Chapter 23
Early evening, the moon had not yet risen.
The Bennett Grand Duchy was bustling for the first grand ball held at the Grand Ducal mansion since the death of the Duke and Duchess.
Carriages lined up at the mansion entrance, waiting their turn.
The party hall buzzed with excited chatter, filled with the bright energy of anticipation.
Guests invited to one of the highest-ranking noble houses after the royal family wore dazzlingly extravagant outfits.
Young ladies wore light, fresh dresses suited for spring, while young gentlemen wore neat uniforms.
The playful glances exchanged across the room added an air of excitement, perfectly fitting for a grand ball.
At that moment, I had finished getting ready in the dressing room. Standing before the mirror, I couldn’t hide my wide, delighted grin.
Like everyone outside, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I spread my arms in front of Daisy and asked,
“How do I look?”
“You look absolutely beautiful… like an angel.”
The pale sky-blue dress, which made my fair skin look even more radiant, delighted me as well.
I lightly held the hem of my dress and twirled in place.
At that moment, Jjakjjak-i flapped its wings and landed on my head.
[Not bad. I can approve of this.]
Even whispered quietly to me, not for Daisy’s ears, it made me chuckle.
Although grumbling, it was still a compliment.
My determination for tonight’s ball was simple:
‘Enjoy it!’
That was my only goal.
Of course, I still had no clue who Paladin Elisha was, or why Aaron Taylor had infiltrated the Grand Ducal mansion as a spy.
But tonight, I intended to enjoy myself.
This was my debutante ball, meticulously arranged by Leighton. I would respond to his warmth and do my best to have fun.
Leaving the dress room behind, I spotted Leighton waiting by the door.
Leaning against the wall, eyes gently closed, he seemed lost in thought. I couldn’t help but admire him.
His white uniform, accented with blue and gold, immediately drew my attention.
Was it the sunset? Soft orange light streamed through the hallway windows.
Bathed in the glow of the fading sun, he looked nothing like a devil.
If anything, he looked almost angelic.
I found myself unconsciously walking toward him.
As if hypnotized.
‘Come here. Come here.’
It felt as though someone whispered that to me.
Leighton’s long shadow stretched behind him in the sunset light.
‘Yes. Come here. Give me your soul.’
Was his beauty whispering to me?
I had unconsciously approached close enough to count the lashes on his eyes.
Then, his blunt voice broke my daze.
“What are you doing?”
The tone, uncharacteristically firm and cold, startled me. I stepped back.
It felt like I had been caught doing something wrong.
Flustered, I waved my hands, trying to explain.
“I-I wasn’t… um… doing anything strange, Your Grace. I just… somehow felt drawn to come closer…”
The more I spoke, the stranger it sounded. Seeing his increasingly cold expression, I bit my tongue.
I didn’t want to upset the person who had come to escort me.
“I’m sorry! I absolutely wasn’t trying to do anything wicked! You’re like family to me, Your Grace. I wouldn’t do anything wrong…”
At my apology, his deep blue eyes flickered slightly.
“I apologize, Selena. That was careless of me.”
“Oh? No. I was the one who embarrassed you by being careless.”
Even so, Leighton shook his head firmly. He turned away, making it impossible to read his expression.
But it lasted only a moment. He quickly composed himself and extended his hand to me.
With his formal, proper gesture, I gently took his hand.
“The ball’s main guest shouldn’t be late. Shall we go?”
“Of course.”
I felt his blue gaze on my face, but I couldn’t meet his eyes directly.
‘What was that just now?’
I didn’t even understand my own behavior.
It had felt dreamy, as if someone whispered into my ear underwater.
Leighton had said nothing.
Not even Jjakjjak-i—he had chosen to stay with Ailey instead of attending the ball.
‘But no one else is here. Who could have spoken?’
Only Leighton and I were in the hallway.
‘…Maybe I’m just being too sensitive.’
