n

n

nBefore I knew it, it was the day of the ball.

nThe Ducal household, which had been in a festive mood for the day, has been busy since dawn.

nThe ball will be held in the largest hall of the Pesteros mansion. Dalia, who is ready from head to toe, sent away the busy maids.

nNow she just has to stay in her room alone and wait for someone to escort her in – perhaps Madam Mathieu.

nBored with nothing to do, she opened the secret diary box where she kept the money she had saved. Worried that it might be gone.

nShe took the diaries out then put it beside her and looked at the bottom compartment.

nFortunately, Dalia’s precious money and although it’s not very rare, a fairly expensive book was well contained in the box.

nDalia gave a wry smile. Then, her gaze went to the stacked diary.

n‘I used to write my diary diligently.’

nAfter remembering my previous life, I was afraid that someone would read whatever I wrote, so I never wrote it again.

n

n

nDalia reminisced about her memories, so she opened the last page of her diary which was the most recent one that she had written. What did she think of on the last day before she remembered her past life?

n‘Huh?’

nDalia opened it thoughtlessly and she was taken aback.

nIn the last page, there was a sentence written that she had no memory of. It wasn’t even Dalia’s handwriting.

nThere will be salvation wherever you reach. I hope you will save many people with that power.

nDalia stared at the sentence. The first thing that she thought of was.

n‘Did someone sneak a peek?’

nIt was a good thing that she didn’t keep a diary after getting her memory.

nBut who the hell was it, no one around Dalia had this strange way of speaking.

nStill, it was fortunate that it was not a curse but a blessing. Seeing that the books and money are still intact, he must not be a thief.

nFor Dalia, who is having a hard time taking care of herself now, salvation seems a little over-exaggerated.

nThen.

nCreak.

nThe door opened without being knocked.

nDalia was so startled that she quickly covered the diaries that she had taken out of the box. She threw in more than 10 books, but there was one left in her arms.

n“What are you doing?”

nIt was Hikan who showed up.

nHe appeared in formal wear, looking perfect as the main character of today’s ascension celebration ball.

nDalia looked up blankly, forgetting this confusing situation in which a strange man appeared instead of Madam Mathieu, who was supposed to come.

n‘Wow……you’re so madly handsome.’

nHow does that look like a 16-years-old? It was a shining appearance that made her forget the situation.

nSeeing Hikan properly dressed in a tailcoat, she realized that he was really handsome.

nThe combination of neat, fine features and silver hair with sea-colored eyes and clear white skin was perfect.

nDalia looked at him in a daze. Hikan frowned at the diary in Dalia’s hand.

n“What’s that?”

n“Huk.”

nDalia quickly hugged her diary.

nIf he saw the words of salvation or anything, it will be ridiculed anyway.

nShe glanced in the box and all the important things were covered by her diary.

n“……Do you think I’m interested in your diary?”

nHikan said in a dumbfounded tone.

nSo was it. But Dalia, wary of him, put her diary in and closed the lid of the box.

nI’ll be in trouble if I get caught hiding books and money by mistake. It’s been a long time since she forgot the enigmatic words written on the last page.

nShe asked him in bewilderment.

n“What, what’s the matter, brother?”

n“Why do you ask about something obvious?”

nRather than answering, Hikan frowned. Then he beckoned Dalia to get up.

n“It’s almost time to enter. Come here quickly.”

n“Yes?”

nDalia still didn’t understand why he burst into her room and asked her to get up.

nShe asked even though she knew it would sound stupid.

n“But Madam Mathieu hasn’t come yet?”

nHikan sighed.

n“……Dalia Pesteros. Who else did you think I’d go to the ballroom with?”

nDoes that mean that Hikan will make her as his partner?

nIn an instant Dalia’s head feels dizzy.

n‘Wow, that will be crazy awkward……’

nWas what her inner self said.

n‘Don’t make it obvious that you don’t like it! Smile!’

nBoth her inner self crashed. So Dalia, unable to cry or laugh, just stared blankly at Hikan with her head empty. Hikan flinched, as if the expression she had is strange.

