Chapter 17 – Debutante Ball (1)

“B-Betier… When will this end?”  

“Not for a while yet, my Queen.”  

Betier smiled lightly as her hands worked swiftly.  

Surrounded by several maids attending to her adornment, Lenoa felt both bored and overwhelmed by the endless preparations. She hadn’t even stepped out of her room, as she had woken up an hour earlier than usual to wash, dress, and get ready.  

Dressed in a yellow gown adorned with layers of lace and a full pannier, her hair tied up in a single elegant style, and a crown decorated with pearls perched on her head, Lenoa was showered with compliments from the maids, who repeatedly praised her beauty. However, as someone who saw herself as the host rather than the protagonist of the event, she found it all quite burdensome.  

Having only drunk a single glass of milk for breakfast, hunger began to creep in, but there was nothing she could do. Today, her corset was laced tighter than ever, making it difficult to breathe, let alone eat more without risking indigestion.  

‘I’ll have to loosen it a bit during the meal…’  

Sweating slightly, Lenoa stared into the vanity mirror. Reflected in it was the Queen of Celesta, cloaked in the veil of the world’s beauty.  

The mirror could only reflect her exterior, not the depths of her inner self—a thought that left her somewhat regretful.  

As she gazed blankly at her reflection, the maids finally finished their work and stepped back. Hearing their announcement that everything was done, Lenoa felt a wave of liberation as she stood up.  

Before leaving the room, she stood before the full-length mirror one last time, revealing the figure of Celesta’s most beautiful woman. Her gaze was drawn to the yellow gown that matched her hair color.  

‘If I wore a white dress, they’d think I was getting married…’  

Recalling the conversation she had with Kairan five days ago, Lenoa had briefly eyed the white dresses in the color-coordinated wardrobe before ultimately choosing the yellow one that matched her hair. She thought white dresses were more suited for the unmarried noble ladies who would be the protagonists of today’s debutante ball.  

‘After today, they’ll have their chance to wear one soon enough.’  

The reflection of Lenoa in the full-length mirror smiled faintly. With a glimmer of anticipation in her heart, she allowed the maids to assist her out of the room, as the corset and layers of undergarments made it difficult for her to walk properly.  

As soon as she stepped out of her quarters, she found him waiting—the man who, as of today, was no longer under the restriction order.  

“Y-Your Majesty…”  

Kairan, upon seeing the beautifully adorned Lenoa, momentarily lost himself.  

Though he had always thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world, today that belief burned even more fiercely.  

Clutching his heart, which felt as though it were on fire, Kairan knelt on one knee before the woman who held him captive and extended his hand.  

“May I escort you to the Grand Hall?”  

Lenoa released the maids’ hands weakly and silently placed her hand on Kairan’s. A glance at his attire revealed the same black base with red accents he often wore.  

‘Did he dress like this because of what I said last time?’  

But since these were the colors Kairan frequently preferred, it seemed natural. While Lenoa accepted this, Kairan, glancing at her from the side, felt a pang of disappointment.  

‘I had hoped she’d wear a white dress today.’  

Kairan sighed inwardly.  

Lenoa, however, had something more pressing on her mind. The tightly laced corset, meant to make her appear slim and beautiful as Queen in front of the distinguished guests, was causing her frail body considerable pain.  

If Kairan hadn’t been holding her wrist, she might have collapsed already.  

“Your Majesty? Are you… unwell?”  

Noticing her slowing pace and pale complexion, Kairan stopped abruptly, alarmed. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gently seated her on the floor.  

Though the sudden change in posture nearly caused Lenoa to lose her composure, she soon accepted Kairan’s touch, which was filled with concern for her well-being. Once she regained some stability, she managed to stand up again.  

“I must have been tired from waking up early… We’re going to be late. Let’s go quickly.”  

Lenoa, trying to appear as though nothing was wrong, grabbed Kairan’s hand. He, however, looked at her with an expression of deep concern.  

Finally, the grand entrance to the underground first floor of the Queen’s Palace—the Grand Hall—came into view. To break the awkward silence that had fallen after her sudden collapse, Lenoa spoke up.  

“At this debutante ball, you should find a young lady who catches your eye. You’re still unmarried, after all.”  

“…”  

Though Lenoa forced a bright smile, Kairan’s face hardened instantly.  

As she wondered if she had said something wrong, the guards stationed at either side of the Grand Hall’s entrance quietly informed those inside of their arrival.  

“Her Majesty, Queen Lenoa Moon Celesta, and His Grace, Grand Duke Kairan Blandi, are entering!”  

The herald’s booming voice echoed clearly even outside the Grand Hall. As the guards slowly opened the doors, something unexpected happened.  

‘Huh…?’  

Kairan suddenly slipped his arm through Lenoa’s, linking them together. Now walking arm-in-arm, he smiled and led her inside.  

‘W-What is he doing…?’  

Though Lenoa sent him a flustered look, Kairan maintained his smile and remained silent, tightening his grip slightly.  

As Kairan led her into the Grand Hall, all eyes turned toward them, their gazes pouring down like the countless lights illuminating the space. The Queen of the nation, arm-in-arm with the Grand Duke escorting her, became the center of attention.  

