### Episode 28: The Debutante (2)
—
On the day of the debutante ball.
Surrounded by countless maids, I endured their attentions while dressed to the teeth, waiting for Cecilia to finish her preparations, left nearly frozen in my dazzling white attire.
‘Damn. I can practically understand how small dogs feel. Now I know why people aren’t supposed to swarm over puppies…’
I’ve heard that cute puppies can experience extreme stress if too many people suddenly pet or fuss over them at once, and I think I understand why now.
Even as a human, I feel drained just from getting dressed up, so imagine how much worse it must be for dogs.
‘Ah… I really don’t think social circles are for me. After this event, I should minimize my appearances in public settings as much as possible—’
“E-excuse me, Young Master… Are you there?”
Just then, Ria’s trembling voice came from outside the door, and the door opened slowly.
“Yes. Please come in! You weren’t tired from getting ready for too long, were you—”
Relief washed over me that the long wait was finally over, and I prepared to warmly welcome Ria.
“Um…how do you think? Bell and the maids all said I look pretty, but… does Young Master think I look alright?”
“…”
“Young Master?”
“…”
Tap tap—
“H-Hyeeek!!”
“H-Hyieeek!!”
“What…? Oh? When did you come over here?”
“Just now. I asked for your opinion, but you didn’t respond…”
The moment she walked in, I froze like someone struck by an ice spell.
She wore a pure white dress with elegant simplicity, adorned only with earrings and a necklace. The dress featured no gemstones or elaborate jewelry—just small flower embellishments made of fabric and delicate lace trim along the hemline. But she radiated such brilliance that it made her appear like a goddess descending from a myth.
To tell the truth, though I might seem rude for saying this, I found Ria before me more beautiful than any goddess I had ever encountered.
“Do you… not like it?”
Thinking I disliked her appearance, Ria seemed downcast.
The maids observing the scene from behind glared at me, silently giving me harsh looks.
“No, that’s not it.”
“Huh?”
“To tell the truth—it made me speechless… You’re so beautiful, too beautiful.”
“H-Hyeeek…”
Realizing the sincerity of my words, Ria initially stared blankly, pondering their meaning before her face exploded into a fiery blush, glowing brighter than an active volcano.
And as I confessed my true feelings, my face gradually grew warmer, feeling hotter than usual.
The maids watching this scene grinned, as if indulging in a sweet dessert, beaming with happiness.
“It’s probably thanks to Melhen for creating the dress well… And the maids also worked hard…”
“That’s true, but it’s mostly because Ria is naturally beautiful.”
“Uhhhh…”
Unaware of how it slipped out, Ria now buried her face into the floor, unable to lift her head.
By the way, number two maid in the back—you’re bleeding from your nose.
Taking a few deep breaths to quiet my wildly racing heart, I gently extended my hand toward her.
Swoosh—
“Shall we… go now? My parents are waiting downstairs.”
“Yes…”
—
*
My family decided to ride together in a single carriage to the gala.
At first, we planned to take two carriages—one for Ria and me, the other for my mother and father—but Mother suggested that riding together would better showcase our harmonious family relationship.
“Since there was no prior announcement of your engagement, there may be much talk about your relationship. By entering together with us, as your in-laws, we can reduce a lot of suspicions.”
Indeed…
While our engagement has been kept secret so far, once we make it public, there will be plenty of talk among the nobility.
They aren’t fools; they can predict what discussions might have occurred between the Count Netorie’s House and Duke Boich’s House when they look at our financial situation and the prestige of both families.
This performance was meant to ensure that the gossip mills wouldn’t turn the relationship into a scandal—namely, rumors like Duke Boich selling his daughter to the Count Netorie’s House or a troubled engagement due to my own mischievous reputation.
As always, my mother covered aspects I hadn’t even considered.
“Daughter-in-law.”
“Yes! Yes! Father!”
Ria jumped in response to my father’s call, responding rigidly.
Ria still seems to find my father a bit intimidating.
It’s understandable—it’s not like he has a friendly face, and his lack of expression might give Ria the impression that he doesn’t approve or favor her.
“This is your first debutante ball. Your parents will also be attending, do you know that?”
“Yes… I am aware.”
At the thought of meeting her parents, Cecilia’s mood seemed to darken.
Given the excessive zeal for education and overbearing attention they subjected her to, bordering on neglect and abuse, it’s no surprise that she feels uneasy about this meeting.
