OHNIR - Chapter 91
Chapter 91: The Ball
Although the gradual dissipation of divine power across the continent had made this winter's climate highly unusual, the first snowflakes, heralding the start of the ball, still fell upon the royal capital's grounds right on schedule.
The day after Kelusta and Gloria parted, feather-like white crystals began to silently blanket the earth. The snow showed no sign of stopping, even on the eve of the ball. In fact, it seemed to intensify, falling thick and fast to create a glowing, snow-bright street under the night sky.
It was in such a blizzard that the Silentdis family butler arrived before a mansion he had not visited in many years. Holding a black umbrella, he knocked gently on the door and handed an exquisitely and securely wrapped gift box to Oliver, who answered.
“At Lady Gloria's request, please deliver this to Miss Amirium at once.”
The visitor said politely, “My lady also mentioned that it was delayed a few days due to the need for extra embroidery with gold and silver thread and gemstones. She hopes Miss Amirium will try it on as soon as possible. If anything doesn't fit, please have me take it back for adjustments immediately.”
“In short, that is the message.”
Oliver stood at Kelusta's door and relayed the Silentdis butler's message, adding, “And he is currently waiting in the drawing room for the results of your fitting.”
“How dedicated,” Kelusta remarked, accepting the gift box, which was perfectly dry and untouched by a single snowflake. She teased, “Are all butlers this hardworking? I’ll tell Grandmother to give you a raise tomorrow!”
Oliver smiled gently. “It is merely my duty; there is no hardship to speak of… But thank you for your kind sentiment, regardless. Please, go and try it on.”
Kelusta smiled at him, closed the door, and walked into her bedroom.
She placed the gift box on her bed and, with great interest, took hold of the silvery-white ribbon. She untied the bow, removed the wrapping, and lifted the lid, revealing a magnificent gown, folded perfectly inside.
A small jewelry box rested on top of the gown. Kelusta opened it to find a matching set of earrings and a necklace, both engraved with intricate dark gold filigree and set with large red gemstones. The accessories alone looked incredibly valuable.
…
As Kelusta lifted the gown from the box, she thought to herself with conviction—
She definitely hadn't paid enough.
This thought was only further confirmed after she put on the gown and examined her reflection carefully.
The expensive satin fabric reflected a subtle matte sheen in the lamplight. A deep, rose-like crimson was joined with snow-white fabric, which was printed with a faint golden damask pattern, at the front below the waist, resembling petals enveloping the heart of a flower. Lace traced elegant lines along the collar and cuffs. Two decorative strings of red jewels, similar to the jewelry set, wound in a wave-like pattern around the crimson satin, rising and falling gently before coming to rest at the seams on either side of the white panel.
Brilliant gold, flawless white, and mysterious red.
Kelusta couldn't help but smooth her long hair. Her eyes curved slightly as she offered her reflection an elegant smile.
“How grand,” the brown-haired girl murmured, studying her reflection, which seemed completely different from her usual self, both in appearance and aura. “I almost don't recognize myself.”
She smiled and turned. The floor-length skirt flared out like a blooming rose with the movement. Light shimmered across the jewels and the damask pattern, as if the entire gown had been enchanted, emitting a faint, captivating glow.
Kelusta smoothed the hem of her skirt and opened the door, her eyes meeting in surprise with those of Oliver, who was waiting outside, and Isabella, who had also arrived at some point.
She saw undisguised awe in both their eyes.
“…My heavens.”
Isabella was the first to recover. She stepped forward, leaning on her cane, and gently stroked the dark red satin of the long sleeves, offering her praise without reservation. “This is a truly magnificent and eye-catching gown. Gloria is a talented child. If I were several decades younger, I fear I, too, would be hopelessly captivated by her design.”
“In fact, I’m already hopelessly captivated by her.”
After her clever remark, Kelusta turned to Oliver with a smile. “The gown fits perfectly. Please ask the butler to relay a message to Gloria for me—I am very much looking forward to seeing her tomorrow.”
Oliver bowed slightly and departed, leaving Isabella alone with Kelusta. The duchess was still smiling as she said, “Ruth, I have decided to announce your return at this royal ball. Many nobles will surely approach you to converse. You had best prepare yourself for the pleasantries.”
“Don't worry, Grandmother. I've spent the last few days studying the nobles' art of conversation. I'm about seventy or eighty percent there, so I'm sure there won't be any problems,” the splendidly dressed girl said with a confident smile. “Besides, I was famously popular back in Seaside Town. Why would I be afraid of a little socializing?”
After all, she wasn't called ‘The Seaside Flower’ for nothing. It wasn't her fault she was just naturally likable.
Isabella watched her granddaughter's spirited and proud display, her heart filled with both satisfaction and joy.
“Of course, Grandmother knows you are capable,” the white-haired woman said, gazing deeply at Kelusta, who was holding the hem of her skirt and twirling left and right, her face a picture of adoration for the gown. She sighed, her tone unreadable. “Enjoy the ball tomorrow, my child.”
Kelusta, who had been admiring her gown, froze. She looked up and blinked, a little stunned.
Why did that sound… a little strange?
