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Eliana’s entrance caused a stir in the hall. Eliana came down the stairs step by step with the help of the attendant in the banquet hall. The ladies covered their mouths with fans and talked loudly. As if they wanted Eliana to hear.
“Oh my, look at that revealing dress.”
“An exposed chest and a tight waist? I’d rather she just came out in her undergarments.”
“Who says she’s not? Even that shameful exaggerated arse, isn’t that truly vulgar?”
At the same time, the men were stunned. It was because Eliana, who was rumored to be an ugly stepmother, looked exactly the opposite of what they expected.
Ignoring all the noise, Eliana walked down to the end of the stairs with dignified steps. Then two men approached and reached their hands out to Eliana. It was right before she was about to come down the last step.
One of the men was Gillian Hutt and the other was Oliver Norton. The woman was being escorted by a naval instructor who will soon become a Viscount and a Duke from a prestigious family from Conter. The uproar amidst the crowd got a little louder.
Eliana, left her hands to the two men and walked gently down the stairs. The first thing she did was to give Helen a light hug.
Having returned to society after a long time, they noticed that Helen was a little bit tense. However, with Eliana’s appearance, her expression gradually loosened up. The people shut their mouths when they realized that Helen and Eliana had matched their attires when they stood side by side.
When Eliana raised her chin, Gillian led the two towards the Duchess of Teneb. The Duchess of Teneb sat in the innermost part as she was always in her role of watching the party.
People split in the direction they were walking. Everyone couldn’t take their eyes off of them, but they didn’t dare come close. At the sight of Helen and Eliana appearing after everyone dispersed, Madam Teneb smiled curiously.
“It is my first time greeting the Duchess. This is Eliana Rose.”
“It has been a while, Duchess. This is Helen of the Hutts.”
Madam Teneb’s eyes moistened slightly, which immediately disappeared, as she looked at the two greeting her with their knees bent. She seemed to have recalled her old days but quickly regained her composure.
“Whose idea is this cute thing?”
“It was mine. I was looking for an outfit for my first social debut and found a dress that I couldn’t take my eyes off of.”
“Even if it’s an outfit that young people call ‘old-fashioned’ these days?”
“Just as jewelry does not turn into stone with the passage of time, I found Madam’s wise choice truly beautiful. No matter what others may say.”
Eliana’s eloquence could be clearly heard even by the ladies who cursed at her. They were surprised that the reticent Madam Teneb spoke so much. Moreover, when they learned that Eliana’s attire was related to Madam Teneb, they hurriedly closed their mouths.
The Duchess of Teneb, unlike Eliana, was an existence not to be reckoned with. Besides, today was the day her son, Jedia, and her daughter, Eileen, came together.
“Eliana, I don’t know what kind of plot you have to find this old woman in the first place.”
“…….”
“But to be honest, I am delighted. You are more beautiful than any lady I have met at every party I have attended in the last 10 years.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
Eliana said with a shy smile. Jedia, who was standing behind her, came into Eliana’s field of vision. He was wearing glasses with a bored expression on his face, but his gaze clearly contained Eliana.
Eliana didn’t look at him for long and turned to his side. Eileen, who had just turned 20, was looking at the two with a curious expression. She seemed interested about her style, which was the opposite of what she was wearing.
The song announcing the start of the banquet began. Soon, the time of pairing up for the first dance would come.
“Eliana, I wonder who you will have as your first dance partner. I don’t think it’s Baron Hunter.”
“It’s a bit of a dilemma as I didn’t become such a beloved wife.”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
She already expected for the Duchess of Teneb to understand. She had stayed with Duke Teneb her whole life who was clumsy in expressing affection. Much less Eliana, who was Baron Hunter’s fourth wife, and was widely rumored to be mistreated in the family.
“But not Jedia, Eliana.”
The Duchess of Teneb was half joking and half serious. Then Eliana continued with a bright smile. She didn’t even feel the slightest embarrassment.
“Well, I’m already married. Now, I dare not take the first dance of a handsome young man of marriageable age.”
“That is a little different from the rumors. Eliana.”
“I merely wanted to see.”
“What?”
“Madam’s first dance.”
The Duchess of Teneb burst into laughter. As if she had never even thought of it. At that moment, Gillian Hutt knelt in front of her.
“If you do not mind, will you be my first partner? Duchess of Teneb.”
