Debutante Ball (2)

'Hah' Kali almost snorted.

Instead of showing distress, Kali smiled at Count Delacorte.

The ring on the Count's finger is evidence that he is the current head of the Delacorte family; all the noble families have something similar. To Count Konrad Alexanders it was the Blue Pin he always wore. These items are proof of their status and at the same time it was a 'Code Reader' item.

Only the heads of the Noble Family have the ability to read other noble's code but it is limited to only those who rank lower than them.

A head of baron household can only read commoner's code while a head of Viscount Household can both read Baron's households and commoners while the highest Noble house head, The Duke, can read from commoners code to a marquis family. . .

All other nobles with no title (children of nobles) are not much different from Head of the Baron Household. They can only read commoners' code until they become the head of the family.

Kali, knowing that her code can be read by Count Delacorte, raised her arm and placed her right hand on top of the Count's hand. "Ofcourse" she replied smilingly.

To activate the 'Code Reader' the user must rub or brush the Code reader item with mana which the count did before reaching for Kali's hand.

"It was indeed a beautiful piece of jewelry." The count remarked as if he was really appreciating the bracelet.

"Can you now let go?" Konrad said with a slightly threatening tone.

"Ah right, right. Thank you for showing me, Young Lady." The count smiled and his mustache stretched.

Kali only smiled at his pretentious warm attitude.

"Oh by the way, Theodeous, My son wanted to catch up with you, since it's been awhile. Will you meet him?"

". . . Yes, I will."

"He is on the other side of the hall. " As if he is urging us to go quickly.

Theo bowed down and excused himself.

"Earl, the king summons us privately. Will you follow me in the waiting room?"

". . . Lead the way."

"This way. . . Enjoy the rest of the party" He gave another smile as he took Konrad away.

In an instant, Count Delacorte sent away two of Kali's defenses.

"What would you do if he really read your code?" Gio said in a low voice.

"He won't."

"You sound so sure."

"His house is too important. They won't sacrifice such a family. If they sacrifice someone it will be like the baron earlier."

At first Kali thought it was individual work but since the Lords back in the South delayed the count's arrival, how the count saved the Baron. It was clear that they are a band of nobles plotting against them.

"Do you know who they are?"

"I have some ideas."

The cue of starting a new song played and some of the debutants were escorted by their partners to the dance floor area and since the ball had started hours ago all the mandatory dance of the debutants were long done.

"You should dance."

"Can I say no?"

Gio and Kali converse unmotivatedly.

"Aren't you popular?"

"Huh?"

"Those girls had been looking this way since earlier."

Kali slightly points with her chin the group of girls whispering and stealing glances at their direction. It was hard to know what they were talking about with fans and hands covering half of their faces.

"Aren't they talking about you?"

Kali and Gio looked at the giggling girls then they blushed and turned their body away suddenly. They both sighed. She expected to be approached by her targets but surprisingly they treated her like a displayed painting. Appreciate and watch from a distance.

"Can you dance?"

"I don't know. Can you?"

Gio is mocking her. He was informed about Kali's poor performance in dancing.

"I am a noblewoman. Don't underestimate me."

Gio smirked and offered an asking hand for a dance. Kali forced a smile and accepted it. As they make their way, slowly the attention gathers around the youngest son and daughter of the famous count Alexanders. A perfect picture of beauty.

The music began playing as if waiting for them to take position. Kali gives her softest smile as she glides gracefully at each step. Gio looked at her in amazement like he didn't know who the other person was. He gave her a stare and smile.

"I thought you can't dance."

"Shh. don't talk."

It's taking Kali's every bit of concentration to look relaxed and composed as she remembers the countless routine steps she practiced back in the mansion. Gio, who understood it, laughed in a small voice.

*Click*

She stepped in her inner dress. She grabbed Gio's hand tightly and he immediately turned his body to one side to cover her mistake.

"Shit." She cursed in a small voice which made Gio laugh. Kali's cursing mouth didn't surprise him anymore.

She glared up to him, mentally saying to shut up because it's distracting her.

*click*

She tripped again. She bumped her head to Gio's chest and lost her concentration with it. Her face starts to distort. Memorizing steps is easy for Kali but to execute it with 'poise, grace and elegance' is something she cannot comprehend.

