Chapter 26
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Aubrey's head didn't stop spinning for a moment. She couldn't even hear what Emily and Barbara were talking about because she was busy reviewing the lessons she received from Koppen one by one.
“Are you listening to me?”
She raised her head at the sharp voice.
Emily frowned when she noticed the dumbfounded expression. “Again, don’t act like you know anything. Don’t make me say it twice.”
“Emily.”
When Barbara gave her a stern warning, Emily swallowed her frustration and continued speaking.
“I’m telling you to act while thinking about what kind of party sister is going to right now. Don't act carelessly even there. This is all advice for sister, so take it to heart.”
Emily spoke with special emphasis on the word 'sister' and looked at her mother as if she were proud.
“Huh. Thank you, Emily.”
The moment Aubrey nodded, the carriage passed through the main gate of the Palace.
After that, the carriage stopped for a while. Even though it was summer and the days were long, it was late evening. A darkness of such intensity that the surrounding scenery could be discerned had descended on the vast garden.
And the moment she saw the Weaver Palace she had only heard about, Aubrey could not easily close her mouth.
A building so large that her eyes could not fit it all was sitting right in front of her.
The solemnity emanating from the huge white building immersed in darkness was on a completely different level from what she felt at the Ravant Mansion. Even though it was a midsummer night, it seemed like pure white snow had fallen at the Palace.
“Let’s go in, Aubrey.”
It wasn't until Barbara lightly touched her back that she came to her senses.
She entered Weaver Palace and went through a brief identity verification process.
“Miss Aubrey Sandalwood, you have been confirmed.”
Although it was clearly an invitation, Aubrey always imagined her name not being on the list. A strange and terrible imagination in which an uninvited guest was questioned about his identity and was eventually kicked out.
“Mother, I’ll go first.”
As soon as they got inside, Emily bowed her head and said goodbye to her parents. Then she glided away among the crowd of people.
“Emily seems really happy lately.”
Barbara said while looking at her daughter’s back.
“You know who it’s because of, right?”
The words hinted at Khaled Karnus. Jeffrik didn't seem to like it.
Could it be that that man was also present here?
“Oh. Aubrey.”
Barbara, who found Aubrey standing blankly, briefly explained the masquerade ball once again.
Since everyone was wearing masks, there was no need to go around to exchange greetings. If someone asked her to dance, be happy to say yes, and talk to as many people as possible.
“Think of it as a place to show off your intelligence. Wouldn’t that make you less nervous?”
Intelligence. It wasn't even possible. It was all she could do, so she was confined to the library. Even that didn't last for a few days to learn how to dance. Aubrey, feeling stung for no reason, nodded.
“Honey, we’re going, too. The Duchess might be here.”
Even Barbara walked away, wrapping her arms around Jeffrik, as if she really wanted to spread out and play.
Only then did Aubrey's vision become clear and she stared for a long time at the rare sight unfolding before her eyes.
The Palace was a building belonging to the royal family, and its main feature was a vast dance hall. It was said that all royal balls were held here.
Indeed, the dance hall at the Palace was a space suited to its important role. There was no comparison with the Duke of Paddingham's ballroom.
The wide spread floor was shiny and transparent and clean. The colors of the dresses of numerous noble ladies were reflected and it seemed as if they were dyed in colorful colors. All the walls were painted bright gold, and there were large paintings hanging in every space. Even in the small space between the paintings, there were unique ornaments.
Spiral staircases were wrapped around the main dancing hall on both sides, and in the middle of the second floor, overlooking the hall, several unique chairs were placed side by side. A red chair with gold decorations that sparkles even from afar.
It was said that it was a ball hosted by the royal family, so the royal family would also attend. Was that their place?
The calculation was easy. Because the chair looked so unusual. It wasn't just the chair. Everything in this space boasted an elegant appearance.
Tuk. Someone hit Aubrey's shoulder as she stood there blankly. She looked back in surprise at a thin gentleman.
“Please excuse me.”
Wearing a red mask, he greeted her politely. Aubrey responded to his greeting a beat slower.
The gaze that had been observing the interior decoration for a while now turned to people's faces. Most of the colorfully dressed people were wearing masks. Of course, there were people who did not wear masks, but they were very few.
Was it because of the mood? Wearing masks, they seemed freer than usual. The smiles and the voices exchanged when speaking were more lively than what she had experienced at the dinner party.
