THE glittering chandeliers almost made Emmy squint. She and her father just entered the mansion. They hadn’t even taken 20 steps when a lot of other nobles – particularly those lower ones that didn’t have much power, surrounded them. All trying to get the favor of the powerful Duke Grimaldi.

It was the first round of greeting she had to endure. She smiled perfectly and behanded as she should. Just like how her father wanted her to. 

Once they got out of that encirclement, a man approached them.

He had long platinum blond hair that was tied in a simple ponytail behind his back. His pair of brilliant green eyes were bent into crescents. He was wearing a silver tuxedo that perfectly outlined his tall and lean body. His face was the type that young women go crazy for – that handsome, princely type. 

Without even asking, Emmy already knew who he was.

The man made a graceful bow towards her father. “Duke Grimaldi,” he greeted. Then he turned to her, reaching out for her hand and kissing it. He raised his head and stared into her eyes. “My lady.”

Cecil Lancaster smiled at her and Emmy didn’t feel any change in her heartbeat. She felt goosebumps all over instead. She couldn’t wait to take back her hand. But she still had to play her part. So, even if she didn’t want to, she smiled back.

“My lord,” she greeted.

After she said that, she tactically took back her hand from his grasp. It seemed that he didn’t notice her small action because he quickly presented his elbow to her. “May I escort you, my lady?”

Before she could answer, she saw her father looking coldly in her direction. She swallowed any rejection she might have and said instead, “It will be my pleasure.”

Then encircled her arm around his. This much close contact was truly giving her the heebie-jeebies. She couldn’t understand why she was reacting in this manner. After all, no matter how much older the other person was than her, it didn’t really show. Because the other only looked a few years older than her. 

She understood what her father meant when he said that age didn’t matter. Because in this age, a person only showed the sign of aging when they were in their hundreds. Some, even further than that. 

But even if this guy looked like a girl’s dream man, she just couldn’t bring herself to feel anything beside horror. Most probably because of the fact that the other was older than her father. And that just simply creeped her out.

The two of them started walking. Emmy guessed that it was most likely towards the direction where the birthday man was. 

Along the way, there were still people greeting them. Emmy could feel the gaze of others on her and Cecil. Especially from the other young ladies like her. Most of them were looks of envy. She almost wanted to shout ‘if you like him, then, by all means, replace me’. 

Soon, they reached their destination.

A man with platinum blond hair with white strands on the both sides stood at the center of a small crowd. He had the same green eyes as the man standing beside Emmy. But there was obvious sign of vicissitudes in them. There were wrinkles on the sides of his eyes and mouth, showing his advanced age. But he was still filled with energy. 

It was the patriarch of the Lancaster family – William Lancaster.

With the arrival of Duke Grimaldi, the small crowd surrounding the patriarch parted automatically. And so, the three of them walked forward.

“Ah, Grimaldi, you’re finally here,” the patriarch greeted jovially.

“William,” Anthony simply greeted back. “Congratulations on turning 200.”

“And where’s my gift?” the old man said in a teasing tone.

“It’s already been sent,” Anthony simply said, still with the cold and stern expression.

“You really are no fun to tease.” Then the patriarch glanced at Emmy. “This must be the young lady of the Grimaldi family. You’re as beautiful as your mother.”

This time, Emmy’s smile was much more genuine after hearing such a compliment. “Thank you, Lord Lancaster. And happy birthday.”

“Oh, stop with the formality. We’re going to be family soon. You probably should start calling me uncle.”

And just like that, Emmy’s smile froze on her face.

“Father, don’t tease Emmaline. Look, her face was already turning red,” Cecil interjected.

Emmy almost wanted to roll her eyes. What, turning red? It’s more probable for her pace to turn pale right now.

“I almost forgot how shy these young ladies are,” the patriarch said. “Why don’t the two of you go and dance?”

As if on cue, Cecil turned to her. “May I have this dance, my lady?”

Emmy could only say, “Of course, my lord.”

Then, she was swept towards the dance floor.

Cecil’s hand held her hand while the other fell on her waist. And then, they moved with the rhythm of the music. Emmy did her best not to cringe. Because the other’s touch was simply making her uncomfortable.

“I’m glad that you decided to join this party tonight. Since you were on vacation when I proposed, I’ve been wanting to meet you and talk to you,” Cecil said while twirling her around. “I actually didn’t think that you would accept my proposal.”

Emmy raised her head and smiled. “The one who accepted your proposal was my father. I assure you, my lord, if I had even a tiny bit of control over it, I would never ever accept your proposal.”

The other was clearly dumbfounded by what she just said. So, she took that chance to slip away from him. And walked quickly away from the dance floor. 

She might not be able to voice out her feelings earlier because of her father’s presence, but she certainly could do that now that they were alone. She was not afraid that he would tattle on her. Surely, he was man enough not to run to her father and tell him what she did like he was some kind of teenager. Especially since her father was younger than him. 

Saying those things was indeed satisfying. More so after seeing the baffled expression on that guy’s face.

She chuckled and was about to walk to a dark balcony when her body collided with something hard. She felt her body losing balance. She instinctively closed her eyes. When she was about to fall back, she felt her shoulders being held by a pair of strong hands.

She slowly opened her eyes. And her gaze met a pair of teal-gray eyes.

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