In an instant, all eyes in the hall turned toward the door. At the same time, Kaiel’s eyes lit up like a light being switched on.

“……!”

“Stay still.”

Niol, who restrained Kaiel, slowly sent his gaze toward the door. Ashlene also just gaped, not knowing what was going on.

“First Brother, did you know? About Miss Delia……”

Instead of answering, Niol smiled gently. Right now, he just wanted to fix his gaze on the door and take in every detail of whoever would enter shortly.

‘Delia Averbit.’

A name that stirred his heart just by looking at it. He had discovered that familiar name on the register this morning.

Though he had tried to stop it because it was dangerous.

How could he further stand in her way when she was trying this hard?

No matter how much he disliked it, that was his feeling. Delia wanted this, and she had managed to get her name on the register.

‘We lost.’

Niol, who smiled wryly, took out his pen and moved Delia’s entry order to the very end. Then he quietly slipped away.

And now.

Niol with his flushed face, Kaiel with his wide eyes, and the dumbfounded Ashlene.

Fortunately, no one saw how these three’s expressions changed as everyone was looking toward the door.

Today’s protagonist, who would share the first dance with the Crown Prince, finally revealed herself.

Soon, murmurs spread like waves throughout.

Even those who hadn’t shown much interest in other young ladies’ entrances were now standing on tiptoes to see.

The faint smile that had settled on Niol’s face had now disappeared between his blankly parted lips. He couldn’t even realize that his blinking had naturally decreased.

After taking in the beautiful woman walking toward them, a pleased sigh burst from Niol’s lips.

Meanwhile, Kaiel was glaring at the door so intensely that veins bulged on his forehead, unsuited to the beautiful atmosphere. However, his expression also softened for a moment.

His sharp eyes now burned with intense emotion.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Kaiel, who had been unconsciously suppressing his breath due to his racing heartbeat, finally let out a deep breath.

“—Delia.”

The silver-tinged dress rippled with one step, sparkled with two steps.

The fabric that also shone blue depending on the lighting looked like wings. Perhaps it was the white butterfly-shaped pin decorating her hair that made it appear so.

Delia walked through the banquet hall like a silver butterfly.

Following the voluminous dress hem up, one’s gaze was naturally drawn to the soft curves of her waist, chest, and collarbone.

Next, the necklace reflecting light above her collarbone drew the gaze up to her neck. Then came her red hair and green eyes.

Plus a smile that seemed somewhat dominant and provocative, unseen before.

Delia Averbit. That’s how her appearance was completed.

“Move.”

“I said stay still.”

Niol blocked Kaiel who kept trying to rush forward while also trying not to laugh too informally himself.

Many young ladies gulped as they watched Delia.

A new face who suddenly appeared and claimed the last protagonist’s position. She was a beauty with a different atmosphere from Chlois Bennett.

The young ladies who had been invited to Lady Evans’s tea party recalled their previous meeting.

It seemed like just yesterday when she left draped over the Grand Duke’s shoulder.

She was now so seductive that her appearance from then felt unfamiliar.

The completely mature woman’s bearing and gait, plus the gentle and relaxed smile that couldn’t come easily unless one had grown up that way since childhood.

By the time Ashlene realized these things resembled her considerably, Delia had already arrived in front of where Niol stood.

Delia curtsied. Ashlene, who had been carefully observing her greeting motion, made an intriguing expression before bursting into helpless laughter.

Delia was truly recreating everything about Ashlene perfectly!

Where else could one find such a perfect substitute.

Meanwhile, information about Ashlene was unfolding in Delia’s mind, so there was nothing to worry about.

Ashlene was a character she had created. She already knew exactly how to act in any situation.

Therefore, among everyone in this hall, Delia was the most suitable person to substitute for Ashlene.

Kaiel frowned as if something displeased him. He finally pushed past Niol who had been constantly blocking his way.

“Del……”

Swallowing the familiar name that was about to come out, Kaiel opened his mouth again.

“Miss Averbit.”

The banquet hall stirred once more.

Finally, a young lady whom His Grace the Grand Duke addressed appeared……!

Who could this woman be?

Instead of answering, Delia slightly nodded with a bright smile. Kaiel immediately closed the distance with Delia.

People held their breath watching the two. However, the two just stood facing each other without doing anything.

