Chapter 100

One’s Blood (12)

“Do as you wish. My brother’s sin is too… It’s too big.”

Rowena could never forgive him or Paul. He didn’t even give an apology for what he did to her, but he did it to her other brothers.

Nevertheless, Paul was covering Matthias only.

Theo was already an adult, but Louis was the one she had to protect.

Rowena was not going to let Paul know Louis was safe until the right time to protect him.

“Will you be alright?”

Cecil looked anxiously at Rowena. Matthias was simply considered as trash to be cleaned up by him, but it was because of his ties to Rowena.

“Even if I’m not okay, it’s something to deal with.”

“Yes.”

Cecil held Rowena, who bowed her head, still in his arms. He had already made plans on how to deal with Adelia.

That would be when the Adelia family would be questioned about how they treated Rowena.

Now a little bit more…

The time was drawing near for the prey to take the bait.

* * *

The morning of the ball broke. All the aristocratic families invited were full of life. There was a rumor that the ball would be canceled at the news of the fire at the Count of Adelia, but it was a surprise.

Count Adelia was heartbroken and he couldn’t attend the ball, but the ball was held as scheduled.

There were already all kinds of rumors about him, and the ball just added fuel to the fire. There are already plenty of things to talk about at the ball.

Preparations for the ball, which began in the middle of the day, ended in the evening. This was because around that time, everyone lined up and headed to the palace.

At the entrance to the ballroom of the palace, a servant with an endless list of names confirmed the invitations of the nobles, and some high-ranking nobles could enter just by showing their faces.

Carriages with colorful gold foil and decorations continued to enter the palace.

An aristocrat from the countryside boasted that the palace was so spacious that it could accommodate the carriages of many nobles.

“…Lord Adelia will soon come to his senses.”

Cecil whispered as he sat by the bed and looked at Rowena, who could not relieve her worried face. Rowena also felt uncomfortable knowing that.

The ball was only a place to present herself in front of various nobles. The longer she stayed, the more controversial she was.

At most, she’ll have to dance two or three times and get out.

Still, Rowena was worried about Louis and Theo. In particular, she was more worried when she heard that Theo would be in a hotel room.

We’re not that close, but…

He was still her blood, even though he was indifferent and cold-hearted.

“Then, instead of dancing, you can return after receiving greetings from the nobles.”

The aristocrats wouldn’t think badly about her if she did because of the fire at her parents’ house the day before the ball. Rather, if Rowena had enjoyed the ball, they might have gossiped about her behind their smiling faces.

“I’ll look at the situation.”

Rowena said so and fell into Cecil’s arms. Cecil smiled lightly and kissed her lips softly as she raised her head.

Now, this kind of expression of affection had become familiar to the servants and maids.

“…Shall we go now?”

All preparations were done. Cecil grabbed Rowena’s hand and left the drawing room.

* * *

The ballroom was filled with ladies decorated with various jewels and dresses. They were like parrots or peacocks with colorful feathers. Although it was said that she became the fiancée after being favored by the crown prince, she was a Count’s daughter.

Neither rich nor destitute.

Maybe the only thing worth looking at was that the family had a long history. She was pretty well-reputed among the ladies, but that didn’t mean she was recognized as the prince’s fiancée.

Becoming the crown princess was a position that would stand above all the ladies in the future. It was because the position of the Empress was vacant in the Imperial family, as the two empresses were imprisoned.

She was in a bundle of nerves.

“The light and glory of the Empire, His Royal Highness the crown prince, and his fiancee, Lady  Adelia!”

When the servant raised his voice and announced the appearance of the two, the disturbance in the ballroom suddenly stopped. The nobles all bowed their heads and waited for the crown prince and Rowena Adelia to enter.

The crown prince was wearing a golden robe. The suit decorated with silver thread and pearls was dazzling. It was splendid but not vulgar.

Rowena’s dress was also tailored to match the crown prince’s. She was only a fiancee, but she already appeared to be a crown princess.

They saw the future from their side-by-side appearance.

The crown prince who would become emperor and the queen standing proudly next to him.

The current emperor did not even show up at a ball to celebrate the crown prince’s engagement. The seat of honor was already the seat of the crown prince, not the emperor.

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