The sound of shoe heels echoed in the wide hall.
Until the sound stooped in front of him, Kalen couldn't move. He couldn't even take his eye off the woman he was getting close to.
"Kalen?"
Only then did Kalen realize that she was Kanna and opened his mouth.
Sister... He tries to pronounce it like that, but instinctively remembered that she hated it if he did.
"Kanna?"
"Huh."
Kanna nodded and held out her hand. Immaculate hands in white lace gloves. Kalen'e eyes slowly descended to her fingertips.
"Escort me."
Orders coming down. For some reason, Kalen had a sore throat and swallowed his saliva. He groaned loudly. Kalen clenched his fist once, then rose from his seat and cupped Kanna fingertips.
"Yes."
The moment he stood next to her, a faint scent filled his nose. The scent. The surprisingly seductive scent made Kalen involuntarily take a deep breath.
"How is it?"
"Yes?"
"My scent."
What a smell. The word didn't suit this scent, so Kalen changed it at will.
"It smells good."
Then he smiled like a flower in full bloom.
"Thank God. It also feels good to the people around me."
It was meaningless, but he didn't understand it. Kalen just said she was right. He agreed.
***
"What?"
The 2nd Princess of the Aslan Empire, Lilienne, doubted her ears.
"Young Lady, what did you just say?"
"Kanna sister will come today, Your Highness."
"..."
"Kalen brother will personally escort her. I hope they will arrive soon."
"Kanna Valentino is coming to the banquet?"
"Yes. It's really good, isn't it? You've been curious about my sister for a long time."
"Yes, I am."
Lilienne nodded obediently.
Kanna, the woman Sylvienne Valentino used to reject her. She had never seen Kanna before. Apparently, Kanna's participation in the party so far can be counted on one hand.
'And she always hide in the garden or somewhere.
The corners of the Princess's mouth went up crookedly.
Kanna Valentino.
A woman running away from the people's gaze. A girl who doesn't like to party. A woman who hides in a corner for fear that someone will see her and look at her with contempt.
'Sometimes humble.'
Perhaps that is why there were few nobles who witnessed Kanna.
'Besides, Duke Valentino didn't even have a proper wedding, so I didn't have a chance to see her.'
Even the wedding was omitted because it was a terriby formal relationship. Everyone knew that they were a couple like paper dolls.
'Almost always at home. No, I heard that she stays in her room.'
To think that such a woman would come out of the house and even participate in her banquet... It was hard to believe even though she had heard the story directly from Kanna's sister, Isabelle.
It was then.
"The Duchess Kanna Valentino and Kalen Addis are entering!"
It seems to have come just in time. The Princess pulled her seated body forward. She wasn't the only one who do that.
"Kanna Valentino?
"Duchess Valentino?"
"That black woman?"
Gossip, gossip... Voices spreading like ripples. Soon, all eyes in the party hall turned toward the entrance.
A tall man walked in holding a woman's hand. The man was the famous Kalen Addis, and the woman...
"...Huh?"
Isabelle's stupid moan erupted from the side. It was the same with Lilienne.
A beautiful woman was walking with Kalen. The moment she appeared, it seemed as if all the light in the banquet hall was pouring down on her. She was a rare beauty. However...
"Is that woman really Kanna Valentino?'
If Kanna had been a beauty with a neat and simple impression, she wouldn't have been so surprised. But she was like a bright res rose with thorns. She was a woman who seemed to embody a rose as a human being.
On the other hand, Kanna had fully anticipated this reaction.
'I look a little bit temperamental, I am.'
The eyes and corners of the mouth are curled up, and the tip of the nose is sharp enough to be called aristocratic. It's not a fragile appearance, so it will feel very different from the image of 'Kanna'.
Sure enough, 30 minutes after entering, she was still being looked at from the side. It doesn't matter because this was also expected...
'Why is he sticking with me?'
Glimpse.
Kanna looked at Kalen, who was standing beside her, drinking wine.
"Kalen, doing your business."
"I did it."
"What is it?"
"It's done."
So what is it?
Kanna looked up at him pouting and sighed.
'If you're by my side, things won't work.'
Kanna glanced away.
Immediately, her eyes met the dark brown haired woman. A woman who lazily leaned an a seat that only the members of the royal family could sit on. Perhaps that woman was Lilienne Isabelle.
'Seeing that she's always looking at me, it seems that I have succeeded in attracting attention.'
But Kalen stuck next to her, so she can't do anything. How else should she do so Kalen can leave her alone?
Just as she was thinking about that, a nobleman approached her.
"Kalen Addis, what are you doing hiding here?"
A man about Kalen's age approached Kanna, pretending to greet her.
"Who is the beautiful lady next to you by the way?"
Black hair, black eyes. Even though he should know who she is, he seems to pretending not to know. As Kalen silently frowned, Kanna stepped forward and said hello.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Kanna Valentino."
"Aha. I couldn't believe it. But as expected, you was Kalen's sister!"
Kanna knew very well now what a powerful weapon beauty is. It's just that she and Joo-hwa are stupid for not using it effectively. See? Even now, doesn't the other person quickly blush even though she just smiled a little?
"I am Colin Davis. I've been a close friend with Kalen since childhood and I can't believe I can finally meeting you."
"Who is my best friend?"
Kalen muttered somewhat menacingly, but Colin pretended not to hear. In fact, Kalen didn't even come into his eyes. Only Kanna shimmers in a dazzling halo.
A woman with dark hair and dark eyes. Colin frowned when he heard rumors..
'I never thought black would be so beautiful!'
Perhaps because of the contrast with her snow-white skin, the black hair that flowed down the slender nape of her neck was dizzyingly alluring. Besides, her protruding red lips exuded a lot of color, and her obsidian-like eyes were mysterious enough to be sucked into. It was the first time he had seen a beauty with such a gorgeous impression, so his mouth felt dry just looking at it. Even the faint fragrance was added, and Colin's hears was beating wildly.
Kalen, who couldn't bear to see that scene, groaned in a low voice.
"Where is your fiancee left alone, Colin?"
"Oh, well. It looks like she's out in the garden."
"In that case, I will escort you to where your fiancee is."
Kalen grabbed Colin's forearm and spoke to Kanna.
"Stay here. I will be right back."
No, just leave.
Colin was dragged along by Kalen, leaving a sad look on his face, and only then did Kanna become alone.
'Done.'
Now, she is left alone in the party. Without Kalen Addis. Kanna gently turned around as the attendant handed her a glass of champagne. Then, she naturally looked at the seats of the imperial family once again. There was no one there. And when when she turned her head again, she saw brown-haired woman cutting through the crowd and approaching.
'Come here.'
Kanna cast her eyes down. Taking a small sip, she counted the numbers in her head. One, two, three, four...
"Duchess Valentino?"
'She's here.'
Kanna cheered inwardly, but she raised her head calmly without a hint of expression.
A beautiful woman with voluminous curly hair stands in front of her.
"Meet Her Highness, the Princess."
The 2nd Princess, Lilienne Isabelle. Kanna narrowed her eyes and smiled.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
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