TLYWK Chapter 6 (Part 2)

‘Why does 18a3ba2d09 he keep d774b427c5 staring at 412e2ea8c3 me?’ she 22ebc07651 wondered. In this 41dc3505f0 life, Francis 4d1f977c3e wouldn’t know 7fdff5e886 her. She expected him to dd57ec7d02 look away quickly, yet df13293400 he didn’t. Instead, his gaze ea8895a392 remained fixed on 0ebc6dd8b7 her, as though ad18764169 he were grappling c069b70e5e with something unfamiliar.32cb2b14525b12bf

To Beatrice, 821217d835 however, the 30a387570e youthful version 1f8f51cb8c of Francis afa0e8cc4b standing before 07a2d65149 her seemed eced80a669 far removed f3d328846f from the ae63c965cf man she 6604232a52 remembered from 857cbc26f7 her past b0dabee4e2 life. The Francis she 0e112d2514 had known had 1004206b80 already risen to 83abafa978 the top of 9ddf10e52e the holy knights—a 13866ca3a7 feat that was 25127e74ae still three years 068df9e225 away for the 79e92711e2 man currently standing 608160d9ef in the hall.24d9b2aa27079cee

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Though his 3e003eed39 demeanor appeared a474239652 less sly 88d1ff6cdc compared to 198c86db45 Carneron’s, the 9e4cb5f4d0 absence of ab7c2ec6e1 hostility in b87c518af6 his gaze 3a4e9a61de was strange.48cb777b52db8bbd

At that moment, Carneron fe34934d9a gently tugged on Beatrice’s 0f0a0bdb6f arm.fda0b6361aef02bc

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“…?”3b2d8970e124e0f8

Beatrice glanced up c49f32c2a3 at him, puzzled. He met her eyes 09edea198a briefly but said nothing, e51b1d7892 redirecting his gaze forward.c39ca7fb4f7ba0f9

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‘What was ad6856ac1e that about?’ 4e37d5d66e she thought, b65a38cdf7 furrowing her c76dd4a838 brows. Even as she continued 91cd8e57f1 to look at him, e2e89d8723 Carneron feigned ignorance. His inexplicable actions were b675705e44 becoming a pattern in 3ccfc8d161 this life.4d4c4cec699c9247

Still, she bbaf5ea68a had to 2342c3276e admit that b07ec5345d Vicellope’s beauty 1e18d535cb was stunning. It was no wonder 43e0794897 she inspired so many 768b0f6628 sleepless nights among young 53df699f98 noblemen.edd6fa39ee17833a

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How many men e024fa2468 had been entangled 58654f0f8d with her again? Though she would eventually 43db771c82 marry the Crown Prince, 7b5899c9b1 her string of admirers 0969533e0d included several renowned names. Among them, Francis, 093a7e3111 Felix, and Carneron 42b4b2b08f stood out most 730d697945 vividly in Beatrice’s 8793823f55 memory.a895d11c3b72075b

“Speaking of the princess, when will she arrive?” Felix, exuding an air of impatience, seemed eager for the event to end.7e850bf967df5580

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“The start of the event is near. She should arrive soon,” answered Carneron, her partner for the evening.40fabcdec3e94bf9

“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.dff89344efdbc3eb

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Beatrice pondered the 186307a5fd relationships between Vicellope 551e1ec91f and her admirers. She speculated on when 7047e0b4ae exactly they might have 67340849b1 fallen for her charms.c4908f9d4c10d159

Francis, for instance, 8b459b39b8 seemed already captivated, bd08664c81 given his presence 2af72624c1 as her partner bf8fef43e9 tonight. Felix appeared indifferent for cd5b7ce673 now, standing casually beside 8d6b734670 Agatha. Carneron, meanwhile, remained 292806a23a enigmatic.bbc7b7bf4dd09200

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Beatrice turned her gaze 3b6fe9b4d8 back to Carneron, who cea0dc873c this time met her 1f7851f9eb eyes. His dark blue e7420c1878 eyes seemed to b6f7db84f8 silently ask, ‘What 8dec1c787b now?’819df1bce57dbfe1

