Chapter 146
“Marquis, Miss. We have arrived.”
Just then, the carriage came to a stop, and Haley, formally dressed in the uniform of the Marquis’s knight order today, opened the door.
Ante, who got out first, extended his hand.
“Be careful. The ground is rough.”
What was he talking about? The plush carpet laid out was visible even from inside the carriage.
But Angelina was already accustomed to Ante’s overprotectiveness, so she smiled slightly and took his hand. A small wind magic lifted her up, making it easier for her to descend.
‘I wonder if he’s trying to hide it or not.’
Angelina couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him using magic so openly despite the many watching eyes.
Originally, the reason he had concealed being the Tower Master was to avoid stimulating Angelina’s memory seal, not for any other reason.
Though occasionally, it wasn’t bad as a stress reliever to throw off the name of Marquis and act as he pleased behind the mask of Tower Master.
“Then, have a good time.”
Jake, after greeting them, got back into the carriage.
Laura and Haley would be entering the ball together. According to palace ball rules, each person was allowed one escort.
So Ante had registered Haley as Angelina’s escort and Laura as his own.
Of course, his intention was to ultimately use both as Angelina’s guards.
“Lina.”
Ante, firmly holding her hand, whispered.
“Don’t forget. The magic that was on your forehead has been moved to the back of your hand.”
He had also simplified the process that required rubbing and calling the name three times, making it work with just one call while channeling power.
This was a measure that could be taken because Angelina could use the Sun’s power.
“It doesn’t matter what situation you’re in. If you notice anything even slightly strange, call me immediately.”
This was like an insurance Ante had prepared because they didn’t know what the Empress might do at the ball today.
“I understand.”
Angelina wanted to say not to worry so much, but seeing his anxious expression, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him not to worry.
‘Honestly, the one I’m most worried about is my brother.’
Ante, who had his weakness caught by the Empress, was what concerned her most.
Though unlikely, if she were to find herself in danger, it would probably be because the Empress was trying to use her as a hostage to manipulate her brother.
In that case, she should absolutely not call her brother, and Angelina would never be able to use this magic.
So Angelina thought she would never have occasion to use this magic.
“You too, don’t forget my bracelet.”
The bracelet prepared along with fixing the anklet. With Haley’s help, it contained a location tracking spell along with a small amount of the Sun’s power.
This was Angelina’s insurance for the worst-case scenario. She had filled it out of concern that something might happen to Ante.
Like brother, like sister.
“Sure.”
Ante answered with a smile. But he had no intention of using this bracelet either.
The moment he used it, Angelina would receive the rebound, and knowing that she would be in pain from using the Sun’s power, he couldn’t possibly use it.
Having both prepared insurance for each other that neither intended to use, the two finally entered the ballroom with peace of mind.
It was a mutual misunderstanding.
***
“Is that woman the rumored Lady Flaubert?”
After Angelina and Ante’s entrance was announced, the two attracted attention wherever they went.
“I see… Now I understand why the Marquis tried to keep her hidden.”
“Is she even human? Did that gloomy Marquis create a moving doll?”
Ante had always drawn many gazes in places like this, but with Angelina standing beside him, they couldn’t help but attract even more attention.
The same silver hair, but hers flowed down, shimmering like the Milky Way in the night sky under the light, and unlike Ante who always wore an inscrutable smile, her expressionless eyes, almost cold, captivated everyone’s gaze.
Her ethereal, flowing dress and elegant gestures enchanted the hearts of everyone in the ballroom.
“Look at all these prying eyes, tsk.”
Ante felt both proud and annoyed.
He was proud that Angelina was receiving all the attention she deserved, but annoyed that his sister’s loveliness was now revealed to the world.
“Brother, what if someone hears you?”
“So what if they do? It’s a fact that Lina is beautiful.”
Since she heard this all the time, Angelina just smiled slightly. Her small smile caused a great ripple throughout the ballroom.
Sighs could be heard from everywhere.
It was then.
“Duke Blake Kadenhart has entered!”
Everyone’s heads turned at the arrival of another person of interest. Including Ante and Angelina.
The one entering through the opened doors was Blake, dressed in a black uniform with a blue cape.
His hair, pushed back unlike usual, gave a refreshing impression, and at his waist was a sword that looked as if it had been carved from darkness itself.
“How long has it been since we’ve seen the Duke at an official event?”
“About 10 years… Ah, I think I saw him once about 4 years ago when he had just come of age.”
“They said he was a butcher soaked in blood, but looking at those eyes…”
Whispers increased as he moved his steps.
‘What ancient nicknames are these people bringing up?’
Angelina was dumbfounded. She wanted to retort, but couldn’t.
Her eyes had met his as he looked around.
A smile slowly bloomed on his lips, and at that moment, screams were heard from various places.
Some young ladies even fainted from dizziness.
‘Indeed, the most handsome man in this world.’
Angelina smiled in admiration.
She seemed to have forgotten her past thoughts when she had complained that he was too ordinary compared to Ante.
Love truly was blind.
“Miss Flaubert.”
Blake, who had walked straight to where they were standing, bowed and kissed the back of Angelina’s hand.
“I’ve missed you.”
Angelina’s eyes widened at his straightforward confession that came without hesitation.
“This is troubling.”
“What is?”
“Today is a ball celebrating His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday, but Miss Flaubert is the most beautiful here, so I’m deeply concerned that His Majesty might be displeased.”
Angelina’s face flushed at his following words.
‘What kind of silliness is this…!’
Blake was saying things that Ante would typically say.
But contrary to her mind thinking it was silly, her heart was pounding with excitement.
“You look very handsome today, too, Duke. I thought no one could draw my attention more than my brother.”
Just as Blake’s earlobes reddened at her response, Ante snatched Angelina’s hand from Blake’s.
“Lina! What did you just say!”
He turned his sister toward himself with a shocked face.
“Do you really think that scoundrel is more handsome than your brother? Is that really what you think?”
Ante looked at Angelina with teary eyes. With a face like bright sunshine wearing a pitiful expression, it was truly a spectacular sight.
“I never said that. I said he draws attention.”
“That’s what you meant, right? Your brother is still the most handsome, right? Hmm?”
He gripped her hand tightly, demanding an answer.
“How could I think otherwise when I have the best brother?”
Only after hearing Angelina’s answer did he exhale and loosen his grip.
Then he glared at Blake.
“We meet again, Duke.”
“I’m pleased to see you again, Marquis Flaubert.”
Their greeting was infinitely shorter compared to that between Angelina and Blake.
And the sight of them caused confusion in the ballroom.
“Just now, the Duke and Lady Flaubert…”
“I heard the Duke has been frequenting the Marquis’s mansion lately, so was that rumor true?”
“That gossip was real!”
The news of Angelina and Blake taking a night walk on High Street had already spread far and wide through gossip columns.
“Then was the accident that happened at the Marquis’s house really related to the Duke?”
“They must have been planning to elope. Kyah, how romantic!”
“What’s romantic about it! They’re both just immature!”
Everyone had their own opinions, but they all had similar thoughts about Angelina and Blake’s relationship.
Just as they were showing curiosity about whether there would be more to the story, it happened.
“His Highness Aiden Grandonia, the Empire’s small sun, and his partner, Countess Catherine Sorovien, are entering!”
Everyone’s interest shifted once again with the Crown Prince’s entrance.
More precisely, the woman by his side was the center of attention.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.