With everyone's attention to Gio and Kali's dancing. Gio let go her hand to hold her waist and lift her to one side to cover her continuous tripping. Majority of the attendees were watching, when Gio lifted her looking surprised they couldn't take their eyes off the scene.

She landed absentmindedly.

"You have to turn." Gio grabbed her hand and made her turn away.

In debutante or coming of age ball is the time for a nobles to officially enter in the social world. For noble ladies this is to secure an engagement. To attract high ranking suitors, the first impression must be flawless. The dress is the best way to create that first impression. All the debutant noble ladies wear corsets to accentuate curves and promote maturity, light colored dresses to showcase youth, femininity and sweetness and unique or excessive decorations for attention. They also pair the extravagant dress with expensive and rare jewelries as a sign of wealth.

In the middle of pale color dresses Kali wearing a striking color of blue darkening to its hem, stands out on the dance floor. Unlike the traditional, heavy and layered dresses, her dress was light, airy and comfortable to look at. It flutters and dances in the air beautifully as she makes a turn, her ankles were briefly seen. The tiny diamonds sewn in her dress start to reflect the lights, making her glitter and shimmer in every movement, Like there are stars sewn in her dress. She glistened beautifully and blindingly captivating together with her blue stones accessories .

The backless dress, and her strained collarbones made the noblemen stunned in their places. Mesmerize and fascinated.

Kali returned in Gio's Arm dumbfounded at what happened but at exact timing the song ended.

They bow to each other and Gio offers his arm to escort her.

"What was that?"

"I saved you from potential floor planking."

Kali smiled at Gio's truthful words. Their watchers skipped a heartbeat at her unexpected smile.

*Ting*

~Temporary Skill Available~

[Skill: Trance Lvl. 1]

'Oh?'

[Trance]

Using this skill will put the Targets in a half-conscious state. The higher INT and CHA the higher chance of effectiveness.

This skill can only be activated once Attributes Intelligence has reached 500 and Charisma 500 points.

'What happened?' She thought as she opened her inventory

SYSTEM : Profile

Skills

Divine Protection (Lvl. 1)

Tolerance (Lvl. 5)

Taunt (Lvl. 1)

Foreign Language (Lvl 2)

Trance (Lvl. 1)

Attributes

ATK : 908 DEX : 221

DEF : 799 INT : 561

STA : 1032 CHA : 323 (+200)

AGI : 981

"Hmm?" She put her thumb in her chin

'Is this like 'Bloodlust' Skill? Did it trigger something?'

"You look dumb." Gio whispered and broke her thoughts.

Kali's eyes twitch at Gio's words. She didn't notice she looked like spacing out while looking at the system screen but as she looked around and saw everyone's gazing at her.

'The Dance. ' Kali succeeded in her goal. She got their attention. It was an attention different from being the center of gossip, this attention is like they are waiting for a chance to talk to her.

"Go away."

"What?"

"Go away. They can't approach you because you are here."

"Throwing me away after using me--"

"Just go away I need to speak with them"

"I'll go. I'll go. Scream if you need help."

The moment Gio left as if he already fulfilled his role, one by one noble flock around her.

"My lady, you were stunning earlier. I am the eldest son of Viscount Resonquild, Harold Resonquild."

'Ah. He is not one of them."

"I am Kaleena Alexanders.Thank you for your invitation Sir Resonquild but I am resting for a moment."

One after another introduce themselves to her but none of them are who she needs.

She is tired, smiling and rejecting offers.

*ting*

[Player Use Skill: 'Trance' Lvl 1]

After using the Trance skill she smiled one last time and she released soft aura making the noblemen around her swoon and be out of their mind while gazing at her

*Ting*

[The Player Successfully Tranced the targets]

'Finally'

Kali was amazed because they stopped talking and just stared at her with loving eyes. It was a creepy gaze but at least they shut up. She curtsy and excused herself.

She looked around the hall and saw Gio being surrounded by ladies. He had a straight face like the count but Kali knows it's his troubled face.

She turns around and ignores his suffering and continues looking. She finally saw Theo. He is casually chatting to another person.

She cleared her throat slightly before she approached.