Kaiel opened his mouth in a low, quiet voice that only she could hear.

“Why did you come here.”

Despite his angry tone, his gaze persistently lingered on Delia’s entire form.

“Why, you ask?”

Delia questioned back. For a moment, longing and determination alternately flashed across her expression.

At that moment, the music that had been nearing its end switched to a waltz.

Just before Kaiel’s reflexively outstretched hand could touch Delia’s waist, Niol quickly intervened.

“Then, as per custom, may I request this dance?”

Niol, who smiled brightly while discreetly brushing away Kaiel’s hand, stepped forward and offered his arm.

“Shall we?”

Delia faced him and placed her hand on Niol’s arm. Delia only turned her head to speak to Kaiel.

“I wanted to look good.”

To whom, and what.

The sincerity thrown out while omitting all the important parts.

Leaving him behind, Delia moved to the center of the banquet hall escorted by Niol. People formed a large circle around them. It was to watch the first dance.

However, for some reason, once they took their positions, Delia’s eyes trembled slightly. She whispered quietly.

“Your Highness. Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“I haven’t memorized the dance yet.”

Actually, Delia had been quite flustered since the waiting room.

‘Why am I last!?’

Though she had received much education from Lady Evans and acquired most skills in a short time, if there was one thing lacking, it was dance.

‘This is bad! There’s so much……!’

Though the movements themselves were simple, from partner dances to group dances. The formations were tricky and most were similar so they got confusing.

It was impossible to memorize all the movements in a week.

‘So I was planning to slip away before dancing…….’

Just then, a long, slender hand gently wrapped around Delia’s waist.

“Delia.”

Niol whispered in a small voice.

“Don’t worry. I’ll lead, so trust me.”

Niol, who gave a courteous smile, firmly held Delia’s hand with his other hand.

Lowering his gaze to meet Delia’s eyes, Niol added one more thing to her ear where no one could notice.

“You’re so beautiful. Right now.”

While everyone’s attention was focused on the dance they were about to show, Chlois had been constantly observing Niol’s face.

Who would have known that shortly after, Chlois would bite her lower lip and rush out the door. Lady Bennett hurriedly blocked her way.

“Where are you going!”

“It’s useless! Didn’t you see His Highness’s expression?”

“Expression?”

At Chlois’s deeply sunken voice, Lady Bennett turned her eyes to look at Niol.

Niol was someone Lady Bennett had put tremendous effort into since Chlois entered society. She had not only continuously brought up marriage talks but even deliberately created scandals.

“Oh my.”

How should one interpret that expression?

Lady Bennett glanced at Delia and clicked her tongue. Then she pushed Chlois back into the crowd.

“What will become of you if you run away from here! Quickly go in and do what you need to do. Look, there. His Grace the Grand Duke is standing right there!”

“I……”

“Quickly!”

Chlois let out a small sigh. His Grace the Grand Duke was a bit scary.

But what could she do.

As if nothing had happened, she approached Kaiel with a clear smile. Indeed, he was handsome up close too.

“Your Grace.”

Chlois, who curtsied lifting her skirt, brushed her hair behind her ear.

“There are many beautiful young ladies today. Don’t you think so?”

“……”

Kaiel kept staring in one direction without giving even a single glance. Though expressionless, his gaze somehow felt cold.

By now the banquet hall was filled with young men who had entered afterwards pairing up with young ladies. Chlois looked around the hall and spoke.

“Don’t you dance, Your Grace?”

“……”

“Your Grace……”

“Don’t dance.”

“Pardon?”

Was there a need to be this cold.

At Chlois’s surprised voice, Kaiel, who finally turned his head briefly to face her, spoke lowly.

“I do not dance.”

His gaze fixed again in one direction. It seemed he couldn’t take his eyes away.

Following his line of sight, Chlois almost unconsciously stiffened her face for a moment.

‘Ah……’

Two beautiful figures were sweeping across the banquet hall. Every time they stepped across the ballroom floor drawing circular arcs, people sent admiration their way.

A regretful sound escaped Chlois’s lips.

“His Highness…… is very skilled at dancing. Even a woman who can’t dance would quickly adjust.”

After these words, Chlois also firmly shut her mouth.

Indeed, Niol was leading the dance very gently and properly. Thanks to that, no one could tell what Delia’s dancing skills were like.