Chapter 99

"Hey, over there!"

At that moment, someone pointed at a carriage.

On the cliff, a roaring red lion.

It was the crest of the Schuetz Dukedom.

"Oh, it really is Duke Schuetz…!"

"How could this happen!"

Duke Schuetz was a person who kept his distance from society.

The only thing he was interested in was killing someone and smelling the blood.

"It seems the rumors are true."

"He adopted children, didn't he? I heard he was looking for the son of Duke Claidor…."

For the Duke to move personally to this extent.

The people gathered at the ballroom became incredibly curious about the children the Duke had adopted.

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of the palace. The carriage door opened, and Duke Schuetz appeared.

His black hair tinged with red and his sharp red eyes made him look like a fierce predator about to pounce on its prey.

People were all terrified, yet they couldn't take their eyes off Duke Schuetz.

The dangerous and tense atmosphere, combined with the Duke's well-polished appearance, made even the fear seem faint.

"Humans."

Erhardt, who seemed to detest them, frowned and ran his hand through his neatly styled hair, tutting.

Then, he relaxed his expression, extended his hand, and escorted someone.

A tiny girl with brilliant blonde hair.

The red dress seemed like it might not suit her, but it fit her perfectly as if it were made for her.

"Rumors said she was a commoner, didn't they? But…."

"Is she the daughter of some noble family?"

Whispers about Ellie didn't stop.

Despite the potentially burdensome gazes, the girl looked back without any concern.

Soon, a boy followed her out of the carriage.

A boy with neat black hair and clear blue eyes that contrasted sharply with it.

"That's the…."

"The son of the late Duke Claidor!"

People's voices grew louder, unable to hide their surprise.

"But he looks so clean…."

"He was said to have been found by chance after living as a slave…."

"Even if the Duke favors him, where could his memories have gone?"

Amidst the mix of envy and ridicule, the three of them entered the ballroom.

"Miss Ellie!"

Jerritt, who had been waiting at the entrance of the ballroom, ran up to greet Ellie.

Today, Jerritt had his long hair tied back and was wearing glasses.

In his light-colored uniform, he exuded a delicate and gentle aura, which suited him perfectly.

"You look truly beautiful today."

"You look very handsome too, brother."

"Ahem."

Jerritt clutched his chest, seemingly oblivious to his wrinkled clothes.

"It was worth staying up all night to make these clothes…!"

Jerritt dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief, as if moved.

It might seem exaggerated, but his reaction was genuine.

Red was a color that debutantes in society often avoided.

It could make one look too strong.

So, most of them wore pastel-colored dresses.

But red suited Ellie very well.

'This must be what Miss Ellie meant by "fitting well."'

Ellie had often muttered "fitting well, fitting well" while frequenting salons.

At first, Jerritt didn't understand what she meant.

'Is it some popular slang among young debutantes?'

He was curious but couldn't ask.

He was afraid of appearing like an immature adult trying to act knowledgeable.

But now, he understood.

No color suited Miss Ellie better than red.

Especially with the hairstyle Charlotte had carefully styled.

Jerritt's heart swelled with pride.

"Am I a shadow in your eyes?"

At that moment, Erhardt, who had been watching Jerritt in a trance, spoke.

"Ah…! Your Grace, Your Highness. It's been a while. I'm sorry for the late greeting."

Jerritt belatedly greeted them, but the Duke turned his head with an indifferent expression.

"Let's go inside."

Erhardt entered the ballroom with the children.

As befitting a debutante ball at the palace, the scale was enormous.

A fountain carved in the shape of a world tree stood in the center of the ballroom, with water flowing from it. Below, women who looked like fairies gazed at the water in delight.

Everyone, regardless of gender, had excited faces, but….

"Just formalities."

Erhardt coldly dismissed the beautiful scene.

'Who would have thought I'd end up coming to the palace on my own.'

He was so annoyed by the stuffy tuxedo and the gazes of the people that he felt like he would go crazy.

But it was the day the children would announce their existence to the world for the first time.

He had to endure the rising irritation.

"Wow! Damian, look at that!"

Moreover, the children were so happy.

'Why not?'

