Extreme shock often leaves people speechless.

At this moment, it seemed they had even forgotten how to breathe.

An utterly unexpected event had unfolded. Even the person at the center of it, unaware until now, stood frozen. Miles was equally uninformed about the announcement.

In the silence where no one dared to react, a voice suddenly cried out.

"Is this true? No matter how extraordinary, adopting someone without blood ties—especially into the Pluto Ducal House—is unbelievable! Isn't lineage of utmost importance to this family? There has never been such a precedent!"

At these words, Rearwin softly curved her eyes into a gentle smile.

"Crescent possesses something far stronger than lineage. If she is considered a gift from the divine Ammas, lineage ceases to matter. Nothing can surpass the will of the divine."

"...!"

"Hah."

At last, murmurs of acceptance rippled through the room.

In truth, Crescent’s abilities were a gift from the system, not a god, but this detail was irrelevant to those who didn’t know. Besides, labeling her as a divine gift from Ammas silenced any objections.

And then, it happened.

Clap…

A small round of applause echoed from somewhere. It gradually grew into a thunderous ovation.

Clap, clap, clap!

The sound of celebration filled the banquet hall, which was nearly outdoors in its design, resounding as if the heavens themselves were applauding.

Amid this overwhelming wave of blessings, Reuben and Rearwin smiled with unparalleled satisfaction.

The only ones overwhelmed by shock were Crescent and Miles.

"They’re adopting me… legally?"

Crescent hadn’t completely dismissed the possibility—Rearwin had hinted at it several times—but she never truly believed it would happen.

No matter how much she was regarded as a divine gift, adopting an outsider was unprecedented in the Pluto Ducal House’s history.

"But to adopt me? This is crazy. It makes no sense!"

She had been under the Pluto family’s sponsorship for six long years. She had assumed that if adoption were possible, it would have happened much earlier and had let her guard down.

"This is unbelievable…."

"This is unbelievable…."

Miles and Crescent muttered in stunned unison, their minds adrift. Realizing this, Crescent quickly clamped her mouth shut, as did Miles, startled by his own outburst.

Rearwin, noticing their expressions, turned to Crescent with a warm smile.

"Are you very surprised, Centi?"

"Y-Yes?"

"It’s no wonder you’re stunned. I apologize for not telling you beforehand. However, we wanted to announce our intentions regardless of your opinion. We wanted to make it clear that we don’t see you as merely a ward but as someone worthy of officially bearing our family name."

"..."

So that’s what this is about.

Crescent couldn’t bring herself to respond. The shock still clung to her chest.

I’m gaining an official family.

This was an entirely different feeling from merely living under their guardianship. She would become a noble, officially call Rearwin her mother, and…

As Reuben gestured, servants brought forth a raised platform, setting it before Crescent. Resting on it was an ornate document—at a glance, it looked extraordinary.

At the top of the luxurious paper, the words Adoption Consent Form stood out.

"Crescent."

Reuben’s voice brought her attention back to him.

"Yes?"

"If you’re too shocked, you don’t have to sign the consent form right away. After all, what difference does a piece of paper make? But if you’re willing… it would mean…."

Reuben trailed off, leaving his sentence incomplete.

What was he about to say?

Crescent perked her ears, curious. Reuben’s lips twitched, as if reluctant to form the words.

"So that you might… call me Grandfather instead of Duke Your Grace."

His gaze was directed elsewhere, not meeting hers. Even Reuben, having spoken the words aloud, looked deeply embarrassed and awkward.

Rearwin chuckled softly at his demeanor.

"Father, are you embarrassed? You’ve always wanted to hear her call you Grandfather, haven’t you?"

"Nonsense. I have no interest in such things."

"Oh, you definitely do―!"

"I’ll sign it!"

At that moment, Crescent’s voice rang out, bright and determined, her face beaming.

The entire room—Reuben, Rearwin, and Miles included—stared at her, wide-eyed.

"Is that true?" Reuben asked cautiously.

Crescent nodded firmly.

There was no avoiding formal adoption at this point.

If so, she might as well embrace her role as their daughter! Perhaps, if the Pluto family ever learned the truth about her origins, her earnest efforts could make them understand.

"Yes. You’ve cared for me so deeply, and I’m so grateful. As your granddaughter and as the daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness, I’ll strive to repay your kindness."

"My goodness, Crescent. Thank you so much."

Overcome with emotion, Rearwin enveloped Crescent in a warm embrace.

Nestled in her arms, Crescent felt pure happiness. She purposefully avoided thinking of anything else—only of how much love they were offering her.

"To be family with such wonderful people…"

"I feel as though I’ve been gifted by the divine Ammas…." Crescent murmured dreamily.

Once more, applause cascaded over her like sunlight.

At last, Crescent picked up the feathered pen and signed the Adoption Consent Form. Her movements were bold and unwavering.

Crescent Dallas had officially become Crescent Pluto.

***

The debutante ball was reaching its peak.

The highlight of any debutante ball is undoubtedly the protagonist's dance and their partner!

Once again, everyone was eagerly anticipating who Crescent would share her first dance with. After all, the significance of the first dance was far from trivial.

Rearwin, too, was determined not to pair Crescent with just anyone for this pivotal moment.

"That’s why I sent Metty ten letters a day, insisting he return home in time. But the brat didn’t come in the end, did he?"

Rearwin’s frustration simmered. She had hoped her eldest son, Meteor, would be Crescent’s first dance partner. In many ways, it would have been the most fitting choice.

Her twin sons, however, were still training at her maternal family’s estate and couldn’t attend the debutante ball. This was because Rearwin’s maternal family had no male heirs and sought to train her sons themselves.

Left with no other choice, Rearwin begrudgingly selected a young man from another prestigious Holy Knight family to be Crescent’s first partner.

She made the decision based purely on looks and demeanor.

And yet, the scene of Crescent and her chosen partner dancing in harmony turned out to be rather captivating.

“They truly are a beautiful pair.”

“It must be because they’re knights. Even their dancing exudes such refinement and grace!”

The crowd’s reaction was fervent.

Crescent, for her part, was doing her best to focus on the dance.

"Ugh, these steps are so confusing. Good thing I memorized them as if they were sword forms. Otherwise, I would’ve messed up ages ago."

She imagined her dance partner as a person-shaped sword. She pushed and pulled the sword here and there, and it turned and bent her in return. It was an oddly effective mental trick.

The seemingly endless dance eventually came to an end.

Relieved, Crescent stepped back from her partner and curtsied gracefully.

Now, it was time for the dance session with the guests.

As soon as Crescent left the main dance floor, it quickly filled with other nobles eager to take their turn.

Left momentarily alone, Crescent barely had time to catch her breath before young men began approaching her, eager to request the next dance.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, she offered a polite excuse.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I think I’ve been a bit tense. I’ll need to rest for a moment.”

“Pardon? Oh, of course. We’ll wait right here for you.”

“Thank you.”

Offering a courteous smile, Crescent stepped away, her movements slightly hesitant.

At that moment, someone passing by accidentally stepped on her dress. Crescent, caught off guard, wobbled as her balance faltered.

“Whoa—?”

You’re a Holy Knight! Keep your composure, Crescent!

She tried to right herself, like a wobbling top regaining balance. But just as she was about to straighten up—

Someone placed a steadying hand on her back and gave her a firm push to help her stand upright.

“!”