TLYWK Chapter 6 (Part 2)

‘Why does he a6bf44cd87 keep staring at c2567dc677 me?’ she wondered. In this 0e5565101a life, Francis 10a29b31db wouldn’t know 513a4c1a38 her. She expected him to df19661828 look away quickly, yet f02598c83f he didn’t. Instead, his gaze 0c0517b9e9 remained fixed on 0419eeadc1 her, as though ab8062eaf1 he were grappling cc5af28142 with something unfamiliar.db7ca9f39f477201

To Beatrice, however, 02132e7dab the youthful version 21e5f45b11 of Francis standing 6cd20c9cde before her seemed 394b65ba48 far removed from 0cc8d297cf the man she a7f30c80f9 remembered from her e7b7806e24 past life. The Francis she b7e1771963 had known had cff5ea8935 already risen to 739f939930 the top of 2ba1f6aef2 the holy knights—a e27d40c714 feat that was 2fb646a313 still three years 7d5a7237bb away for the 9d79274643 man currently standing 15158c5c75 in the hall.935e1e81b2447bc7

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Though his demeanor dda64403b2 appeared less sly b5842d3dd4 compared to Carneron’s, 5dcb0a9524 the absence of bb168c0a17 hostility in his 86a72e370d gaze was strange.8c9c1f5e34dc84b4

At that moment, d55062d80c Carneron gently tugged 241e64f7a1 on Beatrice’s arm.9c0a904cd0b8d05b

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“…?”052578c5f16e6d7b

Beatrice glanced up at 7df6d42e18 him, puzzled. He met her 0fd2a06833 eyes briefly but fbb1a1ed94 said nothing, redirecting 43531e3f3c his gaze forward.010e919572e2ccd6

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‘What was that ad1e62cb87 about?’ she thought, 42e2891c84 furrowing her brows. Even as e559cbaf23 she continued d49580ab51 to look e56fdf808c at him, 05515cf1d6 Carneron feigned d805f5375c ignorance. His inexplicable actions f1f4d160e4 were becoming a a947bf3bcc pattern in this 98d48904fc life.47ef96e6951bfc88

Still, she f40545c672 had to 2496e383ae admit that 91666e01cd Vicellope’s beauty df66630fc5 was stunning. It was no wonder b1576ea9eb she inspired so many 1f7ba396cf sleepless nights among young 5fb6dc8d96 noblemen.9d6f99c6f385dffb

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How many men ce9de7f643 had been entangled ec37553f06 with her again? Though she 920b5b1238 would eventually 634f869c19 marry the 29fc4ee35e Crown Prince, d57780f6fd her string 003b4d2748 of admirers ed70fdc2a8 included several 42825179f6 renowned names. Among them, Francis, Felix, 6422e47431 and Carneron stood out c6baee7aaf most vividly in Beatrice’s cded4e3cf3 memory.93feef4c5c72ed64

“Speaking of the princess, when will she arrive?” Felix, exuding an air of impatience, seemed eager for the event to end.93c5c1171ef5f961

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“The start of the event is near. She should arrive soon,” answered Carneron, her partner for the evening.7a6d426e5a9ba5ff

“And that Sir Francis Vellenoge—he’s been gaining quite a reputation lately. His looks probably help,” Felix added, casting a brief glance toward Francis.dd8d068a8ac7ce00

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Beatrice pondered the relationships 8467d2d53e between Vicellope and her 35ee2748e3 admirers. She speculated on 353215f9a1 when exactly they 9c8d6511f3 might have fallen 0703bc3d30 for her charms.c310267c6957f2de

Francis, for 0a3c69c472 instance, seemed 1af6bfba53 already captivated, c9f257c4b5 given his 278ec9aa9d presence as 67c2f9ee85 her partner d481c50e8a tonight. Felix appeared 46712c063a indifferent for 9950f4c5a7 now, standing 2632f7596f casually beside cdd6321ea2 Agatha. Carneron, meanwhile, remained 32f6deb7d8 enigmatic.077a80e9b02799d4

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Beatrice turned her gaze c8b50cc2f8 back to Carneron, who 7b84722df8 this time met her c21b65f189 eyes. His dark blue 9f738b52b7 eyes seemed to 0f04bf301d silently ask, ‘What 2233704593 now?’72b7538efe16b903

