165 2.1.16: First Party V

When they both arrived, immediately, Xiao Yunhua's enhanced senses allowed her to pick up the obvious daggers being sent in her direction. Nobles, servants, everyone was whispering about her. They looked at her in a new light in comparison to when she had arrived with the Duchess, almost like they had seen the truth about her.

The truth? Ah, it seemed like the cat was out of the bag. As much as she was tempted to tell them to mind their own business, she couldn't. This was the real war zone. One mistake and it could cause her to be murdered by the Duchess or disowned or whatever other disaster the cold woman could think of.

Xiao Yunhua straightened her back and walked with an esteemed posture, almost like she had done nothing wrong in the first place. This didn't escape the eyes of the people, hence they began to reevaluate their thoughts about her. Maybe the rumors were false?

Her eyes turned to the Duchess who calmly sipped her tea, pretending like she was oblivious to everything. This was a sign that couldn't ignore: the Duchess was making sure to let her know that she wasn't going to help her. She was on her own to figure things out. For the Duchess, the moment she had been back in the rumor, her intuition immediately told her what happened. But she didn't want to clarify or help the girl at all.

This was a chance for the girl to prove that she hadn't wasted seven years training her for nothing. This was a chance for her to prove her worth or death was inevitable.

Her snake-like eyes shifted to the girl who looked unbothered, which garnered her some respect. Anyone her age that was making an appearance in public for the first time would possibly be nervous and stumble. But Violetta looked relaxed and walked in her direction, an innocent smile on her face.

"Mother," one word and she had sneakily saved herself. At least that's what the Countess thought. She assumed there was no way for the illegitimate bastard to save herself, but she spoke so familiarly and affectionately with the Duchess.

Just like the Countess, the Duchess understood what was going on. It seemed like those seven years hadn't gone to naught. She smiled, albeit cold, but it relieved Xiao Yunhua. That's a smile of approval. To her shock, the Duchess actually helped her. "Violet, come here." Ah, the infamous nickname. In this time period, nicknames were very special. They were either exchanged between lovers or between family members. Just a casual nickname had established that they were close despite her status.

She knew it was childish, but she grinned with her lips closed as sat next to the Duchess. So many years of being dismissed and today, she had done something for her. It felt weird. This woman absolutely hated her guts for existing, yet she was helping her. Granted it was because she had a goal in mind and didn't want to cause herself embarrassment, it still caused Xiao Yunhua to feel a bit happy.

The short incident was brushed over as the musicians began to play again, invoking more but proper waltz dancing. The dancing from earlier was a bit laid back, but this one was the real deal. If a noble lady didn't get invited, it could cause a backlash on her reputation.

Xiao Yunhua's eyes darted everywhere as she saw more and more dancing, including Liliana. She wrung her dress inconspicuously and could feel the gaze of the Duchess shift into disappointment again. She had sent her on a mission to make herself some basic connections so she wouldn't be embarrassed like this...yet she failed. Her eyes gloomed and she looked at the Duchess apologetically.

As her assumption, the Duchess had no mercy and looked a bit angry. The second waltz has begun, but she hadn't been asked yet. People were beginning to whisper about her again but for a different reason. It wasn't because of her appearance that she wasn't asked, but because no one dared to walk on such thin ice. Yes the Duchess had addressed her familiarly, but she was still of inferior status despite being from a household only below the royal family.

Just as Xiao Yunhua had lost all hope, a figure stood in front of her. She looked up and it was the same boy again! He smiled at her kindly and politely as he genuflected and asked her for a dance. Her face flushed and she agreed as she took his hand.

Slowly, she was swept in with the dance as she remembered all those lessons from the instructors hired by the Duchess. Her steps were accurate and perfect, making people envious that she could do such a thing at such a young age.

She raised her head and her blue eyes met his brown ones. "Once again, I'm saved by kind sir. I owe you another debt of gratitude."

"Oh no, I had needed a dance partner as well. Consider this as beneficial for both of us. There is no debt to be repaid." He smiled and added, "But since we keep meeting in peculiar situations, I'm sure it's time for proper introductions."

She smiled sheepishly and nodded. It was high time she found out who this boy was. He had saved her from hurting herself, gave her a magnolia flower that she wanted, and stopped her from scarring her reputation. "My name is Violetta Charlotte Warrington of the House of Warrington. And you may be?" Her curiosity was at its peak.

"My name is—" the musicians stopped playing and it meant that the next waltz was going to start. As much as she wanted to dance with him again, she couldn't because it was considered improper if she latched onto him and stopped him from dancing with other girls. The good news was that his action caused many others to ask her to dance, almost like he paved the way for them to do so.

So she was swept into dancing with different people and then once she was catching a break, she swallowed down her awkwardness and began to socialize with the young girls there. Surprisingly, after the Duchess had helped state their familiarity with each other, it was like a barrier had been lifted. The young girls actually responded and didn't treat her coldly, like they had confirmed something.

The next couple of hours went by in a blur and then it was time to go home. In the end, she couldn't figure out his identity nor had the chance to ask his identity. Downheartedly, she gripped the magnolia flower and went home.

The only clue she had from him was the pin he wore which was an emblem of his household. She hadn't seen it when he saved her from falling, but she had seen it close when they were dancing together.

As she went back home in the carriage ride, her mind was occupied. The Duchess noticed this and actually asked her what was on her mind. This was the first time that she had shown her some concern, so it made Xiao Yunhua freeze. Her eyes were wide and then she sighed.

"Moth—" they were alone so she cleared her throat and corrected herself. "Your Grace, do you happen to know who that boy was?"

"Which one?" The Duchess actually responded and was going to help her!? Xiao Yunhua quickly explained and described the emblem that he wore to the Duchess and she was quiet for a few minutes. This made Xiao Yunhua feel hopeless because if the Duchess did not know, then who did? This was the woman who was the prime in high society, so she knew about everything and everyone. Even though she had been out of the public eye for a few years, this didn't mean that her connections and recognitions had weakened. In fact, Xiao Yunhua was sure that she secretly had her people keep any eye on things in the real world while she trained her.

"I believe that boy was from the Harrison Household." No way! Such a coincidence was impossible but was her luck really that great? Before she could think any further, she wanted to confirm that it was the correct Harrison son if there were anymore other than her target.

"He looked to be about eighteen years old...does that mean that he was Dominic?" The Duchess narrowed her eyes in suspicion over how an isolated girl knew his name so she quickly added, "The noble girls in the garden were talking about him." Perfect excuse because the Duchess wouldn't be able to deny her lie.

"Yes it was most likely him." Her confirmation made Xiao Yunhua astonished. So she had been saved and danced with her target without knowing it was him! Since they had already established a connection, she needed to use that to her advantage.

"Your Grace, could I invite him for tea." Before the Duchess could refute, she quickly stated her reasons. "For one, he did save me from humiliation by asking to be my first dance. And since he did my reputation a big favor, it's best for me to not forget the hospitality of a Warrington and invite him as a thank you. There, of course, will be boundaries to prevent either of our reputations from suffering from any bad rumors as well."

The Duchess was silent for the rest of the carriage ride back home, which made Xiao Yunhua nervous. Did that mean that she wasn't allowed to do that? Her confusion was clear on her face until the Duchess finally nodded towards the end.

"That's fine." Two words and Xiao Yunhua sighed in relief as she was getting out of carriage. It seemed like her merits and good behavior at her first party had allowed for the cold woman to finally grant her a wish for the first time.

She would make sure to use this wish accordingly...