Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 153
If that were to happen, Adam might marry Caroline off to some unworthy family.
‘I can’t end up with someone lesser than Ulysses. I need to meet someone at least more charming, better, and more capable than him.’
With her pride shattered, she turned all her heartbreak into determination.
As a result, she looked truly beautiful today.
She wore a pink dress with triple-layered frills at the front to give her a fuller chest, and bobbin lace embroidered on the hem and sleeves. Her narrow hips were accentuated with a pannier, and she wore a pink lace choker above the square neckline to emphasize her brightness.
Lastly, she topped off her outfit with pink shoes matching her dress and an emerald hair ornament that matched her eye color, achieving the epitome of pure and delicate beauty.
“Caroline Lasphilla, eldest daughter of the Lasphilla County, of the Coffret Manor!”
As soon as the doorman announced her arrival, all eyes turned towards the entrance of the hall.
“It’s like a single flower is walking in.”
“Count Lasphilla must be satisfied just looking at his eldest daughter’s face.”
With each step, the admiring comments reached Caroline’s ears, and she smiled contentedly. It was worth skipping dinner for a month to prepare for today.
“Caroline!”
As she silently enjoyed the gazes from the ballroom, someone called her name informally.
A handsome man with lighter blonde hair and blue eyes than hers approached her.
“It’s been so long.”
“Sir Christian…?”
“Don’t call me sir, just call me Chris like before.”
“But you are…”
“We’re childhood friends, aren’t we?”
In their childhood, Christian often visited the central region for vacations. They used to play together back then.
However, their relationship naturally drifted apart when Duke Pierce was appointed Speaker of the House of Lords and settled in the capital.
After Caroline got engaged to Ulysses and had her debutante, they only exchanged greetings at social gatherings.
“Alright, Chris…”
Caroline replied, brushing her hair behind her ear.
“May I have your hand, my lady?”
Christian playfully offered to escort her. It was always Ulysses’ role to escort her. But now that they were no longer engaged, there was no reason to be with him.
Feeling anxious about being left alone, Caroline placed her hand on his arm with a bright smile.
Christian smiled brightly.
“How long has it been? I almost dreamed of you because I missed you so much.”
He didn’t actually dream about her, but such indifferent truth didn’t register in Caroline’s mind.
The strong perfume wafting around her clouded her senses.
“You look really beautiful today.”
At those words, Caroline twirled around. Her dress made a soft rustling sound as it formed a large circle.
“It’s a ball at the Duchy. I dressed up as much as I could… Is it really alright?”
“Yes. You’re always beautiful, but today you’re dazzling.”
Christian pretended to shield his eyes with his hand.
Caroline laughed, covering her mouth shyly. Then she looked around with superior vision.
Everyone was watching them.
Especially the men.
They glanced at Caroline like hyenas, but Christian’s presence prevented them from approaching easily.
Feeling their fervent desire for her, a shiver ran down Caroline’s spine.
A year ago, she would have found it overwhelming. But at twenty, she was different. It was as if she could see scores above each man’s head.
Among them, the man beside her had the highest score.
There was no one among her peers with a higher position than Christian Pierce. He would soon inherit the dukedom, making her a duchess if she married him.
‘At best, Ulysses is just the second son of a marquis. Marrying him wouldn’t have brought much benefit.’
Caroline was already imagining herself as a duchess.
She hadn’t realized Christian had feelings for her…
‘He probably couldn’t express it because of Ulysses.’
Perhaps this was the better outcome. Compared to the heir of a dukedom, Ulysses was nothing.
Caroline consoled herself with these thoughts.
Thanks to Christian, everyone continued to focus on her. She could almost hear the sound of her value increasing like coins falling into a piggy bank.
