Chapter 4
The Flower of High Society
“Ernst von Howard. Captain of the Royal Guard. Second son. Owns a modest estate in the South. Annual income… well.”
Listening to Margarete’s rapid whispers beside her ear, Ariel hid her lips behind her fan and blinked twice.
Night had fallen, and the imperial debut ball sponsored by the royal family was in full swing. At that very moment, a man was approaching her.
“Good evening, my lady.”
“This is Captain Howard. And this is my daughter, Ariel.”
Margarete introduced the two with a gracious smile. Ariel responded with a slight incline of her head befitting a lady, though inwardly she was already searching for a way to refuse him.
Second son.
That alone failed her mother’s standards. The uncertain annual income made it even worse.
“Isn’t the waltz wonderfully lively tonight?”
“It truly is. I’ve danced so many in a row that I’m feeling a little tired.”
“Oh dear. Then perhaps you would allow me to treat you to a glass of lemonade?”
“I’ll promise you the third lemonade instead.”
Hinting at a nonexistent prior engagement, Ariel smiled politely. Ernst returned a gentlemanly smile, understanding her meaning immediately. After exchanging a few more social pleasantries, the Rosenberg ladies excused themselves.
But they had barely taken several steps before a group of noblewomen intercepted them.
“Countess, however did you raise your daughter so beautifully?”
“What flattering praise on a day like this.”
Margarete answered modestly, but Ariel knew the truth. Her mother’s spirits were soaring high enough to pierce the heavens.
Every spring, the royal audience that marked the opening of the social season also determined that year’s Flower of High Society.
There were no official standards, and yet the judgment of the nobility was stricter than any written rule. No one formally declared it. Through invisible consensus and endless whispers, the crown of flowers naturally found its owner.
“I simply cannot understand why her debut was delayed for so long.”
At those words, every gaze turned toward Ariel.
The flower of this social season.
Ariel von Rosenberg.
Within only a few hours, the title had settled naturally upon her shoulders, and she had instantly become the most talked-about lady in society. A young woman of such caliber should have been desperate to debut as early as possible.
“She spent time traveling to broaden her horizons.”
The answer Ariel had already repeated dozens of times slipped smoothly from her lips.
To be honest, that was not the only reason.
To hide the strange discomfort twisting inside her chest, Ariel lifted her fan slightly over her lips. After lingering politely a little longer, she quietly slipped away from the crowd while her mother remained absorbed in conversation.
She needed some fresh air.
“It seems Duke Devonshire won’t be attending tonight after all.”
The voice that caught her ankle came just then.
“He attended the first event every year before this.”
“I heard he’s extremely busy with business these days. Perhaps he’ll become an even rarer sight from now on.”
When Ariel turned her head, she saw five or six young ladies and gentlemen gathered together.
Her thoughts instantly returned to the moment she had stood before the Queen.
The doors opening. Brilliant light pouring in. The sound of her own footsteps. The suffocating stillness. The Queen’s gaze. The countless eyes watching her. And above all, the frantic pounding of her heart.
Even while her mind had gone blank from nervousness, Ariel had desperately struggled not to lose her composure as she walked forward. She looked once toward Queen Adelhardt II seated upon the platform, then cautiously swept her gaze across the nobles observing nearby.
Only after confirming that the person she feared was absent did the uneasily trembling green eyes calm at last. Relief washed over her, accompanied by a strange prickling discomfort in her chest.
Yet after delivering the curtsey she had practiced countless times, the only thing visible on Ariel’s face was the smile of a perfectly cultivated flower.
Queen Adelhardt II examined her as though appraising a precious work of art before nodding in satisfaction.
Grace. Etiquette. Refinement.
She passed in every regard.
“Lady Rosenberg, may I have the honor of the next waltz?”
A voice suddenly shattered her thoughts.
Startled, Ariel turned around.
Against the backdrop of a dark crimson sky, the train thundered along the tracks.
When the first-class carriage finally arrived at Kelt Central Station and its doors opened, Leonardo stepped out.
For a man who constantly traveled between Chesmore Territory and the capital city of Kelt, trains were the most familiar form of transportation. The two-hour journey passed quickly whenever he buried himself in paperwork.
Leonardo casually placed the top hat he had been loosely holding onto his head and glanced toward the attendant waiting for him. After bowing respectfully, the attendant immediately guided the duke toward his carriage.