I had decided to enjoy today, yet I was still on edge.
Perhaps my gaze was simply captivated by Leighton’s unbelievably striking appearance.
‘After all… he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.’
A man anyone could fall for at first sight.
Especially with a gentleness capable of stirring the heart of an adolescent girl.
But that didn’t mean I liked him.
I was certain. He was undeniably a wonderful person, but that was all.
An older brother figure, someone who would one day become family with Ailey and me.
I squeezed his slightly cold hand a little tighter.
A small effort to keep my thoughts from wandering.
Feeling my grip, Leighton subtly glanced back at me.
“Why are you doing that?”
“Just… I realized how lucky I am to have such a wonderful older-brother-like escort, so I wanted to hold your hand a bit more.”
He was silent for a moment, then squeezed my hand with equal firmness.
His gesture seemed to say, I understand. I smiled widely in return.
Eyes narrowed in a broad, happy grin.
Just before entering the party hall, I felt nervous despite having attended royal functions in place of my late parents.
I took a few small, deep breaths to calm myself.
Noticing me, Leighton asked,
“Are you nervous?”
I tried to hide it, but my trembling eyes betrayed me.
I gave an awkward smile, dragging the corners of my mouth.
“Yes. A little. I didn’t know a debutante ball could be this nerve-wracking.”
“Everything is difficult the first time.”
“I’m glad you’re here with me for my first. It will be a night to remember.”
Speaking my trembling thoughts softly helped me breathe more easily.
Finally, the doors to the long-awaited debutante ball swung open.
Holding Leighton’s hand tightly, I stepped into the grand hall.
It was magnificent.
The room was already full of invited guests.
Beneath exquisitely carved glass and priceless chandeliers, people danced in circles.
“Did you prepare all this, Your Grace?”
“I am your guardian, Selena.”
He said it casually, as if it were nothing. Often, he would accomplish remarkable things yet speak of them as if ordinary.
Just like now.
Despite this being my debutante ball, I found myself constantly turning my head, taking it all in.
‘With his duties to the Grand Duchy, to the Zains Marquisate, and the problems in the northern lands… when did he prepare all this?’
After the initial wave of awe, I was approached by people offering greetings.
Leighton stepped aside, suggesting I speak comfortably with the guests.
I quietly watched his figure head toward the terrace.
Once he disappeared, the people lingering around me stepped forward more boldly.
They were surely all gauging his reaction.
I thought of Leighton, now out of sight beyond the terrace.
I couldn’t easily guess what it felt like to step aside for someone like him.
“Congratulations, Grand Duchess Bennett, on hosting your debutante ball.”
“Thank you.”
“Your Highness the Duke would have been so pleased.”
Unwanted pity and consolation poured in endlessly.
Few words, lacking both substance and sincerity, quickly exhausted me.
I had decided to genuinely enjoy the ball.
For that, I needed Leighton. Someone I could rely on without worry.
I wanted to run to him and ask to enjoy the ball together.
Eventually, I politely declined dance requests from young gentlemen and stepped out of the hall.
I wondered what he might be doing outside.
I hoped he wasn’t standing alone in the wind.
I liked seeing even the smallest smile on him. The stern, intimidating Duke felt like family to me alone.
I wanted to see him smiling as we faced each other outside the hall.
I hurried toward the terrace.
Leaning on the railing, I saw his back framed by the wide-open terrace doors.
“Marquis Leighton…”
My voice shrank as I tried to speak.
“Oh, you’ve been well?”
A woman, her silver hair gleaming in the dark evening light, her red eyes almost glowing, entered the terrace with a raised hand.
Leighton turned briefly, nodding in acknowledgment.
‘Who is she?’ I wondered, briefly.
“Didn’t you miss me? I just returned from the Paladin Order’s mission. A little welcome would be nice, Devil Marquis.”
The mention of the Paladin Order gave me clarity.
It was Elisha.
