Chapter 1.3

“Mother, Wendy.”

“Hello, Mother.”

“Jayden. Lucas. It’s amazing to see you both showing your faces properly.”

The boys who usually slipped away before the dance started. The Countess feigned surprise and glanced at the boys.

“Still, as a brother, I can’t do that on my sister’s debut.”

“You talk well. Yes, it’s good timing. I have someone to introduce…”

“Mother. Today, Wendy is the main character. Do you have time to think about anything else?”

“……”

Jayden affectionately grabbed his mother’s shoulders, redirecting her attention to Wendy, blocking the nagging that was to follow. His sly smile and sly behavior left the Countess speechless, glaring at Jayden and Lucas, who stood pretending not to know.

Men with clear family and careers, looking decent, living as they pleased without interest in women, were annoying. Yet they neither led a dissipated life nor did anything out of line, leaving her with nothing to say.

“When on earth will you two…”

“Wow, Wendy. All the fuss since morning paid off? You look quite decent.”

Ignoring his mother’s nagging, Jayden teased his sister with a mischievous grin. Wendy was about to retort, but Lucas’s added comment made her shyly withdraw.

“No, Wendy. You’re not just decent; you’re quite pretty.”

“Oh, my.”

Though he’d seen it many times, Jayden was always appalled by Wendy’s reaction. He clicked his tongue, looking exasperated, while Lucas just gave a familiar faint smile.

“Lucas. I heard the Dowager Duchess attended the ball after a long time?”

“Yes, it’s been a while since she attended a ball.”

“I see. There must be a reason?”

When the Countess subtly inquired, Lucas smiled awkwardly and closed his mouth. Then he turned to Wendy, who waited eagerly with bright eyes, avoiding the Countess’s meaningful gaze, and extended his hand.

“Wendy. Now I can keep my promise.”

As expected, Lucas hadn’t forgotten the promise. A rosy smile bloomed on Wendy’s face. How long had she waited for this day? She had eagerly crossed off the days on her calendar from January 1st this year before going to bed each night.

For six years since meeting Lucas, she had only admired him from afar because she was too young. But from today, she could stand by his side as a confident adult, capable of romance and marriage.

“I didn’t know you’d remember. It was a promise made so long ago.”

Though her hand rested shyly, her face was adorned with a radiant smile. As Jayden grimaced, the Countess nudged her son’s side. Regardless, Lucas calmly led Wendy to the center of the hall.

“Did you practice a bit?”

Lucas placed his hand on Wendy’s waist, taking a relaxed stance. As his hand touched her waist, Wendy inhaled sharply. Her head felt dizzy, and she heard strange buzzing sounds in her ears.

“Nervous?”

Feeling like her heart, which started pounding wildly at his touch, might leap out of her mouth, Wendy nodded instead of answering.

“Just trust me and follow along.”

Once again, unable to speak, Wendy nodded. To ease her tension, Lucas held her waist firmly, but it only made her want to escape more.

‘I wish the music would start soon.’

She thought that moving her body might ease her tension. Wendy glanced at the orchestra, avoiding Lucas’s gaze.

‘Cute.’

Lucas had known for a long time that Wendy liked him. How could he not know? Her face would turn red, and her eyes would sparkle every time they met.

‘It seems she’s shed some of her childishness.’

Hidden beneath Wendy’s long black lashes, her turquoise eyes shimmered with green and blue hues in the light. Her round cheeks were flushed, and her lips, moist with nervousness, were a bright red. Her white, smooth neck, the hollow of her collarbone, and the swell of her chest below were all visible. Her waist, where his hand rested, was slender enough to be held with one hand.

‘Jayden, it seems you won’t have time to dance today.’

Men were already glancing her way. Once this dance ended, they would gather around Wendy, seizing their opportunity.

“Lucas?”

“Oh, yes.”

As the formation was set in the center of the hall, the music began. Once the dance started, Wendy’s movements became lighter and more fluid as her tension gradually eased.

“You’re doing well, Wendy.”

“Really?”

“Yes, it seems your nerves have relaxed.”

Lucas leaned down and whispered praise into Wendy’s ear. However, perhaps because his face suddenly came too close, Wendy flinched hard, and her steps tangled. Fortunately, Lucas held her firmly, preventing her from stumbling.

