Chapter X - My Surprise, The Debut Part 2

The Office of the Grand Duchess was large and the interior color scheme lighter than the typically color the family preferred, it was brown and white that was decorated with gold. With two black couches and a small table placed in the middle of the room with a chandelier above it.

The Desk was large enough for a single person to sleep into, and its purpose of stacking papers needed to be reviewed and approved by the Head. It was a very practical one, and seated behind it is the Grand Duchess herself.

"Ah, Noah. What seems to be bothering you?" She asked as Noah sat down on one of the couches. He looked at the Duchess began telling her, "I have a bad feeling about today your grace, But I have not found a single thing amidst the preparation being made in the whole land and Castle." he said as she focused and listened closely.

"Then I suppose Kevin will have to heighten the security more. I will tell the servants to be vigilant, and I will prepare for your departure." She said as Noah nodded solemnly, "Please do so, I prefer it to be discreet as to not ruin the party. I do not want to leave in a commotion and let your grace handle everything. I will leave as soon as Reginald gives a signal." He informed her and the Duchess nodded with a sad look.

"You need to inform them, they will be sad." She added before Noah left the room, "I will, because this is the last time I will see the two of them." He said with a smile.

The Duchess could only look at his back, he looked tired and worn out. She knew that being someone of his caliber is one of the most important foundation in the continent, but that is too much of a burden for a nineteen year old man like Noah.

"Kevin, check the security and alert them quietly to stay vigilant. Inform me personally if you see someone with an orange hair nearing the Castle." Kevin nodded as he appeared next to her, "And Beth, the servant. Do not inform them but observe them, if anyone is suspicious deal with them quietly." and Beth, the Head Maid curtsied and left along with Kevin.

Noah walked through the halls and went up the staircase leading up the to the 3rd floor of the left wing and asked a maid where is the location of the twin's bedroom, they were happy to help and lead Noah to the rooms and opened the door of Richards room.

"Noah, I was not expecting you to visit." Richard said as he walked out, fully dressed and ready for the party later. The servant bowed and left the room with a single look from Richard as he smiled and lead Noah to sit in a couch near his personal library.

"Why did you come Noah? I told them to call Audrey so she will be here after she finished her hair and some accessories." Richard said as Noah look out two purple velvet boxes in the table.

"I'm here to give my presents, I can't give them personally later because it will implicate things." He said with a sad look as Richard understood. Noah took the larger square shaped box and opened it facing Richard.

"Wow...What kind of gem is that Noah? It's clear and beautiful." Richard commented as he saw the brooch inside, Noah chuckled before he picked it up and placed it Richard's lapel. He was wearing a Purple Coat with gold embroidery in the lapel, a white silk shirt, cravat and black trousers completed with black shoes. His hair was parted near the middle and the brooch was his only accessory.

"Let's wait for Audriana, I will tell you both. I also have something to say to the both of you." Noah explained as he brewed tea and they waited for Audriana to finish.

Audriana came through the room by the connected door, she was dressed in a light purple dress that is covering her neck and her shoulders are visible with short sleeves. The dress was decorated in fabric roses and pearls, the bodice was decorated with embroidery using gold thread and sewn gems. Her hair was decorated by fresh flowers.

"Noah, Richy. I hope that I didn't made you two wait. The maids were being fussy about my hair, they couldn't choose which one so I just ordered them to put half my hair up and decorate it with flowers." She said as she sat down next to Richard.

"They did a lovely job, and no we did not wait long. To see you like this was worth the wait." Noah said as Audriana covered her cheeks that is now tinted pink. "Noah is dangerous, we need to warn older brother." She said to Richard who laughed.

"Now now Audry, Noah said he has something to give you." Richard said as he gestured to Noah to show his gift.

"Yes, here is my present for you Audriana. I hope that this will suit your dress." He said as Audriana admired the jewelry. "This is so pretty Noah, and it would match the dress perfectly." She said as she took one and handed the other to Richard.

"You put the earring in my left Richy, I'll do my right." Audriana said as Richard nodded and gently placed the earring in his sisters ear, he relaxed when he successfully did it and not hurt his sister. After that, with both earrings now in her ears, she smiled. "This is the best gift, I'll use it carefully." She said as Noah nodded and laughed.

"Well then, the gems are what we call a mana stone. I engraved on those stones a spell of protection, mana control and communication. My Light Spirit, Sophia also placed a glow spell so that you can use." He said as Sophia popped out and nodded.

"Wait! A Mana stone with engraved spells?!" The Twins said in sync while looking baffled and shocked. "Noah! This is considered as an Imperial Treasure!" said by Audriana while Richard nodded his head.