“I know you don’t particularly like the Duke and Duchess. Even I have my eyes and ears open. But, since you decided to join this ball, I assume you’ve prepared yourself.”
“Yes…”
“But.”
With his typically impassive face, Father gazed steadily into Cecilia’s eyes.
Though it might be my imagination, the usual intimidating aura seems slightly reduced today.
Perhaps there are worry and encouragement in those eyes.
“If it becomes too difficult, you can simply make a fleeting appearance and leave early. I’ll handle the aftermath. Most of the nobles here are connected to my business, so they won’t say much.”
“…Thank you, Father.”
“Hmm…”
Ria’s expression of gratitude seemed to embarrass my father, who turned his head to the window after giving a slight cough.
“Goodness, look at him being sweet all of a sudden!” Mother teased.
“…Be quiet.”
The carriage finally reached the location of the event. Following Father and Mother, I gently helped Ria step out.
Today’s gala host was Marquis Altero.
Word has it that the respected Marquis Altero family is hosting a grand event to celebrate his daughter’s coming-of-age birthday.
Perhaps because he’s known to be a doting father, the pathway to the Marquis’ estate displays adorable accessories like flower crowns and flower rings he made for his daughter when she was younger.
Seeing the stark contrast between this setting and Cecilia’s upbringing, an unsettling feeling stirred deep within me.
“What do you think the marquis’ daughter thinks when she sees this?”
This must’ve been someone Cecilia hasn’t met before, judging from her tone.
“I don’t know? Perhaps she feels shy. As for me, I would try to stop it with my life, were I in her shoes…”
“Hehee, certainly, Young Master would do that…”
“Still… it seems she is very happy. Having someone who loves and treasures items you’ve made as gifts enough to keep them…”
At her gaze, softly lingering on the displays, I gently clasped her hand.
“Young Master?!”
“Next time—”
I tightened my grip—
“Let’s go on a picnic. To a place with lots of flowers. Let’s make flower crowns and rings as gifts for everyone back at the estate.”
“…Yes.”
—
As we approached the entrance of the mansion, my parents must have gone in before us.
An elegant and thin butler approached us, checking our identities against a guest list.
“May I have your names?”
“Rab Netoire, Cecilia Boich.”
“R-Rab—ah! Please, come in!”
In response to my brief introduction, the butler, who had been flipping through the guest list, seemed startled by my name “Rab” and nearly dropped the roster in a minor mishap.
Is it really that surprising for a wild child like me to attend a debutante gala?
“Count Netoire’s Young Master Rab Netoire and Duke Boich’s Lady Cecilia Boich enter!”
When the butler announced our names loud enough for the entire hall to hear, the nobility who were engaged in conversation paused and turned their gazes toward us.
‘It’s so intimidating.’
I’ve heard that when dreaming of nightmares and realizing you’re dreaming, your brain enters a defensive mode making it seem like everyone is looking at you. I didn’t expect it to feel this terrifying.
In the moment, noticing Cecilia’s trembling hand next to me, I turned to see her lips trembling out of tension.
Incredibly, seeing her like that somehow lifted the weight off my shoulders, making me realize how solid and grounding her presence is.
“Cecilia.”
“!”
“Shall we go?”
Tightening with tension, Cecilia looked up at me in response to my tender voice. Eventually, noticing her hand had stopped shaking, she nodded with a bright smile.
“There he is. Netorie’s Young Master.”
“Ah, isn’t he the famous troublemaker? But recently I’ve heard things have been rather quiet…?”
“The girl beside him—she’s Lady Cecilia from the Boich family, right? I thought the Duke and Duchess said she’s not well enough to attend such events, so what could be the reason?”
“They’re holding hands? Could it be that these two…”
Whispers began spreading around us.
The notorious troublemaker of the Netorie family and the mysterious Boich family noble lady walking hand in hand, dressed elegantly, has left everyone confused.
“Cecilia.”
A voice devoid of all affection and warmth reached us.
The icy temperature of the voice sent chills down the back of my neck, prompting me to glance toward its source.
‘They’ve finally arrived.’
Contrary to our simple attire, the Duke and Duchess appeared resplendent, adorned in dazzling jewelry and luxurious accessories that could blind anyone.
“It’s been a long time since we last met, Duke, Duchess.”
Sorry, but today, you’re not the main attraction.
—
And so the ball began.
