Chapter 1.2

In a corner of the ballroom, a man in the official military uniform of the Adlen Kingdom stood with a sneer on his lips. The tall man with platinum blond hair neatly styled scanned the hall with sharp blue eyes. Despite his young age, the badges and medals densely decorating his left chest showed he was not someone to be underestimated.

‘It’s like a hunting ground.’

A high-class hunting ground where shiny prey was released to attract the hunters seeking connections. Lucas Devon, Duke of Devon, was in a position to be both the best hunter and prey, but he had no intention of hunting or being hunted.

However, he couldn’t avoid the gazes of the nobles who, unable to approach him, were eagerly watching for an opportunity.

“There you are, Lucas.”

At that moment, a man with black hair in the same military uniform approached casually and leaned his arm on Lucas’s shoulder.

“Jayden? Weren’t you with your family?”

“They were so bustling from the start that I slipped out early.”

“Is that okay?”

“Father said as long as I showed up, it was fine. He warned me so much about not running away on Wendy’s debut. You’re lucky not to have sisters.”

The man shrugging with a look of annoyance was Jayden Rosewood, Wendy’s brother. His left chest was also decorated with badges and medals almost similar to Lucas’s.

“Lucas, why are you staying here?”

“I promised Wendy something.”

Still leaning crookedly, Lucas replied indifferently.

“Oh, you promised to dance with her? I’m sorry, Lucas. My sister bothers you so much.”

“Let’s call it the price of having a good friend.”

“Price? It’s a blessing. Friends like me aren’t common, are they? So you should endure this much trouble.”

Jayden’s green eyes twinkled mischievously. His slightly curly black hair was half-tied, giving a freer and more lively impression than Lucas.

“If you think of it as the first and last time, it’s not troublesome.”

Lucas chuckled at Jayden’s apology. Wendy was not only his friend Jayden’s sister but also a cute little sister to him, so being close wasn’t burdensome. However, today’s debut changed the situation.

Now Wendy was a lady of marriageable age, and no matter how much Lucas saw her as a sister, in others’ eyes, they were a man and a woman. It was time to keep a proper distance to avoid gossip, and today marked the start of that.

“But your grandmother, she’s been watching you over there.”

Lucas slowly turned his head in the direction Jayden pointed. His grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Devon, was glaring at him with a very displeased expression as he chatted with Jayden.

“Why don’t you at least pretend to be looking for a future duchess? Before your grandmother’s gaze pierces through your face.”

“It’s not the first time.”

He had entered the military academy despite the opposition of the Dowager Duchess and the late Ducal couple, and contrary to society’s expectations that he would retire once he inherited the dukedom, he was still in the military. He was very busy, but the only reason he had been attending social events recently was because of his grandmother.

“And you’re not in a position to talk about others, are you?”

“There’s Wendy.”

Jayden, who would eventually inherit the earldom, shrugged and laughed. Although the standard marriageable age was more lenient for men than women, Jayden had no interest in marriage. He wasn’t a bachelor by principle either. He just casually brushed it off, saying it wasn’t the right time and he hadn’t met a woman he wanted to marry yet.

As for Lucas, it was a bit complicated.

After succeeding the late Duke, who passed away suddenly a few years ago, Lucas became the Duke of Devon at a relatively young age. As the Duke, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had already married, but he seemed to be focused only on his vast duties as a military officer and the head of the ducal household, with no other thoughts.

“You two aren’t planning to spend your lives together, are you?”

Karen had once asked, half-joking, half-suspicious.

Both had immediately turned serious, saying they’d rather shoot each other and themselves than do that.

“A double suicide? That’s so tragic and incredibly romantic.”

Karen didn’t let it go easily and kept teasing them. Nevertheless, Lucas and Jayden had maintained a solid friendship since their time at the military academy.

“My parents decided to send Wendy first. So I still have some time.”

“I envy that.”

“That silly little sister is actually helpful. You really live to see everything.”

