Who would have thought that the ball would be so exhausting? The word "tired" doesn't even begin to describe how much energy was drained—both physically and mentally—dancing endlessly and turning sarcasm into sweet compliments. After finally getting away from Ivanka Ruberius, Sevine now had to face a group of young girls, eager to dissect her dress as if it were a puzzle waiting to be solved.
"Lady Darconer," one of the girls asked with a curious glint in her eyes, "Is your dress made by Vivian?"
Sevine smiled faintly and shook her head. "No."
The girl frowned slightly, looking a bit disappointed, but quickly shot her next question. "Then, is this dress designed by Alphonso? Isn't he a big rival of Vivian in the fashion world?"
"No, it's not," Sevine answered calmly, a quiet amusement bubbling inside her. After all, Alphonso's reputation in the fashion industry far surpassed her own, but she didn't need to point that out.
Hearing that, a few other girls joined in, their curiosity practically overflowing. "This dress is truly stunning, Lady Darconer! The pattern is so unique and eye-catching. Would you mind telling us where we could get a dress like this?"
Sevine secretly cheered inside, this was the perfect chance for a little self-promotion. "This dress is actually my own design," she said, her voice steady. "So, you won't find it in any store."
Some of the girls looked disappointed, but their expressions quickly turned hopeful. "But," Sevine continued with a widening smile, "I plan to open my own shop soon. You'll be able to find it there."
The girls' eyes lit up, filled with excitement. "Really? We'll definitely be regular customers when your shop opens, Lady Darconer!" they exclaimed in unison, practically glowing with anticipation.
"Thank you," Sevine replied, her smile growing even warmer. "I can't wait to open my store and offer you the best dresses I can create."
After wrapping up with the girls, Sevine felt a little relieved and moved toward a quieter corner, searching for Linden among the growing crowd.
As soon as Sevine stood before Linden, the first dance began. The soft music flowed through the room, calling couples to the dance floor. Linden, ever the gentleman, gave a respectful bow and then, with graceful precision, took Sevine's right hand.
"Would you care to dance with me, My Lady?" Linden's voice was low and inviting, filled with a hope that was clear in his eyes.
Sevine gazed at him, her smile widening as something in her stirred. "Of course," she replied softly, and as they moved together to the rhythm of the music, it felt like the world around them faded away—just the two of them, connected by more than just the music.
»»--⍟--««
Sevine danced gracefully with Linden, their movements perfectly in tune with the music played by the royal musicians. Linden held Sevine's waist with his right hand, while his left gently clasped her right hand. They moved slowly, following the steps of the waltz, each motion precise and elegant, as if they were the only two people in the room.
Step by step, turn by turn, they drifted further into the center of the grand dance hall. Sevine's body swayed with a fluidity that came from hours of practice. Every movement felt natural, effortless, as if the dance had become a part of her. She had worked hard with Madam Roscell, and now, every bit of that effort was paying off. The music seemed to flow through her, filling her with a sense of freedom she rarely felt elsewhere.
Beside them, Jayden Winchester and Madeline Blouis danced as well, and it was no surprise that many of the girls around them were holding their breath, mesmerized by Jayden's presence. But Sevine didn't pay much attention to them—her focus was entirely on the sheer joy of the dance, the classic waltz filling her every sense.
When the first dance ended, it was the cue for a change of partners. The noblemen and women of Baterville had a tradition of switching partners after each song. It was now time for Sevine to dance with the man standing beside her, and Linden would do the same with another lady.
Her next partner was none other than Jayden Winchester. The moment Sevine saw him, she couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between him and Linden. Jayden was taller, broader, and far more muscular. It made sense why the girls were crazy about him—just look at his broad chest and the way his suit clung to him. Sevine shivered slightly, not wanting to entertain any further thoughts.
As Sevine and Jayden locked eyes, she remembered the basic rules of dancing—never look away, never lower your gaze. It was the first lesson Madam Roscell had taught her. Sevine kept her expression neutral, though inside, a little flutter of nervousness settled in. Jayden's face was striking, and she couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by his presence.
Her thoughts were soon pulled back to his eyes—those captivating, bright yellow eyes that perfectly matched his golden blonde hair. His nose was sharp, high, and his jawline was strong, almost sculptural. If she were to rate him on a scale of beauty, he'd get a thousand out of a hundred. Everything about him was flawless, symmetrical, like a statue carved by the gods themselves. Sevine had no doubt that his face could captivate a thousand women with a single glance.
As her eyes wandered down, she noticed his hand—so much larger than Linden's, his fingers long and strong. His skin, slightly reddish from his time spent on battlefields, bore the marks of someone used to the hardships of war. Every detail seemed to tell a story of power and dominance.
