Chapter : 26
They were not the stars of the banquet. By custom, they played their instruments behind the curtains so as not to disturb the nobles’ leisure.
Occasionally, the conductor would glance outside past the drapes, but the musicians themselves were never visible.
Until all the nobles had arrived, they welcomed the guests with lively melodies. Piano, violin, flute—along with various other instruments blended together in a beautiful harmony.
Suddenly, Windsor narrowed his eyes, as though trying to see through the curtain itself.
At that, a young lady let out a breathless gasp. Covering her mouth with a fan, she whispered in a low voice.
“Look over there. Lord Preston… doesn’t he look like a statue sculpted by angels?”
“If you think about his nickname, he sounds more like a statue carved by demons.”
“That’s not the point. How do I get him to ask me for a dance?”
“Remember, Lord Preston has never danced with anyone before. The chance of him asking you is extremely slim.”
Windsor Preston was a man who drew attention—both for better and for worse. Perhaps that was why rumors surrounded him in abundance.
There were many who tried to slander him, but just as many who admired him. Especially when one recalled his accomplishments during his naval days—he was not undeserving of the title of hero.
Moreover, the atmosphere surrounding him was unlike that of ordinary nobles. It was tense, as though the air itself had been tightly drawn.
That aura enhanced Windsor’s presence while simultaneously acting as a barrier that prevented anyone from approaching him casually. Thanks to that, the young ladies could only watch him from afar.
“The guest of honor for today’s banquet, young Benjamin Preston, has entered!”
At the servant’s announcement, the music changed. William, standing on the stairs, leaned toward Benjamin and whispered, “You may proceed now,” gently pushing his back.
Thud.
Benjamin, unexpectedly emerging from behind the wall, found himself at the top of the spiral staircase.
The boy swallowed hard and looked down. Bright lights poured over the red carpet below.
He could feel unseen gazes from all directions. His legs suddenly weakened, and his feet seemed glued to the floor.
“Young master Benjamin, you must go now.”
William, hiding behind the wall, urged him anxiously. The music grew more grand, and the murmur of conversation in the hall faded away.
All eyes were on Benjamin Preston, the future heir of the Preston family.
I have to go. I can’t disappoint my uncle.
Forcing strength into his trembling legs, Benjamin took a step. Then another. The guests cheered at his appearance.
Gulp.
At the thunderous applause, Benjamin swallowed again.
His heart pounded as though he had run across an entire garden. It beat so fiercely he felt it might leap out of his chest.
For a moment, tears threatened to come. Everything was frightening—the hundreds of eyes watching him, the pressure that allowed no mistakes.
I can’t cry. Uncle is watching.
Just as Benjamin bit his lower lip and turned his head—
“Ah?”
His eyes widened.
He had made eye contact with someone playing the piano behind the curtain.
The orchestra at a banquet was like seasoning in a dish—enhancing the flavor but never meant to be the main course.
From the hall, the musicians could not be seen, but from the staircase above, they were clearly visible.
And Benjamin realized the pianist’s face was very familiar.
“…Teacher Somerset?”
The boy muttered blankly. Jacqueline placed a finger to her lips.
“Shh.”
She looked at him with gentle eyes. Light, lively piano notes spilled from her white fingertips.
The flowing melody felt like it was pushing him forward from behind. Benjamin nodded toward her once.
I can do it! Teacher Somerset is watching!
Lifting his chin slightly, he took a step forward. The piano melody seemed to land softly on his shoulders.
Jacqueline Somerset was his governess—his thirteenth governess.
But she was different from all the others. If one had to say how—
Fun!
That was what Benjamin thought as he took another step. The legs that had been frozen now moved naturally.
He remembered picking cicada shells with Jacqueline. He remembered drawing freely on a giant wall.
With each step down the stairs, pleasant memories surfaced. He glanced back at her.
Their eyes met, and she made a silly face—but Benjamin did not laugh. He had been taught that it was a gentleman’s duty to pretend not to notice a lady’s mistakes.
So even if Teacher Somerset made strange faces, he must pretend not to see them.
The piano melody walked alongside him, and Benjamin descended with growing confidence.
Finally, he reached the bottom of the spiral staircase and stepped onto the hall floor.
Jacqueline was no longer visible, but the piano music still lingered beside him—light and kind, like her smile.
The conductor outside the curtain hurriedly raised his baton, and only then did the music stop. Benjamin looked around at the adults with a nervous expression.
