Chapter 18 – Debutante Ball (2)

Kairan, who had been watching Lenoa from behind, soon averted his gaze when he saw her approaching a certain young lady.  

If the person she had approached had been a young lord instead, he might have intervened.  

“Lady Ariel!”  

“Oh my… Y-Your Majesty, Queen Lenoa!”  

Ariel only realized then that Queen Lenoa had hurriedly descended, clutching the hem of her dress, just to meet her. Feeling that she had committed a grave discourtesy, Ariel quickly lowered her head and repeatedly apologized.  

Instead of accepting the apology, Lenoa smiled brightly and pointed to an empty table. Once the two of them were seated, a maid swiftly brought out tea and refreshments. Chamomile tea, finger-sized chocolate biscuits, and strawberry roll cake—just looking at them was enough to whet the appetite.  

Lenoa took a sip of tea, prompting Ariel to hurriedly follow suit. After setting down their cups, Lenoa was the first to speak.  

“Thank you for coming. It’s been a while. How have you been?”  

“Yes! Of course. All thanks to you, Your Majesty.”  

Ariel responded with a contented smile.  

She was referring to the matter of succession support. After all, the reason Ariel, a young lady from a mere baronial house, was able to debut today was thanks to the backing of supporters like Lenoa. Without such support, the Luia Baronial House would have remained an insignificant noble family.  

However, the topic of succession was merely a pretext for their conversation. As close as sisters, the two were far more interested in chatting at the Queen’s first hosted banquet.  

“Ariel, you look especially beautiful today.”  

“Pardon? Oh, no… Compared to you, Your Majesty, I’m nothing.”  

“Today’s protagonists are debutantes like you. To me, you’re far more stunning. Hehe.”  

The two exchanged genuine compliments, enjoying a cheerful moment together.  

Suddenly, Lenoa glanced around and asked a question, her smile hinting at a mischievous thought.  

“Ariel, have you found a young lord you fancy?”  

“N-no, not yet.”  

“There are other banquets, but today is the perfect opportunity. Especially since I’m hosting it. You should hurry and find a match.”  

Lenoa rambled on, completely forgetting that she herself had no partner. Ariel, too shy to point this out, blushed even more and spoke in a timid voice.  

“T-to be honest… there is someone.”  

“Really? Who? Tell me, just between us. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”  

“B-because it’s you, Your Majesty, I’ll say… It’s that gentleman with the gray hair over there.”  

Ariel hesitantly pointed with her finger toward a young man surrounded by several other young lords. Though she turned her head away, her finger remained fixed in place, her face flushed a deep wine-red hue.  

“17 this year, Lord Hereis Albert of the Albert Viscounty.”  

The Albert Viscounty was also among the families that supported Lenoa during the succession dispute. However, Lenoa only knew surface-level details about him—his name, family, and age.  

Ariel, on the other hand, would soon know much more about him than Lenoa ever could.  

“He’s the same age as you, and your statuses aren’t too different. Why not try talking to him? I’ll cheer you on.”  

“N-no, how could I…”  

“With a face as handsome as his and so many people around him, he must have a good personality too.”  

Though Lenoa had never met Hereis before, she had a good feeling about him. After all, he was the man who had captured the heart of her adorable younger sister figure, Ariel.  

Finally, Ariel’s expression brightened with newfound confidence. Lenoa clenched her fists and whispered, “Fighting!” to encourage her. Bolstered by Lenoa’s expectant gaze, Ariel reluctantly stood up and began walking toward Hereis.  

Come to think of it, there were about thirty minutes left until the ball began.  

***

Meanwhile, at that very moment, in the less frequented western side of the Grand Banquet Hall, Kairan was meeting with Marquis Leon in a small private room often used for secret meetings.  

The Leon Marquisate was one of the families that had actively supported Kairan during the succession dispute. Due to frequent clashes with the late king, Marquis Leon naturally did not like Lenoa, and took interest in Kairan, who was being considered as the next successor.  

As a marquis with a high rank, fertile lands, and immense wealth, Marquis Leon commanded numerous vassal families, making him a figure even the late king could not easily oppose. The same held true for Queen Lenoa.  

“It has been a while, Marquis Leon.”  

“Grand Duke Kairan, I wish you continued success.”  

Kairan graciously accepted the greeting.  

Marquis Leon was one of the few people allowed to call Kairan by his name. Without a son of his own, the marquis treated Kairan with fatherly affection. He was also one of the few who knew about Kairan’s relationship with his biological father.  

During private conversations like this, Marquis Leon always addressed Kairan by name. His unwavering support and deep friendship with Kairan were evident.  

After exchanging pleasantries, Marquis Leon gestured toward the door of the private room. Soon, a woman with long sky-blue hair, adorned with jewels, and wearing a pink dress gracefully approached the marquis.  

“This is my daughter, Ariana Leon.”  

“It is an honor to meet you, Grand Duke Kairan.”  

“….”  

