Chapter 7: The Fox Hunt

* * *

Orange light spilled from every window where the curtains were drawn back. The evening ball was lively, and the orchestra’s music seeped into the dark carriage. It was a sign that the night had ripened.

Long fingers pulled back the curtain to observe the scene outside. His gaze lingered briefly on lovers stealing kisses on the veranda before returning to the woman sitting quietly beside him.

As the partially opened curtain closed, darkness once again enveloped the carriage.

Click. After lighting the lamp, he checked the watch on his wrist.

“I think that’s enough. Shall we go in now?”

Despite having arrived quite some time ago, Kaylon was only now preparing to exit the carriage. The excuse was for Lyra’s sake, who was trembling excessively, but he too felt a slight lingering reluctance in his chest.

He added another small excuse. As befitting the main character. For the woman who would be the highlight of today’s event, her entrance should come when the party’s excitement had reached its peak—wouldn’t that create a greater impact?

After examining Lyra’s face once more, he stepped out of the carriage ahead of her as she steadied her breathing. Then he took her hand as she bent forward and helped her down.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Kaylon’s lips curved elegantly at her face, which looked considerably better than moments before.

“Then let’s go enjoy the party, shall we?”

* * *

As the mansion doors opened, the light from inside suddenly spilled out. Lyra, who had squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, blinked slowly as her eyes adjusted from the darkness.

The large, magnificent mansion that captured attention from the entrance was filled with countless people, and as they walked further inside, various gazes surrounded both him and her.

Even as ladies and gentlemen holding hands climbed the stairs, or as servants busily carried food, once their gazes fell upon the couple, they lingered without fail.

Lyra continued walking, glancing at Kaylon’s hand on her shoulder. Even if she wanted to flee from those staring with curiosity, surprise, or mostly discomfort, it was too late for that now.

‘I need to stay focused.’

Today was not only for the Duke but also for her. This was her chance to take a new leap, to avoid remaining the foolish Lyra Norris.

This was her first debut, an opportunity that wouldn’t come again, and a moment to establish many future connections. Shouldn’t she be able to handle these stares without flinching?

“Hoo. Hoo.”

Her deliberately hushed breaths escaped through her lips. A glance came down to check on her, just as she had done earlier, but she failed to notice.

Upon reaching the ballroom entrance, Kaylon briefly studied her increasingly pale, oval face before exchanging a few words with an attendant. Soon, the announcement of their arrival rang out loudly, and many eyes poured through the open doorway.

A moment of silence fell. Despite the orchestra continuing to play, those dancing gradually stopped their steps, and curiosity, bewilderment, and surprise settled on the faces of those who had been laughing and chatting.

For an instant, Lyra’s breathing stopped. The pressure she felt was incomparably greater than when meeting the servants’ gazes. Her already fair face grew even paler.

Yet this also became an occasion to newly recognize her position. How many people could command attention in an instant? Only now did she truly realize how noble a man she stood beside.

At that moment, Kaylon gently stroked down Lyra’s back and whispered softly in her ear.

“Walk proudly. You’re no less than any of them.”

Though his words were somewhat cool, his downward gaze was quite tender.

He knew well how this would appear. Once more, he slowly stroked Lyra’s back and shoulder, ignoring the increasingly shocked gazes of onlookers as he extended his hand.

“Yes… proudly.”

Lyra, echoing softly, met Kaylon’s eyes and placed her hand in his large one. Though her pounding heart felt like it might leap from her mouth, she felt she could endure somewhat if only this man remained by her side.

As she smiled faintly, Kaylon took her small, delicate hand and wrapped it around his arm. Then, with a smiling glance, he stepped inside.

With each step they took, whispers gradually began to spread from within.

“My goodness, did you see? They don’t seem to have an ordinary relationship, do they?”

“Indeed. Who is that young lady? I’ve never seen her before.”

“I saw them entering the mansion affectionately, I tell you! I thought I would faint.”

“Oh, really? Could she actually be his hidden lover?”

“I heard the atmosphere between them seemed unusual?”

“The Duke’s gaze was something else. With such a beauty by his side, I can see why.”

“I heard Duke Lianton courted her first?”

“What? Pre-marital pregnancy?”

“Shh! They might hear you.”

The voices spreading from person to person gradually added more flesh to the rumors. Some with pointed looks, others with envious gazes, created a story in a short amount of time.

