Chapter 9
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Chapter 9
"As expected, the Prince's welcoming ball is absolutely magnificent!"
Helena cried out, abandoning all pretense of composure as she gazed up at the chandelier suspended above her head.
After a week away, Count Oslo's Mansion had transformed dramatically. The sculptures that once filled the Gallery had vanished thanks to Charlotte, and now the Ballroom and every corner of the estate gleamed with crimson silk ribbons symbolizing England and deep emerald and silver drapery representing the Holland Kingdom.
Yet amid the speechless wonder shared by Helena and Bianca, Charlotte's attention was drawn to something particularly striking—the Holland Kingdom knights positioned throughout the venue, despite this being a social ball.
Bianca noticed the direction of Charlotte's gaze and giggled.
"Charlotte, those gentlemen aren't participating in the ball, so why don't you tear your eyes away? I understand they're quite captivating, but... hehe."
Indeed, they all possessed the dignified bearing befitting Holland's elite knights. Without realizing it, Charlotte found herself comparing them to Leopold as she observed their pale eyes, lustrous hair, and impressive stature. Perhaps because he was the Holland Prince, there was something vaguely familiar about them, yet Leopold was utterly unlike anyone else.
'His Highness Leopold possesses an aura that I've never witnessed in these stern-faced knights guarding the door, nor in any of the countless gentlemen I've observed thus far...'
Charlotte tilted her head slightly, recalling Leopold's gaze upon her. His smile held both the glossy ease of a fox's tail and the cold brilliance of dawn's first light. And those mysterious grey-green eyes of his—how they transformed! In candlelight, they appeared endlessly tender, yet beneath moonlight, they seemed infinitely solemn. That gaze of his...
Just then, Helena tapped Charlotte's shoulder and spoke curtly.
"Charlotte, weren't you listening to me?"
Charlotte flinched as though awakening from a deep slumber. The cheerful chatter of guests and the bustling sounds of the Ballroom rushed back into her ears.
"Where is your mind wandering to? You made such a fuss about this ball all week, and now you're acting like you're lost in thought."
Helena spoke with a suspicious expression and fastened a dance card to Charlotte's wrist. Befitting Count Oslo's wealth, the card was adorned with delicate mother-of-pearl inlay.
"You've been acting strange lately. Ever since the day you apologized to Count Oslo, you've been unusually quiet—like you're harboring some secret."
Charlotte blinked at Helena's words, which mingled exasperation with concern.
'Because I do have a secret. And it's none other than a secret with the phantom Prince!'
Charlotte averted her eyes from Helena's suspicious gaze. Today was far too important to let her composure slip.
"Sister Helena, isn't today the day I truly make my debut in society? I suppose the nerves got to me a bit. Just wait and see—I'll fill this dance card to the brim tonight."
The moment Charlotte regained her composure and began her playful banter, Lydia Augusta, the girls' mother, Count Oslo, and his son Philip Oslo appeared behind them.
"Ladies of the Augusta Family, welcome!"
Count Oslo bellowed loudly, his thick gray mustache twitching. Philip and Count Oslo wore the traditional blue dress coats of England's nobility, adorned with red trim, and upon their chests gleamed silver medals embroidered with crowns and anchors, catching the light of the magnificent chandeliers.
(*The emblem of the Royal Navy in the early 1800s. The crown symbolizes royalty, while the anchor represents trust and the navy.)
Count Oslo's gaze swept across the radiant golden-haired ladies of the Augusta Family and Charlotte with her chestnut hair standing among them, his expression brightening.
"Now I can formally introduce my son, Philip Oslo, to the ladies of the Augusta Family. Would that be acceptable, Madam Augusta?"
"It would be a great honor for the Augusta Family, Count Oslo."
Lydia Augusta replied with an elegant curtsy. Count Oslo then gestured with one hand to the orchestra to play a welcoming piece for the guests.
"This is my son, Philip Oslo. Philip serves as an officer in the Royal Navy and recently returned from a journey across the European Continent aboard the HMS Undaunted, the very ship that transported Napoleon to exile on Elba Island."
(*HMS Undaunted: The British naval vessel that transported the deposed Napoleon to Elba Island in Italy in 1814.)
As the lively string orchestra began to play, Philip Oslo stepped forward slightly and responded to his father's introduction.
"Good evening. I am Philip Oslo of Brentwood. I believe I visited your residence briefly on a previous occasion."
Philip bowed formally to the ladies of the Augusta Family. He possessed an impressive height, lustrous golden hair, and remarkably clear, pristine blue eyes. Moreover, his naturally bright and refined expression created the illusion that a halo of white light surrounded him alone.
Upon seeing Philip, Charlotte hid her face behind her large fan and widened her eyes toward Helena and Bianca.
'Goodness gracious, Sister Helena, Bianca! Katie was absolutely right. Unlike Count Oslo, his son Philip is truly a remarkably handsome gentleman!'
Bianca, understanding Charlotte's silent excitement, rolled her eyes. Meanwhile, Helena maintained a solemn expression like their mother Lydia Augusta and merely gestured for Charlotte to face forward.