I’m going to get another lecture.
He could already picture the first words his beloved aunt — and respected Queen — would say to him.
Business is important, but you must not neglect high society.
Of course Leonardo already knew that. That was why he tried to attend every major social event possible. But this time could not be helped. Problems had arisen during an ongoing merger and acquisition deal, and resolving them had left him no time to spare.
He pulled a repeater pocket watch from his coat and checked the hour.
“Shall we head to the manor, Your Grace?” the coachman asked while opening the carriage door.
Leonardo’s blue eyes lowered thoughtfully for a moment before returning to the man.
At this hour, Adelhardt II had likely already left the ballroom. Still, by tomorrow morning, news of his attendance — or lack thereof — would surely reach the Queen.
“No. To the imperial palace.”
After giving the short order, Leonardo stepped into the carriage.
Crossing his long legs elegantly as he sat, he stared out at the passing scenery with detached indifference.
I’ll just smoke in the cigar room for a while.
“When did you get here? You startled me.”
A handsome red-haired man smiled mischievously at Ariel.
“Just now.”
Valentin, who had apparently been in the cigar room with the gentlemen, extended his arm toward her in a gentlemanly manner. Considering they had known each other since childhood, the formal gesture felt awkward between them, but throughout the evening Ariel had already witnessed several unfamiliar sides of him.
“You seem incredibly popular tonight.”
At his teasing compliment, Ariel only let out a tired laugh. Valentin instantly recognized the look in her eyes — the expression she wore whenever she was exhausted but trying hard not to show it.
If it were up to him, he would ask Ariel to dance like every other wolf circling her tonight.
“Want to escape?”
But he decided to be satisfied with having shared her first dance as her partner.
“Escape where?”
“Anywhere. Especially if it means avoiding Captain Howard waiting for his third lemonade.”
“Pfft.”
For the first time that evening, a genuine laugh escaped Ariel’s lips. When she asked how he knew, Valentin casually gestured toward Ernst wandering nearby.
Come to think of it, both men belong to the Royal Guard.
It explained how the news had spread so quickly.
Strangely enough, Valentin suddenly felt unfamiliar to her. The boy she remembered had merely been a carefree troublemaker constantly running around Milton Abbey.
Now he carried the scent of a dependable soldier living an entirely new life in Kelt.
Still, she was grateful he was here. Thanks to him, she had managed to relax at least a little during her first dance and even now.
“Did you see Captain Howard’s expression?”
After escaping the ballroom, the two of them giggled mischievously like children again. At Valentin’s playful question, Ariel laughed softly but still worried inwardly.
“He outranks you, doesn’t he? Are you sure this is okay?”
“I’ll just tell him I’m your eternal first lemonade.”
“What does that even mean?”
The moment they escaped the dazzling ballroom, formality melted away and a comfortable warmth settled between them.
Only then did Ariel realize how tense she had been all day. The moment she sat down on a bench in the dark garden, all the strength drained from her body.
“Lean on me.”
As she tilted her head back and gazed at the night sky, supporting herself with both arms, Valentin’s gentle voice drifted toward her through the scent of flowers.
Ariel turned to look at him.
Was it her imagination?
For a moment, his voice had sounded strangely tender.
But when their eyes met, Valentin merely grinned innocently and shrugged one shoulder playfully.
“No thanks.”
She hesitated briefly before refusing.
Leaning against Valentin’s shoulder somehow felt… strange.
“Hm?”
A large hand suddenly cupped the back of her head.
The next thing she knew, her head was resting against Valentin’s shoulder.
“Valentin! Let go!”
“Just stay like this for a minute. You’re exhausted.”
“I’m fine.”
“Five minutes.”
“I said I’m really fine! Let go — my hair will get ruined!”
At some point, the gentleman and lady had disappeared entirely.
Valentin laughed while stubbornly holding her against his shoulder, and Ariel struggled furiously to push his hand away.
Perhaps that was why neither of them noticed someone approaching.
Only when Ariel sensed a presence did she jerk her head up in alarm. Startled, Valentin loosened his grip as well, allowing her to face the intruder directly.
And she froze like a statue.
Leonardo von Devonshire.
That arrogant, infuriatingly perfect man stood there, his narrowed eyes fixed coldly upon the two of them.
