“Sylvia.”
Randall wandered through the ballroom and finally reached the terrace where Sylvia was. His face softened as he found her.
“Oh, are you here?”
Sylvia leaned against the railing, looked up at the night sky, then turned around. Randall took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
“Why are you out when the wind is cold?”
“I’m just trying to get some fresh air. How about Marquis Seicrine’s daughter?”
“She disappeared, saying she had someone she needed to meet.”
Even thinking about it again, it was still shocking, so Randall shook his head.
'I never thought Philia would like Jeffrey.'
That must have been why when Philia returned to the North the other day, she put her arms around his neck and forced him to smile. At the time, he wondered if she had eaten something wrong.
'What on earth happened between the two?'
Even when he looked back on his memories, Randall couldn't find anything in particular. While Randall was forced to put his doubts to one side, Sylvia was staring at the view of the ball through the curtains. The lights of the ballroom dimly shone through the terrace where they were standing. The sparkle created by the lights, people, and decorations on their clothes was like a star and caught her attention.
Randall naturally shifted his gaze to Sylvia and then he saw the figure.
'Come to think of it...'
He asked as a memory suddenly came to mind.
“Don’t you feel sorry?”
"What?"
“The Debutante Ball. I know you didn’t take it.”
Randall recalled that Sylvia did not even perform as a debutante for twenty-two years, but rather lived only in the mansion, or rather, in her bed. She did not participate in the debutante because she was born with a weak body. Afterward, she married Randall, and as a Duchess, she was to attend the welcome banquet of her vassals. She missed the opportunity to experience a debutante which only happened once in her life. Randall was concerned about that.
'Come to think of it...'
He asked as a memory suddenly came to mind.
“Don’t you feel sorry?”
"What?"
“The Debutante Ball. I know you didn’t take it.”
Randall recalled that Sylvia did not even perform as a debutante for twenty-two years, but rather lived only in the mansion, or rather, in her bed. She did not participate in the debutante because she was born with a weak body. Afterward, she married Randall, and as a Duchess, she was to attend the welcome banquet of her vassals. She missed the opportunity to experience a debutante which only happened once in her life. Randall was concerned about that.
Sylvia smiled slightly and shook her head.
“Anyway, it’s prom. I’m still getting sick of it. I guess there’s no need to add a debutante ball...”
She was serious. If she had to move any further, she would have thrown herself on the bed, whether she had to look good with Randall or not. But Sylvia stopped herself at what she said next.
“But there are some emotions that can only be felt at that moment.”
A calm voice pierced her ears. Sylvia turned her head as if fascinated by that voice. Then, his face smiling fondly at her filled her vision.
“I don’t want you to miss a single shining moment in your life.”
“...”
Sylvia was momentarily speechless at Randall's soft, heartfelt words.
‘How dare you say such strange things...’
Because it was a word without any embellishment, the feelings contained in it were even more profound. Her heart, which had briefly jumped at Randall’s words, came back to its place half a beat later. For some reason, her cheeks felt hot. As expected, she felt the heat when she put the back of her hand on her cheek, pretending to be calm.
“Anyway, it’s prom. I’m still getting sick of it. I guess there’s no need to add a debutante ball...”
She was serious. If she had to move any further, she would have thrown herself on the bed, whether she had to look good with Randall or not. But Sylvia stopped herself at what she said next.
“But there are some emotions that can only be felt at that moment.”
A calm voice pierced her ears. Sylvia turned her head as if fascinated by that voice. Then, his face smiling fondly at her filled her vision.
“I don’t want you to miss a single shining moment in your life.”
“...”
Sylvia was momentarily speechless at Randall's soft, heartfelt words.
‘How dare you say such strange things...’
Because it was a word without any embellishment, the feelings contained in it were even more profound. Her heart, which had briefly jumped at Randall’s words, came back to its place half a beat later. For some reason, her cheeks felt hot. As expected, she felt the heat when she put the back of her hand on her cheek, pretending to be calm.
Sylvia felt a hurt pride that Randall had embarrassed her, so she turned back the question.
“...What about you?”
"Yes?"
“Did you have a debutante ball?”
“...”
Randall made a face of defeat for a moment. He quickly changed his expression and rubbed the back of his neck as if it was nothing.
“At that time, I had just received a title, so getting used to various things was an urgent priority. I think it is thanks to this that the people can make a living at least as much as possible.”
He tried his best to speak, but in the end, he only made excuses. Sylvia mischievously pointed out that fact.
