Chapter 10: The Ball
The evening air was cool as Katherine and Aunt Yevon stepped out of the mansion, their carriage waiting at the foot of the grand stairs.
Philemon, the ever-diligent butler, was at the ready, his impeccable posture and quiet professionalism as usual. Katherine adjusted her sapphire gown, the rich fabric swirling as she descended the stairs, and smiled.
It had been a while since she'd dressed up so extravagantly, and despite her usual indifference, a part of her enjoyed the attention that came with it.
Katherine noticed the carriage, but there were no horses.
She looked at her aunt, puzzled.
"This carriage is powered by a machine," her aunt explained with a slight smile.
Katherine blinked in surprise. "A machine? In a carriage?"
Her aunt nodded, and Philemon, their butler, stepped forward to escort her.
Katherine's mind raced. So, this is like a car? In Florante at Laura? I don't recall anything like this.
Philemon held the carriage door open, his face giving away nothing of his thoughts, as he extended his hand to assist Aunt Yevon into the vehicle first. "Lady Yevon, Lady Katherine," he greeted with a polite nod. "The evening awaits."
Katherine, still confused, slid gracefully into the carriage, her gown spreading out like the petals of a flower.
Yevon followed closely behind, and Philemon quietly closed the door behind them.
As the car began its steady motion down the cobblestone streets, Katherine couldn't help but lean back against the plush seat, gazing out of the window at the city fading into the distance.
The ball was being held at the palace, a grand affair to commemorate the graduation of the students from Athens.
The glittering chandeliers, the scent of roses, and the shimmer of refined aristocracy awaited them inside.
"Do you think it will be as lively as they say?" Katherine asked, breaking the silence as she turned to Yevon.
Yevon, who had been quietly watching the scenery pass by, smiled. "It's bound to be. With all the graduates attending, you'll find a mix of excitement and tension. There's always that... undertone in these events, especially with such a prestigious occasion."
Katherine raised an eyebrow. "Tension? Are you sure this is supposed to be fun?"
Yevon chuckled. "Tension, yes, but in a different way. A ball is a place where connections are made, alliances forged, and occasionally, rivalries are settled."
Katherine thought for a moment. "Rivalries, huh?" She glanced down at her gown, brushing the fabric gently as if it would somehow help her blend in better. "And what exactly am I supposed to do in all this?"
"You'll be just fine," Yevon said reassuringly, reaching over to give her niece's hand a quick squeeze. "You don't have to worry about making alliances or rivalries. Just enjoy the evening."
Katherine gave a small sigh, feeling a bit out of place in this whole world of social dances and political games. "I'm not so sure I'll enjoy it. But I'll try to make it through without embarrassing myself."
Yevon smiled warmly, clearly amused. "You've nothing to worry about, Katherine. You may be more... independent in your thinking, but that's precisely what makes you interesting in circles like these. The way you approach things, your thoughts—they'll stand out, in a good way."
Katherine looked out the window again, the city now bustling with lights from the distant lamps, and a strange feeling of curiosity stirred within her. Maybe she had underestimated the night.
Maybe there was more to these balls than just fancy clothes and polite smiles.
As the carriage pulled up to the grand palace gates, the sight of the massive stone pillars and the gleaming windows made Katherine pause.
It was as if the palace itself was holding its breath, waiting for the event to unfold.
The doors swung open, and Philemon stepped out with a practiced grace, offering his hand to Yevon first, followed by Katherine.
Together, they walked up the steps toward the grand entrance, their shoes clicking against the stone, and Katherine couldn't help but feel a flutter of something—perhaps excitement or just anticipation—deep in her chest.
It was the first time since arriving in this world that she felt like she was about to step into something... new.
"Let's see what this ball has to offer," she murmured to herself.
Yevon glanced at her with a knowing smile. "Indeed, my dear. Let's see."
As Katherine and Aunt Yevon made their way toward the grand entrance, the towering double doors swung open, revealing the opulence of the palace ballroom.
The sound of quiet chatter and soft music spilled into the cool night air, and the golden glow of chandeliers illuminated the marble floors inside.
The atmosphere was filled with an elegance that was almost overwhelming.
Philemon, ever the composed butler, stepped ahead to announce their arrival.
He cleared his throat, and his voice rang through the open doors with perfect clarity. "Countess Yevon has arrived."
The words echoed throughout the ballroom, and immediately, a hush fell over the gathering guests.
Heads turned in their direction, some faces recognizing the name, while others whispered in curiosity.
Katherine's brow furrowed slightly.
She turned to her aunt with a small, playful frown. "Why the announcement?" she muttered under her breath, a little surprised by the formality of it all.
Aunt Yevon glanced at her with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling. "It's the way of the court, dear," she replied smoothly, her posture still poised and regal. "A way of showing respect."
Katherine couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable with all the attention, but she adjusted her expression and followed her aunt's lead, pretending to enjoy the moment.
Katherine's grip tightened on the fabric of her gown.
She could feel the eyes of the room on them, the weight of attention settling over her like a cloak.
Her aunt, however, walked with the grace of someone used to being the center of attention, her posture regal and unfazed by the sudden quiet.
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With a confident smile, Yevon gave a small nod, her eyes scanning the room as they entered. Katherine followed, doing her best to keep her composure.
Though she had dressed for the occasion, the sense of unfamiliarity still lingered, like a shadow she couldn't quite shake off.
Once inside, Philemon stepped back, allowing them to move deeper into the ballroom. Katherine could hear murmurs and light laughter as the guests resumed their conversations, but the eyes of several aristocrats remained on them as they made their way toward the heart of the room.
This was it. The world of politics, alliances, and—perhaps more pressing—hidden rivalries, all in one place. And Katherine? She couldn't help but wonder what role she would end up playing in all this.
***
Katherine had been at the ball for nearly an hour, and the novelty had worn off quickly.
The music played softly in the background, the sound of laughter and light conversation filled the air, but Katherine found herself growing increasingly bored.
Her Aunt Yevon, in her usual grace and elegance, had been greeting every guest with a smile, chatting and laughing with the nobility as if it was second nature.
Katherine, on the other hand, felt like an outsider, standing there like an ornament beside her aunt, nodding politely when introduced but feeling like she was hardly participating in any of the conversations.
The food, at least, had been delicious. The savory appetizers had been expertly prepared, and the variety of delicate pastries was a treat, but Katherine couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped in a social obligation she didn't quite understand.
The small talk and introductions were endless, and each time someone new approached, Aunt Yevon would introduce Katherine as if she were some prized possession.
Katherine decided to step away from the crowd and find a quiet corner of the ballroom.
She needed a break from the constant stream of introductions and the forced politeness. Moving gracefully through the crowd, she made her way to a set of large windows that overlooked the gardens.
The cool breeze from outside was a welcome relief from the heat of the room, and Katherine leaned against the windowsill, gazing out at the darkened landscape beyond.
The ball itself was beautiful, there was no doubt about that.
The grand chandeliers overhead cast a warm glow across the polished floors, and the guests were dressed in their finest attire, the women in shimmering gowns and the men in sharp suits.
The music was lovely, though it felt distant and far too formal for Katherine's taste.
She couldn't help but think that this wasn't exactly her scene.
Katherine sighed, staring out into the quiet night.
What was she really doing here?
She didn't have a partner to dance with, no real connections with the people in the room.
She was a part of this world now, but still, she felt like an outsider.
Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the soft footsteps approaching behind her.
The sound was subtle, almost drowned out by the faint hum of the music from the ballroom. Just as she was about to turn back, a voice greeted her, breaking the silence.
"Quite a peaceful view, isn't it?"
Katherine turned to find a man standing just a few feet away.
His silver hair glimmered faintly under the dim lights, and his red eyes seemed to gleam with an otherworldly intensity.
He wore a dark suit, his posture elegant yet relaxed.
For a brief moment, Katherine felt a strange sense of familiarity, as though she had seen him before—somewhere, sometime—but she couldn't quite place where.