Chapter 51
The knight standing at the entrance looked at me suspiciously, dressed in a plain dress with a cloak.
“Which family are you from?”
“I’m Kasia Bennet of the Bennet family.”
I removed my hat to confirm my identity, and the knight’s expression showed surprise.
He let me pass.
I put my cloak and hat back on and stepped into the palace. Carriages bearing family crests were pouring toward the banquet hall in the center.
“There are so many…”
I murmured without realizing it.
It had been a long time since I had seen a procession of nobles like this.
Moreover, today was the day of the debutante ball, when practically all the nobles across the country gathered.
Depending on the year, the scale could be large or small, but debutante balls usually saw participation from almost all nobles.
It was the day when young nobles came of age and debuted into high society, making it a day when the social standing of families was newly established.
Of course, some people, like Mikael, who had no interest in society, sometimes didn’t attend.
As I walked, looking around, I finally arrived at the entrance to the banquet hall.
No one had recognized me so far.
After confirming my identity again with the knight at the hall’s entrance, I stepped into the massive palace.
The nobles’ appearances began to catch my eye in earnest.
All were dressed in extravagant dresses and tuxedos, sneaking glances at one another as they entered the hall.
Just seeing the looks exchanged before entering made me tired.
I was glad I wore the cloak. No one recognized me.
Some nobles glanced at me and tilted their heads at the dull gray cloak.
Probably no one had ever attended a debutante ball dressed like this.
I walked past them pretending not to notice, and they turned their heads after me.
The same situation repeated inside.
Most people did not recognize me. A few looked at me with an expression that said, “What’s with that cloak?” before turning away.
There was still a little time before the ball began.
I decided to look for Adela first.
I peered around, scanning the area.
If she was truly a prominent young lady in high society, she would surely draw attention.
My prediction was correct.
I easily spotted Adela Green talking with a group across the hall.
I looked at her.
This was my first time seeing Adela Green not in riding clothes, but as a noble young lady.
Her long green hair flowed gracefully, tucked behind her ears, smiling elegantly—the epitome of a noble lady.
I couldn’t even imagine her with a riding outfit and ponytail.
Just to be sure, I stared a while, verifying that this was indeed Adela Green.
No matter how many times I looked, her green hair and the gentle eyes with faint double eyelids were the same as the unknown friend I had seen at the riding grounds.
I wanted to approach her, but there was a problem.
There were too many young ladies around her.
She truly was a prominent figure in society; the rumors were correct.
Countless young ladies crowded around her, greeting her and inquiring about her well-being.
Perhaps because they had just met her, everyone seemed busy exchanging pleasantries.
I gave up on approaching Adela.
It seemed better to wait a bit and approach leisurely.
Anyway, having confirmed Adela’s presence…
It was now time to wait for Nick’s appearance.
I found the farthest corner of the hall.
Right next to the entrance, where people would pass by.
When I reached it, the knight guarding the entrance raised an eyebrow at me.
He wore silver armor, had dark skin, and striking deep-set eyes.
“May I stand here?”
“…As you wish.”
The knight nodded as if it didn’t matter.
“Thank you.”
I murmured quietly and stood beside him, waiting for Nick to appear.
Like a shadow, no one noticed me.
At exactly 7 o’clock, the sound of a trumpet echoed from the stage. A signal to gather attention. All the nobles attending the debutante ball turned to the stage.
“The Emperor and Empress of Pontreich will enter.”
As the announcer spoke, the nobles adjusted their appearance.
Trumpets sounded again.
Soon, the knights entered in formation, followed by the Emperor of Pontreich, with the Empress at his side.
After that, with the announcer’s introduction, the three princes of the royal family appeared.
The eldest, the crown prince, stood first, followed by the second prince, and finally, Adolf, a familiar face to me, appeared.
Silence fell.
At this moment, everyone’s eyes were on Adolf.
I had heard before that among the three brothers, Adolf was the most striking in appearance.
I had seen the crown prince and the second prince before; both were quite handsome.
But Adolf’s appearance stood out even among the three.
Shining silver hair. Blue eyes.
His looks naturally drew everyone’s attention.
As far as I knew, most nobles here were seeing Adolf for the first time since his return.
Though he had returned safely to the palace, he had reportedly declined all audience requests.
This was his first official appearance since returning. That was why all eyes were on him.
Once all members of the royal family entered and took their positions, the nobles bowed respectfully.
Eventually, the Emperor and the entire royal family took their seats.
Then something caught my eye, and my eyes widened.
Among the knights standing on the stage to guard the royal family, I recognized a familiar face.
…Ken?
I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.
It was definitely him.
Ken Whidrian, who had grown into a strong young man while keeping his childhood face.
My hands began to shake.
“Ken.”
I whispered his name, and a knight standing beside me glanced at me. I slowly pointed toward Ken.
“That knight—is he Ken Whidrian?”
“Ah… yes. That’s right.”
The knight looked where I was pointing and replied.
“He’s the most famous member of the royal knights. Though from a duke’s family, his skill is exceptional. He was the youngest knight ever to be assigned royal guard duty.”
“…Is guarding the royal family the most difficult assignment?”
“Yes, I’d say so.”
The knight nodded.
“You have to guard the royals closely and meticulously. Only those who prove exceptional skill can earn the post.”
“….”
“Just to boast a bit, he’s the closest to me.”
I heard the knight’s words but couldn’t respond.
Swallowing hard, I turned my gaze back to Ken.
Ken.
You’ve been doing well.
Somehow, I felt a breath of relief.
Thank goodness.
It was such a relief to see him doing well like this.
All my purpose for being here disappeared from my mind.
Just seeing this was enough reason to have come today.
All my regrets vanished.
Ken stood on the stage, unmoving and dignified.
I kept looking at him for a long time.
A few minutes later, the debutante ball officially began.
A circular space formed in the center of the hall. A grand hall where this year’s debutantes would appear. Around the hall, nobles formed a circle to celebrate and welcome them.
The debutantes would enter together from one spot.
The time for Nick’s appearance was drawing near.
I pulled myself together after a few moments lost in thought watching Ken from the corner.
I stepped out from the shadowy wall and moved among the crowd to find a good spot to see the debutantes enter.
I wanted to watch Nick’s appearance properly, just as he wished.
I wanted to sincerely celebrate the young man who had become a mature adult.
When I found a suitable spot and took my place, a man standing at the prime position near the entrance caught my eye.
The Duke of Whidrian.
For the first time since his divorce, Aksion Whidrian appeared.
He stood alone, without any attendants or maids.
I watched him.
He looked the same as the last time I saw him in Lorencia.
He hadn’t grown thinner or fatter.
He simply stood there, arms crossed, unmoving, as he always had.
“Look, the Duke of Whidrian is here,” some nobles whispered near me.
“But he’s alone?”
“Really? No duchess?”
“Hmm. I guess the divorce is true.”
A bitter laugh escaped me quietly.
I didn’t know why.
Perhaps it was because seven years had passed, yet it ended like this.
In the end, their relationship was just a subject of gossip among people.
What did he struggle for so much in the duke’s family?
Everything had been for Diana.
But Diana was no longer in this world.
It was bitter.
Suddenly, everything felt meaningless.
Whenever my thoughts led me here, I always felt this way.
I shook off my thoughts to prevent being consumed.
The entrance doors opened, and the prepared nobles began appearing in line.