“You too, huh?”
“Hmm.”
Randall, who had nothing to say, let out a low sigh. After thinking for a moment as if he were looking for a retort, he opened his eyes wide and let out an exclamation.
"Ah."
And with a mysterious smile on his face, he took a step closer to Sylvia.
“Then should we celebrate it even with the same people?”
"... Yes?"
Sylvia blinked in wonder. Randall silently placed his right hand on his left chest, slightly stepped back with his right foot, and bowed, bending his knee.
“Nice to meet you, Young Lady Florette.”
“...”
“This is Randall Belfort.”
His attitude was polite as if he were meeting someone for the first time. Sylvia, who realized that Randall was imitating their debutante ball right here, burst into laughter without any time to stop it. It was a chore for her to move her body and talk to anyone. But she doesn't know if it's because the other person is Randall, or because she's jealous of that sparkling heart...
'I don't hate it.'
Strangely enough, she felt like joining in on this ridiculous play. Even if it was just a momentary whim brought on by the beauty of the moonlight, at least for now. Sylvia, with a gentle smile on her lips, also showed him perfect courtesy.
“This is Sylvia Florette, Prince Belfort.”
Randall's shoulders trembled at the unfamiliar name. Sylvia eventually burst into laughter and held his hand.
“What should I do if I start first and feel awkward?”
“Hmm. It’s a title I haven’t heard since I was 8...”
Randall cleared his throat and cleared his throat. He barely regained his composure and extended his hand towards Sylvia.
“Would you please do me the honor of asking you for my first dance?”
“I will gladly take your first dance as well.”
Sylvia responded slyly, grabbed Randall's hand, and placed the other hand on his shoulder. Randall also smiled and hugged her waist. The two people moved in sync, relying on the faint light and music flowing through the crack in the door. Despite the darkness surrounding them, their dance continued like water. Even without speaking, they move as if reading each other's thoughts. The direction, distance, and even breathing gradually become similar as if they belong to the same person. Finally, when the music reached its peak. They were laughing happily as if they had suddenly become a boy and a girl.
“Countess Glever, will you dance with me...”
“I’m sorry, I’m a little tired.”
Rubia coldly dismissed a young master, a nobleman who had already asked her to dance for the tenth time and walked away. There was a slight look of irritation on her face.
'It's annoying.'
Rubia, who was struggling with her work, attended the debutante ball late. Even as she entered the ballroom, her mind was filled with unfinished paperwork. Perhaps that was why Rubia forgot that she was now an unmarried, young, beautiful woman with a title. The debutante is an event that marks the beginning of the marriage market. Rubia, who does not even have a fiancé yet, would be a desirable bride to men who have also not found a partner.
'Where did the Duchess go?'
Rubia sighed and looked around. But neither the Duke nor the Duchess were in sight. Considering that they were people who seemed to stand out even if they were buried in a crowd of people, she wondered if they had even gone to the break room for a moment.
'I'll just wait and say hello and then go right back.'
It is against etiquette to leave without even saying hello to the party host. Rubia promised herself that when Randall and Sylvia returned, she would immediately say hello and return to the county, and in the meantime, she looked for a place where she could avoid people's attention.
“...What about you?”
"Yes?"
“Did you have a debutante ball?”
“...”
Randall made a face of defeat for a moment. He quickly changed his expression and rubbed the back of his neck as if it was nothing.
“At that time, I had just received a title, so getting used to various things was an urgent priority. I think it is thanks to this that the people can make a living at least as much as possible.”
He tried his best to speak, but in the end, he only made excuses. Sylvia mischievously pointed out that fact.
“You too, huh?”
“Hmm.”
Randall, who had nothing to say, let out a low sigh. After thinking for a moment as if he were looking for a retort, he opened his eyes wide and let out an exclamation.
"Ah."
And with a mysterious smile on his face, he took a step closer to Sylvia.
“Then should we celebrate it even with the same people?”
"... Yes?"
Sylvia blinked in wonder. Randall silently placed his right hand on his left chest, slightly stepped back with his right foot, and bowed, bending his knee.
“Nice to meet you, Young Lady Florette.”
“...”
“This is Randall Belfort.”
His attitude was polite as if he were meeting someone for the first time. Sylvia, who realized that Randall was imitating their debutante ball right here, burst into laughter without any time to stop it. It was a chore for her to move her body and talk to anyone. But she doesn't know if it's because the other person is Randall, or because she's jealous of that sparkling heart...
'I don't hate it.'
