Chapter 29
A black shoe popped out of the carriage.
Thin ankle straps studded with large pearls clung to her legs.
Above that, the hem of a deep, dark purple dress came into view.
The dress was so lavishly adorned with jewels that it was impossible to guess its worth.
Shalome’s eyes trembled as she looked toward the carriage.
The hand that held the Grand Duke’s was gloved in delicate black lace.
A woman wearing long black lace gloves up to her forearms finally stepped out of the carriage.
A deep purple dress, hair twisted up with an extravagant feather hairpin.
No matter how you looked at her, she screamed, “I’m the main character today.”
Her long neck and shoulders were draped with a sheer muslin fabric that kept drawing attention.
The jewels flowing down her skirt made her legs appear even longer.
Shalome was stunned by Maddy’s beauty but forced herself to sneer inwardly.
‘Wearing something so flashy to a ball hosted by the Princess? How stupid.’
Of course, Shalome herself was dressed no less extravagantly, but even she couldn’t match Maddy.
The way the fabric clung to Maddy’s long limbs made it look like she was born to wear that dress—it was almost disturbing.
Her teeth clenched with jealous fury.
Shalome confidently walked toward them.
But they were completely absorbed in their own world, as if Shalome didn’t even exist.
“Maddy, I told you it gets chilly at night. You should’ve worn a shawl.”
“I’m wearing the necklace Your Highness gave me instead. It’s already heavy enough.”
Necklace?
Indeed, around Maddy’s neck hung a lavish necklace studded with massive diamonds, as wide as a scarf.
Just how much is she wearing on her body?
The Grand Duke whispered something in Maddy’s ear.
Maddy laughed cheerfully and leaned into him, and the Grand Duke wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.
They were a disgustingly perfect match.
Shalome stormed closer.
Unbeknownst to her, this was the conversation happening:
“Darling, oh my. I just want to run away with you right now.”
“I’ll have you wanted nationwide immediately.”
“Oh come on, I’m joking~”
“If it’s a joke, go ahead and try.”
Shalome forced a smile and cut in.
“Your Highness, you’re here? Looks like we arrived together.”
“Ah.”
That was all the Grand Duke said.
“I may not be able to stop Your Highness from pursuing your hobbies, but when standing before His Majesty, you should observe proper decorum.”
At Shalome’s words, Maddy stepped back and smoothed the Grand Duke’s shoulder.
“I’ll wait in the carriage, Your Highness.”
“You’re my partner, Maddy.”
“But…”
“We’re going in together.”
The Grand Duke did not remove his arm from around Maddy’s shoulder.
Finally, Shalome exploded.
“Your Highness! His Majesty ordered that I enter with you!”
“Yes, he did. But he never said I had to go in only with one person, did he?”
“Then are you telling me to walk in arm-in-arm with that slum woman?!”
“If that bothers you, you don’t have to link arms. Just walk beside us.”
“Oh my, Your Highness is so clever,”
Maddy giggled and even lifted one foot playfully.
Watching her lean against the Grand Duke and laugh coyly made Shalome want to rip her hair out.
But she knew exactly what kind of power those gloved fists could hold.
“…There are many watching, Your Highness.”
She ground her teeth and spoke, but Grand Duke Yulikian remained calm.
“I see. Let’s go in, Maddy. You’ll catch a cold.”
“Okaaay~”
The two walked ahead.
Shalome refused to follow behind them.
To walk beside a slum-born woman, to fight over a man—it was a blow to her pride that felt like self-destruction.
Her lips trembled.
“Your Highness! To insult me like this is to insult my entire family!”
The Grand Duke whispered something to Maddy and turned around—still holding her hand.
“I’ve asked you this before—what family are you from again?”
“Your Highness! I am from the House of Count Bartolos—”
“Right. The Count’s House. And you’re just the daughter—not even a count yourself. I am a Grand Duke. The Emperor’s only nephew. Do you think it’s acceptable to be rude to me?”
She couldn’t think of anything to retort.
“If you don’t want to disobey His Majesty, follow behind. That much, I’ll allow.”
The Grand Duke turned back and headed toward the palace.
One by one, carriages arrived and more guests began to descend.
All eyes turned to the Grand Duke and Maddy—and the stunned Shalome standing behind them.
Whispers grew louder.
She couldn’t stand there forever.
Reluctantly, Shalome followed behind Yulikian and Maddy.
Thankfully, the servants at the ballroom entrance seemed to side with Shalome.
It appeared they had been given prior orders from the Emperor.
“Only those with invitations may enter.”
“But she’s my companion. That’s not allowed?”
“Grand Duke, that is His Majesty’s order. Only invited guests may enter.”
“Oh well, Your Highness. I’ll wait in the carriage then,”
Maddy said with a sweet smile, stepping back as if disappointed.
Then Shalome stepped forward quickly.
