Chapter 12

Chapter 12

It was the day of the ball. Everyone in the mansion was up from dawn, rushing about in a celebratory mood.

The ball was going to be held at the biggest hall of the Pesteroz mansion. Dahlia finished dressing from head to toe and sent the servants out to do their other endless tasks. Now all she had to do was wait in her room for her escort, Madam Mashu.

Since she had nothing to do during that time, she opened the diary box, which also held her hidden stash of jewelry. She was constantly worried that it might go missing.

Dahlia took out her diaries and placed them to the side so she could look inside the last compartment. The box full of jewelry, money, and a slightly expensive book was still there, safe and sound. Dahlia smiled in satisfaction. She looked back at her diaries.

I used to write in one everyday.

But ever since she recalled the memories of her past life, she hadn’t been able to write a single entry out of fear of anyone reading her true thoughts. Reminiscing over the past, Dahlia opened the last page of her most recent diary. She wondered what she had been thinking on the day before the memories came.

Huh? Dahlia faltered at the unexpected surprise.

On the last page was a sentence Dahlia couldn’t remember writing. It wasn’t even in her handwriting.

[There will be salvation in the places you reach. I hope you save a lot of people with your power.]

Dahlia stared at the sentence. The first thought that came to her mind was:

Did someone read my diary?

She prided herself on not continuing her diary after the day she gained the memories of her previous life. But she still couldn’t tell who wrote the sentence. She didn’t know anyone who spoke in such a manner.

At least it wasn’t cursing her. It seemed more like a blessing. Dahlia concluded that whoever wrote the sentence couldn’t have been a thief, since her money and book were still intact. But the word “salvation” seemed a little extravagant for someone like Dahlia, who was struggling to save her own hide every single day.

Just then, the door opened without a knock.

*Creak*

Startled, Dahlia covered the secret compartment by throwing all of her diaries on top of the box. She threw everything she could, but there was one book left in her arms.

“What are you doing?”

It was Hikan. He was dressed elegantly from head to toe, like the main character of the ball. All of her questions as to why some stranger had come to escort her instead of Madam Mashu evaporated from Dahlia’s mind.

Wow... how is he so handsome?

Dahlia couldn’t find a single inch of Hikan that looked sixteen. He was blindingly elegant. She silently admitted to herself that a well-groomed Hikan in his dress coat made it impossible to ignore how good-looking he was. The harmony between his neat and tidy features to his silver hair, sea-colored eyes, and pale white skin was perfect.

Dahlia stared at him, at a loss for words. Hikan frowned at the diary in Dahlia’s hands.

“What is that?”

“Ah!” Dahlia hugged the diary out of sight. She was sure Hikan would do nothing but laugh at her if he read the sentence about salvation.

Dahlia glanced at the box. All the important things were hidden under her pile of diaries.

“Do I look like I’m interested in your diary?” Hikan asked in a mocking tone.

He didn’t look interested at all. But Dahlia was still wary as she shoved the last diary into her box and closed the lid. She knew she was going to be in trouble if he ever found her hidden stash of money, jewels, and books. The mysterious sentence in the last entry of her diary was immediately forgotten.

Dahlia faced Hikan, flustered. “Wh-what is it, Hikan?”

“Why are you asking something so obvious?” Hikan asked with a frown instead of answering her question. He waved at Dahlia to get up. “It’s time to go. Come here.”

“What?” Dahlia still couldn’t understand why Hikan was asking her to get up and follow him. Even though she knew she’d sound stupid, she said, “But Madam Mashu isn’t here yet.”

Hikan sighed. “Dahlia Pesteroz... Who did you think you would be going to the ball with, considering the fact that it is being held for the Pesteroz family?”

Did that mean Hikan wanted her to be his partner? The gears in Dahlia’s head whirred.

The logical side of her thought: Wow, that’s going to be so awkward...

While her inner voice screamed: Act like you’re excited about the news! Smile!