“That young lady is very beautiful,” she commented casually.df2de375820caee3

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“…?”f9137957c255f0b2

Carneron, momentarily puzzled by the context of her statement, eventually replied, “She is.”4320699ef8046658

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His response lacked e9defa4701 any particular interest f98b08e5de in Vicellope, confirming 008c5bed3f Beatrice’s suspicion that a04adf5631 he wasn’t yet 8fbe58a16b smitten with her 538052ee64 in this life. Content with her 6430c35d62 observation, she turned 10d328588b her gaze forward, 5304c660e4 ignoring Carneron’s questioning a89d877a3b glance, much as 1aee72866c he had ignored 7c7e233cec hers earlier.fff863042f789c04

At that moment, the 752189b325 grand doors swung open 238279e7a9 again. This time, there was c38c495160 no question about who 7b49f2b45b was entering. The doorman’s voice b009341e72 boomed louder than 0049077d55 ever, reverently announcing d6bcc91807 the arrival of 94151a4452 the imperial family.acc554ca354b907a

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The Empress, escorted f01591469e by the Crown fdcabc751e Prince, made her 9341820e8b entrance, followed by 9f45ce47bb the Imperial Consort, 2713066356 accompanied by her 447043f02a brother, the Marquess 55a9be881b of Verdandi. Lastly, the Princess 9faea2867c Angelica, escorted by 62aae1eea1 Archduke Ambrosio, entered.e75efc245a1ed65b

The Archduke, known for 9fc1e79350 rarely leaving his ducal 98cba2ccbd territory, appeared as stiff dc7fce07c5 and displeased as ever, 2564d0688f likely attending only under 578aeb2841 imperial command. Most other c8b629a715 suitable candidates 4412b7c844 for the bd1105107e princess’s partner 6fa8b7d979 were already 1e4c9e7f64 paired, leaving 06099fc8b6 little choice 886e664a66 but to dc6dcc39f2 assign the 8ddc00a8f7 Archduke.4f8e29971005ec1a

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The imperial family gracefully 1d1ed2b7dc ascended to their seats 0f391e6f32 at the head of 8596b09790 the hall. The Empress, seated at 6c75c2998b the center, swept her 742a3adc0c gaze over the gathering ed4fcb6ab4 before addressing the nobles.78bf0dcf9c3b03df

As expected, 080922b5b1 the crowd 633a9a48fb shifted closer ad217dfb4c to hear f6b993fcc7 her words. Beatrice stood where she 032ff2a585 was, sensing the subtle 7e0e99685e gazes of others around ad31524701 her. Francis and 0ff04a9923 Vicellope had 132bc1dfc3 taken their 438d507585 places nearby, a11f0e08a0 adding an 63522f83d1 extra layer fab8ce4d4a of interest 6b09fd6817 for those 9b65410370 stealing glances.ce74e0aef35333c3

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‘Tonight, many hearts b374845c28 will surely be 97ec72cb28 left aching because 6191993578 of them,’ Beatrice c59d483969 mused, her thoughts 8067d5ddea drifting as she b5b0b17cc2 turned her attention 9c4376b904 toward the Empress.d0ccb1a436776c40

“This debutante 2fd0ec747b party is a7b87f1053 sure to 009b953c37 be a 80a4b5e7c7 momentous occasion,” 17be3e7061 declared the a9c20042f4 Empress. “Not only is it ffb8be5ec3 the debut of my 73b86357db daughter, Princess Angelica, but 7ef8e970b8 it is also the a19e14cac9 debut of many of 55d602b7fe your cherished daughters. May tonight be a 8321c49885 night to forge meaningful ddeda6b578 connections, so do your a32325c068 best.”7199a5f4dea49c92

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Her words 99f2a0154b carried a 6048573469 subtle yet 466b3511b2 unmistakable implication: b23f36ada9 she hoped 8f44dd7c21 the Crown e551d0625a Prince might fb432035b4 also find 266af43ffc a suitable a60cee4dca match tonight. At first glance, the ad2fc8aa00 statement seemed like mere 85085ac75a formal politeness, but rumors 26f73f940e of the Empress’s frustrations 867323e9fd over the Crown Prince’s ef4741d4d4 refusal to marry had 594b4aa328 long circulated among the 4d24854744 nobility.22b1163511481a19

