Chapter 3.7

“Earl Melfir and Countess Melfir have arrived!”  

The loud announcement rang out over the soft music, drawing everyone’s gaze to the same spot.  

“Oh my…”  

And they all let out the same gasp of admiration.  

There, walking side by side, was a couple so beautiful that the word “perfect” seemed to suit them entirely.  

The man, with his strikingly sharp features, was already well-known. His appearance, which seemed to justify the endless rumors of his romantic escapades, was no surprise.  

What truly shocked everyone was the woman standing next to him.  

She wore a deep navy-blue dress that evoked the image of a black rose, as if she had grown under a shadow. It was the first thing to catch everyone’s attention.  

Next, their eyes were drawn to her boldly exposed white, rounded shoulders and her figure, which contrasted with her delicate and innocent face.  

“…That must be the Countess of Melfir.”  

Someone murmured in a trance.  

Although the ballroom was crowded with people, the moment the Earl and Countess of Melfir entered, it transformed into a wedding aisle just for them.  

Only now did everyone understand why the paintings of the Earl and Countess of Melfir’s wedding had sold out so quickly.  

Even those who had been whispering about the couple’s rumored discord fell silent and simply stared at them.  

Walking gracefully, as if to announce their noble lineage from two of the Kingdom’s most prestigious families, the couple paused in the center of the ballroom to converse briefly.  

When Solnia looked at him, Luette Trovill, sensing her gaze, leaned in to listen.  

As her red lips moved slightly, saying something, he smiled—a handsome smile befitting the man said to be the most striking of the three Trovill brothers.  

***

“Do you like it?”  

Luette asked, still smiling. Solnia, who was also faintly smiling, replied without moving her lips.  

“It would be nice if you walked a little slower. I’m wearing a dress, after all.”  

“As you wish.”  

In truth, it wasn’t just because of the dress.  

While the cumbersome dress was indeed uncomfortable, and Luette’s long strides were difficult to keep up with, what truly made her want to slow down were the countless eyes on them.  

Swallowing dryly, Solnia tightened her grip on Luette’s arm, which she was holding.  

The reality was even more overwhelming than she had imagined.  

Even though she had pictured this moment countless times since receiving her grandmother’s letter, the stares piercing through her and her husband were terrifying.  

It felt as though she had been transported back to the past—sitting alone at a table, eating meals that felt like sand, under the scrutinizing eyes of numerous tutors.  

Their precarious steps finally stopped in front of Dowager Heston.  

The Dowager was seated on a crimson sofa, lavishly adorned with golden embroidery, as if it were meant for royalty.  

“Earl.”  

She rose, leaning on her cane, and lightly embraced Luette.  

“Happy birthday, Dowager.”  

“I’ve already received plenty of birthday wishes from you, Earl.”  

The Dowager then turned her gaze to Solnia with a satisfied expression.  

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for this day?”  

“…”  

Her affectionate voice was accompanied by a piercing gaze that swept over Solnia.  

Finally, her wrinkled hand cupped Solnia’s cheek—a touch that sent a shiver down her spine.  

“My, my. The Duchess of Trovill has certainly put in a lot of effort, but I wonder if you’ll catch a cold wearing something like this.”  

“I’m fine—”  

“Now that the guest we’ve been waiting for has arrived, it’s time to start the party.”  

As always, the Dowager cut Solnia off mid-sentence and turned to smile at the crowd as if nothing had happened.  

***

As the party began, the guests stepped back, leaving the center of the ballroom open.  

In the Kingdom’s balls, it was customary for married couples to share the first dance together.  

Thus, Solnia and Luette found themselves facing each other with reluctant expressions.  

Of course, dancing wasn’t difficult. Both had learned to dance from a young age, and their gloved hands made the physical contact less awkward.  

What was uncomfortable, however, was being so close that their faces occasionally met, forcing them to exchange glances.  

“How long do you plan to stay?”  

Luette asked. Solnia, following his lead, softly turned and replied,  

“I’ll probably have to stay until the end.”  

Of course, he thought. His furrowed brow said as much.  

“Don’t even think about sneaking off alone.”  

Solnia’s eyes gleamed as if to warn him that she wouldn’t let him get away with it.  

“As long as we don’t have to dance any more.”  

He casually replied and, as if fulfilling a duty, pulled her closer into his arms.  

Then, tilting his head slightly, he asked, 

“Are you wearing perfume?”  

“…”  

The voice coming from above her head made her feel strange, as though it implied she had gone out of her way to impress him.  

“The maids sprayed it on me.”  

“I was just asking if you were wearing it.”  

“And I was just saying that’s how it happened.”  

Both wore expressions that seemed to say, ‘Why can’t we just talk normally?’  

Occasionally locking eyes, forcing fake smiles, and sometimes pulling grimaces the moment they turned their heads—Solnia found herself tempted to stomp on his foot.  

Finally, the first dance, a quadrille, came to an end.  

The couple exchanged polite bows.  

Now, Solnia planned to disappear into some corner of the expansive ballroom.  