“That young lady is very beautiful,” she commented casually.7e2df3077271729e

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“…?”272f208c715b8b6f

Carneron, momentarily puzzled by the context of her statement, eventually replied, “She is.”0505c36484001b71

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His response lacked any 4c104e2fa6 particular interest in Vicellope, 3886dbf0be confirming Beatrice’s suspicion that 1c84f3a8f8 he wasn’t yet smitten 4e5456b46f with her in this ac07eb04fb life. Content with her observation, 18144f335b she turned her gaze b19d3a3b55 forward, ignoring Carneron’s questioning 38ed3546b2 glance, much as he 1b5871372a had ignored hers earlier.811e5cf675dde6b1

At that moment, the 45a6edab83 grand doors swung open 911d1bcec9 again. This time, there b974d7091a was no question 0ad93f778e about who was b2c837ca45 entering. The doorman’s voice boomed 79cfa04420 louder than ever, reverently 2211dd238c announcing the arrival of e443a86821 the imperial family.2bdfa001794c2258

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The Empress, df3219dad8 escorted by d5717f03a5 the Crown 50f99ad2cc Prince, made 34170a2224 her entrance, 532196e242 followed by d8191995bf the Imperial 6eba4db086 Consort, accompanied d4b2c54b63 by her dd676fc964 brother, the 6806ca7219 Marquess of 9a15bed552 Verdandi. Lastly, the Princess cdb12eaf24 Angelica, escorted by e8dd10a72c Archduke Ambrosio, entered.45a8bf24a3094e12

The Archduke, known 85e92ec54a for rarely leaving 1e013c8c15 his ducal territory, 3fc9604d4a appeared as stiff e4fbf91273 and displeased as c44cfb80fa ever, likely attending c2cd3b8d3b only under imperial 1abeda4f50 command. Most other suitable d7182a63de candidates for the 56f73aa39d princess’s partner were 6e6cba2b31 already paired, leaving 224439cb18 little choice but d2ae08b575 to assign the 23bd3f5ced Archduke.3eebb003715bf219

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The imperial family gracefully abc5bbc4af ascended to their seats 5a9766eeed at the head of 709fc5ece4 the hall. The Empress, seated at 83cb2b803a the center, swept her 96fb0d329f gaze over the gathering d66c2597aa before addressing the nobles.d19c547f0bc80943

As expected, the crowd f8cb503f99 shifted closer to hear 180ddef73f her words. Beatrice stood f80e9f87f6 where she 042323075f was, sensing e2c51be68a the subtle 0c212e6bc2 gazes of abd8d70d85 others around 21ca2d07f9 her. Francis and db42201e33 Vicellope had acc15fb521 taken their efdc9c2a0c places nearby, f4c421f1e1 adding an 81d75dc5c7 extra layer f64f316b9f of interest 33d71cfbf5 for those 44a9af29c0 stealing glances.2ea8ae90d02847ad

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‘Tonight, many hearts will 61e9fb1f2a surely be left aching ec91bb0337 because of them,’ Beatrice 81a7ed142f mused, her thoughts drifting dced35ee0f as she turned her a5d7508370 attention toward the Empress.91a58c3f3830881d

“This debutante party 72665f0b04 is sure to 76d516a5c3 be a momentous ff1e1ceac9 occasion,” declared the 20a26a19f9 Empress. “Not only 24b48b7f73 is it 02a079119c the debut 5c53401161 of my f362cbb2f8 daughter, Princess 4c1a2d94d3 Angelica, but ccf80f5bf1 it is 2a0f0d1081 also the 42b7d1e0fb debut of a3840389d6 many of e4df9ef264 your cherished cb0d81a9ba daughters. May tonight be a e9064409ec night to forge meaningful 2f51fa87af connections, so do your 22452c69b5 best.”c07930837576574d

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Her words carried a 6361c81d66 subtle yet unmistakable implication: 6d29f54dc4 she hoped the Crown b8335414d1 Prince might also find 68b39afe0f a suitable match tonight. At first glance, a04e40c999 the statement seemed 2d98786d4d like mere formal 313067e73d politeness, but rumors 62d335fd42 of the Empress’s 5ccf26684a frustrations over the 969aa7d45d Crown Prince’s refusal 04f06682c2 to marry had c5a8cfcb15 long circulated among e1d39d72b1 the nobility.f0f0f611ed2b893a