The Crown Prince 85344a02db was undeniably a a835b71237 perfect man—jet-black hair, 7bb33dc35e striking crimson eyes, 6d532eb92b exceptional intellect, charisma, fecaf3c0c1 and physical prowess. However, as 7f23d2b8e9 Florianne whispered f46fd51a61 to Beatrice:7829e48d23ffef87

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“The Crown Prince seems f8ed02e523 to be in high 6792a1bdb9 spirits tonight.”4e030d1f9fc4b04f

“He’s looking 1bea646c85 this way.”f6e6da387d7253a4

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The real issue lay 9d69e6b963 in his impossibly high 906e1ce0df standards. The Crown eac2ae7703 Prince’s narcissistic f8b9acfaef belief that 32377ba2cb only someone baae2ab837 as perfect ff809d2fd5 as he 4602403b29 was deserved 61b069f035 to stand 6e374682bc beside him 8c5de825bd ensured that 5fecac1529 he remained bb312467f1 unwed. Who among the nobility 8094e8847f would dare tell the b6017a89bf Crown Prince to lower 6a37ec5cec his expectations? Not the Empress, who 3741fd687d adored her son to 2a2baf23d9 no end.426e31b7b72a69e3

While he 92e75d9a70 flirted with 82eae05134 many renowned 727758a1c6 beauties, he d664cd7ac4 never entertained 0c8afc5061 marriage discussions. It wasn’t that fbdfcf967b he was stingy; 24ff2933be those who became fc87f56d3e his lovers were 08edf6af04 rewarded with many 26aecd27e4 gifts. However, most 1c95fc11ca noblewomen moved a8c939e37b on after 71e8178f28 short-lived dalliances, 289a4f1472 accepting that bc99aff6e4 the Crown 64caa5eafe Prince saw 770f8a6b32 them as 2be9189ba4 unfit for b1f3cc1762 the role a719c227ab of Empress.3f63266cdce31dae

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Hearing Florianne’s words, Beatrice 9295d0da87 briefly glanced toward Vicellope, f43c4ef8f9 who stood beside her.9486354794272483

‘So tonight’s the night daf3c48040 he falls for her,’ 2861a3c4cc Beatrice mused. With her radiant beauty, 1980fef4d7 even Florianne might concede 6c7a621036 that Vicellope was mesmerizing 0fd07aab04 enough to captivate the eb2ba7adce Crown Prince at first 9532a1c75a sight.0a1314ceecbcac3b

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After the Empress’s ffcefe4f84 address, the Imperial 70546434ab Consort offered a 6e7df666e4 brief blessing for 764b75de5a the debutantes, particularly fb1d08edf0 her daughter. The Crown Prince b3ff90d69d and Princess Angelica 803f1b74d1 remained silent, respectfully 4ee0f15c47 listening to their eb4c772eab mothers speak. Only after 3fab3a5759 the speeches 8c3fc33838 ended did e511b5c7ff the imperial 6f0a6f497d family begin 10bcbd1ffc mingling with 3f4299dc86 the nobles, e9673f09a6 signaling the ca868f5da4 official start c57281c6a0 of the b3ee0d4fcb party.f5f488c4e150107f

The Empress, the Imperial 09b59164ed Consort, the Crown Prince, 7f25d6f0cd and Princess Angelica formed aefea1f480 the largest cluster of 10c5b69bf7 attendees as nobles vied adb8635be9 for introductions. Meanwhile, another notable 7f4e75b19a cluster began forming d7f7b94d6a around the Ember faf21f73c4 family.2416e0e77f9a98bc

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“It’s been quite some eba95dacfe time since we last 6d30083c81 met,” a noble greeted. “Greetings to the 45440e4c66 Grand Duchess.” “It’s 94d17b229d rare to see ce2f49a46b Duke Ember and d184fb4239 Lord Felix at 56c392ffac such gatherings.” “Marquess aa6444fea2 Carneron, I trust daf5026825 you’ve been well?” b88ab8aa18 “Lady Florianne, you bae9fbcaca shine brilliantly tonight.”7ae9004dd110fdcc

