Chapter 109: Founder’s Ball III

Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Founder’s Ball III

Damian blinked.

The ballroom gradually returned to focus.

His gaze settled upon the young woman still standing before him.

Lady Catherine.

For the briefest instant...

A flicker of realization crossed his features.

He had kept her waiting.

"My apologies."

His voice remained as composed as ever.

"It seems I have been discourteous."

Catherine met his gaze quietly.

A faint smile rested upon her lips.

Graceful.

Elegant.

The sort of smile expected of the daughter of a duke.

"It is quite all right."

She answered gently.

"It was only a moment."

Only a moment.

Yet somehow...

It had been long enough.

Long enough for her to understand.

Long enough to see the answer before he had spoken it.

There was no resentment in her expression.

No accusation.

Only a quiet acceptance that settled softly within her heart.

She already knew.

Still...

A small part of her hoped she had misunderstood.

Damian lowered his eyes briefly.

His thoughts remained strangely unsettled.

He could not explain why.

Only that he was no longer certain he could give Lady Catherine the attention she deserved.

Accepting a lady’s invitation was not a trivial matter.

For the duration of a dance, his attention belonged to his partner alone.

Anything less would be discourteous.

Tonight...

He wasn’t certain he could offer her that courtesy.

He lifted his gaze once more.

"I’m afraid..."

His words were measured, as they always were.

"I must decline."

A quiet silence followed.

"My sincerest apologies, Lady Catherine."

"I do not believe I would make suitable company this evening."

For the briefest instant...

Catherine closed her eyes.

Not long enough for anyone else to notice.

Only long enough...

To let the last of her hope quietly fade.

When she opened them again, the same gentle smile remained upon her lips.

"I understand."

She inclined her head with impeccable composure.

"Thank you for your honesty, Lord Blackwood."

--

Not far away...

Anthony Ashford and Lady Vivienne Beaumont made their way through the ballroom.

His arm remained offered in proper escort, while Vivienne’s hand rested lightly upon it.

To those around them, they appeared every bit the dignified noble couple.

Students greeted them politely as they passed.

Anthony acknowledged each greeting with practiced courtesy.

Vivienne did the same, though every so often...

She found herself stealing another glance toward the young man beside her.

And every time their eyes happened to meet...

A smile blossomed effortlessly across her face.

Anthony returned it with a polite nod before looking ahead once more.

...

Again.

She had been like this for as long as he could remember.

As children, Lady Beaumont had followed him through the Ashford estate whenever their families visited.

She always seemed to find a reason to accompany him.

Even now, at Saint Albion University...

In truth...

Very little had changed.

Lady Vivienne no longer hurried after him through the corridors.

Nor did she cling to his arm as she had when they were children.

She had grown into a graceful young lady befitting her noble upbringing.

Elegant.

Refined.

Beautiful.

Yet somehow...

She still possessed an uncanny talent for appearing wherever he happened to be.

Whether at the polo club...

Walking accross the university grounds...

Even at the Ashford Foundation...

She had even managed to get his personal number....

Anthony knew better than to believe that any of it was coincidence.

Whenever she looked at him with that unmistakable warmth in her eyes...

He understood exactly what it meant.

He was twenty-one years old.

Not a naïve twelve-year-old incapable of recognizing what was plainly before him.

That was precisely what made him feel awkward.

The engagement itself had never been the issue.

It had been decided years ago.

As heir to House Ashford, he had accepted such responsibilities long before he entered the university.

Among the nobility, marriages of duty were hardly unusual.

To him...

Their future had simply been settled.

Lady Vivienne, however...

Had always looked at him as though it were something more.

Anthony had never quite known how he was supposed to respond to that.

Beside him, Vivienne remained blissfully unaware of the thoughts occupying his mind.

She couldn’t help smiling.

Attending the Founders’ Ball together...

Walking through the ballroom with her hand resting upon Anthony’s arm...

It felt almost dreamlike.

The silence between them didn’t trouble her in the slightest. ℴ

Being beside him was already enough.

Anthony glanced discreetly toward the grand clock mounted upon the ballroom wall.

Perfect.

The opening program would begin in only another minute or two.

Exactly as planned.

There would be no prolonged conversations.

No awkward attempts at small talk.

Once the ceremony began, their attention would naturally turn toward the stage.

For the first time that evening...

Anthony found himself quietly relieved.

Just then—

The music gradually softened.

The gentle murmur of conversation throughout the ballroom began to fade.

One by one, the students turned their attention toward the front of the hall.

The Founders’ Ball was about to begin

--

The music gradually softened.

The gentle murmur of conversation throughout the ballroom faded into a respectful hush.

One by one, the students turned toward the raised platform at the front of the hall.

Anthony glanced toward Vivienne.

"Excuse me, Lady Beaumont."

His tone remained courteous.

"I have a few duties to attend to."

Vivienne smiled immediately.

"Of course."

"I’ll be waiting."

Anthony inclined his head in acknowledgment before carefully withdrawing the arm he had offered her.

Then, without further delay, he made his way toward the stage.

Vivienne watched him go.

A small smile lingered on her lips.

He’s always so dependable.

Meanwhile, members of the Student Council quietly took their places near the platform as the orchestra fell completely silent.

Anthony stopped before the microphone.

After a brief glance across the sea of familiar faces...

He spoke.

"Good evening, everyone."

"On behalf of the Student Council, I would like to welcome you all to this year’s Founders’ Ball."

"Thank you for joining us as we celebrate one of Saint Albion University’s longest-standing traditions."

"We hope tonight will be an evening of lasting memories, cherished friendships, and joyful celebration."

"It is now my honor to invite our University President to officially open this year’s Founders’ Ball."

He stepped aside.

A warm applause filled the ballroom.

The University President approached the podium with an easy smile.

"My dear students..."

"Tonight is not a night to concern yourselves with examinations, assignments, or the demands of university life."

A few soft chuckles rippled through the hall.

"Instead..."

"I hope each of you enjoys the company of your friends, creates memories worth remembering, and celebrates the tradition that has brought generations of Saint Albion students together."

He paused before smiling warmly at the audience.

"With that..."

"It is my pleasure to declare this year’s Founders’ Ball officially open."

The applause was louder this time.

--

Tbc