Chapter 104
The warm embrace of a mother’s arms, freely nursing at her b****t, toddling and falling down, those peaceful and warm days of slumber.
Moments of being loved unconditionally.
How could I forget? These warm and precious moments give me the strength to move forward.
“I really wanted to tell you this. Ruel, you are not an ominous being. Your mother always said you were a shining existence. That you would become someone who brings light and hope to shapeshifters…… Don’t forget the power your mother gave you.”
I nodded repeatedly while in my uncle’s embrace.
When I suddenly looked up, Yudis was crying with emotion, tears and snot flowing, and Karden was turning his head away.
His broad shoulders were trembling slightly.
His appearance was so cute that I couldn’t help but smile broadly.
***
“Shushu! Don’t move! I need to tighten the corset!”
“Lady Yudis, I can hardly breathe!”
“No! You must endure! Take a deep breath to wear the dress!”
“Whew!”
“I’ll tighten it now! Here, pull!”
“Ugh!”
I gripped the bedpost and gritted my teeth.
That’s how I overcame the arduous mountain called a corset.
Since a corset is essential for attending the royal ball, I had no choice but to wear it reluctantly.
The dress Yudis chose for me was a flowing blue silk skirt with white lace ribbons.
Dozens of precious jewels were embedded in the ribbons decorating the hem of the flowing blue dress.
The jewels would surely sparkle in the brilliant chandelier light illuminating the ballroom.
After dressing up and spending two hours on makeup and hair styling, I finally stood before the mirror.
Wearing the beautiful blue dress with my hair tied up, I looked like a real noble lady.
“Shuvelia, you’re so beautiful. Like the goddess of snow!”
I felt shy at Yudis’s compliment.
“It’s too unfortunate to lose you to my brother. I should request the first dance.”
Yudis offered her hand to me, and I took it with a playful smile.
“Shall we practice dancing a bit more before we go?”
“Ugh. Can we stop now, teacher? My legs are trembling from dancing too much.”
For a week before the royal ball, I received rigorous dance training from Yudis.
Claiming that dancing was the most important basic skill at balls, Yudis taught me how to dance in a Spartan way, wielding a riding crop.
That’s when I realized. When Yudis is kind, she’s genuinely kind enough to give everything, but when she trains or educates, she’s more ruthless than Grand Duke Karden.
Just then, a maid entered the dressing room and reported.
“It’s time to leave now. The carriage is waiting.”
“Oh, is it already that time? Where is the Grand Duke?”
“He’s waiting in the entrance hall.”
“Shushu, let’s hurry. We’ll be late.”
Yudis wrapped her arm around my shoulders and hurriedly went down to the villa’s entrance hall.
It was a magnificent, pure white carriage drawn by four white horses.
“The carriage is so splendid. It looks like one a princess would ride in.”
“This much preparation is necessary for our Shushu, who’s going to the ball.”
As Yudis opened the carriage door and tried to escort me, a silk-gloved hand appeared from somewhere and roughly pushed her hand away.
“Yudis, your role ends here.”
Karden wrapped his hand around mine with a cold smile.
I unconsciously looked up at him, entranced.
His tailcoat appearance was something I had never seen before. The man before my eyes looked dazzlingly handsome and stylish.
He wore a dark blue high-quality gold-trimmed frock coat that showcased his tall stature and firm, muscular physique, with a silver silk scarf tied at his chest.
The clear, sharp lines like a sculpture harmoniously blended with masculine boldness.
His black hair was neatly combed back to reveal his straight forehead, intensifying his masculine charm.
Karden seemed surprised by my appearance and stared at me blankly. He slightly pursed his lower lip in apparent thirst, then exhaled a soft breath.
“……Incomparably beautiful.”
“Pardon?”
Not knowing how to respond, my face turned red. Yudis, standing beside me, snorted.
“Brother, are you thinking about taking Shuvelia on a honeymoon right now, forgetting about the royal palace?”
Karden immediately changed his expression to a fierce one and glared at his sister as if she were his mortal enemy.
