Chapter 383: The Succession Ceremony (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 383: The Succession Ceremony (3)
There were a few unspoken rules at balls attended by nobles.
The most important among them was that one must never knock on or peek through the door of a roped-off balcony.
But right now, Ophelia couldn't care less about such rules.
“Coming in.”
Click—
With that one short phrase, the balcony door swung open, and Ophelia’s eyes fell upon Delia, held in Kang Hyun-woo’s arms.
The moment she witnessed the scene, Ophelia’s gaze turned icy cold.
“...Hello?”
“...”
Hyun-woo offered an awkward smile and greeted Ophelia, but he was met with only an uncomfortable silence.
In that quiet atmosphere, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
It reminded him of the looks his younger sisters at the orphanage used to give any girl who got close to him.
Of course, one couldn't call the feelings his sisters had for him "love.”
It was closer to a kind of jealousy.
Children who grew up without parental love naturally crave the attention and affection of others.
And in that regard, Ophelia was likely no different.
Instead of pointing out Ophelia's rudeness, Hyun-woo decided to handle this the way he used to handle the younger kids at the orphanage.
“Delia.”
“O-Ophelia...”
However, the way Ophelia looked at Delia was more like a first wife persecuting a concubine.
In truth, the two had known each other for a long time.
Perhaps it was because they shared similar scars.
Ophelia had followed Delia like a real older sister, and Delia, who had distanced herself from people after that incident, had slowly begun to open her heart to Ophelia’s charm and assertiveness.
Transcending the difference in their status, the two had spent nearly four years together like blood sisters.
But that seemingly eternal relationship was slowly beginning to crack due to the presence of one man.
“...Are you in love with Hyun-woo-nim, sister?”
“?!”
Delia’s eyes widened at Ophelia’s blunt question.
Still in Hyun-woo’s arms, Delia’s lips parted as if she were at a loss for words.
But only for a moment. As if she had made up her mind, Delia hugged Hyun-woo tightly.
“...That’s right. I like Hyun-woo.”
“Gasp?!”
Someone gasped at Delia’s words.
It was Ophelia’s maid, who had been quietly spectating—no, observing—the situation from behind.
The floor was now a mess of popcorn she had been holding.
“A-And Hyun-woo said he likes me too...!”
“?”
This was news to him.
At Delia’s bombshell declaration, not only Hyun-woo but also Ophelia and her maid froze.
An unsettling tension began to fill the air.
“Uh... Lia? What are you talking about?”
Hyun-woo asked cautiously, and Delia shyly lowered her head.
“M-My mother told me... that when a woman they like touches them, men... get bigger.”
“...Ah.”
At Delia’s whisper, Hyun-woo finally understood.
Her knowledge of sex was even more innocent than that of the children at the orphanage.
But the situation didn't allow him to point that out.
Ophelia, her face hardened and cold, was approaching them.
Just as the maid held her breath, watching the scene unfold...
Whoosh—
Ophelia suddenly wrapped her arms around Hyun-woo’s waist.
Delia on his left, Ophelia on his right.
It was the classic ‘a flower in each hand’ moment.
“Well... if it’s you, Delia, then I approve.”
“?”
“But even if it's you, I have no intention of meekly handing over the position of first wife.”
Ophelia shot Delia a provocative smile and pressed herself deeper into Hyun-woo’s embrace.
“I'm only stepping back for now because I can't fully fulfill the duties of a wife. When I become an adult, Hyun-woo-nim will be able to embrace me without hesitation. And then, he'll surely dote on me more than you, Delia, when you're in your late twenties, right?”
“H-Hyun-woo...?”
At Ophelia’s words, Delia looked up at Hyun-woo with a tearful expression, as if asking if it was true.
Without a word, Hyun-woo stroked Delia’s hair and then lightly flicked Ophelia on the forehead.
“Ouch!”
“Dote on you? What are you talking about? Don't ruin your own marriage prospects.”
“...You can just take responsibility for me, Hyun-woo-nim.”
Ophelia rubbed her forehead, pouting.
Hyun-woo let out a short sigh, then took a small box from his coat and handed it to her.
It was a jewelry case for a necklace.
“What’s this...?”
“It’s a little late, but happy eleventh birthday.”
Although it had been unceremoniously cut short by the terrorist attack, the party at the Winchester estate had originally been to celebrate Ophelia’s eleventh birthday.
Since the Duke hadn't mentioned anything, Hyun-woo hadn't prepared a gift, and the fact had been weighing on his mind. As soon as he was discharged from the hospital, he had gone around asking about famous jewelers in London.
The pendant he had chosen was beautifully crafted with an amethyst that resembled the color of Ophelia’s hair.
“I’m not sure if you’ll like it, since I had to prepare it in a hurry. If it’s alright with you, may I put it on for you?”
Ophelia slowly nodded without a word, and Hyun-woo skillfully fastened the pendant around her neck.
“It looks lovely on you.”
“...I’ll treasure it.”
“Then the honor is all mine.”
Hyun-woo smiled gently and lowered himself to meet Ophelia’s gaze.
Their first meeting might have been rather strange, but the thought of parting soon made him feel a little sad.