With a bright smile, Ariana curtsied, holding the hem of her dress.  

Kairan had heard that the marquis had a daughter. However, even as the daughter of a loyalist family, Ariana addressed Kairan by name as if it were natural, despite this being their first meeting.  

Feeling increasingly uneasy at what seemed like a deliberate setup, Kairan’s mood began to sour. Oblivious to this, Marquis Leon cheerfully spoke.  

“My daughter is a treasure I would not trade for anything. As her father, I believe even a duke’s heir would not be a suitable match for her.”  

“Oh, Father, you’re being ridiculous.”  

“Ah, forgive me. I must excuse myself for now, as I have business to attend to.”  

“F-Father…”  

Laughing heartily, Marquis Leon quickly left the room.  

Now alone in the private room, Ariana moved closer to Kairan, her face adorned with a gentle smile.  

“Grand Duke Kairan, my feet are sore from walking in heels. Would you escort me to the Grand Banquet Hall?”  

Even before Kairan could respond, Ariana boldly took his arm, her radiant smile unwavering. Her intentions were now unmistakably clear.  

Though it is said one cannot refuse a smiling face, Kairan was the exception. He replied coldly.  

“I already have someone I serve.”  

This was the utmost courtesy Kairan could extend, considering his relationship with the Leon Marquisate.  

Firmly shaking off Ariana’s hand, Kairan left the private room, briskly heading toward the central hall to find the one woman he intended to escort.  

As he walked, the herald’s voice announcing ten minutes until the ball echoed through the hall.  

***

Ariel, who had been heading toward Hereis, hesitated after just five steps and quickly returned.  

“Hng… Your Majesty… I can’t do it.”  

“Why not? You mustered the courage, so you should follow through.”  

Seeing Ariel on the verge of tears, Lenoa scolded her gently while offering words of comfort.  

Glancing toward Hereis, Lenoa saw that he was still chatting with familiar lords, seemingly unaware of Ariel’s presence.  

“Well, since the ball is about to start, why not seize the opportunity then?”  

“What? That’s even harder. The ball requires the man to ask the woman to dance first. He would never ask me…”  

Ah, that’s right. 

Lenoa had meant to encourage her, but her words had only made Ariel more disheartened. Seeing Ariel bury her face in the table, Lenoa felt nothing but guilt.  

As Ariel had said, the highlight of any banquet—the ball—required men to invite women to dance. In most countries, it was customary for men to take the initiative, and women merely to accept their invitations.  

For this reason, women who received numerous dance invitations were hailed as queens of high society. Conversely, those who received none became the subject of gossip.  

As both the Queen of Celesta and the queen of high society, Lenoa had always received the most dance invitations at every ball. Yet, she had only ever danced with one man.  

The difference in treatment between the queen of high society and a debutante like Ariel was as stark as night and day. Determined to guide Ariel well, Lenoa resolved to find a solution.  

As Lenoa pondered, the herald’s voice reached them.  

“The ball will begin shortly!”  

Following the other noblemen and women, the two moved toward the ballroom.  

After briefly parting from Ariel, Lenoa took her seat on the throne prepared at the head of the ballroom. Though as lavishly decorated as the throne in the Grand Banquet Hall, this one lacked stairs.  

A beautiful waltz began to play, its melody softly filling the room. At the start of the music, several men rushed toward Lenoa as if they had been waiting for this moment.  

“Your Majesty! Please grant me the honor of the first dance!”  

“Your Majesty, the radiant Queen, I implore you…”  

“Queen Lenoa! Please…”  

Lenoa, as usual, could only smile awkwardly at the throng of men vying for her attention. Just as she was about to wave them off…  

‘It’s about time for him to appear.’  

The men suddenly turned around and fell silent. One by one, they stepped aside or split into two lines.  

A man with striking red hair walked forward through the crowd. As expected. He had been briefly out of sight earlier, but this was his usual entrance.  

Kairan Blandi. The Queen’s sole aide and a Grand Duke.  

According to ballroom etiquette, dances were to be requested and performed in order of social rank. Kairan, drawing the envious gazes of all the other men, extended his gloved hand toward Lenoa, his expression soft as silk.  

“Your Majesty, Queen Lenoa. May I have the honor of the first dance?”  

Kairan’s request for the first dance. After dancing with him, the other men would likely withdraw their invitations.  

As the Queen’s closest confidant, rejecting Kairan would be a grave insult, and Lenoa knew it would spark unfavorable gossip in high society.  

Just as she took his hand, Lenoa’s gaze fell upon Ariel, standing at a distance.  

She was crying. Though she had shown some disappointment earlier, Lenoa had never imagined she would cry.  

Panicking, Lenoa quickly released Kairan’s hand and stood up.  

“I-I’m sorry, but I’ll dance with you later!”  

“Your Majesty…?”  

Leaving behind Kairan, whose face had turned pale, and the startled nobles, Lenoa hurried toward Ariel.