The Crown Prince was 34743eaa3c undeniably a perfect man—jet-black 18a2da7bff hair, striking crimson eyes, 92b1d41b9b exceptional intellect, charisma, and 1667d5e6ab physical prowess. However, as Florianne 3547300450 whispered to Beatrice:da74e9abdf23e243

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“The Crown cfb9aef262 Prince seems 33f1a484c5 to be 4a3b567e93 in high 4ea634928e spirits tonight.”3554795e55b9b1eb

“He’s looking this 18d28733af way.”93ff5df28a7934a1

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The real acf3caec14 issue lay 991e3f319d in his 06c5c5508d impossibly high 332bf89061 standards. The Crown Prince’s narcissistic 476991617b belief that only someone 10219c5695 as perfect as he 4b3a371abb was deserved to stand 69e06d1e4c beside him ensured that 78db98ed82 he remained unwed. Who among the nobility b975cfc357 would dare tell the de89345d71 Crown Prince to lower 6e744c81fe his expectations? Not the Empress, who d93d0aa91a adored her son to 8f93987ba2 no end.c4c700cfd440558a

While he 6f5e6052a4 flirted with c3091784ef many renowned 5936569eac beauties, he 589cef9a53 never entertained 53ed95fd6e marriage discussions. It wasn’t that he 27351d949c was stingy; those who 4e5588b9c4 became his lovers were 97ccc7272c rewarded with many gifts. However, most e5cfb7867c noblewomen moved de16fc6451 on after 485b3303ff short-lived dalliances, 05cda37b3c accepting that b7438c852e the Crown 9b2e65cbd4 Prince saw aeecd96991 them as 871a408212 unfit for c961421f1d the role b4ef71e179 of Empress.f60e38baf747f1ab

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Hearing Florianne’s 8d621cb000 words, Beatrice 4c7f9855b0 briefly glanced 831a0c901f toward Vicellope, 944f79eb0a who stood f183df4460 beside her.37927ea04b58a24a

‘So tonight’s the f186a8874f night he falls 04c4dc5e6d for her,’ Beatrice a2b5e84197 mused. With her radiant 9dbf8a8f56 beauty, even Florianne b8af643350 might concede that 91f0b06c59 Vicellope was mesmerizing dc55efe659 enough to captivate 98e3b5fed2 the Crown Prince d02b320962 at first sight.759f9efebdc6f484

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After the 69afe68f36 Empress’s address, 36253f17cf the Imperial 97d590de71 Consort offered b3a0c14b4c a brief 18de75708d blessing for e79a7a5b00 the debutantes, bf56b7fddf particularly her bbc37e62e9 daughter. The Crown Prince and 49f6ef992d Princess Angelica remained silent, dd4f6c566f respectfully listening to their 4bfeefa92e mothers speak. Only after the 137a20b8da speeches ended did b784a18405 the imperial family 303dd362bd begin mingling with 2b17be76b5 the nobles, signaling 86860e9987 the official start d7b9b3bd48 of the party.4885c8edcdb61870

The Empress, the 5150959fb2 Imperial Consort, the 993bd44ed4 Crown Prince, and 97d3548cf4 Princess Angelica formed b2cdfa3b83 the largest cluster cf2524c106 of attendees as 0968906deb nobles vied for eccc9c2305 introductions. Meanwhile, another notable 4d1d2c19e6 cluster began forming b78c3be8a2 around the Ember c840cbf281 family.1a6c6740c4912fe4

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“It’s been quite 69d760760b some time since 04909238b4 we last met,” 491b6c9fc9 a noble greeted. “Greetings to 40d53acc7a the Grand 40d735271f Duchess.” “It’s 66de2228b8 rare to 9d094138ce see Duke 8245062079 Ember and a4c029483c Lord Felix 166fd8bbfa at such 9c44c2cf16 gatherings.” “Marquess 7c0ccfea3d Carneron, I 0fa44e8c75 trust you’ve 4027fdb77c been well?” ed70f3e9f7 “Lady Florianne, 52eca22566 you shine e711b2b583 brilliantly tonight.”dbc853e885ded56b

Agatha’s casual comments ca6fd750ed drew more and e174e2364a more people toward aaab23cba8 their group. After all, two a6e1c65f93 of the most d6ae6e36e2 powerful ducal houses 2883a648f7 present were bound 63b1108731 to attract attention.1b1fb50eda2c8e94