Noah laughed helplessly, "And that I cannot give them to you later. Please only disclose this information to your Mother and Older Brother, I already gave them communication orbs that you can connect to when you find yourselves in trouble. And it is also connected to me personally so don't hesitate to call me." He explained and clarified their questions.

"We won't, and we will take care of these very carefully." They said while holding each others hand and nodding towards Noah.

"And I will also leave after or before the party ends, so I choose this time to give this. As you both know that I will have no chance to meet you two after this if we don't develop a solution in the tower." He added that made the mood drop.

With teary eyes, the twins both walked towards him and hugged him. "We understand, but we will miss you so much. Especially Older Brother, he will return to being cold to us." They said as Noah patted their backs.

"Don't worry, I will scold him before I leave." He assured them and cleaned their faces with magic.

"We don't want them so see you two with puffy red eyes. It's the big day for the both of you so enjoy it and make the most out of it." He said and pats their heads and lead them outside.

As they neared the doors leading to the Grand Ballroom, Noah noticed a few lingering ladies near it. As he leads the twins, these ladies noticed him and they began to talk behind their fans before walking up to him. He sensed this to be troublesome so he hid the twins behind him.

"Hello, Young Lord. We were wondering if you have any partners for the party today?" One of the Lady asked dressed in yellow, "I noticed that you are by yourself and I was hoping if you could grant me the pleasure of being my escort." Another said dressed in green.

Noah smiled and he felt a tug on his coat, he knew the twins were getting irritated so he wanted this to be over quickly. "I'm sorry Ladies, but I do not intend to take a partner today." He said as the ladies eyes and smile faltered.

With a smile, "I'm sure you are joking, someone with a look like yours without a partner?" She asked as the other lady dressed in pink inched closer to him. With her fan she tilted Noah's chin up, that is when Noah felt the grip in his back get tighter.

"Ladies, I am an honest man. I do not want to have any partners today, so please excuse us." He said as they all gave him a dirty look before someone slapped away the hand holding the fan in Noah's chin.

"You dare place your filthy hands to a personal guest of our family?" Vincent said as he appeared behind them with a murderous look. "Vincent! As I have told you weeks ago, do not attempt to hurt anyone. They were just wondering if I want a partner for today." Noah defended the poor woman who got under the radar of a mad Vincent.

He was wearing his Uniform as the commander of his Knights, it was black all over with gold for the accessories and violet fabric to some. He was also wearing the evergreen brooch Noah gave to him before. He looked displeased but came to Noah's side and saw the Twins.

"You rascals, why didn't you two do anything?" He asked with an annoyed tone, "We didn't want to, we knew you would step in Brother. We don't wanna steal the limelight." They both said, still clutching Noah's coat but smiling mischievously.

"Don't scold them, I hid them because I knew this was just idle chitchat." Noah said as he looked at the frozen ladies in front of them.

"A Partner? The Duchess already said that you are my partner for tonight." Vincent said which earned him gasped and a wide eye Noah. "You are kidding me." He said which Vincent grinned at.

"When did I lie to you Iris?" As he grabbed Noah right hand and walked towards the large doors, the twins closely following behind, they gave a look to their servants and the ladies were escorted to a different door.

"Do you seriously intend for me to become your partner?" Noah asked as he positioned the twins near the door and told them to wait after him and Vincent passed through first.

"Iris, you have always been my partner. Will you grant this wish of mine?" He said as he bought Noah's right hand to his lips and kissed it, Noah blushed as he sighed and nodded his head while the Twins shared a knowing looked and smirked at each other and wiggled their eyebrows towards their brother. They earned 'that' look for him but that didn't scare them.

"Then let us go Noah, The Duchess is next and you kids follow. She's here." He informed them as the Herald nodded and announced their presence. The Duchess chuckled when she saw Vincent and Noah's linked arms, while the twins gave her a look that tells her they will and can tell her what happened before she arrived.

"Announcing, Marquess Vincent Leondale and Lord Noah Wisteria!" The Doors opened as the Herald nodded to them, Both Vincent and Noah entered the room and descended in the staircase. The looks and shock of the nobles didn't bother the both of them as they continued to walk towards the platform reserved for the family.

"Wait, Vince. This place is reserve to your, won't I get into trouble?" Noah whispered as Vincent gave him a side eye and smiled subtly but still continued to walk and lead him to a chair next to his as they stand with them facing the doors they entered.

"Announcing, Grand Duchess Leondale!" The Grand Duchess was dress in a sophisticated gown that is decorated in rose flowers similar to Audriana and embroidery similar to Richards. She walked elegantly and effortlessly towards her seat in the middle and she gave a wink to Noah before she stood near her seat facing the door.

"And now, Announcing Lord Richard Leondale and Lady Audriana Leondale!" The Twins both entered and they both look cute and elegant, Richard has his typical calm face while Audriana looked like a little version of Duchess Leondale.