Of course, her grandmother’s persistent gaze would follow her, but even the Dowager couldn’t keep her eyes solely on Solnia throughout such a grand party.  

Solnia intended to stay inconspicuously until it was time to leave. Occasionally, she would flash a kind smile at Luette Trovill from across the room if their eyes met.  

“Solnia, my dear. Are you feeling well?”  

The Dowager Heston had descended from her seat at some point and was now looking at Solnia with concern.  

Solnia instinctively smiled.  

“I’m fine. I’m always healthy, Grandmother.”  

“That’s good to hear. Then, may I borrow the Earl for a moment?”  

Before Solnia could respond, the Dowager had already introduced Luette to a young lady with brown hair.  

Solnia watched the scene indifferently.  

It wasn’t unusual.  

If the ballroom were to crown the most distinguished gentleman, it would undoubtedly be Luette Trovill.  

And it was his role to serve as an excellent dance partner for young ladies making their debut in society.  

“Earl, this is Lady Ayla, the second daughter of the Earl of Hezen.”  

The young lady, with her long brown hair cascading down her back, looked no older than fifteen.  

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Lordship.”  

Her trembling voice revealed her nervousness.  

Standing before her, Luette offered his signature smile but suddenly raised his gaze.  

His olive-green eyes locked onto Solnia’s across the room, as if trying to communicate something.  

When he remained silent, merely smiling faintly at the young lady’s greeting, both the Dowager and the young lady turned their gazes toward Solnia.  

Ah. So that’s what he meant.  

Realizing the meaning behind Luette’s look, Solnia smiled warmly and said,  

“Dear, please give Lady Ayla a memorable experience.”  

“If you insist, Madame.”  

The word “dear” sent a shiver down her spine, but it worked.  

Only after receiving her permission did Luette finally flash his trademark charming smile.  

Taking Lady Ayla’s hand gently, he kissed it.  

Solnia maintained her smile as she watched, pretending not to notice her grandmother’s gaze fixed on her the entire time.  

***

The second daughter of the House of Hezen turned out to be bolder than expected.  

Even while dancing a light mazurka, she boldly leaned in and pressed herself closer. Her hazel eyes never left his for even a second.  

One couldn’t help but wonder which instructor had taught her such a manner of dancing. If the Countess of Hezen were to see this, she would surely be mortified.  

Of course, this wasn’t entirely surprising. He had dealt with far more audacious ladies before.  

“I never dreamed of this. That I’d get to dance with you, Your Lordship.”  

Her bold gestures contrasted with her blushing face, which seemed shy, drawing an amused smile from him.  

“I heard you’d be here, but I thought I’d only get to see you from afar.”  

“It’s an honor for me as well, to meet the wise daughter of the Earl of Hezen.”  

Whether “wise” was a fitting word for the Earl of Hezen was debatable.  

Still, it was the only compliment he could offer to the stern old man who always glared at him as if he were some delinquent.  

“I don’t know if you remember, but we met once last year at the party hosted by the Dowager. I was there with my mother and sister.”  

Did they?

He couldn’t recall.  

“When I first saw you, Your Lordship, I couldn’t help but wonder who would become your partner someday…”  

Her chatter was quickly drowned out by the lively music. Luette merely kept his face adorned with a polite smile as he led her through the dance.  

One unfortunate fact was that the young lady was rather short, causing his gaze to constantly drop. This led to him inadvertently witnessing things he didn’t wish to see.  

Before his eyes could land on the exaggeratedly emphasized neckline of the young lady’s dress, Luette tilted his chin upward.  

Despite her youthful appearance, which made her seem two years younger than her actual age of seventeen, the young lady wore a dress that exaggerated her figure.  

It was likely the result of the Countess of Hezen’s determination to marry her daughter off this year.  

Yet, his mind was preoccupied with someone else entirely.  

For instance, his wife, who had captured everyone’s attention the moment she entered.  

Come to think of it, it was absurd. Everyone had been staring wide-eyed at her prominent figure, yet she herself seemed completely unbothered.  

Could it be that bizarre dress was actually to her taste?  

When he subtly raised his gaze, he spotted Solnia standing alone among a group of people clustered together.  

Despite standing by herself, her characteristic upright posture and dignified air made her seem anything but lonely.  

Perhaps it was that wretchedly dramatic dress of hers.  

Today, Solnia appeared particularly lofty and arrogant compared to usual.  

‘Dear, please give Lady Ayla a memorable experience.’  

That adorable yet irritating term of endearment resurfaced in his memory.  

Her calm voice had uttered the word “dear” without a hint of hesitation.  

To think she could say such a thing without batting an eye. She must be a sly woman.  

How else could one explain her ability to say such things with a straight face unless there was an old soul hidden within her?  

“Your Lordship, am I making you uncomfortable? Or is it that my dancing skills are lacking?”  

“Not at all.”  

“Then why do you keep averting your gaze…”  

With a troubled smile, Luette finally decided to fix his gaze on her forehead.  

The second daughter of the House of Hezen, it turned out, had quite a broad forehead.