Chapter 12
Three Weeks Later
“As expected, my eye for dresses hasn’t dulled one bit. With this gown, people will never forget my lady’s elegant image after tonight’s ball.”
Laine, Blair’s tutor, looked pleased as she admired Blair, who was now fully dressed and prepared.
In front of her wasn’t the lively local apothecary, but an undeniably refined, graceful noblewoman sitting shyly with perfect poise.
“No matter how much your back aches, you know you must never lose your posture, right? And walk slowly, gracefully, just as you practiced. It’s your first ball—people will be watching with hawk-like eyes.”
“My ears are about to fall off from hearing that. Didn’t you see me do it perfectly during the final rehearsal? I’ll do exactly that tonight.”
To attend the grand banquet celebrating the completion of the joint knight training, Blair had to begin getting ready at the crack of dawn.
This banquet was one of the major events of the Bayern Empire—lavish and grand, it was one of the annual occasions that drew the eyes of the entire social circle.
‘I never imagined my debut would be at something this extravagant.’
Even Blair, who was braver than most, couldn’t feel entirely at ease about facing the top nobles of all the dukes and counts. Not to mention the countless people waiting eagerly to get a look at the infamous “ordinary commoner woman” who had bewitched the “Blue-Eyed War Demon, Marquis Cassel.”
“Phew—”
It was going to be a battlefield without gunfire. Blair let out a small sigh without realizing it.
“Even with all your practice, you must still be nervous about your debut, right? But don’t worry too much. As long as you stay right next to the Marquis and let him escort you, no one will dare treat you carelessly.”
“Thank you, Laine. But really, I’m not that worried.”
It was true. It was a little burdensome, but not frightening. She just needed to do as she was taught and ignore any hostile stares.
It felt more like the irritation of having to deal with a crowd of rude customers all at once. Well—except this time there was one big difference.
‘It’s fine. At least this time I’ll be paid a fortune for it.’
A gleam of determination flashed in Blair’s clear green eyes. Financial compensation was, as always, the best remedy. If she had to endure it anyway, she’d focus on the glory ahead of her.
‘And Cassel, too…’
“My lady. Shall we go down now? The master is already waiting for you downstairs.”
Just as Blair was drifting into her thoughts, Emma’s voice called from outside the door.
“Yes, I’m coming.”
Blair gathered her skirts and rose gracefully.
＊＊＊
“Master, it’s time for us to depart.”
Henrik bowed deeply to Cassel. The clock struck exactly six o’clock.
Henrik was the head butler of House Hermann and had served Cassel since the early days of the family’s founding. His sharp eyes, neatly combed white hair, dignified voice, and flawless work ethic made him a perfect match for his master in every way.
“I’ll be down shortly. And my wife?”
Cassel asked as he straightened the collar of his suit one last time.
“The lady is ready as well.”
“Good.”
‘I already feel exhausted. I’ll just show my face and leave as soon as I can.’
Why people loved these pointless banquets so much, he would never understand. With a slight furrow between his brows, Cassel headed for the lobby.
Endless feasts, the same tedious people, sharp gazes and cloying conversations that never grew any easier to stomach—banquets were nothing more than a dreadful obligation for Cassel.
In social circles, he was the hottest topic and the biggest thorn at the same time. Despite being a war hero and a marquis with the emperor’s ear, he had no noble bloodline or family connections—just humble commoner roots.
Since Cassel wasn’t the type to flatter the powerful, people fell into two camps when it came to him: those who resented him for not playing along, and those who schemed to use him somehow.
The resentful ones were easier—he could just ignore them. But the ones who tried to use him were endlessly troublesome—like pushing their daughters at him in obvious, tiresome ways.
And now, out of nowhere, he’d married a commoner woman. It hadn’t been Cassel’s intention, but Blair was now like a knight on a giant chessboard, stirring things up and creating unpredictable new variables wherever she went.
‘It’ll be amusing to see their faces when I show up with her tonight.’
Cassel smirked soundlessly at the thought of making all of them choke on their pride at once.
“Shall we go?”
Blair’s voice called down from above just then. Looking up, Cassel saw his fake wife descending the stairs like a fresh white rose in full bloom.
Delicate beads started at her chest and flowed naturally down to her hips, layered over a soft white gown that fluttered gently as she moved. Her straight neck, graceful shoulders, and impossibly tiny waist were on perfect display.
‘She looks like a saint stepping out of a legend.’
No matter how many noblewomen he’d seen at countless banquets, he’d never felt this way before. Why now, of all times, did this strange feeling rush over him like a rising tide?
“Cassel, what are you doing? Come on, let’s go.”
There was no time to dwell on it. Blair called out to him, annoyed that he was just staring without saying a word.
“…My apologies. Let’s go.”
Cassel took her offered hand and led her out to the carriage.
“When we arrive, you’ll see for yourself—people’s stares won’t be kind. I’m not exactly a welcome guest in the social scene. If it gets to be too much, stay right by my side.”
Inside the swaying carriage, Cassel spoke to Blair, who was sitting unusually properly across from him.
“That’s unexpected. I thought everyone froze up when they saw you. Among commoners, the rumors about you are legendary, you know.”
“Rumors about me?”
“There’s all sorts—how the ‘War Demon’ will cut you down if you annoy him even slightly, or how your glare is so deadly women faint on sight—things like that, you know. You’re quite the terrifying figure.”
“And knowing all that, you still agreed to marry me?”
“Well, I only found out you were that Marquis Cassel after I came to this mansion, remember?”
“You could’ve backed out before we signed anything.”
“Come on, once you make a decision, you have to see it through with guts. Besides, from what I could tell, you didn’t seem like that kind of person.”
Cassel’s eyebrows twitched minutely.
Truly an unusual woman. She’d met him for the first time as the leader of a kidnapping ring and still boldly suggested a contract marriage—yet she claimed to know what kind of person he was.
‘Anyone else would’ve thought I was insane.’
Talking to her was always like this—unpredictable, offbeat, yet all the more intriguing for it. Sometimes he wanted to pry open her mind and peek inside.
“Then what kind of person did you think I was?”
Cassel’s deep blue eyes gleamed as he leaned closer toward Blair. Why did he find himself waiting for her answer with such anticipation?
“Hmm, let’s see…”
Blair crossed her arms, pretended to think as she stared out the window—
“…?”
—and then tilted her head slightly, flashing a playful grin at him.
“A handsome one?”
Cassel felt the strength drain from his body for a moment.
Wearing a gown that made her look like a holy saint, she still managed to say things like that. He almost laughed out loud right then.
‘Maybe this banquet won’t be so boring after all.’
As he turned his eyes to the window, the corner of his lips lifted ever so slightly—though Blair probably didn’t notice.
＊＊＊
“Presenting Marquis Hermann and his wife!”
The servant’s clear voice rang through the banquet hall. The groups of people chatting before the start of the ball all turned their eyes in unison to the entrance.
Creak—
The grand doors opened, and Blair stepped through on Cassel’s arm.