“Yudis Helleide. Know your limits.”
“Do you think I don’t know your dark intentions, brother? Today I’ll be providing ironclad protection by Shuvelia’s side, so don’t even think about it.”
As expected of the Helleon Merchant Guild Master, known for having the biggest guts and fearlessness in the capital.
Not even flinching before the formidable Grand Duke.
“And, let me tell you in advance, I will escort Shushu to the ball entrance. How would a Grand Duke making his debut know anything about social etiquette or rules?”
“That is absolutely unacceptable. I order you as the head of the family. Step away from Shushu.”
“Huh? Do you think I’ll yield to power?”
Don’t abuse your authority as the head of the Grand Duke’s family over something as trivial as accompanying someone to a ball.
I shook my head at the Helleide siblings who were once again glaring at each other in a battle of wills.
I stretched out both hands and firmly held their hands.
“Then let’s go together. The three of us can enter together, right?”
***
Our carriage sped toward the royal palace. The majestic palace, surrounded by high towers and wall,s looked down upon us.
The carriage passed through the drawbridge of the palace and headed to the Grand Hall located inside the royal palace.
The Grand Hall consisted of a massive mansion, five stories high,h with gardens.
After handing over the invitation to the receptionist in the entrance hall, we entered the Grand Hall guided by an attendant. The inner door opened, and the attendant announced loudly.
“His Grace Grand Duke Karden Helleide, Lady Yudis Helleide, and Viscount Shuvelia Beriden entering!”
I was formally entering the ball with Uncle James’s surname and viscount title.
Uncle wished for me to inherit his title and surname while I remained unmarried.
With my hand resting on Karden’s firm arm, I entered the ball with trembling steps. With each step, the voluminous dress and lace rustled and sparkled, scattering light all around.
Karden gently placed his hand on the back of mine and looked down at me.
“Shuvelia, are you nervous?”
“What about you, Your Grace? It’s your first debutante ball. Don’t you feel your heart racing or your blood boiling?”
I held his wrist firmly and asked seriously.
Fortunately, his magical power was calm, but it’s better to be careful. I can’t let this become the worst ball like in the original story.
When Karden first attended a ball in the original story, he was going through a turbulent period with unstable magical power.
Eventually, during the ball, he had friction with the Crown Prince, and unable to control his anger, his magic went berserk, causing the worst incident that injured dozens of people.
Karden smiled gently. When our eyes met like this, his face became incredibly tender and sweet. It was also my favorite expression of his.
“I’m fine with my healer by my side. I’m counting on you today.”
Yudis linked arms with me and whispered playfully.
“Shuvelia, ask me anything if something happens. My brother is like a block of wood and will be useless.”
The ballroom sparkled with brilliant radiance. It was as if diamond dust had been sprinkled everywhere.
Along with the light from the chandeliers, the splendid appearance of nobles could be seen.
A massive chandelier hung from the high ceiling that opened up to the third floor, and murals depicting the royal family’s history adorned the walls.
Pure white marble floor tiles, walls and pillars decorated with gold and ivory were luxurious.
The nobles who had been chatting in small groups stopped all movement and looked at Karden and me as we entered.
As we passed through the crowd, I could feel everyone pausing their conversations and turning to look at us.
“Isn’t that Grand Duke Helleide? How surprising to see him attending a ball, truly remarkable.”
“How handsome and dignified he is. Indeed, he is the guardian sword protecting our kingdom.”
The nobles all looked up at Karden with eyes full of respect, while noble ladies and young ladies sent admiring glances and blushed.
The nobles rushed forward to greet Karden or bow respectfully.
The noble ladies cast interested glances at me, whom Karden was escorting.
“Who is that young lady being escorted by the Grand Duke?”
“She’s truly as beautiful as the snow goddess. Which family did you say she was from?”
“The Grand Duke, famous for not associating with women, is escorting this young lady, could it be……”
Their whispers were clearly audible, and the stares stealing glances at me made the back of my head tingle.
Excuse me, there’s a person right in front of you, so please stop gossiping so openly. I can hear everything.
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