Changing the Keywords of the Dark Lords (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
“Debutante?”
“Yes. You’re already at an age where you could hold your debutante ball.”
Even after returning to her room, she kept agonizing over just how much that name was worth, clutching her head in frustration. That thought vanished completely the moment she heard Felick mention the debutante ball.
“This time, Lord Calix will be participating as well. Everyone you’ve met so far is scheduled to hold their debutante ball that day. So I was wondering… perhaps you’d like to join too?”
‘Debutante…!’
From the moment she heard the word “debutante,” Delina’s eyes sparkled. It couldn’t be helped—she’d never held her own debutante ball before.
Niel and Charlotte had kept postponing it with one excuse after another, and ever since Niel officially became a count, she’d been practically confined to the attic, making it even harder for her to enter high society. To Delina, a debutante ball had always seemed like a distant dream.
But….
Her face quickly darkened as she remembered Niel and Charlotte.
“But I can’t let my family find out about me right now… My cousins will probably be holding their debutante ball this time, so my whole family will definitely be there.”
“Is that so? Then…”
Felick paused briefly in thought before clapping his hands.
“My lady, you certainly have the right to attend.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“There’s no rule saying everyone has to enter together. Once they’ve gone in first, you can follow right after.”
“…Do you think that’ll really work?”
“Of course. You’re qualified, and you’re a true member of House Floren. Just say someone extra showed up. Besides, once all the guests have arrived, who’s going to double-check the family registry?”
The possibility of attending the debutante ball made Delina’s eyes gleam brighter and brighter.
“There’ll be so many people that day, no one will scrutinize faces closely. So let’s hide your most noticeable feature—your violet hair—with a wig, and wear a dazzling dress to draw attention instead.”
“So… I can really… really have my debutante ball?”
“Absolutely. Of course you can—it’s only natural.”
Something so natural.
The fact that she’d never been able to enjoy something so natural in the past brought a sudden lump to her throat. Seeing this, Felick gave her a gentle smile.
‘A debutante ball… a debutante ball…’
Even while Betty measured her dress size with a tape against her body, and even while walking down the hallway excitedly, Delina’s mind was entirely filled with thoughts of the debutante ball.
‘Wait, I should practice dancing too—how did it go again? It’s been a while since I last danced, but surely…’
In the past, she’d practiced for years, dreaming of the day she’d debut. Though that day to dance in the imperial palace never came, her body still remembered those practiced movements.
‘Right—turn once here…’
It was a dance she’d performed alone in the attic, never giving up hope of her debutante ball. Once she started dancing, the motions flowed naturally. A smile appeared on Delina’s lips.
‘And here, the gentleman would take my waist…’
Just as Delina lifted her chin as if leaping into the air, she saw someone standing far down the corridor.
Huh?
It was Calix, his red eyes unmistakable even from a distance. Realizing Calix had noticed her, Delina lowered her limbs with an embarrassed expression.
“Hello…?”
“…”
“Um, I was just practicing debutante dance steps.”
Calix had been staying in the mansion the whole time, yet his presence was rarely seen. And now, she’d finally run into him—of all times, while she was completely absorbed in dancing, twisting her arms and legs every which way.
“…You know what dance this is, right? You said you’d be doing your debutante ball this time too.”
“…”
“If it’s alright… would you practice as my partner?”
Until now, her only practice partner had been Gideon. But Gideon would always run off after one or two songs, claiming boredom, so she’d never gotten much practice. Even after Delina spoke, Calix remained stiff as if he’d just witnessed something utterly mortifying.
“You’re going anyway, so just once with me…”
The moment Delina took a step toward Calix, he instantly stepped back—one step faster than anyone else would have.
“…?”
When Delina took two steps forward, Calix retreated two steps; when she advanced three, he backed away three.
Look at him!
Having only ever seen children eagerly approach her, seeing Calix actively avoid her felt oddly refreshing in a way. Finally stopping her advance, Delina shouted from the middle of the corridor.
“Hey, wait!”
“…”
“Did you… maybe get sore knees or throbbing teeth or memory loss after that test too?”
Since leaving the test incident unresolved felt unsettling, Delina decided to strike first this time.
“You know that secret family technique of ours—so secret even daughters-in-law don’t know… Anyway, it’s a natural reaction, so don’t worry too much about it!”
She had no idea how many times she’d sold out that “family secret.” After uttering words that would make the ancestors of House Floren weep, Delina continued.
“That technique is an absolute secret! I’d guard it even if a knife were at my throat!”
Worried Calix might stubbornly press her for details, Delina even emphasized the need for strict confidentiality.
Yet Calix remained silent, simply staring at Delina without any visible reaction. But something caught her eye behind him. Upon closer inspection, crumbs—like bread crumbs—were falling steadily to the floor.