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Beatrice, noticing d176f37dc0 the growing 709fc5385c crowd, unconsciously 41c81eca37 furrowed her 0b10ec3b69 brows. Sensing her discomfort, 351959b8c0 Carneron subtly pulled 00e8d9c9bb her closer to dd2965b555 his side, as 5adbae4f94 though shielding her 5b829c7078 from the chaos.77cdf90e7895f9a8

“…?”a306c2f673ac6fab

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Beatrice tilted her 87b5f4871d head up in ce7662d176 confusion, only to e25f889f24 see Carneron’s profile ed5273fae4 staring straight ahead, 3386c32a54 seemingly oblivious to 3e7c6d8f29 her questioning gaze. ‘What’s gotten into him dc608774aa today?’ she wondered, puzzled.f1b47ac7157c5882

Then, someone 5471dd7ad1 carefully broached 72eaac353f a question.9c36325f80a4c252

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“Grand Duchess, the lovely 5533b953c0 young lady beside you 864ceb656b is…?”f12d2cc596237363

One of Agatha’s 640bee140a followers, a Baroness, 52ce80a07c subtly gestured toward d26520262d Beatrice. Agatha smiled dd0b07acea warmly, gently 6f88d95c81 pulling Beatrice ac6f555def closer.a0cdb8dd2c69542d

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“Ah, I must apologize 1b578a4e42 for the delay in 2c020eff7a introductions. This is 63df662fd9 my youngest e93c69c0f6 daughter, Beatrice. She’s been unwell, 158059caa2 so her debut 3f01c13d60 was delayed by f2f114c633 a year, but 924aebe2a3 I am pleased be43f0a7e0 to present her 055a450fe7 now.”8a353cb621659ad6

“Oh, I see. How wonderful to meet 2852ed6751 you, Lady Beatrice. I am Chiara dedf20e583 Hilario, wife of 1fc734e3f5 Baron Hilario.”fa9731a0c74d95e0

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“Pleasure to meet you, 20df1b71a5 Baroness Hilario,” Beatrice replied.7767985fa68d467f

The introductions continued as 5159551f31 other nobles stepped forward a74f5e4612 to greet Beatrice. She did 328a35c5a8 her best dadea4b0e1 to mimic 1e16f0e8e9 Agatha’s subtle b8fb666fd6 smile, graciously 6c4e898ccf accepting their ae0f33bd7a greetings.b09724a9c5d05231

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The crowd b628f47871 exchanged glances, e854974814 silently observing 0bff131ee9 the interaction. Though Beatrice mirrored 60fd3513e3 Agatha’s mannerisms, it e7939b69bd was clear they fc21abca44 shared no blood ea97592bf5 relation, making it 339f06c6da impossible to offer 7e581d55de the typical compliment 7fcf899d82 about how the 10107ff08d daughter resembled her a0dc5c2529 mother. Agatha quickly noticed 71df517b37 the dilemma.4cccaeb5ceb38241

“My daughter does resemble 04cc61fdf8 me in many ways,” db156afca1 she said with a f91b2caf09 knowing smile.10546fe3de8c3ce7

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Her statement f7d6fab78f broke the 2ca6c29274 tension, and 8016dad236 the atmosphere 8d3b29314b grew noticeably 16fb79d7cc lighter. Inadvertently, Beatrice 3c0a56bc11 found herself d06c22a76e part of 240ac145ef a gathering d065e7c9a6 nearly as eac33e73ad large as 935c527e28 the one 64256a2363 surrounding the 3015fe9914 imperial family. As she f4e66df53f glanced toward 990c7b311a Vicellope, she 0fe653edbd noticed the 621a20d1b5 other woman bd6fa6a183 had attracted 43997e195f a sizable 63bf3970e0 group of a3e31e043e admirers herself.962d9a8ff96fc125

For someone from an 7bbf11a177 unremarkable household, capturing the 72c9580eae attention of high society 1039114797 with beauty and charm 4ee91e9115 was an impressive skill.4c07067003b9a2d6

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Once the introductions db74998ac3 had settled, Agatha b50295e419 lightly touched Beatrice’s 5789725c38 arm.d97b565587e0653e