What Sevine didn't know was that Jayden was studying her just as intently. He gazed into her eyes, seeing right through her calm façade. He knew exactly who she was—the infamous daughter of Duke Darconer, known for her sharp tongue and difficult personality. He had heard the rumors from the people of Baterville, and while she might be putting on a composed act now, Jayden wasn't fooled. He knew better. This girl was not someone who would easily catch his interest.
For him, Madeline was the center of his world, the only one who truly mattered. In his eyes, no one else could compare.
But Jayden did recognize something—Sevine's eyes, which held a certain intensity. Unlike other girls he had met, Sevine's eyes didn't just reflect innocence or mischief. There was a depth to them that intrigued him, an underlying mystery. He had seen eyes like hers once before—eyes that held a bit of fire. Her eyes were a striking mix of blue with hints of yellow that almost looked like the flicker of fire—strange and captivating. When you looked closely, you could almost see the streaks of yellow weaving through the blue, like the light of a distant sunset.
»»--⍟--««
One hour after the party ended...
The lively sounds of laughter, music, and chatter had faded away as the party came to a close. The final song had played, and the guests had slowly filtered out, leaving the ballroom quiet and still. The once-glamorous hall, full of dancing and laughter, now felt empty, the flickering chandelier lights casting soft shadows across the polished floor. Palace servants quietly packed away the decorations, and the grand doors closed behind the last guests.
Sevine sat back in the carriage, her hands resting in her lap. Her eyes still sparkled from the joy of the evening. The steady clip-clop of the horse's hooves echoed softly as the carriage made its way back to the Darconer estate. The cool night air drifted in through the window, bringing with it the fresh scent of jasmine and the soft hum of the town outside.
Louis, sitting across from her, glanced at her with a playful smile. "So, how was your night? Did you find any potential suitors?" he teased.
Sevine beamed with a proud smile. "I danced with some truly amazing people," she said, her voice light but full of excitement. "I danced with Duke Winchester, the king's advisor's son, Baron Jareth... and many others."
Louis raised an eyebrow. "Just hearing that makes me tired. You must've danced until the very last note of the music."
Sevine smiled wider, her face glowing with the thrill of it all. He was right—she had danced until the very end, lost in the music.
"I think the title 'Golden Swan of Baterville' really fits you, don't you think?"
"Stop calling me that" Sevine laughed, giving him a playful shove. The two shared a moment of laughter before falling into a more comfortable silence as the carriage continued its journey.
Sevine's thoughts drifted back to something she'd almost forgotten—a brief dance with a stranger. It was before Baron Jareth, just a quick moment, so brief that she hadn't really thought much of it at the time.
Sevine had no idea that the man was Reinhardt Baterville, the crown prince of the kingdom. The person in her sights that she had to avoid. Sevine didn't know it because Reinhardt's face was covered by a mask.
»»——⍟——««
Reinhardt stood alone on his balcony, his gaze fixed on the night sky. The party was over, the music had stopped, and the guests were all gone, but his mind was still on the dance. He had slipped unnoticed into the crowd, hidden behind a mask, but during that brief waltz with Sevine, he had felt something different.
Her beauty had caught him off guard. The soft waves of her hair, the graceful way she moved, and the light scent of roses from her hair had stayed with him. He couldn't stop thinking about it.
Reinhardt turned to his trusted attendant, Sebastian, who was quietly waiting by the door.
"Sebastian," Reinhardt said, his voice calm but firm, "find out who the woman was who danced with me tonight. I need to know everything about her."
Sebastian bowed deeply, his expression serious. "At once, Your Highness."
Reinhardt's gaze drifted back to the stars, his mind still on Yelena Darconer. He had to know more about her. He was sure their paths would cross again, and when they did, he would be ready.
»»——⍟——««
It's hard to believe that just one year has passed since Sevine began her life as Yelena Darconer in this world.So far, she has managed to avoid the events that could have led to a tragic end. She hasn't encountered Franklin Bazar, has ignored Lidya Helix, and most importantly, she hasn't met the crown prince. Perfect!
"My Llady, can't you stop practicing with the sword? Your palms are getting rougher," Emily said, gently applying rose cream to Sevine's hands.
"Training with the sword is so much fun, Emily, I can't stop,"
Truth be told, sword training was incredibly exhausting. Sevine remembered how difficult it was when she first started. At the beginning, she had almost given up because her body was weak and frail—holding the sword for even a moment would leave her drained. Her legs ached from the strain. But she couldn't stop.
Sevine was forced to learn this skill to ensure her safety in the future. There would come a time when she would need to atone for the sins of the Yelena Darconer body she inhabited. In the kingdom's beliefs, it was said that the Goddess Eeter would always repay evil with a fitting consequence.
While Sevine was preoccupied with sword training, the Duke and Duchess of Winchester had other concerns.Next month would mark Yelena Darconer's 17th birthday, and that meant, by law, she would be considered an adult, ready for marriage.
The Darconer residence was flooded with marriage proposals.
