Chapter 10
Noxia couldn’t understand her own reaction. It wasn’t logical. It was instinct—her body reacting before her mind. Her fingertips trembled.
She kept staring at Jade Ranon. Twenty years old, son of the powerful northern duke, handsome beyond compare, and considered the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom.
When she had first met him by chance at the train station, she had felt strangely familiar with him, as if he were an old friend she was unexpectedly reunited with.
But now? What she felt wasn’t nostalgic fondness. It wasn’t girlish admiration of his beauty either.
Her face wasn’t flushed—it was pale and cold like marble. Her eyes widened in fear, like a deer cornered by a predator. She wanted to run.
‘Why?’
Why was she reacting so differently now? Why did she feel this overwhelming, inexplicable sense of dread?
Jade stepped forward slowly. One step, then another. Every movement was graceful, almost like he was gliding.
Their eyes never left each other. His dark blue gaze was like a frozen lake in midwinter, and Noxia felt as though she might drown in it.
The distance shrank until he was close enough to touch. Noxia’s fingers twitched, as though wanting to reach out—
and Jade, too, seemed to mirror her, his hand twitching slightly, as if to extend toward her.
But then—his eyes shifted. For a brief moment, they filled with unbearable sorrow, and Noxia’s breath caught painfully.
And just like that, it was gone. The expression vanished as quickly as it appeared. Jade walked past her.
He hadn’t been approaching her at all. He was going to the young lady standing behind her.
“Miss Rowde, may I have the honor of this dance?”
“Of course, Lord Ranon. It would be an honor.”
He smiled politely. The girl—Amy Rowde—blushed and agreed eagerly. She shot Noxia a triumphant glance, clearly pleased that the northern lord had chosen her instead.
But Noxia hardly noticed. She was too tangled in her own confusion.
She had felt fear when their eyes met—yes. But then, why was she disappointed when he passed her by? Why did it hurt, as though she had expected him to choose her?
‘Why does my heart feel so uneasy?’
Her pulse was erratic, ever since their eyes met. She placed a hand on her chest, bewildered.
On the dance floor, Jade and Amy Rowde joined hands and began to dance. All eyes were on them, some with admiration, others with envy.
Soon the hall filled with other couples. Music swelled, and everyone played their part in the royal ball.
Noxia spotted Prince Elenon dancing too—his earlier, tear-stained and prickly face was gone. Now he smiled warmly, perfectly polite, the very picture of a fairytale prince.
‘Is that his real self—or just an act?’
She tried focusing on him, forcing herself to watch closely. Anything to stop thinking about Jade.
Prince Elenon’s partner was Greta Berriton, daughter of another duke. She clung to him eagerly, chattering nonstop.
But to Noxia, it looked like the prince was only replying politely, without much interest.
‘She’s desperate. He’s just humoring her.’
She analyzed the pair like a detective, dissecting their every expression and word. It worked—it distracted her from Jade, at least for the moment.
Then someone tapped her shoulder. Startled, she turned—and her relief blossomed when she saw Karnen.
“Kali, where have you been?”
“I should be asking you that, Nox! I was looking everywhere.”
“Oh—I was hiding in the restroom for a while.”
“Hiding? Why?”
“No one bullied me. It’s just… there are too many important people here. For a simple country girl like me, it’s overwhelming.”
She said it half like a joke, but she meant it.
Karnen’s smile faltered. Her eyes darkened.
“…Maybe I was too selfish. Dragging you to a place like this—I’m sorry, Nox.”
“What? No, don’t be! I was joking. Really, it’s fine.”
But Karnen’s guilt was real. She sighed.
“I just wanted you to have connections… I didn’t think enough about how you’d feel. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, truly. And I did meet good people. Daisy Roben and Rachel Dallian were really kind to me.”
“Were they? Then I’ll make sure to keep them close.”
Noxia smiled warmly, and Karnen finally relaxed, her expression softening again.
“I’ll introduce you to more people. And this time—men. You can’t leave without at least one dance!”
“Men? Oh, that’s a bit much…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll pick only the best ones. You know how picky I am—I won’t let just anyone dance with my friend.”
Back to her cheerful self, Karnen took Noxia’s hand and tugged her gently.
“Come on. Let’s meet some handsome, kind men.”
“Do those even exist?”
“If we look hard enough, they do.”
Noxia laughed softly. Despite everything, her heart eased.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Karnen.”
“And I’m glad you’re my friend, Noxia.”
Karnen’s eyes shone warmly. Noxia believed her completely, never guessing the guilt her friend was hiding.
Her first royal ball had only just begun.
—
Everything felt like a dream in black and white. The world was gray and lifeless, except for one figure glowing in color before his eyes.
Jade Ranon leaned against a shadowed wall, exhausted after countless dances and conversations. Yet his gaze never strayed from Noxia Deccan—the only light in his bleak world.
Determination burned in his dark blue eyes. He restrained himself as though chained, holding back the urge to go to her.
Footsteps approached. He didn’t need to look to know who it was.
“Lady Holby. What brings you here?”
His tone was smooth, polite—impossible to read.
Karnen Holby, however, scoffed. Her eyes glinted coldly as she looked at him.
“Drop the act. There’s no one listening.”
Jade’s face didn’t change. Still watching Noxia across the floor, he murmured calmly:
“All of life is an act, and this moment is no different. So why not play the part properly, Lady Holby?”
He kept his gaze locked on Noxia. She was smiling—dancing with another man, her face bright and clear. Jade drank in her smile with his eyes alone.
Karnen’s voice cut like ice.
“Maybe for us, it’s all an act. But not for her. Not for them. They’re different from us.”
Her voice grew harsher, almost desperate.
“So don’t go near her. Don’t ruin her. Not this time.”