The words he had practiced many times in front of Colin slipped smoothly from his lips.
“Thank you for celebrating my birthday.”
Baron Hines burst into laughter.
“So the future head of the Preston family is quite composed. Very different from my children.”
“Thank you, Baron Hines. I’d like to meet Thunderbolt someday.”
“My goodness! You know Thunderbolt? Of course, of course! We could arrange it as soon as tomorrow—”
“Happy birthday, young Benjamin.”
Interrupting Hines, who was about to ramble on, Viscount Jeffman offered his congratulations. Benjamin thanked him as well.
Then Count Saltrein spoke in a mocking voice.
“Whether you will actually become the next head of the Preston family remains to be seen, don’t you think? Will Lord Windsor Preston really pass the title to his nephew? Or swallow the Preston family whole?”
“….”
His words once again dampened the atmosphere. Viscount Jeffman let out a hollow laugh as if it were a joke, but the emptiness only made the mood more rigid.
Glancing at Windsor, Jeffman said,
“I think Lord Saltrein may have had a bit too much champagne.”
Only then did Benjamin realize the unpleasant man was Count Saltrein. His eyes darkened with displeasure.
Teacher Somerset told me not to get involved with him.
“Who’s drunk? We’re all thinking the same thing, aren’t we? Stop pretending and say it honestly.”
“Please stop, Lord Saltrein.”
Jeffman tried to restrain him while glancing at Windsor again. Benjamin also looked worriedly toward his uncle.
Windsor slowly curled the corner of his lips. Even that cold, lifeless smile was still a smile.
Windsor Preston was a patient man. One who could endure mockery directed at him.
But this place was full of eyes watching. If he stayed silent, Saltrein would grow bolder, and others might take his words as truth.
Moreover, this was Benjamin’s birthday banquet. As his uncle, he could no longer ignore Saltrein ruining it.
—There is no need to turn a small enemy into a big one.
Jacqueline’s words echoed in his mind. Windsor let out a faint laugh.
As always, you are wrong, Miss Somerset. Small enemies must be crushed before they become large ones.
Just as Windsor was about to speak—
“It’s been a while, Lord Saltrein.”
A voice tinged with a faint smile came from behind him. Both Windsor and Saltrein turned their heads.
Jacqueline stepped out from behind the curtain with a polite smile. Saltrein stared at her for a moment before nodding belatedly.
“Oh, I see. The daughter of Count Somerset. Though calling him a count now is generous. But what are you doing there…?”
He trailed off, then sneered.
“Oh, I see. Not only a governess, but also playing music now? How pitiful.”
Ha.
Windsor tilted his head from side to side. His joints cracked audibly. Watching him, Benjamin’s eyes sparkled.
The demon of the Black Fleet!
Just as Windsor took a step toward the rude guest, Jacqueline passed right by him, smiling lightly.
Whispers spread throughout the hall.
“Oh my, who is that? Isn’t that Miss Jacqueline Somerset?”
“The impoverished young lady?”
“Even if a noble family falls, they say it lasts three generations. But Count Somerset lost everything, didn’t he? Completely ruined.”
“They say there’s nothing left but dust.”
Jacqueline ignored the whispers directed at her and greeted Saltrein.
“Is it been three years? Or four? You look exactly the same.”
At that, Saltrein straightened proudly, puffing out his chest.
“Hmm. Good food and fine clothing….”
“Especially that mouth that invites trouble. I still vividly remember you being expelled from Duke Butler’s banquet after causing a scene and not being invited anywhere for a while.”
“You—!”
Saltrein glared at her, face turning red. But Jacqueline’s smile did not fade.
“I’m relieved to see you haven’t changed. If you had changed, I would have been disappointed. They say people change before death, you know. I’m glad you’ll live a long life. Of course, that’s because you eat well and live comfortably.”
“Y-you…!”
Saltrein was so stunned he could not speak, his face turning red and pale in turns. Laughter erupted from somewhere in the hall.
“If you think about Lord Saltrein’s nickname, ‘the outlaw of banquets,’ she’s not entirely wrong.”
“He’s ruined more banquets than you can count on one hand.”
“He once threw everyone out of a banquet I hosted. It was so embarrassing. Now, if his name appears on the guest list, some people refuse to come.”
“No one used to say it outright, but Lord Saltrein should really restrain himself.”