HPL 18

chapter 18

On the day of Countess McCurlin’s ball, Roy was nowhere to be seen since morning.
Did he go off to gather information on his own?
Well, since he had a priest’s robe, there was no worry of his identity being exposed.

I put on the dress Wayne had given me and headed toward where the carriage was waiting.

As soon as I appeared, everyone near the carriage dropped their jaws.
The most shocked among them were the Baron couple and Ariel.

“Y-you, where did you get that dress?”

“It’s way better than mine—anyway, where did you get it?”

“There’s no way you could own a dress like that.”

The three of them questioned me sharply, eyes narrowing.
When I replied that it was a gift, they all asked at once,

“From who?”

“From someone. Anyway, shouldn’t we get going? We’ll be late at this rate.”

I brushed off their questions with a vague answer.
They looked dissatisfied, but since it was nearly time for the ball, they couldn’t press further and got into the carriage.

Just as I was about to climb aboard last, I met eyes with Mark.
He gave me a small smile and silently mouthed the words:

You look beautiful.

Perhaps noticing that, Judy’s eyes twitched upward in irritation.
But once I stepped into the carriage, I couldn’t see her reaction anymore.

Mark drove the carriage skillfully, and we soon arrived at the Count’s estate.

After adjusting their outfits and putting on airs, the Baron couple and Ariel stepped out first.
However, the moment they saw who was standing in front of the building, they quickly bowed.

“C–Countess McCurlin?”

The Countess stood at the mansion entrance with a well-dressed young man and a few maids.

Normally, I’d heard that the servants greeted guests while the host waited inside—
but she had actually come out.

“Why do you look so surprised?”

The Countess asked playfully, and Baron Tail couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“It’s just… because you’re outside, Madam…”

“Of course I came to greet such important guests personally.”

At the words important guests, the Baron’s face lit up.
The Baroness and Ariel also gasped in delight, covering their mouths.

As they were moved by her gesture, Tommy crossed his arms and looked down at the Countess.

{Impressive. Even waiting outside must be a calculated move.}

Exactly.

Anyone would be touched to see a high-ranking noble braving the cold to greet guests.
Naturally, her reputation would rise even higher.

“Lady Dyna, welcome as well.”

After greeting the Baron family, the Countess turned kindly to me.

When I hadn’t known the truth, I’d thought she was a polite and sensible person.
But after learning she’d tried to kill Dyna, every gesture of hers seemed dangerous.

What kind of darkness was she hiding behind that sweet smile?

Of course, I had no intention of being sloppy either.

“It’s an honor to see you again.”

I held my dress slightly and bowed politely. Then I smiled with friendly warmth.

{Excellent. A smile as hypocritical as the Countess’s own.}

Tommy’s tone made it unclear whether he was praising or mocking me.

The Countess smiled back, but her eyes sharpened—just a little.

She was checking whether I truly had no memory of what happened before.
Don’t worry. I really don’t know how Dyna got involved with you.

If I could uncover what happened between you two, I’d know why you wanted Dyna dead.
How unfortunate.

“After the tea party, you became my role model, Countess.
It’s embarrassing to ask, but may I hold your hand just once?”

When I shyly twisted my body as if embarrassed, Ariel quickly chimed in.

“Me too!”

The Baron couple glanced at me with eyes that said, What’s gotten into her?
But in front of the Countess, they didn’t dare intervene.

The Countess smiled and extended one hand each to me and Ariel.

As I took her hand, I discreetly used divine power.
If she carried any magic-infused tools, my power would react.

Unfortunately, the Countess must’ve left her slave-binding artifact elsewhere—there was no response.
I’d have to try again later.

Just then, another carriage arrived, and the Countess turned to the man beside her.

“Karl, please escort our guests to the ballroom for me.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The handsome black-haired man smiled at her, then led us toward the hall.

As I followed him, I tilted my head.
Something about him felt familiar… but I couldn’t place why.
Even after he guided us to the ballroom and turned away, I still couldn’t recall where I’d seen someone like him before.

Ariel gasped as soon as we entered the ballroom, and the Baron couple stood dumbfounded before its splendor.

The glittering chandeliers, the draped fabrics around marble pillars, the tables and chairs in the corners,
and the crowd moving gracefully through the hall—all were dazzling.

It was my first time seeing a ballroom like this, so I looked around in awe—
until my gaze landed on a plump man surrounded by guests.

His round face gleamed with oil, and his belly looked ready to burst through his tailcoat.

“That’s Count McCurlin!”

Baron Tail exclaimed, and his wife quickly tugged his sleeve.

“We should go greet him.”

The Baron couple and Ariel hurried over, and I followed to see what kind of man Wayne’s father—and the Countess’s husband—really was.

“It’s been a while, my lord,” Baron Tail began.

The Count turned his thick neck, brushed his mustache with his fingers, and looked the Baron up and down.