When they neared the seats, Richard bowed and Audriana curtsied. "We great and thank Mother." They said as Duchess Leondale smiled and gestured for them to look at the guest.

"For coming to our debut today, we express out gratitude to you all." They both said in sync as Vincent nodded, he liked that the twins didn't prepare a full speech and just did their greetings the same as him. He did remember saying "Thank you for coming." in his Debut and that left the guest in a shocked mode.

Noah looked at the twins and nodded at them as a sign that they did a great job as they all sat down and the Duchess began to speak, "I am honored to announce that my son and daughter has reached their age, as they said I also wanted to express my thanks to you all today. Please enjoy the party to your hearts content." She announced as the guest all clapped and the music that was stopped earlier began to fill the ballroom again.

The Grand Ballroom located at the second floor main building of the Leondale Castle was bright and filled with music and chattering of the guest invited for the celebration. All of them were very eager to catch a glimpse of the newly debuted Lord and only Lady of such a powerful family, but some were hiding their displeased reaction to the party. They merely went to the Castle to inspect whether the new member of high society can be beneficial to their gain.

"Did you see that earlier? The Heir to the duchy bought a man as a partner! What was the Duchess thinking when she allowed this." Count Murmer said as some nobles heard his concern and they began to gossip.

"The Duchess is tolerant of her children, especially her heir. Bringing a man to a party held for his siblings, does he have no shame?" said by Viscountess Kergalle and some noblewoman agreed and some don't. There are others who did not side with anyone and stayed neutral.

"Do not say that Count Murmer, did you not heard the name of the man?" Count Ravenguard said as he looked at the forming male nobles gossiping. "I do not tolerate gossiping, this is rude and disrespectful." He said as he looked at the Knights slowly inching closer to the ones who were gossiping negatively.

"Count Ravenguard, thank you for the defense you have said. It is true that our Commander choose to bring a man as a partner but us, The Order of the Blue Rose vow to never let any harm to come near Lord Wisteria." Lieutenant Raure said as he appeared with two more knights behind him.

"W-Wisteria!" Count Murmer and the other nobles who gossiped negatively all flinched, "Well Now, Sir Raure. Older Brother would like to hear from these nobles later." The Twins who appeared out of nowhere said while their eyes looked lifeless but the smile on their face gave them all the shudder.

"Those fools, they did not even know that this man they are talking so rudely at was a son of a Marquess." Lady Maxwell said as she covered her smile with her orange fan.

"Well then, why don't we dance Iris?" Vincent asked as he offered his hand to Noah.

"Vince! You know that will create bad rumors in high society!" Noah said as he crossed his arms in the form of an X.

Duchess Leondale only laughed, "Go with the whim of my son Dear, or else he will throw a tantrum." she said as Noah only looked shocked with his mouth in the shape of an O.

Vincent only rolled his eyes and dragged Noah out his seat and to the middle of the room, "Vincent!" Noah whined as Vincent only positioned them to dance.

"Don't care, only focus on me. Or else I'll just gouge their eyes and cut their tongue if they bother you so much." He said casually that Noah almost stepped on his foot.

"No Murder! No Torture Vince!" He begged as Vincent only gave him an innocent smile and they continued their dance, the nobles speechless and completely unaware of the threat Vincent has said.

While in the middle of the dance, Noah received a call. "Blanche! Trouble!Big trouble!" Reginald's voice echoed in his head as he looked at Vincent with panic.

"Reginald.Trouble." He said as Vincent looked serious and nodded his head. They both left the floor and headed towards the Duchess.

"I've received a signal. I will be departing right now." He said as Vincent removed his Uniform coat and wore his normal black coat Elias gave him. "How is the situation?" Noah asked as Reginald was heaving breaths.

"The Barrier of Plietta was broken! But the trouble was the sudden evil energy coming from the West. I used a barrier around the Wrolent land and I hope that it's enough to last a few hours before you arrive. Come to the tower first then I will explain in full detail." He said as Noah frowned.

"Give him a good scolding Blanche, He was reckless." came a voice from Reve. "I will, wait for me." Noah replied as he looked at the Duchess and Noah.

"The Barrier of Plietta has a hole in the West." He said, Vincent and the Duchess was shocked. "I will take care of the things here, hurry and fix it." She said as Vincent and Noah nodded.

"And I will leave my things in here, We will use teleportation. Grab my hand Vince, do you have everything?" He asked, Vincent smiled.

"Aside from my sword and storage bag, I do have my 'everything'." He said that made the Duchess laugh.

"I will think more of that answer later but right now we need to go. Farewell your Grace." Noah said as him and Vincent disappeared in an instant.