Chapter 06
“That little thing?
“Do you see the dress I’m wearing? All the gems on the hem are diamonds. And the ones on the hem of Lady Songb’s dress—and even on the lace—are real diamonds too. Not some simulated ones.”
Belia spoke as she swept her gaze over the young ladies’ dresses.
“Can you afford to pay for them?”
The Arfedi Marquisate had a lineage that stretched back to the continental war hundreds of years ago.
No newly risen noble family could match their wealth or prestige.
“Such… such rumors…”
“You think it’s bad if rumors spread? I don’t care. But with three noble ladies involved, one of them being the daughter of Duke Doltan, don’t you think I can spread it too?”
Belia’s gaze turned toward the lone young lady standing behind the others.
The young lady flinched, as if she had been quietly watching the situation unfold.
She had beautiful violet eyes.
She was widely expected to become the Crown Princess one day.
Her doll-like face turned toward Belia, unreadable in expression.
“What do you think, Duke Doltan’s daughter? Or should I call you Lady Canaria?”
The three young ladies standing in front seemed flustered and turned their heads.
Among them, only Lady Deliver looked around, seemingly searching for someone other than the duke’s daughter.
“Well, if you’d like, you can send the bill for the dresses to our family. Then we’ll send you the invoice for the Songb dress.”
Belia smiled leisurely and walked away.
There was no way they would openly spread rumors about this.
What happened in the ballroom had to stay in the ballroom.
If they dragged it into high society, her family wouldn’t stay quiet either.
Such a mud-slinging match would benefit neither family.
And the Duke of Doltan would surely want to avoid this.
Because the duke’s daughter wants to become the Crown Princess.
Belia shrugged and glanced once more at the duke’s daughter.
Just then, Lady Deliver slipped away from the group.
For some reason, the Duke’s daughter’s shoulders briefly trembled.
* * *
“Um, Lady Belia, would you like something to drink?”
A young lady offered Belia a beverage.
Orange this time?
It was already her fifth drink.
“Ah, thank you.”
Belia smiled faintly as she accepted the drink.
The young lady blushed at her smile.
The other young ladies nearby were the same.
Though the most famous lady in society was Duke Doltan’s daughter, today Belia was no less radiant.
Whispers about which salon Belia used had already spread through the ballroom.
Questions about her dress flooded to Sof as well.
She wasn’t getting attention just for her beauty.
Belia had never been the type to stand out with personality or charm.
But today was different.
Confidence sparkled in her eyes, and she moved with pride.
Her graceful smile suited the noble lineage she came from.
Maybe it was the unique dress design, but she radiated a mature elegance rare for someone her age.
After all, the Arfedi family was just as old and noble as the Doltan family.
Until now, Belia had stayed quiet, so her presence felt faint. But if she chose to enter society in earnest, many young ladies would flock to her.
Even now, forming a group during her debut would help her gain influence in society.
But today, Belia wasn’t interested.
She had only just recovered her senses, and dealing with new people felt exhausting.
She had decided to live boldly and brilliantly, no longer in quiet shadows—but tonight, she just didn’t feel like it.
Belia took a sip to wet her throat. It was tart.
Was it because of what happened earlier?
When her eyes met someone showing goodwill, she gave them a gentle smile.
There were many possible reasons for the other ladies’ kindness today, but it didn’t seem to be about appearances alone.
Most likely, the earlier incident had affected quite a few of them.
“Well…”
Many of them had probably been victims of similar behavior before—it wasn’t surprising.
Belia shrugged and carelessly placed the empty glass on a nearby table.
I guess being kind does pay off.
Shaking her head, Belia stopped a young lady to ask,
“Excuse me, have you seen Lady Songb?”
“Lady Songb? Ah, I think she went out to the balcony… By the way, are Lady Songb and Young Master Pauline acquainted?”
“I heard they were familiar as children.”
Belia answered with a prepared reply, having expected the question from their surprised expressions. Then she turned her eyes toward the balcony.
Over there?
She wasn’t particularly close with anyone other than Songb, and she was feeling bored—when a sudden idea flashed in her mind.
Belia opened the balcony door next to the one where she guessed Songb and Young Master Pauline were.
She planned to check briefly if Songb was having a nice date.
Just as she drew the curtain in a rush—
“What the—?”
A strange voice made Belia whirl around in alarm.
A man with red hair and bright red eyes was standing there.
* * *
“The Tower Master…?”
Belia froze in shock.
At the same time, the fear and discomfort she had felt earlier crawled up from her toes and gripped her entire body.
“I claimed this spot first, you know.”
Carlton stared directly at her as he spoke.
Belia wanted to say something in response, but no words came out.
Her whole body was trembling.
“What’s this?”
Carlton frowned slightly at Belia, who was standing there, pale as a ghost.
“Ah…”
Their black and red eyes met again.
At that moment, Belia let out a faint groan as if in pain.
“Are you ill?”
Carlton stepped down from the balcony and slowly approached her.
Belia’s eyes quivered.
In her vision, Carlton transformed into something completely different.
An indescribable terror crushed her from head to toe.
“…Stop.”
“What?”
“Don’t come near me!”
Belia stammered and backed away, trembling.
Her fingers, chilled from fear, were cold as ice.
Her body wouldn’t move, but she resisted with all her strength.
She didn’t even know what she was resisting—it was instinct.
“You…”
Carlton’s expression shifted.
In a flash, he reached for her and grabbed her flailing wrist.
Smack.
“Don’t touch me!!”
Belia screamed.
“Huh?”
The moment his hand touched her, the vision that had engulfed her vanished.
The snake coiled around her ankles, the scorching fire behind her—they all disappeared.
The cold sweat on her skin felt even chillier in the breeze.
Even though she knew it had all been an illusion, her body still trembled.
“Are you alright?”
Carlton’s calm voice brought her back.
“Tower Master…”
Belia looked down at her wrist, still held by him.
“What happened…? Was that you?”
Carlton let go, his expression suggesting he found the question strange.
Belia flinched, startled, and quickly grabbed his hand again.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah—”
Carlton frowned, and Belia shrank back.
She had instinctively grabbed his hand, terrified that letting go would bring the horror back.
“Are you not letting go?”
Despite his displeased expression, Belia couldn’t release his hand.
She knew very well—if he wanted to, the Tower Master could harm her with magic right here and now.
She knew it was dangerous, but she couldn’t let go.
“I’m really sorry, but… can I hold on just a little longer?”
Belia spoke desperately.
“I’ll let go soon, I promise. I’m sorry. I’m just… having a hard time right now.”
She now clutched his hand tightly with both of hers.
His hand was much bigger and rougher than hers.
Belia forced her shaking legs to stand firm.
Carlton silently looked at her pleading gaze and then ran a hand down his own face.
Her small hands were damp.
Feeling her quickened pulse, he spoke in a calm voice.
“Is this the Empire’s way of doing things?”
“…Excuse me?”
Belia looked up in confusion.
The wind blew, rustling their matching black hair.
“The Empire really is different. Compared to the methods used in other kingdoms… much more refined, I’d say.”
“I don’t understand what you mean…”
Carlton observed her sweat-covered face and thought:
He had grabbed the hand of a young lady he didn’t even know because her trembling reminded him of how he used to be.
He had helped her without realizing it.
But if this too was a ploy to seduce him—then yes, the Empire truly was different.
Compared to the tricks used in other kingdoms—
This was more direct… and far more provocative.
