Duke, Please Stop Because it Hurts

A subtle yet cheerful song was resonating in the hall. On the dance floor itself, people were already dancing gently while blooming such colorful flowers whenever they drew their steps.

“The Duke and Duchess of Linerio will now enter!”

The voice of the person who eventually confirmed the identity of the couple began to ring out loudly. Molitia, who joined her hands with Raven, then entered the hall.

At that particular moment, the eyes of everyone at the party started turning towards them. Even those who were far away had been able to see their faces from such a distance.

This was the first time that the two of them had been together in a public event. The relationship of the couple, which had been extensively rumored out, was definitely enough to attract everyone’s attention.

What was actually true within such a dense rumor? Even though it had already been a while since the two of them entered the hall, the concentrated attention to them was not abating easily.

“Duchess!”

The first one who approached the couple was Countess Burbelin. It was one of the people whom she had become acquainted with while staying at the Marquis’ and she was approaching her with a wide smile.

“You must know how to perform magic in order to be even much prettier than yesterday. You’re absolutely stunning.”

“I’m flattered to hear that.”

“No way. I’m sure that most of the people here would be looking at you while thinking about it. The Duchess appeared just like the white snow.”

Anyone who had seen the snow over here could not help but to think of it at least once. She seemed to have walked straight out of the snow, owing as much as the bright moonlight.

Molitia didn’t really dislike the Countess who was still rambling away as she smiled softly.

“And so is the Countess today. Especially that glittering necklace on your neck seems to enhance the Countess’s beauty even further.”

“Do I really look like that?”

“Of course, I was blinded by your dazzling beauty for a moment there.”

A return compliment would always please people, even if it was just a mere reply. A sense of joy immediately sailed across Countess Burbelin’s face.

“I can now see why the Duke wishes to go home every single day.”

Raven flashed an indifferent smile towards Countess Burbelin’s playfulness. He responded to the Countess’s words by enveloping Molitia’s waist instead.

“The Marquis Werner and his wife will now enter!”

It was then when the two pairs of couples had been in a full bloom. The final appearance of the Marquis Werner couple had resulted in a brief pause in the music.

The congratulatory speech for the people to enjoy the party was not that long. The couple, who didn’t wish to ruin the pleasant atmosphere of the party, quickly asked the music to be resumed.

Bright and cheerful music began permeating the hall. The focused attention was eventually interrupted and the sounds of their own stories had come into play.

Molitia turned herself to the Marquis’s heir as there were already a lot of people crowding around the Marquis couple.

And Arjan was there while holding onto her own place next to them as if it was all natural. Along with Ferdinand, she was smiling as wide as she was already the Marquis’s wife.

As the wedding was just around the corner, it was clear that the Marchioness had planned on introducing Arjan to the others. Whenever people burst into laughter, Arjan’s fine eyes would fold about.

Despite the amiable atmosphere, Molitia didn’t even have the will to walk over. However, it would then be rude to leave the party without showing their faces to the party organizers themselves.

‘Let’s just say hello and get it over with soon.’

Molitia then led along Raven’s hand. She was not alone and Raven had already been next to her. Realizing where she was heading to, Raven clasped onto her hand even harder.

“Marchioness Werner.”

“Oh, Duke of Linerio—and the Duchess as well.”

Marchioness Werner, who had recognized Molitia, appeared utterly pleased.

“You’ve turned out to be so pretty that I couldn’t recognize you for a second there—although you’ve always been gorgeous. Are you enjoying the party?”

“What a beautiful party. It’s such a pity that I’ve never been able to attend back in the past.”

“I’m truly glad to hear that the party seems to be in the Duchess’s favor. I paid some special attention this year, so let’s all enjoy it.”

Arjan then came into Molitia’s eyes, where she greeted her lightly. Arjan was still behind the Marchioness while looking at her as she remained still.

Molitia then lowered her eyes when a light touch of a hand had tugged her skirt. There it was; Robert, whose hand was over his hair, as she looked back on his face.

“Sister, I think you’re very pretty today.”

“Robert looks really cool today as well.”

The child seemed to be aware of the current location since he was acting rather stiff as he appeared much more mature than usual. The child’s face, which had been tensing up all this while, instantly turned relaxed at Molitia’s words.