Frencia scoffed. "You must be desperate to lose your head soon?"
Both Cataleya and Frencia's silent argument was forestalled when the emperor laughed loudly while the other nobles were buzzing with excited whisperings.
"So you finally find your future duchess tonight?" the emperor inquired the duke. who didn't even pay him attention as his eyes were darting on every face of the ladies in the ball. There was a visible smirk on his face as he had his full attention in one corner.
"I did," Adelard said and made sure strides in a certain direction. The people at the ball followed the duke with their eyes including Frencia and Cataleya.
Both ladies' hearts thrashed wildly upon seeing the incoming duke in their direction. One was excited while the other felt nervous about the incoming dread.
Frencia fixed her composure and smiled in anticipation. The dance between them might have impressed the duke so as to eye her like she's the only lady at the party.
Cataleya was frantic on the other hand. Her eyes directed at the door, calculating how fast can she dashed towards it before the duke reached Frencia. She heard Trina and Jean that the duke had the eyes of Frencia during their dance. It must be true, witnessing how he looked at her like salvation. Like one who must be offered angels as her servants. Like someone, he's willing to lay everything including his life.
But Cataleya had no business in seeing Frencia's love story to the tyrant. They can rule hell if they want. The thing she should be prioritizing right now was her escape plan. Bring more jewelry she can sell and sail across the ocean far away.
"Can I have a dance with you?" The duke asked in such a tone that can wobble anyone's knees. Cataleya was somehow interested in seeing Frencia's reaction to that. She can make fun of her love-stricken face when she'll be bored on her travel then. However, she was stunned by the duke's hand in her direction instead. Every eye was directed at her including Frencia's look of astonishment.
But those weren't her concern.
Right now, she should be considering making a dash from there. Away from the tyrant maniac.
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Cataleya blinked stupidly on the hand stretched towards her. She was obviously breaking into sweats and feeling so cold. How the heck did she end up face to face with the duke?
"Y-you must be mistaken, your grace. I'm not available for a dance. I'm this lady's servant." Cataleya gestured to Frencia.
"Lady Cataleya Briston," Adelard said. "I can't mistake you from anyone. Not in a thousand years."
Cataleya looked at him in awe, not expecting him to utter such words.
"It seems the duke has finally found his future duchess." the emperor then announced after being taken aback.
"It's rude to make the duke wait for long, Cataleya. Go on."
"Father." Cataleya didn't even notice that the marquess and her brother were already behind her. "I can't." she said in low voice.
Cxenon then casually bridge the gap between them and acted to fix the rogue lux on her face behind her ear. "Take his hand if you value your life."
For a brief moment, Cataleya saw her brother's earnestness as if he was desperate for something.
Cataleya then turned to the duke and she had no idea that she was capable of following her brother's order when she placed her hand above the duke's.
The duke brought Cataleya to the center where the music barely catch the timing into playing as the two people dance.
Cataleya thankfully kept pace with the steps despite the awkwardness she felt under the duke's studying gazes. She had no idea why his eyes roamed the fullness of her face. As if savoring every tiny detail in there without allowing to miss anything. She flinched a little when he reached over her hair and smoothed it gently before smiling at her.
"There are strands sticking out from the pins," he explained.
Cataleya didn't respond to that and continued avoiding his gaze. Maybe this action of his is just a prelude before he swings his sword towards her. Though his manner was a huge contrast to the one in her nightmare, still she won't stand complacent.
"Just to make it known to you, lady Cataleya, I don't bite people." He said after the silence between them.
"I didn't say you do." Cataleya realized what she just blurted out. "I-I mean..."
"Then allow me to see your eyes," he said.
"You're already watching me."
"You're looking everywhere but me."
"People are staring and it's awkward."
"The future duchess deserves all the envious attentions of the people."
"W-what? I-I can't be...I don't know what you're talking about." Cataleya let a subtle gasp when he bridges the gap between them. She felt his mouth on her left ear and she stiffened.
"No one. Not even your emperor here should lay a hand upon you. If there's one mad man who'll hurt you, I'll bring them before you on their knees."
Such words were said in a gentle whisper, Cataleya felt the brute force behind those. Like one promising awful consequences if someone defies him. The rumors certainly ring the truth. Duke Adelard Cross is one true formidable enemy to deal with.
However, to hear such things from the duke made Cataleya wonder why he's keen on punishing anyone who will touch her.
"I don't deserve such promise, your grace." Cataleya managed to respond, looking up at him. His red hues eyes glinted when she did so.
"Ah...finally. I wonder if I have to beg for you to look at me." The duke said.
Cataleya realized how insanely attractive he is up close. Her breath caught up her throat for seconds there.
"Marry me, lady Cataleya and I shall take charge of everything. " The duke promised.
"This...is too sudden." She said as an excuse.
"Then I'll court you."
"The marquess won't allow it-"
"He did. In fact, we're going to get engaged next week."
Cataleya fell into silence as they continued to move with the music. Not a while, the dance concluded and she bowed before the duke.
"I must think it over, your grace. You should reconsider too. There are lots of beautiful ladies around with no taint on their names. You might not know me. I'm under probation for sinning the royal family."
"Not anymore. You'll come with me as soon as the ball ends."