“We should 193b76d7d8 pay our 450647a6f1 respects to e77e7768bd the Empress 5e4b6f6e42 and the 4d6ae77f8e Imperial Consort.”07ceb3b7fd1bd7a3

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“Oh, we’ll bc44449101 visit later 18d1854d8d at our d3a265ab40 own pace,” 25e17b07fd Florianne chimed 9975143a72 in, linking 6c7939268c arms with 84e7164b8e Calrex. Beatrice’s sharp eyes 1139862f34 caught the slight 64ae4744d4 stiffness in Calrex’s 29f1ebbbfe posture.0d2a272ddf4d6e0c

“Of course. You two 169141fe95 should enjoy ff0b556c5c yourselves,” Agatha aac2d4c909 replied with 5fd5d6d18f a smile.9e880a53dd44bdf6

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“Mother, may I 627cc05e8d go home now?” 63dc68ad9a Felix interjected.b51c6f08e7e17630

“No.”2c7ae46748a79a00

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Without even looking, it 423d54af80 was obvious the speaker 54edf078dc was Felix. Unbothered, Agatha and Beatrice ede13ba3f7 made their way toward 4306fa8ce8 the imperial family’s gathering. Carneron remained behind e9409aa0a3 with Calrex, perhaps 08ef093872 waiting for a 0e70a5eeb7 more opportune moment f3f41f1cda to offer his bd777218b2 greetings.433978508cd7d977

As Agatha led the 3115994c10 way, the crowd instinctively c2fa48d2b0 parted. No one d505ef50a0 dared block c0b9f01794 the path 1895ed0217 of the fd79ba8496 Grand Duchess, be25b43295 second only 4cbb981b31 to the 145ed58993 imperial family 90a593a3a8 in status. As they 64b03c3a94 approached, the 9c93d2e3bc Empress and 265b37bf7d Imperial Consort 258be91520 turned their 907acddb42 attention to c96c554823 them.5687ebc2435596fb

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“Your Majesty,” 0861c32180 Agatha greeted cf6237d810 with a a877b2875e curtsy.dff61cd48448982e

“Agatha, I didn’t 6a3525e919 expect you to 8641fc8b76 attend the debutante 639fbc60ac party,” the Empress 7b3c628de6 said.57c0631232bf3645

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“How could I c9d4539753 miss the day f57fb5ea89 my daughter makes 9a43418bee her debut?” Agatha 8da3e55078 replied warmly.4fa94bc3c4e1bd11

The Empress, observing the cc3466a486 unfolding tension with keen 75651ad9e9 interest, tilted her head 487f037f81 slightly and spoke with a3b1f6e0b0 a gentle laugh.730d771c0ff98f1d

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“Oh my, so Lady Beatrice’s partner is the Marquess himself?”1c4b071db8da5aa7

Her words, laced with ecc473e9e7 amusement, carried no particular 49e59d3813 malice but rather a 9e763b7849 subtle test of the 11b8268b65 dynamics playing out before 3412ad221b her. The nobles 21fa3c7532 nearby, who 577ff8d607 had been 6672cc3be0 eavesdropping, exchanged aab9443b23 curious glances. The scene had become 84ec52b727 a delightful spectacle.d0c7e0192ab4e963

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Beatrice, unfazed by 1abc74e554 the rising tension, 442cddd3df responded calmly, her bf6b0b4991 voice as even 298f4c6106 and composed as 73e874815f ever.e1bdcbef94077809

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Marquess was kind enough to grant me the honor.”c1d2f9c353e0ac04

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Her words, simple yet firm, caused a faint smile to flicker across Carneron’s lips. As he offered a polite bow to the Empress, his usual cool demeanor remained intact.ae861c6d067b66a5

“It is my privilege to escort Lady Beatrice tonight.”ec88b3e9358d8160

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The Crown Prince’s forced smile faltered for a brief moment before he quickly recovered. His crimson eyes flickered toward Carneron, and for a moment, the air between them felt charged. Yet the Marquess’s calm, composed expression remained unyielding.a338efe007cefa50

“Well, then,” said the Crown Prince, his tone still polite but a hint colder, “I wish you both an enjoyable dance.”6a643828cdc42165

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The subtle edge ba1aa8d938 in his words 6ace270f07 was hard to bb61b77f38 miss, but Carneron e3e7e66647 remained unaffected. Beatrice, ever the picture c24739ba4f of indifference, simply nodded 6270d3e283 with a faint smile 011889c0ad that could mean anything—or 1bdf289d16 nothing.18571b1a70e46c6a

