Chapter 72
From early afternoon, carriages lined up in front of the main mansion’s gates, their banners—each bearing the crest of a noble house—fluttering in the wind.
As each carriage arrived, servants hurriedly moved about to welcome the guests.
“It’s been such a long time since Luciano hosted a ball.”
“I remember them being quite extravagant in the past… Oh my!”
The moment the ballroom doors opened, the invited nobles all widened their eyes in surprise.
“Good heavens…”
“It feels like we’ve stepped into a forest!”
Dreamy, dazed voices escaped naturally from their lips.
What spread before their eyes was not the usual ballroom adorned with golden chandeliers and marble pillars.
The hall was deliberately dimmed, creating a soft twilight ambiance—like entering a forest at dusk.
Instead of bright chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, small, refined magic stones floated and shimmered like stars in a night sky.
Living plants placed around the hall exuded freshness and life.
“Please take one of these lanterns.”
Each guest received a small portable lantern upon entry.
Its soft glow illuminated their surroundings, and the guests stepped carefully forward—like explorers entering a secret realm.
Then, from somewhere, came the sound of birdsong.
“Oh my, are there birds inside the ballroom?”
“No! They’re not real—look! Those are mechanical, probably made with image stones.”
A lady with sparkling eyes pointed at the walls, where lifelike bird models sat within delicately crafted golden cages.
“I’ve never seen a ball like this.”
“It feels like a whole new world created by magic.”
Someone murmured, brushing a hand over their chest in awe.
It was a fantastical scene—an intricate blend of nature, magic, and craftsmanship.
Just breathing in that air made one feel as though they had stepped into a dream.
Then came the herald’s voice.
“His Highness Prince Siren Elka of the Kingdom of Elka, and Her Imperial Highness Princess Annabel Laenos of the Laenos Empire, are entering!”
The nobles in the hall all bowed their heads in unison.
As the doors opened again, a pair—a man and a woman—stepped forward.
A lady who had lifted her gaze briefly froze at the sight of the prince’s face, then quickly bowed again.
But once seen, that image was not easily forgotten.
He was otherworldly—beautiful to the point of seeming unreal, like a fae creature emerging from the woods.
His silvery-platinum hair shimmered with each movement, and his eyes—clear and blue as a tranquil lake—sparkled every time he blinked.
The white suit embroidered with sky-colored thread suited him perfectly, harmonizing with the forest-like scenery around him.
Following him was Princess Annabel Laenos, of the Imperial family.
She moved with stately grace, her golden hair—symbolic of imperial blood—shining like spun sunlight, and her crimson eyes gleaming with quiet authority.
Her straight posture and commanding presence drew every gaze in the room.
Both radiated an aura that effortlessly drew attention; all eyes followed them in reverent silence.
“This is quite the spectacle Luciano has prepared,” said Annabel, her red eyes glimmering.
Prince Siren tilted his head slightly.
“Is it not typical?”
“No, not at all. Even in the Empire, such a ball would be rare. I believe it’s quite enough to show you the magic you were hoping to see.”
At her words, Siren’s eyes softened with amusement.
He slowly lifted his gaze and looked around the hall.
“It’s interesting. It reminds me somewhat of Elka’s style. We try to capture the essence of the sea… but here, they’ve captured the forest.”
His eyes paused briefly on one of the caged metal birds as he continued softly,
“I’m curious what kind of people the Duke and Duchess of Luciano are, to have prepared something like this.”
Almost as if on cue—
“His Grace Duke Denok Luciano and Her Grace Duchess Edith Luciano are entering!”
The doors, which had not opened since the prince’s arrival, swung wide again as the hosts of the evening appeared.
The moment the doors opened, countless gazes poured over me all at once.
A ripple of tension ran down my spine, but I drew a slow breath.
Tonight, I was Edith—heir to the blood of Sertia.
Dignified, untouchable, and fearless.
That thought alone lifted the corners of my lips naturally.
It was the smile I had once been drilled to perfect through years of strict training.
As Denok and I stepped into the quiet hall, hushed gasps rippled through the crowd.
All eyes turned toward him.
They couldn’t look away.
Wide-eyed, mouths slightly open—
For many of the nobles, this was their first time seeing the transformed Denok.
Their reactions were… quite satisfying.
Especially when I recalled how they had treated him before.
‘He really does look incredible tonight.’
His dark hair, loose across his forehead, caught the dim light as he moved. Each step made it sway gently, revealing sharp eyes that glimmered like cold steel as they swept across the ballroom.
His fitted uniform framed his broad shoulders perfectly, the sleek line of his jacket emphasizing a strong, disciplined physique.
Even though the attire was formally cut and roomy, it still looked almost too tight—his solid build unmistakable.
It wasn’t hard to see why people had once called him the “Beast Duke.”
Sure enough, across the room, the faces of several young ladies flushed a delicate pink.
Cutting through their stunned gazes, we made our way slowly forward.
Since tonight’s ball was also meant to showcase new magical technologies,
we had intentionally arrived last—to command every eye from the very beginning.
Greeting guests as we passed, we made our way to the raised platform at the end of the hall.
“Thank you all for accepting our invitation. It’s been a long time since Luciano held a ball—I hope you enjoy yourselves to the fullest tonight.”
I finished my greeting with a gentle smile, watching as the nobles exchanged uncertain looks.
The invitation had hinted that we would unveil something new—Luciano’s fresh beginning.
‘Is that it?’ their eyes seemed to ask, puzzled and expectant.
Of course, that wasn’t all.
I clapped my hands lightly, as though suddenly remembering something.
“Oh, right—what’s a ball without music?”
The instant I finished speaking, Denok raised both hands.
Blue light flared at his fingertips and rippled outward like a wave, softly enveloping the hall.
Then—
Chirp. Chirp.
Chiiirp—
The faint birdsong that had merely been background noise moments ago suddenly rang out, clear and vibrant.
At the same time, the cages scattered throughout the hall clicked open.
And then—
The metallic birds, once thought to be mere decorations, spread their wings and took flight in unison.
“Oh my goodness!”
“They’re actually flying?”
“How can they move so smoothly?”
The little birds, each with a glowing blue magic stone embedded in its chest, glided gracefully through the air—
circling the ceiling like living constellations.
Gasps of wonder spread through the crowd.
Below the spectacle, the orchestra began to play a gentle string melody.
Everyone held their breath as they gazed upward.
And so—
The first act of the ball began.
UNLOCK SOON!~