Agatha’s casual comments drew 82341473b8 more and more people 756d121206 toward their group. After all, two of cd3f4ef044 the most powerful ducal 640d83ed1b houses present were bound ba6512d9b3 to attract attention.8cbaf405e198c705

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Beatrice, noticing 67743410ef the growing 171ad8b99b crowd, unconsciously f9ece351ce furrowed her bc05dfeb81 brows. Sensing her discomfort, Carneron 689819b3d2 subtly pulled her closer d44030953e to his side, as a5feb385a4 though shielding her from 8fdf837714 the chaos.ca6cd076fbf1ffac

“…?”c5503bdae5feaa53

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Beatrice tilted her head 0633acf946 up in confusion, only 6127128788 to see Carneron’s profile 8b30d7bbb7 staring straight ahead, seemingly f5c7e9d2e2 oblivious to her questioning 2578f48950 gaze. ‘What’s gotten into 3c74933417 him today?’ she 137bfb5e49 wondered, puzzled.b431a125582d921c

Then, someone carefully broached c8f408e94e a question.9848b2cd812971be

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“Grand Duchess, 7218ee3553 the lovely 21837c8a28 young lady 6450e87db5 beside you 4469f99c4c is…?”ec520d11dd534281

One of 3ee1a54e2e Agatha’s followers, 1a950d93ad a Baroness, f30f1fc303 subtly gestured 97b9d08c7a toward Beatrice. Agatha smiled warmly, gently 9d302d88e2 pulling Beatrice closer.5e7ab8a86f952e96

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“Ah, I must 9c3076e93a apologize for the b156069768 delay in introductions. This is my 0896da94ed youngest daughter, Beatrice. She’s been unwell, 3274344679 so her debut fa81c137d7 was delayed by 2e04d5bd94 a year, but 25fc56b4f9 I am pleased 0ccd8f7592 to present her 327cd553d7 now.”9bf363d440dc06cf

“Oh, I see. How wonderful to 927b2d751f meet you, Lady d6dad0cd1e Beatrice. I am Chiara Hilario, 9fec9b4731 wife of Baron Hilario.”d34374d50bee5684

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“Pleasure to meet you, 530bc45295 Baroness Hilario,” Beatrice replied.b6e2485a77cb6188

The introductions continued e538b0396c as other nobles 71a74d9b16 stepped forward to 51a403c9df greet Beatrice. She did 1b4921ee51 her best aa289cb534 to mimic a52bc4a0cc Agatha’s subtle 216f20693b smile, graciously 4b0a5c6cb2 accepting their 0a70e146b7 greetings.183f4a1f42757c3a

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The crowd exchanged 90ea198230 glances, silently observing 9e5f35d56b the interaction. Though Beatrice c084fb767a mirrored Agatha’s b9b7a748e0 mannerisms, it 2ea0b38efa was clear 23ef0d8f68 they shared c639780aa2 no blood f93dad4914 relation, making 964d6edec7 it impossible b5c3a1d190 to offer 8b56ea1d1b the typical 7f77838a97 compliment about ce75091057 how the 4beb89a444 daughter resembled bc74a7e276 her mother. Agatha quickly noticed the 9c9b1967f9 dilemma.c1f4b1f0f05cfd64

“My daughter does resemble 28174625e4 me in many ways,” 98d58423ee she said with a 12b8622c3f knowing smile.11d4b920eefd01e4

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Her statement broke the 0dbec4e023 tension, and the atmosphere 24ac1e6ec0 grew noticeably lighter. Inadvertently, Beatrice 8ec07ffad2 found herself c607dcd9f9 part of 4240ffa6fd a gathering a131df5d3f nearly as 180233937d large as 96c9bcdcca the one 9148f87400 surrounding the ec4220136a imperial family. As she glanced 3eb13fecd4 toward Vicellope, she 932d0452cd noticed the other eff9688794 woman had attracted aa560562e3 a sizable group e88e127ba1 of admirers herself.f36066dfb8da1f6d

