MDCFE 12

Chapter 12

Baran snapped out of his thoughts and entered the banquet hall to look for Arabella.

He suddenly remembered the task Blake had repeatedly emphasized for today, and his steps quickened with urgency.

Arabella was at the central table, mingling with Matteo and other nobles.

Baran was surprised by her natural composure.

Even from a distance, it was obvious she was leading the atmosphere as if she were not someone who had just debuted today. Everyone seated at the table had their eyes on her.

Just then, the music changed, and Baran walked toward Arabella’s table.

With his sudden appearance drawing attention, he greeted everyone with a polite smile.

“Please excuse my interruption.”

Baran extended his hand toward Arabella and said gently,

“Lady Arabella, would you honor me with a dance?”

This time, Arabella looked at him with slightly widened eyes, clearly surprised.

Baran found her reaction rather cute.

After a brief moment of hesitation at the unexpected situation, Arabella took his hand.

He might have his own intentions, but there’s no need to make enemies with Duke Courtois over something trivial. Besides, the more connections, the better.

From Arabella’s perspective, Baran Courtois was an excellent connection.

However, breaking the divine oath binding the Imperial Bernhard family, the Water House of Lewin, and the Fire House of Courtois was impossible.

In the original story “The Crown Prince’s First Love”, there were hints that if the three houses betrayed each other, something disastrous would occur.

Moreover, each family had passed down the goddess’s warning for generations, and until now, nothing had gone wrong.

I never even finished the original story, so I don’t even know if betrayal actually happens or not… well, whatever. I’ll deal with it somehow. Dancing can’t be a bad thing.

Based on the information she had, Arabella decided to accept Duke Matteo’s hand in advance, weighing multiple possibilities.

Why is he suddenly acting like this? He’s not the type to dance at parties.

Of course, until now Arabella had been completely hidden within her family, living as a maid, so there had been no reason for her to appear in society.

In fact, Baran might have only vaguely heard of Arabella’s name before, but he would not have known what she looked like. As the Lewin family’s hidden illegitimate child, she had been strictly concealed.

Baran escorted Arabella toward the dance floor. The combination of Baran—always the center of attention—and Arabella, the star of the night, was enough to draw every gaze in the hall.

Many people wanted to criticize her—an illegitimate daughter—who not only attended the debutante ball but even dared to dance first with Duke Matteo, and now even with Baran.

And yet, seeing them together, no harsh words came out. Instead, a strange jealousy filled their hearts, because the sight was like a painting.

Standing beside Baran, one of the empire’s three greatest beauties, Arabella did not appear overshadowed at all.

Not in the slightest.

Was there always someone this beautiful in the Lewin family?

In contrast to the Bernhard and Courtois families—who often produced members whose appearance rivaled their talents—the Lewin family was considered more “human,” less extreme.

Thus, compared to the near-perfection of Bernhard and Courtois, Lewin was often seen as a more relatable noble house.

As the music played and the two stood facing each other, whispers of admiration spread.

“Even when she stood with Duke Matteo, the picture was perfect.”

“To think she still shines even beside Baran and Matteo, the empire’s most handsome men…”

Noble ladies who favored Baran and young ladies who admired him grew increasingly displeased with Arabella.

The young men, on the other hand, looked at her with conflicted thoughts—If only she weren’t an illegitimate child… or maybe it’s better that she is?

Amid the swirling chatter, Rosaline was burning with rage.

She clenched her skirt tightly, trying to suppress the urge to throw everything in front of her.

How dare she dance with Baran? Even I’ve never danced with him.

They had known each other since childhood, but Baran had always maintained careful boundaries.

She could approach him only through her family’s connection with Lewin, but they could not be considered close.

However, this feeling did not mean Rosaline loved Baran as a man.

Her heart belonged only to Crown Prince Blake.

She simply could not stand Arabella receiving attention.

The presence of an “illegitimate child” polluting the special world of Lewin and Courtois disgusted her.

Under the soft, flowing melody filling the hall, the two of them shone like a dream.

Light steps, graceful movement, perfect rhythm—Baran was genuinely impressed.

“This is hard to believe for a first ball. Your skill is remarkable.”

“There’s no need to leave flaws behind. I’m already the center of attention as it is.”

“Isn’t attention something you can turn into goodwill? That shouldn’t be difficult for you, Lady Lewin.”

Arabella simply smiled in response to Baran’s accurate assessment of her.

In high society, polite words were often just empty formalities.

But Arabella, having heard countless insincere compliments in her past life, was unfazed.

“I would like to offer you even a small amount of support.”

Arabella looked at him curiously, unsure of his intention.

In the novel, Baran was straightforward and warm—he preferred honesty over manipulation.

In noble society, emotions were usually hidden, but she decided Baran might be someone she could speak to more openly.

“I would like to invite you to a cultural discussion club I host.”

“Pardon?”

“If you attend, you’ll meet good people and spend meaningful time.”

“Thank you for the invitation.”

Arabella saw no reason to refuse an invitation from Baran Courtois, the head of the Courtois family himself.

At that moment, she simply thought it would help maintain a friendly relationship and gain useful connections.

She had no idea this decision would one day twist her fate more elegantly than the finest pastry chef.

I returned to the table where Duke Matteo was sitting.

After dancing, I felt thirsty and picked up a chilled drink in front of me.

“Oh my! Lady Lewin drinks so gracefully.”

“Me?”

I smiled shyly.

Even this is part of my top-star instincts.

In my past life, I was a “commercial queen.” I had drunk everything from coffee to juice, water, beer, and soju for advertisements.

More importantly, I was used to always being photographed, so eating gracefully had become second nature.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

I smiled brightly and genuinely, then took a bite of finger food beside me.

“Oh my, she even eats beautifully!”

“I want to eat too just watching her.”

The table erupted in admiration.

Food was continuously replaced as plates were emptied faster than usual.

I covered my cheeks shyly.

“You’re too kind. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

I felt genuinely happy.

In noble etiquette, eating properly was one thing—but eating beautifully was another skill entirely.

My experience from commercials, dramas, and films naturally activated.

Of course—I was born an entertainer, body and soul. Why aren’t there any advertisers here?

Receiving attention after so long felt exciting.

But I wasn’t satisfied with just admiration—I aimed higher.

The expected reaction was already achieved: “She’s surprisingly decent.”

Now it was time to trigger a different emotion.

I softened my expression, let my eyes shimmer slightly, and spoke with a trembling voice.

“I was very worried and hesitant, but I’m glad I gathered the courage to come here. It’s my first time at an event like this… I’m just so happy.”

Being too perfect invites jealousy. So I gently stirred their sympathy.

Humans admire perfection, but they are drawn more strongly to those they can emotionally fill.

Admiration can come later—after they’ve already fallen for you without realizing it.

High society was very similar to show business, so I understood quickly how to win people over.

Everyone around me looked at me with understanding eyes.

“At first, I thought she was just beautiful, but Lady Lewin has a charm that draws people in.”

The Marchioness Celine, the highest-ranking woman at the table, spoke warmly.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

She continued with a smile.

“I’m planning to host a tea party soon. I’ll send you an invitation, Lady Lewin.”

“Really?”

I widened my eyes and smiled brightly, genuinely delighted.