Chapter 120: Founder’s ball XV

Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Founder’s ball XV

Anthony remained standing beneath the moonlight for a long moment.

The breeze stirred the branches of the gardens below.

His thoughts, however, had already begun to settle.

He had never been one to dwell on questions that could not yet be answered.

There would be time.

Later.

Lady Beaumont’s actions...

His own reaction...

Neither required an immediate conclusion.

They could wait until the excitement of the evening had passed.

As they always did, his thoughts found their proper place.

Later.

Anthony exhaled quietly.

The familiar order returned.

Whatever had happened between him and Lady Beaumont...

It would not change his responsibilities tonight.

He had already been away longer than intended.

Lady Beaumont had sought him out only for him to excuse himself moments later.

If he remained absent much longer...

She might think she had somehow upset him.

That would be discourteous of him.

Anthony straightened.

He should return.

Just as he took a step—

The balcony door opened.

A cool draft swept in before the door quietly closed again.

"Evelyn?"

She stood near the doorway, one hand still resting lightly on the handle.

For a moment she simply looked at him.

Then she smiled.

"I’m sorry."

"I hope I’m not disturbing you."

Anthony noticed it almost immediately.

She was breathing just a little faster than usual.

Not enough to concern most people.

Enough for him to notice.

"Did something happen?"

Her smile widened ever so slightly.

"No."

"I only walked a little too quickly."

Anthony regarded her for another brief moment before nodding.

"I see."

The answer seemed to satisfy him.

He did not ask another question.

Instead, the quiet returned between them.

Unlike with most people...

The silence never felt uncomfortable.

"Evelyn."

"How are you finding your first Founders’ Ball?"

She glanced toward the brightly lit ballroom through the glass doors.

"It’s... different from what I imagined."

Anthony waited.

She laughed softly.

"I expected it to be grand."

"It is."

"But I didn’t realize quite how many people would be here."

Anthony’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"It feels smaller after the second or third year."

"So I’ve heard."

She looked back toward him.

"And you?"

"You’ve seemed rather busy all evening."

"Student Council duties."

Anthony answered simply.

"There are always people to greet."

She smiled knowingly.

"I noticed."

"I don’t think you’ve remained in one place for more than five minutes."

"I probably haven’t."

The admission carried the slightest trace of amusement.

Evelyn found herself smiling a little wider.

It really was easy to speak with Anthony.

Even after deciding she would confess...

Even after spending the last several minutes searching the ballroom for him...

Being with him still felt familiar.

Comfortable.

Which somehow made what she intended to do even more frightening.

Anthony looked toward the ballroom.

"I don’t believe I saw you earlier."

"I imagine you wouldn’t have."

She replied gently.

"You seemed rather occupied."

"...Perhaps."

His gaze returned to her.

"Did you come out here by yourself?"

"I did."

Anthony nodded once.

Then, after a brief pause,

"I don’t believe I saw your escort either."

Evelyn lowered her eyes for a moment.

"I didn’t have one."

Anthony blinked.

A memory surfaced almost absentmindedly.

Several days before the Ball...

The two of them had crossed paths on the way to the polo club.

Their conversation had been ordinary.

Classes.

The upcoming Ball.

He had asked whether she had already accepted an escort.

She had smiled.

Not yet.

For a passing moment, Anthony had considered asking Damian whether he might accompany her.

Damian was dependable.

Evelyn already knew him.

It had seemed a sensible arrangement.

Then Student Council preparations had grown increasingly demanding.

The thought had quietly slipped away.

Returning to the present, Anthony said,

"I thought that might have changed."

Evelyn smiled faintly.

"It never really did."

Anthony accepted the answer without another question.

He simply nodded.

The two stood side by side for another quiet moment.

The music from inside drifted faintly onto the balcony.

Evelyn folded her hands before her.

She had imagined this conversation so many times.

She had rehearsed countless openings.

Yet now...

Standing beside him...

None of those carefully prepared words would come.

Anthony broke the silence first.

"I’m glad you came."

She looked up.

"...Really?"

"You’ve spent the past month adjusting to university."

"I thought the Ball might make that easier."

"It has."

She answered truthfully.

"I’ve met many wonderful people."

Anthony felt relieved.

He had wondered, from time to time, whether she had settled in comfortably.

Though she had always adapted well...

Saint Albion was different from Ashford Manor.

It pleased him to know she wasn’t alone.

Evelyn hesitated.

"...Though..."

Anthony looked toward her.

She smiled sheepishly.

"I haven’t actually danced."

Anthony frowned slightly.

"Not at all?"

She shook her head.

"Not yet."

He found himself mildly surprised.

That...

Was difficult to believe.

His eyes settled on her properly for what felt like the first time that evening.

She wore a gown of pale blue silk that complemented her soft chestnut hair.

The delicate embroidery along the sleeves caught the light whenever she moved.

Her hair had been arranged elegantly, leaving only a few loose strands to frame her face.

When had she...

Anthony paused.

Somewhere over the past few years...

The timid young girl who had first arrived at Ashford Manor had quietly become a graceful young lady.

Beautiful.

Not in the dazzling, impossible way Lady Beaumont drew every eye in a room.

But with a quiet elegance that invited people to look twice.

It suited Evelyn perfectly.

Without thinking much of it, Anthony said,

"You look very nice tonight."

Evelyn froze.

"...Ah."

For a heartbeat...

She forgot how to speak.

Heat rushed to her cheeks.

She instinctively tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly far too aware of the gown she had spent hours choosing.

"You... think so?"

Anthony looked faintly puzzled by the question.

"Of course."

"It would be rather difficult not to."

His tone was matter-of-fact.

Entirely sincere.

No more.

No less.

The simple honesty of it only made Evelyn’s heart beat harder.

"...Thank you."

Her voice came out softer than she intended.

Anthony merely inclined his head.

"If that’s the case..."

He glanced toward the ballroom.

"I’m surprised no one asked you."

Evelyn almost laughed.

Many did.

More than she had expected.

More than she had wanted.

But she simply smiled.

"I suppose..."

"It just never worked out."

Anthony accepted the explanation.

He thought no further of it.

Only one conclusion remained.

"That’s unfortunate."

Evelyn looked up.

"For a first Founders’ Ball..."

He paused.

"It would be a pity if it ended without a single dance."

The words were spoken with the same quiet practicality he applied to most things.

As though he had merely identified a small problem requiring a simple solution.

Anthony turned toward her.

Then extended his hand.

"If you don’t mind..."

"Would you dance with me?"

The world seemed to stop.

Evelyn stared at the hand before her.

She had come here tonight prepared to confess.

Prepared to risk everything.

She had imagined countless possibilities.

Anthony refusing.

Anthony apologizing.

Anthony gently turning her down.

Never...

Not once...

Had she imagined this.

Slowly...

Her gaze lifted to meet his.

Anthony simply waited.

Calm.

Patient.

Completely unaware that the single gesture he considered an act of ordinary kindness had just turned her carefully gathered courage into complete and utter chaos.