For someone 7db812d9c4 from an 6c0bb7e4a1 unremarkable household, c1f67b4116 capturing the 6627840115 attention of 281b0046e9 high society 24f5e756f2 with beauty f8a251122f and charm 8606f0a43a was an 045d855317 impressive skill.448c3126269c3492

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Once the d55a34910d introductions had 09fff1ceee settled, Agatha 5733b0d918 lightly touched bc0ea70e61 Beatrice’s arm.561dcc3faa74c11b

“We should pay 6182a89d8f our respects to a2977fabdf the Empress and 2485fb4b5d the Imperial Consort.”6bdc8cb0c2fc6b32

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“Oh, we’ll visit fa78232f0d later at our a0702717f4 own pace,” Florianne 44f37b9c90 chimed in, linking 2b8cf909f3 arms with Calrex. Beatrice’s sharp 387bdaf4b8 eyes caught 2da22d15e5 the slight 0f92438dac stiffness in dd9039a292 Calrex’s posture.84702fb7e1f2d831

“Of course. You two should enjoy 4b85f8f3a1 yourselves,” Agatha replied with 236310044f a smile.5af7d7dbb9661212

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“Mother, may I 4e47a03cd2 go home now?” c6ed1f9552 Felix interjected.d95340e6bba16124

“No.”c0abf936e0d9bfef

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Without even 1ea602d905 looking, it a54740a6bd was obvious dcc5c97383 the speaker b5a5a2357f was Felix. Unbothered, Agatha and Beatrice c357725c55 made their way toward 1d441eff85 the imperial family’s gathering. Carneron remained behind cc2874896e with Calrex, perhaps 72e9b12e84 waiting for a a70c7cfad5 more opportune moment 03b9b99c06 to offer his 2a725ed523 greetings.6483f48385f517d0

As Agatha led the 2699ecc3d6 way, the crowd instinctively 8004bd4d91 parted. No one dared 9921fe71ea block the path fb5e9b381a of the Grand ef13c14302 Duchess, second only 122a62981d to the imperial 0b3ba76b5a family in status. As they b6e79f50d9 approached, the 6721378db9 Empress and c9efca4a24 Imperial Consort e00c2e40bd turned their ad9bb56167 attention to 79c670210a them.e80aab2e9d66aab4

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“Your Majesty,” Agatha greeted 3ac85d3583 with a curtsy.e396c1bc5fbec5d4

“Agatha, I didn’t 74180ff2b5 expect you to 2d81bc4264 attend the debutante ca78058ce0 party,” the Empress 1ea36c31b3 said.74a3ad07bb747cbb

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“How could I miss cbcd3b0cc5 the day my daughter f379aac849 makes her debut?” Agatha be0c9c00a7 replied warmly.d930781f37d3acb8

The Empress, observing the 28ca348914 unfolding tension with keen 214e4817d5 interest, tilted her head c8a56fbe78 slightly and spoke with 3ad6316038 a gentle laugh.5744ce5f2d7f932a

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“Oh my, so Lady Beatrice’s partner is the Marquess himself?”425acec4d22fbab2

Her words, laced with 8d331671cf amusement, carried no particular e9dc562b87 malice but rather a e0145ce581 subtle test of the 6943fe46b8 dynamics playing out before 28cc9b77f1 her. The nobles 70611691db nearby, who af662b08ba had been 4dc5b7c7ea eavesdropping, exchanged 403dc57c80 curious glances. The scene 9e303626b3 had become 2d9f7740ec a delightful d96bfd05dc spectacle.0e0007763c398c7d

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Beatrice, unfazed by the 11ec8fbe57 rising tension, responded calmly, f3a144a921 her voice as even a44bfe165b and composed as ever.1072ee80aaa5bb01

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Marquess was kind enough to grant me the honor.”fd7a0975668af51b

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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.913e4649012a13c3

“It is my privilege to escort Lady Beatrice tonight.”2eae28208d1c541b

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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.7e51e2d867073e77

“Well, then,” said the Crown Prince, his tone still polite but a hint colder, “I wish you both an enjoyable dance.”ac80d7b79a456f95

