Chapter 53 - Chapter 53
Upon arriving at the royal palace, I was first led to a waiting room with my escort to prepare for the audience with His Majesty and the Lady Queen. For that reason, I parted from my mother and headed to the room with my father. Two knights stood guard at the door, opening it as we approached. The room inside was filled with girls aged fifteen and sixteen in white dresses, creating a brilliant atmosphere.
As I entered, every gaze turned toward us, and the previous chatter ceased instantly. I seem to be drawing quite a bit of attention... Keeping my expression neutral, I scanned the room. My father leaned in and whispered into my ear, "It seems everyone is struck by your beauty, Rachel," before giving me a quick wink.
Looking around again, I realized the stares weren't filled with hostility; rather, they were focused on my dress. I could hear faint whispers of "How lovely" and soft sighs of admiration. It seemed I was being received favorably.
"Rachel-san!"
A voice rang out, cutting through the atmosphere. I turned to see Anna-san, also dressed in white. She wore a dress with many layers of soft white fabric that suited her petite, cute appearance. She was smiling as usual, but this was bad. This wasn't the academy. This was a formal social event filled with fathers, brothers, and fiancés. Indeed, several people were already frowning or whispering at the casual way she had called out to me. Our family ranks were too far apart for such familiarity here.
"Good evening, Miss Carroll."
"Ah... Good evening, Lady Marcel."
When I responded with intentional distance, Anna seemed to realize her mistake. A strained smile crossed her face, and she hurriedly corrected herself with a graceful bow.
"Is she a friend from the academy, Rachel?"
"Ah, yes. I am Anna, the eldest daughter of Baron Carroll."
"I see, a Carroll. Is your father your escort today?"
"Yes, he's stepped away for a moment..."
My father prompted her with a pleasant smile. When I glanced at him, I could see a certain coldness behind his kind eyes, as if he were measuring her. Only family would likely notice that side of him. Anna seemed uncomfortable under his gaze and quickly disappeared into the back of the room, saying she would see me later.
"Father, please stop looking at her like she's a specimen."
"Was I making such a face?"
"Yes, quite clearly."
He laughed, his eyes crinkling as he apologized, but he had likely finished his evaluation of her in that single moment.
After greeting a few acquaintances with my father, we were led to the Audience Chamber. Since I was from the highest-ranking family among the debutantes, I led the procession. His Majesty and the Lady Queen sat upon elevated thrones, waiting for everyone to line up before offering their words of blessing. The process was the same as before; I didn't feel particularly sentimental, and it felt like it was over in a flash.
As we left the Audience Chamber to return to the waiting room, my father turned down a different hallway to the right. I followed him in silence, feeling suspicious, until we came upon Cyril. Cyril bowed deeply to my father and then informed me, "I will guide you."
I looked at my father, confused. He smiled gently.
"I'm afraid I won't be the one escorting you to the ball."
"What?"
"I'll be watching your first dance with Aurelia."
What does that mean? My father is supposed to be my escort. Watching with Aurelia... my mother?
As I stood there with my mouth agape, Cyril spoke up. "Rachel-sama, we don't have much time." I snapped out of it. If Cyril was here to collect me... A single thought made my cheeks flush, while my father wore a complex, somewhat frustrated expression.
"I truly wanted to escort you myself. But he pleaded with me so earnestly to change part of the ball's proceedings, and with His Majesty's backing, I couldn't refuse. Now, go show him how you look."
With a gentle push from my father, I began to follow Cyril. My heart rate quickened as I watched Cyril's back.
"We are here."
Cyril stopped before a room. Several knights stood guard outside, making it clear who was inside. He knocked, and a voice answered from within. The slightly muffled voice made my heart throb. It was the voice I had wanted to hear most today, the person I had wanted to see more than anyone. Just knowing he was in there made me smile. At the same time, I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety over how he would react to my dress.
"Please, enter," Cyril said, opening the door. I stepped inside slowly.
His Highness stood there, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Oh, Rachel! You're so beautiful!"
He immediately rushed toward me with a delighted smile. He cupped my cheeks in his large hands, tilting my face up slightly until his was right before mine. His sparkling eyes made him look like a young boy, yet the sweet heat in his gaze was that of a man. It was a dizzyingly balanced expression.
"It's more than I imagined! Let me look at you."
"Your Highness, um... thank you for the wonderful dress."
"No, thank you for wearing it."
He laughed with genuine joy, and I looked away in embarrassment. His formal black attire with gold embroidery made him look more alluring than usual; I couldn't look him in the eye. He seems to be shining even more than usual.
"I am the one who is honored to escort such a beautiful and beloved person."
That escort. I had believed without a doubt that my father would be doing it, so I couldn't hide my shock.
"About the escort..."
"Yes, I asked the Marquis to let me take his place. Since it's your first ball... I wanted to be the one to escort you, more than anyone else. I can't stay by your side until the very end, of course... but it was my selfish wish."
His Highness looked down bashfully, a shy smile on his face that made my heart race even faster. Could there be any words more wonderful than those? He cherished my social debut as much as I did. He had always helped me, no matter the situation. When danger approached, when I was about to cry, when I was troubled—his presence had allowed me to overcome everything and reach this point. He always wrapped me in his sweet, gentle smile.
And that kindness sometimes made my chest ache. Because I was a coward who kept looking back, I had suppressed my feelings many times, but now they were transforming into something I could no longer contain. I stared at him, and he peered into my eyes. He moved his hands from my cheeks to grasp mine firmly and gently. His warmth spread through my entire body.
How many times has this hand saved me and given me strength? Just being with him felt like I was being given the power to move forward. The things I had been fixated on—the previous timeline, this timeline—none of that mattered anymore. Because just being with him made me so happy, so warm, so blessed, and so painfully in love.
I love the man standing right before me.
That feeling was all that mattered now.
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