"Hah! How dare that nobleman propose marriage to my daughter!" Duke Darconer shouted angrily, holding one of the proposals. Seeing the name of the suitor made the Duke furious. The applicant was from the Viscount Viros family, seeking Yelena's hand for their eldest son, Rigo Viros.
Everyone knew who Rigo Viros was. He was a soldier in the royal guard, which meant his skills were directly acknowledged by the kingdom.
Rigo used his position to lure many noblewomen in the Kingdom of Baterville, as being married to a royal guard was a prestigious title.
Duke Darconer ripped the proposal into two and threw it into the fireplace. "Can't we just burn them all?" he asked, turning to Vincent, who happened to be in the room.
"I suggest you don't, Sir. Even if we refuse, we must send a response letter. It's the law of the kingdom," Vincent replied.
"Damn these formalities," Duke Darconer muttered. "My Yelena is not even 17 yet, and these dogs are already trying to claim her."
The Duke punched the wall in frustration. After a moment of relief, he returned to his seat, put on his glasses, and continued reading proposal after proposal.
Meanwhile, Vincent struggled to suppress a smile. It was amusing to see the normally calm Duke lose his composure over his daughter's marriage proposals.
"I'll assist you in preparing the reply for the suitor," Vincent offered, trying to keep a straight face.
»»--⍟--««
Back to The training field
"I'm truly impressed by your progress, My Lady," Linden praised Sevine as he effortlessly parried every strike.
Sevine gave a sly smile and prepared to strike again. She was about to launch another attack on Linden.
"Of course, my teacher is the fifth strongest knight in Baterville," she teased Linden.
Linden's face turned bright red. Sevine enjoyed teasing her personal guard.
Every strike Sevine made was easily deflected by Linden, who barely moved from his position. Only his arms danced with the movements of the sword.
A few months ago, when Sevine expressed her desire to learn swordsmanship, both the Duke and Duchess had strongly opposed it. They believed swordsmanship was not a proper pursuit for a lady.
Flashback.
"Aren't you ashamed, Yelena? I've given you the strongest knight in Darconer Duchy as your personal guard so that you would stop learning the sword. Why do you still want to pursue it?" Duke Darconer's tone was stern. He hoped his daughter would abandon this foolish idea.
For more than an hour, Sevine refused to leave the Duke's office until he agreed to let her continue her sword training.
"I know Linden is strong, but father, what if, in the future, I'm alone and someone tries to kill me, and I can't defend myself? Won't you regret seeing me dead?"
Duke Darconer's eyes widened in shock. Why would Yelena think of such a horrifying scenario? he thought, feeling anxious.
"Father, my past was so terrible. When I go out, there are people who look at me with angry eyes. We don't know what's going on in their minds. Maybe they're planning revenge."
Sevine began to cry, but her tears were fake.
In the novel, Duke Darconer was known to be unable to resist his daughter's tears. He was a loving father and easily swayed by them. And sure enough, he immediately embraced his daughter, overwhelmed with affection.
"Alright, alright… I'll allow you to continue. Please, stop crying."
Back to the current time
Sevine's sword flew from her hands as Linden blocked her strike.
"You've lost focus, My Lady. What happened?" Linden asked, surprised.
"I was just remembering a pleasant memory," Sevine replied with a mischievous grin.
»»--⍟--««
At the Darconer family dining table.
The entire family had gathered for dinner to commemorate the day the Goddess Eeter descended from her celestial throne to bless the land of the Kingdom of Baterville. This was a long-standing tradition in the kingdom.
Sevine didn't quite understand the details of the kingdom's beliefs, but she followed along.
"Darling, have you sent our offering to the north?" Duchess Darconer asked.
"I've sent our people to deliver the offering this month,"
Sevine, not understanding the conversation, interrupted. "Offering?"
Louis, who was sitting next to Sevine, paused his meal.
"Seems like the blessing of the Goddess really made you forget everything, sister, even the most basic things in this kingdom,"
Duchess Darconer shot a sharp look at Louis, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
"The offering is sent every month to the temples in the north. The priests there will bless the offering with holy energy, and then it's distributed to the poor in the southern regions. It's meant to ensure the kingdom remains free from disaster," Louis explained patiently.
Sevine was slightly amazed by this belief system. It encouraged people to share with one another.
"But even so, when I visited the southern regions last month, the people there still looked miserable," Louis added, furrowing his brow.
"I've heard at Countess Rodwell's tea party that the offerings are sold by the southern people. No wonder they're in such a dire state," Duchess Darconer added.
Sevine found it hard to believe that starving people would sell their blessed food. The first rule of survival was to fill one's stomach. She suspected that someone was hoarding the blessed food for personal gain, preventing it from reaching those who truly needed it.
"Father, do you have plans to visit the southern region again?" she asked.
"Yes, I plan to visit next week," Duke replied, scratching his chin.
"Please, let me go with you!" Sevine requested with determination.