It looked like a fun place, but it was difficult to approach. Ten minutes after entering the Palace dance hall, Aubrey defined the space.
And then, as she hesitated, the man approached her.
“If… … .”
It was a gentleman wearing a black mask. His neatly swept-back blonde hair stood out. Aubrey's eyes grew wider as she looked at him.
“Young master!”
“Miss Aubrey?”
How? Strangely enough, they recognized each other at the same time. To meet someone she knew in this unfamiliar space. Aubrey felt as if a part of her heart was finally melting.
“When I looked at the back, I had no idea it was really Miss Aubrey.”
Nicholas smiled the brightest smile he had ever seen and held out his hand to her. Aubrey smiled and placed her hand in his, and he lightly kissed the back of her gloved hand.
“You were invited too, Master?”
“Then…How did Miss Aubrey..? No, I don't mean that this is a place Miss Aubrey can't come to... … .”
“I know. It’s strange right?”
Aubrey smiled at him as he seemed to be embarrassed again and briefly explained how he came here.
“It seems like the Duchess has made up her mind this time.”
“The Duchess made up her mind?”
“Her son’s engagement ceremony, it’s been postponed.”
Why did she hear that man's name just when she’s forgotten it?
Aubrey sighed involuntarily.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Nicholas took Aubrey with him and explained the nooks and crannies of the dance hall. There was everything at the back of the second floor, including a card room, lounge, and smoking room. At the same time, it was said that anyone invited here could use the space.
The soft music stopped for a moment as everyone entered, and applause poured in for the orchestra. When she looked up and looked at the second floor, she saw the characters in the red chairs had also taken their seats. Looking at the clothes they were wearing, it seemed like the host of this ball, the royal family, had arrived.
The interior was already sweltering with the heat of so many people. As people moved through the hot air, a large empty space was created in the center of the hall. There, matched men and women began to appear one by one.
“Let's go.”
“Yes?”
Before she could ask, Nicholas took Aubrey's hand and walked out to the center.
You really start dancing like this? I'm not mentally ready yet!
“Would you please give me the honor of having my first dance with the Lady?”
Nicholas bent one leg back and lowered his body. A polite question and an outstretched hand.
Looking at those hands, Aubrey composed herself.
Don't forget why you came here.
You look like a fool! Think where you are!
You keep living like that.
Aubrey bit her lip and took his hand.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Polonaise wasn't that difficult.
This was because Koppen emphasized if she was not very talented, she might have to dance this boring dance for an entire hour, and made her practice a lot.
Walk leisurely and gracefully with one arm spread elegantly. Just like a swan. She exchanged glances with Nicholas, lifted her heel and turned lightly.
“I didn’t know Miss Aubrey was good at dancing.”
Nicholas complimented her, looking quite surprised. Aubrey, who was spinning around following his lead, burst into laughter. Although it was still immature, it was definitely better than the Duke of Paddingham's party.
“I did my best not to step on your toes.”
Nicholas laughed briefly at her sly answer.
As they danced, she inevitably changed partners a few times. But Aubrey did not tremble as she held the hand of a man she had never seen before. Because she didn't know the other person, and the other person didn't know her.
“You must be the first lady I’ve met.”
A gentleman quite liked her. The eyes inside the golden mask were fixed on her and she didn't know how to leave. Then he asked where she was from.
“That’s a little… … .”
When Aubrey gave a vague answer, he responded awkwardly.
“But, in a situation like this, asking the same question a little while ago was stupid. Forgive me, Lady.”
Lady.
It's Lady.
The slightly awkward smile finally became brighter. No one knew her here. Even if they knew, they wouldn't bother pretending to know.
Only then was Aubrey able to understand a little bit the thoughts of the nobles who were talking brightly.
A secret thrill that could only be felt in a space where no one knew about you.
She felt like she could understand why all kinds of romance bloomed at this ball.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
When the upbeat tempo of the dance ended, Aubrey was really exhausted. She had no idea how many times she’d walked around this wide hall. Moreover, the heat on her face did not go away because of the mask.
When the song changed, she slipped back and blended in with the crowd, craning her neck and looking around. It was not easy to find Nicholas because everyone was wearing masks. She thought she would recognize him so well when she was close.
She had no choice but to get some rest, so she squeezed through the crowd and headed to a place with as few people as possible.
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