On the day of the ball, the heavy snow that had fallen for days finally relented, allowing the long-absent sun a chance to peek through.
The royal capital of Nobili was a world of ice and snow, draped in silver. The evergreens looked as if they were wearing thick, white fleece cloaks. The snow on the ground was soft and fluffy, crunching delightfully underfoot, making one reluctant to stop walking.
Claiming she had some matters to attend to and couldn't leave for the ball just yet, Isabella entrusted Kelusta to the care of Gloria, who had come to pick her up.
As the one who had invited her, Gloria was wearing a gown of a similar style to Kelusta's, though its colors were the complete opposite of Kelusta's brilliant gold and red.
Her gown was a combination of cornflower blue and diamond silver, almost perfectly matching her hair and eyes, which only served to accentuate the ducal lady's elegant and mysterious aura.
Frankly, from the moment Kelusta saw her, she couldn't take her eyes off her for even half a second.
“I like your dress,” she said from her seat in the carriage, hinting with ulterior motives. “It makes us look like a perfect match, as if we were made for each other.”
The silver-haired girl sitting opposite reached out and gently adjusted a few of the flower-shaped, translucent hairpins in Kelusta's hair. Her expression was gentle as she replied, seemingly offhandedly, “That’s because we are, indeed, the most perfect pair—”
Kelusta's heart skipped a beat. She snapped her gaze up to the other girl's smiling face, almost doubting her own ears.
Had she heard that right?
Just as she was holding her breath, wondering how to respond, Gloria’s lazy, drawn-out voice finally reached its conclusion.
“—of dance partners.”
Kelusta was speechless.
Under her speechless gaze, the silver-haired girl tilted her head, a picture of innocence, and asked without a hint of remorse, “What? Don't you agree that we will be the most perfectly matched dance partners at the ball?”
“…No, of course I share your sentiment,” Kelusta said, forcing a dry smile. “After all, you look so enchanting, my dear Lux.”
The public dance floor was set up in Brilliant Plaza, just outside the Royal Palace gates. The vast, open space was already teeming with commoners who had come for the festivities. It was clear Gloria and Kelusta were not early; by the time their carriage arrived within the palace grounds, the area was already crowded with empty coaches.
Kelusta rose, a little unaccustomed to her attire. Stepping carefully in heels that looked sharp enough to pierce the carriage steps, she took Gloria’s thoughtfully offered hand and descended unsteadily.
“I feel like a penguin,” Kelusta muttered with a pout once she had found her footing.
Gloria pictured it and couldn't help but chuckle. She offered a placation that didn't sound entirely sincere. “Trust me, my dear, even if you were a penguin, you would be the most beautiful and adorable one.”
The completely unconsoled ‘Miss Penguin’ narrowed her eyes at Gloria, muttering, “That’s a strange way to compliment someone.”
But despite her disgruntled tone, she dutifully followed etiquette and looped her arm through Gloria’s.
The dark red and sapphire blue satin sleeves intertwined as if they were made for each other. The combination wasn't the least bit jarring; in fact, they were a perfect match.
In this intimate posture, the two of them made their formal entrance into the splendid, brightly lit royal ballroom.
As Kelusta had expected, the ballroom was already filled with nobles who had arrived earlier. Young lords and ladies stood in clusters, chatting and laughing, while dapper gentlemen and elegant ladies drank in pairs. Melodious, gentle music drifted through the air, filling the vast hall as if by some special enchantment.
As the eldest daughter of the Silentdis family, Gloria had to maintain a certain air of importance by not arriving too early, but she still had to be present before the ball officially began.
The true dignitaries—such as the royal family, Duke Reginald, and Duchess Isabella—would delay their arrival even further, making a brief appearance only after ensuring their entrance had maximum impact.
Of course, there were always exceptions. Pretentious and clueless nobles, like those of the Charles Marquis Family, wouldn't be showing so much as a coattail.
Gloria handed Kelusta a glass of grapefruit wine. The pale pink liquid, held in a tall glass, gave off a fragrant, slightly tart aroma.
The brown-haired girl took a curious sip. The sweet yet slightly bittersweet liquid coated her tongue. Savoring it, she could detect a hint of honey. A single sip was enough to gradually warm her.
“Aren't you having any?” Kelusta asked. “It’s delicious.”
Gloria smiled and shook her head. “I can’t drink alcohol.”
Kelusta froze, instantly recalling what had happened the first time she had stayed the night in Gloria's dormitory.
Whether it was the memory of Gloria's drunken state or the potency of the fruit wine, Kelusta suddenly felt her cheeks flush crimson as if on fire. She gave a light cough and averted her gaze, but couldn't resist taking another small sip, as if to cool her burning head.
A thousand emotions flickered in Gloria’s eyes. Her long fingers, hanging at her side, twitched slightly. It seemed a thousand words were caught in her throat, yet she uttered none of them.
Soon, she told herself calmly.
Just a little longer… and this girl before her, radiant as gold and jade, would become her one and only partner for life, in front of all these witnesses.
—Forever by her side, never to be coveted by anyone else.
—She will be mine. Forever.
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