~Chapter 92~
“Oh my! Leah, your dancing has improved so much overnight!”
Isabella clapped her hands joyfully as Leah finished her dance without stepping on Alfred’s feet once.
“Did you get blessed by the goddess Hecate in your dreams or something? You’d be perfect for the birthday ball right now!”
Leah blushed at Isabella’s praise.
“I think I improved thanks to the Duke’s help last night.”
She shyly touched the bridge of her nose.
“Johann gave you tips? That’s sweet of my son to take time out of his busy schedule.”
Isabella gently patted Leah’s back with a knowing smile.
“Alright, enough practice for now. Let’s go try on your dress.”
“It’s here already?”
“Yes, Madam Evelyn just brought it herself.”
Evelyn’s salon was the most popular in the capital, especially busy during the ball season.
She and her staff probably barely slept while working on dresses before the ball.
Leah felt grateful that Evelyn came herself despite her busy schedule.
After a shower, Leah joined Isabella in the drawing room.
“You’re here! I’ve been waiting, Lady Leah!”
Evelyn greeted her warmly from the sofa.
“You’re so busy these days. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
“Not at all. I wanted to help you try on the dress myself.”
Evelyn pulled a light purple dress out of a box on the table.
“Wow…”
The dress had short sleeves and a flowy, lightweight fabric—perfect for the summer.
It was beautiful.
“Evelyn, you’ve made another wonderful dress.”
Isabella praised her.
“Thank you, Duchess. I really put my heart into this one.”
“It shows.”
Isabella gently touched the dress and agreed.
“Lady Leah, would you like to try it on?”
With Evelyn’s help, Leah put on the dress.
It was so comfortable, it almost felt like she wasn’t wearing anything.
“Hmm, hmm…”
Evelyn walked around Leah, checking everything carefully.
When Leah saw Evelyn’s satisfied expression, she felt relieved that it fit perfectly.
“You look absolutely stunning.”
Evelyn clasped her hands in awe, standing a few steps back.
“With some makeup and accessories, no one will be able to take their eyes off you.”
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Leah.
“I agree, it suits you so well.”
Isabella smiled proudly beside her.
“Ever since I first saw you at the salon, I thought you’d look amazing in a glamorous dress.”
“Thank you… that’s very kind of you to say.”
Leah was flustered by all the compliments.
“I’ve always wanted to see you in a dress I made myself. Today, my wish came true!”
“I’m the one who’s honored, Madam Evelyn.”
“No, I’m honored!”
After exchanging heartfelt thanks, Evelyn left, though she looked a little sad to go.
There were only two days left until the Crown Prince’s birthday ball.
Leah focused on preparing for it over the next two days.
—
The day of the Crown Prince’s birthday ball finally arrived.
Even though the event was in the evening, Leah couldn’t eat anything in the morning.
“I feel so nervous I might throw up.”
Isabella told her she needed to eat something so she’d have the energy to dance and talk to people.
So at lunch, Leah forced herself to eat.
In the afternoon, she got dressed with help from the maids.
“Mom, you look just like a princess from a fairy tale today.”
Raphaella stuck close to Leah and smiled.
“Seriously, you look gorgeous.”
Penelope gave her a thumbs-up.
“You’re definitely going to be the star of the ball.”
Because her heart was pounding so fast, everyone’s voices felt distant to Leah.
“Lady Leah, you’re ready now.”
“Thank you, Paula.”
Fully prepared, Leah left the room with the others.
“Ugh, I can’t calm down.”
She held onto the stair railing as she walked toward the entrance hall.
Johann stood up the moment he saw her.
The lavender dress sparkled under the chandelier light, and the teardrop-shaped diamond necklace and earrings highlighted her beauty.
She wore an engagement ring on her left ring finger.
As she walked down the stairs elegantly, Johann’s heart started pounding like crazy.
“I bet my face is bright red right now.”
Every part of his body acted on its own when he looked at Leah.
He’d always lived with strict control over himself.
He usually hated when people broke that control—but with Leah, it felt different.
He actually liked how she made him lose control.
She was the only one who made him feel this way.
“The dress looks amazing on you.”
It took a moment before Johann snapped out of it and spoke.
“Thank you.”
He escorted her to the carriage.
Leah was so nervous that she held tightly onto his hand the whole way.
“…Phew, I feel like my heart’s going to pop out of my chest.”
She lightly covered her mouth.
“Saying ‘don’t be nervous’ won’t help right now, will it?”
Johann looked at her with concern.
“…I just hope this ball ends quickly.”
“Once you’re there, you might relax a little.”
“No way… I’m sure I won’t.”
Leah shook her head.
“…”
Johann stayed quiet.
“But I’ll do my best, so don’t worry.”
Leah forced a smile.
“I’m not worried about that. I’m worried you’re too anxious and it’ll be hard for you.”
“…Oh.”
Leah’s cheeks flushed a little.
His gentle tone and his concern made her heart flutter.
“Thank you for worrying about me.”
She turned her face to the window so he wouldn’t see her blushing.
Johann didn’t say anything else and let her rest until they reached the palace.
Finally, the carriage arrived at the palace, which was shining more brightly than usual.
“Shall we get out?”
“…Yes.”
Leah took a deep breath and grabbed his hand.
As they walked up the steps together, she tried to calm her racing heart.
Gulp.
Once those grand doors opened, all the nobles inside would stare at them.
“Don’t be too nervous. If I am, I’ll just mess up more.”
“Ahem! The Duke Johann von Blumhardt and his fiancée Lady Leah von Blumhardt are entering!”
The doors opened, and the attendant shouted loudly.
As soon as they stepped in, the whole ballroom went silent.
“…”
Some nobles peeked sideways at Leah, others openly stared.
Their eyes made her feel self-conscious, but she stood straighter so she wouldn’t look timid.
“It’s okay. You’re now the Duke of Blumhardt’s fiancée. No need to be nervous.”
Johann’s soft voice helped her relax just a little.
“…Okay.”
As they entered the ballroom, the nobles started talking again.
They seemed hesitant to approach, but finally a middle-aged man walked toward them.
It was Duke Eisner, one of the five grand dukes and the Crown Princess’s father.
Thankfully, Leah recognized him thanks to Isabella’s detailed lessons over the past week.
“Duke Blumhardt, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, I haven’t been to the Crown Prince’s birthday ball in years, so I made time for it today.”
“This is my fiancée, Lady Leah von Blumhardt.”
“Nice to meet you, Duke Eisner.”
Leah greeted him politely.
“Pleasure to meet you, Lady Leah.”
Despite his stern appearance, Duke Eisner’s tone was kind.
“I heard you saved Duke Blumhardt’s life. Is that true?”
“Yes. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be here now.”
Johann answered for her.
Nearby nobles who overheard him widened their eyes.
“Is that really Duke Blumhardt?”
“Did we hear him right?”
They exchanged shocked glances.
As the conversation with Duke Eisner ended, the ballroom doors opened again, and the attendant shouted,
“Her Majesty Empress Narcissa von Valerius, Her Highness Princess Patrizia von Valerius, and His Highness Prince Florian von Valerius are entering!”
Leah froze and turned her head toward the Empress.