‘What to do?’

Wendy’s face quickly turned to a look of distress. Embarrassment caused her face to flush for a different reason than at the start. Lucas, who noticed this delicately, chuckled softly and comforted her.

“It’s okay. No one noticed.”

“Do you think so?”

In truth, she didn’t care how others saw her. It was the fact that she made a mistake in front of Lucas that embarrassed her.

“Even if they did, it wouldn’t matter.”

“Why?”

“Because Wendy, you are so pretty today that no one would notice a small mistake.”

“Am I pretty?”

“Of course. Wendy, you are always pretty.”

Though Lucas smiled as he said this, Wendy felt strangely unpleased. His voice sounded like a father soothing and praising a child.

‘Was it a real flower?’

As they finished the last turn and Lucas embraced her, a faint scent of roses lingered at the tip of his nose. Unlike artificial perfume, which sometimes could be overpowering, Wendy’s scent was pleasant.

Admiring the Countess of Rosewood’s taste, Lucas happily concluded his promise with Wendy. As soon as they finished their greetings, Lucas patted Wendy’s head as if praising a child.

“Well done, Wendy.”

“……”

His large hand remained soft and warm as ever, but today it felt somewhat disappointing. Yet, when Wendy met Lucas’s eyes, she smiled brightly. Then, accepting his escort, she returned to the Countess.

“Wendy. Come and greet this gentleman.”

The Countess of Rosewood immediately introduced Wendy to another man. After exchanging awkward greetings, Wendy was led back to the center of the hall by the gentleman. She glanced back, but Lucas was already gone.

***

The next morning.

Lucas appeared in the dining hall of the Devon Ducal Household for breakfast.

“Good morning, Grandmother.”

“Yes. Did you sleep well, Lucas?”

After a brief greeting, a quietly solemn meal began.

Only the occasional clink of a knife against a dish broke the silence; no conversation passed between them. Once they had eaten a fair amount, the Dowager Duchess wiped her mouth with a napkin and placed it beside her plate.

“About the young lady you danced with yesterday.”

“……”

He wondered why she hadn’t spoken until now.

Lucas set his fork down and gestured to a servant to clear the plates.

“Her name was Wendy Rosewood.”

“Jayden’s sister.”

“Ah, Jayden Rosewood. Wasn’t he your classmate at the Military Academy?”

The Dowager Duchess nodded as if she remembered.

She recalled seeing him once at an academy event, a bright and amiable young man who was surprisingly friendly. Despite that, he was polite, well-mannered, and competent, which pleased her as Lucas’s friend.

“The Earl of Rosewood’s Household isn’t bad.”

“Grandmother. Wendy is a younger sister I’ve watched grow up. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“……”

When the Dowager Duchess remained silent, Lucas sighed.

“She’s still a child.”

“She’s debuted, so she’s not a child anymore.”

“……”

“But she did seem innocent.”

Since Lucas rarely danced, the Dowager Duchess had watched Wendy with interest.

She was a bright and lovely girl. Especially striking was her inability to hide her emotions, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lucas. But that was all.

“I had hoped for more from the Earl Rosewood’s Household, given its reputation. Unlike the eldest daughter, it seems they raised Wendy spoiled. It was disappointing.”

“Did you think so?”

Disappointing, she said. But that’s what made Wendy who she was.

At yesterday’s ball, she seemed quite ladylike, but to Lucas, she was still the child he had seen six years ago. Unlike young ladies who pretended to be adults after debuting, Wendy’s honesty was refreshing.

So, although he couldn’t fully agree with the Dowager Duchess, Lucas wisely kept his mouth shut. Saying anything would only play into her attempt to gauge his feelings for Wendy.

“Fortunately, since you seem indifferent, let’s leave it at that.”

Seeing Lucas’s lack of reaction, the Dowager Duchess lightly waved her hand, ending the conversation. The unexpected quick conclusion left Lucas suspicious, narrowing his eyes slightly.

However, the Dowager Duchess calmly sipped her tea, savoring its aroma and flavor.

From then on, whether fortunately or unfortunately, there was no conversation until Lucas left, excusing himself for an appointment.