Chapter 35. The Ball at the County Estate
The Ball at the County Estate
The morning in Count Eckhart's territory began much earlier and more chaotically than usual.
The grand ball that toured each territory several times a year—this time, the host was none other than Eckhart Castle.
Every hand in the castle had been mobilized.
Butlers climbed up and down ladders to dust the chandeliers, while chefs shouted themselves hoarse inspecting meats that had been marinating overnight and premium wines.
The maids had no time to rest either. They decorated every corridor with flowers and pressed dozens of guest room sheets until they were crisp.
"Ugh... Why did the ball have to be now? My back's about to break," Ari grumbled as she wrung out a rag, her lips pouting in displeasure.
Her face was full of resentment.
"I haven't even taken my vacation yet... I was supposed to go home with my sister and rest properly, and now this."
At Ari's complaint, Maria's expression darkened as she polished silverware beside her.
After the succubus Bella incident, Maria's body had recovered, but I-seo—who served as an unofficial physician—had advised that long-distance travel was still too strenuous. As a result, the sisters' vacation had been postponed indefinitely.
"I'm sorry, Ari. Because of me—"
"Oh, no, sis! I'm not blaming you. It's just bad timing."
Ari hurriedly comforted Maria, but Maria couldn't shake her guilt and scrubbed the dishes even harder.
Ari wasn't the only one with grievances.
In a secluded linen room in the castle, Ella (Victoria) sighed deeply, buried under a mountain of towels.
"Ha... A ball."
She had once been a viscount's daughter.
Under normal circumstances, she would have been in that dazzling hall, wearing a gown and dancing under the escort of noble sons. But now, her status was that of a "lowly maid."
If any of her former acquaintances or social circle recognized her, it would undoubtedly bring shame to her family.
"During the entire ball... I'll have to hide like a rat."
Ella hugged her knees, overcome with melancholy. The harsh reality she'd forgotten while attending to Lucian at night came crashing down on her.
"You're not hiding."
At that moment, I-seo approached quietly and wrapped an arm around Ella's shoulders.
"Miss Ella... You're the Count's most precious jewel. He's keeping you hidden where others can't see."
"I-seo..."
"Stay with me tonight. I'll... tell you some interesting stories."
Ella's expression softened slightly at I-seo's calm comfort.
Though they weren't under dazzling lights, this cramped space where they could share each other's warmth felt far more comforting.
By afternoon, Head Maid Maria had gathered the regular maids in the grand hall.
Unlike the "Retainer Maids" (Maria, Ari, Nancy, Ella, I-seo, and Riri) who attended to Lucian at night, the general maids responsible for miscellaneous tasks had to interact directly with the nobles and thus required thorough training.
"Now, pay attention."
Maria's voice was stricter than usual.
"The guests arriving today are high-ranking nobles of the kingdom. A single mistake could tarnish the Count's honor."
Maria inspected each maid's attire and demeanor as she relayed instructions.
Reception: "When the nobles step out of their carriages, do not make eye contact. Bow at a 45-degree angle to greet them. Excessive smiling is prohibited—it could be misinterpreted."
Serving: "When refilling wine glasses, never let the bottle's mouth touch the glass. And when offering food, don't bend over too much. If your cleavage shows... it would be problematic."
Accommodation: "When guiding guests to their rooms late at night, stop at the door. Entering the room is forbidden. If anyone tries to force you inside, scream immediately or run to where the guards are stationed."
Maria added with a grave expression:
"Among the nobles... there are always some with wandering hands. They won't dare be too brazen under the Count's authority, but once alcohol is involved, men..."
She paused and sighed.
"...lose all rationality. So never let your guard down. Our Count cherishes all the maids in this castle, but he can't protect each of you individually."
The maids swallowed hard and nodded. They knew that behind every glamorous party lurked dangerous desires.
As the sun set, the castle gates opened.
A procession of ornate carriages entered, and nobles adorned with jewels streamed into the hall.
Amid the flowing music and clinking champagne glasses, hushed whispers passed between the nobles.
"Ah, Eckhart Castle never fails to impress," an elderly nobleman marveled as he surveyed the paintings on the walls.
"One can truly feel the dignity of an ancient house. I wish my territory could be decorated with such refinement. The Count's taste is impeccable."
Meanwhile, a group of young noblemen gathered in a corner glared at Lucian with displeasure.
"Hmph, doesn't the royal family favor the Eckhart House too much?"
"Indeed. Just recently, when a plague broke out in a village, the royal physicians were dispatched at the Count's request, along with a flood of relief funds."
