Chapter 4
“Bellon? You mean the real Bellon has come?”
Everyone in the ballroom turned their attention to a single woman.
Poisonous creatures were often said to possess dazzling appearances, as though they existed solely to captivate their prey.
According to rumor, Estelle herself was a poisonous flower.
A deadly bloom that had killed every man who tried to pluck her simply because she was beautiful.
Yet tonight, she wore a suffocating black dress that allowed not even the slightest hint of exposed skin.
Even the face that had supposedly bewitched countless men was hidden behind a black veil.
And yet, amidst the sea of colorful gowns and uniforms, her monochrome attire made her stand out all the more.
“Move aside! I want to see her too!”
The veil covering her face wasn't completely opaque.
Because of that, more than a few men stretched their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of the features that seemed almost visible.
“She’s never once shown her face in high society before. What’s brought her here?”
“Isn’t it obvious? She’s here searching for her next victim.”
As a woman who had lost three husbands, the gazes directed at Estelle were anything but kind.
“They say every man who marries her dies. Then why do suitors keep lining up?”
“Men like things like that.”
“Things like what?”
The question came from a young noblewoman who had only recently debuted in society.
Another lady glanced disdainfully at the young nobleman standing on tiptoe to get a better look at Estelle.
“A woman who stirs their competitive instincts. No man has ever truly possessed her, so naturally they want to conquer her.”
“...”
“Besides, her dowry is enormous. If a man marries her and survives, what better trophy could he ask for?”
Whatever the truth might be, one thing was certain.
No one there regarded Estelle as a fellow human being.
Before entering the ballroom, Estelle had pulled on her black veil.
Matthias was nowhere by her side.
After collapsing in the carriage, there was no chance he would be attending the banquet.
“My goodness.”
“The Bellon woman...”
As Estelle entered alone, she felt the sharp stares pouring over her from every direction.
Everyone whispered about her.
Yet not a single person approached to speak with her.
After all, anyone who became involved with her would only find themselves tangled in scandal.
“Lady Bellon. So this is the first time I’ve seen your face.”
Of course, there were always those who cared little for the opinions of others.
Estelle lowered her head.
“Your Imperial Highness.”
Princess Alice Lawrence.
The empire’s cherished princess, who was currently nursing an unrequited love for Lenox.
“No, that’s not quite right. With that veil covering your face, I suppose I can’t really say I’m seeing you at all.”
Alice’s gaze toward Estelle was far from friendly.
The most beautiful woman in the empire... and it isn’t me?
The very thought wounded her pride.
“Unless your face is injured, you do realize this attire is terribly rude, don’t you? Or perhaps...”
Tap.
Closing the fan in her hand, Alice lifted its tip toward Estelle’s veil.
As though she might lift it at any moment.
“Are you hiding something?”
Alice didn’t believe the rumors.
How beautiful could a person possibly be?
Surely Estelle’s tragic circumstances had merely exaggerated the stories.
Once the veil came off, everyone would see an ordinary face beneath it.
“Are you offended?”
“...”
“Don’t take it too personally. As a member of the imperial family, I’m merely pointing out proper etiquette.”
“My apologies.”
Without protest, Estelle removed her veil.
As her fingers drew the fabric aside, pale skin came into view.
The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.
At least, that was how it usually went.
But the moment her face was fully revealed, silence fell over the room.
“...”
Most people had imagined a mature, seductive beauty befitting the title of man-eating enchantress.
Instead, Estelle’s face was fresh and unadorned, untouched by heavy cosmetics.
There was a detached serenity about her, a quiet elegance that only enhanced her beauty.
“Oh. My veil.”
Thud.
Pretending it had slipped by accident, Estelle let the veil fall to the floor before turning her head slightly to the left.
“Would the gentleman over there mind picking it up for me?”
She didn’t specify whom she meant.
If she had truly needed help, she could have singled someone out or simply made eye contact.
Instead, every man nearby stepped forward.
Realizing their mistake too late, they found their bodies moving before their minds could stop them.
One young nobleman moved faster than the rest.
As he bent to retrieve the veil, he accidentally stepped on the hem of Alice’s gown.
The princess frowned.
Oblivious to her displeasure, the young man knelt and offered the veil back to Estelle.
“Thank you.”
“Wait.”
Alice’s sharp voice cut through the air.
“Can’t you watch where you’re stepping?”
“Ah!”
Only then did the young nobleman realize what he had done, and the color drained from his face.
“Your Highness, please don’t be too harsh on him.”
“He dared step on my dress, and you expect me to overlook it?”
“My veil happened to fall nearby, so it was an honest mistake. Even if you’re upset, please show the mercy befitting royalty.”
“...”
“After all, helping a lady in distress is a gentleman’s duty, isn’t it?”
Don’t take it too personally.
Estelle had returned Alice’s own words to her.
The moment everyone realized it, the atmosphere turned icy.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
While no one else even dared breathe, Estelle continued calmly.
“I simply wished to dress appropriately as a widow. It never occurred to me that my attire might be considered rude. I sincerely apologize.”
She was remarkably bold.
“...Very well, Lady Bellon. Be more careful in the future.”
“My apologies. If you have nothing further to say, I’ll take my leave.”
She was courteous, but never servile.
I heard she was born a commoner.
Alice ground her teeth in secret.
If she pressed the issue any further, she would only make herself appear petty.
Reluctantly, she had no choice but to let Estelle go.
Leaving the princess behind, Estelle quickly moved away from the center of the ballroom and scanned the crowd.
Where is Duke Winterren?
As the host of the evening, he couldn’t possibly still be absent.
That man...
Standing near the window, Estelle spotted a dark-haired figure in the garden beyond.
Lenox Winterren.
She had never seen him in person before.
All she knew was that he had black hair and red eyes.
Yet somehow, instinct told her immediately.
It’s him.
Estelle hurried toward the garden.
Unbeknownst to her, a dark shadow followed close behind.
“Lady Bellon! I’m Daniel Nultia, eldest son of House Nultia. Did you come alone?”
It was the man who had picked up her veil.
“I arrived with someone, but it seems we got separated.”
Before he could continue pestering her, Estelle struck first.
“I’m on my way to the powder room while I wait for my companion to arrive. Where are you headed, my lord?”
“Ah... I—I’m waiting for someone as well. I was just on my way to the lounge!”
The powder room was strictly off-limits to men.
Apparently, Daniel wasn’t entirely oblivious.
His face reddened as he quickly retreated in the opposite direction.
“Duke Winterren!”
Worried someone else might follow her, Estelle quickened her pace and called out to the dark-haired man.
Fortunately, it really was Lenox.
At the sound of her voice, he turned around.
The moment their eyes met, Estelle became certain.
Sharp, deep-set eyes.
A straight nose and firm, unsmiling lips.
It wasn’t merely his broad shoulders or imposing physique.
Even from a distance, he commanded attention.
There was no way a face like that belonged to a mere supporting character.
For a moment, even Estelle—who was rarely impressed by appearances—found herself stunned.
Quickly composing the expression that had nearly slipped, she spoke.
“I heard you’re looking for a woman to marry.”
“...”
“I’ll do it.”
Becoming Lenox’s wife was no different from trading her life for money.
Even in the original story, his wife died before they’d been married for a year.
In the original novel, the duchess died after coming into contact with demonic energy.
After losing his wife, Lenox met Vera.
That had been the intended course of events.
But Estelle was confident.
Even if she became his wife, she wouldn’t die.
“So please propose to me.”
And she was just as certain—
—that she wouldn’t kill him, either.