Strangely enough, she felt like joining in on this ridiculous play. Even if it was just a momentary whim brought on by the beauty of the moonlight, at least for now. Sylvia, with a gentle smile on her lips, also showed him perfect courtesy.
“This is Sylvia Florette, Prince Belfort.”
Randall's shoulders trembled at the unfamiliar name. Sylvia eventually burst into laughter and held his hand.
“What should I do if I start first and feel awkward?”
“Hmm. It’s a title I haven’t heard since I was 8...”
Randall cleared his throat and cleared his throat. He barely regained his composure and extended his hand towards Sylvia.
“Would you please do me the honor of asking you for my first dance?”
“I will gladly take your first dance as well.”
Sylvia responded slyly, grabbed Randall's hand, and placed the other hand on his shoulder. Randall also smiled and hugged her waist. The two people moved in sync, relying on the faint light and music flowing through the crack in the door. Despite the darkness surrounding them, their dance continued like water. Even without speaking, they move as if reading each other's thoughts. The direction, distance, and even breathing gradually become similar as if they belong to the same person. Finally, when the music reached its peak. They were laughing happily as if they had suddenly become a boy and a girl.
***
“Countess Glever, will you dance with me...”
“I’m sorry, I’m a little tired.”
Rubia coldly dismissed a young master, a nobleman who had already asked her to dance for the tenth time and walked away. There was a slight look of irritation on her face.
'It's annoying.'
Rubia, who was struggling with her work, attended the debutante ball late. Even as she entered the ballroom, her mind was filled with unfinished paperwork. Perhaps that was why Rubia forgot that she was now an unmarried, young, beautiful woman with a title. The debutante is an event that marks the beginning of the marriage market. Rubia, who does not even have a fiancé yet, would be a desirable bride to men who have also not found a partner.
'Where did the Duchess go?'
Rubia sighed and looked around. But neither the Duke nor the Duchess were in sight. Considering that they were people who seemed to stand out even if they were buried in a crowd of people, she wondered if they had even gone to the break room for a moment.
'I'll just wait and say hello and then go right back.'
It is against etiquette to leave without even saying hello to the party host. Rubia promised herself that when Randall and Sylvia returned, she would immediately say hello and return to the county, and in the meantime, she looked for a place where she could avoid people's attention.
The ballroom was generally bright, but there were occasionally dark areas where the light did not reach. Right now, it was next to the table where food and glasses were placed and behind the thick pillar. Rubia quietly walked behind the pillar. The dancing had just started, so people's eyes were focused on the floor. Rubia, thinking she was lucky, stepped into the shadow of the pillar and stopped when she spotted a seal.
“...Tsk.”
She clicked her tongue dissatisfied and corrected her thoughts. It was an extremely unlucky day to meet that man here.
“If you’re here to avoid a flock of wildcats, why don’t you look for a different spot? I already took over this place.”
Auston also frowned and said sarcastically, as if he was not happy to meet Rubia. Rubia responded smoothly, raising the corners of her mouth.
“I’ll give you 1 gold. Get out.”
“Because my price is higher than that. How about 5 gold?”
“Anyway, you still have that habit of only revealing money in a shallow way.”
“If you don’t like it, leave.”
“I never thought there would be a beast here that doesn’t even know how to behave like a human. It would be better for it to disappear on its own before the knight is called and dragged out.”
Rubia glared at him with cold eyes. Her purple eyes were filled with disgust. Auston glared at her fiercely, as if he would not back down.
'Anyway, those eyes.'
Auston hated Rubia Glever so much. Even the noble gaze, graceful actions, and even steps that make people think they are still orphans rolling on the floor are annoying. Rubia was a woman who was the perfect 'noble' that Auston despised.
'Cheeky...'
On the other hand, Rubia also despised Auston. To her, Auston Dosler was an incomprehensible person. Rubia valued the duties and honor that came with being a noble. High status and outstanding talent come with responsibilities. It was common sense to her that the more you have than others, the more you should share. However, Auston had no such responsibilities. He simply followed those who gave him money, and he never moved unless they gave him money. How was his behavior, which did not know how to act of his own will but acted according to money, any different from that of an animal? The fact that a wizard of that ability was so miserable that he sold his soul for money was a great loss to humanity. Rubia and Auston stared at each other tensely, not giving an inch of hesitation.
“How about you get out of my sight before I scream, Mr. Dosler?”
“If that happens, isn’t Countess Glever the one in more trouble than me? All the people in the ballroom will be flocking to ask the Countess to dance.”
