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Calyx’s silence made suspicion creep across Nox’s face.
“…Don’t tell me—you’re actually thinking of finding a bride?”
“……”
Nox couldn’t come up with any other explanation.
Calyx, who hated dancing, of all people—why would he come to a ball?
And not just any ball, but one that was practically a marriage market!
‘Could it be that he’s realized he needs an heir too?’
Nox himself had started to feel the need for marriage.
He had once led a debauched life, but ever since inheriting his title, his perspective had changed.
An heir was essential to solidify both his family and his social position.
“Well… maybe,” Calyx replied vaguely and half-heartedly.
Nox visibly paled.
“You’ve got to be kidding… you’re serious?”
Just then, a commotion stirred near the entrance.
A young lady unfamiliar to the crowd had arrived at the ballroom.
As host, Nox instinctively turned toward the entrance to greet the guest of honor.
“…Who is that?” Weatherwood murmured.
‘Was there ever such a beauty?’
A slender neck, a slim waist. Even from afar, her green eyes gleamed vividly.
Her light brown hair flowed down to her waist and shimmered like sunlight.
She wore an ivory gown with modest embellishments—graceful in every movement.
“Lady Marianne Whitehouse, daughter of the Count of Whitehouse!”
Marianne Whitehouse stood at the entrance, unable to hide her nerves.
As the announcer spoke her name, all eyes turned to her under the hot lights.
Murmurs began to rise from the crowd.
“Did I hear that right? The Whitehouse family?”
“Weren’t they completely bankrupt? How is she wearing such an expensive gown?”
“I mean, sure—but wasn’t she a total recluse? What’s she doing at a social event like this?”
“Still… she’s quite the beauty, isn’t she?”
Marianne couldn’t make out everything they were whispering, but she had a good idea what they were saying.
Still, she stood poised, trying not to let her nerves show.
‘They said someone from the Duke’s side would approach and introduce me…’
It was considered highly improper to speak to strangers without an introduction.
So she had to wait until the host or someone familiar introduced her to others.
She scanned the room carefully.
Though nervous inside, Marianne’s outward demeanor was calm and elegant.
‘Good. You’re doing well.’
She raised her chin.
If she was going to do business here, she had to erase the image of being a recluse.
Tap, tap.
Calyx approached to introduce her.
‘She’s trembling.’
He noticed how tense Marianne was, like a debutante entering society for the first time.
He found it admirable that she tried so hard to appear composed, to the point no one else would notice.
Amusingly, he felt like a prince on a white horse.
A woman secretly anxious, silently hoping for his help.
That thought brought a small smile to his lips before he even realized it.
Normally cold as stone, his softened expression made those around him tense instead.
‘Good thing I arranged this in advance.’
He spotted Madam Farroway approaching Marianne.
She was the aunt of the former Duchess of Bloodstone—a prominent matron in high society.
Someone like her could address anyone first without breaking etiquette.
So it was natural that she would introduce Calyx and Marianne.
But then—
“Lady Whitehouse!”
Someone broke through the crowd toward Marianne.
She looked at the approaching man.
A handsome gentleman with curly blond hair and bright blue eyes.
He wore a confident smile, his outfit—white pants and a red jacket—was bold even for a ball.
He gave off the vibe of a dashing playboy with a rose between his teeth.
“Oh! I didn’t expect you to attend, my lady! Welcome! I’m Count Nox Weatherwood.”
The man who approached her first was the host of the ball.
He introduced himself as a friend of Henry’s.
“A pleasure to meet you, Count Weatherwood.”
Marianne curtsied gracefully—something she had practiced countless times.
No one could fault her form.
“Please, call me Nox. I’m Henry’s friend, after all.”
“Ah… yes. Nox.”
She was slightly thrown off, but responded gracefully.
Being told to use his first name right away?
“You’re out of mourning, I see! Good for you. Henry would be pleased.”
“Yes… I couldn’t mourn forever.”
“…May he rest in peace. Have you been well?”
“…Of course.”
He clearly didn’t know that the Whitehouse family had gone bankrupt after Henry’s death.
