BVWG 31

chapter 31

The rich sounds of music brought life to the crowd. Nobles, displaying their luxurious attire, gathered in small groups, their refined laughter filling the air.

Beneath the sparkling chandeliers, dancers congregated, and the hems of the noblewomen’s dresses fluttered like colorful petals.

It was an extremely serene and lavish ball.

Amid this, even those who had been quietly observing until now because of the debut ceremony saw their chance and began approaching Duke Esperanza. Clearly, they were attempting to catch the duke’s eye to secure their own advantage.

The duke scanned them briefly and then looked down at me with a smile.

“I hope tonight becomes a memorable evening for you. Enjoy yourself.”

With that, he moved toward them, stepping aside to shield me from their awkward conversations.

For a moment, he truly felt like a father, and my heart tightened with an unfamiliar warmth. I didn’t know how to handle the feeling and took a sip of the remaining champagne.

Then, as I gathered my thoughts, my gaze naturally sought the emperor.

Since submitting my report on the assignment in the imperial audience hall last time, I hadn’t had any reason to see him. The thought that I no longer had to deal with his imposing presence had brought a momentary sense of relief.

Yet, surprisingly, his image kept coming to mind.

Well, to admit it honestly, he was undeniably handsome. This wasn’t a matter of personal taste.

Just as anyone would perceive a demon as fierce, anyone would find the emperor beautiful.

This impulse, then, was akin to the desire to admire a fine work of art.

I finished rationalizing my bodily reaction and shifted my gaze toward the emperor.

He was surrounded by Knight Commander Berret, Archmage Mor, and what appeared to be an elderly imperial advisor, making it hard for me to see him clearly from my position.

‘Perhaps seeing the emperor through this crowd is impossible?’

Just as I was about to give up, the advisor blocking my view stepped aside briefly.

Finally, the emperor, dazzling and sharp-eyed, came fully into view.

His short silver hair was neatly swept, and today more than ever, he exuded an otherworldly, almost sacred aura.

Seeing him at this distance, I finally understood why he always felt strangely familiar.

As the emperor, a descendant of the White Dragon, he carried a majesty that evoked the dragon itself.

Every time I see him from now on, I would think of the White Dragon that brought me to this world.

His jewel-like, pure blue eyes were as sharp and indifferent as ever.

As he looked down at the crowd, his face bore the unmistakable expression of someone extremely bored by this gathering.

The deepening crease between his brows caught my attention.

‘Is he still, even now, in agonized conversation with the gods?’

While I carefully observed the emperor, he began scanning the hall. Our eyes met briefly.

Even from afar, his piercingly deep blue eyes were overwhelmingly intense.

For a fleeting moment, curiosity sparked across his face, his gaze deepened, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

But I couldn’t examine the change fully and quickly turned away, feeling my face heat up.

I turned my back to the emperor, trying to erase the lingering image of him that had already filled my mind.

My goal was to complete the mission given in the devil’s game and take revenge on Kim Young-ung.

So I needed to approach the eligible men, not the emperor, with whom I had no need to form a complicated connection.

I resolved to clear all thoughts of him from my mind.

As I made this determination, noblewomen began gathering around me.

It was starting now—the silent gunshot in the guise of serene civility.

“Were you at peace under the blessing of the White Dragon? I am Heriot Bossepta, lady of Count Bossepta. It is an honor to meet the highly esteemed Lady Esperanza.”

Her greeting, at first polite, was a veiled mockery of my reputation as a villainess. She clearly intended to assert dominance.

I had anticipated such a move and had gathered information about her beforehand.

Prepared, I responded casually.

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Bossepta. I have only just entered society and had not yet had the honor of knowing such a gracious lady.”

This subtly implied that the Bossepta family’s influence was minor enough that I had never heard of them.

Of course, I knew the count well—my efforts to memorize information about society figures had not been in vain.

And it was common knowledge that she was far from gracious.

Thus, my single reply struck her doubly.