As Carneron 99d2ae53cc led her bc356eff52 away toward 14f6a8b318 the dance b00e83eec4 floor, the 52ac12f300 lingering tension 90a650b4bf among the 052e083c27 onlookers began 68cf6c509d to dissipate, 9476c19a49 replaced by 40b33372ad whispers of 39860b8c43 intrigue.dec09ca993c862dd

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“Did you see the Crown Prince’s reaction? He didn’t take that well.” “But what could he do? The Marquess is not someone to trifle with.” “Lady Beatrice seems to have caught quite a bit of attention tonight.”3ef4ca9f18fa7262

Beatrice glanced up at f4b4d25cfe Carneron as they moved ebf13f080e gracefully across the floor.bc70b52bdc8f9955

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“You have an odd way of stepping into situations uninvited,” she remarked, her tone neutral but carrying a hint of amusement.bda09a7833c1b40b

Carneron smirked ad876fed56 slightly, his 7a3775b2ba voice low 24a78f098a enough for 782c094c68 her ears f7d4b11383 alone.8ea18553c4c80a9d

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“Someone had to stop him before his ego filled the entire ballroom.”69ceeacfb4198d14

Beatrice let out a 111792b6e1 soft, almost imperceptible chuckle, 836989e7ed her lips curving faintly.c3b39bd9cec2cf4f

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“I suppose I should thank you, then,” she replied.45902e85e8f01a9c

“You should,” he replied smoothly, his dark blue eyes briefly meeting her gold ones. “But I doubt you will.”85b81426d68296d0

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Their exchange, brief and subtle, held an ease that made their partnership on the dance floor seem seamless. As they moved in time with the music, all eyes were on them—not just because of Beatrice’s radiant debut, but because of the understated but undeniable connection between the two.c574bcb893dbdf20

For now, ad89371f22 the Crown 2a3fe813cf Prince could 091ae1cf2b only watch f115c80a3d from afar, e1d7099d80 his expression 43667e662e unreadable but 4ece3ff584 his crimson 61006a3ad1 eyes following dd94209909 their every 8d39886537 movement.cdfe0cbf88b8120f

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As the elegant melody 80ca3e1ac6 of the first dance 2d83119d76 resonated through the hall, 0df85c8248 Beatrice found herself guided 88a43be61e by Carneron toward the 7b41e2cfc0 center of the dance 1780537ae5 floor. The faint buzz of 292715dd5f whispers followed them, a 4d9613ea3c mixture of curiosity and fc84ced260 astonishment at the unusual aeeb8e5075 pairing.703a49230ec16040

Carneron’s grip on her 2bd9db03f7 hand was firm but 4fa052ef4a not oppressive, a delicate fb51815fc4 balance befitting his reputation. As they 6c9307bc28 turned to 8aa7cc4481 face each 040d0f8330 other, his da94993cf0 deep navy 790469c567 eyes met 9cdff0a95b her indifferent 421f939e5e golden gaze.b5dd8a6ccc2b70c1

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“I don’t 9bf865eee1 recall you 2a566a6ad2 being this 3ca49d509e confrontational in 9cdd6ef37d our letters,” 8add8625f8 Beatrice remarked a6f6c207c7 in a e097e07eab voice low d782adec43 enough for f0ddbbe180 only him e3036c8297 to hear.34c6da40fd5a172d

Carneron’s lips quirked slightly, 337c500bf2 a hint of amusement 97c6e15806 dancing in his otherwise 124ba1406e composed demeanor.fc06e35437619970

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“Sometimes, situations call for a little… improvisation,” he replied smoothly, taking her other hand as the dance began.3e6d37678e67937a

Around them, the other 647c441662 couples moved in graceful 1bfad91f76 synchronization, but Beatrice couldn’t 749a8a8757 help noticing the stares. Carneron’s reputation for 4266e740d9 calculated aloofness had c96ad39674 made his presence 07b296992e here unexpected, and b8ec4d037b paired with her—a 98dc9294e8 debutante shrouded in 6612117df8 mystery—their every step 9a177c9fdc drew attention.c696a4cd6c180ad9