The woman’s laughter stopped. Not expecting this, she looked at Eliana and Gillian alternately.
***
A few days before the banquet, the square.
“You’re telling me to ask the Duchess of Teneb for her first dance?”
At Eliana’s words, Gillian whispered in surprise. Like a secret no one should ever hear. Eliana smiled broadly and answered him.
“Yes. That Duchess of Teneb.”
“The Madam does not dance. She always sits in a chair and watches young people frolic-about, and then leave at the right time. She goes to parties a lot, but she’s not the type to enjoy it that much.”
“You don’t enjoy it that much.”
“Eliana. Don’t pick on my words.”
Gillian spoke firmly, as if he would never be beaten with Eliana’s skill with words. Helen, who was beside him, did not know what to do, so she looked at the two alternately.
Eliana took a sip of her tea and continued the conversation.
“The Duke of Teneb was a very conservative man. Therefore, after marriage, the Madam could no longer freely move. Perhaps it was because his wife was so beautiful, but it was like breaking the wings of a young and bright woman.”
“That was when she was young. The Madam is middle-aged now.”
Gillian responded, not wanting to lose. But Eliana spoke without backing down an inch.
“What’s different about her being middle-aged? Her heart still flutters for the same thing, and she still finds the same things beautiful. Rather, she would feel a stronger fascination because of her experience.”
“If I ask Madam for her first dance, what’s the difference?”
“Your second dance partner will be the difference.”
“Who is that?”
“Eileen Teneb.”
Gillian raised his eyebrows at the mention of Eileen’s name. She was too high of a woman for himself. She was from a good family, young in age, with a beautiful face and lively personality, she lacked nothing. But she had no connection with Gillian.
“That’s ridiculous. She and I have no connection at all…….”
“The first dance partner will be the connection.”
Gillian’s mouth hung wide at Eliana’s words. She planned to use the Duchess of Teneb to create a connection between him and Eileen.
“Do you think the Duchess will be unaware of that?”
Gillian said dumbfoundedly, Eliana followed up with a laugh.
“Once in a while there are things that you do even knowingly.”
“And what are such things?”
“Do what I say. You have nothing to lose.”
“And if no one wants to dance with me?”
“Then I’ll reach my hand out first. Sir Gillian Hutt, prospective Viscount.”
Gillian could only say “Ha” at Eliana who wouldn’t lose to a single word, and leaned deeply in his chair. Helen, who watched motionlessly, clapped softly.
“Helen, whose side are you on?”
Helen smiled sheepishly at Gillian’s rebuke. Gillian smiled helplessly and looked at Eliana.
***
Madam Teneb was so bewildered at sight of the hand extended towards her. She stammered as she did not know what to do.
“I, I haven’t danced in a long time. All my steps will be twisted, and it’s going to be a mess……. It’ll be a disgrace.”
But she couldn’t hide her blushing cheeks at the request. Gillian laughed softly and told her.
“Wouldn’t it be a greater honor for me if I danced with the most elegant woman here, regardless if it was a messy dance?”
Eliana snorted inwardly as she listened to Gillian. Where did the person who said he couldn’t do it go? His slick words were the perfect way to make a woman’s heart flutter.
“Since the Lord asked, then I can’t help it.”
The Duchess of Teneb took a long breath and took his hand. Eliana smiled widely and glanced at Helen. Helen also smiled brighter than anyone else as she met Eliana’s gaze. At the same time, in front of Helen, someone dropped on one knee.
“Lady H-Helen. Will you give m-me the honor of being your first d-dance? Dance with me…….”
The man named Ray was the first to put in a marriage proposal for Helen after her divorce. Helen’s cheeks blushed and when Eliana saw her just standing there, Eliana whispered.
“Didn’t I tell you? Helen is beautiful. Go on, take his hand. He must have been waiting for this day.”
Helen nodded her head slightly and placed her small hand on Ray’s outstretched hand and stood up. Then Ray Odelli, not knowing what to do, shook her hand.
“Will you r-really dance with me?”
“Yes. It’s fine.”
Helen’s small voice brought a bright smile to Ray’s face. Eliana chuckled faintly at the unexpected harvest.
Because he was none other than Ray Odelli, the youngest son of this ball’s host, Count Odelli. As she chuckled, someone whispered from behind Eliana.
“You, what are you doing?”
Eliana could tell who it was without turning her head.