“Hm? Who are you?”

“I’m Norman Rage Tail, my lord. We met once at Baron Biden’s party.”

“Did we?”

The Count’s tone dripped with disinterest.
Even as the Baroness and Ariel greeted him, he seemed utterly bored.

But then his eyes landed on me—and changed.
The Count’s yellow gaze gleamed with greed and interest.

“And who might this young lady be? I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“She’s my niece! Dyna, what are you doing? Greet the Count!”

Eager not to lose his chance, the Baron quickly cut in.

Now I understood why Dyna had pretended to be simple-minded.

She was beautiful—so pale and fragile she evoked a need to protect her.
If she hadn’t acted foolish, someone like Count McCurlin would’ve made her a concubine long ago.

When I gave a polite greeting, the Count smirked lecherously.

“I didn’t know such a lovely young lady existed. Would you honor me with a dance?”

His gaze was clouded with lust, not even trying to hide it.
It seemed his vile reputation was well-deserved.

The Baron couple sent me desperate looks, urging me to accept,
while Ariel smiled in relief that she wasn’t the one being asked.

Tommy had warned me that someone might invite me to dance at a party—
but I hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

“I’m afraid I’ve never attended such an event before, my lord. I can’t dance.”

I declined politely, but the Count waved his thick hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry. I’ll kindly teach you myself.”

“I might step on your foot, though.”

“How much could it hurt to be stepped on by someone as delicate as you?
I’ll guide you through every step.”

The Count’s greasy smile deepened as his eyes roamed my figure.

Should I crush his foot while pretending to dance?
A bit of divine power to increase my weight would do the trick.

While I was staring down at his pudgy foot, a now-familiar voice rang out.

“What if I teach her instead of Father?”

Turning my head, I saw Wayne approaching in a black suit.
His white hair contrasted strikingly against the dark fabric, making his presence shine even more.

Women nearby let out dreamy sighs as they saw him,
but the Count’s face twisted with displeasure.

“And what makes you think you can do that?”

It seemed the dislike was mutual.
So why had he even brought Wayne here?

Even under his father’s glare, Wayne smiled gently.

“Since Father is busy, may I show Lady Dyna the steps instead?”

“Don’t meddle in unnecessary things.”

The Count snorted harshly, but Wayne suddenly snapped his fingers as if recalling something.

“Ah, come to think of it…”

“What now?”

When the Count grumbled, Wayne leaned close and whispered something in his ear.

I couldn’t hear what he said, but through the white strands of hair falling forward,
I caught a glimpse of his sharp blue eyes gleaming coldly.

As soon as Wayne straightened, the Count’s face went pale.

“Ehem. Then, yes—Wayne, you show the young lady how to dance.
I just remembered I have… business to attend to.”

Without finishing his sentence, the Count hastily waddled out of the ballroom.

What on earth did Wayne say to make him flee like that?

Once the Count disappeared, Wayne turned to me with a waiting smile and held out his hand.

“May I have this dance, my lady?”

His tone and manner were the very image of a refined nobleman.

The moment Wayne invited me, the women nearby glared daggers at me,
their eyes full of jealousy.

He probably saved me just now—but still, this was a problem.
I really didn’t know how to dance.

Even when Tommy had demonstrated, I couldn’t keep up properly.

I blinked several times, trying to signal that I couldn’t dance.
Wayne, misunderstanding my expression, smiled even wider.

“Ah, so that’s a yes?”

How could someone so perceptive get it so wrong?

He took my hand and gently pulled me toward the center of the hall.
Despite his graceful looks, his grip was surprisingly firm—I couldn’t resist.

“You have to dance at least once or people will gossip.
If you’re going to, wouldn’t you rather it be with me?”

He whispered softly so only I could hear.

“Maybe… but I’m really bad at this.”

“That’s fine. I learned it fast myself—I know how to make it look decent.
I’ll match your pace.”

True to his word, Wayne adjusted to my movements perfectly.
Between steps, he taught me not how to dance well, but how to avoid big mistakes—
which was far more helpful for a beginner like me.

As I let him lead, I occasionally glanced upward.
In the air, Tommy floated around, grumbling about how absurd it was that he was dancing too.

“Why do you keep glancing at the air? Is something there?”
Wayne chuckled, following my gaze.
His eyes were so sharp I almost wondered if he could see Tommy.

“No. More importantly, what did you tell the Count earlier?
He ran off looking terrified.”

When I casually changed the subject, Wayne lowered his eyes and replied,

“I told him some maids were wandering near his office.
He must’ve thought they were acting under the Countess’s orders to steal his secret ledger.
He went to check right away, though it’s already too late.”

“So the Countess has already gotten her hands on his double ledger.”

I gave a dry smile, and Wayne leaned closer, his lips near my ear.

“No,” he whispered, voice smooth and alluring—
“I have it.”