A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke-Side Story 21: Debutante (IV)
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Side Story 21: Debutante (IV)
โ โ โ
โHis Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Esther of the Grand Duchy of Tersia will enter together!โ
The imperial knight announced the entry of the two in a loud voice.
Then all eyes from all over the hall turned to the door.
โOh my, His Highness the Crown Prince made a simultaneous entrance? Isnโt this the first timeโฆ?โ free webnov el.com
โItโs the first time ever. He has always stayed away from womenโฆโ
โThe rumor that he has a special relationship with Lady Esther must be true.โ
With his outstanding looks and the status as the crown prince, Noah was very popular among noble ladies.
However, no one could approach him because he always kept a certain distance and drew a line.
Now that Noah had officially brought a partner, it was only natural that they were jealous of that target.
โBut they really suit each other.โ
โIs it just my feeling, or are only the two of them sparkling as if the lights are surrounding them?โ
Not only were many young ladies envious, there were also many young lords who were saddened to see Esther with someone.
โIn the past, I couldnโt even approach her because of the twins, but nowโฆ this! Itโs so unfair.โ
โI saw her at a birthday party the other day and fell in love at first sightโฆ Haโฆโ
While all attention was focused on the two, a few who had regained their senses started to move.
โI am the eldest son of the County of Whitney. Please remember me!โ
โItโs such an honor to be able to debut together with you two.โ
Everyone tried to somehow get in the eyes of Esther and Noah and put in a word.
โTsk tsk, everyone seems to have no self-respect.โ
โWhatโs the use of pride in front of a lady who receives a lot of affection from His Highness the Crown Prince and His Excellency the Grand Duke? I want to go too!โ
โLetโsโฆ letโs go together.โ
Even the jealous people joined the crowd. Therefore, everyoneโs attention continued to be focused on the two.
โ โ โ
Esther whispered in a low tone, exhausted from the people constantly talking to her.
โI think my face would get a cramp from smiling too much.โ
โAre you tired? We donโt have enough time to talk to each otherโฆ Shall I take care of this?โ
โIs there any good way?โ
โYes. Trust me.โ
After the whisper, Noah smiled meaningfully and raised his head.
With perked-up ears, he sorted out peopleโs questions.
โA big party is going to be held in my familyโs mansion soon. I really want to invite you two.โ
โLady Esther, that dress is so pretty. Which dressing room do you go to?โ
Listening to the meaningless chatter, Noahโs smile deepened.
โThis is the first time both of you are here with a partner, are you two in a special relationship? Youโre still holding handsโฆโ
Noah turned to the person who asked this particular question and responded softly.
โWhat kind of relationship?โ
Feeling strange, Esther hurriedly tried to let go of his hand.
But instead of being free, her hand was caught and squeezed tightly.
โI like her. A lot.โ
Swoosh.
The atmosphere froze as shock spread across peopleโs faces, and the surroundings instantly fell silent.
Noah raised his hand as if to show off.
Naturally, peopleโs eyes turned to the interlocked hands, and their eyes widened when they saw the couple rings on their fingers.
โKyaa, kyaaak!โ
โLady Esther, oh my gosh. I liked her a lot.โ
The screams of many women spread, and many men grabbed the back of their necks.
A man who had been crushing on Esther for three years ran out of the hall in tears.
โSo today, I want to enjoy the banquet as a couple. Please understand.โ
Having finished his words, Noah resolutely walked forward with Esther.
As the bewildered crowd parted, a path naturally formed.
Esther and Noah, who managed to escape from the crowd after 30 minutes of entering the hall, moved to a corner.
โHow is it? Isnโt it quiet? No one will disturb us now.โ
โItโs not that they wonโt, itโs that they canโt.โ
Esther shook her head when she saw Noah speaking triumphantly, asking for praise.
โIโm thirsty, Iโve talked too much.โ
About to pick up a cold drink, Estherโs hand paused.
โDoes this contain alcohol?โ
โYes, since weโre adults starting today.โ
Hearing that, Estherโs eyes lit up and she picked up a glass of beer.
โIโve watched my brothers drink it, and Iโve been very curious about its taste. Now I can drink too!โ
Esther was intensely stimulated by curiosity about the unknown she had never encountered.
However, just before the beer reached her lips, Noah freaked out and snatched the glass away.
โYou better not drink here. My back has been burning since a while ago, it looks like the grand duke is staring at me.โ
โUgh.โ
Esther groaned as she glanced at the family table.
Not only her father, but her brothers as well. They were staring at Noah with the momentum to jump out.
โโฆI want to feel better.โ
With a disappointed heart, she picked up barley tea, which was the same color as the beer, and quenched her thirst.
Thenโฆ
The empress, who was in charge of the debutante, came on stage and gave a welcome message.
โCongratulations to all of you on reaching adulthood. I believe that all of you will brighten the future of our Austin empire.โ
As the empress continued to speak, she scanned the audience, and her eyes lingered on Noah and Esther.
โBefore the opening ceremony begins, I would like to ask the crown prince for a special dance to announce the start today.โ
โHuh?โ
Noah, who was playing with Esther, stood up in embarrassment when more gazes turned to them.
But he soon figured out the situation, and he reached out to Esther, bending his back slightly, his expression saying it was rather good.