Erhardt let out a lazy breath and smiled faintly.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

"…Yeah. It's too beautiful."

Damian's gaze was fixed on Ellie, but Ellie, captivated by the splendid scenery, didn't notice.

"Your Grace Schuetz."

At that moment, a palace attendant approached them.

"Queen Kartaia's gift for the debutantes."

It was a brooch made of diamonds.

A gift from the Queen to the noble children invited to the debutante ball.

Diamonds were very precious, but the Queen used them generously to elevate her status.

"Does she think there are enough new diamonds?"

Erhardt muttered sarcastically.

"Goodness!"

"Look at that!"

The crowd became noisy, and everyone was looking at one place.

Clara Welsh was entering the ballroom, escorted by the Second Prince Matteo.

"Is that… a violet diamond?"

"Violet diamond!"

Everyone gasped.

Clara was wearing a dress with lots of frills, adorned with violet diamonds as if to show them off.

It was very beautiful, but….

"Isn't it a bit… excessive?"

"Um…."

It felt a bit overwhelming.

"I told her to only wear them as accents, but she wouldn't listen…."

Jerritt sighed softly.

Clara had dark red hair, and a matte color would have suited her better than pastel.

But she insisted on having a clear purple dress, no matter what.

Clara, mistaking the gazes of the people for admiration, held her chin high and entered the ballroom gracefully.

The attention that once focused on that orphan girl was now all on her.

'And these violet diamonds!'

That wasn't all.

Queen Kartaia had personally chosen the Second Prince Matteo as her escort.

'The Queen must see me as a candidate for the future princess!'

It was a situation where everyone would look up to her.

"Your Highness, thank you for escorting me."

Clara, blushing, thanked Matteo after the entrance.

But Matteo's gaze was fixed on Ellie.

"That girl…."

His eyes looked as if he were glaring at an enemy, but his tightly pressed lips revealed a strange sense of urgency.

Clara was taken aback.

'How can he look at that girl when he just entered with me?'

I'm the one who stands out the most here!

Clara glared at Ellie, who was laughing and chatting with Duke Schuetz.

'How dare a commoner!'

Clara bit her lip and glared at Ellie.

It felt like something sharp was poking her at the back of her head. Ellie pretended not to notice and whispered to Damian.

"Damian, if anyone says anything strange to me in the ballroom today, please bear with it."

Damian's face stiffened.

"Why?"

"It's all part of the plan."

Ellie smiled gently. Damian hesitated for a moment and then nodded reluctantly.

"Thank you."

As Ellie gently stroked Damian's head, the attendant announced:

"His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Queen have arrived!"

The attendant with a trumpet announced the Emperor's entrance.

Everyone's gaze turned to the throne.

A man with blonde hair and golden eyes, dressed in a red robe, and an elegant woman appeared.

'That's the Emperor…'

The overwhelming presence made it hard for Ellie to breathe, and she clutched her skirt tightly.

At that moment, the Emperor's gaze fell on their direction.

His golden eyes, which seemed to shine even from a distance, looked as if they could see through everything.

Then,

'Wait, did we just make eye contact?'

But the Emperor's gaze was drawn away by the sound of the trumpet.

"Since this is the first time the children of the noble families are greeting you, please look at them with affectionate eyes."

With the Queen's brief greeting, the orchestra began to play.

At the royal debutante ball, the first dance was performed by the couples chosen by the Queen.

As expected, Clara and Matteo stepped into the center of the ballroom, holding hands.

Clara looked delighted with the attention, while Matteo looked indifferent.

Still, he completed the final bow like a proper prince.

With the first dance over, it was time for the debutantes to dance together.

The attendant called out the names of the debutantes and their partners.

People who had been nodding their heads in agreement perked up when Schuetz's name was called.

But they quickly averted their gazes under the Duke's fierce stare.

Ellie, standing in the ballroom, straightened her posture and took Damian's hand.

'I feel so self-conscious.'

Even a slight movement could be criticized as improper.

Ellie glanced down.

'Is it because we're standing so close?'

Her blushing face was clearly visible. Damian also seemed nervous.

His trembling hand was tightly clasped, but his