Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2

18 years old (2)

translated: eseul

edited: lili

When he took off his helmet, his black hair flowed down past his shoulders. The servants helped him remove the heavy armors from his chest, arms, and legs. He had never protected his body with so much during war. He had been marching through the streets dressed like a clown, while suffering through the endless people screaming their heads off. He had barely been able to endure marching in the perfect military formation, like the Emperor’s dog.

“Why don’t you hang some paintings here and there? It’s so barren here.”

However, that was not what was bothering him at the moment. An uninvited guest had followed him to his private quarters, being critical of everything. Although he was in the middle of changing, the other man shamelessly wandered around, engrossed in the surroundings.

“This is my bedroom.”

“Strictly speaking, this isn’t your bedroom. It’s the living room that happens to serve as a bedroom. This place is perfectly suited for a guest.”

“The guest living room is on the first floor.”

“If not today, when else would I be able to visit your home. Don’t be so stingy. I have some very nice art pieces. I shall send some over to you.”

He endured the rising anger in his heart; one would never know what he was really feeling from his outward appearance. He had an icy expression, while his red eyes looked calm and at peace.

He stoically let his servants attend to him, as they dressed him in a tailcoat suit. He was preparing for tonight’s victory ball.

He was originally going to rest, and only show up near the end of the ball. If it wasn’t for this irritating uninvited guest.

“I will only be able to go to today’s ball,” he said as he buttoned the cuff of his sleeve.

“Fine. But the party isn’t three days, but five…”

“Are you going back on your words?”

“I got it. Look, Duke. Why do you hate attending social parties? We have delicious wine, food, along with beautiful women. Why don’t you enjoy your time here?”

“I already have more than enough wine at home. I don’t have much of a hobby seeking for delicious food, either. Even without attending these parties, I already have more than enough women.”

“Look here. That’s not the only reason for these functions. Duke, you must help me out here. You gave me your word.”

“I promised I would help you when you become the next Emperor.”

“Is that so? Who do you think will be able to become the next Emperor if not me?”

Crown Prince Kwiz stood up tall and confident.

“Let us talk after you become the next Emperor.”

One never knew how the world would turn. Kwiz didn’t seem bothered by his words, but simply sighed.

“You’re more difficult to win over than a coy young lady.”

“A clingy man is never popular.”

“Mmn? Uh? Duke, was that a joke? That’s a joke, isn’t it?”

Kwiz laughed in amusement, but the other man was less than enthusiastic.

“Let us leave.”

He wanted to kick this uninvited guest from his private quarters as soon as possible.

* * *

The dress shop’s employee couldn’t help but save the day for this pitiful young miss. Lucia had to pay more than double for the dress and refitting. According to the employee, it was ‘today’s’ favorable price. She rationalized it by saying that the dress came along with a corset and panier. However, she wasn’t able to hire anyone to help with her makeup and hair.

Fortunately, Lucia knew some basic makeup and hairstyle techniques. However, if any professional beautician had seen her, they would click their tongue complaining at the miserable techniques and overall feel of her appearance.

By the time Lucia reached the banquet hall, she was tired to her bones. Her legs hurt from running all over town. Also, she had redone her makeup and hairstyle many times due to her poor skills, causing her a lot of stress.

‘All of today’s investments must not go wasted…’

Although she had attended many social functions in her dream, she was still very nervous and worried.

‘Ah… So many people. I’ll be run over by people if I’m not careful.’

The most eye-catching point of the ball were the chattering people all over the ballroom. Though nobles loved parties and balls, they had been abstaining due to the war, so they looked very cheerful and lively now. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all the nobles in the capital were attending today’s ball.

High-class social parties had limited invitations. Nobles didn’t socialize much with people outside of their social circle. It was nearly impossible for a low ranked noble to be able to attend the same banquet as the high ranked ones, unlike today. Therefore, any nobles looking to make connections with higher ranked nobles would be here. It was a good chance to get acquainted with other higher ranked nobles and make a name for themselves.

The chandeliers sparkled and the tables were overflowing with delicacies. The noble women were draped in fancy dresses and jewels, while men in sophisticated suits surrounded them. The music continued to softly play in the background, creating a pleasurable night experience.

She worried whether she would be able to find him among the huge crowd, but it wasn’t very difficult. She simply followed everyone’s gazes and footsteps, and naturally found herself in front of him.

‘Ah… It’s him…’

Hugo Taran.

Her heart started thumping loudly. He was more charming than when she saw him in her dream. Normally, people only heard of his renown name – the war’s black lion. However, ten cases out of ten, people would be shocked over his good looks. He didn’t appear rough and wild at all. He didn’t just look outstanding, his handsome appeal was unequaled.

Their gazes would lock onto his pitch-black hair and blood-like scarlet eyes, then they would appreciate his sculpted face. His sleek tall bridge nose beautifully balanced his deep eyes.

When he opened his thin lips, everyone would turn silent to listen to his words. His strong jawline and his neck revealed his masculinity.

Lucia had been appreciating his handsome looks with a gaping mouth, when she quickly snapped back to her senses in shock, while looking around to see if anyone had noticed her unlady-like behavior. Thankfully, nobody was interested in the pitiful, ugly young miss.

‘Contracted marriage…?’

Lucia swallowed hard.

‘Will… I be able to succeed…?’

The level was too high. He’s not a man you should dare look at, her mind sensibly whispered to her.