The reactions of the distinguished guests were nothing short of explosive. Lenoa could barely make out the murmurs around her.  

‘Wait, did the Grand Duke of Blandi personally escort her?’  

‘Are they in a ruler-subject relationship, or… a romantic one?’  

‘Ah, so the rumored royal consort candidate really is the Grand Duke of Blandi.’  

Hiding her desire to cry in frustration, Lenoa forced a smile.  

The nobles stepped aside, bowing in greeting as the Queen and the Grand Duke passed, arm-in-arm. Kairan escorted Lenoa to the throne at the top of the spiral staircase in the innermost part of the hall before finally releasing her arm.  

Lenoa took her seat on the throne, while Kairan stood beside her. From her elevated position, she could see the entire hall. Below, the guests continued to bow, their hands over their chests or holding the edges of their dresses as they paid their respects.  

To alleviate their discomfort and ensure the debutante ball began as soon as possible, Lenoa, with a parched throat, recited the opening address she had memorized.  

“I, Lenoa Moon Celesta, in the name of Celesta’s royal family, congratulate this 301st debutante ball. I hope all distinguished guests here will enjoy the delicious food and delightful festivities, and may you find promising matches for a bright future. That is all.”  

With that, the debutante ball officially began.  

After the ruler’s opening speech, there were two hours of socializing. Though the hall soon became lively, Lenoa remained seated. Sweat trickled down her body, leaving her feeling sticky. She sat like a stone, staring blankly at the many young lords and ladies who were the focus of the event.  

“Your Majesty.”

Kairan, who had been standing nearby, moved closer to Lenoa and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe her face.  

Though Lenoa worried about her makeup smudging, she remained silent, knowing it would soon be ruined by sweat anyway. The touch of the handkerchief against her skin caused her heart to flutter inexplicably.  

As Kairan’s hand withdrew, Lenoa found herself momentarily dazed. Then, just as he had done in the hallway earlier, Kairan wrapped his arms around her shoulders.  

“You are always my only one, Your Majesty.”  

Kairan’s soft whisper was gentle, and Lenoa felt her already flushed cheeks grow even hotter.  

‘He is, after all, my aide.’  

Lenoa was inwardly moved by Kairan’s words, not realizing they were a response to her earlier suggestion in the hallway.  

Meanwhile, most of the unmarried young lords were sneaking glances at the two seated on the throne. They stared, mesmerized by the beautiful Queen, only to feel a sense of defeat at the Grand Duke’s actions.  

The young ladies were no different. Though their eyes had been drawn to the striking red-haired aide, his behavior, which seemed to revolve solely around the Queen, elicited disappointed sighs.  

Unbeknownst to the two on the throne, they too had become potential candidates for marriage, just like the unmarried lords and ladies at the debutante ball.  

Their prominent display in the hall made the distinguished guests hesitant to approach them. Instead, they exchanged conversations with other attendees while occasionally stealing glances at the throne. Some had already begun to set their sights on a noble of the opposite gender who caught their interest.  

“When would be a good time for us to go down?”  

Lenoa, listening absentmindedly to the music played by numerous musicians, voiced her question.  

“We are not the protagonists today but those debuting. Descending during the ball will suffice.”  

Kairan clasped the hand Lenoa had rested on the armrest of her throne. His subtle smile as he mentioned the ball hinted at some expectation. Lenoa immediately understood his intention.  

At every ball, Lenoa and Kairan would take to the dance floor as the first partners of the evening, the highlight of the event.  

Though Lenoa found it burdensome to dance with Kairan in front of everyone, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse him when he smiled brightly and extended his hand, unlike his usual demeanor.  

One advantage, however, was that after dancing with Kairan, no other men would dare ask her to dance. Before Kairan stepped in, countless unmarried lords would swarm to Lenoa like bees to a flower, eager to ask her to dance.  

She didn’t know why, but she assumed it was due to Kairan’s overwhelming presence. She felt somewhat grateful to him for acting as her shield.  

Despite having danced with Kairan over ten times, and despite having received lessons from the best instructors during her princess training, Lenoa never managed to dance flawlessly. Her body would stiffen, leading to small mistakes—stepping on his foot during the New Year’s celebration or falling backward during the last debutante ball.  

‘I hope I won’t make a mistake this time…’  

Lenoa lowered her gaze gloomily and sighed. Oblivious to her thoughts, Kairan knelt on one knee and gently held her hand.  

‘I’ll have to bring a chair for him next time.’  

She felt sorry for him, standing all this time, but offering him her throne was out of the question.  

As she quietly savored the feeling of his touch, a familiar face suddenly caught her attention. A young woman with light green hair and pale yellow eyes, dressed in an orange gown—Ariel—was looking up at her.  

The sight of Ariel instantly lifted Lenoa’s fatigue. Seeing Ariel, who was like a younger sister to her, Lenoa immediately stood up, eager to meet her.  

“Your Majesty? If you’re going somewhere, allow me to escort you…”  

“It’s fine! You should take a break and enjoy yourself too.”  

Lenoa hurriedly descended the spiral staircase, brushing off Kairan’s concerned hand.