As she passed Maddy, she let out a sneer.
“This is what we call an insurmountable class divide, dear.”
She whispered.
Maddy covered her mouth dramatically and shouted:
“OH MY GOODNESS! AN INSURMOUNTABLE! CLASS! DIVIDE! WOW! THE PALACE IS INCREDIBLE!”
Not just the servants and maids—but all the guests in line turned to look at her.
Maddy stared longingly at the closed doors and dropped down to sit.
Her voluminous skirt puffed up like a blooming flower.
“YOUR HIGHNESS! EVEN THOUGH WE’RE SO IN LOVE, THE WALL OF CLASS DIVIDES US! I’LL BE RIGHT HERE, WAITING ONLY FOR YOU!”
Some frowned at her theatrics, but others—those who loved romance—watched with sympathy.
Maddy wasn’t aiming for a positive or negative reaction.
She wanted gossip.
Rumors that the Grand Duke Yulikian Kun Rondeness was utterly obsessed with a woman.
Just as planned, Yulikian tilted his head toward the sky.
He brushed his nose as if holding back tears.
“…Maddy. Get up now.”
“Sob, sob… Grand Duke. The class divide, the prejudice of the world—will you someday abandon me too?”
“Why would I abandon you? Never. Whatever happens, we’re in this together. Even if you leave me, I’ll hold onto you forever.”
Yulikian spoke with a fiery passion and pulled Maddy into his arms.
Maddy whispered softly in his ear.
“Well done.”
Yulikian smiled warmly and held her even tighter.
As they whispered sweet nothings at the entrance, the gossip among the nobles grew louder.
“Oh my, so the rumors were true.”
“Isn’t that lady the daughter of the Bartolos family?”
“My goodness. She gave up everything for love?”
“The Grand Duke… he’s always been lonely. Don’t they suit each other?”
“I heard he used to drink in the slums with all sorts of riffraff. Look where that got him.”
“She is beautiful though.”
“A tragic romance between a slum girl and a lonely duke—it’s kind of romantic.”
Everyone chimed in freely, as if it wasn’t their business.
But the only person boiling over with fury—trembling to her core—was Shalome Bartolos.
“…Your Highness, this is too much. How can you treat me so coldly?”
Even as she choked back tears, Yulikian’s soft blue eyes remained fixed on Maddy.
He gently held her hand and said,
“I’ll be right back to you. I won’t give anyone else a glance.”
“Your Highness…”
“Maddy…”
If left alone, they might’ve kissed right there, heedless of everyone watching.
Unable to take it any longer, Shalome grabbed the Grand Duke’s collar.
“Grand Duke Rondeness!”
Only then did Yulikian turn and enter the ballroom.
He made no effort to hide his displeasure at Shalome clinging to his arm.
And so, Maddy remained alone in the palace garden.
She stood deliberately, letting the cold wind blow over her for a long time.
Just so the arriving nobles could see.
“Who is that lady, standing all alone?”
Even though she was dressed as lavishly as royalty, she looked pitiful, unable to even enter the hall.
The servants guarding the entrance had no choice but to answer.
“She is the woman the Grand Duke brought.”
And so, without stepping even a foot inside the ballroom, the rumors of Yulikian and Maddy grew even more dramatic.
Yulikian didn’t dance with Shalome once.
He didn’t drink a sip of water or eat even a bite of biscuit.
He merely stared blankly out the window, lost in thought.
The Emperor glared at him, clearly displeased, but there was nothing he could do at the moment.
Count Bartolos confronted the Grand Duke and threatened him outright.
But Yulikian only responded with vague nonsense.
“I see…”
“I suppose so…”
“Ah, really?”
“Truly?”
The Grand Duke’s blue eyes only sparkled in front of Maddy.
No matter how brightly the ballroom lights shone, they couldn’t compare.
Without Maddy, Yulikian was nothing more than a lifeless husk.
Just like Maddy said—
After this party, the only thing people would remember wouldn’t be the princess’s birthday or Shalome’s debut.
Only the love story of Yulikian and Maddy would spread from mouth to mouth among the nobles.
Yulikian smiled faintly at the white moon beyond the terrace.
Then, a servant cautiously approached him.
“Um, Your Grace…”
“What is it?”
“I… I’m not sure if this is right, but I felt I had to tell you…”
“Speak.”
Yulikian looked down coldly at the servant.
He might give his heart and soul to his beloved, but he was merciless to others.
Grumbling inwardly, the servant reported what was happening outside.
“Some gentleman is trying to drag away the lady Your Grace brought. They don’t seem to know each other…”
“Maddy?!”
For the first time since entering the hall, the Grand Duke raised his voice.
If someone dragged Maddy to a corner, that man might end up dead.
First, he had to save the man!
Without hesitation, he let go of Shalome and sprinted toward the entrance.
