Chapter 9
On the night of the Silverbell Ball, Dominic waited in the central hall to escort his younger sister. Harrison had also come out to see the siblings off.
“Stay sharp and escort her properly. Move in advance to keep those pretentious ruffians from getting anywhere near Alexa.”
Harrison, his face subtly tense, firmly instructed his son.
“If both Aunt and I stick to Alexa’s side at the same time, what man would dare ask her to dance? Just the presence of Countess Bonice would scare off half the gentlemen right away. If I show up, the remaining half might vanish too.”
“Well, it’s better to weed out cowards like that early on. What do you think, Dominic? Wouldn’t it be fine to send the men away empty-handed for her first ball, at least?”
“I’m starting to have trouble figuring out what you really want, Father. Do you want to marry Alexa off, or do you want her to stay with our family forever?”
Harrison let out a groan at his son’s sharp question and clasped his hands behind his back.
A moment later, there was a stir from upstairs. Amid the excited chatter of the maids, a soft laugh mingled in. As soon as Alexa’s voice was heard, smiles simultaneously bloomed on the faces of the father and son, who had been wearing different expressions.
“You look absolutely beautiful!”
A maid standing on the first floor exclaimed in admiration toward Alexa, who had appeared at the top of the stairs. Hearing the voice, Dominic looked up.
Admiring gasps poured out toward Alexa as she descended the stairs slowly, smiling shyly. Overwhelmed by her beauty that exceeded expectations, Dominic too was at a loss for words, merely blinking.
What on earth did Aunt do to that girl?
Dominic watched idly until Alexa stepped onto the first-floor landing, only approaching and extending his arm when he heard the butler’s cough. Alexa placed her hand on his arm and smiled awkwardly.
“Does it look weird? Don’t tease me, though. Out there, you’re the only ones I can trust besides Aunt.”
Alexa interpreted Dominic’s distorted expression as a negative judgment of her awkward appearance. He opened his mouth with a stiff voice. He couldn’t ruin her most important day just because his sister looked unfamiliar to him.
“I’m glad to be of support.”
Once Dominic and Alexa boarded the back seat of the automobile, the driver naturally turned the wheel without any special instructions. The destination was the Silverbell Ballroom, where brilliant silver bell chimes echoed faintly in the distance.
* * *
Even late at night, the Silverbell Ballroom was brightly lit and bustling with people from the entrance. Black automobiles carrying party attendees lined the road at regular intervals, stretching out long.
Guided inside to the dance hall, Olga checked Alexa’s appearance one last time under the bright indoor lights.
“Shall we take a light turn around?”
Alexa followed Olga’s suggestion. The dress made of pale lavender satin flowed along her slender body before spreading wide like a flower bud at her feet. The silver sequins embroidered like leaves sparkled delicately with every small movement, and thanks to the restrained decorative elements, the sapphire necklace around her slim, white neck stood out even more.
Alexa Winterborn, standing beneath the Silverbell chandeliers, drew all eyes like a comet streaking across the night sky. It was a presence that heralded the blue of a beautiful night.
“Dressed like this, you look just like a duchess’s daughter.”
As soon as the title “duchess” came up, Alexa bowed her head with a face tinged with discomfort.
“There’s no reason for you to feel intimidated here. Smile. Straighten your shoulders. Dominic, come over here for a moment.”
Olga, who had been surveying the atmosphere, called out to Dominic, who was exchanging greetings with a university acquaintance passing nearby. He turned immediately.
“Yes.”
“Manage things so that no gentleman with improper intentions approaches your sister. You know well enough who to keep close and who to keep at a distance.”
“Understood, Aunt.”
Immediately donning the mask of an overzealous protector, Dominic bombarded her with questions in an exaggerated tone.
“Are you thirsty? Your shoes looked uncomfortable earlier—does your foot hurt? Or is the chandelier light too bright and dazzling your eyes?”
“I haven’t even danced yet—how could that be? You’re overprotecting from the start.”
People were gradually streaming into the dance hall. Some of the guests approached Olga first and offered friendly greetings. She skillfully handled the nobles while simultaneously presenting her niece to them. Alexa felt like merchandise in a shop window, forcing a standardized smile again and again. Dominic, spotting a familiar face, excused himself briefly to chat with them.
“Gentlemen have gentlemen’s affairs, and ladies have ladies’ affairs.”
To avoid showing her anxiety outwardly, Alexa fidgeted with the thin bracelet worn over her glove. It was a lucky bracelet her mother had given her.