Thanks to this, color gradually returned to Lyra’s previously pale face. Apart from the embarrassing words rapidly spreading, it could be considered fortunate.

“Isn’t it amusing?”

“Pardon?”

“It seems we needn’t worry about our love story.”

“Ah, yes. You’re right.”

She never imagined words surrounding her and the Duke would be generated so quickly. Just as Mrs. Beightle had warned her.

“The world you lived in is probably the same, but this world is no different. If anything, people here just pretend to be more proper. Ah, that might be worth learning.”

“Yes.”

Lyra lifted her lips into a smile for those whose eyes she met momentarily. Concentrating on maintaining a natural expression, she didn’t realize she was applying strong pressure to the firm arm she held.

Kaylon, as if feeling no pain at all, consistently maintained a smiling face as he engaged in light conversation with those he encountered. Most were titled individuals or those seeking to make an impression on him.

Occasionally during conversations, men’s gazes turned toward Lyra. Most quietly suppressed their curiosity until the Duke’s introduction, but some couldn’t contain themselves.

“And this person is…?”

Despite trailing off cautiously, seeking an explanation, Kaylon merely smiled.

Lyra smiled along, and each time, well-dressed men would blush and quietly retreat.

“It’s strange.”

“What is?”

“Why do they look like they’re running away?”

“Well…”

Kaylon, about to say something, looked over Lyra’s dress before turning his head away.

It was gratifying that people were imagining things just as expected, but strangely, he didn’t feel like staying in this place for long. Or perhaps he had felt that way from the beginning, which was why they had entered the ballroom so late.

He raised the corner of his mouth in a slight smile at this absurd thought.

“More importantly, are you feeling less tense now?”

“…Yes. I think so.”

While still meeting the eyes of those passing by, Kaylon whispered to Lyra.

“That’s an ambiguous answer.”

“Thanks to you, I’m much more relaxed.”

In truth, she wouldn’t truly relax until they returned to the mansion, but Lyra smiled as if she were genuinely feeling better.

“I see.”

Just as he was watching Lyra, Duke and Duchess O’Neill, who had been observing from a distance, approached them. It was a rather early appearance—he had thought they might frown more deeply or pretend not to notice at all.

Duke O’Neill, struggling to suppress his anger, greeted Kaylon.

“You have quite a mischievous side. If such a beautiful young lady was by your side, you should have given us some hint earlier, shouldn’t you?”

Despite the many implications in those words, Kaylon’s expression remained unchanged.

“It slipped my mind.”

“Young people these days… Well, putting that aside, what is the name of the lady beside you?”

Duke O’Neill, after briefly meeting Lyra’s eyes, immediately asked Kaylon.

“This is Miss Lyra Norris. The one and only lover who has stolen my heart.”

A honey-colored gaze filled with affection descended tenderly. Even knowing it wasn’t real, his appearance was that of a perfect lover without a single flaw.

As her heart fluttered uncontrollably, Lyra was about to greet Duke O’Neill but closed her lips tightly upon seeing his fiercely forged blue eyes.

“Lover…”

Duke O’Neill stroked his chin and turned completely toward Lyra. His scrutinizing gaze, examining her from head to toe, was not kind.

The more he stared, the higher Lyra lifted the corners of her mouth. Determined not to show tension, she strained her facial muscles to the point of cramping. Hoping desperately to appear natural.

After a moment, the middle-aged gentleman quietly sighed.

“I should have known. You have a talent for surprising people in this way.”

His voice carried a sense of dejection. Considering his daughter who waited for Kaylon day and night, it was understandable.

“We should move elsewhere. I think our conversation will be lengthy. What do you say?”

“Let’s do that.”

After Kaylon’s brief response, Duke O’Neill turned to his wife.

“Would you mind looking after this young lady?”

“Don’t worry about this side, dear. There are many ladies waiting to meet Miss Norris.”

Duchess O’Neill smiled gently at her husband as she took Lyra’s hand. Her hand was warm and soft enough to feel its warmth.

“Shall we go over there?”

Lyra, after briefly looking at the hand holding hers and the Duchess’s face, belatedly responded. And just as she was about to step away, she instinctively turned her head toward a somewhat sharp gaze.

Toward a woman who looked as fresh and elegant as a newly blossomed flower, staring blankly at them from the center of a group.

Lyra smiled gently at the woman with long silver hair, as if she were someone familiar.