Baile

Francis entered the room, feeling somewhat angry about being forced to attend the party. Now everyone is spreading rumors that his parents are planning an engagement with Noelle.

"Mother, I want to leave. I don't want these rumors to continue. Everyone is saying that they intend to marry me off to Miss Noelle."

"Well, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make that rumor come true. Miss Noelle has become even more beautiful. You should be the one to invite her to your first dance."

"No way, mother! I refuse to be engaged to her. I dislike her character entirely."

"And who do you like then? Miss Odette? Because if that's the case, you better think of someone else."

"Is it because she's adopted that you don't like her?"

"That has nothing to do with it. The country doesn't need a clueless heir princess."

"Mother!"

"Go out and invite Miss Noelle to her first dance. Do it."

The queen stood up to leave the room, while Francis remained there, feeling annoyed. If he were in the palace, he would have already thrown something to vent his frustration. Meanwhile, at the party, Noelle continued talking to the girls she always met during her tea gatherings. Soon, it was announced that Noelle had to open the dance, so some boys invited her to dance, but she rejected them. She knew that whoever she danced with first would be seen as the person she would marry. Much to her dismay, Francis approached her to ask for a dance. She remembered that scene, where Francis danced with her, but after that, he spent most of his time dancing with Odette. Noelle curtseyed.

"I appreciate your invitation, Your Highness, but I want my first dance to be with the most important man in my life, the one who has taught me and guided me through this life."

Noelle walked up to the Baron and extended her hand.

"Father, will you honor this daughter of yours? There is nothing more important to me than starting this dance with the man who gave me life."

Everyone present was moved by Noelle's words. The girls always requested to dance for the first time with the guy they liked or their intended spouse, but Noelle even rejected the prince to dance with her father. The Baron was also moved by his daughter's words, so he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. However, for Noelle, those words meant nothing, as she knew perfectly well that she was less important to her father than Odette. He had shown that over the years. Francis felt humiliated by the girl's rejection, but the queen approached him, somewhat annoyed.

"You should be kinder to her. She is the right one, my son. You had better realize that."

The queen mentioned, but Francis only became angrier and withdrew from his mother. As he went out onto the balcony, Odette followed him and apologized, saying it wasn't her intention.

"I didn't know you were here. I'll leave."

"No, Miss Odette, please stay. We can chat. It's too noisy inside."

"Yes, it is. That's why I don't enjoy parties. It's just superficial people enjoying their wealth while there are people suffering out there."

"That's true. That's why I admire that you donated everything instead of asking for a party like this."

"To be admired by the heir prince. What an honor."

Odette looked down, feeling embarrassed by the prince's words.

"Someone who helps people without judging their status is worthy of admiration."

From where she was sitting, the queen could see Francis talking to Odette, and of course, others noticed that they were alone on the balcony. The rumors wouldn't take long to spread, especially because after finishing the first dance, Francis invited Odette to dance. Since she didn't have her own debut because of the absence of a party, just as Noelle suspected, they would be dancing together, attracting attention. She smiled. It's better to let them be. The queen noticed that Noelle paid no attention to the couple, so she approached her.

"You would look much better beside the heir prince."

"I appreciate your words, Your Majesty, but if I'm honest, I can't see myself married to the prince. I don't think we would ever understand each other."

"It's not because he's my son, but he is attractive and has good manners."

"I know, but I'm not interested. I hope I don't offend you."

"N-no, I appreciate your honesty."

The queen doesn't understand. Her son is the heir prince. All the girls his age covet marrying him and becoming the next empress. But Noelle isn't interested, even though she is the most suitable for the role of an heir princess.

"Did my son behave rudely towards you, and that's why you say you don't like him?"

"No, the prince and I haven't really spoken much. We have different personalities, and he doesn't match what I desire in a guy."

The queen remained silent. Noelle was undoubtedly a straightforward girl, but the lack of interest she showed towards Francis bothered her a little. The queen wanted the engagement to come to fruition; they are of age to formalize it. Noelle had gone to a secluded balcony, gazing at the horizon where darkness prevailed. She stretched her arms in that direction while smiling.

"If only the queen knew that the man I want to make mine is still far away from me..."

Noelle let out a sigh and hugged herself.

"Just a little longer, and he will be all mine... that man will yearn for only me..."

She gets excited just thinking of all she will do to him. Even if he has many women, they will mean nothing to him compared to her, and she will drive them all away because the Great Duke of Darkness, Raizel Ivanov, will be hers alone, and she will make him desire only her.

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