Olga had been displeased about wearing it, citing the low quality of the gems, but Alexa had barely persuaded her. She felt like she needed at least this to smile in front of those who despised her.
It feels just like being back at Blainfield House.
Memories of the past brought a bitter taste. Back then, she had despaired, thinking such a glittering world was only suited for a duke’s heir. Constantly comparing herself to that perfect noble boy and her own inadequacies. The only consolation in those days was the hope that things might get a little better when she grew up.
But they haven’t gotten any better.
She hated herself a little for betraying her childhood expectations. Even adorned in glamorous clothes and jewels, she still felt uncomfortable in this world.
“His Grace the Duke of Belsmeyer today…”
Just then, a woman passing behind whispered to her friend. Startled, Alexa turned around, but the women had already vanished into the crowd.
No way. Could the commotion I missed in the garden while greeting someone else have been announcing the duke’s arrival? Probably not. This isn’t a royal ball; he wouldn’t bother coming to a public event like this.
Gazing at the crowd so dense she couldn’t see the walls, Alexa fervently wished.
Please, let nothing happen.
* * *
People took interest in the young lady brought by Countess Bonice. But once they realized she was the daughter of the former duchess, their interest quickly turned to shock and contempt. The number of people approaching Olga to greet her dwindled to less than half the usual. Word had spread quickly that greeting the countess would naturally lead to an introduction to Alexa.
How dare they stand my daughter at the same ball as that woman’s daughter.
No chaperone would allow their precious daughter to socialize with the daughter of a divorced woman. The noble ladies found it shameful even for their daughters to admire Alexa’s alluring figure and left the area.
Only nobles from lesser families who owed something to Olga and businessmen who fully understood the power of Elford approached to offer greetings. Feeling the rejection far more solid than expected throughout her body, Alexa’s expression gradually stiffened.
By this point, the hall was filled with far more people than when she had first entered. Those gathered at the entrance suddenly straightened their attire.
Then, a court attendant’s voice loudly announced the arrival of the Crown Princess. As soon as Olga heard it, she grabbed Alexa’s arm.
“Her Highness the Crown Princess visits Silverbell only once a year. We can’t miss this opportunity. If she accepts your greeting, the nobles won’t be able to ignore you completely like they are now.”
Though only the backs of people’s heads were visible, Olga plunged forward without hesitation, parting the crowd. Alexa followed her chaperone, trying to calm her rapidly pounding heart.
The two women pushed through the throng and finally reached the vicinity of the Crown Princess.
A young lady who had come with a certain baroness was trembling like an aspen as she greeted the Crown Princess. Pale as if she might faint any moment, the girl staggered back when the Crown Princess accepted her greeting with a lukewarm expression.
The red-haired woman standing beside the Crown Princess watched the retreating baron’s daughter with a smile.
Next in line were Olga and Alexa. Olga placed her hand on Alexa’s waist, naturally positioning her one step ahead. When the bored-looking Crown Princess noticed them and acknowledged her, Olga and Alexa curtsied together.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
“Countess Bonice, it’s been a while. Did I mention how wonderfully I rested in that spa town you introduced me to before?”
“I’m truly relieved it pleased you.”
After exchanging polite pleasantries, the Crown Princess and Olga smiled more thinly than the gentle strains of the string instruments playing in the background. Soon, the Crown Princess turned her head toward Alexa, who seemed to be Olga’s main point.
The Crown Princess scanned upward from Alexa’s impeccable figure, taking in her lustrous hair and beautiful face. The final point where her gaze lingered was the sapphire necklace, rich in color like the sea. Upon spotting it, the corner of the Crown Princess’s mouth subtly downturned.
“Hmm…”
Alexa, with her head bowed, didn’t notice that the Crown Princess’s gaze had lingered too long on her neck. But Olga, standing beside her, immediately realized that the Crown Princess had recognized Alexa’s necklace.
So she’s recognized it.
Olga barely suppressed a laugh that threatened to escape.
Her niece wouldn’t know, but the necklace she wore was once a jewel the Crown Princess had coveted. It was one of the last works by a renowned jeweler from the continent, even given the grandiose name “Tears of the Sea Fairy.”
The necklace had appeared at an auction decades ago, drawing numerous nobles, royals, and nouveau riche to bid on it. But the winner was Rob Bridier. Alexa’s maternal grandfather, the great magnate of Aren.
The daughter of the commoner duchess, banished from high society, had appeared wearing the jewel she had longed for. What must the Crown Princess be feeling now? Olga didn’t even want to imagine.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ✧: *. ꕥ .* :✧ﾟ. ───