โWould you like to dance with me?โ
Esther, whose eyes had turned into a rabbitโs due to surprise, sighed.
โIn front of all these people?โ
โThe people donโt matter, do they? We can finally have our first dance.โ
First partner and first dance.
โโฆSure.โ
Knowing the meaning, Esther stood as well, holding Noahโs hand with a pounding heart.
The heat in the already hot hall increased in intensity, and thunderous applause erupted from everywhere.
Noahโs firm hand eased Estherโs tension as they walked to center stage.
The two of them stood in the middle of the stage where the chandelier light was the most splendid.
โAfter waiting for six years, this day has come.โ
Esther smiled at Noahโs complaint.
As Noah gently wrapped an arm around Estherโs waist, notes from a violin began to resound.
The two danced as naturally as flowing water. Even though they had never practiced together, their breathing matched perfectly.
As the dance ripened, the empress officially declared that the debutante had begun.
Then all the other attendees came up to the stage and took their positions. Everywhere except for the center.
Partners did not discriminate between genders.
It was amazing to see men and women, or men and men and women and women pairing up and dancing naturally.
โThis is the first time I feel like this. It seems to revolve around us.โ
Estherโs emotions were running high in the heightened atmosphere.
โDo you know what Iโm thinking?โ
โAre you happy to be an adult?โ
โNo.โ
โThen?โ
โI want to kiss you.โ ๐ณ๐ซ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐ฒ๐ฅ.๐๐จ๐ฆ
The moment the distance between them got closer because of the danceโฆ
Noah brushed Estherโs ear and whispered in a low tone.
Taken aback by the direct words, Esther stumbled as her feet twisted.
โYouโre crazy?โ
โIโm crazy about you.โ
Noahโs hands were tightly pressed to Estherโs waist, steadying her and preventing her from falling.
โDonโt worry, I wonโt do it here. Congratulations on coming-of-age, Esther.โ
โYou too.โ
Esther, who felt her heart skip a beat from nervousness, relaxed her body and smiled.
Then she looked up and took in the chandelier that boasted splendid majesty.
Receiving congratulations from many people, this moment under the bright light felt like a distant dream.
โโฆI think I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.โ
โIโm glad Iโm with you at that moment.โ
Esther and Noahโs intertwined gaze revealed their deep affection for each other. They couldnโt hide it.
The orchestraโs performance soon ended.
Esther and Noah, who were absorbed in the dance, exchanged greetings after making a finishing pose.
And as she was about to leave the stage, Noah gently grabbed Esther by the wrist and turned her towards him.
โWhy?โ
โA step is missing.โ
Noah went down on one knee and kissed the back of Estherโs hand softly, like a knight swearing an oath.
In the case of dancing as a representative, it was an act often performed by partners.
However, since it was the crown prince, a commotion broke out.
โDid you plan this?โ
โWell. Itโs not an opportunity that comes often. No one will be able to get between us now, right?โ
Noah smiled, greeted Esther again, and got up.
It was clear that after todayโs debutante, there would be no one across the empire who didnโt know that Crown Prince Noah and Lady Esther Tersia were dating.
Flushed with happiness and embarrassment, Esther went down the stage with Noah. Then she stopped suddenly and rubbed her eyes.
โWait. Are my eyes malfunctioning? Why is Dad and His Majesty together?โ
Surprisingly, Deheen and the emperor were sitting side by side at the family table.
โโฆMy eyes are seeing the same thing.โ
Noah recalled the conversation he had with his family during the day and prayed that his father would not mess with his work.
โ โ โ
While Noah and Esther danced, the people surrounding Deheen slipped away.
โItโs a dance, but itโs too close.โ
When the pissed-off Deheen clenched his hand, the peanuts he had forgotten to snack on turned into powder.
โWho wants to be your father?โ
The voice of Noah who called him father in front of the hall lingered in his ears, and his anger reached its peak.
While everyone was busy avoiding him, someone leisurely walked over and sat next to him.
โNo needโฆโ
When that someone offered him a wine glass, Deheen turned coldly to refuse.
But upon seeing an unexpected person, his eyes widened in surprise.
โโฆSince when did Your Majesty start attending the debutante?โ
โI donโt think itโs any different than the Grand Duke. Would you like to have a drink together?โ
With a gentle smile, the emperor handed Deheen a glass.
Then, he opened and poured the wine he brought himself.
โThis is a wine from the Purtichon region that has been aged for 200 years. I prepared it specially. I hope it suits your taste.โ
The glasses were quickly filled, accompanied by a clear sound.
โItโs burdensome that you prepared it specially, but Iโll drink it well.โ
โThe first cup is meant to celebrate the coming-of-age of our children.โ
The emperor refilled the empty glass at once and savored the scent of the wine that emanated after shaking it lightly.
โGrand Duke, you canโt take your eyes off the stage.โ
โItโs my daughterโs stage.โ
There was something thorny in Deheenโs voice, which was colder than usual.
Deheen was now instinctively wary of the emperorโs approach.
However, the emperor did not care at all, and he discreetly revealed the purpose of approaching with wine prepared.
โLooking at the stage, I thought, donโt the two of them look really good together?โ
Ame: Noah be like, โChill, Father. I got this!โ while the emperor be like, โSPEED!โ xD and I donโt get it, why beer instead of champagne?