Chapter 41

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Chapter 41

With his hair swept back at the front, and loose at the back, it was the perfect hairstyle for Lucian.

And on top of that, his coat jacket, vest and pants were all black, while his shirt was dark blue and his cravat was emerald green.

My heart fluttered seeing that the suit he wore matched my dress.

“…Brother, you’re so handsome.”

I was sincere, to the bottom of my heart. And to convey my sincerity, I clasped my hands together tightly. Lucian simply stared at me as I did this.

His golden irises, which were the only ones that held a warm tone from all the cool tones he was wearing, moved up and down to look at me as well.

“Ray, you’re beautiful.”

His eyes, which seemed to be full of sunshine, curved up. I spun around to show off the dress to him.

“Pretty, right?”

Compliments could make a whale dance, didn’t they? I couldn’t help but dance myself even though my bias is more beautiful.

I wanted to move my body more, but I refrained from doing so.

“But what is that?”

Lucian motioned to the doll in my arms. I explained and showed it to him.

“The boutique will make one with every dress that’s tailored for me. The doll looks like me, right? Even the dress is the same.”

“It really does look like you.”

“Right?”

He smiled as I hooked my arm with his. Even while I was wearing heels, the height difference between us was still there, so I had to tilt my head back when talking to him.

“Brother, would you like to have it? I’ll put it on Brother’s desk. That way, it’ll be like I’m staring at you. Do you think you’ll get distracted while you work?”

I suggested it as a joke. He was already an adult, so he must also think that dolls were immature.

But even as I giggled, Lucian’s eyes widened.

“Thank you.”

He looked a little bashful, as though he was truly grateful. He took the doll from my hands and cradled it in his own arms.

Then, in an instant, the doll that was about the size of two hand spans disappeared from his arms.

“Oh? Brother also knows how to do magic?”

“Just a little bit, but I used a subspace magic tool.”

Ohh, I see. So it was a magic tool.

It was a bit jarring, though. In the novel, Lucian only trained his swordsmanship. Wasn’t he set to become a sword master later on?

I’m sure that’s how it’s supposed to go…

I think I’ll have to go over my diary again, where I wrote about the narrative. There were too many facts that kept mixing up in my head, and I didn’t know if it was because I interfered or if I just remembered incorrectly.

The prime example was Cassandra.

She often intruded in my thoughts, but it was usually possible only with my permission.

For now, I’ve blocked her.

I wasn’t sure how to describe her presence, but I felt some relief. After all, she’s just a ghost, so she couldn’t cause direct harm to people.

That kind of relief.

“Then, shall we go?”

Lucian smiled softly and extended his arm. At the picturesque posture of an escort, giggles bubbled at my lips.

“Hehe, ehehe.”

I’m a successful fan! I’m being escorted by my bias! If there’s anyone more successful than me, then come out! Tell them to come out!

I couldn’t help but bask in delight. I meant to place my hand over his arm lightly, but I hooked my arm with his without realizing it.

“Milady!”

Amber was immediately up in arms to nag me at the sight, but Lucian gestured to stop the maid.

Then, he gently swept his hand over my arm to weave our arms even closer than before.

“That’s better.”

As expected! My bias knows what’s best!

After Lucian said that being arm in arm was better, I squinted at Amber.

Don’t worry.

Of course, I did notice that Amber’s face looked very stiff, but shouldn’t we just be careful when we’re already inside the banquet hall?

When we reached the entrance of the mansion, the Duke and Duchess were there to greet us.

The Duke was wearing a black and white ensemble, while the Duchess was wearing a pale, sky blue dress and a translucent shawl. It was the perfect match for the Duchess’ milky hair.

But when the Duke saw my arm over Lucian’s, he immediately frowned.

Of course, I should have expected this, but I didn’t know that even the Duchess would frown.

“An escort isn’t allowed to do that.”

At the Duchess’ mild rebuke, I slipped my arm out of Lucian’s and lightly placed my hand over Lucian’s wrist.

After staring at the Duchess, Lucian looked down at me, disappointment behind his eyes.

“Can we do it again next time?”

Ohh, there, there, my bias. Do you like linking arms?

Thinking that I knew his intentions, I nodded vigorously and answered.

“Alright, Brother!”

The four of us rode together at the Duchy’s official wagon that’s exclusively used for banquets. It was twice as spacious as a normal carriage.

Climbing comfortably into the carriage with Lucian’s help, I turned to the Duke and Duchess who were sitting opposite me and Lucian.