If he had, he would’ve surely tried to help her somehow.
Still, she appreciated his concern.
“I’m grateful you’ve held up so well. Come now, let me introduce you around!”
He gently placed her hand on his arm and guided her through the crowd.
And he began actively introducing her to others.
‘Ah, he must be the one the Duke asked in advance to help.’
She quickly realized this had been prearranged.
With this level of hospitality, it was obvious.
Nox eagerly introduced her to many guests—but conspicuously avoided Calyx.
Clearly, the Duke’s introduction was meant to come last.
‘That makes sense. A direct introduction might draw too much attention.’
Still, she was a bit concerned by Madam Farroway’s uneasy expression.
And Calyx, watching from afar, seemed unusually dark and brooding.
‘Why does he look so annoyed?’
Not knowing the reason behind his mood, Marianne started to feel tense.
When she later glanced at him, his face looked almost flushed—red and pale at once.
Was he displeased with how she was presenting herself as a businesswoman?
‘I’m doing my best to greet everyone properly. Why is he like this?’
Eventually, Nox locked eyes with Calyx.
It was after he had introduced her to quite a few people.
“……”
Nox began to sweat nervously.
Calyx’s eyes were practically shooting daggers—he looked ready to bite someone’s head off.
“Ah, there’s one more person I’d like you to meet…”
He began guiding Marianne toward Calyx.
Calyx’s expression slowly relaxed.
‘It’s time for the Duke to be introduced.’
As Marianne smiled, people whispered about her beauty again.
But then—Nox abruptly changed direction.
“Ah! Over here, this is Count Luson. He was quite close to Henry.”
Perhaps intimidated by the Duke’s searing glare, Nox diverted her away with a sheepish smile.
‘Oh… maybe it’s not time yet? Maybe the atmosphere needs to warm up a bit more?’
But at that moment, Calyx’s red eyes sharpened dangerously.
“Gasp…”
People nearby felt an inexplicable pressure.
Marianne, too, had caught a glimpse of that glare and grew uneasy.
She couldn’t understand why he was reacting this way after she’d done everything as instructed.
‘For a first appearance in society, I think I’m doing okay, aren’t I?’
As more people came to know her, her reputation would begin to improve.
And with that, interior design commissions would follow.
She was laying the foundation for her business, slowly but steadily.
‘Is he feeling unwell?’
—
Meanwhile, Nox was quietly pleased to be escorting Marianne.
Of course, he had already heard about the Whitehouse family’s misfortunes.
‘No debut in society, and on top of that, her family went bankrupt… no wonder she’s anxious.’
As a gentleman familiar with etiquette and hosting, he felt it was his duty to ensure her comfort.
‘They said she’s in danger of a less-than-desirable marriage, after all.’
In truth, he hadn’t been especially close to Henry.
But he approached Marianne under the guise of friendship to ease her nerves.
As host, it wasn’t inappropriate to greet her first.
‘She must be urgently seeking another marriage prospect.’
She would’ve had to endure harsh stares alone at the entrance if no one approached her.
So out of kindness, he had stepped in to help this pitiful lady.
‘She’s beautiful enough—if she gets lucky, she might catch someone’s eye.’
A lady with such looks might win someone’s heart at the ball.
Of course, any man marrying her couldn’t expect a dowry.
He might even have to help shoulder her remaining debts.
But if she won over a wealthy noble, money wouldn’t be a problem.
‘I should introduce her to the young, unmarried gentlemen. Luson is widowed, but still a good match…’
“Oh, and there’s someone else I want you to meet…”
Just then, he caught Calyx glaring at him from across the room.
‘That guy clearly doesn’t like Lady Whitehouse. Fine. I won’t introduce her to Bloodstone.’
“This is Count Luson. He runs a successful trading company.”
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Luson.”
“Hello. A pleasure to meet you, Count.”
Nox looked fondly at Marianne, who followed his lead gracefully.
Even if she had been a recluse, her manners were flawless.
‘Wait… what if she falls for me instead?’