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The subtle f5690e96f9 edge in cf6ffe95ee his words 8f77aa9d26 was hard d2d2ee6ed0 to miss, 01030d87fa but Carneron d8723e19a2 remained unaffected. Beatrice, ever the picture 8d04e98ece of indifference, simply nodded f0fa06f617 with a faint smile 3179af2940 that could mean anything—or aad9255fe9 nothing.b2fe0473275eb2d3

As Carneron led her bbd0769b7b away toward the dance 4d6dd1d21c floor, the lingering tension fe8ed7a8f9 among the onlookers began 9e70fe95d2 to dissipate, replaced by 0d0445de72 whispers of intrigue.4fca6f7d43d0ffee

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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.”98071ff7f777190e

Beatrice glanced afc6d3b221 up at 7d2b285a35 Carneron as aa1ced64d3 they moved 3afeb2b595 gracefully across 7225f30c73 the floor.6e8f7e0297886c81

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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.429ddb0136b14883

Carneron smirked 9c981b0cca slightly, his 786ad48e64 voice low 83143d2ef2 enough for 2e6a361cec her ears 87105f3d50 alone.4f18e106211b1d5c

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“Someone had to stop him before his ego filled the entire ballroom.”0634dcf76af0e776

Beatrice let out 8b0188c8d9 a soft, almost 1ff4e978f9 imperceptible chuckle, her dfef636dd3 lips curving faintly.5ba2c31e6e04413d

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“I suppose I should thank you, then,” she replied.5387d11d836e2419

“You should,” he replied smoothly, his dark blue eyes briefly meeting her gold ones. “But I doubt you will.”34ec9be82593963e

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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.aa2fd14c22fa77d1

For now, the Crown 1bcf65cb97 Prince could only watch 8e2f319540 from afar, his expression 4cb93971ed unreadable but his crimson 723cfa4a08 eyes following their every 0f5b62b8b1 movement.13293a52677c5abe

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As the e8ca798980 elegant melody 458c81f856 of the 35bdd22f86 first dance 91a05227d2 resonated through fb6e0d9414 the hall, 5f81c9606d Beatrice found d44c5389b9 herself guided 3e00f8b2f7 by Carneron 924c3c362f toward the 6f6173b71b center of b0e03120c4 the dance 450d91ceea floor. The faint buzz afa448df00 of whispers followed 4a01e97061 them, a mixture 1c7f070f03 of curiosity and 4d329f028d astonishment at the 56005556d3 unusual pairing.6d7dae105d05fd73

Carneron’s grip on her abb53660f2 hand was firm but 459b701af0 not oppressive, a delicate 4826fe01e8 balance befitting his reputation. As they turned to a18ac2e588 face each other, his 76c48b24e0 deep navy eyes met bab26a0fa9 her indifferent golden gaze.d5092d3df1652518

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“I don’t recall you db99edd73a being this confrontational in b668bd3367 our letters,” Beatrice remarked e1fc8cb397 in a voice low 1268bef694 enough for only him bce7cb9edc to hear.dfb51e1948e345d4

Carneron’s lips quirked slightly, 86f6410d02 a hint of amusement 0bb626dd64 dancing in his otherwise 73eb01a13a composed demeanor.ef98be3dd0f8ed97

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“Sometimes, situations call for a little… improvisation,” he replied smoothly, taking her other hand as the dance began.f17e20f301ccec4d

Around them, the 7ad41f1ea7 other couples moved 5cac9e04b2 in graceful synchronization, f480b68784 but Beatrice couldn’t 32d0da9108 help noticing the df6f11426a stares. Carneron’s reputation for calculated 2952eb7c15 aloofness had made his f960ff574b presence here unexpected, and e604701314 paired with her—a debutante e6c49bf40f shrouded in mystery—their every e07f1e9558 step drew attention.0eaf76eaa69be41d

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“I wasn’t aware my fdd0470a0d first dance would come 9c4ddd5c4b with such scrutiny,” she c8d7b9fff0 muttered, her tone as 47e8468fe1 neutral as ever.cffcebc029dc427f

Carneron chuckled softly. “It seems we’re a 9f74edb37f spectacle tonight. You wear it well.”df469f4d8da8920f