Lady Bossepta’s expression stiffened briefly, hiding a flushed face behind her fan.

“No matter how noble a crane is, it will be left behind if it strays from the flock. I shall strive to avoid that in the Bossepta house as well.”

She was pretending to blame her family’s obscurity while subtly threatening me.

By rank, the position of queen of society rightfully belonged to one of the ladies from the four major ducal families.

However, the dukes wielded enormous influence across the empire.

To maintain balance, the ladies of the four major ducal houses were expected to step back socially.

Even my late mother, the former lady of the Esperanza dukes, had played a part in this.

This left lesser noblewomen to bicker for prominence, and currently, Lady Bossepta held that position.

She was essentially warning me that society would turn against me if I didn’t show deference.

“If one strives toward the North Star, no migratory bird will lose its way. Effort is always the highest virtue, and so I shall support the Bossepta house as well.”

The North Star symbolized the Esperanza family, reminding everyone that social movements centered on the duke.

Lady Bossepta had underestimated me, assuming I was naive, but by rank, I was above her.

Hiding her contorted expression behind the fan, she left after her polite bow.

Having bested the queen of society, lesser women now flocked to me, especially those with daughters of my age.

“Lady, I am the daughter of Baron Kirion. I am your age, and I hope we become close.”

“I am the daughter of Count Saitus. Please take care of me.”

I politely responded to the young ladies, prompting them to shower me with compliments.

“You are even more beautiful than the rumors suggested! How do you maintain your looks? Please share your secrets.”

“It’s thanks to my maid’s skill. There are no special secrets.”

“That necklace and earrings are gorgeous. Are those the rare pink diamonds?”

“Yes.”

Through their frantic chatter, I gave detached answers.

In the midst of this chaos, the one who rescued me was none other than the emperor.

The man in a pristine white uniform up to his neck stood before me. His sculpted face radiated the same cold aura as ever.

Yet his piercing blue eyes, holding a faint warmth as they looked at me, softened his otherwise untouchable presence.

The startled young ladies quickly fell silent, bowing their heads, flushed. Clearly, many admired him.

His slightly lowered voice lost none of its sharpness, instead becoming even more melodious, like a wind instrument.

“Lady Esperanza, congratulations on your social debut.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“As you are the only daughter of the duke, how about we share the first dance?”

A silent murmur of surprise spread.

With no empress present, the emperor had not predetermined a partner. Every debutante hoped to dance with him. Yet he had never danced publicly before.

I was caught off guard.

“Isn’t the first dance traditionally with a family escort?”

I bowed politely, deflecting his offer. Dancing with him amid watchful eyes would only invite envious scrutiny.

“You have already received the duke’s permission.”

I found the duke’s familiar, proud face among the crowd. With no excuse left, I stifled a sigh.

Fear gripped me that my heart’s frantic beat would betray me as we danced, making the experience even more nerve-wracking.

The emperor, oblivious, extended his large hand.

His sculpted hand, with faint calluses, appeared almost bluish under the ballroom lights.

I carefully placed my hand atop his, and my long, slender fingers were enveloped by his strong, knuckled hand.

The contrast between his cold aura and the warmth of that touch was striking.

Jealous eyes filled the ballroom, but I ignored them, moving as gracefully as possible.

I didn’t want to falter under their gaze, yet the man before me kept distracting me. My erratic heart too.

The emperor led me to the center of the ballroom. Soon, a beautiful melody began to play.

Even a slight lapse in focus could make me step on his feet.

I silently thanked my rigorous practice, which allowed me to dance without losing composure.

Placing his free hand on my waist, he guided us perfectly along the violin’s flowing rhythm.

Thanks to his flawless lead, I followed comfortably.

Despite my height, there was a noticeable difference, leaving me to look up at his chest as we danced.

Resigned to this, I focused on the silver emblem on his chest. The emperor, displeased, whispered to me.

“Are you trying to have a serious conversation with my emblem?”

The whisper was so low that no one else could hear.