After smiling at Catherine, who continuously admired her beauty, Ariana headed to the window. The breeze blowing in through the open window was warm, and the sun was rising with a clean light.

The humid capital air made it difficult to breathe in the summer, but Dongryeong’s air was refreshing, and even in the heat, it didn’t feel suffocating.

The wind carried the fragrance of flowers from the garden.

“Nice weather.”

Signy always exclaimed, ‘Nice weather,’ whenever she saw Ariana.

For Signy, a good day might be similar to what Ariana had so desired, the ‘permission to live,’ or something of the sort.

“You can live, there’s meaning in your birth, you’re fortunate to be born.”
What Ariana had so desired.

Carriages passing through the vast grounds of Chase Castle stopped in front of the central garden, and the attendants guided those who got off the carriages.

An endless procession of carriages, beautifully dressed nobles.

Upon seeing them, Ariana barely pushed away the overwhelming memories of the past.

Catherine handed Ariana a card with a splendid design.

“Princess, this is a dance card. The attendants will bring one for the princess shortly before going out, just in case, I brought one in advance. Here is the order of today’s performances, and on the back, the names of the gentlemen who requested dances are written.”

While Catherine was at the Bronthe Mansion, she explained in advance about dance cards for Ariana, who hadn’t properly attended a party.

Although Ariana had received dance cards several times, she accepted the card pretending not to know anything.

At the entrance of the ballroom, dance cards with the names of ladies and young ladies attending today were hung. Gentleman entering would write their names on the cards of ladies they wanted to dance with.

It wasn’t mandatory to write your name on the card, and it wasn’t necessary to dance exclusively with the person whose name was written on the card. However, it was customary to dance in the order of the names written on the card.

Ariana’s dance card had never been filled.

Alfrehi, the lower-ranking noble of Seoryeong, didn’t attract anyone’s interest. Occasionally, a man would write his name, aiming for the wealth of the Alfrehi noble family.

“There will probably be many today.”

In Seoryeong, Ariana was the most precious lady along with Kaledin, the wife of the Seon Dohjehoo. There were likely to be many nobles trying to stamp her face during today’s event.

“Can I endure this?”

Ariana looked down at her feet.

The shoes gifted by Jheor were comfortable with soft, velvety material inside, but even so, they felt uncomfortable on Ariana’s delicate feet, which hadn’t worn shoes much.

As time passed, all the invited guests entered. Now it was time for Ariana to go out.

The attendant came and informed that the Duke of Dohjehoo was waiting. Lastly, Catherine, who was checking Ariana’s appearance, asked.

“Don’t you have a dance card?”

“Oh, about that… Duke White didn’t prepare a dance card for the princess. He thought the princess might be tired.”

“Oh my, the Duke has such deep consideration.”

Catherine, perhaps worried that Ariana would have to dance tirelessly, was relieved to hear that there was no dance card. Ariana felt the same way.

Silently expressing gratitude to Averbuster, she followed the attendant through the corridor.

Duke Russell, the Dongjehoo, was waiting for Ariana in the first-floor lobby. Russell’s eyes widened as he saw Ariana.
When Ariana stopped in front of Russell, he looked down at his daughter with eyes filled with various emotions, and his eyes reddened. Ariana watched with a strange feeling as her father’s eyes reddened.

“Really… You’re beautiful, Ariana.”

“It’s thanks to Father’s care.”

“Truly beautiful.”

Hearing the choked voice, Ariana also felt like tears might fall for no reason.

Russell turned his head aside for a moment, composed his expression, and then smiled at Ariana, reaching out his arms. Ariana lightly placed her hand on her father’s arm.

It felt strange.

She had never dreamed of linking arms with her father and heading to the party venue. As something she had never wished for became a reality, her heart fluttered.

The ballroom was a bit away from the main building. There was no conversation between the ladies while walking across the garden. However, Ariana felt like she had exchanged many words.

The attendant waiting in front of the hall opened his eyes wide as he saw Ariana. The attendant’s lips widened on both sides.

“Princess, you’re truly beautiful.”

Russell chuckled happily at the attendant’s words.

The attendant opened the door of the ballroom and shouted.

“Duke and Princess Dohjehoo are entering!”

The music stopped for a moment. All eyes in the ballroom gathered at the open door.

The first to come into their eyes was the Dongjehoo with dark hair like the night sky. The Dongjehoo Russell White, who looked like a bear with his tall stature and broad shoulders.

Next, they saw Ariana.

Ariana, with her hand on her giant father’s arm, looked extremely small, almost like a fairy. A sky-blue fairy flying through the night sky.

The sweet smile that filled her small face was so charming that it made the chest tickle, and her silent steps were as light and graceful as a butterfly.

The musicians, who had been gazing at Ariana in a daze, suddenly regained their senses and began to play music. Sweet music, as if strewing flowers on Ariana’s path, filled the ballroom.

Eventually, the ladies arrived at the chairs prepared at the opposite end of the door.

Russell felt a swelling in his chest as he saw people looking up at him, no, at his daughter.

He had always dreamed of such moments.

From the moment Ariana was born, when he held her tiny body in his arms, when her little hand held his finger, Russell had never missed a day hoping for this moment.

Now that his wish had come true, just having Ariana by his side felt like gaining the whole world.

A faint smile appeared on the usually unsmiling Eastern Lord’s lips.

“Thank you for coming to celebrate my daughter’s return.”

His heart was warm.

“Enjoy yourselves.”