Chapter 60
A Moment of Excitement
“Goodness, it’s perfect. My lady, you are the flawless muse that fulfills my artistic spirit! Bravo!”
Madame Lachapelle clapped her hands as she admired Liena, dressed in a gown newly created for the imperial ball. Noah, who had been sitting quietly, also clapped along.
“Sis, you look so pretty!”
“Really?”
“Yes! You look just like an angel!”
“Thank you.”
“Young master, you truly have a fine eye.”
Blushing at the compliment, Noah squirmed shyly.
Madame Lachapelle examined Liena’s gown more closely.
“Fortunately, the dress fits your figure perfectly. No one in the world could create something more flawless than this. Unless it were God Himself.”
“Of course. Who could possibly match Madame’s skill?”
When Liena added this, Madame Lachapelle laughed heartily.
“Let’s see. The dress is already perfect, so no adjustments are needed. Next is your hair and makeup…”
She stepped back a little and studied Liena from head to toe.
“Wearing your hair down like now is beautiful, but I think braiding it and adorning it with a hairpiece would be even better. That way, your elegant neckline and collarbone will be revealed.”
She quickly gathered Liena’s hair and braided it roughly, then turned her toward the mirror.
“How is it? Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Amy answered in Liena’s stead.
“It suits you so well, my lady! I think the braid looks wonderful.”
“And then we’ll sprinkle pearl powder along the collarbone. Under the chandelier’s light, it will shimmer softly, highlighting your charm. What do you think, Miss Carat?”
“I think it will be gorgeous. I’ll prepare some pearl powder, then.”
Honestly, Liena thought it was a bit much, but she kept quiet. Madame Lachapelle knew the capital’s trends better than anyone, and Liena understood that her appearance was tied to the Winkler family’s honor.
People would already be watching her. If there was even the slightest flaw, or if she looked plain, whispers would spread behind her back.
Madame Lachapelle pinned an ornament into Liena’s braid and was visibly moved by her own work.
“Ah, splendid. If His Grace sees you like this, he’ll fall in love all over again. Speaking of which, when will the Duke arrive? He must try his attire on too.”
“He said he’d be here soon. Ah, I think that’s him now!”
As Amy spoke, a knock sounded at the drawing room door. When she opened it, Kassel appeared.
“Welcome, Your Grace. We’ve been waiting eagerly for you.”
Madame Lachapelle guided Liena forward by her shoulders, turning her toward Kassel.
As he walked in, Kassel froze mid-step, as if time had stopped. His dazed gaze locked on Liena’s face.
Madame Lachapelle chuckled softly.
“I understand. She’s breathtaking even to me, so how much more radiant must she seem to you, Duke? No—this won’t do.”
She clapped her hands once.
“Miss Carat, let’s give the Duke and the lady some time together.”
With that, she left with her staff. Amy took Noah’s hand and followed.
The door closed, leaving only Liena and Kassel in the spacious drawing room. Yet Kassel still didn’t move.
“Um… Kass?”
Only when Liena called his name did he resume walking, as though given permission.
They had shared countless conversations alone in the mansion. At first it had been awkward, but over time she grew comfortable with him—sometimes even looking forward to their moments together.
But strangely, this time felt different.
It wasn’t like the stiff, suffocating awkwardness of their first meeting. Instead, her heart pounded wildly, all her nerves focused sharply on Kassel.
“You’re a little late.”
Liena forced an awkward smile, but he gave no reply.
He stopped right in front of her, brushing back a loose strand of hair from her cheek.
“I’ve never seen your hair braided before.”
“Right? I rarely do it myself, so it’s been a long time. Now that I think of it, you must have seen it when we were children.”
“Yes. I did, but not since our reunion.”
“That’s true.”
Liena twisted her hair awkwardly between her fingers.
“Does it look all right? Madame Lachapelle and Amy said it suits me, but it feels a little strange to me.”
“It’s truly…”
He paused, catching his breath, then said—
“Truly beautiful.”
His voice, usually calm and steady, now carried a strange heat.
And it wasn’t only his voice. The warmth was in his gaze, in the brush of his hand against her cheek.
Liena’s face flushed red.
“…I’m glad. Then I suppose I’ll wear it like this for the ball.”
“….”
Kassel said nothing more, only watching her intently. Wherever his eyes landed, she felt as though she were being laid bare.
It was embarrassing, yet not unpleasant.
His hand slipped from her cheek to her ear, tucking away a stray strand of hair. His fingers brushed her earlobe, making her flinch at the sudden, strange sensation.
“I knew you were beautiful… but I didn’t imagine you could be this lovely.”
His hand drifted lower, warmth trailing from her neck down toward her collarbone.
He seemed unaware of what he was doing. Yet Liena didn’t stop him. His eyes carried no vulgar desire, only pure affection, perhaps even reverence.
In this moment, Liena felt like a woman deeply loved. She couldn’t deny the pleasure of it—yet she couldn’t endure much longer.
At last, she gently pushed against his shoulder. Though she hadn’t used much strength, Kassel obediently stepped back.
“Everyone’s waiting. You should try on your attire now.”
“…Ah.”
He looked regretful but went to the door.
Outside, Madame Lachapelle gave the two of them a curious look.
“Now it’s the Duke’s turn, I believe?”
A male attendant she had brought along guided Kassel to the fitting room.
By the time Liena calmed her pounding heart and cooled her flushed cheeks, Kassel returned.
She unconsciously parted her lips in awe at the sight of him in his ceremonial attire.
Now she understood why he had looked at her that way earlier. From his perspective, she must have worn the same expression.
Her heart, only just steady, began racing wildly again.
She had always known Kassel was handsome. Even when drenched in rain, hood thrown over his tousled hair, he had been stunning enough to leave her staring.
Even his usual casual shirts suited him perfectly.
But the ornate formal wear—into which Madame Lachapelle had poured her soul—made him shine like never before.
His hair remained slightly disheveled, but that untamed look lent him a rugged charm.
“Oh, magnificent! Bravo!”
Madame Lachapelle clapped with delight, breaking Liena from her trance.
She framed the pair with her fingers like a square and beamed.
“Such a perfect couple! Without doubt, the stars of the ball will be you two. Absolutely.”
After showering them with embarrassing praise, she declared Kassel’s outfit flawless as well.
“It fits a bit tighter at the chest and waist than I planned—perhaps your muscles have grown—but that only emphasizes your charm, Duke. We’ll leave it as is. I’ll see you again on the day of the ball.”
Once they changed out of their clothes, Madame Lachapelle and her staff departed with the garments.
In an instant, the drawing room was quiet again, with only Liena and Kassel remaining.
“Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule. I’ll see you again at dinner.”
Liena was about to leave when Kassel caught her hand.
“Do you know that attending the ball means you’ll have to dance?”
“Of course. That’s a basic part of any party. At the very least, partners must share the first dance.”
“Then…”
Kassel swallowed nervously.
“Before the ball… would you allow me to practice with you?”
