•?••? ? ?••?•

 

 

 

It was the social dance that signaled the start of the Debutante Ball. Dancing was the perfect way to greet many people quickly.

 

 

 

Following the instructions, the young ladies lined up on the left, and the young lords on the right.

 

 

 

Iva naturally stood in the center, where she was most visible, and Ray was at the far right.

 

 

 

They approached each other to the music of the orchestra. They exchanged light greetings with their partners and danced before facing the next partner.

 

 

 

All the noble heirs and heiresses wore their business smiles. It was a cautious enjoyment of the dance while assessing potential alliances between families.

 

 

 

Except for one person.

 

 

 

Ray alone danced with a face that bore not a smile, but heavily furrowed brows. His intimidating expression only made the timid young ladies tremble in fear.

 

 

 

And then it was time for Iva to stand before Ray.

 

 

 

‘If I can successfully get through this hurdle, the rest of my life will be comfortable.’

 

 

 

While thinking many thoughts, Iva pretended to be nonchalant on the surface. They exchanged light greetings, and Ray reached out his hand to Iva.

 

 

 

Iva only used the tips of her fingers to meet his hand. Ray wrapped his other hand around her delicate waist, and Iva held his shoulder with her remaining hand. And they danced again to the music.

 

 

 

“…”

 

 

 

“…”

 

 

 

While everyone else danced affectionately, only these two did not smile. Ray looked at Iva, but Iva steadfastly ignored his gaze.

 

 

 

Why has he been like this since earlier? And why is his chest so firm… No, what am I thinking? Pull yourself together!

 

 

 

“Young Lady.”

 

 

 

Ray’s low and rough voice reached her ears. Instinctively, she tried to look at him but quickly averted her gaze.

 

 

 

“Yes, yes?”

 

 

 

It was perplexing to have him initiate the conversation when he usually remained as stoic as a statue.

 

 

 

“Have we… met before?”

 

 

 

His unique formality, which she hadn’t heard in a long time, infuriated Iva even more.

 

 

 

Have we met before?

 

 

 

Because of you, I have died twice. After getting engaged to marry, we even called off the engagement, why![1]

 

 

 

As the anger surged within me, wanting to pour it all out on him, I remembered my determination to never get involved with him in this lifetime and managed to calm myself.

 

 

 

“No, we have not met, Your Grace.”

 

 

 

Firmly and without meeting his gaze, she responded decisively. Just as Ray was about to say something more, the dance came to an end.

 

 

 

Perfect timing!

 

 

 

Iva inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and tried to move on to her next partner.

 

 

 

“Huh?”

 

 

 

But Ray didn’t release her hand. With her body already halfway shifted, she found herself in a position where both men were holding her hands.

 

 

 

Iva, who was in the middle, was extremely flustered, and even the young lord, her intended dance partner, was taken aback. However, too scared of Ray to speak up, he could only exchange glances.

 

 

 

“Your Grace, please let go of my hand.”

 

 

 

Iva looked at Ray’s hand holding hers and spoke. Upon hearing her words, he seemed startled by his own actions and quickly let go.

 

 

 

“I apologize.”

 

 

 

What’s this? He’s even apologizing to me now?

 

 

 

In her past life, he never blinked an eye and spewed harsh words, yet now he’s apologizing.

 

 

 

Am I currently transmigrated into a different novel? I almost had my suspicions.

 

 

 

After a minor incident, Iva immediately danced with her next partner.

 

 

 

Every man and woman had their turn to dance with each other. With the light greetings over, it was now time to have a separate conversation with a preferred partner.

 

 

 

“Young lady, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 

 

 

“I’m honored to meet you, Miss Blanche.”

 

 

 

“So, you’re here, Lady Iva.”

 

 

 

The young lords naturally approached Iva. They all displayed affectionate and handsome smiles.

 

 

 

Although she thought it might be an opportunity to get along with other young lords, the attention that gathered around her was problematic, considering her need to disappear quietly.

 

 

 

“Haha, I apologize, I want to get some air.”

 

 

 

“It might be dangerous to be alone, so let me accompany you.”

 

 

 

“I’m sorry, but I prefer to be alone right now. Thank you.”

 

 

 

Politely declining the young lords, I retreated to a balcony where people rarely passed by.

 

 

 

“Phew. I can finally breathe.”

 

 

 

Resting my hands on the balcony railing, I took in a deep breath of the chilly night air. I had been here before, so I was familiar with the structure of this hall and the people in it.

 

 

 

I looked up at the moon in the deep night sky and smiled softly.

 

 

 

“I guess it’s really over now, huh?”

 

 

 

Once I return to the mansion, I would never have to meet Ray again.

 

 

 

“Perhaps in this life, I should go to some countryside and grow raspberries, enjoying a good and solitary life. Maybe even have a couple of lovers.”

 

 

 

The thought of a happy Yolo life made me giggle with excitement.

 

 

 

“Oh no! Not just a couple, even if it’s unfair, I should have a hundred lovers! How about creating a lover survival game?”

 

 

 

Lost in her ominous delusions, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching the balcony. Was there someone else here besides me?

 

 

 

Swiftly turning my head, I confirmed the intruder.

 

 

 

“…Do you mind if I join you for a moment?”

 

 

 

No, why would you show up here?!

 

---

[1] The ‘why’ at the end is there because it’s her emotional outburst, she wanted to ask “why are you asking such a question” But obviously he doesn’t remember all the things that happened.

 

•?••? ? ?••?•