Jayden chuckled mischievously, and Lucas also smiled.

Despite his pranks, Jayden cherished his silly little sister. Once, when he heard Wendy was sick, he had even climbed over the unit’s wall during night duty just to see her for a moment.

“Oh, there’s Wendy.”

Following Jayden’s gaze, Lucas slowly turned his head. Wendy entered gracefully between the Countess of Rosewood and Karen.

“Wendy looks a bit different today.”

Lucas murmured as he gazed at Wendy, and Jayden shrugged with a weary expression.

“After all that fuss, if she didn’t change, there’d be a problem.”

“Is that so.”

Without a sister, Lucas couldn’t understand, but Jayden, who had already experienced preparing for a debut with Karen, shuddered.

It was a bit better the second time after Karen, but it was still hectic enough to make him feel drained.

“Look at her. She’s definitely looking for you.”

“……”

“Before she searches the whole ballroom for you, could you please keep your promise? As her brother, I can’t watch her chase after a man on her debut day.”

Lucas chuckled softly and straightened from the wall. He intended to do just that. Keeping the promise would allow him to escape his grandmother’s terrifying gaze and leave the ball comfortably.

“I’m counting on you, Lucas. The first dance should be with an outsider, right?”

“Am I considered an outsider too?”

“To others, you are. If no other man asks after you, then I, followed by Father and Brother-in-law, will have to step in one after another for family duty.”

Jayden grumbled, but Lucas only laughed.

To Lucas, Wendy was pretty enough that Jayden needn’t worry. Even now, the men in the ballroom were sneaking glances at her.

But like all brothers, Jayden could only see Wendy as someone to worry about.

“Oh, there he is.”

Even as Karen restrained her, Wendy quickly spotted Lucas. To Wendy, Lucas was a man who shone no matter where he was, standing out among the crowd. Wendy’s expression brightened, and her steps naturally headed towards him.

“Wait. I said wait.”

Karen firmly held Wendy back. Lucas would come on his own as promised; there was no need to run to him like a puppy awaiting its master.

“Oh, Sister. Why do you keep doing this?”

“He’s coming even if you don’t rush. Just wait patiently.”

Despite Wendy’s displeased glare, Karen didn’t let go. Wendy had no choice but to wait for Lucas and Jayden to come over.

“Drawing all the unnecessary attention.”

Karen muttered as the Countess of Rosewood quickly scanned the surroundings. The eyes of the ladies in the ballroom followed the two men. One was her biological son, and the other was like a son, so she felt proud, yet her heart was complicated.

Lucas cherished Wendy like a real sibling, but he was a prominent figure in some circles. This made her worried about the unnecessary attention Wendy might receive due to her closeness with Lucas. While some mothers might be proud of their debuting daughters drawing attention, the Countess did not wish that for Wendy. Her precious youngest daughter lacked the toughness to endure the cold and cruel social world.

‘Is it that good?’

But Wendy, unaware of the Countess’s concerns, was simply happy at the thought of dancing with Lucas. If Lucas shared even a hint of Wendy’s feelings, it would be different, but he wisely kept his distance. 

Since Wendy began preparing for her official debut, he remained kind but subtly changed his demeanor. He slowly and appropriately distanced himself, enough for the Countess not to worry.

The problem was that Wendy didn’t notice his change. It’s not unusual to harbor an almost longing love at least once in childhood. Like when Karen once fell for her piano teacher, expressing her indescribable feelings through delicate notes.

But Wendy’s feelings were a bit different. It was excessive to consider them a fleeting, dream-like sentiment of childhood. Like a racehorse with blinders, Wendy’s sparkling turquoise eyes were fixed solely on Lucas, which was both pitiful and worrisome.

The Countess gently pulled Wendy’s arm.

“Wendy. You know you shouldn’t dance with just one man, right?”

“Yes.”

“You know Lucas isn’t the only one here, right?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Wendy’s insincere answers showed she wasn’t listening at all. The Countess eventually massaged her throbbing head.