Was it because of his own harsh and desperate childhood?
Though he would never admit it, Hyun-woo had a soft spot for children.
“...I also have a gift for you, Hyun-woo-nim. Could you close your eyes?”
“Pardon?”
“Hurry.”
At Ophelia’s urging, Hyun-woo slowly closed his eyes.
And in that instant.
Smooch—
The soft, warm touch of lips pressed against his cheek.
Delia’s eyes widened as her lover(?) was stolen right before her.
“...Thank you for avenging me.”
Hyun-woo stared blankly at Ophelia.
Her face, blooming with a pale crimson blush, wore the expression of a young girl who had just discovered ‘love.’
“In seven years, I’ll be an adult. In the East, they call it Sunbaekjisin (a body of pure white), don't they? I will grow into a lady meant only for you, Hyun-woo-nim, so please, just wait for me until then.”
Ophelia touched her own lips and smiled brightly.
Then she turned her head to look at Delia, who was still dumbfounded.
“Thank you so much for everything, Delia. So, for today, I’ll yield to you.”
“...Huh?”
With those final words, Ophelia fled the balcony as if escaping.
She didn't show it, but she was just as embarrassed.
The maid, who was about to follow her, paused for a moment and bowed respectfully to Hyun-woo.
“Thank you sincerely for saving the young lady’s life. And as a bonus for saving my humble life as well, if you wish, I will repay you with my body. Please feel free to contact me anytime.”
“...It’s fine, just go quickly.”
“For your information, I’m a virgin with no experience with men.”
“...”
For a split second, Hyun-woo’s gaze drifted to the maid’s chest.
It was merely the aftereffect of several days of celibacy, but Delia, who caught that fleeting glance, felt her eyes slowly cloud over.
But that, too, was only for a moment.
“?!”
As soon as the maid left, Hyun-woo glanced around before immediately leaning down and stealing a kiss from Delia’s lips.
Delia’s eyes widened at the soft touch.
It was just a brief peck, but her eyes quickly regained their original golden hue and began to tremble slightly.
An instant that felt like an eternity passed, and their lips parted.
“Shall we head back to the ballroom?”
“...”
Delia slowly nodded at Hyun-woo’s question.
Her face was flushed so red it looked like it might burst.
*
The reason Hyun-woo had brought Delia back to the ballroom instead of taking her to a hotel was because of the succession ceremony.
Not only was it unthinkable for him to be absent from such an event, but according to Duke Winchester, the Queen herself wished to meet him.
To leave the hall with a woman and go to a hotel under such circumstances was tantamount to not just damaging his reputation, but utterly shattering it.
Moreover, many foreign dignitaries were in attendance at the ball tonight.
Among them was someone Kang Hyun-woo had always wanted to meet.
Of course, there was also a face he would be seeing again after a long time.
“His Holiness, the Saint (聖子), chosen by the sacred divinity, Ellyn Theresia! And Her Holiness, the Saintess (聖女), incarnation of the benevolent Holy Mother Mary, Elysia Theresia, now enter!”
Rumble—
As the massive doors opened, a procession of priests in pure white formal attire entered with a solemn air.
And, as if escorted by them, a man and a woman appeared.
In that instant, every eye in the hall turned towards them.
A powerful divine energy that seemed to transform the ballroom into a holy land, hair and eyes the color of molten gold, and an unreal beauty to match.
The hall began to stir at the appearance of the Saint and the Saintess, who, along with the Pope, reigned as the central powers of the Holy See.
Europe had long been a place where the Church’s influence was immense.
It was only natural for the Saint and the Saintess to visit England, which had suffered greatly from Belmoras’s terror attack, to offer their condolences.
Duke Winchester and the Duke of Rutland, who had since returned to the ballroom, greeted them politely.
Hyun-woo watched the scene from a distance with Delia.
‘...I never thought I’d actually see her again.’
His gaze was fixed on the Saint.
In fact, the two had met once before.
During the Purpur Descent incident, the Saint had personally visited Korea to interrogate Hyun-woo. It was during that process that Hyun-woo had learned the shocking truth that the Saint was a woman disguised as a man.
‘Her acting is definitely good enough to make a professional actor weep.’
From her bone structure to her gestures and even her way of speaking.
On the surface, she looked like nothing more than a robust man in his twenties.
Furthermore, her expressions, her gaze, and even her breathing were all part of a meticulously calculated performance.
As he was inwardly marveling and carefully observing the Saint’s party...
“...Hm?”
Hyun-woo’s eyes met with the Saintess, who was looking his way.
He was momentarily surprised by her otherworldly beauty, but he couldn't fathom why she was singling him out from the crowd.
It would have made sense if it were the Saint, but this was his first time meeting the Saintess.
The Saintess gave him a meaningful smile before averting her gaze.
He felt a little uneasy, but Hyun-woo decided to dismiss it for now.
He wanted to approach her secretly and talk, but he didn't have the luxury.
THUMP!!
“By the grace of the great crown, Her Majesty, Queen Katrina Gwendolyn Adelheid, guardian of the empire's glory and well-being, now enters!”