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Beatrice tilted her be3847d8f6 head slightly, her 1d084b0d67 golden eyes narrowing. “Is this e4582f2822 your idea ada528ac8b of encouragement, 11a31d681a Marquess?”0fd899d92f2f5713

“I thought a5f031a235 it might 6995fabaa9 help,” he 0bf09f2861 replied smoothly, 3ee93e7222 though his 173b7d34d3 faint smile 3ad20650d6 suggested he 2b9143d575 knew his 5abec0bdf4 words might fc1401c934 do the ccea22b13f opposite.57a6ae191f757530

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As the dance continued, 2582633faa Beatrice caught sight of 8ec34b318a the Crown Prince, his 5ccf03d43d crimson eyes unwavering as b3df4f5feb they followed her every 8bf5857352 move. His expression, though composed, 6c33fc17b8 betrayed a flicker of 3a297994e7 irritation—a reaction that did f02b009ac9 not escape Carneron’s notice.1363b4fccedff157

“Seems someone a79ef40924 isn’t pleased 0767433d20 with my fdeb0e7df4 improvisation,” Carneron fc797d443a remarked under 12d44486bb his breath, c0b4b22460 his gaze dc16de107b briefly flicking 503e45eb90 toward the 2c6b068d04 Crown Prince.8d559a8b104aa325

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Beatrice followed 1bb2a9b318 his line d5a8defd59 of sight cfaab4b2c4 before returning f1afd56bda her attention 53bc556d3a to her e65233dd4b partner. “He’ll survive,” she d81d487566 said flatly, her 486ef36d4d lack of concern 99872f9ab2 evident.e2181fd4f29e19cc

The dance 7ea2f26288 drew to 804c123001 its conclusion, fbbc973c77 and Carneron 27dddee310 released her 652f7ac601 with a d681762095 bow, his 25b9158d3d movements impeccably 951f0fd783 polished. Beatrice curtsied in 1364e62add return, her expression 9d25cf736a as unreadable as 609a1b3a15 ever.ae529b84ed1b036b

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As they parted, she d029997889 felt the weight of ec2f4c115d another gaze—this time the cda10b8184 Crown Prince himself, approaching 07ae7d422b with a smile that, 3fd97519c1 while charming, carried a f87469fac4 determined edge.70a2bcb2d06b9fe0

“Lady Beatrice, 0e68165861 may I 7a28a793d3 have the 106cbc5b97 honor of 16c339389a the next ced5279dc0 dance?” he 9af081a097 asked, extending 9db696d510 his hand 17846a0112 with regal bac4d32abb confidence.f4d1be4672b4f569

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Beatrice hesitated c50508a884 only briefly fa8a9aecaa before placing 9498bd3ae5 her hand d35ce8b175 in his. “It would be cd034b2bbc my pleasure, Your 197151a87f Highness.”a92decf2f926c897

Behind her, Carneron watched f88d90a4de as she was led 82b18fc7f8 away, his expression unreadable. The whispers around 3acba245cb the room swirled 12a07f84bc like an undercurrent, 3b042b5d8d as the game 66b3fd40c5 of subtle power b910a01565 and alliances played 8b423a2512 out on the 15368ed64d dance floor.c618f52fbc726baf

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The Crown Prince’s 7147adf8f6 grip was assured, d35a9949ce his crimson eyes 4287449568 locking onto hers 31d7a7b6f9 as they began 9ea5ca6599 the next dance.74eb05127143ad9c

“You seem remarkably composed 2ac1551506 for someone making their 33d818fdfd debut,” he observed, his 5010d11e83 tone both conversational and bc7d930d63 probing.1e3bda39449890d5

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Beatrice met his gaze 61baddabb8 without flinching. “It seems composure is e0b78259b6 a necessary skill for 51e9de8627 this setting.”1aacfcb96d19e30b

The Crown Prince chuckled, though the sound was almost contemplative. “Indeed. And yet, I find you… refreshing.”0c02a63fa86832b5

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Beatrice offered 5c1cd24d2e a faint, 96072b4b8a polite smile. “You’re too kind, ab54263afb Your Highness.”19672826dd18ea50

