Given the setting of the novel, I honestly expected the party to be quite stodgy. Just look at my mother, isn’t she far too dignified to fit in at a glamorous party? However, my expression, which became increasingly peculiar as we rode in the carriage, became utterly uncontrollable upon reaching the entrance of the banquet hall.

“Such attire…”

It was lavish and provocative. I understood why my mother was so sullen when I insisted on wearing these clothes. I had imagined everyone would be bundled up, but the dresses worn by the women revealed much more than I anticipated, showcasing their figures quite explicitly. The men, though all in suits, had an oddly revealing and flamboyant aspect to them.

‘Our eyes keep meeting.’

I tried my best to ignore the gazes of others as I walked.

Mother didn’t speak to me from the moment we entered the banquet hall. She walked with her back straight, focusing on each step, resembling an elegant swan.

“The invitation… Ah.”

Mother smiled and spoke to the servant who asked for the invitation.

“My son, Oscar Serpentine.”

We hadn’t brought the invitation from the start. A person at the entrance of the banquet hall announced loudly.

“Lady Serpentine and the second son of Duke Serpentine have arrived!”

The door opened. Why bother opening and closing this large door every time someone comes and goes, I wondered, finding it more troublesome. In an instant, countless gazes poured over me.

Eighteen, my first debut in society.

The nervous glances I received were fleeting, soon replaced by the elaborate ceiling frescoes that caught my eye. It was as if the paintings, worthy of a museum, were splendidly laid out before me.

And the antique chandeliers in the center? Mostly carved with symbols of Fortis, featuring turtles, they were of an astonishing scale.

The Serpentine family had a long history, but this place had a completely different atmosphere.

I gawked at the Fortis family’s banquet hall, like a country boy newly arrived in the city.

‘I’ve only ever seen angels weeping blood.’

Our family’s paintings and statues were indeed delicate. However, they all seemed to harbor malice, tears, or bulging veins, which was problematic.

Most depicted angels screaming and crying blood, with a few sporting bright red wings. There were, of course, some beautiful paintings, but…

“Oscar?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

I had been too lost in thought.

Everyone here must be nobility, right? Having never left the Serpentine mansion since my mother’s remarriage, I was a bit nervous facing so many people for the first time.

‘Has it always been this quiet?’

But something was off.

The moment I stopped looking up at the ceiling and lowered my head, the surroundings became quiet. It was as if the people… had stopped moving.

Even as I wondered why they were so stiff, they remained rigid, wide-eyed, and just stared in my direction. If it weren’t for the sound of music in my ears, I might have thought time had stopped, such was the extent of the silence.

“Ugh.”

Mother, whether anticipating this situation or merely finding it interesting, did not seem upset but merely let out a small sigh of fascination. She looked not at me but at the nobles, her lips curling into a satisfied smile.

“Oscar, let’s greet the Duke first.”

“Ah, yes.”

Raising our platform a bit, we approached a spot that appeared to be the place of honor. Surely, that must be where the Duke of Fortis, the host of this event, would be.

Though we had to greet others, it was customary to first greet the host who invited us to the party. I began to escort my mother slowly towards that direction. However, the more we walked, the more my discomfort grew.

‘Why are they staring so intensely?’

Initially, I felt many eyes on us, but even for someone as oblivious as me, the stares became blatantly more burdensome.

Of course, there were reasons. Mother, being of royal birth and quite famous in social circles, was likely the focus of most stares. But even considering that, wasn’t this a bit too much?

What was particularly strange was when our eyes met directly.

“……”

Those who made eye contact with me either made strange faces or abruptly turned their heads away. When eyes meet, isn’t it normal to at least acknowledge each other with a slight nod? But with everyone reacting like this, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and avert my gaze as well.

Was it so disagreeable that I made my social debut so late?

I wondered if mother noticed the situation, but she kept her elegant smile, her eyes curved into crescents. She remained silent as we walked.

‘Is that the Duke of Fortis?’

We finally arrived where the Duke was.

Of course, the Duke hadn’t noticed our arrival yet due to the crowd surrounding him.

I had heard he was quite old, but he looked surprisingly young.

The Duke of Fortis had been widowed 8 years ago. Known as a devoted husband, he had a late daughter, Charlotte Fortis, who I heard was turning ten this year.

Despite his age, the Duke looked much younger than his peers. Although his demeanor was kind, his movements betrayed the difficult years he had lived through, showing a certain discipline.

“It’s an honor to attend your banquet after such a long time and illuminate this gathering.”

“It’s my honor that you are part of this esteemed event.”

I realized how crucial rhetoric could be. Mother, always dignified, seemed even more formal here, and the Duke was no different. The smooth flow of their speech and gestures was fascinating.

Was my gaze too direct? I inadvertently locked eyes with the Duke of Fortis’s green ones. He briefly widened his eyes, then slightly opened his mouth.

‘I should greet him.’

Our eyes had met, giving me the chance to finally greet him.

“Good day, Your Grace.”

Just in time, Mother subtly stepped aside, drawing all eyes, including the Duke’s, to me.

Ah. Why am I so nervous over this? I quickly composed my stiff expression and placed my hand over my chest, bowing my head.

“I am Oscar Serpentine, the second son of the Serpentine family.”

I had practiced this greeting countless times alone at the manor. However, performing this noble gesture in front of others felt awkward, like an amateur actor on stage.

Every aspect, from my pronunciation to my posture to the shape of my hands, felt intensely scrutinized. Thankfully, despite my nerves, the greeting went smoothly.

‘Why isn’t he saying anything?’

There was no response.

Why? Normally, after such a greeting, one would expect some sort of acknowledgment, as had happened with Mother earlier.

Confused but not wanting to show it, I quietly straightened up, only to find the Duke blinking at me with wide eyes, still looking down at me.

“Your Grace?”