Unable to laugh or cry, Dahlia stared up at Hikan with blank eyes and an empty mind. She must have looked extremely strange, because Hikan flinched.

“Let’s go.”

“Oh, right, yes!”

Fortunately, her inner voice won out. Smiling was the right answer. She stood up, pattered over to Hikan, and grabbed his hand. She looked up and beamed at him. “I’m so happy, Hikan.”

“Don’t... stand too close.”

Despite what he said, Hikan didn’t push Dahlia away completely.

* * *

Hikan and Dahlia entered the ballroom together. It was Dahlia’s first ball. Since her mother passed away and her father always busied himself with work, the number of balls the Pesteroz family had held before Hikan’s return could be counted on one hand.

Naturally, Hikan’s celebration ball was the largest ball the family held in a while. Dahlia felt nervous. The ballroom was full of people even though the sun was still setting.

The ball was being held in the biggest ballroom of the Pesteroz mansion, which meant it was already set with glamorous wall decorations, lights, and sparkling chandeliers, with the addition of champagne glasses and an orchestra. It was the consummation of the efforts of all their servants, who had put their heart and soul into its preparation for a month.

“Wow...” Dahlia gasped as her eyes wandered the ballroom in a daze. “It’s so pretty...” There was a huge difference between knowing something as a text or CGI and seeing it in reality.

Hikan managed to drag Dahlia into the room while she was distracted by all the sparkling lights. She continued to admire the scene as Hikan greeted the guests and answered their congratulations with her arm tucked into his.

It seemed like the main character of the original story wasn’t there yet. Her most prominent features were her black hair and red eyes, but though she continuously scanned the room, Dahlia couldn’t find someone with those features.

That was when she spotted Duchess Blueport standing in a corner, alone. She was in a dark colored dress, in her usual mask and gloves. The duchess was gently turning away the shy ladies who were approaching her for a conversation and sipping on her champagne.

That was when her eyes met Dahlia’s. Dahlia smiled as she secretly waved. Duchess Blueport began to make her way towards Hikan and Dahlia. As the duchess drew closer, people began to make space for them.

Hikan greeted the duchess in his usual cold fashion. In return, the duchess gracefully allowed Hikan to kiss her hand. “Congratulations, Duke Pesteroz.”

“Thank you.”

“Please continue to take good care of your beautiful sister.” No one else noticed, but there was a warning in Duchess Blueport’s voice only Dahlia recognized. She looked at Duchess Blueport with thankful and worried eyes.

But contrary to her expectations, Hikan made a docile nod. “I will.”

A few more formalities were exchanged. The mood was softer than Dahlia imagined. Before she left, Duchess Blueport winked at Dahlia and flicked her eyes towards a corner, silently asking Dahlia to leave with her.

Dahlia took the hint and tapped Hikan on his arm. He was talking to people in a monotone voice. She pointed at Duchess Blueport who was walking away. Hikan understood her intentions immediately. “You want to talk to Duchess Blueport?”

“Yes.”

She expected him to send her away immediately, but Hikan hesitated. Dahlia didn’t know what he was thinking and continued to stare at him. He avoided her gaze.

“The first song will be played soon.”

Dahlia realized what he meant. It was traditional to dance the first song of any ball with one’s partner. Hikan was asking her to stay with him so they could dance.

Dahlia was so surprised that she covered her mouth. Never in a hundred years did she imagine Hikan asking her to dance.

“R-really...?”

“Yes. Stop acting like you heard something ridiculous,” Hikan answered coldly.

Dahlia’s sanity returned.

Right, we’re just partners... This is normal. I shouldn’t think too deeply about this.

Suddenly, a servant leaned towards Hikan. “I apologize, Your Grace, but the orchestra ran into some troubles. They said they’ll have to play the song an hour later than scheduled,” the servant whispered.

“I see,” Hikan said after a beat of silence. For some reason, he sounded disgruntled.