‘Ah… could that be why he keeps avoiding me…?’
Just as Bansent was obsessed with devices and experiments, and Noah with money, Calix had his own obsession too.
Sweet desserts.
If dessert was indeed behind him, it made perfect sense why he wouldn’t come closer. Delina roughly understood the reason.
‘Calix strangely hated admitting how much he loved desserts.’
Despite his infamous title as the “Duke of Slaughter,” it was quietly known that Duke Calix adored desserts immensely.
Of course, Calix detested anyone openly discussing it. His feelings toward desserts were a true mix of love and hate—ambivalence.
‘That’s why he’d cut down anyone who dared mention desserts in front of him.’
Talking about desserts around Calix was strictly taboo. And Delina, who knew this better than anyone, quietly watched the crumbs falling beneath him.
‘If you’re going to hide it, at least do it properly… honestly…’
Noticing Delina’s gaze, Calix looked down at his own feet. Realizing his crumbs were falling, his eyes flashed. Startled, Delina quickly spoke up.
“Dessert! You’re eating dessert!”
“…”
“Desserts are delicious! I eat lots too. Uh, when I’m hungry, I can eat three plates…”
At that moment, something glinted in Calix’s other hand—a short knife.
“…!”
Holding the knife, Calix slowly approached. Now it was Delina stepping backward, and Calix advancing.
‘I need to use my ability… Wait, but which one?’
Using “Kind Gentleman” might make him stab her kindly, and she didn’t even want to think about “Giant Dog Boy.” Knowing better than anyone the influence of keyword abilities, she had to be cautious. In that moment, Calix closed the distance swiftly.
“…!”
Delina reflexively squeezed her eyes shut. But nothing happened. Slowly, she opened them again—Calix’s red eyes filled her vision.
“Don’t speak of it.”
“…”
“This.”
Only when Calix drew near could she see what the glinting object in his hand really was. It was a butter knife—polished to a brilliant shine.
‘He’s seriously dedicated to his desserts…’
Since he was so serious about desserts, she knew he wouldn’t use that butter knife on her neck. Relieved, Delina finally nodded.
“Got it. My lips are sealed.”
“…”
“Oh, but… that dessert looks really tasty. I tried some—it was delicious.”
Calix reacted slightly to her words. Encouraged, Delina continued.
“Anyway, what does it matter if it’s a meal or dessert? If you want to eat it, just eat it. Right?”
“…”
“If you like it, just eat it. I’ve even eaten cake as a meal before. It’s a bit sweet, but really tasty.”
“You ate it as a meal? How many plates?”
Caught off guard by Calix’s sudden eagerness, Delina blurted out without thinking.
“Uh… maybe ten plates? Something like that?”
Hearing she’d eaten ten plates of dessert at once, life sparked in Calix’s eyes. Seeing his reaction, Delina hurriedly corrected herself.
“I mean… not quite ten plates…”
“…”
“…Nine plates?”
“!”
After glancing at Calix’s expression, Delina managed to reduce it by just one plate. Calix stared at her with keen interest, and Delina silently swallowed her tears, vowing never—ever—to sit at the same table as this man.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
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Chapter Comments (37)
Inline Comments (53)
“Right. He arrived this morning. It’s about time the kid woke up, after all.”
Omg omg Omg he is actually back! I forget where he went but I’m interested to see how he could have possibly improved his skills. Looks like he still unhealthy, sleeping in so late. I think he is on the smaller side compared to the MLS.
At the voice, Mernin froze. The noble ladies and gentlemen who saw his face bega
I wonder if it is Noah, it could be Ashud. Idk id really want to see NOAHas the ML instead of the typical crown prince~ but I’m a fan either way
Celine’s murmuring about the heat gave Delina a glimpse into the terror she must
Del is so observant and really smart to notice the reason! I wonder if Celine had anything to do with her rewinding time. Honestly where did Celine even come from?!
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I wonder how well Zen understands Del’s speech. Also does the Duke think of her fondly? Does he even know how to laugh?? He calls her Jester so he definitely thinks she’s like a clown. I also wonder how the OG FL is like, the one everyone was obsessed with. And the girl who was Gideon’s lover, I wonder if she had a unique power that gave her a second try
I wonder how well Zen understands Del’s speech. Also does the Duke think of her fondly? Does he even know how to laugh?? He calls her Jester so he definitely thinks she’s like a clown. I also wonder how the OG FL is like, the one everyone was obsessed with. And the girl who was Gideon’s lover, I wonder if she had a unique power that gave her a second try
The kids are really cute!! They are only 12, but they still have childish tendencies while still being powerful. Truly good luck to Del, especially with the Duke having an unusual fondness with training the kids. Cause what do you mean your trying to X a child??