Chapter 93
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Chapter 93
I stood before the Banquet Hall's entrance, holding Claude's hand.
My heart trembled at the prospect of attending such a grand gathering after so long.
Though truthfully, I couldn't quite understand why my heart was racing so.
I glanced sideways, stealing a view of Claude's profile.
Looking up at his face from below, a memory surfaced—that evening came rushing back.
The night I walked through the Monster Forest cradled in Claude's arms.
The moon had shone just as brightly then.
The wind, carrying the scent of grass, had been cool and refreshing, while the moonlight wrapped around his face in a tender glow.
"...."
I found myself entranced, gazing at Claude's luminous face as though bathed in the moon's affection.
The similar temperature, the identical moonlight, the same angle—all of it revived sensations I had nearly forgotten from that night.
Without thinking, my fingers curled slightly. My fingertips tingled inexplicably.
Sensing my movement, Claude turned his gaze from ahead to look at me.
He watched me blink silently, then his lips curved upward in a smile.
"There's no need to be nervous."
He brushed his thumb across the back of my hand, having noticed my tension.
"Yes."
Rather than offer an explanation, I simply nodded.
"I'm here with you."
His reassurance was both comforting and deeply reassuring.
"Shall we enter now?"
"I'd like that."
I turned my gaze from Claude to face forward.
"The Monster Subjugation Corps Commander, Marquis Claude Agris, Miss Lucella Rilprey, and Prince Lucian Bellomen have arrived!"
The doorkeeper's resonant announcement accompanied the opening of the massive doors, and the dazzling light of chandeliers poured down upon us.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them. As my vision adjusted, I saw people gazing at us with undisguised curiosity.
Walking in step with Claude, I felt the crowd's attention naturally shift to me.
Their faces brimmed with curiosity. Some whispered behind their fans, clearly wondering why Claude and I had entered together.
Yet they kept their distance, content to observe from afar.
'Well, it would be strange to suddenly feign familiarity.'
Unlike Claude, who was the head of a renowned house, I was merely a minor provincial noble.
And even that position had been usurped by my Uncle.
Without a title or a betrothed, having remained secluded from High Society all this time, there was no one who would approach me—save for the Subjugation Unit members.
"Miss Rilprey, Lucian!"
Everyone else, that is.
"Ah, Xenon."
The person approaching us was Xenon.
"Sir Xenon!"
"Yes. How have you been, Lucian?"
Xenon pinched Lucian's cheek as he nestled in Claude's arms.
With his hair parted and slicked back with wax, Xenon cut a neat figure in formal attire.
He seemed to have taken care with his appearance—his usually bandit-like features appeared softer than usual.
"How have you been?"
"Well, thank you. I've had a wonderfully restful vacation. And how have you been, Miss Rilprey?"
"I've been well too. I finally got some proper rest myself."
After finishing my conversation with Xenon, I turned my gaze to Claude. It was my way of signaling that it was their turn to greet each other.
"I've already exchanged greetings with the Commander."
"When?"
"Some time ago. The Commander arrived earlier than scheduled."
"What?"
At Xenon's words, I shifted my gaze to Claude.
"Marquis, didn't you arrive around the same time as me?"
"...."
"You said earlier that you were late because you were walking here."
"It seems Xenon has misremembered something."
Claude, who had answered me, turned his head to stare at Xenon.
"Isn't that right, Xenon?"
His gaze, fixed on Xenon with his chin slightly lowered, was oddly menacing.
"I, I must have been mistaken."
At Claude's question, Xenon hastily nodded his head.
"It's been so long since a banquet—I must have had too much to drink."
Xenon gestured behind him, where Raven and the other members were gathered, sipping champagne.
Rather than approaching us, the members simply exchanged nods as a brief courtesy.
"Drink in moderation. There's nothing good about getting drunk too early."
"Understood."
Xenon nodded and began to edge away from Claude.
"Wait."
Claude placed his chin on Xenon's shoulder as he turned to rejoin the members.
"Oh!"
Caught off guard, Xenon stumbled as Claude pulled him back.
With a crude show of strength, Claude drew Xenon close and placed Lucian in his arms.
"Take Lucian with you."
"Why are you suddenly entrusting Lucian to me?"
"Everyone will want to see Lucian, and Lucian will want to see his seniors too. Isn't that right, Lucian?"
At Claude's question, Lucian nodded his head.
"So go on, take him with you."
"Understood."
Whoosh.
As Claude waved his hand dismissively, Xenon carried Lucian back to the group. Reunited with faces he'd missed, Lucian soon blended in with the members, his laughter ringing out.
"Marquis Agris, aren't you joining them?"
"I see those fellows every day. I have no desire to face them on such a fine occasion."
"Haha."
I laughed at Claude's quip, my voice resonating through the hall.
My laughter mingled with the strings of the orchestra that filled the Banquet Hall.
"The music has changed."
"Yes. It appears the first dance is about to begin."
At Claude's words, pairs of men and women began gathering toward the center of the hall. It seemed the opening dance of the evening was commencing.
Claude watched the people swaying to the music, then turned to me with a question.
"Shall we dance a number?"
I turned to him in surprise at his suggestion.
The opening dance at a banquet carried profound significance. Because of this, those without romantic partners or fiancés often danced with family members of the opposite gender.
"Wouldn't that be inappropriate? The opening dance carries such weight that it might invite misunderstanding. I fear people would talk."
I spoke carefully.
We had already entered together—if we danced as well, rumors might spread that we were lovers.
"I have no objection."
But Claude shook his head as though such concerns were irrelevant.
"Precisely because it holds such meaning, I believe I should dance with Miss Rilprey."
"Because we're comrades who've endured hardship together?"
"That's not the only reason."
"Or because I've saved your life?"
"That applies to some extent, but it's not the answer."
"Then what is it?"
As we spoke, Claude naturally guided me toward the dance floor.
Parting through the crowd, he placed a gentle hand at my waist as we reached the center to begin dancing.
"Because I wish to dance with you, Miss Rilprey."
"What?"
With that brief question, the dance began. Claude spun me in a graceful circle, my hand clasped in his.
"There's no special reason. It's simply...."
My body drew away from Claude for a moment before being drawn back into his embrace.
Yet even as the distance between us closed, Claude struggled to find his words.
"Marquis Agris?"
"Yes."
He lifted me briefly into the air by my waist before setting me down, and finally spoke.
"I simply wish to share all good things with you, Miss Rilprey."
"...."
"That is the only reason."
This time, it was I who could not find my voice.
I kept my head bowed, following his steps as though being led through a dream.
'He wishes to share all good things with me.'
I couldn't fathom how to process what he'd just said.
Why did he treat me with such tenderness?
Why did his kindness always leave me so bewildered?
'Excessive gentleness is a crime,' I thought.
Especially for someone like me, utterly defenseless against it.
"I'm not certain what Miss Rilprey is thinking, but I hope my actions haven't caused you any misunderstanding."
At the sound of his voice from above, I lifted my lowered head.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It means don't mistake or misinterpret my actions."
....
"I don't behave this way toward anyone but you, Miss Rilprey."
Despite the confidence in Claude's voice, his ears burned a vivid crimson.
"That means...."
Did that mean I could accept this moment exactly as I felt it?
I wanted to ask him, but the words wouldn't come.
I couldn't decide what to say if his feelings were what I suspected, nor what to say if they weren't.
'What about my own heart?'
If my feelings toward myself weren't a misunderstanding, then my feelings toward him were....
'I still don't know.'
Whether Claude sensed my uncertainty or not, he said nothing more.
I simply remained cradled in his embrace, swaying gently to an unheard rhythm.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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