“It’s natural that I like people more than you. However, I think the fact that you are a wizard under the Duke’s direct command is enough to attract attention.”
“Are we going to die together? “If it means dying with the Countess, I politely decline.”
“Only one person will die, and it won’t be me.”
“You have everything, even your delusions. You are a masterpiece.”
It was when the two people were exchanging sharp words as if they had a knife in their mouths.
“Oh, Countess Glever! Mr. Dosler is here too!”
“...Tsk.”
She clicked her tongue dissatisfied and corrected her thoughts. It was an extremely unlucky day to meet that man here.
“If you’re here to avoid a flock of wildcats, why don’t you look for a different spot? I already took over this place.”
Auston also frowned and said sarcastically, as if he was not happy to meet Rubia. Rubia responded smoothly, raising the corners of her mouth.
“I’ll give you 1 gold. Get out.”
“Because my price is higher than that. How about 5 gold?”
“Anyway, you still have that habit of only revealing money in a shallow way.”
“If you don’t like it, leave.”
“I never thought there would be a beast here that doesn’t even know how to behave like a human. It would be better for it to disappear on its own before the knight is called and dragged out.”
Rubia glared at him with cold eyes. Her purple eyes were filled with disgust. Auston glared at her fiercely, as if he would not back down.
'Anyway, those eyes.'
Auston hated Rubia Glever so much. Even the noble gaze, graceful actions, and even steps that make people think they are still orphans rolling on the floor are annoying. Rubia was a woman who was the perfect 'noble' that Auston despised.
'Cheeky...'
On the other hand, Rubia also despised Auston. To her, Auston Dosler was an incomprehensible person. Rubia valued the duties and honor that came with being a noble. High status and outstanding talent come with responsibilities. It was common sense to her that the more you have than others, the more you should share. However, Auston had no such responsibilities. He simply followed those who gave him money, and he never moved unless they gave him money. How was his behavior, which did not know how to act of his own will but acted according to money, any different from that of an animal? The fact that a wizard of that ability was so miserable that he sold his soul for money was a great loss to humanity. Rubia and Auston stared at each other tensely, not giving an inch of hesitation.
“How about you get out of my sight before I scream, Mr. Dosler?”
“If that happens, isn’t Countess Glever the one in more trouble than me? All the people in the ballroom will be flocking to ask the Countess to dance.”
“It’s natural that I like people more than you. However, I think the fact that you are a wizard under the Duke’s direct command is enough to attract attention.”
“Are we going to die together? “If it means dying with the Countess, I politely decline.”
“Only one person will die, and it won’t be me.”
“You have everything, even your delusions. You are a masterpiece.”
It was when the two people were exchanging sharp words as if they had a knife in their mouths.
“Oh, Countess Glever! Mr. Dosler is here too!”
A fussy voice came between them. Rubia and Auston's faces turned pale as they reflexively turned their heads. The person approaching them was Countess Serade, who was famous for being the most talkative in the North.
“Hoho, I’ve been looking for it since a while ago. I didn't recognize you because it was in such a corner. This is my daughter and son. My daughter made her debut this time.”
The Countess blocked Rubia and Auston’s path before they could even move and introduced her daughter and son. Her eyes were bright as if she had found her prey.
“...Countess Glever?”
“Mr. Dosler is there too.”
The others who heard Countess Serade's voice turned their gazes one by one to where they were. Their instincts were ringing. If they were caught by those people, they would not be able to leave this place until dawn at least. Feeling threatened, Rubia and Auston exchanged glances. Without saying who would go first, they quickly held hands and smiled.
"Unfortunately, I made a pact with the Countess a little while ago to dance together.”
“I’m sorry, Countess Serade.”
“Let’s go, Countess.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Dosler.”
“Hey, wait a minute.. !”
The two people pretended not to hear Countess Serade's urgent call and went out onto the floor. As each person looked around with the corners of their mouths raised, they saw Countess Serade and many others with their eyes wide open as if waiting for the moment when their dance would end. Auston muttered as if tempted.
“...If I use movement magic.”
“If that happens, the rumor will spread all over the streets tomorrow. An unmarried Countess and a wizard had a love affair.”
“...”
“...”
It was terrifying just to imagine. The faces of the two people who instinctively knew that they couldn't leave the person in front of them until everyone else returned were dyed in despair. Their expressions were very similar, but they held each other's hands, which gave them goosebumps, without realizing it.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment