TOFP 04

 Back Again, at That Ball 

“Favor? You? From me?”

A careless question slipped out before he could stop it, startled by the unexpected answer.

“Yes.”

But Kasha remained composed. As if she already knew he would accept it. Or as if she was simply requesting something that was already naturally hers to ask for. Her attitude was calm and steady.

Come to think of it, even her shoulders were more straight than usual. Her gaze and posture were different—she looked almost like a different person.

“What… favor?”

Daryl felt an unexplainable pressure and asked cautiously.

“Tonight’s ball… you will escort me, won’t you?”

“Well. Of course.”

Finally, it was a topic he could respond to. The ball tonight was something he had also been thinking about.

“Are you saying you won’t attend? That won’t do. You haven’t participated in any social events since your debutante.”

Kasha’s debutante was also escorted by Daryl. But honestly… he had only accompanied her there and done nothing meaningful after that.

Since the death of the countess seven years ago, the Ryuscino family had completely withdrawn from social circles. In truth, it was more accurate to say they had lived without even realizing they needed such things.

His father was distant even from relatives, so no one pressured Daryl, the heir, about marriage. He had lived freely without interference.

Because of that, at Kasha’s debutante, he thought his duty was simply to bring her there and introduce her. Standing awkwardly beside her had been unbearable.

So he left to smoke cigars with friends. But that ended up taking longer than expected, and when he returned, the atmosphere felt strangely tense.

In the middle of the crowded imperial hall, a circle had formed around Kasha—no one approaching her at all while he was gone.

“Hey. Are you okay?”

When he cautiously approached and spoke, Kasha didn’t even look at him. She simply turned away coldly and left.

On the way back in the carriage, he asked if something had happened, but as expected, she didn’t answer.

After that day, invitations from nearby noble families came, but Kasha refused them all.

Even Daryl, as clueless as he was, could tell her debutante had not gone well. But he never thought it was a serious issue.

“She’s always alone anyway. Maybe she prefers it that way? If something was wrong, she would’ve said so.”

He dismissed it that simply.

Today’s ball was also an unwanted social event for both of them, but the host was Duke Tyrot. The entire capital’s social world would attend—they couldn’t skip it.

That is my duty, and your duty.

His father’s letter suddenly came to mind. Duty. Responsibility. The absolute law of the Ryuscino family.

“…So we go. That’s our duty.”

Thinking he had finally spoken like a proper older brother, Daryl looked at her.

But the answer he received was unexpected again.

“Of course, I will go. Definitely.”

In Kasha’s pinkish-purple eyes was something shining… something that could only be called will.

What exactly…?

And “shining”? That was not a word that suited Kasha at all.

Daryl asked blankly.

“…What?”

“That’s not the favor.”

“Then what is it?”

Kasha paused slightly before speaking slowly.

“…At the ball, an escort must not leave the woman alone.”

“What?”

“I don’t have a chaperone… and I don’t know anyone in social circles… so you must fulfill your duty as escort.”

Daryl opened his mouth without saying anything. He had never expected to be lectured like this by Kasha. But it was correct, so he couldn’t refute it.

Suddenly, he remembered Kasha standing alone at her debutante, and his conscience pricked him.

Kasha spoke again.

“Today… don’t leave my side.”

“…Huh? Uh, well…”

“Don’t leave me alone.”

At that moment, when their eyes met, Daryl felt as if something had struck his head.

Her eyes were silent, but filled with accusation.

If you’re my brother… my family… protect me.

Half-hearted duty isn’t duty at all.

A heavy sense of guilt pressed on his chest.

Then Kasha did something unfamiliar again.

She smiled.

A faint smile directed at him. Awkward, but sincere. A smile trying her best to reach him.

The pressure in Daryl’s chest grew heavier.

“You already know… that I am a burden to you.”

He had always thought she was clueless. A troublesome child who understood nothing.

“But from now on… I won’t be a disgrace to the family. Just watch.”

Her unfamiliar smile faded.

Her expression turned cold and sharp, like someone who had survived harsh winds for a long time.

Daryl felt a chill run down his neck for no reason.

Kasha left the room after receiving his promise once again.

She knew very well that Daryl Ryuscino valued duty and responsibility above all else.

Though they were family in name only and barely spoke, they had lived under the same roof for seven years.

He may dislike her existence, but he had never directly harmed her.

Even while disliking her, he always fulfilled his role as an older brother.

So this time too, he would fulfill the duty she pointed out.

The reason he had neglected her isolation in the past was simply his ignorance of noble social life.

Kasha of the past knew that too, but she had never dared to point it out.

She believed her existence itself was a burden and shame to him, so she only tried to make herself disappear quietly in her room.

But now, she had nothing left to fear or lose.

Hate? Rejection?

None of that hurt more than frozen toes in a winter prison. Or the pain of having her head cut off.

Walking through the hallway, she felt the servants’ gazes.

“The young lady is walking around in daylight?”

“And she even went to the young lord’s room…”

Their eyes had changed.

From disgust and pity—to curiosity and confusion.

She found it amusing.

What about tonight’s ball? Those fat-headed nobles filled with nothing but arrogance. Would they notice the change in her?

Clop. Clop.

The carriage moved steadily, bearing the Ryuscino family crest.

“……”

Inside sat the two of them. Brother and sister in name only, but silence filled the space between them.

This is actually more comfortable.

Kasha thought this as she pretended to sleep.

Even with her eyes closed, she could feel Daryl watching her.

Still shocked by their earlier conversation? Or because she looked different?

Before leaving the mansion, Daryl’s expression when he saw her descending the stairs had been priceless.

Like he had seen a monkey reciting magic formulas—shock mixed with awe.

Well, I guess that makes sense.

Ignoring the tight dress, she thought.

Even the maid Sena had reacted the same way earlier.

“Lady… are you really going to wear this? Really?”

Was it that strange?

But when she finally saw herself in the mirror after Sena finished her makeup…

She had been startled.

…Pretty?

This was unexpected. Maybe it was because her hair was tied up.

Her normally messy blackish-blue hair was now lifted, revealing delicate features. Pale but smooth skin, slender neck, visible collarbones.

Especially her eyes, matching the dress’s color, looked vivid and bright. Even her pale lips looked like blooming petals.

Sena placed a fresh flower on her head.

“Peony.”

At Kasha’s murmur, Sena looked surprised.

“You even know the flower name. I picked it from the garden—it matches your dress.”

Sena looked genuinely excited.

Kasha let her enjoy it.

At least Sena’s enthusiasm was welcome.

As Kasha walked out, she noticed everyone staring in shock.

“Who is that beauty?”

“Is she really from our mansion?”

Even careless servants whispered.

Naturally, Daryl would also be surprised.

Kasha thought to herself.

I wonder what he will think of me today.

The reason she was going to the ball despite knowing the humiliation she might face—

Leon Aranius.

He would be there tonight.