I can’t breathe… Fiona Yelling, the only daughter of Duke Yelling and the heir, struggled to steady her breathing, but her nervousness made her breathless. At that moment, a gentle hand slowly stroked her back.
“Lady.”
“…Ah, Lord Haieren.”
“Calm down. Breathe out slowly as my hand goes down.”
“Like this…?”
“Yes. And as my hand goes up, breathe in again…”
Following the steady rhythm of his hand, Fiona gradually calmed down and looked much more composed.
“Are you feeling better now?”
Her partner, Cedric Haieren, withdrew his hand and smiled gently. Blushing slightly at his angelic smile, Fiona nodded shyly.
Soon, a clear bell rang out beyond the partition, bringing silence. In the stillness, the chamberlain’s solemn voice echoed. “Now, we shall commence the debutante ball. First, from the Morbis family…”
Following the chamberlain’s call, the young lords and ladies paired up and stepped out hand in hand from behind the partition.
“…Next, Fiona of the Yelling family.”
“Lady, your hand.”
Cedric offered his hand politely. Fiona gently placed her hand in his and looked at him. When their eyes met, Cedric smiled softly.
“Shall we go?”
“…Yes!”
Following his lead, Fiona walked out from behind the partition with a bright smile. Her heart was pounding. Lord Haieren is such a good person…
Fiona Yelling. Her status as the future Duchess of Yelling attracted many people.
“Haha, greetings, Lady. I am…”
“I heard Lady is attending the debutante this time. If you don’t mind, may I…”
“Would you grant me the honor of escorting you, Lady?”
Lords who couldn’t inherit titles, usually second or third sons, were eager to be Fiona’s debutante partner. Securing the position of her partner meant becoming the most likely candidate for her future fiancé. Because of that, it was common for Fiona to receive daily letters requesting to be her partner, and some lords even came to Duchy Yelling at night to serenade her.
Fiona found them burdensome and annoying. She was also uncomfortable with the considerable age difference between herself and some of these lords.
They just like my status, not me.
Fiona even considered entering the ball without a partner. But after getting to know Cedric Haieren, she changed her mind.
“My name is Cedric Haieren, Lady. Have you heard of the Haieren flower?”
Amidst the flowery love poems sent by others who hadn’t even seen her face, Cedric’s simple introduction and question about the Haieren flower stood out. His letter contained only that. Compared to other letters, it seemed plain. But for the first time, Fiona didn’t feel uncomfortable reading a letter.
Cedric’s letter was casual as if speaking to a friend, merely asking about a flower. And Fiona liked flowers. Her name was derived from a flower. So, for the first time since her debutante ball was announced, Fiona picked up a pen and replied to Cedric.
“That’s a name I haven’t heard before. Is it the family’s emblematic flower?”
From there, Fiona and Cedric exchanged letters more frequently. Their correspondence gradually turned into friendly chitchat, and after much deliberation, Fiona asked if he could be her partner. Cedric, though surprised since he had already had his debutante ball, gladly accepted her proposal. And that led them to this moment.
“Excuse me,” Cedric whispered softly as he gently wrapped his arm around Fiona’s waist.
Feeling a bit nervous, Fiona placed one hand on his shoulder and held his hand with the other.
If I must marry… She hoped to marry Lord Haieren.
Fiona moved her feet with a shy hope blooming in her heart. The nobles clapped and enjoyed the sight of the young lords and ladies dancing to the music.
“They’re all so adorable.”
“It reminds me of the old days.”
While everyone was lost in laughter and nostalgia.
Fiona Yelling… Standing beside Kayden, Diana watched Fiona through the shoulders of others. Though not overtly, Diana’s expression was slightly dark.
Even if it’s a year from now, she’ll still be just sixteen. So why…
Because in her previous life, Fiona Yelling had died suddenly at the young age of sixteen. She was found hanging in her room at the duke’s residence. There was no suicide note or any signs of foul play, making her death a mystery to many. Duke Yelling, who lost his only beloved daughter overnight, fell into a state of utter despair.
“Fiona, Fiona, my daughter…”
“You must stay strong, Duke! Please!”
Cedric Haieren, a noble from a branch of the Yelling family, stayed by the duke’s side during this time. According to Rebecca, Cedric Haieren had been Fiona’s fiancé and was very close to her. Despite his own shock at Fiona’s death, Cedric prevented the duke from committing suicide, throwing himself into the role. Perhaps because of this, Duke Yelling eventually relied heavily on Cedric and handed over his title before departing.
Rebecca then allied with Cedric, the new Duke Yelling, solidifying her claim to the throne. With two out of the three dukes supporting Rebecca, excluding the traditionally neutral Duke Wicksvil, this was natural.
Diana planned to prevent Fiona’s death at all costs and, in return, bring Duke Yelling to Kayden’s side. This would increase the number of nobles supporting Kayden, alongside Duke Wibur, the father of the first concubine. Thus, Diana ordered Mizel and Belladova to gather information on Fiona Yelling. However, they found no strange signs or indications.
“She’s just an ordinary noble lady of her age. Of course, being educated as an heir from an early age, she’s a bit clever and cynical.”
“Her public reputation is good. She’s known to be kind and gentle to those around her despite being prickly when it comes to work.”
After hearing Mizel and Belladova’s reports, Diana pondered and instructed them to gather information on everyone around Fiona. Among those names was Cedric Haieren.
I have a bad feeling…
Diana shifted her gaze from Fiona to Cedric Haieren. He looked at his partner with kind eyes, his handsome appearance adding to his charm. But Diana couldn’t shake off her discomfort.
Cedric reminded her of Ludwig. Ludwig also charmed people with his princely looks, courteous manners, and easy smile. But having served as Rebecca’s maid, Diana knew how cruel, cold, and cunning he could be, realizing that appearances can be deceiving.
Born as the second son of the Haieren family, he is always overshadowed by his elder brother, yet he seems so flawless?
As the music ended, people applauded the young lords and ladies for successfully completing their debutante.
Fiona and Cedric stopped dancing and bowed politely to each other. They looked like fairy-tale characters, but Diana’s heart felt cold as she watched them, unable to take her eyes off them.
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Cedric gives me bad vibes… 🚩🚩🚩