence. “Oh, is this enough? I thought I should unbutton more since you weren’t saying anything.”
“When did I say I liked it unbuttoned?!”
“You said you like my body.”
“That’s…!”
“That’s right, I do like Your Highness’s body.”
“So don’t keep teasing me. What if I decide not to divorce you?”
“…That’s true, I did.” Diana, who was about to protest, remembered how she had teased him out of momentary mischief and closed her mouth.
Kayden chuckled at her and raised his hand. He muttered softly. “Ah, your cheeks are red.”
His large hand cupped Diana’s cheek. As his calloused thumb brushed her fair cheek, a shiver ran down her spine.
“…”
Kayden stared at her, his hand still on her cheek.
The silence that followed was in stark contrast to the lively chatter earlier. The atmosphere grew more intense.
Diana finally realized how close their faces were and quickly pulled back. She instinctively hid her hands behind her back, stepping away from him.
“Why?” Kayden asked, sounding nonchalant.
Ignoring her racing heart, Diana changed the subject. “Um… if we don’t leave soon, we’ll be late, won’t we?”
“…True.”
After a brief silence, Kayden fortunately agreed, breaking the tense atmosphere. Diana felt relieved.
Holding Kayden’s hand as they headed to the debutante ball, she repeated to herself. He’s always been kind. Don’t let your mind wander.
But the lingering warmth in her heart made it difficult for her to stay composed.
* * *
The debutante ball was as important as the founding anniversary ball. Therefore, the ballroom where the young lords and ladies would make their debut was exceptionally splendid.
“This is the most glamorous place I’ve ever seen.”
“What if I make a mistake?”
“It’ll be fine.”
“I’m so nervous…”
The young lords and ladies debuting this year anxiously fidgeted behind a partition in one corner of the ballroom. Then, the chamberlain, who assisted the emperor, appeared beyond the partition. He looked at the young lords and ladies, each marked by a white flower on their chest indicating their debut, and spoke.
“Please wait here, and when I call your name, step out holding hands. Be prepared.” With that, the chamberlain disappeared again.
Left behind, the debutantes checked their appearances one last time, nerves running high. Among them, a particularly pale girl anxiously fidgeted with her fingers.
I can’t breathe…
She was Fiona Yelling, the only daughter of Duke Yelling, also known as the heir of the duke.
Hi, now you can purchase 5 advance chapters in here.
