Chapter 22 – Debutante Ball (6)

“Both of you look stunning!”

“What a beautiful pair you make!”

“That was the best dance I’ve ever seen!”

The endless applause and cheers left Lenoa momentarily dazed. As she regained her composure and looked around, she finally noticed the gazes of the nobles participating in the debutante ball, as well as the servants and maids. They all wore expressions of admiration, their eyes sparkling with smiles and fascination.

Lenoa took a moment to catch her breath, still holding tightly onto Kairan’s hand, and offered a bow to the audience. Kairan, standing beside her, followed suit a beat later. 

The hall erupted once again with cheers loud enough to shake the room. Lenoa felt as if she had become a dancer on one of the grand stages she occasionally visited with her parents—a dancer with a partner.

The two straightened their backs simultaneously and moved toward one of the many tables lining the edges of the ballroom. They chose an empty table, and just before sitting down, Lenoa addressed the crowd as if she had suddenly remembered something.

“Everyone, please find a partner and enjoy the ball to your heart’s content!”

At her declaration, which carried the authority of a seasoned participant, the nobles began pairing off and moving toward the center of the ballroom. A soft melody flowed from the instruments held by the musicians, spreading music throughout the hall.

As Lenoa quietly observed the dancing couples, she suddenly felt someone’s hand touch hers.

“The true stars of this debutante aren’t them—it’s us.”

“Oh, that’s true.”

Kairan interlocked his fingers with hers. Lenoa allowed the gesture, deeply agreeing with his words.

A banquet where the hosts became the main characters. Despite the upsetting events that had occurred, they had faced them firmly together, even concluding the evening with a performance-like dance.

As Lenoa recalled the moment when Kairan appeared at the perfect time to dance with her, a smile lingered on her lips.

At that moment, a servant carrying a tray approached and placed two glasses and a bottle of red wine on the table. Kairan poured the wine into both glasses himself, and they toasted together.

Clink. The glasses met as if they were kissing, causing the wine inside to ripple like a dance. After both glasses were emptied in one swift motion and placed back on the table, Kairan cautiously spoke.

“Lenoa, if it’s alright with you… could you tell me about what happened earlier?”

“Oh… sure.”

He was referring to the incident with Marquis Leon and Ariana.

Having briefly left the ballroom earlier, Kairan had returned just in time to witness Lenoa standing up to them. However, he was unaware of the details.

From the context, it was clear that they had said something shameless and inappropriate to her. Otherwise, the angelic and gentle Lenoa would never have raised her voice in response, as if passing judgment on criminals in a way that everyone could hear.

Even this contrasting side of her, Kairan found irresistibly charming.

As he nervously fidgeted with their interlocked fingers, he listened intently to Lenoa’s calm yet unwavering voice.

According to her account, while Kairan had been meeting with Duke Spiegel, Marquis Leon and Ariana had approached her out of nowhere. They had mocked her requesting Kairan to dance during the morning ball. They ridiculed her as if it were laughable that she, as a Queen or even as a woman, had to personally request a dance.

Lenoa deliberately omitted the part where Marquis Leon had compared her to Kairan. The notion that she, as a Queen, was being treated as inferior to a secretary was too humiliating to share.

As Kairan listened, his left hand gradually clenched into a fist. He was so furious that he wanted to slam the table, regardless of the stares it would attract. However, the warmth of her hand in his right hand barely kept him in check.

Kairan had always felt immense gratitude toward Marquis Leon, who had treated him more kindly than his own father and provided substantial support. On the day Lenoa was officially named the heir, Kairan had even sent a personal gift to Marquis Leon’s estate as a token of his gratitude—a sum large enough to purchase a small territory.

Though it might not have been a significant gift for a wealthy marquis, it was the most he had ever given to anyone other than Lenoa. It was his way of reciprocating the help he had received.

However, now that Marquis Leon had failed to manipulate Kairan, his next target had been Lenoa. To treat her with such disrespect and vent his frustrations on her—Kairan gritted his teeth.

Sensing his growing determination to sever ties with Marquis Leon, Lenoa spoke up.

“Of course, we’re both upset… but please don’t retaliate against Marquis Leon’s household.”

“What? You just said you’re upset too. Then why—”

“They supported you, didn’t they? A lot, too.”

“That doesn’t matter anymore. What’s important is that you were hurt. I can cut ties with Marquis Leon’s household anytime.”

“…”

“Don’t just think about me—think about yourself too.”

Although Lenoa tried to dissuade him, Kairan’s resolve had already hardened.

She knew how close Kairan was to Marquis Leon. She had to stop him from abandoning his supporter so easily.

Lenoa had been taught countless times during her lessons in statecraft that emotions should never dictate decisions. It was advice she had heard in almost every lesson, and she assumed that Kairan, who had received less formal education than her, would also understand this.

