Chapter 20

<What do you want from me?>

From the start, his answer had already been decided. However, Lionel could not easily bring himself to say it.

Clarette, waiting for his answer, was growing impatient.

As if she had already seen inside his heart. As if she already knew exactly what he wanted.

What did he want?

He wanted Clarette Sollier. Just like with the other women who had passed through his life, he wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her. He wanted to spend the night with her.

But he could not reveal such blunt desires to her. He feared that if he showed his true feelings, she would push him away. She might try to escape. In the end, she might come to hate him.

Even though he had always acted this way with other women.

With a frustrated heart, Lionel took another drink. His worries were barely worth pondering during a night walk; everything was so clear.

He wanted something from her that he had never wanted from anyone else.

Not just a fleeting encounter, but a lasting relationship. He wanted to get to know her more.

He wondered how beautiful she would look in a bright dress. What kind of atmosphere she would have with her hair let down.

When she drew the male body she had longed to paint, how passionate would her gaze be as she looked at him, her model?

Lionel was curious about all these things.

But if he wanted to satisfy his curiosity, he would have to wait like a hunter for the right moment. If he approached recklessly, she might be startled and run away from him.

Even just wiping the charcoal smudge from her cheek had made her shrink away in tension. He hadn’t even forced her into his arms, nor kissed her.

Recalling that moment, Lionel took a deep drag on his cigar. It felt as if the sensation of touching her cheek still lingered on his fingertips. The skin, tense with nervousness, yet so soft.

As his thoughts deepened, Lionel put away his cigar and slowly prepared for bed. He was determined not to act hastily. He wanted to avoid the possibility that she might completely close her heart and turn away from him.

‘For the next week.’

Once he left for the Bruyel Duchy tomorrow, he would not see Clarette for a week. While he was away on his brief trip, she would continue to paint.

Among beautiful masterpieces and sculptures, diligently tying up her long hair, staining her delicate hands with black charcoal.

Imagining her profile as she never once looked back, Lionel sincerely wished:

Even if she stayed lost in her art, he hoped she would occasionally feel a sense of emptiness and think of him.

* * *

The Bruyel family’s ball was as luxurious and grand as a royal ball. Spring flowers of every color filled every corner of the ballroom, and tapestries with intricate patterns hung long from the balconies and stair railings.

It was more like a festival than a ball, with extravagant decorations everywhere. Lionel entered the hall leisurely, without a partner. As always, the moment he appeared, everyone’s eyes turned toward him.

‘Smile.’

Lionel recalled Oliver’s advice and skillfully put on a gentle smile. It felt as if the butler’s nagging was still echoing in his ears.

<This is the perfect opportunity to restore your ruined reputation, Master! Late for the funeral, arguments at the Marquis’ party… No more of that!>

Just as Oliver had earnestly requested, Lionel intended to be the perfect guest at tonight’s ball. Illegitimate child? Problem child? He needed to play the role of an exemplary noble so that such rumors would disappear.

The auction party to be held at Valentin ducal residence was only two weeks away. He had to raise his reputation by then.

Moreover, at that party, Clarette would be his partner. Thinking of her in a beautiful dress, escorted by him, brought a genuine brightness to Lionel’s smile.

After safely finishing tonight’s ball and returning, he planned to seize the chance to give Clarette his answer. So that he could have what he wanted, at a moment when she could not refuse…

“Duke Valentin? Oh my, is it really you, Your Grace?”

The most splendidly dressed woman in the ballroom approached him, greeting him cheerfully. Lionel, energized by the scent of her perfume, turned to her.

“This is our first meeting, Lady. May I have the honor of asking your name?”

“‘Honor’? I’m not a Crown Princess! You’re much more polite than the rumors say.”

The woman with bright blonde hair and light violet eyes was extremely lively and cheerful. Lionel sensed that the attention of those around him was naturally shifting from him to her.

Surely, she was the most important person in the room tonight.

“I am Jasmine de Bruyel. Please call me Jasmine. If that’s awkward, you may call me the Young Lady of Bruyel Duchy.”

She was the sole heir of the Bruyel Duchy. Lionel confidently took her offered hand and lightly kissed the back of it.

“Thank you for inviting me, Jasmine. May I introduce myself?”

“You’re Duke Valentin, aren’t you? I know all about you. My mother has told me several times that you’re the most eligible suitor.”

“An eligible suitor…?”

“Yes! You’re unmarried, aren’t you?”

Was this not just a ball, but a place for choosing a husband? Lionel had no thoughts of marriage, but decided there was no need to reject her interest outright.

“Fortunately, I haven’t promised my future to anyone yet. I’m honored to be considered a candidate.”

As he responded with a courteous smile, Jasmine’s eyes sparkled. She seemed very skilled at social interaction.

“You don’t have a partner, right? Then, be my partner tonight.”

Jasmine boldly suggested, holding Lionel’s hand. He obediently followed her, the star of the ball, to the center of the hall.

“Tonight, you’re only dancing with me. Leave the other women alone, understood?”

“If you wish, I shall.”

Facing Jasmine, Lionel naturally assumed the waltz position, recalling balls he had attended long ago. Jasmine looked up at him with pride, as if she had won the finest trophy.

But as soon as his hand touched her waist, Lionel strangely thought of Clarette. Even though Jasmine and Clarette had nothing in common.

Three-beat elegant music began to fill the space between them. Lionel led Jasmine smoothly, his mind wandering freely thanks to her excellent dancing.

Throughout the music, he was imagining dancing with Clarette. More precisely, he imagined teaching her to dance, since she had likely never attended a ball.

‘She’d be a model student.’

Clarette was focused enough to pick up a waltz quickly. But if he pulled her even a little closer, she would flinch and lose her breath. He could picture her tense expression so clearly that he smiled to himself.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Your Grace?”

Seeing him smile, Jasmine asked cheerfully. Lionel, still thinking of Clarette, replied with a gentle smile.

“Yes, it’s surprisingly enjoyable.”

Looking up at his handsome face, the young lady of Bruyel waited with a fluttering heart for the music to end.

* * *

“Really, rumors are just rumors.”

As soon as the first dance ended, Jasmine led Lionel to the balcony at the edge of the ballroom. She looked up at the tall Duke, satisfied, and continued her praise.

“To be honest, I thought you might be quite a rogue, Your Grace. You’re a former soldier, aren’t you? You must have killed people on the battlefield.”

“Am I disappointing you for not living up to expectations?”

“What? Not at all! Quite the opposite.”

She laughed brightly and moved towards the table. Lionel skillfully escorted her and took a seat across from her. His face, seen up close, was so strikingly handsome that she smiled contentedly.

“I’m truly glad I met you so early, Your Grace. You don’t have a fiancée yet, and few people in society know you well. So I get to monopolize you, even if only for a short while.”

“Not only are you skilled at dancing, but also at giving compliments. As expected of the Young Lady of Bruyel Duchy.”

Lionel smiled gently, meeting Jasmine’s violet gaze.

Women who fancied him always looked at him with that same blushing, sparkling gaze. Like someone coveting a precious jewel, hiding their desire beneath their pride.

“You received your title just a month ago, right?”

“Yes, about that long.”

“Then soon you’ll start getting marriage proposals. You’ll also get more invitations to balls and parties like tonight.”