“Thank you for chaperoning me during my debutante. And thank you very much for taking care of me until now.”

I felt grateful to them for taking so much care of me even though I was just an adopted daughter.

The Duke loved me beyond doting, and the Duchess cared for me as well.

I knew that the Duke was affectionate only because of the memory of my biological father, but I was still very grateful.

And I was glad that this family seemed to be more harmonious than before.

“You’re saying all sorts of things.”

The Duke coughed shyly while the Duchess just smiled softly.

It was a huge improvement compared to the past. But of course, I knew there was still a long way to go.

Lucian didn’t even look at the Ducal couple sitting in front of him.

He was entirely focused on me, even with his body tilted in my direction as though I was the only one he could see.

It bothered me a bit, but I knew there was still time to improve.

The four of us had a pleasant conversation while riding the carriage. I thought the atmosphere would go cold if I didn’t keep the conversation going, but it all turned out fine.

I burst out in admiration once more when the palace, which I only saw once before, came into view.

The golden palace was seriously no joke, even from a distance. There was a long line of carriages at the gate.

But the Duchy of Leon’s carriage went up to the front without pausing.

The knight who was guarding the entrance bowed towards the direction of our carriage, then easily let us in.

Now at the entrance to the palace, the carriage slowed to a halt, then we got off the carriage one by one.

The palace was bursting with the scent of flowers. I was busy looking around for where the fragrance was coming from, and so I didn’t know where I was being ushered to.

But now, as we walked along the long hallway, we came face to face with a gigantic door.

It was a beautifully carved door with a platinum lion symbolizing the Leonis Empire.

Standing in front of that door, the attendant saw us and immediately shouted while the door opened.

“Their Graces, Pedro de Leon, Camilla de Leon, Lucian de Leon and Rachel de Leon are entering!”

It was strange hearing my name mentioned after theirs. Even though they’d become my family, I realized that I may have unconsciously drawn a line between us.

But when I was called with them under the same last name, there was a tingling feeling in me.

As we entered the banquet hall, the aristocrats around us all turned their attention to us in unison. Many of them covered their lips as they murmured.

I’m sure they’re talking about me.

I was someone who didn’t socialize, so I wasn’t known.

I was a child adopted by the Duke, and this was possible only with the Emperor’s permission. But there were still rumors about this that had spread.

Even when my biological uncle was still alive, it wasn’t entirely uncommon for a godfather to adopt the child instead.

But there might be a problem with Count Elrand.

I’m sure they’re all trying to absorb as much gossip fodder as they could, but here I was just waiting for the banquet to end already.

Upon entering the banquet hall, the Duke and Duchess went to their respective circles.

As expected, they had many acquaintances and colleagues to greet, seeing as they’d been socializing for a long time already. But of course, more people approached to greet the Duke and Duchess rather than the other way around.

“Ray, do you want a drink?”

“Hmm, Brother.”

“Huh?”

“I’m an adult now, so can I drink champagne?”

Fortunately, Lucian stayed by my side as my escort.

There were many people from a distance who wanted to approach Lucian, but I pretended not to notice.

I didn’t want to be left alone for now.

I still felt quite awkward coming here as someone who never attended banquets or social gatherings before.

“Champagne?”

“Yes. I’m at a banquet right now, but I’m not drinking. That’s too much.”

At my request, Lucian had a serious expression.

Meanwhile, my eyes widened at the sight of the buffet table, with its small, colorful desserts that seemed like they’d melt inside my mouth, and there were other finger foods as well.

Oh? Did that one just look spicy or was it truly spicy? Since when did spicy food become popular in the Empire?

Was it only popular in the capital and not in the entire Empire? Maybe that’s why I didn’t know.

Feeling strange, I retracted my hand from Lucian’s and stood in front of the food table.

“Brother, look. It seems really spicy.”

Come to think of it, it’s been far too long since I last ate spicy food. The spicy sauce I bought last time was still my number one must-buy item.

In the South, I had a grand time eating sashimi.

As I was admiring the food table that was adorned with finger food of various red shades, I spotted one that looked especially spicy.

Eyeing the dark red egg tarts, I burst into admiration.

It’ll surely burn in my mouth even if I take just one bite.

Oh, I’ve seen that color before.

When I saw the familiar dark red hue on the egg tarts, I thought of the booger king.

I threw all the black sauce I had at his eye back then. I hope he didn’t go blind…?

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