Count Oslo gazed at his accomplished son, who possessed more beautiful features than anyone around him, with a satisfied expression and continued.
"Excellent, excellent. Now, when Prince Leopold and the people of the Holland Kingdom arrive shortly, I shall introduce them as well. Ah, since Philip knows the other gentlemen and ladies of London better than anyone, he shall be able to assist the ladies of the Augusta Family throughout the evening."
Count Oslo briefly placed his hand on Philip's sturdy shoulder, offered a salute to the ladies, and withdrew. Then Lydia Augusta spoke gently.
"Ah, Philip Oslo, then I shall rely on you. Charlotte and all of us have never attended a ball where members of the Royal Court were present."
"Of course, it would be my pleasure, Mrs. Augusta."
Philip replied in a courteous tone. Simultaneously, he turned his smiling face carefully toward Charlotte. Seeing this, Lydia Augusta hastily added something more.
"Goodness, where is my mind? First, we must go check the piano for Helena's performance. In the meantime, Charlotte, why don't you stay here and have a conversation with Mr. Oslo?"
At their mother's words, Helena and Bianca immediately lowered their eyes and bade farewell to Philip. Lydia Augusta then hurriedly seized the arms of Helena and Bianca, and walked into the ballroom, leaving Charlotte alone.
'What on earth is this situation...?'
Charlotte's heart raced at this unexpected turn of events. Whenever a gentleman showed signs of requesting a dance with her beautiful older sisters, Lydia Augusta would often lead Charlotte into the ballroom. Yet today, the gentleman had been left alone with neither Helena nor Bianca, but with herself.
However, Charlotte, who had never given thought to what conversations might transpire after her mother departed, suddenly opened her mouth in haste.
"I, I was..."
"Miss Charlotte, I... Oh!"
Philip and Charlotte spoke to one another simultaneously, then started in surprise and locked eyes. But Philip quickly filled his blue eyes with warmth and spoke gently.
"Please, allow the lady to speak first."
At his gentlemanly manner, Charlotte felt her cheeks flush. Philip possessed a remarkable talent for rendering even the simplest word and smallest gesture as beautifully as a painting.
"Oh, I was merely trying to say that the ball is truly beautiful. What were you hoping to tell me, Mr. Oslo?"
Charlotte spoke in bewilderment, caught off guard by the situation she had only read about and imagined until now. Then Philip smiled shyly and spoke.
"I wished to thank Miss Charlotte Augusta and your sisters for accepting the invitation. Ever since you corrected my father's mistake regarding the Greek statue, I have been most eager to meet you."
The earl's son had wanted to meet me! As my lips kept rising in an involuntary smile, I had to hide my face behind my fan and stifle an awkward cough.
'Oh, it seems my chance has truly come! If only Philip Oslo would ask me to dance now...'
My heart soared at the attention of the gentleman I had long dreamed of, yet I gathered my wits to achieve my true goal—a dance with this gentleman. It was time to recall the etiquette I had studied all through the previous night and practiced with Leopold.
'His Highness Leopold said so. When a lady loosens the end of her glove slightly, it signals to a gentleman that she wishes to dance with him...'
Charlotte continued to flutter her fan while attempting to loosen the cuff of her glove with her free hand. But unable to use both hands, she could only fidget with one as if her arm had fallen asleep.
Philip blinked his blue eyes and asked Charlotte with a puzzled expression.
"Miss Charlotte, is something troubling you, perhaps...?"
"No, it's not that...."
Charlotte shook her head while continuing to struggle with loosening the glove at her fingertips. However, the silk gloves newly prepared for the Royal Ball clung to her arm like a serpent and refused to budge.
Frustrated, Charlotte inadvertently clenched her teeth and whispered.
"Ugh...this is ridiculous."
"...Pardon?"
When Philip looked at Charlotte with a startled expression and asked for clarification, she hastily responded to him.
"Oh, it wasn't directed at you, Philip Oslo! I was actually...."
Charlotte finally realized she could not remove the snug silk gloves without using both hands, so she grasped the folded fan in one hand and pulled at the glove on the other.
"It's just that the glove is so tight...."
Charlotte said, struggling to remove one side of the glove. Philip could not hide his bewildered expression upon suddenly witnessing a lady straining to remove her gloves before him. Yet the courteous young man, though flustered, asked her nonetheless.
"W-would you like me to help...?"
At that, Charlotte's earlier shyness vanished entirely, replaced by singular determination to loosen the glove cuff. She gestured for Philip to come closer.
"Oh, would you? Then here...ah!"
As Philip drew near, Charlotte pulled forcefully at the glove cuff. It was then that the glove, which had gripped her arm so stubbornly, finally gave way.
"Now like this! Ah, got it!"
Charlotte roughly thrust her elbow outward, still gripping the glove cuff.
Thwack—
'Hm?'
Charlotte realized her elbow had struck something and turned her head toward it.
"Gasp, cough, cough...."
There stood Philip Oslo, who had approached to help her, now doubled over and clutching his stomach after taking the full force of Charlotte's elbow to his solar plexus.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org