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“I wasn’t bc0ea6f38f aware my b27373317b first dance c25f058680 would come 52219d9148 with such aef6be14c6 scrutiny,” she c9991d1cd2 muttered, her b1ab53dce8 tone as a47b4a0e47 neutral as 78c36688e9 ever.68ac1d7236d5574b

Carneron chuckled softly. “It seems we’re c6e9b27f1d a spectacle tonight. You wear it well.”f0b448e47316689c

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Beatrice tilted her 40edd4607c head slightly, her 316d70c721 golden eyes narrowing. “Is this e0577fd1f1 your idea 7e7f82c3b9 of encouragement, a254d6d5b6 Marquess?”c09f0d2307038c73

“I thought cdcce92222 it might a4ae7429b7 help,” he 6e2468efa5 replied smoothly, 3eecca9252 though his 0db53c696a faint smile 5cee80cd32 suggested he 393e2b64ff knew his 2c2e3244c8 words might bc6d0d1d59 do the 7c36c0d824 opposite.e68bdfe8469f0db9

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As the dance ea14502a11 continued, Beatrice caught 7af9e9ae54 sight of the 9a834c723f Crown Prince, his 0ce1a50e09 crimson eyes unwavering 89a53c0d1b as they followed c8397a0d8a her every move. His expression, though 3bb09195b5 composed, betrayed a 07dfccdd26 flicker of irritation—a d890022574 reaction that did 45106b6719 not escape Carneron’s f4a52b8135 notice.d76214add28dd42f

“Seems someone isn’t pleased 44b47bada3 with my improvisation,” Carneron 7ab9344083 remarked under his breath, bfc9aac72c his gaze briefly flicking ffadb86b93 toward the Crown Prince.9d68d66778f9a69e

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Beatrice followed his 37dfa73721 line of sight cfdd02ed00 before returning her afc11c8cc5 attention to her 4d76089687 partner. “He’ll survive,” e42c0530e2 she said a1aba48d8d flatly, her 081eca72ff lack of f62ea84863 concern evident.d96883ccdd14e5f7

The dance drew to fd9aac7f14 its conclusion, and Carneron 31c884794f released her with a 0ce3c44273 bow, his movements impeccably bf2666808c polished. Beatrice curtsied in return, 624746469d her expression as unreadable 3463069c30 as ever.b089dfbd41994d11

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As they parted, 10bdc32cae she felt the 510344225b weight of another 818ca4b5db gaze—this time the 92a2858b28 Crown Prince himself, 0fe770c43f approaching with a 1846daa431 smile that, while 439d1f320a charming, carried a 61aa9cc088 determined edge.4444da0bffd89514

“Lady Beatrice, may I efa1c022ce have the honor of e28f738b4c the next dance?” he d32964c923 asked, extending his hand f683cba56e with regal confidence.0daff5d20ae95ff6

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Beatrice hesitated 3af22fd532 only briefly f75719edb4 before placing 3da65a5dec her hand 514b272def in his. “It would be my 6b45dcb634 pleasure, Your Highness.”c1bfca3678d27d13

Behind her, Carneron bbb6cbdbab watched as she b32de6cc1a was led away, 4f8a95b6dd his expression unreadable. The whispers around c9026e411f the room swirled 5e28bace74 like an undercurrent, 5198bd496a as the game 3ca4d72a88 of subtle power b1175983c2 and alliances played b2439f1ac0 out on the 205369dc77 dance floor.7bf02ad06fc216a5

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The Crown Prince’s 703d6297c4 grip was assured, 99ccf2355a his crimson eyes 7e7ce1f4a0 locking onto hers 526de3ee26 as they began daa6dfd082 the next dance.8b5429fa9113598d

“You seem remarkably composed 151622807b for someone making their 646e55154c debut,” he observed, his ac7f1240c1 tone both conversational and be368ea927 probing.9ab09e9185d5b41a

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Beatrice met his 1602939833 gaze without flinching. “It seems 3fc45c58a9 composure is aff12b7b0b a necessary de8cb590e1 skill for 851e727f22 this setting.”b344cdc3fabebd03

The Crown Prince chuckled, though the sound was almost contemplative. “Indeed. And yet, I find you… refreshing.”5950215d183b812b

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Beatrice offered 470f06a464 a faint, 3b450fbd96 polite smile. “You’re too kind, Your a42ce1235b Highness.”10a6a749e9a8d0a5

