Chapter 72
“By the way… Ariadne’s mother was a disciple of President Kalia of the Magic Association…”
It was a fact I had never known.
Of course, I had heard rumors that Ariadne’s mother was a talented magician, but that she had been a disciple of the former Tower Master? That was surprising.
Moreover, the fact that she was willing to take charge of my chaperone so readily suggested she hadn’t been an ordinary beloved disciple.
“Anyway… I can’t let such a good opportunity slip by.”
I bowed politely to Kalia.
“President Kalia, it’s an honor to meet you. I’m truly grateful that you’ve agreed to be my chaperone.”
Kalia shook her head.
“No, it’s nothing. It’s my own desire. I am simply glad if I can be of help to Your Grace, the Viscountess.”
“It’s more than help.”
Kalia, the President of the Magic Association, was essentially the second-in-command of the Tower. For someone of her stature to agree to be my chaperone, it was I who should be grateful.
I smiled gently.
“Please, feel free to speak casually from now on. You may even call me Ariadne.”
“Then… may I call you Miss Ariadne?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Miss Ariadne.”
A gentle smile appeared on Kalia’s face. She looked at me warmly, then tilted her head as if sensing something unusual.
“But… Miss Ariadne, have we met before?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Somehow, I feel a familiar presence from you.”
My heart dropped for a moment.
‘Wha… could she be referring to the meeting during the formal introduction?’
But that was impossible. At that time, with Marceline’s help, I had completely transformed into ‘Charlotte Bartley.’ My face, voice, hair color, and eye color were all different. There was no way she could recognize me.
‘Still, better to be cautious.’
I laughed lightly, as if I had heard a funny joke.
“Is that so? I’m meeting you for the first time today, President.”
“Of course, but for some reason, I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before…”
“Ha… President, have you eaten? If you like, would you care for some refreshments with me?”
I quickly called Sophia to serve some refreshments. It seemed Kalia had a keen sense, so I had to be extra careful.
About an hour later, news arrived that Jeffrey had reached the Velora estate. I instructed Julieta to enter the ball slowly and carefully, then left the estate myself.
There was no point in arriving too early and drawing attention from the obsessive male leads.
‘Of course, the soul imprint has mostly faded, but I can’t take any chances.’
I also planned to check Julieta’s location via the maids once the ball officially began.
‘Alright. Everything’s prepared. This time, I’ll definitely protect Julieta!’
As I rounded a corner, I spotted a familiar back of a head in the distance.
Sigh…
I exhaled long and heavily.
‘Why does one have to enter the ball with a partner?’
Every time I attended a debutante ball, I wondered this.
‘Why can’t I just enter alone?’
Entering solo would save time and be much simpler. Honestly, my annoyance stemmed from the fact that I had to be partnered with Jeffrey this time.
‘Why on earth did the Duke of Velora betroth his precious daughter to someone like Jeffrey?’
Or maybe he didn’t consider her precious, hence the arrangement…
But that wasn’t important right now.
I greeted Jeffrey, who had kindly come all this way to play the role of my partner.
“Viscount Douglas, long time no see.”
‘I bet he’ll yell at me, saying, “Long time no see? We just met yesterday!”’
But Jeffrey remained silent.
‘…What? Why is he so quiet?’
I lifted my head in confusion and met his slightly vacant gaze.
‘Wha… what is this…?’
For some reason, it was unsettling. Jeffrey was staring at me intently, lips slightly parted.
‘Why is he looking at me with that dumb expression?’
I called him brusquely.
“Viscount Douglas?”
“…Uh, uh?”
“What are you daydreaming about? Snap out of it!”
“Uh, uh… uh…”
Jeffrey scratched his neck awkwardly, glancing away. His ears were faintly red.
I couldn’t help but think:
‘He couldn’t be blushing because he likes me… could he be angry instead?’
But where? Why? I hadn’t done anything to provoke him today. Jeffrey remained utterly incomprehensible.
I clicked my tongue and headed toward the ballroom.
“The Viscountess of Velora and the Viscount Douglas are entering.”
The doorman’s booming voice echoed through the main hall of the Velora estate.
I entered the ballroom slowly, escorted by Jeffrey.
“Oh my! Look at the Velora young lady! She’s as beautiful as a spring fairy!”
“And Viscount Douglas by her side! They make such a perfect couple!”
“Where is that dress from? I’d love to wear it myself!”
“And that person beside the Velora young lady… Oh my! It’s President Kalia of the Magic Association! What’s she doing here?”
As soon as I entered, the crowd murmured in anticipation. Naturally so—I was the Viscountess of Velora, my partner was Viscount Douglas, and my chaperone was none other than President Kalia of the Magic Association. All eyes were on us.
‘Hmm…’
I smiled confidently and surveyed the ballroom. In moments like this, I needed to maintain a strong, composed demeanor; any sign of weakness would be exploited.
At that moment, Joshua approached us.
“Ariadne, congratulations on your debut into society. You’ll be attending many balls from now on.”
He handed me orange juice with a gentle smile.
‘Joshua… oppa!’
I felt my smile lift automatically. I had to control myself or I’d dash straight into his arms.
‘No! Focus, Ariadne!’
I composed myself and greeted him politely.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince. Ariadne Velora greets you.”
“There’s no need for such formalities between us. If you don’t like orange juice, I can get you something else.”
“N-no… orange juice is fine.”
I took the juice. The ballroom was warm, and I was thirsty.
Then Jeffrey, frowning, snatched the glass from my hand.
“Uh, thanks, Joshua. I’ll drink it.”
“…Huh? Uh, uh?”
In the blink of an eye, he drank it all.
‘Wha… what?’
I stared at him in disbelief.
“Viscount Douglas, were you really that thirsty?”
He couldn’t even bring a drink to his fiancée, but he could steal mine? His behavior was utterly ridiculous.
Then he linked his hand with mine.
‘…Wha…?’
It was shocking. Jeffrey had attempted skin contact with me before, but only once—when he had lost his mind while I tried to correct his habits. Other than that, never. And now…?
“V-Viscount Douglas?”
He twisted his lips and frowned apologetically.
“Sorry, Ari. But you don’t really like orange juice, do you?”
“N-not really…”
“Come here. I’ll get you another drink, one you actually like.”
“W-wait a moment…”
He tugged me along as if separating me from Joshua.
‘What is wrong with him…?’
Was he sulking again? I had no idea.
“Alright, here we are.”
Finally, he stopped and handed me lemonade, smiling slightly.
‘Hmm…’
I looked at the lemonade floating with lemon slices. I did like lemonade more than orange juice, but now that Jeffrey was giving it to me, I didn’t want it.
I passed it back to him.
“Viscount Douglas, let’s move separately. There’s no need to stay together.”
“…Wha? You…”
“Then I’ll leave now. Call me when you request the first dance.”
“You… you…”
Jeffrey pointed at me incredulously, but I turned coldly and walked away. There was no need to shadow him any longer; my rehabilitation of him was nearly complete.
‘Ah, but better to warn him just in case.’
I leaned closer to him and whispered.
“Viscount Douglas, you’ll only dance with me. If you request a dance from any other lady, I won’t forgive you.”
“Ha… you…”
“Consider this a warning. Behave, or you’ll regret it.”
Satisfied, I moved forward with ease. Fortunately, Jeffrey didn’t stop me again.
“Ariadne, it’s been a while.”
But I hadn’t gone far before someone grabbed me.
