“Oh my, Alexia!”
Alexia’s head instantly turned to the voice that called out to her. There it was, her friend—who knew of her secret.
“I know that you’d definitely be joining the party.”
“Wouldn’t it be weird if I didn’t join this last event?”
While she uttered that rather bluntly, she immediately grabbed her friend’s hand before taking a quick look around.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Who else would it be? That bastard who deceived you, of course.”
“I already said before that he couldn’t attend. Are you perhaps trying to insult the Duke—again?”
Alexia then had an unpleasant look on her face as she twisted her lips—not even caring about her friend who looked quite embarrassed.
“The Duke isn’t that kind of person at all. He truly loves me.”
“Of course! At that kind of age, it’s just unacceptable if he wasn’t doing his level best despite being sincere. You are so young and that person is just—so old.”
“Alexia, don’t talk like that.”
“Did you just take his side—in front of me?”
Alexia, who had just lost to her anger, became much more frustrated and fumed. She didn’t hurl anything since she was aware of her surroundings, but she held onto her hand with great force that was as strong as her fury that couldn’t be released completely.
“You lied to me! You said that you’d be with me forever!”
“That was an ancient story. We talked about that when we were truly ignorant of this world.”
Her friend flashed a gentle smile before reaching out and caressed Alexia’s face.
“By the way, didn’t you get yourself a capable fiance as well? Even though you don’t like him that much.”
Her lips twitched instantaneously.
Her friend who was still smiling brightly, on the other hand, looked full of happiness. She always felt annoyed by that, but Alexia didn’t even utter a single word at all. There was no reason for Alexia to stop her friend, just because she was the one who gave up her own happiness.
“Alexia.”
She turned her head once again at another voice that called out to her. A tall man was already staring at her.
Alexia immediately let out a baffled expression. Who is this?
“Oh my God! Isn’t that the Grand Duke?”
“The Grand Duke is joining the party for today?”
Fortunately, just before Alexia could ask, the whispers of those around her had alerted Alexia of his own identity. As soon as she found out that he was the rumored Grand Duke, Alexia’s eyes widened a little.
Are you saying that this is the monstrous Grand Duke?
His appearance was completely different from all those rumors.
The face that was said to appear as hideous as a beast, turned out to be extremely handsome and the body that was rumored to be rotten due to an illness, seemed to be releasing a fragrant scent. On top of that, where did the beastly personality go when the person, who currently stood in front of her, was only flashing his kind smile.
“Did you attend to enjoy this party as well?”
“Ye, yes.”
Alexia, who didn’t expect him to start a conversation with herself, stuttered slightly.
If I had just known about this, I’d never ask my servant to change her hair color. She belatedly regretted her decision, but it was impossible for Vivian to appear suddenly by her side.
“Have you danced yet?”
“N… no. I’ve been talking, so I still haven’t gotten the chance to dance.”
“Then, would you give me the honor to be your first dance?”
Alexia immediately blinked at the Grand Duke’s direct words.
“But, your eyes can’t really see…”
“I’ll be careful not to act foolish enough—to step on your feet.”
The Grand Duke then charmingly extended his hand in front of Alexia.
The gazes of the surrounding people had already locked onto the couple entirely. Being aware that she should accept his dance whether she liked it or not had eventually made Alexia take his hand.
“Okay.”
Alexia, who had already taken on the Grand Duke’s hand, slowly walked to the center of the hall. Since other people were being so conscious of them, the Grand Duke was able to walk around comfortably despite the fact that he couldn’t see really well.
He then placed his hand on her waist.
The music started and the two of them immediately started to waltz their first step. It wasn’t difficult for them, whom had learned to dance since childhood under the pretext of having to dance like a noble—just like this.
Alexia was nervous as she didn’t know when he would be starting another conversation with her. But strangely enough, the Grand Duke didn’t utter a single word at all until the dance had ended.
When the long but short dance had finally come to an end, admiration from those around who were watching them immediately gushed out.
“Are you going to remain here with your friends?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Then, I won’t be stealing any of your time further. I hope you’ll have a great time.”