When reviewing documents Kairan had signed as her secretary, Lenoa had already noticed that he never let emotions influence his work. 

So why was he so emotionally driven when it came to matters involving her?

Of course, Marquis Leon and his daughter had been undeniably rude to her, and she had been upset. But if Kairan or she were to sever ties with or punish them, it would surely be seen as excessive by the other nobles.

After taking a deep breath, Lenoa rested her elbows on the table and tightened her grip on Kairan’s hand.

“I don’t want that.”

“What…?”

“Even if you truly want it, I don’t. And it’s not because I’m defending Marquis Leon.”

Lenoa continued calmly, as Kairan remained speechless.

“You told me earlier to think about myself, right? Well, this is me thinking about myself.”

“…”

“And, though this might not be entirely for my sake… I don’t want you to be upset because of me. Just as you’ve always been there for me.”

Kairan still couldn’t find the words to respond. As Lenoa finished speaking, a moment of silence fell over the table.

After some time, Kairan tightened his grip on her hand, holding it as if he would never let go.

“Alright. I’ll do as you say. But it’s not just for you or for me—it’s for us.”

“Yes, of course.”

When Lenoa smiled brightly, Kairan smiled faintly in return.

At that moment, the herald announced the end of the ball and the start of the banquet. The crowd began to disperse, with most people leaving the hall in pairs, escorting each other.

The royal pair, not to be outdone, stood up hand in hand and headed toward the first floor of the Queen’s Palace. Lenoa was used to receiving Kairan’s escort countless times, but today was the first time they walked hand in hand with their fingers interlocked.

Upon reaching the dining hall, the two shared a warm meal, reminiscing about the final moments of the ball. They made a mutual promise without hesitation.

“We’ll dance together at the next ball too.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Kairan tried to offer Lenoa his portion of lemon pudding. However, Lenoa politely declined, unwilling to always be on the receiving end of his kindness. Reluctantly, Kairan took back his plate and ate a large spoonful of the pudding.

The lemon pudding, usually a perfect blend of sweetness and tartness, tasted overwhelmingly sour this time—perhaps because less sugar had been added, or perhaps it was just his mood.

“Let’s go.”

After finishing their meal, Lenoa extended her hand, and Kairan happily took it as they stood up. The sweetness he had missed was filled by Lenoa, who was as refreshing as lemon pudding.

As they returned to the grand ballroom, still holding hands, someone called out to them.

“Your Majesty, the Queen.”

A noblewoman approached the pair. She had her black hair styled in an elegant updo and wore a deep navy dress.

It was Duchess Grania of Velika. Years ago, she had lost her husband and become a widow without children. However, she had since taken on the role of “Duke Velika” to uphold her family’s legacy.

She was also one of Lenoa’s supporters.

Lenoa’s other supporters often said, 

‘Become the Queen, quickly appoint a Regent, hand over all responsibilities to him, and enjoy social gatherings as a princess.’

However, Grania was different.

She once said during a banquet, 

‘Not an invisible Regent, but Princess Lenoa herself is a truly worthy Queen.’

This was something Lenoa overheard by chance. Despite not having significant interactions with Grania, Lenoa deeply appreciated her for making such a statement.

With Grania’s support, Lenoa had ascended to the throne. She even resolved to host a tea party at the palace someday and invite Grania as her first guest.

Grania had attended this debutante ball as a chaperone. Soon, she greeted Lenoa, and Lenoa and Kairan both returned the greeting.

“It’s been a while, Duchess Grania. Have you been wel?”

“Of course, Your Majesty, Queen Lenoa. And this gentleman must be… His Grace, the Grand Duke?”

Grania, who had been smiling warmly at Lenoa like a mother, suddenly pressed her lips together when her gaze fell upon Kairan.

She had been an ardent supporter of Lenoa during the succession dispute. Naturally, she couldn’t have a favorable view of Kairan, who had contested the succession against Lenoa.

It was only after hearing her name from Lenoa’s lips that Kairan realized who she was. Though Grania’s demeanor caused him to frown slightly, he managed to restrain himself. Placing his hand over his left chest, he bowed his head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Secretary Kairan Blandi.”

“I’ve heard that His Grace became Her Majesty’s secretary, but I didn’t expect him to assist so diligently at every ball.”

Kairan glared coldly at Grania. She was using a compliment as a veiled jab, implying that he had forced Lenoa to dance with him.

“…”

Sensing the chilly atmosphere between the two, Lenoa hastily changed the subject.

“Uh, why don’t we sit together and chat?”

Lenoa led the two to an empty table, making an effort to ease the tension.

Once again, Kairan demonstrated impeccable manners by pulling out Lenoa’s chair and pushing it in after she sat down. Grania, observing this, raised her eyebrows.

When Kairan finally took his seat, Grania immediately spoke up.

“Your Majesty, Queen Lenoa. May I request that you dismiss Grand Duke Blandi?”