Chapter 69
Gremory blinked slowly.
“I don’t get it.”
“His Highness didn’t carefully pick out that outfit for Lady Ortega. It was for you—so you two could have a more special and glamorous time before the ball.”
“…Really?”
“Do you think the Grand Duke would choose clothes while thinking about someone else? He only ever thinks about you, Miss Mori. It’s almost ten o’clock, let’s hurry and get that nightgown off!”
Anna dressed Gremory in the gown. With a fluttering heart, Gremory quietly changed her clothes. Her hair was decorated with sapphire accessories from the box. Finally, after a touch of makeup, Gremory looked stunning—beautiful enough to captivate anyone’s gaze.
Standing before the full-length mirror, Gremory stared blankly at her reflection. It was the most beautiful version of herself, styled with care by Cheshion.
Something stirred deep inside her, like she was floating in a dream.
“Miss, are you touched? That’s the face you’re making.”
“Touched?”
“Well, how could you not be? This was a gift carefully chosen just for you by the Grand Duke, something that suits you perfectly.”
Gremory looked herself over in the mirror, smiling softly as she savored this new feeling—this emotion called being moved.
‘So this is what a gift is. I think I finally know what to give Cheshion in return.’
Anna beamed and held out her hand.
“Miss, let’s go. Shall I escort you to the ballroom?”
“Sure.”
Happily, Gremory took Anna’s hand and headed to the ballroom.
They arrived at the midnight ballroom. The trees around the building were decorated with glowing magical quartz. The gentle lights illuminated the entrance in a dazzling glow.
“Wow… Isn’t this beautiful, Miss? It’s like they brought the Milky Way down here.”
“It really is. It feels like I’m standing in an emerald forest.”
“Your dress suits this scenery perfectly. The Grand Duke must have considered even this setting when choosing your outfit. How romantic!”
Gremory reached out, enchanted by the quartz crystals hanging from the trees. Their soft white glow reminded her of Cheshion’s calming eyes.
As they reached the ballroom entrance, Anna let go of Gremory’s hand.
“From here on, you should go in alone. I wouldn’t want to interrupt your date.”
“Alright, go get some rest.”
“Have a wonderful time!”
Anna cheerfully waved goodbye and left. Gremory walked into the ballroom with light steps.
Inside the vast hall stood only Cheshion, wearing the uniform he had agonized over earlier, looking as handsome as ever.
He smiled brightly as he approached the invited Gremory.
“You’re here? I was worried you wouldn’t come.”
“What is all this?”
“Before I have to dance with that awful Catherine, I wanted to give you an even more beautiful dance.”
Cheshion lowered his posture and extended his hand.
“Mori, will you let me give you the best dance of all?”
“…Ah.”
His gentle gaze searched her eyes. Gremory’s dark pupils sparkled brightly. Cheshion chuckled softly at how adorable she looked.
“I’m planning to wear a much uglier uniform to Catherine’s ball tomorrow. And I’ll probably trip a few times while dancing.”
“…And your partner will be less pretty than me too.”
“Exactly.”
“Don’t even make eye contact with her.”
“Understood. I won’t.”
Gremory slowly placed her hand in his. As the magic sound system activated, soft music filled the air, and their private dance began.
Cheshion moved slowly, matching Gremory’s steps. Gremory did her best not to step on his feet.
“Cheshion.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m worried about the ball. What if the witches target you again?”
The highest virtue of witches is to hide their presence from humans. So they likely wouldn’t cause a scene and expose themselves at a ball. But she still felt uneasy.
“It’s okay. Kurhen gave me something useful.”
“What is it?”
“A scented pouch that gives off a special smell when a witch comes near. With it, I’ll be able to detect them before they get close. So I won’t get caught off guard like last time.”
“That’s not enough. Wrap yourself in sacred relics too.”
“Of course I will.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Then now, focus on me.”
Cheshion suddenly came close and lifted Gremory into the air. As he spun her in a circle, the hem of her dress fluttered elegantly.
He looked at her with affection as her eyes widened in surprise. Her pure reaction made him want to tease her a little.
Smooch.
He placed a brief kiss on her forehead. A soft blush bloomed on Gremory’s cheeks, though the dance didn’t stop.
Smooch.
Another kiss on her cheek deepened the blush. Gremory paused, thinking for a moment, then frowned.
“Do people normally kiss while dancing at balls? I’ve never heard of that.”
“Sometimes.”
“Only do this with me.”
“Of course.”
“If you do it with Catherine, I’ll kill you.”
A red glint flickered in Gremory’s eyes. Feeling a bit spooked, Cheshion decided to stop teasing.
The music ended. Cheshion cupped Gremory’s face in both hands and kissed her—for quite a while.
When their lips finally parted:
“You don’t have to say it. It’s only ever going to be you.”
“…Okay.”
Her face was now as red as a ripe peach. Feeling the heat, she turned her head in embarrassment.
But right then, she twisted her ankle and had to lean on Cheshion.
“Ow!”
“Sorry. Maybe I sent you heels that were too high. I thought they’d be okay.”
“It’s fine. I can heal it in an instant with just a bit of—”
She tried to heal it, but because of the sacred relic’s barrier, her witch healing powers wouldn’t activate.
“I’ll carry you. Let’s go.”
Cheshion lifted her in his arms and left the private ballroom with her.
As they left, Gremory thought about how her heart kept pounding. She didn’t understand why. She was a witch—was this some kind of arrhythmia?
Inside a carriage headed for House Ortega. Gremory and Cheshion had serious expressions.
At this ball, they had to face two types of enemies: House Ortega, which wanted to tie Cheshion down, and possibly the witch hunters who might try to target him again.
While they were gone, Alice stayed behind to guard the Edel estate. A sacred barrier had been set up, but still—just in case.
The carriage rolled forward, carrying an unwanted invitation to a place where something big might happen.
The garden of House Ortega, bathed in the sunset.
It was lavishly decorated—Catherine’s way of trying to impress Cheshion.
Standing at the center of the garden, Catherine laughed charmingly with her guests, dressed like a blooming bouquet.
Suddenly, a silence fell. Guests started glancing around and slowly left.
So it begins. Sensing the shift, Catherine turned around with a solemn expression.
As expected, Grand Duke Cheshion Edel had arrived with his lover in tow—for all to see. Even with his official partner still present.
As they approached, Catherine greeted them with a bright smile and lowered posture.
“It’s an honor to have you here, Your Grace. And you as well, Mori.”
Though she greeted Mori with her words, her eyes were fixed only on Cheshion.
He responded with neither warmth nor coldness, wearing a polite, expressionless smile.
“Thank you for the sacred relics. Thanks to House Ortega, they’re being put to good use where needed.”
“I’m also grateful that you agreed to be my ball partner. I was so excited I could hardly sleep.”
Catherine giggled and glanced at Gremory’s face. She hoped to provoke her, maybe see a flicker of emotion or weakness—but unexpectedly, the girl looked unbothered.
No, more like… uninterested in the whole situation. That cool attitude only made Catherine more competitive.
“Now that I think about it, this is your first time attending a House Ortega event, isn’t it? Would you allow me to give you a tour of the garden?”
Catherine subtly clung to Cheshion’s arm.
Gremory stared at her for a moment—
Then waved casually.
“Have fun, you two.”
And walked off, completely unbothered.