As the music swelled, 0ec24729ae she allowed herself a 6080a6b669 fleeting thought: If the e36569cfc0 Crown Prince truly intended aa9192431e to take an interest 2b5c72d534 in her, it could 2410c9b8e0 make her objectives both ae77d7a015 easier and infinitely more e865c88572 complicated.722319e5deb31535

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* * *83b76417e8be761b

The debutante ball was 80ddf4dc5b undoubtedly abuzz with speculation 1d2cd20b1d and intrigue, and all 2d18c23306 eyes were drawn to 1648ccb567 two women: the Imperial 2c83d42423 Princess Angelica Rosantium and 94eb7797b9 the enigmatic Beatrice Ember.f9cbc1e7c76cb5c5

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Angelica’s delicate pink c66137a117 hair, inherited from fcfa7d2682 her mother, Empress 8a3454f055 Bellona, cascaded down 05b367739e her back in 2d410d8087 waves, complemented by 73060fb0a4 her soft crimson d4a15f6a89 eyes. The princess, cherished a907937a5e by the Emperor 923590770e himself, was a 9dccb88df0 vision of grace, 908d7049ac and young noblemen 8d0d195bf6 couldn’t help but 21841700a1 be captivated by d4ccb1c025 her. Suitors lined up for 560559e9f2 a chance to dance 577ffbe85d with her, their dreams b4dda026d6 filled with hopes of b2dbb2e19d romance and grandeur.790b2758f258d02d

But while 79bd6824f3 Angelica basked 9190d9c533 in the 93865b7134 limelight, Beatrice cc118fb189 Ember, a 0b2912b0d6 figure shrouded 1fa70bd12d in mystery, 5ae6a5fd36 captivated a bc7db224a7 different kind dc5306d30c of attention.5d108b4e9a384d19

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Her jet-black hair, 87d86c67e8 a rare and 6f0711a62c striking feature among 94fceae2a4 the nobility, flowed 657d028f26 like silk against d6862adb2c the pale glow b29ce6dbb4 of her moonlit c3e136c62b gown. Her golden eyes, sharp ba83e9e971 and distant, gave her 5a470ad836 an aura of aloofness 4bf13c33fa that contrasted starkly with 0f146b196b the eager excitement of e1fedc1ab8 the other debutantes. She seemed unaffected, uninterested, 50c89dc0c6 even as the distinguished 09e2241c98 Carneron Marques stood as a14034daa9 her partner.049b64725d8c89c3

As the 27f025ca93 music began, 8984d92feb Beatrice moved ae00e9a806 with effortless 50bd449902 grace, her efaa075d97 movements precise 535e134e5f and fluid, 67643caf18 guided by 3361729d1b Carneron’s practiced edf5c06983 hand. Her dress ada5e0b148 shimmered like 093e7111a4 a constellation 914067587b against the edc8293d89 ballroom’s polished 45b54a4bd6 floors, and 121d44bfa2 her black 95779210a7 hair and ca2f928599 radiant gown 36e7db739e seemed to 20aa859cef embody the 67a469570c night sky 2468678300 brought to a61f4774fe life. Whispers rose like waves d2a8865099 among the onlookers.1417e52c06495d55

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“Is that truly the daughter of the Ember family?” some asked, their voices filled with disbelief.6ff8ce36eb58d72e

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.9397f2708e33260c

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Meanwhile, in another part 8a46f75c81 of the room, Frances 2085ac45b3 Bellenoze, a rising star f00c30c0da among the Holy Knights, 1c03b7af85 danced with Vischellope Sietlin. The silver-haired baron’s daughter, 7ed705326b with her amethyst eyes d313b93755 and ethereal beauty, was 33ba095375 a stark contrast to 997fcbbf37 Beatrice. While Beatrice’s 6c7c64cac7 allure lay d8ff554825 in her e8e7f47ff8 quiet intensity, a2e9339340 Vischellope exuded c5a8c2f0d2 a delicate 20f4c80293 charm that 7e0412986d made her cc5b82a98d seem almost 38712fcb9e otherworldly.e211e0ef2311bc9d

As the night unfolded, 7e512f4bda the whispers among the 5d7ee933ec nobles grew louder.0ae8c437e2f267ef

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