"No matter how much of a war hero he is, that's excessive. Surely... he must have some shady connections with the royal high-ups."
They busied themselves finding flaws in Lucian's reputation, seething with envy.
After several rounds of drinks, the topic naturally shifted to "women."
"Say, have you heard the rumors? They say the Count keeps over ten concubines."
"Surely not. No man has that much stamina..."
"Oh, but I saw them earlier—those maids passing by. They were far too beautiful for mere maids, don't you think? Especially that blonde head maid (Maria). She could rival a noble lady."
"Well... no man would leave such beauties untouched. I bet nights here are wild. How enviable."
The men licked their lips, lost in lurid imaginations.
Meanwhile, noble ladies hid behind their fans, their gazes fixed solely on Lucian standing atop the dais.
His broad shoulders, firm chest, and cold yet seductive gaze—all accentuated by his tuxedo.
"Ah... Count Lucian... Isn't he like a sculpture?"
"I wish I were engaged to a man like that. How would it feel to be held in those strong arms?"
One young lady murmured dreamily, only for her friend to chide her.
"Wake up, dear. The Count is already engaged to Lady Rachel of House Richard."
"Hmph, Lady Rachel is pretty, but... I could look just as good if I dressed up."
"My, you should watch your tongue. Save such talk for when you've attained Lady Rachel's beauty and grace."
The hall buzzed with admiration, jealousy, and desire.
Lucian, as if relishing every gaze, raised his wine glass with a leisurely smile.
"Presenting Lady Rachel, eldest daughter of House Richard!"
At the herald's booming announcement, the grand doors of the banquet hall swung open.
The murmuring nobles turned their attention to the entrance, and for a moment, a breathless silence filled the room.
"Wow..."
As if someone had gasped, Rachel appeared—nothing less than the "Queen of the Night" herself.
She had cast aside her usual conservative style, donning a daring yet elegant midnight-blue off-shoulder gown.
The deep blue silk, like the night sky itself, made her porcelain skin glow translucently. The plunging neckline and delicate shoulders were mesmerizing, while the corset-cinched waist flared into a voluminous skirt that rippled like scattered stardust with every step.
Her lush golden hair was pinned up with diamond clips, and around her slender neck gleamed the radiant red ruby necklace Lucian had gifted her.
"Exquisite... It's as if a goddess has descended."
"A man who has such a beauty as his fiancée must have saved a nation in his past life."
Even the nobles forgot their envy, offering only praise. Without a doubt, Rachel was the true star of tonight's ball.
Lucian, in his black tuxedo, was equally flawless. He extended his hand gracefully toward Rachel as she approached.
"I've been waiting, my Rachel."
"Lord Lucian..."
Rachel smiled shyly and took his hand. The warmth of their clasped hands bound them even tighter after the bandit incident.
The music changed, and the melody of a waltz began.
Lucian placed a hand on Rachel's waist and guided her smoothly to the center of the hall.
"May I have this dance?"
"Gladly."
They moved as if gliding, perfectly in sync with the music.
Rachel's dress fluttered like flower petals under Lucian's lead. Gazing into each other's eyes, their harmony was so perfect it seemed as if only the two of them existed in the world.
"Tonight, you are... blindingly beautiful," Lucian murmured against her ear.
Rachel's face flushed crimson.
"I dressed up... for you," she whispered back, leaning slightly against his shoulder.
The surrounding nobles watched, spellbound.
Perfect looks, perfect backdrop, and honeyed gazes reserved only for each other—they were undeniably the "couple of the century."
Behind this dazzling spectacle, however, the eyes of the high-ranking nobles holding champagne glasses were not filled with mere congratulations. Their gazes were calculating, laced with hidden fear.
"Look at that sight. This is no mere union of beauty and grace," muttered a duke, a central figure in politics.
"House Richard of the south—though their title is lowly, they control the kingdom's southern trade routes and golden fields. Rumor has it their vaults hold more gold than the royal treasury."
A nearby count nodded and sipped his wine.
"Meanwhile, the Eckhart House in the north—though their land is barren, they command the continent's strongest elite knights, who repel monsters and barbarians. They are the iron wall of the north."
The nobles' eyes remained fixed on the dancing couple.
"A blood alliance between the south's gold and the north's steel."
"This... is the birth of a colossal force that could threaten even the royal family's power. A monster wielding both wealth and the sword."
"Shh, keep your voice down. But... you're not wrong. His Majesty must be uneasy as well."