n“……Let’s go.”

n“Ah, yes, yes!”

nFortunately, the second inner self won.

nYou have to smile at times like this.

nShe got up, ran and held Hikan’s hand tightly.

nThen she looked up at him, and smiled brightly.

n“I’m happy, brother.”

n“……Don’t stick so close.”

nBut Hikan only said so, he did not completely shake Dalia off.

n* * *

nHikan and Dalia were already in the ballroom. It was the first ball that Dalia ever attended.

nSince her mother died and her father was always busy working, this was the first ball that Pesteros held even before Hikan returned.

nNaturally, it was the first time to have a large-scale ball like this one. Thanks to this, she felt a little nervous.

nThe ballroom was packed with people even before the sun had set.

nThis ballroom was the largest hall of the Pesteros mansion.

nIt has all the fanciness that a ball should have, such as colorful wall decorations and lighting, sparkling large chandeliers, champagne glasses, and a large orchestra.

nIndeed, it is a ball that all the employees of the Pesteros have been busy preparing for a month.

n“Wow……”

nWith her eyes wide open, she stared blankly at the ballroom.

n“It’s beautiful……”

nThere was a huge difference between what you see in text and CG in the game and what you actually see.

nHikan led Dalia while she couldn’t take her eyes off everything.

nWhile he was receiving the congratulatory wishes from those who approached, Dalia looked around with her arms folded.

nIt seemed that the original female lead had not arrived yet.

nAccording to the setting, she had straight black hair and red eyes, and even after looking around, she could see a lot of black hair, but she didn’t see any red eyes.

nThen Dalia saw the Duchess Blueport who was alone in the distance.

nShe wore a dark-toned dress, the usual mask and gloves.

nShe gently refused the young ladies who shyly approached and tried to talk to her, and was sipping champagne by herself, standing against the wall.

nThen Dalia and her eyes met. Dalia smiled while waving her hands. Duchess Blueport later approached both Hikan and Dalia.

nWhen the Duchess appeared, everyone left their seats.

nHikan stiffly showed courtesy to the Duchess Blueport.

nIn an elegant manner, she allowed Hikan to kiss the back of her hand.

n“Congratulations, Duke Pesteros.”

n“Thank you for the wish.”

n“Please take good care of your pretty sister in the future.”

nNo one would notice, but it contained a subtle warning that only those who were near could feel.

nDalia looked at the Duchess Blueport with a half-assured and half-worried look.

nContrary to expectations, Hikan gently nodded.

n“I will.”

nThey exchange a few formal greetings.

nIt was a rather gentle atmosphere. Before leaving, Duchess Blueport winked at Dalia and gave her a look as if she wanted Dalia to go out with her.

nDalia, who understood the meaning, tapped Hikan, who was listening to others in an indifferent manner.

nThen she pointed to the Duchess Blueport who was walking away. Hikan immediately understood Dalia’s intentions.

n“You’re thinking of going to the Duchess Blueport, aren’t you?”

n“Yes.”

nShe thought he’d let her go right away, but Hikan hesitated for some reason.

nDalia, unaware of the meaning, looked up at Hikan and only blinked. Hikan said, forcibly avoiding her gaze.

n“The first music is coming soon.”

nDalia realized what Hikan meant. Originally, it was customary to dance the first dance with the partner.

nTherefore, what Hikan meant was for her to dance the first dance with him, not with anyone else.

n

n

nDalia, who had never dreamed he would say this, covered her mouth in surprise.

n“……Re, really?”

n“Yes. Don’t act like you’ve heard something great.”

nHikan said coldly.

nDalia’s reason returned only then.

n‘Yes, because I’m his partner……this is a given. You don’t have to think too complicated.’

nAt that time, the servant next to Hikan whispered quietly to him.

n“Your Grace, due to the orchestra’s circumstances, the first music has been postponed for an hour.”

n“…I see.”

nHikan replied one beat late. But for some reason, his voice doesn’t sound good.

n