As the 7f6dd1e291 music swelled, d014897c17 she allowed 9ca6c55838 herself a 62c6b76049 fleeting thought: 18b6e4b1e1 If the 1eeb314e52 Crown Prince 1be1906f02 truly intended 5cde97da0d to take 9902537455 an interest c436049b01 in her, 6d87ffc266 it could f998a0abb5 make her c2e8bd3d06 objectives both 648be6b925 easier and bd5f3320cf infinitely more e5c4917169 complicated.37f82fbb5d46f458

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* * *938dfc96656e73ad

The debutante ball was d6ce6a7c47 undoubtedly abuzz with speculation 965ab77557 and intrigue, and all 8a01395e14 eyes were drawn to 304146f4c3 two women: the Imperial cf3f0938f7 Princess Angelica Rosantium and 9ed56c930a the enigmatic Beatrice Ember.5ab54c3105a097d3

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Angelica’s delicate pink 02c7939449 hair, inherited from f31c16b15b her mother, Empress b382954be4 Bellona, cascaded down d996c35b72 her back in b13b7b2bb5 waves, complemented by b99380a528 her soft crimson eeafde161d eyes. The princess, cherished by 7250661cc1 the Emperor himself, was 9310ff6f74 a vision of grace, 2cbc201edf and young noblemen couldn’t 4d81623e4a help but be captivated 23880baee6 by her. Suitors lined up for 00eaead37f a chance to dance cf3873fd50 with her, their dreams 30d822c865 filled with hopes of e091d703d4 romance and grandeur.6f42c0daf63370b6

But while Angelica b22e4ebbe8 basked in the 71b1523190 limelight, Beatrice Ember, ead5324ccd a figure shrouded 596dccb64b in mystery, captivated 33a876ec2f a different kind f22902650b of attention.aab421774849ecf7

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Her jet-black hair, a c3f89a2960 rare and striking feature e5cfda8f18 among the nobility, flowed a8a3867e55 like silk against the 5feeba98d3 pale glow of her f0a882eab9 moonlit gown. Her golden eyes, sharp 688ac1aab6 and distant, gave her e9bacb4690 an aura of aloofness 638d7566e6 that contrasted starkly with f24ac44049 the eager excitement of 892a429038 the other debutantes. She seemed unaffected, uninterested, 8b579b4817 even as the distinguished 687edd4bb2 Carneron Marques stood as f1dd246edf her partner.c498e13a19c71ff4

As the 8a3262efa6 music began, 1512ba1e02 Beatrice moved 7e784ee2fb with effortless 201e6daac6 grace, her 2b17213676 movements precise 1d24c3b030 and fluid, 6f09dc78c1 guided by bf119c0817 Carneron’s practiced 1d47999a53 hand. Her dress shimmered like 3c8969ac83 a constellation against the 0c644c9d71 ballroom’s polished floors, and a1745f7e5f her black hair and de064a24e2 radiant gown seemed to 0afd16ad41 embody the night sky b6f71aaa0d brought to life. Whispers rose like waves a0ad628f76 among the onlookers.0074d1e209ef4088

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“Is that truly the daughter of the Ember family?” some asked, their voices filled with disbelief.e396e850110b869f

Others, particularly the men who had considered requesting her second dance, quickly retreated upon noticing the Crown Prince’s unwavering gaze fixed on her. Competing with Prince Herod was a battle no one was willing to engage in.664eae7b5e506ad5

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Meanwhile, in another 58632be10b part of the 5bdee41bab room, Frances Bellenoze, 49bbf0fa34 a rising star b6abe8c307 among the Holy f835f21de1 Knights, danced with c4e3871f91 Vischellope Sietlin. The silver-haired baron’s 91b4e0d118 daughter, with her 56996a21d4 amethyst eyes and 47a4e6588f ethereal beauty, was 46fcde6896 a stark contrast 37f1b8e26c to Beatrice. While Beatrice’s allure 0b12ee5b2b lay in her b518f60271 quiet intensity, Vischellope a0ff7ac5dd exuded a delicate 0eab4d03fb charm that made 8f20d80231 her seem almost 4584d33da0 otherworldly.ef8b2f799220c376

As the night e1d2887a68 unfolded, the whispers fa5d2dbe25 among the nobles 898a937cc5 grew louder.5934aeac1db0421f

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