Kwiz, who was in high spirits, dragged Hugo all over the ballroom. He wanted to parade around as though he were wearing a priceless treasure. In Kwiz’ view, the Duke of Taran was considered a treasure. He was doing everything he could to win the Duke over to his side.

Neither of the two had explicitly stated whether they had decided to support each other. However, the fact that the two of them were walking side by side and talking made other people’s imagination run wild. Kwiz had used that to his advantage, while Hugo had overlooked his actions in silence.

Hugo was tired and simply wanted to go home. When Kwiz became the next Emperor, he would need to do these things to help him gain supporters, but that was something to think of in the future. He didn’t find it necessary to put so much effort for the sake of the Crown Prince just yet.

‘What can it be…?’

He had been feeling someone’s furtive stare for a while now. He had been a perceptive hunter all his life. He could easily sense when someone was targeting him. He didn’t feel any evil intent, but it made him feel outraged that he would be made into someone’s target. He feigned ignorance and looked around for the other party.

‘A woman…?’

It was unexpectedly a woman. She had brown hair and wore a blue dress; she seemed to be a young miss who had just stepped into adulthood. When Hugo looked toward the female, she avoided his gaze, but he had already found out the truth.

He was used to the yearning stares from other women. However, this brown haired female was not someone falling into that category. She looked like someone who had something to say; her eyes were filled with restlessness and sometimes very desperate.

‘If she has something to say, she will come eventually.’

He brushed her interest in him aside. However, her tenacious staring continued to bother his senses without rest. Now, he was glancing over at her from time to time to see what she was up to. She did not converse with anyone in the ball, nor did she dance; she simply kept staring at him. For a quick moment when he was alone, he saw her take a single step toward him.

But as soon as somebody approached him again, she would step back. He frowned unintentionally. Eventually, the party was coming to an end and she had not approached him.

‘It’s utterly impossible to approach him…’

It felt like he was today’s protagonist. People did not leave him alone at all. There wasn’t a single normal person within his circle of acquaintances. Most of all, Crown Prince Kwiz, Hesse the 9th, did not step away from the Duke’s surroundings.

‘The main instigator for my horrible marriage is right there,’ Lucia expressed toward her step brother. She didn’t particularly resent the Crown Prince. Although the two shared the same blood ties, he had no responsibility to take care of her like a real family. They were born from a different uterus, making them no different than strangers.

The party finally ended, and she could not relay a single word to him. Forget about talking, she couldn’t even get near him.

‘Hhhaa… what to do. Will he be attending tomorrow’s ball?’

She wasn’t sure whether he would be attending tomorrow’s ball and tonight would probably be the only chance she would get. Lucia decided she would attend the next day as well.

It had been five days. Today was the last day. Although the capital had been hosting the ball for five nights, nobody looked tired at all. Most likely, as soon as the party ended, most people would be tired and stay home for a while. It would be very quiet among the high society for some time.

However, compared to the first and second nights, quite a lot of people were not in attendance. Most of the ones attending tonight’s ball were party addicts. Otherwise, they would be hunting for a partner to spend some alone time in the dark corridors or the garden.

Not everyone was there to enjoy the party. There were those with huge appetites feasting on the delicacies; those who wished to make new connections; and others giving flirtatious glances, looking for a discreet fling. Contrary to everyone else, was the loner Lucia, who was out of everyone’s way against a wall, sipping on a glass of non-alcoholic champagne.

She had spent the last five days standing around all night while wearing heels, and it had given her an intense burning pain. Her corset wasn’t too binding, but it was constricting her chest considerably, making it hard to breathe. Although she was hungry, she could only taste a little bit at a time due to her corset.

Although the fragrance of the food was very alluring, she treated it like a background decoration. It was uncomfortable going to the bathroom, so she had made do with a single glass of champagne to wet her dry lips.

She felt how true it was that hunger intensified depression. Lucia was extremely depressed at the moment. She didn’t know whether it was because she was so hungry it felt like her stomach was stuck to her spine, or whether it was because she couldn’t approach the Duke these past five days. In any case, the two had equally caused much distress to Lucia.

She eyed the man in a black tailcoat in the distance. He looked superior compared to anyone else in this place, whether it be looks or status. He was tall with broad shoulders and a slim waist; his body had ideal proportions. Though one could not see his body underneath, anyone could tell he was well-toned.

There wasn’t much time left now. She would not be able to even greet him by the time the party ended. She wasn’t sure whether she would have a chance to meet him again afterward.

‘At least I was able to look at his face to the point of no regret.’

She had been stalking the man discreetly for the last five nights. She admitted she had become way too obsessed doing that. It wasn’t the least bit tiresome looking at him. He was a handsome man, who was pleasing to the eyes. It was fun observing the people around him as well. Especially when women would vulgarly press their breast against him…

He was a beautiful creation, but he didn’t try to gain favors with his looks. His expression was always cold, without any joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure. He sometimes slightly furrowed or raised his eyebrows. When he laughed, only his lips would cynically smile. Nevertheless, people would try their best to observe his reactions with just those responses.

His presence alone gave people pause. He naturally exuded an imposing presence that suppressed others. It was a ruler’s dignity and the composure of the strong.

Those who looked at him from afar were surprised by the Duke of Taran’s handsome looks, but those who conversed with him could understand why this Duke’s was given the title The War’s Black Lion.